KR20070105019A - Method for multitasking image display of portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for displaying a multitasking screen in a portable terminal is provided to enable a user to perform a switch between a single screen and the multitasking screen via a screen mode conversion key arranged at a key inputting unit such that the user is able to perform various tasks concurrently and check a progress state of the task being currently executed. A method for displaying a multitasking screen in a portable terminal comprises the following several steps. The portable terminal sets a count value according to the number of plural executed applications(210-270). The portable terminal divides a display area into plural sections on the basis of the set count value, and displays an execution screen of a corresponding application on each section of a multitasking screen(290). The portable terminal activates an application matched with a selected specific screen if a user selects the specific screen among the execution screens on the multitasking screen(300,310).

Description

How to display multitasking on mobile terminal {METHOD FOR MULTITASKING IMAGE DISPLAY OF PORTABLE TERMINAL}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a portable terminal having a multi-task display function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-task screen display process of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a specific process of step 290 illustrated in FIG. 2.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen mode switching process in a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

10: key input unit 20: control unit

30: image processing unit 40: display unit

50: memory 60: broadcasting receiver

70: transceiver 80: ring tone generator

90: sound processing unit 100: sound output unit

The present invention relates to a multi-task screen display method of a portable terminal, and more particularly, to a multi-task screen display method of a portable terminal that can display when a plurality of tasks are performed simultaneously in the portable terminal.

Recently, in addition to the conventional voice transmission and reception functions, digital broadcasting reception functions such as terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB: hereinafter abbreviated as "DMB"), multimedia files such as music and video playback functions, wireless Internet, electronic The spread of multifunctional portable terminals including various functions such as a dictionary and a camera is rapidly spreading.

Conventional mobile communication terminals, portable terminals such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) and portable multimedia players (PMPs) execute a single application program at a specific time, and display a progress of a single application program being executed. single tasking). That is, when a specific application program is executed in the conventional portable terminal, the executed application program is displayed, and in order to use another application program, the current application program is terminated and then a new application program is executed.

Therefore, the conventional portable terminal as described above has a disadvantage in that it can not satisfy the various desires of the user to utilize various functions at the same time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-task screen display method of a portable terminal which can perform various tasks at the same time and can easily check the progress of various tasks being performed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for displaying a multi-task screen of a portable terminal, the method comprising: setting a count value according to a number of a plurality of application programs to be executed; A multi-screen display step of dividing the display area of the portable terminal into a predetermined number of areas based on the value, and displaying an execution screen of a corresponding application program among the plurality of application programs in each divided area; and an application displayed on the multi-screen. If a specific screen is selected from the execution screen of the program, the step of activating the application program corresponding to the selected specific screen. The multi-task screen display method of the portable terminal may further include converting the multi-screen into a single screen displaying one application program execution screen on the display area according to a screen mode switch key input signal. The count value setting step may increase the count value when the application program is executed, and decrease the count value when the application program is terminated. In the count value setting step, when the count value becomes '0', the multi-task of the portable terminal may be terminated. In the multi-screen display step, the display area may be divided into any one of two, four, and nine according to the count value. In the multi-screen display step, when the count value exceeds 9, the display area is divided into nine areas, and an application program execution screen not displayed on the divided nine areas is displayed according to a scroll key input signal. By scrolling, the display area can be displayed. The activation step may activate the most recently executed application program when no screen is selected in the multi-screen.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description.

However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted.

Terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term and / or includes a combination of a plurality of related items or any item of a plurality of related items.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a portable terminal having a multitasking function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal having a multi-task function according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a key input unit 10, a control unit 20, an image processing unit 30, a display unit 40, a memory 50, The broadcast receiver 60, the transceiver 70, the ring tone generator 80, the sound processor 90 and the sound output unit 100 is included.

The key input unit 10 includes a plurality of numeric keys, menu keys, function keys, and the like, and transmits a key input signal corresponding to a user's key operation to the controller 20. In particular, the key input unit 10 includes a screen selection key for selecting each screen when the execution screen of the application program is displayed on the display unit 40 on a single screen, a single screen on multiple screens, or multiple screens on a single screen. It includes a screen mode switch key for switching.

