KR20130020213A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and a control method are provided to display applications, which are not frequently used, on a screen of the portable terminal. CONSTITUTION: A memory(160) stores one or more applications. A display unit(151) displays a screen including icons corresponding to the applications. A control unit(180) obtains the reserved period of the applications. The control unit changes the shape of the icon for displaying the obtained reserved period. The control unit determines the change amount of the icon according to the reserved period of the applications. [Reference numerals] (110) Wireless communication unit; (111) Broadcasting reception module; (112) Broadcasting reception module; (113) Broadcasting reception module; (114) Local area communication module; (115) Location information module; (120) A/V input unit; (121) Camera; (122) Microphone; (130) User input unit; (140) Sensing unit; (141) Proximity sensor; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Sound output module; (153) Alarm unit; (154) Haptic module; (155) Projector module; (160) Memory; (170) Interface unit; (180) Control unit; (181) Multimedia module; (190) Power supplying unit

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a control method thereof, in which the use of the terminal can be realized by further considering the convenience of the user.

Terminals such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such various functions include a data and voice communication function, a function of photographing a video or a moving image through a camera, a voice storage function, a music file playback function through a speaker system, and an image or video display function. Some terminals include additional functionality to play games, while others are implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent terminals can receive a broadcast or multicast signal to watch a video or television program.

In general, the terminal is movable The mobile terminal can be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is portable or not, and the mobile terminal can be divided into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal.

Such a terminal has been recently released in the form of a smartphone that can be used for applications that provide various functions.

That is, a smart phone user can download and install various applications through a web market provided by a manufacturer of the smart phone or a manufacturer who develops an operating system mounted on the smart phone.

In this case, after installing a large number of applications on the smartphone, the user often leaves the applications unused without deleting them.

In this case, if a large amount of infrequently used applications remain in the memory of the smartphone, the memory occupies the capacity of the memory, which causes a problem that the use speed of the smartphone is slowed.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, to provide a portable terminal and a control method for visually informing the user of applications that are not frequently used among applications installed in the portable terminal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal including: a memory having one or more applications; A display unit which displays a screen including an icon corresponding to the application; And a controller configured to determine a user's unused period for the application and to change the shape of the icon to indicate the identified unused period.

In addition, the method for controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention comprises the steps of: displaying a screen including an icon corresponding to one or more applications; Determining an unused period of a user for the application; And changing the shape of the icon to indicate the identified unused period.

According to the present invention, a portable terminal and a method of controlling the same may be configured by determining a user's unused period for an application installed in the portable terminal and changing and displaying an icon shape of the application to indicate the identified unused period. Through the shape of the icon has an effect that can easily recognize the unused period of the application.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an application unused period notification process of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 to 13 are screen explanatory diagrams illustrating an application unused period notification process of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a portable terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The portable terminal described in this specification may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to fixed terminals such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless the configuration is applicable only to the portable terminal.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The portable terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in Fig. 1 are not essential, and a portable terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the wireless terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the wireless terminal 100 and a network in which the wireless terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only A digital broadcasting system such as DVB-CB, OMA-BCAST, or Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally mounted in the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The location information module 115 is a module for acquiring the location of the portable terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates distance information and accurate time information from three or more satellites, and then applies trigonometry to the calculated information to obtain a three-dimensional string of latitude, longitude, The location information can be accurately calculated. At present, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting an error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is widely used. In addition, the GPS module 115 can calculate speed information by continuously calculating the current position in real time.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal.

The user input unit 130 may receive a signal from a user, which designates two or more contents among the displayed contents according to the present invention. In addition, a signal specifying two or more contents may be received through a touch input or may be received through a hard key and a soft key input.

The user input unit 130 may receive an input for selecting one or more contents from the user. In addition, the user may receive an input for generating an icon related to a function that the portable terminal 100 can perform.

As described above, the user input unit 130 may be composed of a direction key, a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the portable terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the portable terminal 100, the position of the portable terminal 100, the presence of the user, the orientation of the portable terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. The proximity sensor 141 will be described later in relation to the touch screen.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output relating to visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an acoustic output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, 155, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) the information processed in the portable terminal 100. For example, when the portable terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the portable terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received image, UI, or GUI is displayed.

