KR20130091182A - Mobile terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and a control method thereof are provided to provide a user interface capable of achieving user convenience in displaying and executing grouped applications. CONSTITUTION: A memory (160) stores a plurality of applications which is grouped into an application group. The plurality of applications is given with a plurality of sequence values respectively. A display unit (151) displays a folder accommodating a plurality of identification items corresponding to the plurality of grouped applications respectively. The display unit senses a touch input. A control unit (180) selects at least one of the plurality of sequence values on the ground of the touch input for the folder. The control unit executes at least one application corresponding to the selected sequence value. [Reference numerals] (110) Wireless communication unit; (111) Broadcast receiving module; (112) Mobile communication module; (113) Wireless internet module; (114) Local communication module; (115) Location information module; (120) A/V input unit; (121) Camera; (122) Microphone; (130) User input unit; (140) Sensing unit; (141) Proximity sensor; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Audio output module; (153) Alarm unit; (154) Haptic module; (160) Memory; (170) Interface unit; (180) Control unit; (181) Multimedia module; (190) Power supply unit

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly to a mobile terminal equipped with a plurality of applications and a control method thereof.

A terminal can be divided into a mobile or portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the terminal is movable or not. 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.

As the functions of such terminals are diversified, they are implemented in the form of a multimedia player having complex functions such as photographing and photographing of movies, reproduction of music and video files, games, and broadcasting reception . Further, in order to support and enhance the function of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural and software parts of the terminal.

Thanks to this improvement, a number of applications mounted in the mobile terminal can be grouped. By such application grouping, shortcut icons for executing grouped applications can be displayed intensively on a limited screen. However, in order to execute any one of the grouped applications, it may be inconvenient to require a separate user input for displaying a list of applications and specifying a specific application.

An object of the present invention is to provide a user interface that can facilitate user convenience in displaying and executing applications grouped in a mobile terminal.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a mobile terminal may include: a memory unit configured to store a plurality of applications, each of which is assigned a plurality of order values and is grouped into an application group; A display unit configured to display a folder accommodating a plurality of identification items corresponding to the plurality of grouped applications, and to sense a touch input; And a controller configured to select at least one of the plurality of order values based on a touch input to the folder, and to execute at least one application corresponding to the selected at least one order value.

The control unit may sort the plurality of identification items in the folder in one direction based on the plurality of order values. In addition, the controller may change an order value assigned to each of the grouped applications based on another touch input to the folder. The controller may rearrange the plurality of identification items according to a changed order value of each of the grouped applications.

The control unit may assign the plurality of order values to the plurality of grouped applications, respectively, based on an execution frequency of the plurality of grouped applications. The controller may hide at least some of the plurality of identification items from the folder based on the plurality of order values. In addition, when the plurality of identification items are displayed on the folder in the 3D mode, the controller may determine the depth value of each of the plurality of identification items based on the plurality of order values. The control unit may select the at least one order value according to the number, intensity, or time of the touch input to the folder.

The control unit may correspond to the at least one identification item when the at least one identification item is dragged out of the folder by the touch input to at least one of the plurality of identification items. At least one application may be deleted from the application group, and the at least one identification item may be deleted from the folder.

The control unit may add the other application to the application group when the icon is dragged out of the folder into the folder by a touch input to an icon of another application and the grouped applications. In addition, an identification item corresponding to the other application may be added to the folder.

A control method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of grouping a plurality of applications into an application group; Assigning a plurality of order values to each of the grouped plurality of applications; Displaying a folder containing a plurality of identification items respectively corresponding to the grouped plurality of applications; And selecting at least one of the plurality of order values based on a touch input to the folder, and executing at least one application corresponding to the selected at least one order value.

The control method may further include arranging the plurality of identification items in one direction in the folder based on the plurality of order values. The control method may further include changing an order value assigned to each of the plurality of grouped applications based on another touch input to the folder. The control method may further include rearranging the plurality of identification items according to a changed order value of each of the plurality of grouped applications.