The screen selection key and the screen mode switching key may be provided with a separate dedicated key in the key input unit, or may be used as a key for setting a screen mode by combining specific keys among the keys provided in the key input unit 10 or for switching the screen mode. Can also be used.

Examples of application programs include digital broadcasting, schedule management, memo, electronic dictionary, internet, e-mail, multimedia playback, short message service (SMS), multimedia message service (MMS), and e-book.

The controller 20 receives a signal processed by the key input unit 10, the broadcast receiver 60, and the transceiver 70, and controls the operation of each component of the terminal based on the received signal. In particular, according to the key input signal received from the key input unit 10 executes a variety of application programs owned by the portable terminal, and controls the image processor 30 to display the screen of the running application program in accordance with the set screen mode.

Also, by receiving the key input signal of the screen mode switching key from the key input unit 10 and controlling the image processing unit 30 based on the key input signal, the execution screen of the application program displayed on the display unit 40 is changed from the single screen to the multi screen. Or switch from multiple screen to single screen.

Herein, the single screen means that the execution screen of one application program is displayed on the display unit 40, and the multi screen means the display area of the display unit 40 is divided into two or more areas when a plurality of application programs are executed. The execution screen of another application program is displayed on each divided area.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display area of the display unit 40 is divided into two, four, and nine sections, and the execution screens of different application programs are displayed on the divided screens.

For example, if three application programs are being executed in a portable terminal, and if they are displayed on a multi-screen display, the display area of the display 40 is divided into four areas, and three of the four areas are running in three areas. Applications are displayed respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the display area may be divided into various numbers according to the size of the display area of the display unit 40.

The image processor 30 performs a processing such that the execution screen of the application program is displayed as a single screen or a multi screen based on the control signal for setting the screen mode received from the controller 20. In addition, the controller 20 receives a control signal for switching the screen mode from the control unit 20 and performs processing to switch the screen mode displayed on the display unit 40 from a single screen to a multi screen or from a multi screen to a single screen. .

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 20 and the image processing unit 30 may be configured as one unit, and may also be implemented as one semiconductor chip.

The display unit 40 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, and displays an execution screen of an application program on a single screen or multiple screens based on an image signal received from the image processing unit 40. In addition to displaying the execution screen of the application program, the display unit 40 displays a user interface screen such as a menu of the portable terminal, status information of the portable terminal, and the like.

The memory 50 stores a system program (for example, an operating system) necessary for basic operation of the portable terminal, various applications, or temporary data generated while the portable terminal executes the program, and stores information input by the user.

The broadcast receiver 60 receives a channel selection signal from the control unit 20, extracts a frequency signal corresponding to the channel selection signal from the high frequency signal received by the antenna ANT1, and converts the signal into a base band signal. Channel-decode the converted baseband signal to generate a packet stream including video information, audio information and general data information, and demultiplex the generated packet stream to separate and separate video information, audio information and data information from the packet stream. Decoded respective information to output decoded video signal, audio signal and data.

Here, the broadcast channel may be a terrestrial DMB channel or satellite DMB channel, or a European Digital DVB channel.

Transceiver 70 converts a radio frequency (RF) signal received through the antenna ANT2 into a baseband signal, and converts the baseband signal output from the controller 20 into a wireless signal and outputs it through the antenna ANT2. do.

The ring tone generator 80 outputs the ringing sound source through the sound output unit 100 when receiving a call under the control of the control unit 20, and generates a handset sound through the sound output unit 100 during a call. .

The sound processor 90 demodulates the voice data input from the transceiver 70 and the sound data stored in the memory 50 into a sound signal and outputs the same through the sound output unit 100.

The sound output unit 100 includes a speaker and / or earphone terminal, receives the sound signal from the incoming call transmitter 80 or the sound processor 90, and outputs the received sound signal to the speaker and / or earphone terminal. .

