Mobile terminal and corresponding method for assigning user-drawn input gestures to functions

1. A method of controlling a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

displaying, via a controller, at least one first function icon on a standby screen on a touchscreen of the mobile terminal;

entering a touch gesture setting mode configured to allow a user to input a user-drawn first input gesture that is to be associated with the first function icon;

assigning, via the controller, the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon displayed on the standby screen such that a first function corresponding to the first function icon is to be executed when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the standby screen after assigning the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon;

removing, via the controller, the first function icon from the standby screen in response to assigning the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon;

receiving, via the controller, an input gesture on the standby screen;

executing the first function if the received input gesture on the standby screen matches the user-drawn first input gesture;

receiving, via an input unit, a canceling signal indicating the cancelation of the assignment of the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon;

canceling the assignment of the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon; and

re-displaying the first function icon on the standby screen in response to the cancelation of the gesture assignment,

wherein the first function icon is selectively displayed on the touch screen based on whether or not the user-drawn first input gesture is assigned to the first function icon.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first function corresponding to the first function icon is a send function in a messaging mode.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the messaging mode includes one of a text messaging mode, a multimedia messaging mode and an email mode.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-drawn first input gesture corresponds to a check mark motion made on the mobile terminal.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user-drawn first input gesture comprises one of a touch and drag operation performed on the touchscreen and a proximity touch action performed close to the mobile terminal without touching the touchscreen.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

assigning, via the controller, the user-drawn first input gesture to a second function icon corresponding to a second function such that both of the first and second functions are executed when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal; and

removing, via the controller, the second function icon from the touchscreen of the mobile terminal in response to assigning the user-drawn first gesture to the second function icon.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the assigning step comprises:

assigning, via the controller, the user-drawn first input gesture to the displayed first function icon based on a predetermined position of the touchscreen where the user-drawn first input gesture is performed such that the first function is executed only when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal at the predetermined position of the touchscreen.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein when a second function is currently executing on the mobile terminal and the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal, the method further comprises:

executing the first function and maintaining the execution of the second function; and

displaying first and second windows including the executing first and second functions in an overlapping manner.

9. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a housing forming an exterior of the mobile terminal;

an input unit equipped on the housing;

a touch screen equipped on the housing and configured to display at least one first function icon on a standby screen and receive a user-drawn first input gesture performed on the standby screen; and

a controller equipped within the housing and configured to control the touch screen and the input unit, wherein the controller is further configured to:

enter a touch gesture setting mode to allow a user to input the user-drawn first input gesture to be associated with the at least one first function icon,

assign the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon displayed on the standby screen such that a first function corresponding to the first function icon is to be executed when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the standby screen after assigning the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon,

remove the first function icon from the standby screen in response to assigning the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon, receive an input gesture on the standby screen,

execute the first function if the received input gesture on the standby screen matches the user-drawn first input gesture,

receive a canceling signal indicating the cancelation of the assignment of the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon,

cancel the assignment of the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon, and

re-display the first function icon on the standby screen in response to the cancelation of the gesture assignment,

wherein the first function icon is selectively displayed on the touch screen based on whether or not the user-drawn first input gesture is assigned to the first function icon.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the first function corresponding to the first function icon is a send function in a messaging mode.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 10 , wherein the messaging mode includes one of a text messaging mode, a multimedia messaging mode and an email mode.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the user-drawn first input gesture corresponds to a check mark motion made on the mobile terminal.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the user-drawn first input gesture comprises one of a touch and drag operation performed on the touchscreen and a proximity touch action performed close to the mobile terminal without touching the touchscreen.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to assign the user-drawn first input gesture to a second function icon corresponding to a second function such that both of the first and second functions are executed when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal, and to remove the second function icon from the touchscreen of the mobile terminal in response to assigning the user-drawn first gesture to the second function icon.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to assign the user-drawn first input gesture to the displayed first function icon based on a predetermined position of the touchscreen where the user-drawn first input gesture is performed such that the first function is executed only when the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal at the predetermined position of the touchscreen.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein when a second function is currently executing on the mobile terminal and the user-drawn first input gesture is performed on the mobile terminal, the controller is further configured to execute the first function, to maintain the execution of the second function and to display first and second windows including the executing first and second functions in an overlapping manner.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to enter the touch gesture setting mode responsive to at least one of a double touch operation, a long touch operation, or manipulation of a physical input key.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured, in the touch gesture setting mode, to display a storage icon upon completion of the user-drawn first input gesture, such that selection by the user of the storage icon completes assignment of the user-drawn first input gesture to the first function icon.