As described above, the display unit 151 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), The display device may include at least one of a flexible display and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the portable terminal 100. [ For example, in the portable terminal 100, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner area of the portable terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is enclosed by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception tones, message reception tones, etc.) performed in the portable terminal 100. The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the portable terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the portable terminal include receiving a call signal, receiving a message, inputting a key signal, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152. In this case, the display unit 151 and the audio output module 152 may be a kind of alarm unit 153. May be classified.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the portable terminal 100 and is the same as an image displayed on the display unit 151 according to a control signal of the controller 180. Or at least partially different images may be displayed on an external screen or wall.

Specifically, the projector module 155 includes a light source (not shown) that generates light (for example, laser light) for outputting an image to the outside, a light source And a lens (not shown) for enlarging and outputting the image at a predetermined focal distance to the outside. Further, the projector module 155 may include a device (not shown) capable of mechanically moving the lens or the entire module to adjust the image projection direction.

The projector module 155 can be divided into a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) module, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module and a DLP (Digital Light Processing) module according to the type of the display means. In particular, the DLP module may be advantageous for miniaturization of the projector module 151 by enlarging and projecting an image generated by reflecting light generated from a light source on a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip.

Preferably, the projector module 155 may be provided in the longitudinal direction on the side, front, or back of the portable terminal 100. Of course, the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as necessary.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 and may store the input / output data (e.g., a telephone directory, a message, an audio, a still image, an electronic book, History, and the like). The memory 160 may also store a frequency of use of each of the data (eg, a phone number, a message, and a frequency of use of each multimedia). In addition, the memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory, etc.) ), A random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read- A magnetic disk, an optical disk, a memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. The portable terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the portable terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device and transmits the data to each component in the portable terminal 100 or allows data in the portable terminal 100 to be transmitted to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the portable terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the portable terminal 100, or various command signals input from the cradle by the user It can be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal. The various command signals input from the cradle or the power source may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the portable terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the portable terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a bar-shaped main body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101 have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion.

The content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 The touch recognition mode can be activated or deactivated.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having the same or different pixels as the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

An acoustic output module 152 'may be additionally disposed on the rear side of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output module 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for communication, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving unit 111 (refer to FIG. 1) may be installed to be pulled out from the terminal body.

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may be of a light transmission type for the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information on both sides (i.e., in both the front and rear sides of the mobile terminal), the visual information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. do. The information output on both sides may be all controlled by the touch pad 135. [

Meanwhile, the display for exclusive use of the touch pad 135 may be separately installed, so that the touch screen may be disposed in the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

The portable terminal referred to herein may include at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the controller 180 may control an individual operation of an element or a link operation between a plurality of elements in order to perform an operation using a component (for example, a touch screen, a wireless communication unit, or a memory).

Hereinafter, the process of notifying the user of the unused period of the application by changing the shape of the icon corresponding to the application according to the unused period of the application according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13. .

3 is a flowchart illustrating an application unused period notification process of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

4 to 13 are screen explanatory diagrams illustrating an application unused period notification process of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

3 to 13, when a list screen including icons corresponding to each of a plurality of applications is displayed [S110], the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 displays the icons on the basis of the current time. Figure out the unused period of the user for [S120].

In this case, the list screen may be a standby screen including a plurality of applications, a home screen, a menu screen, a folder screen, and the like.

In addition, the applications in the list may be applications belonging to the same category, applications configured by a user, applications sorted by name index order, or applications randomly mixed without being sorted according to a specific rule. Can be.

The controller 180 determines an amount of shape change of the icons in proportion to the identified unused period of time [S130].

For example, the controller 180 may determine that the shape change amount of the corresponding icon gradually increases as the determined unused period of time is increased based on the current time (or current date), and the identified unused period of time based on the current time. As it becomes shorter, it may be determined that the amount of change in shape of the icon gradually decreases.

