KR20150007569A - Device and method for providing dynamic widget - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing a dynamic widget. To achieve this, the present invention provides a method for providing a dynamic widget. The method includes outputting widget data through a widget, changing the size of the widget in response to a user′s input when the user′s input for requesting an output of sub data is received, and outputting the sub data along with the widget data through the changed widget. Therefore, the apparatus and method may easily provide a user with a variety of information.

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC WIDGET [0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for providing a widget, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for providing a dynamic widget in which data output according to a user input is variable.

In general, mobile terminals are widely used based on mobility. The portable terminal not only supports a mobile communication function but also supports various user functions and the like, and the user can operate various functions using the portable terminal.

Such a mobile terminal provides various applications. Such applications include a widget. In recent years, applications such as a clock, a calendar, a notepad, a search, a map, a news, a real-time camera, A widget in the form of a user interface is prepared and provided to the user. The portable terminal outputs contents on functions and information related to the widget on the screen through the widget.

As described above, the portable terminal outputs the widget-related contents on the screen through the widget.

However, conventionally, when a user has an input for changing the size of a widget, the portable terminal merely provides a widget of a changed size, and since a new function is not added according to the changed size, There was.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a dynamic widget that changes a widget size according to a user input and outputs various widget-related information through a widget of a changed size.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing a dynamic widget, comprising: a storage unit for storing a widget; a display unit for outputting widget data through the widget; And controlling the display unit to change the size of the widget according to the received user input and to output the sub data together with the widget data through the changed widget.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a dynamic widget in a dynamic widget providing apparatus, the method comprising: outputting widget data through a widget; receiving a user input requesting output of sub data; Changing the size of the widget according to the input, and outputting the sub data together with the widget data through the changed widget.

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a dynamic widget that outputs variable information according to user input, thereby easily providing various information to the user through the dynamic widget.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data including widget content data and widget-related list data according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data in response to a widget size change according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data corresponding to a hovering event according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 5 to 12 are illustrations for explaining a process of outputting widget data according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the contents described in the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to or limited by the exemplary embodiments. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote members performing substantially the same function.

Terms including ordinals, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

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

In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the device is a smart phone. However, the device may be various devices such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC and the like in addition to a smart phone.

The portable terminal includes a control unit 100, a communication module 110, an input / output module 120, a display unit 130, and a storage unit 140.

The control unit 100 controls the overall operation of the apparatus, and particularly controls the communication module 110, the input / output module 120, the display unit 130, and the storage unit 140.

The control unit 100 displays a widget on the display unit 130 and receives a user input for outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data through the input / output module 120 through the displayed widget.

The controller 100 outputs widget data to the main area of the widget according to user input and outputs sub data to the sub area. Here, the widget includes a main area and a sub area, and the size of the main area and the size of the sub area are changed according to the size of the widget. Also, the widget data means contents provided by a widget such as news, stock, SNS, image, music player and the like, and the sub data means an item about contents provided by the widget. The sub data may further include a recommendation item for the content according to the widget type.

Specifically, the controller 100 may output at least one of widget data and sub data in the widget when any one of a user input for changing the widget size and a hovering event for outputting the sub data occurs.

In particular, the controller 100 may output the widget data to the main area of the widget and output the sub data to at least one sub area. Here, it is assumed that the widget includes only the main area and outputs the widget data to the main area in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, when a user input for changing the widget size is received through the input / output module 120, the controller 100 changes the size of the widget to a size selected by the user. The control unit 100 may output the widget data to the main area having a preset size in the widget having the changed size and output the sub data to the sub area having the predetermined size. If the size of the widget selected by the user is smaller than the size of the combined area of the main area and the sub area, the controller 100 outputs the scroll area and moves the main area and the sub area in the widget according to the scroll input .

In the second embodiment, when a hovering event for outputting sub data is detected through the display unit 130, the controller 100 changes a widget having a default size to a preset size including a sub area, Can be output. If the predetermined time is exceeded after outputting the sub data, the controller 100 changes the size of the changed widget to the size of the default widget including only the main area, and outputs only the widget data to the main area.

For example, when displaying a news widget, the control unit 100 may output detailed information about a specific news item to the main area of the widget and output at least one news item to the sub-area. At this time, the control unit 100 may output an item about the recommended news in the sub-area. These items may also include a thumbnail for the news, a title, a portion of the content, and the like. If one of the news items is selected, the controller 100 may output detailed information about the selected news item to the main area.

When the gallery widget is displayed, the control unit 100 may output a specific image to the main area of the widget and output an item of the image stored in the gallery in the sub area. At this time, these items may include a title, a thumbnail, and the like for the image.

