KR20110085233A - Mobile terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and control method thereof are provided to display information which is processed by an event or an application and to supply multitasking environment by controlling the size of a screen. CONSTITUTION: A display unit(151) displays a main window of an upper layer and a sub window of a lower layer. A user input unit inputs a resizing command of the main window. A control unit displays the main window and the sub window according to a resizing command. The user input unit is a touch screen type of the display unit.

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal providing a multitasking environment by adjusting a screen size and a control method thereof.

Terminals may be divided into mobile / portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

However, according to the related art, when a call is received or a text message is received while the mobile terminal is in use of the additional function, the user must stop or pause the operation of the additional function and then answer or call the text message. . In addition, according to the related art, even when multitasking is possible, one application displays information through the entire screen, and only the application displayed on the entire screen can be changed.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, a mobile terminal and a control method that can display an event occurring during the execution of a certain application or information processed by another application with the application running in accordance with the user's intention It is to provide.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display unit for displaying the main window of the upper layer and at least one sub-window of the lower layer; A user input unit configured to receive a resizing command of the main window; And a controller configured to display the resized main window according to the resizing command and a sub window not covered by the main window outside the main window on the display unit.

In addition, the control method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the step of displaying the main window on the display unit; Receiving a resizing command for adjusting a size of the main window from a user through a user input unit; And resizing the main window according to the resizing command, and displaying a sub-window of a lower layer than the main window that is not covered by the main window.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a multitasking environment that can be easily adjusted by a user is provided. In addition, the user may not be disturbed by the user's current work by an event occurring during the execution of the main application, and at the same time, the user may easily check the event that occurred. In addition, when the user wants to perform other tasks with the main application, the user can easily select an application to be executed without disturbing the current task, and it is easy to check several applications being executed at the same time.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A and 3B are views illustrating a main window and a sub window according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A to 4E are views illustrating a main window and a sub window that are actually displayed on a display unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A to 5E are diagrams illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of sub windows.
6A and 6B illustrate the main windows together with the sub-windows described with reference to FIGS. 5A through 5E.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a main window and a sub window when an event occurs while executing an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8A to 8F are diagrams illustrating a main window and a sub-window displayed when an event occurs during application execution as described with reference to FIG. 7.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a main window and a sub window when a user wants to execute another application while an application is executed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10A to 10G are diagrams illustrating a main window and a sub-window displayed when a user wants to execute another application while executing an application, as described with reference to FIG. 9.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a sub window when a plurality of applications are executed through the main window and the sub window.
12A and 12B illustrate an embodiment in which an application output through a main window and a sub window are switched.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

The mobile 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, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile 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 mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile 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 mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or 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).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

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 a wireless signal with 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 according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to 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. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V 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 may 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 according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into 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. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile 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. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the 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 implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

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, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then 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.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded 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 an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

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. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. 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 proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and 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 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. 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 may be 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 the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the 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 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding 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), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 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 usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify 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.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, 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.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented 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 functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

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

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

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further 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 audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 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 side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated 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 manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

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 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

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

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

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. 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 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

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

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on 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 in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in a terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described later may be used alone or in combination with each other. In addition, embodiments described below may be used in combination with the above-described user interface (UI).

3A illustrates a main window, FIG. 3B illustrates a sub window, and FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate a main window and a sub window that are actually displayed on a display unit.

According to the present invention, the display unit may have at least two layer layers. In the present invention, the main window refers to the window of the upper layer, and the sub-window refers to the window of the lower layer than the layer of the main window. Here, the window refers to one screen displaying information input and output by the operation screen of the mobile terminal or the execution of the application, and may occupy the entire screen of the display unit or occupy a portion of the entire screen.

Each window can run a separate or the same application. The functions that can be executed in each window may be executed by various applications such as voice or video call, text message reception or transmission, text chat, sound source playback, video playback, game, mobile Internet, DMB, and the like.

When the mobile terminal is in a standby mode (a state in which a specific application is not running and is waiting for an event occurrence or user input) or when one application is running, information is displayed only through the main window occupying the entire screen.