In an embodiment, in the assigning of the plurality of order values, the plurality of order values may be assigned to the plurality of grouped applications based on an execution frequency of the plurality of grouped applications.

The control method may further include hiding at least some of the plurality of identification items in the folder based on the plurality of order values.

In the displaying of the folder, when the plurality of identification items are displayed on the folder in a 3D mode, a depth value of each of the plurality of identification items is based on the plurality of order values. Can be determined. In addition, in the step of executing the at least one application, the at least one order value may be selected according to the number, intensity, or time of the touch input to the folder.

The control method may further include: dragging the at least one identification item from the folder out of the folder by a touch input to at least one of the plurality of identification items; And deleting at least one application corresponding to the at least one identification item from the application group in response to the dragging of the at least one identification item, and deleting the at least one identification item from the folder. Can be.

The control method may further include: dragging the icon from the folder into the folder by a touch input to an icon of an application different from the grouped plurality of applications; And adding the other application to the application group in response to the dragging of the icon, and adding an identification item corresponding to the other application to the folder.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of applications are grouped, order values may be assigned to the grouped applications, and a folder including a list of the grouped applications may be displayed. At this time, the identification items of the applications grouped in the folder are sorted and displayed according to the order value, so that the user can intuitively determine the importance among the grouped applications in the folder.

In addition, according to the present invention, at least some of the grouped applications are automatically selected and executed when a touch input to a folder including a list of the grouped applications is input, thereby improving user convenience.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
2A and 2B are perspective views showing an appearance of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 to 6 are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of a mobile terminal to which the control method of FIG. 3 is applied.
7 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
8A and 8B are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of a mobile terminal to which the control method of FIG. 7 is applied.
9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating another embodiment of a method for controlling a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
11 and 12 are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of a mobile terminal to which the control method of FIGS. 9 and 10 is applied, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a navigator, have. However, it should be understood that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless it is applicable only to a mobile terminal. It will be easy to see.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. 1, a 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 controller 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. The components shown in Fig. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components can be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components 110 to 190 of the mobile terminal 100 will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the 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 distance communication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. Here, the broadcast-related information means information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information can also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast-related information may be received by the mobile communication module 112. The broadcast signal and the broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

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

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be embedded in the mobile terminal 100 or externally. 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 can be used.

The position information module 115 is a module for acquiring the position of the mobile terminal 100, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal and a video signal, and may include a camera 121, a microphone 122, and the like. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images and moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The image frame processed by the camera 121 can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ The image frame may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ More than two cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 processes the sound signal input from the outside in the communication mode, the recording mode, the voice selection mode, and the like as electrical voice data. The voice data processed by the microphone 122 in the communication mode can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output. The microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated when an external sound signal is input.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 by a user. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure and static electricity), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as presence or absence of a user, the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, position, orientation, acceleration, deceleration, And generates a sensing signal. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, the sensing unit 140 may detect whether the slide phone is opened or closed. The sensing unit 140 may sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. The sensing unit 140 may include a touch sensor (not shown) for sensing a touch operation with respect to the display unit 151.

The touch sensor may have the form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like. The touch sensor may be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display portion 151 or a change in capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display portion 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a touch pressure as well as a touched position and area.

When the touch sensor and the display unit 151 have a mutual layer structure, the display unit 151 can be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 151 may be referred to as a 'touch screen'.

If there is a touch input via the touch screen, signals corresponding thereto are sent to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signals transmitted from the touch sensor, and then transmits data corresponding to the processed signals to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

In the case where the touch screen is electrostatic, it can be configured to detect the proximity of the sensing object by a change of the electric field along the proximity of the sensing target. Such a touch screen may be classified as proximity sensor 141. [

The proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object to be sensed without mechanical contact using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 141 has a longer life than the contact type sensor and its utilization is also high. Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a proximity action is referred to as " proximity touch " while an object to be sensed does not touch the touch screen, and an action of touching the sensing object on the touch screen is called & touch ".

