User interface apparatus and method

A user interface apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of key buttons found in an m×n matrix;
• and
• a plurality of touchpad pieces, each of the plurality of touchpad pieces located under an associated key button and situated such that a touch of an associated key button can be sensed;
• and
• a controller for, upon detecting a first touch-drag for m or n number of key buttons in a column or row direction in a menu mode, sorting items displayed on a menu screen according to a predetermined condition for the touch-dragged key button group.

A user interface method in an apparatus including a plurality of key buttons and a plurality of touchpad pieces, each of the plurality of touchpad pieces located under one of the plurality of key buttons and adapted for sensing a touch for the corresponding key button, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining if one of the plurality of the key buttons is touched in a state controlled by a controller of the apparatus, where a menu screen is displayed in the state;
• displaying a previous main menu on the menu screen if a first key button among the associated key buttons is touched;
• displaying a next main menu on the menu screen if a second key button among the associated key buttons is touched;
• if a third key button among the associated key buttons is touched, shifting a highlight on the submenus displayed on the menu screen such that a previous menu item of a currently highlighted menu item is highlighted;
• and
• if a fourth key button among the associated key buttons is touched, shifting the highlight on the submenus displayed on the menu screen such that a next menu item of the currently highlighted menu item is highlighted.

A user interface method in an apparatus including a plurality of key buttons and a plurality of touchpad pieces, each of the plurality of touchpad pieces located under a key button and adapted to sense a touch of the key button, the method comprising the steps of:

• sensing a touch of the key button with the corresponding touchpad;
• determining, in a menu mode, if a plurality of key buttons are touch-dragged in a row or column direction;
• and
• upon detecting the touch-drag, controlling a function of the apparatus.