The main window 200 may be changed in size according to a user input. For example, horizontal or vertical bars 201 and 202 are displayed at the edge of the main screen, and when the user drags the bars through the touch screen, the control unit sizes the main window according to the user's dragging position. Causes resizing. Alternatively, or instead of the above bar, an indicator 204 may be displayed to allow the user to drag the corner of the main window to change the size of the main window. When the size of the main window is resized, the controller causes the information output through the main window to be newly output according to the changed size of the main window.

When two or more applications are executed (including one application execution and one event occurrence), one is output through the main window and the other is output through the sub window. The sub window may be two or more depending on the number of applications to be executed. The sub-screens may be displayed at the same time by dividing the entire screen of the lower layer (301, 302, 303) without the hierarchical relationship between the sub windows.

As described above, the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may display image data displayed on the display unit 151 such that the main window and at least one sub window below the main window can be displayed on the display unit 151. A display buffer (not shown) to be recorded / stored, and a screen controller (not shown) for outputting image data to the display buffer to display the screen on the display unit 151 and controlling the display buffer. Can be. The display buffer and the screen controller may be included in the display unit 151 and implemented. Here, the screen controller determines which screen is displayed on the display unit 151 under the control of the controller 180 and controls the division or arrangement of the screen window to control the main window and / or the display unit 151. Causes the sub window to be printed. In addition, to control at least one display buffer according to the present invention, the image data is output or updated in the display buffer according to the layer hierarchy or position of the window to be output.

4A to 4E, only a portion of the sub-window of the lower layer that is not covered by the main window of the upper layer is displayed on the display unit. In addition, the main window of the upper layer is not covered by the sub window of the lower layer. Accordingly, by variously adjusting the size of the main window, the main window and the sub-windows of the portion not overlapping with the main window may be displayed together.

4A illustrates a case in which the size of the main window is adjusted to display two sub windows, FIG. 4B illustrates a case where one sub window is displayed, and FIG. 4C illustrates a case where one sub window and a part of two sub windows are displayed. 4D illustrates a case in which three sub-windows are displayed in such a way that the main window is reduced so that the main window is not displayed. Referring to FIG. 4E, the names 401, 402, and 403 of applications executed in each sub window are displayed at the bottom of each sub window, and only the application names 401 and 402 executed by adjusting the size of the main window. Alternatively, the name 403 and the sub window 303 may be displayed together.

The size of the main window may be selected from a constant size as in the embodiment of FIGS. 4A to 4B, or may be continuously changed by a user input regardless of the arrangement of the sub windows.

5A to 5E are diagrams illustrating an arrangement of a plurality of sub windows.

The size of each subwindow may be variable or fixed according to the number of subwindows. Referring to FIG. 5A, when the number of sub-windows is 4, each sub-window has a size obtained by dividing the screen size of the entire display unit by four. If you have two subwindows, you will have a size equal to two.

In contrast, referring to FIGS. 5B to 5E, each sub window may have a fixed size, for example, a size obtained by dividing the screen size of the entire display unit by three. 5B shows an arrangement in the case of two sub windows, and the leftmost region is empty. 5C and 5D show the arrangement of four sub-windows. As the sub windows arranged in a line are moved by the user input, the sub windows displayed on the display unit may be changed. In the case of FIG. 5C, the user drags the sub windows to the left, so that the sub windows sub2, sub3, and sub4 are displayed (of course, only if they are not covered by the main window), and in the case of FIG. 5D, by dragging to the right , sub1, sub2, sub3 are displayed. Of course, you can move a series of subwindows to the far right to display sub1, leave the rest of the space empty (that is, arrange the sub windows in a row), or display sub3, sub4 (that is, arrange the sub windows in a circle). have.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating both the sub windows and the main window described with reference to FIGS. 5A through 5E. FIG. 6A illustrates a sub-window arranged as shown in FIG. 5C and a main window resized to two thirds. As shown in the figure, only sub4 is displayed, and sub2 and sub3 are not displayed hidden in the main window. The user may move the arranged sub-windows by dragging the displayed sub-window region (601) and change the resulting sub-window.