In this case, the controller 180 may display and provide a menu for setting the one or more dates as a reference for determining the shape change amount of the icons to the user, and receive the date from the user through the menu.

In this case, when the determined unused period reaches the date based on the current time (or current date), the controller 180 determines the maximum amount of shape change of the icon. At this time, the controller 180 may gradually determine the shape change amount of the corresponding icon gradually whenever the unused period reaches a specific period between the current time and the due date.

For example, if the set date is "30 days" based on the current date, and the specific cycle date is "10 days", the controller 180 determines that the unused period for the application icon is "30 days" based on the current date. &Quot;, the maximum amount of change in icon shape of the application is determined.

In addition, the controller 180 gradually determines a large amount of the shape change of the icon each time the unused period of the icon increases in units of "10 days" based on the current date. For example, when the unused period of the icon reaches "10 days" between the current date and the set date ("30" day), the shape change amount of the icon is determined as "A" level (A <B <C). And then, when the unused period of the icon reaches "20 days", determine the level "B" greater than the A level, and finally, when the unused period of the icon reaches "30 days", the B The maximum "C" level is greater than the level.

As described above, when the shape change amounts are determined in proportion to the unused period of the icons, the controller 180 changes the shape of the icons based on the determined shape change amounts [S140].

That is, the user can recognize the unused period of applications corresponding to the icons through the process of changing the shape of the icons, and can optimally manage the memory 160 by deleting unnecessary applications.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the unused period of the icons is determined based on the current time (or date), the controller 180 may display information indicating the identified unused period on the corresponding icon.

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates that a list screen 200 including a photo shooting application icon 210, a music playback application icon 220, an image viewer application icon 230, and a video shooting application icon 240 is displayed. have.

At this time, if the user's unused period for the image viewer application icon 230 is "25 days" based on the current time, the controller 180 displays information indicating the "25 days" in the image viewer application icon 230. 310 may be displayed.

The information 310 may be text or a calendar image representing the "25" day.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 4, the controller 180 may control the sound output module 152 to output sound data indicating “25 days” which is the unused period.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 4, as described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, the controller 180 may change the shape of the image viewer application icon 230 according to the “25 days” unused period. Each time, the information indicating the unused period at the time when the shape of the image viewer application icon 230 is changed may be displayed.

Next, when the shape change amounts are determined in proportion to the unused period amounts of the icons, the controller 180 varies the shapes of the icons based on the determined shape change amounts, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9. Can be changed.

5 to 9, the maximum unused date of the image viewer application icon 230 is assumed to be “30 days”.

First, FIG. 5 illustrates a process of gradually blinding and displaying the image viewer application icon 230 when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 gradually reaches the maximum unused date. have.

That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 5, if the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is "10 days", the controller 180 indicates that the "10 days" unused period is 1 of the maximum unused date. Since the period corresponds to / 3, the area 320A corresponding to one third of the image viewer application icon 230 is blindly displayed.

That is, the controller 180 overlaps a specific color on an area corresponding to 1/3 of the image viewer application icon 230 and displays information 311A indicating the “10 days” unused period.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 5, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is from "10 days" to "20 days" of FIG. 5 (a). When the "20 days" unused period is 2/3 of the maximum unused date, the area 320B corresponding to 2/3 of the image viewer application icon 230 is blinded and displayed. Information 311B indicating the "20 days" unused period is displayed.

Finally, as shown in (c) of FIG. 5, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 has elapsed from "20 days" to "30 days" in FIG. 5 (b). In this case, since the "30 days" unused period is the maximum unused date, the entire area 320C of the image viewer application icon 230 is blindly displayed and information 311C indicating the "30 days" unused period is displayed. Display.

Next, FIG. 6 illustrates a process of gradually and transparently displaying the image viewer application icon 230 when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 gradually reaches the maximum unused date. It is shown.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is "10 days", the controller 180 indicates that the "10 days" unused period is 1 of the maximum unused date. Since it is a period corresponding to / 3, the transparency 330A of the image viewer application icon 230 is increased by 1/3 compared to the original, and information 312A indicating the “10 days” unused period is displayed.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 6, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is from "10 days" to "20 days" of FIG. 6 (a). After the elapsed time, the "20 days" unused period corresponds to 2/3 of the maximum unused date, so that the transparency 330B of the image viewer application icon 230 is increased by 2/3 of the original and displayed. Information 312B indicating the "20 days unused period" is displayed.