2 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-task screen display process of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 20 sets a count value representing the number of running applications to '0' (step 210).

Next, the controller 20 determines whether the application program is executed (step 220), and if it is determined that the application program has been executed, the controller 20 controls the image processor 30 to display the execution screen of the executed application program on a single screen. (Step 230), the count value is increased by '1' (step 240).

Next, the controller 20 determines whether the running application program is terminated (step 250), and if it is determined that the application program is terminated, decreases the count value by '1' (step 260). Thereafter, the controller 20 checks whether the count value is '0' (step 270), and if it is determined that the count value is '0', it determines that no application program is currently running and ends the multi-task processing process. .

If it is determined in step 270 that the count value is not '0', it means that there is a currently running application program, and then proceeds to the next step.

If it is determined in step 250 that the application program is not terminated, the controller 20 checks whether a screen mode conversion key input signal for displaying the currently running application program on the multi-screen is received from the key input unit 10 (step If it is determined that the screen mode conversion key input signal for multi-screen display has been received, control is performed to display the execution screen of the currently executing application on the multi-screen according to the count value (step 290).

If it is determined in step 280 that the screen mode switch key input signal for displaying the currently executing application program on the multi-screen is not received, the process returns to step 220.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 20 increases the count value when the application program is executed, and decreases the count value when the application program is terminated, thereby setting the number of currently executing applications to the count value and setting the screen mode. When the screen mode conversion key input signal is received from the key input unit 10 to display a multi-screen, the display area of the display unit 40 is divided according to the currently set count value, and the running application program is divided into the divided areas. Mark each.

In addition, the controller 20 sets the priority according to the type of the application program to be executed and adjusts the transparency of the application program execution screen according to the set priority, when the plurality of applications are displayed in multiple screens. The visibility of the execution screen of the program can be improved.

Alternatively, the controller 20 may display the execution screen of the application program in gray scale according to the set priority, so that the visibility of the execution screen of the high priority application program may be improved.

For example, applications that are processed in real time, such as DMB broadcasting and music playback, have a high priority, and applications that are processed only when an event occurs by a user's command, such as electronic dictionary or memo, have a low priority. When the above applications are displayed on a multi-screen, high priority applications such as DMB broadcasting or music playback are displayed by opaque processing, and low priority applications such as electronic dictionaries or memos are displayed by semi-transparent processing. As a result, when a plurality of application programs are displayed on multiple screens, visibility of execution screens of high priority application programs can be increased.

Next, the controller 20 determines whether a screen selection key input signal for screen selection has been received in the multi-screen displayed on the display 40 (step 300), and the screen selection key input signal is received. If it is determined, the screen corresponding to the received key input signal is selected, and the application program corresponding to the selected screen is activated, so as to be in a command standby state capable of receiving a user's command (step 310).

If it is determined in step 300 that a key input signal for screen selection has not been received, the controller 20 activates the most recently executed application program so as to be in a command standby state capable of receiving a user command. (Step 320).

Next, the controller 20 determines whether a user's command is input on the execution screen of the activated application program (step 330), and if it is determined that the user command is input, the controller 20 processes the received user's command (step 340). .

Thereafter, the controller 20 determines whether a screen mode switch key input signal for converting the multiple screen currently displayed on the display unit 40 into a single screen is received from the key input unit 10 (step 350). If it is determined that the multi-screen is converted to a single screen by displaying the execution screen of the application program activated in step 310 or 320 to a single screen (step 360).

If it is determined that the screen mode switch key input signal for switching the multiple screen to the single screen has not been received, the process returns to step 290 while maintaining the currently displayed multiple screen.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed processing of step 290 illustrated in FIG. 2.

First, the control unit 20 determines whether the count value is in the range of 1 or more and less than 3 in order to display the currently running application program on the multi-screen (step 291). If it is determined, the display area of the display 40 is divided into two (step 292).