Referring to FIG. 6B, in the same state as in FIG. 6A, the indicators 602, 603, and 604 displaying the sub-windows hidden by the main window and the indicators 605 of the sub-windows located on the right side of the displayed sub-windows are not displayed. May be displayed. E.g,

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 6B, a sub-window is generated due to an application execution by a user or an occurrence of an event such as a call signal reception, a text message reception, or an alarm ringing while the application is executed in the main window, and is executed by a user input. It is destroyed when the application terminates. The plurality of sub-windows may be arranged in a line according to a generated order, a last displayed order, a frequently displayed order, an order set by a user, and the like. For example, the first generated sub window sub1 may be disposed on the far left, and the most recently generated sub window sub4 may be disposed on the far right.

For example, a virtual subwindow (new, 501) to be newly created may be located to the right of the most recently created subwindow. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 5C, when the user drags the subwindow to the left, new subwindows sub5 and 502 are generated. The sub5 may display a standby screen, an operation screen of the mobile terminal, or a list of applications capable of multitasking without a special application currently being executed. If the user drags the subwindow right again without any manipulation, sub5 can be destroyed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5A, the display 503 may be always displayed in the same manner as a sub window that has already been generated.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a main window and a sub window when an event occurs while executing an application, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the mobile terminal is turned on, the standby mode screen is displayed on the main window of the display unit of the mobile terminal (S100). As described above, the standby mode refers to a state in which various function keys or menu keys are displayed to wait for user input or event generation.

When the user selects an application to be executed (hereinafter referred to as App0) using a menu key displayed on the display unit (S110), the controller loads and executes the application selected by the user, and displays information processed by the application on the display unit. Control to be output through the main window (S120).

If the controller detects the occurrence of the event during the execution of App0 (S130), an indicator for notifying the occurrence of the event is displayed (S140). The event may be a call signal reception, a text message reception, an alarm, or the like, and the indicator may be an icon, a text box, or the like that displays each according to the generated event.

A sub-window for the generated event is generated along with the indicator display (S150). The created sub window is not displayed until the user inputs, and the main window remains the same as before. However, information on the event, or an application related to the event is executed, and the information processed and output by the event may be stored in the display buffer for the subwindow.

In order to confirm the event, the user drags a bar or an indicator of the edge of the main window to reduce the main window (S160).

When the reduced size of the main window is input from the user, the control unit continuously outputs the information output from App0 through the main window of the changed size according to the size of the input main window (S170).

At the same time, as the main window is reduced, a sub window not covered by the main window is displayed on the display unit, and event information and the like are displayed through the sub window (S180).

8A to 8F are diagrams illustrating a main window and a sub-window displayed when an event occurs during application execution as described with reference to FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8A, information processed by an arbitrary application App0 is output through a main window occupying the entire screen of the display unit.

Referring to FIG. 8B, when a text message is received during the execution of App0, an icon-shaped indicator 801 indicating a text message reception is displayed with or without a beep signal for notifying the reception of the text message. The indicator may blink until a user confirms this or for a predetermined time. In addition, the indicator may serve as an indicator for adjusting the size of the main window. The user drags the indicator to the left to check the received text message.

Referring to FIG. 8C, as the user drags, the size of the main window is reduced, and the sub window 810 that is hidden while the main window is reduced is displayed. When there is no sub window covered by the main window, the indicator may not be displayed or an indicator 802 which has no meaning may be displayed.

When the user checks the text message, the user may touch the confirmation key 803 to close the sub window 810 on which the text message is displayed. If no other sub window is generated, the main window may return to the full screen or a sub window displaying the standby mode screen may be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 8D, when a reply 804 key of the received message confirmation subwindow 810 of FIG. 8C is touched, a subwindow 820 for sending a text message is displayed. The display information may simply be changed in the sub-window 810 for confirming the received message shown in FIG. 8C, but a sub-window 820 separate from the sub-window for confirming the message may be generated. As described above, the same application may be executed in two or more windows. As the sub-window 820 for the outgoing message is generated, the sub-window 810 for confirming the previously received message is moved to the left and is hidden from the main window. An indicator 801 for displaying this may be displayed in the main window.

Referring to FIG. 8E, when the user drags the indicator 801 of FIG. 8D to the left side, a sub window 810 for confirming the received message that is hidden is displayed. The user can view the received text message and simultaneously compose and send the text message.