The proximity sensor 141 detects the presence or absence of 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, The information corresponding to the presence / absence of proximity touch and the proximity touch pattern can be output to the touch screen.

The output unit 150 generates an output related to visual, auditory, tactile, and the like. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 operates in the call mode, the display unit 151 displays a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 operates in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the display unit 151 displays the photographed image, the received image, the UI, the GUI, and the like.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, a 3D display, and an e-ink display.

At least one display (or display element) included in the display unit 151 may be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that the display can see the outside through it. This can be referred to as a transparent display. A typical example of such a transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 in the terminal body.

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

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 selection 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 the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events generated in the mobile terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event by vibration, in addition to a video signal or an audio signal. Since the video signal or the audio signal may also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, the display unit 151 and the audio output module 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, pattern, and the like of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through 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 due to endothermic or reproducing a sense of cold using a heat generating element.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver a haptic effect through direct contact, but may also be configured to allow the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. At least two haptic modules 154 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input and output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data related to vibrations and sounds of various patterns that are output upon touch input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a 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) And may include at least one storage medium. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs storage functions of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication 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, the interface unit 170 may include 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, Input / output ports, video I / O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the usage right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)). A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as "identification device") 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 170 may be a path through which the 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 the user, (Not shown). The various command signals or power supplied from the cradle may also act as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted in the cradle.

The controller 180 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, control and processing related to voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [ The control unit 180 may perform pattern selection processing for selecting handwriting input and drawing input on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

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

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be applied to various types of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays Microprocessors, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

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

Hereinafter, a method of processing user input to the mobile terminal 100 will be described.

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of operation units. The operating units may also be referred to as manipulating portions and may be employed in any manner as long as they are operated in a tactile manner by the user's tactile sense.

Various kinds of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ Such visual information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, icons, and the like, and can be formed as a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. At least one of a character, a number, a symbol, a graphic, and an icon may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting time information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be referred to as a so-called " soft key ".

The display unit 151 may operate as an entire area or may be divided into a plurality of areas and operated. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with one another. For example, an output window and an input window may be displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window and the input window are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window, a soft key with a number for inputting a telephone number may be output. When the soft key is touched, the number corresponding to the touched soft key is displayed in the output window. When the operating unit is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed in the output window may be attempted, or the text displayed in the output window may be entered into the application.

The display unit 151 or the touch pad may be configured to detect touch scrolling. The user can move the cursor or the pointer positioned on the displayed object, for example, the icon, on the display unit 151 by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad. Further, when the finger is moved on the display unit 151 or the touch pad, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display unit 151. [ This will be useful for editing the image displayed on the display unit 151. [

One function of the mobile terminal 100 may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 and the touch pad 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 main body of the mobile terminal 100 using the thumb and index finger. At this time, one function of the mobile terminal 100 to be executed may be activation or deactivation for the display unit 151 or the touch pad, for example.

2A and 2B are perspective views showing an appearance of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a front side and one side of the mobile terminal 100, and FIG. 2B shows a rear side and the other side of the mobile terminal 100. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 100 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the mobile terminal 100 is not limited thereto, and may be realized in various forms such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are movably coupled to each other.

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

The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like.

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input unit 130 (see FIG. 1), the microphone 122, the interface 170, can do.

The display unit 151 occupies a main portion of the front case 101. [ The audio output unit 152 and the camera 121 are located in a region adjacent to one end of the display unit 151 and the first user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are located in a region adjacent to the other end. The second user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be located on the sides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. [ The user input unit 130 may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132.

The first or second operating units 131 and 132 can receive various commands. For example, the first operation unit 131 can receive commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like. The second operation unit 132 can receive commands such as adjusting the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152, switching to the touch selection mode of the display unit 151, and the like.

