KR20110112942A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of selecting and executing an application using a list of applications running in a multitasking environment and a control method thereof.
A mobile terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit; A user input unit for receiving a command from a user; And displaying a list of the plurality of running applications on a first area of the display unit when there is a first input through the user input unit when a plurality of applications are running and operating in the background in the list. When any one of the applications is selected as the second input through the user input unit, the selected application may include a control unit for controlling to display a predetermined visual effect on the second area of the display unit. In this case, the second area is preferably an area displayed on the display unit before the selected application operates in the background.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of selecting and executing an application using a list of applications running in a multitasking environment and a control method thereof.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. 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.

Recently, as the performance of a mobile terminal is improved, a multitasking function for simultaneously executing and controlling two or more applications has been implemented. Therefore, an efficient user interface is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof, by which a user can conveniently check information of applications running in a multitasking environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same, which can be conveniently switched between running applications.

Technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

A mobile terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a display unit; A user input unit for receiving a command from a user; And displaying a list of the plurality of running applications on a first area of the display unit when there is a first input through the user input unit when a plurality of applications are running and operating in the background in the list. When any one of the applications is selected as the second input through the user input unit, the selected application may include a control unit for controlling to display a predetermined visual effect on the second area of the display unit. In this case, the second area is preferably an area displayed on the display unit before the selected application operates in the background.

In addition, a mobile terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a display unit; A user input unit for receiving a command from a user; And a list of the plurality of running applications and a shortcut function to a main menu when a first input is received through the user input unit when a plurality of applications are running, on the first area of the display unit. The control unit may be configured to display a main menu on the first area when the shortcut function is selected as a second input through the user input unit.

In addition, the control method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a step of displaying a list of the plurality of running applications on the first area of the display unit when a plurality of applications are running; Selecting an application running in the background from the list; Displaying the selected application with a predetermined visual effect on a second area of the display unit; And reactivating the selected application according to whether the selected application is reselected on the list and whether the second region is selected. The second area may be an area displayed on the display unit before the selected application operates in the background.

In the mobile terminal according to the at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, a list of applications running in a multitasking environment is displayed in a predetermined region, whereby the application being executed may be conveniently identified.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to conveniently switch jobs using a list or icons of running applications.

The effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. will be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a front view of a mobile terminal for explaining an operation state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of checking and selecting an application being executed by providing a list of applications running in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific method of calling a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of a form of a multitasking list and an operation method thereof in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of executing a new application through a main menu shortcut in a multitasking list of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of a method of activating a background application in the same form as a final execution form in a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 are display state diagrams illustrating an example of a method of designating an area to reactivate a background application or reactivating to a full screen in a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a display state diagram illustrating an example in which a selected background application is reactivated according to the number of background applications according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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 an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a 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 visual, auditory or tactile senses, which includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, and a projector module ( 155) may be included.

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.

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near 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 projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image 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 longitudinally on the side, front or back side of the mobile terminal 100. It goes without saying that the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as occasion demands.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180, and temporarily stores input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, an audio, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also perform a function for. The memory unit 160 may also store the frequency of use of each of the data (for example, each telephone number, each message, and frequency of use for each multimedia). In addition, the memory unit 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.

2 is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a mobile 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.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal receiving antenna 116 may be further 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.

Hereinafter, the operation of the display unit 151 and the touch pad 135 will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a front view of a portable terminal for explaining an operation state of the portable terminal according to the present invention.

Various types of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ These pieces of information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons.

At least one of the letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, or icons may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting such information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be referred to as a so-called " virtual keypad ".

3 illustrates inputting of a touch applied to the virtual keypad through the front surface of the terminal body.

The display unit 151 may operate in an entire area or may be operated in a divided manner. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with each other.

For example, an output window 151a and an input window 151b are displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window 151a and the input window 151b are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window 151b, a virtual keypad 151c is displayed in which a number for inputting a telephone number or the like is displayed. When the virtual keypad 151c is touched, numbers and the like corresponding to the touched virtual keypad are displayed on the output window 151a. When the first operation unit 131 is operated, call connection to the telephone number displayed on the output window 151a is attempted.