Referring to FIG. 8F, the user drags an indicator 802 (or a bar displayed at the edge of the main window or may simply drag the edge of the main window) displayed in the main window during the text message checking and sending, and the part of the sub window. , One subwindow and the entire subwindow may be covered. A hidden subwindow is not closed, it is just invisible and does not affect applications running in the subwindow. Indicators 801 and 805 indicating an application executed in the hidden sub window may be displayed in the main window occupying the entire screen.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a main window and a sub window when a user wants to execute another application while an application is executed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the mobile terminal is turned on, the standby mode screen is displayed on the main window of the display unit of the mobile terminal (S200). As described above, the standby mode refers to a state in which various function keys or menu keys are displayed to wait for user input or event generation.

When the user selects an application to be executed (hereinafter referred to as App0) using a menu key displayed on the display unit (S210), the controller loads and executes the application selected by the user, and the information processed by the application is displayed on the display unit. Control to be output through the main window (S220).

If the user wants to simultaneously run other applications while running App0, the main window is reduced by dragging a bar or indicator at the edge of the main window (S230).

When the reduced size of the main window is input from the user, the controller continuously outputs the information output from App0 through the main window of the changed size according to the size of the input main window (S240).

In addition, since there is no sub window already generated, as the main window is reduced, a new sub window is generated and displayed (S250). Alternatively, the empty space may be displayed when the main window is reduced, and as described above, when the user drags the empty space to the left, a new sub window may be generated and displayed.

The newly created subwindow may display a standby mode screen in which a list of executable applications or various function keys or menu keys are displayed (S260).

The user selects an application (hereinafter referred to as App1) to be executed through the standby mode screen of the sub window (S270). The control unit loads and executes the application selected by the user, and controls the information processed by the application to be output through the sub-window of the display unit (S280).

When App1 executed in the sub window is terminated by a user input or the like, the control unit closes the sub window (S300). As a result, the sub window may disappear and the main window may be enlarged to the full screen. If the user enlarges the main window without ending App1 (310), the sub window is maintained without being destroyed, and the information processed by App0 is output through the main window occupying the entire screen (S320).

10A to 10G are diagrams illustrating a main window and a sub-window displayed when a user wants to execute another application while executing an application, as described with reference to FIG. 9.

10A and 10B, information processed by an arbitrary application App0 is output through a main window that occupies the entire screen of the display unit (FIG. 10A). When the user wants to simultaneously run other applications while running App0, the main window is reduced by dragging the bar or indicator 1001 at the edge of the main window. The indicator may be in the form of an icon indicating that a new sub window is created.

Referring to FIG. 10C, as the user shrinks the main window, a newly created sub window 1010 is displayed. The newly created sub window 1010 may display a list of executable applications.

Referring to FIG. 10D, when a user selects one from the application list, the controller executes the selected application App1 to output information through the sub window 1010. If the user wants to execute another application while executing App1 through the sub window 1010, the user drags 1011 the sub window 1010 to the left as described above.

Referring to FIG. 10E, when the drag input is performed while App1 is executed in a sub window, a new sub window 1020 is generated and a standby mode screen is displayed on the sub window 1020. The sub window 1010 on which App1 is executed moves to the left and is hidden by the main window, and an indicator 1012 displaying this is displayed on the main window. Of course, the user may further reduce the main window to the left to display both the sub windows 1010 and 1020.

10F and 10G, when an event occurs during the execution of App1 in the sub-window 1010, an indicator 1013 indicating the event occurrence may be displayed and blinked. When the user drags the indicator or the sub window to the left, the sub window 1010 in which App1 is executed is moved to the left to cover the sub window, and a sub window 1030 is displayed in which information on an event occurred is displayed.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying a sub window when a plurality of applications are executed through the main window and the sub window.

In a state in which information output from the application App0 is displayed through the main window occupying the entire screen (S400), the user reduces the main window by dragging a bar or an indicator of the main window (S410) to check the sub window. ).

The control unit reduces the main window according to the user's input and displays the output information of App0 through the reduced main window (S420).