When the music player is displayed, the control unit 100 may output the music player to the main area of the widget and output the playback item corresponding to the music player in the sub area. At this time, the controller 100 may output an item for the recommended music in the sub-area. These items may also include a song title, album name, play time, and the like for the music.

In addition, the control unit 100 may further output detailed information on the sub data according to a user input for enlarging a part of the sub area with respect to the sub data output to the sub area. Also, the controller 100 can adjust the amount of data to be output to the main area or the sub area according to the size of the widget. For example, when displaying a widget having a size smaller than the reference size, the controller 100 outputs smaller data than the data output from the widget of the reference size, and displays a widget having a size larger than the reference size In this case, it is possible to output data larger than the data output from the widget of the reference size.

The communication module 110 includes a mobile communication module and a sub communication module. According to the control of the controller 100, the mobile communication module connects the device to an external device through mobile communication using at least one or more antennas. The mobile communication module transmits / receives a radio signal for a voice call, a video call, a text message (SMS), or a multimedia message (MMS) to a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC or other device having a telephone number input to the device. The sub communication module may include at least one of a wireless LAN module and a local area communication module. For example, it may include only a wireless LAN module, only a local communication module, or both a wireless LAN module and a local communication module. The wireless LAN module can be connected to the Internet at a place where a wireless access point (AP) is installed under the control of the controller 100. [ The wireless LAN module supports the IEEE 802.11x standard of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The short-range communication module can wirelessly perform short-range communication between the apparatus and the image forming apparatus under the control of the control unit 100. [ The short-distance communication method may include bluetooth, infrared data association (IrDA), WiFi-Direct communication, and Near Field Communication (NFC).

The input / output module 120 may include at least one of a plurality of buttons, a microphone, a speaker, a vibration motor, a connector, and a keypad.

The button may be formed on the front, side, or rear surface of the housing of the apparatus and may include at least one of a power / lock button, a volume button, a menu button, a home button, a back button and a search button.

The microphone receives voice or sound under the control of the controller 100 and generates an electrical signal.

The speaker may correspond to various signals (e.g., a wireless signal, a broadcast signal, a digital audio file, a digital moving picture file, or a photograph) of a mobile communication module, a sub communication module, a multimedia module, or a camera module under the control of the controller 100 Sound can be output to the outside of the device. The speaker can output sound corresponding to the function performed by the apparatus (e.g., a button operation sound corresponding to a telephone call, or a ring back tone). The loudspeaker may be formed in one or more of the appropriate positions or locations of the housing of the apparatus.

The vibration motor can convert an electrical signal into a mechanical vibration under the control of the control unit 100. For example, a device in a vibration mode operates a vibration motor when a voice call is received from another device. May be formed in the housing of the apparatus in one or more. The vibration motor can operate in response to a touch operation of a user touching the touch screen and a continuous movement of the touch on the touch screen.

The connector may be used as an interface for connecting the device to an external device or a power source. The apparatus can transmit data stored in the storage unit 140 of the apparatus to the external apparatus via the wired cable connected to the connector under the control of the control unit 100 or receive data from the external apparatus. The device may also receive power from a power source via a wired cable connected to the connector, or charge the battery using the power source.

The keypad may receive key input from a user for control of the device. The keypad includes a physical keypad formed on the device or a virtual keypad displayed on the touch screen. The physical keypad formed in the device may be excluded depending on the performance or structure of the device.

The display unit 130 displays data stored in the device, and is implemented in the form of a touch screen and a touch screen controller to receive user input. Such a touch screen can provide a user interface corresponding to various services (e.g., call, data transmission, broadcasting, photographing) to the user. The touch screen may transmit an analog signal corresponding to at least one touch input to the user interface to the touch screen controller. The touch screen can receive at least one touch via a user's body (e.g., a finger including a thumb) or a touchable input means (e.g., a stylus pen). Also, the touch screen can receive a continuous movement of one touch among at least one touch. The touch screen can transmit an analog signal corresponding to the continuous movement of the input touch to the touch screen controller.

Further, in the present invention, the touch is not limited to the contact between the touch screen and the user's body or the touchable input means, but may be a contactless touch (e.g., a distance between the touch screen and the user's body, . ≪ / RTI > In particular, the touch screen may include touch events caused by contact with a user's body or touchable input means, input (e.g., hovering) in a non-contact state, (For example, a current value) detected by the touch event and the hovering event can be output differently so that the event can be separately detected. Furthermore, it is preferable that the touch screen outputs a detected value (e.g., a current value or the like) differently according to the distance between the space where the hovering event is generated and the touch screen.

The touch screen may be implemented by, for example, a resistive method, a capacitive method, an infrared method, or an acoustic wave method.