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

For example, the front camera 121 may be configured to have a low pixel, and the rear camera 121 'may be configured to have a high pixel. Accordingly, when the front camera 121 is used during a video call, the size of the transmission data may be reduced when the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in real time. On the other hand, the rear camera 121 'can be used for the purpose of storing a high-quality image.

Meanwhile, the cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotated or popped up.

The flash 123 and the mirror 124 may be further positioned adjacent to the rear camera 121 '. The flash 123 emits light toward the subject when the user photographs the subject with the rear camera 121 '. The mirror 124 illuminates the user's face when the user photographs himself (self-photographing) using the rear camera 121 '.

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

In addition to the antenna for communication, an antenna 116 for receiving broadcast signals may be additionally provided on the side surface of the terminal body. The antenna 116 constituting a 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 mobile terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the main body of the terminal or may be detachable from the outside of the main body of the terminal.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151 (see FIG. 2A). Further, a back display unit for outputting time information can be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135. [ At this time, information output from both sides of the front display unit 151 and the rear display unit can be controlled by the touch pad 135. [

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display unit 151. [ The touch pad 135 may be positioned parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of applications mounted in the mobile terminal 100 may be grouped. Hereinafter, a user interface that can facilitate user convenience in displaying and executing grouped applications will be described.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, first, a grouping of a plurality of applications into an application group (S110) is performed. In order to group the applications, application icons displayed on the screen of the display unit 151 (see FIG. 1) may be used. For example, when one application icon is dragged and overlaps with another application icon by a touch input (for example, a drag gesture input) applied to the display unit 151, applications corresponding to the two application icons may be grouped. . At this time, the grouped applications may be said to be included in the application group.

Next, step S120 of assigning order values to respective grouped applications is performed. In this case, order values may be assigned to the grouped applications based on the execution frequency of the grouped applications. Order values may be used as a criterion for determining the importance of grouped applications.

In addition, a step (S130) of displaying a folder containing identification items corresponding to the grouped applications, respectively, is performed. In other words, a folder containing a list of grouped applications may be displayed. The identification items may be arranged in one direction in the folder based on the order values. For example, when the identification items are arranged in a vertical direction in the folder, the identification item of the application having a relatively high order value may be placed above the identification item of the application having a relatively low order value. Each of the identification items may include text (eg, an application name), an image, and the like as information for identifying an application.

Next, selecting at least one of order values respectively assigned to the grouped applications based on a touch input to the folder (S140) and executing at least one application corresponding to the selected at least one order value. S150 is performed. For example, when a touch input to a folder is detected, an application having a relatively largest order value, that is, the highest priority may be executed.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a plurality of applications are grouped, order values may be assigned to the grouped applications, respectively, and a folder including a list of the grouped applications may be displayed. At this time, the identification items of the applications grouped in the folder are sorted and displayed according to the order value, so that the user can intuitively determine the importance among the grouped applications in the folder.

In addition, according to the present invention, at least some of the grouped applications are automatically selected and executed when a touch input to a folder including a list of the grouped applications is input, thereby improving user convenience.

4 to 6 are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of the mobile terminal 100 to which the control method of FIG. 3 is applied.

4 to 6, the display unit 151 may display a folder 210 and application icons 220 to 260. As described above, the folder 210 may accommodate the identification items 211 ˜ 213 corresponding to the grouped applications, respectively. That is, the identification items 211 ˜ 213 may be displayed on the folder 210 as shown.

The controller 180 (refer to FIG. 1) may assign order values to the grouped applications based on the execution frequency of the grouped applications. For example, a first application (eg, a telephone function) corresponding to the first identification item 211 may correspond to a second and third application (eg, a message) corresponding to the second and third identification items 212 and 213, respectively. Function, music playback function), the controller 180 may assign the largest order value to the first application. The controller 180 (refer to FIG. 1) may sort the corresponding identification items 211 ˜ 213 from the top of the folder 210 based on the order values assigned to the grouped applications.