In addition, the control unit displays the sub-window n in the remaining space as the main window is reduced (S430). As described above, one or more subwindows may be displayed according to the size of the reduced main window. The displayed subwindow may be a most recently generated subwindow, a most recently displayed subwindow, or the like.

In the state in which the sub-window is displayed (S430), when the user wants to change the displayed sub-window, the sub-windows may be moved by dragging the displayed sub-window left or right (S440). Alternatively, the displayed subwindow may be changed by clicking or dragging an indicator for each subwindow displayed in the main window or the subwindow.

When the first direction, for example, the right drag is input from the user, the sub-window (n-1) generated before generating the displayed sub-window is displayed (S450), and when the second direction, for example, the left drag is input, The generated sub window n + 1 may then be displayed (S460). If there is no generated sub window, a new sub window can be created and a standby mode screen can be displayed.

12A or 12B illustrate a method of switching an application output through a main window and a sub window. When two or more applications are running, information processed by the first executed application may be output through the main window, and the subsequently executed application may be output through the sub window. When the user wants to output an application running in the sub window through the main window or vice versa, the application executed in the main window may be changed according to the user's input.

Referring to FIG. 12A, when the user drags the sub window sub3 to the main window while the main window and the sub window are displayed, or drags the name of the application running in the sub window to the main window, the main window. The application that was running in is changed from App0 to App1 or App3, and App0 is executed in the sub window.

Referring to FIG. 12B, when the main window occupies the entire screen and an indicator of an application running in the sub window hidden by the main window is displayed, the user drags or doubles one of the displayed indicators (App1) to the main window. When clicked, the application running in the main window is changed from App0 to App1, and App0 is executed in the sub window.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

(Mobile terminal) having the above-described (name) is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, the embodiments are all or all of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made Some may be optionally combined.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be present.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: A / V input unit 130: user input unit
140: sensing unit 150: output unit
160: memory 170: interface unit
180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (20)

A display unit configured to display a main window of an upper layer and at least one sub window of a lower layer;
A user input unit for receiving a resizing command of the main window;
And a controller configured to display the resized main window according to the resizing command and a sub window not covered by the main window outside the main window on the display unit. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the user input unit is a touch screen type having a mutual layer structure with the display unit. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein a bar or an indicator for receiving the resizing command is displayed at an edge of the main window. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the resizing command is input by dragging or clicking the bar or the indicator through the touch screen. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates an application or an event displayed through the subwindow covered by the main window. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller generates a sub-window on which an application or an event is to be displayed when detecting a user input or an event occurrence through the user input unit. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-windows have a predetermined size and are arranged in a predetermined direction in a predetermined order. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub windows are displayed by dividing a display area of the display unit according to the number of the sub windows. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller changes a position at which the plurality of sub-windows are displayed when detecting a user command or an event generated through the user input unit. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller switches the main window and the sub window to each other when a predetermined command is input through the user input unit. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller simultaneously executes applications displayed through the main window and the sub window. Displaying a main window on a display unit;
Receiving a resizing command for adjusting the size of the main window from a user through a user input unit;
Resizing the main window according to the resizing command, and displaying a sub-window of a lower layer than the main window not covered by the main window. The control method of claim 12, wherein a bar or an indicator for receiving the resizing command is displayed at an edge of the main window in the main window. The method of claim 12, wherein the resizing command is input by dragging or clicking the bar or the indicator through the touch screen. The method of claim 12,
Detecting an event occurrence;
Generating a subwindow displaying the event when an event occurrence is detected;
And displaying, on the main window, an indicator indicating the occurrence of the event. The method of claim 12,
When the resizing command is input, generating a subwindow in which an executable application is displayed;
In the sub-window display step,
The control method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for displaying the generated sub-window. The method of claim 12,
Receiving a command for changing a position of the subwindow from a user
And changing the displayed subwindow according to a user input. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the position change command is input by dragging in a predetermined direction in the displayed subwindow region. The method of claim 12,
Receiving a sub-window from a user;
And converting the selected sub-window into a main window. The method of claim 19, wherein the subwindow selection step,
The control method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that selected by clicking the indicator of the sub-window displayed on the main window, or by dragging the displayed sub-window to the main window.

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