On the other hand, the touch screen controller converts the analog signal received from the display unit 130 into a digital signal (e.g., X and Y coordinates) and transmits the digital signal to the controller 100. The controller 100 may control the touch screen using the digital signal received from the touch screen controller. For example, the control unit 100 may cause a shortcut icon displayed on the touch screen to be selected or execute a shortcut icon in response to a touch event or a hovering event. In addition, the touch screen controller may be included in the control unit 100.

Furthermore, the touch screen controller can detect a value (e.g., a current value) output through the touch screen to confirm the distance between the touch screen and the space where the hovering event is generated, , Z coordinate), and provide the converted data to the control unit 100.

In addition, the touch screen may include at least two touch screen panels capable of sensing the user's body and the touch or proximity of the touchable input means, respectively, so that the user's body and input by the touchable input means can be input simultaneously . Wherein the at least two touch screen panels provide different output values to the touch screen controller, wherein the touch screen controller recognizes different values input from the at least two touch screen panels, Or input by the touchable input means can be distinguished.

The storage unit 140 may store signals or data input / output corresponding to the operation of the communication module 110, the input / output module 120, and the display unit 130 under the control of the control unit 100. The storage unit 140 may store a control program and applications for controlling the apparatus or the control unit 100. [

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data including widget content data and widget related list data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the controller 100 displays a widget on the display unit 130 in step 200.

In step 210, the controller 100 receives a user input for outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data through the input / output module 120 through the displayed widget.

In operation 220, the controller 100 outputs at least one of the widget data and the sub data through the widget. For example, the controller 100 outputs widget data to the main area of the widget according to user input, and outputs sub data to the sub area.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data in response to a widget size change according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3, in step 300, the control unit 100 displays a widget on the display unit 130. FIG.

In step 310, the controller 100 receives a user input for changing the size of the widget through the input / output module 120.

In step 320, the controller 100 determines whether the size of the widget is changed to a size larger than the reference widget size. If the size of the widget is larger than the reference widget size, the controller 100 proceeds to step 340. If the size of the widget is smaller than the reference widget size, And outputs the widget of the changed size.

In step 340, the controller 100 outputs the widget data and the sub data together through the widget having the changed size.

Specifically, the control unit 100 changes the reference size of the widget to the size of the widget selected by the user. If the selected widget size is larger than the reference size of the widget, widget data is output to the main area of the widget having the changed size, And outputs the sub data. If the size of the widget selected by the user is larger than the size of the main area, the controller 100 sets the area excluding the main area as the sub area and outputs the sub data to the set sub area. In another embodiment, the controller 100 outputs a scroll area if the widget size is smaller than the size of the area where the main area and the sub area are combined, and moves the main area and the sub area in the widget according to the scroll input.

For example, if the widget size selected by the user is smaller than the reference size of the widget, the controller 100 may output the widget data to the main area of the widget having the changed size. If the size of the widget is changed to be smaller than the reference size, assuming that the reference size of the widget is equal to the size of the main area, the controller 100 can output only the widget data through the changed size widget.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process for outputting widget data corresponding to a hovering event according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4, in step 400, the control unit 100 displays a widget on the display unit 130. FIG.

If a hovering event for outputting the sub data is generated on the display unit 130 in step 410, the controller 100 changes the widget size in step 420 and outputs the widget data and the sub data together.

Specifically, when a hovering event for outputting sub data is detected through the display unit 130, the controller 100 changes a widget having a default size to a preset size including a sub region, The sub-data can be output to the sub-

In step 430, the controller 100 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time elapses, the controller 100 proceeds to step 440. If the preset time does not elapse, the controller 100 proceeds to step 430 to determine whether a predetermined time has elapsed .

In step 440, the controller 100 changes the widget size to a reference size and outputs the widget data.

Specifically, when the preset time is exceeded, the controller 100 changes the size of the widget to the size of the default widget including only the main area, and outputs only the widget data to the main area.

5 to 12 are illustrations for explaining a process of outputting widget data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a main area and a sub area in a widget according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 100 outputs widget data of a widget such as news, securities, and SNS to the main area 500 as shown in FIG. 5A and outputs sub data to the sub area 510 do. For example, the control unit 100 may output detailed information about a specific news item to the main area 500 and output at least one news item to the sub-area 510.

The controller 100 may output an image to the main area 520 and output an item for at least one image in the sub area 530 as shown in FIG.

The controller 100 may output the music player to the main area 540 and output at least one music item to the sub area 550 as shown in FIG.

6 through 7 are exemplary diagrams illustrating widgets of various sizes provided by user input for changing a widget size according to an embodiment of the present invention.

At this time, FIG. 6 illustrates a stock widget as an example.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the widget is requested to be executed, the controller 100 displays the stock widget of the reference size through the display unit 130 as shown in FIG. 6 (a).