In addition to the above-described input method, the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135 may be configured to receive a touch input by scrolling. The user can move a cursor or a pointer located on an object displayed on the display unit 151, for example, an icon or the like, by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135. [ Further, when the finger is moved on the display portion 151 or the touch pad 135, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display portion 151. [ This may be useful for editing an image displayed on the display unit 151.

One function of the terminal may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 (touch screen) and the touch pad 135 are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the terminal body using the thumb and index finger. The one function may be activation or deactivation of the display unit 151 or the touch pad 135, for example.

For convenience of description, it is assumed that the mobile terminal mentioned below includes at least one of the components shown in FIG. 1. In addition, a graphic in the form of an arrow or a finger for pointing a specific object or selecting a menu on the display unit 151 is called a pointer or a cursor. However, the pointer is often used interchangeably to mean a finger, a stylus pen, or the like for a touch operation. Therefore, in the present specification, the graphic displayed on the display unit is referred to as a cursor to clearly distinguish the two, and a physical means for performing touch, proximity touch, and gesture such as a finger or a stylus pen is called a pointer.

First Example

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a list of applications running in a multitasking environment is provided, and a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of identifying and selecting a running application are provided.

Often, an application is used as a concept of software that is separately installed / executed. However, an application referred to in the present invention is a concept of indicating all objects that visually display information in a predetermined area when a specific function is executed.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of checking and selecting an application being executed by providing a list of applications running in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the mobile terminal according to the present invention, multitasking is supported so that two or more applications can be executed simultaneously (S401).

Such an application may be executed by a user operating a predetermined menu through a user input unit, selecting a shortcut icon for a specific application on a basic standby screen (desktop), or receiving a call or receiving a message.

In this case, when the later executed application is executed in full screen or when at least part of the execution region of the previously executed application is hidden, the user may change the list of the currently executing application to switch the work to the previously executed application (hereinafter, For convenience, the "application list" may be displayed (S403).

The application list selects a hardware key button or an icon on a touch screen to which the function is displayed on the display unit, or a predetermined touch pattern (for example, drag input of a specific trajectory, long touch, or a predetermined time) onto the touch screen. Can be called by a method of inputting a continuous touch, etc.). In addition, in the case of a touch screen that supports multi-touch that recognizes two or more touch inputs at the same time, the application list may be directly called through a multi-touch of a predetermined pattern. The shape / location of the region where the application list is displayed (hereinafter, referred to as “first region”) may be preset or determined through a touch input. In more detail with reference to Figure 5 will be described later.

The application list displayed on the first area may further include a shortcut function for the main menu, where the main menu shortcut may be in the form of text, an icon, or a combination thereof, and is displayed simultaneously with the running application. The main menu may be called through a predetermined operation. More details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

When a shortcut to the main menu is selected or a command for calling a predetermined main menu is input (S404), the main menu may be displayed on the first area (S405).

In this case, the main menu may be the same as the default main menu displayed on the default idle screen, or may include a menu (application) that supports multitasking among the default main menus.

When the main menu is displayed on the first area, the user may select one of the applications (S406) and execute it on the first area (S407), or newly designate an area in which the selected new application is to be executed, and run in full screen. You can also

On the other hand, in the multitasking list displayed in the first area, the user does not call the main menu, and is not displayed on the display unit 151 or is partially hidden among applications (hereinafter, referred to as "background applications" for convenience). One may be selected (S411).

When any one of the background applications is selected, the selected application may be activated in the form of the last operation, or may be displayed (activated) in full screen. Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the display form when the selected background application is last operated before the selection is not the full screen, the selected background application is a predetermined time in the form of the last display at the last displayed position. An effect may be given and displayed (S412).

One example of such a visual effect is a translucent effect. The present invention is not limited thereto, and various visual effects such as a blinking effect or edge enhancement may be provided in addition to the translucent effect. Hereinafter, for convenience, an area where a background application to which a predetermined visual effect is applied is displayed is referred to as a “translucent area”.

In this case, when the user selects the translucent region (S413), the translucent region is changed to opaque and the selected background application can be activated (S414). In addition, even when a drag touch which is released from the translucent area is input starting from a point corresponding to the background application selected in the application list on the touch screen, the background application may be activated as the translucent area is changed opaquely. In more detail with reference to Figure 8 will be described later.

If the user selects another background application from the multitasking list without selecting the translucent region, the translucent region for the previously selected background application may disappear, and the translucent region for the currently selected background application may be displayed.