Referring to FIG. 4, when a touch input to the folder 210 is detected, the controller 180 can execute at least one of the grouped applications corresponding to the identification items 211 ˜ 213. More specifically, the controller 180 selects at least one of order values given to applications grouped according to the number, intensity, or time of touch input to the folder 210, and selects an application corresponding to the selected order value. You can run

The controller 180 may select an order value mapped to the number of touch inputs to the folder 210 and execute an application to which the selected order value is assigned. For example, when a single touch input is detected within a predetermined time, the controller 180 can execute a first application to which the largest order value is given. In addition, the display unit 151 may display the execution screen 310 of the first application under the control of the controller 180. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, as the number of touch inputs detected within a predetermined time increases, the selected order value may decrease or increase. Accordingly, the application to be executed may change. In addition, the selection of the order value according to the intensity or time of the touch input may be implemented in the same manner.

Meanwhile, the application icons 220 to 260 may correspond to applications that are not grouped. When a touch input to each of these application icons 220 to 260 is detected, the controller 180 can execute each corresponding ungrouped application.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented to display not only two-dimensional (2D) images but also three-dimensional (3D) images that enable depth perception to stereovision. have. The three-dimensional image may also be referred to as a three-dimensional stereoscopic image, in which the depth and reality of an object may be felt on the screen of the display unit 151 as in a real space. It is an image formed to be. The user may enjoy a more realistic user interface or content through the 3D image.

In the present specification, the term “depth value” refers to an index indicating a distance difference between objects included in a 3D image. More specifically, when the object displayed by the display unit 151 is shown to the user in a two-dimensional form, the depth value of the object may be defined as "0". However, a depth value of an object that appears to protrude to the outside of the mobile terminal 100 based on the screen of the display unit 151 in a three-dimensional form may be defined as a negative number. On the other hand, the depth value of the object that appears to enter the inside of the mobile terminal 100 may be defined as a positive number. In addition, as the position of the object included in the 3D image of the protruding shape is near, the absolute value of the depth value of the object increases, and the position of the object included in the 3D image of the shape that has entered the inside is far. The more the depth value of the object increases.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the position where the object included in the 3D image is seen is expressed as 'the depth value of the object is larger' for the short distance, and 'the depth value of the object is smaller' for the far distance.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the mobile terminal 100 operates in the 3D mode, for example, the identification items 211 ˜ 213 may be located on the folder 210 in the 3D mode. When displayed at, the controller 180 may determine the depth value of each of the identification items 211 to 213 based on the order values assigned to the grouped applications.

For example, the first identification item 211 corresponding to the first application to which the relatively largest order value is assigned corresponds to the second and third applications to which the relatively small order value is assigned, as shown. Depth values of each of the first to third identification items 211 to 213 may be determined such that the second and third identification items 212 and 213 protrude outward from the outside. Accordingly, the user can more intuitively recognize the importance between the grouped applications corresponding to the identification items 211 to 213.

Referring to FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 180 may determine at least some of the identification items 211 ˜ 214 of the folder 210 based on the order values assigned to the grouped applications. ~ 216) can be hidden. For example, when smaller order values are given to the fourth to sixth applications than the first to third applications, the fourth to sixth identification items 214 to 216 corresponding to the fourth to sixth applications are provided. This folder 210 can be hidden.

The controller 180 expands the folder 210 based on a touch input to the folder 210 in this state, and displays the hidden identification items 214 to 216 on the expanded folder 210 '. 151 can be controlled. For example, when a pinch-in gesture or pinch-out gesture input is detected by the multi-touch input to the folder 210, the folder 210 is expanded and hidden. The identification items 214 to 216 that were present may be displayed in the expanded folder 210 '. Here, the pinch-in gesture refers to a gesture of spreading two fingers on the screen, and the pinch-out gesture refers to a gesture opposite to the pinch-in gesture and narrowing two fingers on the screen.

