Mobile device supporting touch semi-lock state and method for operating the same

1. A method for operating a mobile device supporting a touch semi-lock state, the method comprising:

providing a predefined hot menu region and a touch-lock icon on a touch screen when the mobile device enters into the touch semi-lock state, the hot menu region comprising two or more menu images, each menu image associated with a corresponding end-user function, wherein the hot menu region is not selectable when the mobile device enters the touch semi-lock state;

temporarily setting, in response to detecting a touch-down of the touch-lock icon, the hot menu region to be selectable by the touch-lock icon such that the touch-lock icon is moveable anywhere within the hot menu region;

detecting a movement of the touch-lock icon within the hot menu region such that the touch-lock icon at least partially overlaps a first menu image of the hot menu region; and

activating a particular end-user function corresponding to the first menu image in response to detecting a touch-up of the touch-lock icon,

wherein the hot menu is configured to be previously set according to a user's setting.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein when the mobile device enters the touch semi-lock state, only the touch-lock icon is in a touch event allowable region.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein activating comprises initiating communication with a phone number when the first menu image comprises a phone number, or accessing a webpage when the first menu image comprises a webpage address.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

checking a call log of the mobile device; and

replacing menu images of the hot menu region by menu images corresponding to frequently used calls.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:

automatically updating a output order or types of menu images contained in the hot menu region according to a selected end-user function; and

automatically registering frequently used end-user functions in the hot menu region according to an end-user function log.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of:

deleting rarely used menu images from the hot menu region; and

selectively locking menu images of the hot menu region that are not to be deleted.

7. A mobile device supporting a touch semi-lock state, the mobile device comprising:

a touch screen configured to generate a touch event and output a predefined hot menu region and a touch-lock icon when the touch panel enters into the touch semi-lock state, the predefined hot menu region comprising two or more menu images, each menu image associated with a corresponding end-user function, wherein the hot menu region is not selectable when the mobile device enters the touch semi-lock state; and

a control unit configured to:

temporarily set, in response to detecting a touch-down of the touch-lock icon, the hot menu region to be selectable by the touch-lock icon such that the touch-lock icon is moveable anywhere within the hot menu region;

detect a movement of the touch-lock icon within the hot menu region such that the touch-lock icon at least partially overlaps a first menu image of the hot menu region; and

activate a particular end-user function corresponding to the first menu image in response to detecting a touch-up of the touch-lock icon,

wherein the hot menu is configured to be previously set according to a user's setting.

8. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein when the mobile device enters the touch semi-lock state, only the touch-lock icon is in a touch event allowable region.

9. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to access a webpage when the first menu image comprises a webpage address.

10. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the control unit initiates communication with a phone number when the first menu image comprises a phone number.

11. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the control unit checks a call log of the mobile device and replaces menu images of the hot menu region by menu images corresponding to frequently used calls.

12. The mobile device of claim 7 , further comprising:

an input unit configured to create at least one of an OK key input signal for selecting the touch-lock icon, a navigation key input signal for moving the touch-lock icon onto the first menu image of the hot menu region, and an OK key input signal for selecting the first menu image.

13. The mobile device of claim 7 , further comprising:

a memory unit configured to store the hot menu region.

14. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the control unit comprises:

a hot menu management unit configured to delete a menu image contained in the hot menu region and register a new a menu image in the hot menu region;

a hot menu output unit configured to output the hot menu region on the touch screen; and

a hot menu execution unit configured to activate the end-user function corresponding to the selected menu image.

15. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein the hot menu management unit is further configured to update one of the output order and types of the menu images contained in the hot menu region.

16. The mobile device of claim 14 , wherein the hot menu execution unit is further configured to cancel the touch semi-lock state according to a first predetermined option while activating the end-user function, and maintain the touch semi-lock state according to a second predetermined option while activating the end-user function.

17. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to at least one of: automatically update an output order or types of menu images contained in the hot menu region according to a selected end-user function, and automatically register frequently used end-user functions in the hot menu region according to an end-user function log.

18. The mobile device of claim 7 , wherein the control unit is configured to one of: delete rarely used menu images from the hot menu region, and selectively lock at least one of menu images of the hot menu region that are not to be deleted.

19. A hot menu supporting application stored in a memory unit for a mobile device that supports a touch semi-lock state, the hot menu supporting application comprising instructions for:

displaying a predefined hot menu region and a touch-lock icon on a touch screen when the mobile device enters into a touch semi-lock state, the hot menu region comprising two or more menu images, each menu image associated with a corresponding end-user function, wherein the hot menu region is not selectable when the mobile device enters the touch semi-lock state, the two or more menu images comprising at least one of a phone number and a webpage address;

temporarily setting, in response to detecting a touch-down of the touch-lock icon, the hot menu region to be selectable by the touch-lock icon such that the touch-lock icon is moveable anywhere within the hot menu region;

detecting a movement of the touch-lock icon within the hot menu region such that the touch-lock icon at least partially overlaps a first menu image of the hot menu region; and

activating a particular end-user function corresponding to first menu image in response to detecting a touch-up of the touch-lock icon,

the activating comprising initiating communication with a phone number when the first menu image comprises a phone number or accessing a webpage when the first menu image comprises a webpage address.

20. The hot menu supporting application of claim 19 , further comprising instructions for:

canceling the touch semi-lock state when the particular end-user function is activated according to a first predetermined option; and

remaining in the touch semi-lock state when the particular end-user function is activated according to a second predetermined option.