Meanwhile, when the user reselects a background application previously selected from the multitasking list, an area in which the selected background application is to be executed may be newly designated by the user. If the user drags the background application previously selected in the multitasking list to an area other than the region in which the translucent area and the multitasking list are displayed, the application may be executed in full screen. In more detail with reference to Figure 9 will be described later.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment in which the embodiment of the present invention described above with reference to FIG. 4 is implemented will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9. In the following embodiments, it is assumed that the mobile terminal includes a touch screen that recognizes a user's touch input by the display unit 151.

Invoke a multitasking list

First, a detailed form of calling a multitasking list will be described with reference to FIG. 5. 5 is a display state diagram illustrating a specific method of calling a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, it is assumed that one or more background applications are running and the currently activated application is a web browser displayed in full screen as shown in FIG.

As described above, the multitasking list may be called through a touch input of a predetermined pattern input on the touch screen. As an example, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), by using a pointer 510 (that is, a finger), dragging a specific pattern (in this case, the letter 'M', which means multitasking), that is, a touch state is maintained at an initial touch point. Draw a trajectory corresponding to the letter M and then release the touch. The alphabet M is exemplary, and may be replaced with another letter or figure, and may be implemented to be arbitrarily set by the user through a predetermined menu operation. When the multitasking list is called in the same manner as in FIG. 5 (b), the shape, size, and position of the multitasking list are preferably determined in advance, and the multitasking list has different shapes, sizes, and positions according to touch patterns. The tasking list may be displayed.

In addition, when the touch screen recognizes the multi-touch, the multi-tasking list may be displayed by determining its position and shape according to the pattern of the multi-touch without a separate menu operation when a multi-touch of a predetermined pattern is input. For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, the user applies a drag input in a direction away from the first touch points 520 and 521 of each finger by using two fingers 510 and 511. The multitasking list may be called on a rectangle 540 where the points 530 and 531 form a diagonal line.

When the multi-touch is not used, as shown in FIG. 5D, the multitasking list is formed in a rectangle 540 corresponding to a vertex of which the first touch point 520 and the last touch point 530 of the finger 510 face each other. Can be called. In this case, however, it is preferable that the multitasking list function is selected through a predetermined menu operation or key button input before the first touch is input.

Multitasking List Type and Main Menu

Next, the detailed form of the multitasking list and the execution form of a new application through the main menu will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

6 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of a form of a multitasking list and an operation method thereof in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the multitasking list according to the present invention may provide a shortcut function to the main menu. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that a multitasking list is called through any one of the methods described with reference to FIG. 5.

First, referring to FIG. 6A, the multitasking list 610 may display a main menu shortcut function and a list of running applications. More specifically, the main menu shortcut icon 620, an icon 621 of one or more background applications (here, instant messenger), and an icon 622 of an activated application (here, a web browser) may be displayed.

As another form of the multitasking list, as shown in FIG. 6B, the main menu 630, the web browser 631, the messenger 632, etc. may be represented as a text list. At this time, each list may be given a predetermined visual effect indicating the current state. For example, a figure 635 indicating that the application is currently activated or a text 638 indicating that the background application is idle may be additionally displayed.

Access to the main menu through the multitasking list may be performed in other forms. For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 6, only the background application icon 621 and the icon 622 of the currently activated application may be displayed on the initial multitasking list without a main menu shortcut icon. In this case, a graphic 635 indicating that the application is activated may be displayed on an icon of the currently activated application. In this case, the user may input a flicking touch on the touch screen with a finger 640 in one direction (here, right to left) on the multitasking list area to access the main menu.

Accordingly, the main menu including the main menu icons 650 may be displayed in the multitasking list region 610 as shown in FIG.

If the flicking touch is input in the multitasking list area in the opposite direction (ie, from left to right) in the situation as shown in FIG. 6C, the currently active application as shown in FIG. A control menu associated with the web browser may also be displayed.

7 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of executing a new application through a main menu shortcut in a multitasking list of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, it is assumed that each main menu is called by selecting a main menu shortcut icon from the multitasking list or by inputting a predetermined command such as flicking as described above with reference to FIG. 6.