Finally, as shown in (c) of FIG. 6, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 has elapsed from "20 days" to "30 days" in FIG. 6 (b). In this case, since the "30 days" unused period is the maximum unused date, the transparency (330C) of the image viewer application icon 230 is increased to the highest value, and information 312C indicating the "30 days" unused period is displayed. Display.

Next, FIG. 7 illustrates that when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 gradually reaches the maximum unused date, the brightness of the image viewer application icon 230 is gradually changed in proportion to the displayed period. The process is shown.

That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7, when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is "10 days", the controller 180 indicates that the "10 days" unused period is 1 of the maximum unused date. Since it is a period corresponding to / 3, the brightness 340A of the image viewer application icon 230 is displayed as dark as 1/3 of the original, and information 313A indicating the "10 days" unused period is displayed.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is set from "10 days" to "20 days" in FIG. 7 (a). After the elapsed time, the "20 days" unused period corresponds to 2/3 of the maximum unused date. Therefore, the brightness 340B of the image viewer application icon 230 is darkened by 2/3 of the original, and the " 20 days "information 313B indicating an unused period is displayed.

Finally, as shown in (c) of FIG. 7, the controller 180 indicates that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 has elapsed from "20 days" to "30 days" in FIG. 7 (b). In this case, since the "30 days" unused period is the maximum unused date, the brightness 340C of the image viewer application icon 230 is darkest, and information 313C indicating the "30 days" unused period is displayed. .

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 7, the controller 180 may gradually display the brightness of the image viewer application icon 230 in proportion to the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230.

Next, FIG. 8 illustrates that when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 gradually reaches the maximum unused date, the image viewer application icon 230 is gradually changed in size and displayed. The process is shown.

That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 8, if the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is "10 days", the controller 180 indicates that the "10 days" unused period is 1 of the maximum unused date. Since it is a period corresponding to / 3, the size 350A of the image viewer application icon 230 is reduced by 1/3 of the original, and information 314A indicating the "10 days" unused period is displayed.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is from "10 days" to "20 days" of FIG. 8 (a). When the "20 days" unused period is 2/3 of the maximum unused date, the size 350B of the image viewer application icon 230 is reduced by 2/3 of the original, and the " 20 days "information 314B indicating an unused period is displayed.

Finally, as shown in (c) of FIG. 8, the controller 180 indicates that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 has elapsed from "20 days" to "30 days" in FIG. 8 (b). In this case, since the "30 days" unused period is the maximum unused date, the size 350C of the image viewer application icon 230 is the smallest and information 314C indicating the "30 days" unused period is displayed. .

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the controller 180 may gradually display the size of the image viewer application icon 230 in proportion to the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230.

Next, when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 gradually reaches the maximum unused date, FIG. 9 changes the image viewer application icon 230 into a shape that is gradually wrinkled in proportion thereto. The display process is shown.

That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 9, if the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is "10 days", the controller 180 indicates that the "10 days" unused period is 1 of the maximum unused date. Since it is a period corresponding to / 3, the image viewer application icon 230 is changed into a shape 360A that is wrinkled by 1/3 of the original, and the information 315A indicating the "10 days" unused period is displayed. do.

Next, as shown in (b) of FIG. 9, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is from "10 days" to "20 days" of FIG. 9 (a). After the elapsed time, since the "20 days" unused period corresponds to 2/3 of the maximum unused date, the image viewer application icon 230 is changed into a shape that is wrinkled by 2/3 of the original, and displayed. , Information 315B indicating the "20 days" unused period is displayed.

Finally, as shown in (c) of FIG. 9, the controller 180 indicates that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 has elapsed from "20 days" to "30 days" in FIG. 9 (b). In this case, since the "30-day" unused period is the maximum unused date, the image viewer application icon 230 is changed to the most wrinkled shape 360C and displayed, and the information 315C indicating the "30-day" unused period is displayed. Is displayed.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 changes the shape of the application icon in proportion to the unused period of the corresponding application icon according to the processes of FIGS. 3 to 9, as shown in 10 below. According to the number of times of use of the changed application icon, the changed application icon may be gradually changed to the original shape.