In addition, the controller 180 may change the screen layout as the folder 210 is expanded. For example, when the folder 210 is expanded, the controller 180 controls the display unit 151 so that at least one of the application icons 220 to 260 disappears from the screen as shown. Can be controlled. Although not shown, when the folder 210 is expanded, the controller 180 may change the size and location of the application icons 220 to 260.

7 is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the content overlapping with the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Referring to FIG. 7, first, a step (S210) of changing an order value assigned to each of the grouped applications corresponding to the identification items is performed based on a touch input to a folder containing the identification items. Thereafter, step S220 is performed to rearrange the identification items according to the changed order value.

8A and 8B are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of the mobile terminal 100 to which the control method of FIG. 7 is applied.

8A and 8B, when a drag gesture input to the folder 210 is detected, the controller 180 changes the order values given to the grouped applications based on the drag direction, and changes the order values to the changed order values. Accordingly, the identification items 211 to 213 may be rearranged.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the drag direction is upward from the bottom of the folder 210, the controller 180 moves the second and third identification items 220 and 230 upward by a predetermined unit distance. The display unit 151 may be controlled to move the first identification item 210 below the second and third identification items 220 and 230. This means that an order value assigned to each of the second and third applications increases, and an order value assigned to the first application decreases to be smaller than an order value assigned to the second and third applications.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the drag direction is upward from the bottom of the folder 210, the controller 180 moves the first and second identification items 210 and 220 downward by a predetermined unit distance. The display unit 151 may be controlled to arrange the third identification item 210 above the first and second identification items 210 and 220. This means that the order value assigned to each of the first and second applications decreases, and the order value assigned to the third application increases to be greater than the order value assigned to the first and second applications.

As such, according to the present invention, the priority among the grouped applications may be changed based on a touch input to the folder 210.

Hereinafter, partial grouping according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. 9 and 10 are flowcharts illustrating another embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the content overlapping with the above-described embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 9, first, a step (S310) of dragging out at least one identification item out of a folder by a touch input to at least one of the identification items in a folder is performed.

Next, an application corresponding to the dragged identification item is deleted from the application group, and the dragged identification item is deleted from the folder (S320). As such, grouping may be ungrouped for some of the grouped applications.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, a step (S410) of dragging at least one application icon out of a folder by a touch input to at least one of the application icons is performed. Here, the application icon corresponds to another application (hereinafter, referred to as "another application") which is not grouped as described above.

Next, the step S420 of adding another application corresponding to the dragged application icon to the application group and adding an identification item corresponding to the other application to the folder is performed. As such, a partial grouping may be performed in which some of the ungrouped applications are added to the previously created application group.

11 and 12 are conceptual views illustrating a user interface of the mobile terminal 100 applying the control method of FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the identification item 213 is dragged out of the folder 210 by a touch input (eg, a drag gesture input) to the identification item 213 in the folder 210, the controller 180 may control the controller 180. An application corresponding to the dragged identification item 213 may be deleted from the application group, and the dragged identification item 213 may be deleted from the folder 210.

In addition, when the dragged identification item 213 is deleted, the controller 180 may control the display unit 151 to generate and display an application icon 270 corresponding to the dragged identification item 213. In this case, the display unit 151 may display the generated application 270 in the region where the drag gesture is terminated.

In addition, the controller 180 may change the screen layout as the generated application icon 270 is displayed. For example, when the generated application icon 270 is displayed, the controller 180 may at least some of the previously displayed application icons 220 to 260 disappear from the screen, as shown. In addition, the display unit 151 may be controlled such that at least the other parts 220 and 240 are rearranged. Although not shown, when the folder 210 is expanded, the controller 180 may change the sizes of the application icons 220 to 260 that are displayed in advance.