First, referring to FIG. 7A, main menu icons 720 are displayed in the multitasking list area 710. At this time, if the icons belonging to the main menu are not displayed all at once due to the limitation of the size of the multitasking list area 710, how many more pages exist in addition to the main menu page displayed in the current area. Page division type, which is represented by the [page] format 730, may be used.

Alternatively, the main menu icon displayed on the multitasking list area 710 may be searched / changed by displaying the scroll bar 750 as shown in FIG. 7B and manipulating the scroll bar 750.

In this case, when a specific application (here, a message related application) is selected on the main menu, the corresponding application may be executed on the multitasking list area 710 as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the selected application may be executed in the area 760 determined by the touch pattern input by the user using a finger 740 or a pointer corresponding thereto as shown in FIG. 7D.

Activating background applications

Hereinafter, a method of selecting a background application from the multitasking list and activating it again with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described in more detail.

8 is a display state diagram illustrating an example of a method of activating a background application in the same form as a final execution form in a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 8, it is assumed that the multitasking list is called through any one of the methods described above with reference to FIG. 5. In addition, it is assumed that the currently activated application in FIG. 8 is a web browser running in full screen, and an instant messenger and a picture file viewer are running as a background application.

First, referring to FIG. 8A, a desktop shortcut icon 821 and icons of running applications are displayed on the multitasking list 810. In this case, when the user wants to activate the instant messenger, the user may select the instant messenger icon 822 by applying a touch input with the pointer 830.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 8B, the messenger icon 822 may display a figure 840 indicating that it is selected, and a predetermined visual effect may be provided at the position 850 where the instant messenger was last executed. Can be. It is assumed here that the predetermined visual effect is a translucent effect. In this state, when the user selects an icon of another background application, a figure indicating that the icon is selected is displayed, and the selected other background application may be displayed at the final execution position by applying a translucent effect.

After the translucent region is displayed according to the user's selection of the background application icon, when the user touches the translucent region 850 with the pointer 830 as shown in FIG. 8C, or as shown in FIG. 8D, a messenger icon ( When dragging 822 to the translucent region 850, the translucent effect of the translucent region 850 disappears as shown in FIG. 8E, and the corresponding application may be activated.

9 are display state diagrams illustrating an example of a method of designating an area to reactivate a background application or reactivating to a full screen in a multitasking list according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 applies the same assumptions as FIG. 8.

First, referring to FIG. 9A, a desktop shortcut icon 921 and icons of running applications are displayed on the multitasking list 910. Here, the user selects the instant messenger icon 922 and the translucent area 930 is displayed.

In this case, when the user reselects the instant messenger icon 922 as shown in FIG. 9B, the controller 180 recognizes the next touch input as a touch input for designating an area for reactivating the instant messenger. can do.

Accordingly, the user may newly designate an area 950 where the instant messenger is to be reactivated by a touch input through the pointer 940 as shown in FIG. 9C. When the designation of the region 950 is completed, that is, when the touch input is released, the instant messenger may be reactivated in the designated region 950.

As a method of switching the background application to the full screen and activating it, when the user drags the instant messenger icon 822 to an external area instead of the translucent area 940 as shown in FIG. 9 (e), as shown in FIG. Instant Messenger can be reactivated full screen.

Second embodiment

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for reactivating in different forms in consideration of the number of background applications. This will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a display state diagram illustrating an example in which a selected background application is reactivated according to the number of background applications according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the multitasking list is called through any one of the methods described above with reference to FIG. 5.

First, referring to FIG. 10A, the multitasking list 1010 includes a main menu shortcut icon 1021, an instant messenger icon 1022 operating in the background, and a web browser icon 1023 which is a currently active application. Included.

With the exception of the main menu shortcut and the currently active application, one background application that can eventually switch tasks is an instant messenger. In this case, when the user selects the background application through the pointer 1030, the selected application may be reactivated to the full screen immediately as shown in FIG. 10B without displaying the translucent area.

Next, referring to FIG. 10C, the multitasking list 1010 includes a main menu shortcut icon 1021, an instant messenger icon 1022 and a picture file viewer icon 1024 operating in the background, and a currently active item. A web browser icon 1023 that is an application is included.