If it is determined in step 291 that the count value is not in the range of 1 or more and less than 3, it is determined whether the count value is in the range of 3 or more and less than 5 (step 293), and the count value is in the range of 3 or more and less than 5 If it is determined to belong to, the display area of the display 40 is divided into four (step 294).

If it is determined in step 293 that the count value is not in the range of 3 or more and less than 5, it is determined whether the count value is in the range of 5 or more and less than 10 (step 295), and the count value is in the range of 5 or more and less than 10. If it is determined to belong to, the display area of the display 40 is divided into nine (step 296).

If it is determined in step 295 that the count value does not belong to the range of 5 or more and less than 10, the display area of the display unit 40 is divided into nine, and the execution screen of the application program not displayed on the divided nine screens. Is displayed via the screen scroll function (step 296).

For example, if the number of currently running applications is 13 and the screen is displayed in multiple screens, the display area of the display unit 40 is divided into 9, and 9 application programs are displayed on each of the divided screens. The remaining four application program execution screens are scrolled and displayed on the display area when the user operates the scroll function key provided in the key input unit 10.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a screen mode switching process in a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and assumes that nine applications are currently executed in the portable terminal.

Referring to FIG. 4, in a state in which an execution screen of an application program A of nine application programs A to I is displayed on a single screen in the display area 51 of the display unit 40, the user inputs a key input unit ( When the screen mode is switched to multiple screens through the screen mode switching key provided in 10), an execution screen of the application program A is displayed on any one screen of the display area 52 having nine divided screens. Program A is activated to receive a user's command.

In addition, since nine execution programs A through I are simultaneously displayed on the display area 52, it is possible to easily check the progress of all currently running applications.

When the user operates a key for selecting a screen while the multi-screen is displayed on the display area 53 of the display unit 40, the execution screen of the application program I corresponding to the key operation is selected, and the selected screen is selected. The application I corresponding to the screen is activated to receive the user's command.

If the user switches the screen mode to a single screen while the execution screen of the application program I is selected among the multi-screens, the execution screen of the application program I is displayed on the display area 54 of the display 40. Is displayed.

According to the method for displaying a multi-task screen of the portable terminal as described above, the number of applications to be executed is set as a count value, the display area is divided into multiple screens according to the set count value, and the multi-screen is selected. By allowing the corresponding application to be activated, the user's command may be input. In addition, switching between a single screen and multiple screens can be easily performed using a screen mode switching key provided in the key input unit.

Therefore, various tasks can be performed at the same time, and the progress of the task being performed can be easily checked.

Although described with reference to the embodiments above, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Could be.

Claims (7)

In the multi-task screen display method of a portable terminal performing a multi-task, A count value setting step of setting a count value according to the number of a plurality of application programs to be executed; A multi-screen display step of dividing a display area of the portable terminal into a predetermined number of areas based on the set count value and displaying an execution screen of a corresponding application program among the plurality of application programs in each divided area; And And an activation step of activating an application program corresponding to the selected specific screen when a specific screen is selected from the execution screens of the application programs displayed on the multi-screen. The method of claim 1, The multi-task screen display method of the portable terminal may further include converting the multi-screen into a single screen displaying one application program execution screen on the display area according to a screen mode switch key input signal. How to display multi-task screen of portable terminal. The method of claim 1, The setting of the count value may include increasing a count value when an application program is executed and decreasing the count value when the application program is terminated. The method of claim 1, The count value setting step of the multi-task screen display method of the portable terminal, characterized in that to terminate the multi-task of the portable terminal when the count value is '0'. The method of claim 1, The multi-screen display step of splitting the display area into any one of two, four, nine according to the count value. The method of claim 5, In the multi-screen display step, when the count value exceeds 9, the display area is divided into nine areas, and an application program execution screen not displayed on the divided nine areas is displayed according to a scroll key input signal. And displaying on the display area by scrolling. The method of claim 1, The activation step, if there is no screen selected on the multi-screen, multi-task screen display method of the portable terminal, characterized in that for activating the most recently executed application program.

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