That is, as shown in (a) to (d) of FIG. 10, the controller 180 determines that the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 is the maximum unused date by the process of FIGS. 3 to 9 described above. In the state where the shape reaches the maximum and the shape is changed to the maximum, the shape of the icon 230 is gradually restored to the original shape and displayed according to the number of times the user touches the icon 230.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, when the controller 180 is touched once in a state where the shape 320C of the icon 230 is changed to the maximum, the controller 180 is illustrated in FIG. 10B. As described above, the shape 320C of the icon 230 which has been touched once is restored and displayed to the shape 320B corresponding to FIG. 5B.

In addition, the controller 180 restores and displays the shape 320C of the icon 230 touched once to the shape 320B corresponding to FIG. 5B, and the icon 230 is displayed. When the touch is made once again, as illustrated in FIG. 10C, the shape 320A corresponding to the above-described FIG. 5A may be described as the shape 320B of the icon 230 which has been touched twice in cumulative times. Restore and display).

Lastly, the controller 180 restores and displays the shape 320B of the icon 230 which has been touched twice by the cumulative number in the shape 320A corresponding to (a) of FIG. 5. When the icon 230 is touched once again, as shown in (d) of FIG. 10, the shape 320A of the icon 230 touched three times with a cumulative number of times is changed to the shape 230 before the initial change. Restore and display.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 changes the shape of the application icon in proportion to the unused period of the application icon according to the processes of FIGS. 3 to 9, and sets the maximum unused date for which the application icon is not used. If exceeded, as shown in FIG. 11, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as 'UI') 410 for setting whether to delete the application and an icon corresponding to the application is provided to the user. Can provide.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 reaches the maximum unused date, the controller 180 maximizes the shape of the image viewer application icon 230. The UI 410 may be displayed, and the UI 410 may be set to delete the image viewer application icon 230.

If the deletion of the image viewer application icon 230 is set through the UI 410, the controller 180 deletes the image viewer application from the memory 160 as illustrated in FIG. 11B. The image viewer application icon 230 is deleted from the list screen 200.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 changes the shape of the application icon in proportion to the unused period of the application icon according to the processes of FIGS. 3 to 9, and sets the maximum unused date for which the application icon is not used. If exceeded, as shown in FIG. 12, a folder icon 250 for storing an application icon exceeding the maximum unused date is separately generated, and the maximum unused date is stored in the generated folder icon 250. You can move and store excess application icons.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12A, when the unused period of the image viewer application icon 230 reaches the maximum unused date, the controller 180 maximizes the shape of the image viewer application icon 230. To change the image to be displayed, generate a folder icon 250 for storing the image viewer application icon 230 exceeding the maximum unused date, and move the image viewer application icon 230 into the folder icon 250. Let's do it.

In this case, the controller 180 may display a thumbnail image of the stored image viewer application icon 230 in the shape of the folder icon 250 in a preview form.

When the folder icon 250 is selected, the controller 180 displays an image viewer application icon 230 stored in the selected folder icon 250, as shown in FIG. When the viewer application icon 230 is selected, the UI 420 for deleting or maintaining the image viewer application icon 230 is displayed and provided to the user.

If the delete unit 421 is set in the UI 420, the controller 180 deletes the image viewer application from the memory 160, and deletes the image viewer application icon 230 from the folder icon 250. Delete it.

In addition, when the maintenance 422 is set in the UI 420, the controller 180 moves the image viewer application icon 230 to the first displayed position, and the re-moved image viewer application icon 230. The shape of is restored to the original shape and displayed.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 changes the shape of the application icon in proportion to the unused period of the application icon according to the processes of FIGS. 3 to 9, and as shown in FIG. If it is selected, it is determined whether the application corresponding to the icon can be executed. If the execution of the application is not possible, the wireless communication unit 110 accesses the provider server of the application, and provides the The installation screen can be displayed.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 13A, the controller 180 changes the shape of the image viewer application icon 230 according to the unused period of time of the image viewer application icon 230. When the image viewer application icon 230 is selected, it is determined whether the image viewer application corresponding to the icon 230 is executable.