With the exception of the main menu shortcut and the currently active application, the background application that can switch tasks is both instant messenger and picture file viewer. In this case, two background applications may be simultaneously activated through multi-touch. That is, when the user selects the background application icons 1022 and 1024 through the two pointers 1030 and 1031, the two selected applications may be screen-divided and reactivated as shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiments, the touch operation using the pointer may be replaced by a command input using a cursor operated through a navigation key or a corresponding key button. In addition, the functions respectively assigned to the selection on the multitasking list, the reselection, and the drag input to the outside may be changed differently from those described above.

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.

The mobile terminal having the transparent display unit as described above is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, the embodiments are all or part of each of the embodiments is optional so that various modifications can be made It may be configured in combination.

Claims (20)

A display unit;
A user input unit for receiving a command from a user; And
When the first application is running, if a first area on the display is selected according to the first input through the user input unit, a predetermined menu list is displayed on the first area, and a second input through the user input unit is displayed. And a control unit for controlling the second application to be displayed in the first area or the second area on the display unit when the second application is selected from the menu list. The method of claim 1,
The menu list is a list of running applications,
The control unit,
When the second application is a multitasking application operating in the background, the second application is controlled to display a predetermined visual effect on the second area.
And the second area is an area displayed on the display unit before the second application operates in the background. The method of claim 2,
The display unit and the user input unit is a mobile terminal, characterized in that to generate a touch screen integrally. The method of claim 3, wherein
The control unit,
The predetermined time when a touch input is detected on the second area through the touch screen, or a drag touch input that is released in the area corresponding to the second application of the list and released on the second area is detected; Canceling the effect and controlling the second application to be activated. The method of claim 3, wherein
The control unit,
If a touch input is detected on the area corresponding to the second application in the list through the touch screen, designating a third area that is a region in which the second application is to be activated by a touch input through the touch screen that is subsequently input. A mobile terminal, characterized in that for controlling to recognize as an input for. 6. The method of claim 5,
The control unit,
And when the third region is selected, the first region and the second region disappear and control to activate the second application in the third region. The method of claim 3, wherein
The control unit,
When a drag input detected on the display screen starting from an area corresponding to the second application in the list and released in an area other than the first area and the second area is detected by the display unit, the selected application is entirely selected. Mobile terminal characterized in that the control to be activated by the screen. The method of claim 2,
And the list includes an icon corresponding to each of the running applications. The method of claim 8,
The list further comprises at least one of an icon, text, and figure representing a state of the running application. The method of claim 9,
The state of the application is
A mobile terminal comprising activation, background and idle states. The method of claim 3, wherein
The predetermined visual effect added to the second area is
Mobile terminal characterized in that the flashing effect or a translucent effect. The method of claim 3, wherein
The first input is,
Operation of a key button to which the list call function is assigned, a drag input of a predetermined trajectory input on the touch screen, a long touch, a repetitive touch continuously input within a predetermined time, and multiple inputs simultaneously on two points on the touch screen One of the touches,
The second input is
And a touch input applied to a point corresponding to the second application on the list. The method of claim 12,
The key button to which the list call function is assigned is
And a hardware key button provided on the user input unit or a virtual key button displayed on the touch screen. The method of claim 12,
The control unit,
And a line connecting the two touch release points of the multi-touch to recognize a rectangle that becomes one diagonal as the first area. The method of claim 3, wherein
The list further includes a shortcut function to the main menu,
The control unit,
And when the shortcut function is selected, controlling the main menu to be displayed on the first area. 16. The method of claim 15,
The control unit,
And when the second application is selected from the main menu through the second input, controlling the second application to be executed on the first area. 16. The method of claim 15,
The selection of the shortcut function,
And a flicking touch input input in a specific direction within the first area and a selection input of an icon to which a shortcut function to the main menu is given. 16. The method of claim 15,
The control unit,
If the first area does not include all the menus included in the main menu on one screen, a scroll bar for scrolling up, down, left and right is further displayed on the first area, or the main menu is displayed in a page-divided manner. Mobile terminal, characterized in that for controlling. Executing the first application;
Selecting a first area on the display by a first input through a user input;
Displaying a predetermined menu list on the first area;
Executing a second application in the menu list with a second input through the user input unit;
And displaying the second application in the first area or in a second area on the display unit. The method of claim 19,
The menu list is a list of running applications,
And when the second application is a multitasking application operating in the background, the second area is an area displayed on the display unit before the second application operates in the background.

Images