Referring to FIG. 12, when the application icon 230 is dragged in from the outside of the folder 210 by a touch input to the application icon 230, the controller 180 may add another application corresponding to the dragged application icon 230. An application may be added to an application group, and an identification item 217 of another application may be added to the folder 210.

In addition, when the identification item 217 is added to the folder 210, the controller 180 may delete the dragged application icon 230. In addition, as the dragged application icon 230 is deleted, the controller 180 can change the screen layout in the same manner as described above.

According to the embodiment disclosed herein, the above-described method can be implemented by a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the medium that can be read by the processor include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, etc., and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet) .

In the mobile terminal disclosed in this specification, the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments are not limitedly applied, but all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made.

Claims (20)

A memory unit for storing a plurality of applications, each of which is assigned a plurality of order values and is grouped into an application group;
A display unit configured to display a folder accommodating a plurality of identification items corresponding to the plurality of grouped applications, and to sense a touch input; And
And a controller configured to select at least one of the plurality of order values based on a touch input to the folder, and to execute at least one application corresponding to the selected at least one order value. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And sorting the plurality of identification items in the folder in one direction based on the plurality of order values. 3. The method of claim 2,
The control unit,
And changing an order value assigned to each of the plurality of grouped applications based on another touch input to the folder. The method of claim 3, wherein
The control unit,
And reorder the plurality of identification items according to a changed order value of each of the plurality of grouped applications. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And assigning the plurality of order values to the plurality of grouped applications, respectively, based on a frequency of execution of the plurality of grouped applications. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And at least a part of the plurality of identification items in the folder based on the plurality of order values. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And when the plurality of identification items are displayed on the folder in a 3D mode, determining a depth value of each of the plurality of identification items based on the plurality of order values. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
And selecting the at least one order value according to the number, intensity, or time of the touch input to the folder. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
When the at least one identification item is dragged out of the folder in the folder by a touch input to at least one of the plurality of identification items, at least one application corresponding to the at least one identification item is selected from the application group. And delete the at least one identification item from the folder. The method of claim 1,
The control unit,
When the icon is dragged out of the folder into the folder by a touch input to an icon of another application and the grouped applications, the other application is added to the application group, and an identification item corresponding to the other application. Mobile terminal, characterized in that for adding to the folder. Grouping the plurality of applications into an application group;
Assigning a plurality of order values to each of the grouped plurality of applications;
Displaying a folder containing a plurality of identification items respectively corresponding to the grouped plurality of applications; And
Selecting at least one of the plurality of order values based on a touch input to the folder, and executing at least one application corresponding to the selected at least one order value. The method of claim 11,
And arranging the plurality of identification items in the folder in one direction based on the plurality of order values. 13. The method of claim 12,
And changing an order value assigned to each of the grouped plurality of applications based on another touch input to the folder. The method of claim 13,
And rearranging the plurality of identification items according to a changed order value of each of the plurality of grouped applications. The method of claim 11,
In the step of assigning the plurality of order values,
And the plurality of order values are assigned to the plurality of grouped applications based on a frequency of execution of the grouped plurality of applications. The method of claim 11,
Hiding at least some of the plurality of identification items in the folder based on the plurality of order values. The method of claim 11,
In the step of displaying the folder,
And when the plurality of identification items are displayed on the folder in a three-dimensional mode, a depth value of each of the plurality of identification items is determined based on the plurality of order values. The method of claim 11,
In executing the at least one application,
And the at least one order value is selected according to the number, intensity, or time of the touch input to the folder. The method of claim 11,
Dragging the at least one identification item within the folder out of the folder by a touch input to at least one of the plurality of identification items; And
And deleting at least one application corresponding to the at least one identification item from the application group in response to the dragging of the at least one identification item, and deleting the at least one identification item from the folder. Control method of the terminal. The method of claim 11,
Dragging the icon out of the folder into the folder by touch input to an icon of another grouped application and another application; And
And adding the other application to the application group in response to the dragging of the icon, and adding an identification item corresponding to the other application to the folder.

Images