In this case, when the image viewer application is not used for a long time and needs to be updated or reinstalled, the controller 180 controls the wireless communication unit 110 to access the provider server of the image viewer application, and FIG. As shown in c), the installation screen of the image viewer application provided by the provider server is displayed.

If the installation of the image viewer application is selected through the installation screen, the controller 180 downloads the image viewer application from the provider server through the wireless communication unit 110 and reinstalls the downloaded image viewer application. .

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

The present invention described above can be embodied as computer-readable codes on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which are also implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet). It also includes. Also, the computer may include a control unit 180 of the terminal.

Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all aspects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the invention are included in the scope of the invention.

The above-described mobile terminal and its control method are not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be modified such that all or some of the embodiments are selectively And may be configured in combination.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
111: broadcast receiver 112: mobile communication module
113 wireless Internet module 114 short-range communication module
115: Position information module 120: A / V input section
121: camera 122: microphone
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
141: proximity sensor 150: output section
151: Display unit 152: Acoustic output module
153: Alarm module 154: Haptic module
155: Projector Module 160: Memory
170: interface unit 180: control unit
181: Multimedia module 190: Power supply

Claims (15)

A memory having one or more applications;
A display unit configured to display a screen including an icon corresponding to the application; And
And a controller configured to determine a user's unused period for the application and to change the shape of the icon to indicate the identified unused period. The method according to claim 1,
The controller determines the amount of change in the icon shape in proportion to the amount of unused period for the application. The method according to claim 1,
And the control unit displays information indicating the determined unused period on the icon. The method according to claim 1,
The controller is characterized in that the mobile terminal gradually displays the icon in proportion to the determined unused period of time. The method according to claim 1,
And the control unit gradually displays the icon gradually and transparently in proportion to the determined amount of unused period. The method according to claim 1,
And the controller is configured to gradually change the brightness of the icon in proportion to the determined amount of unused period of time. The method according to claim 1,
And the controller is configured to gradually change the size of the icon in proportion to the determined amount of unused period. The method according to claim 1,
And the controller is configured to display the icon in a shape that is gradually wrinkled in proportion to the determined amount of unused period of time. The method according to claim 1,
The controller may detect the number of times the icon is used by a user in a state where the shape of the icon is changed, and gradually change the icon to the original shape in proportion to the number of times the icon is used. terminal. The method according to claim 1,
The controller may be configured to delete the icon and an application corresponding to the icon when the unused period of the icon exceeds a preset date in a state where the shape of the icon is changed. The method of claim 10,
If the unused period of the icon exceeds a preset date, the controller displays a user interface (hereinafter, referred to as 'UI') for deleting an application corresponding to the icon and displays the UI. When the deletion of the application is set through the mobile terminal, characterized in that for deleting the icon and the application. The method according to claim 1,
The controller, in a state where the shape of the icon is changed, when the unused period of the icon exceeds a preset date, generates a folder icon for storing the icon whose date is exceeded, and the date is exceeded in the folder icon. The mobile terminal, characterized in that for moving the icon. The method of claim 12,
The controller, when the icon moved into the folder icon is selected, displays a UI for deletion or maintenance setting of the icon, and if the deletion is set through the UI, deletes the icon, and through the UI And when the holding is set, the icon is moved back to the originally displayed position, and the shape of the re-moved icon is changed to the original shape. The method according to claim 1,
And a wireless communication unit for communicating with a provider server of the application.
When the icon whose shape is changed is selected, the controller determines whether the application corresponding to the icon is executable or not, and if it is impossible to execute the application, the controller connects to the provider server through the wireless communication unit, and the provider server. The mobile terminal, characterized in that for displaying the installation screen of the application provided by. Displaying a screen including an icon corresponding to one or more applications;
Determining an unused period of a user for the application; And
And changing the shape of the icon to indicate the identified unused period.

Images