When receiving a user input for changing the widget size, if the user input is an input for changing the size of the widget to be smaller than the reference size, the control unit 100 sets the widget size smaller than the reference size as shown in (b) And displays it. At this time, the controller 100 outputs only the main area through the widget.

If the user input is an input for changing the widget size to be larger than the reference size, the controller 100 outputs widget data to the main area 600 as shown in (c) of FIG. 6, . For example, the control unit 100 may output detailed information about a specific stock in the main region 600 and output an item for at least one stock in the sub region 610 as shown in FIG. 6 (c) have. In addition, the control unit 100 may output detailed information about a specific stock in the main area and output a recommendation item for at least one stock in the sub area.

7 illustrates an example of a photo gallery widget.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the widget is requested to be executed, the controller 100 displays the photo gallery widget of the reference size through the display unit 130 as shown in FIG. 7 (a).

If the user input when receiving the user input for changing the widget size is an input for changing the widget size to be smaller than the reference size, the control unit 100 determines whether the input size is smaller than the reference size The widget is changed to a smaller size and displayed.

If the user input is an input for changing the widget size to be larger than the reference size, the control unit 100 outputs the widget data to the main area and outputs the sub data to the sub area as shown in (d) of FIG. For example, the control unit 100 may output a specific image to the main area and output an item for at least one image in the sub area as shown in FIG. 7 (d).

8 is an exemplary diagram illustrating widgets of various sizes provided by a hovering event for further outputting sub data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A, when a hovering event for outputting sub data is detected in a state of displaying a widget of a reference size, the controller 100 changes a widget having a default size to a predetermined size including a sub-area further . At this time, the widget of the changed size can be shown as (b) or (c) of FIG.

The controller 100 outputs the widget data to the main area as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, and further generates the sub area, and then outputs the sub data to the generated sub area. In addition, the controller 100 may output the widget data by changing the size of the main area in a widget having a predetermined size as shown in (c) of FIG. 8, and output the sub data in the sub area excluding the main area. In addition, the controller 100 outputs the widget data to the main area through a widget having a size capable of displaying the main area and the sub area, as shown in FIG. 8 (d) It is also possible to output sub data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a process of outputting sub-data not output through a widget according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 (a), when the scroll or slide input for outputting the sub data not outputted through the widget is received, the controller 100 scrolls or scrolls as shown in FIG. 9 (b) It is possible to display the sub-area additionally while reducing the size of the main area in which the widget data is output corresponding to the slide direction, thereby outputting the sub-data in the sub-area additionally displayed.

When the scroll or slide input is continuously received, the controller 100 displays the widget data in the main area of the main area where the widget data is output until the sub area of the maximum displayable size is displayed corresponding to the scroll or slide direction input as shown in FIG. Reduce the size. Then, the control unit 100 can output the sub data in the sub-area of the maximum displayable size.

In accordance with the scroll direction as shown in (d) of FIG. 9, the controller 100 may further display the sub area while decreasing the size of the main area where the widget data is output, and output the sub data to the displayed sub area.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a process of providing a text-related widget according to an embodiment of the present invention.

When the user input is received while the news widget is displayed, the control unit 100 outputs a part of the specific news to the main area 1000 as shown in FIG. 10A, and displays at least one news item in the sub- Can be output. For example, when a user input requesting detailed information about a particular news item output to the main area 1000 is received, the controller 100 sets the size of the main area to output detailed information of a specific news item, And the size of the sub area is reduced to be smaller as indicated by reference numeral 1030 by the extended size.

11-12 are illustrations for providing a dynamic widget in a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the invention.

In the present invention, the dynamic widgets can be displayed in the tablet PCs other than the smartphone as shown in Figs. 11 (a) and 11 (b) and Figs. 12 (a) and 12 (b). These widgets may perform the operations described above.

As described above, the present invention can easily provide various information to a user by providing a dynamic widget that outputs variable information according to user input.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. Such arbitrary software may be stored in a memory such as, for example, a volatile or non-volatile storage device such as a storage device such as ROM or the like, or a memory such as a RAM, a memory chip, a device or an integrated circuit, , Or a storage medium readable by a machine (e.g., a computer), such as a CD, a DVD, a magnetic disk, or a magnetic tape, as well as being optically or magnetically recordable. The dynamic widget providing method of the present invention can be implemented by a computer or a mobile terminal including a control unit and a memory, and the memory is a machine suitable for storing programs or programs including instructions for implementing the embodiments of the present invention It is an example of a storage medium that can be read. Accordingly, the invention includes a program comprising code for implementing the apparatus or method as claimed in any of the claims herein, and a storage medium readable by a machine (such as a computer) for storing such a program. In addition, such a program may be electronically transported through any medium such as a communication signal transmitted via a wired or wireless connection, and the present invention appropriately includes the same.

In addition, the dynamic widget providing apparatus may receive and store the program from a program providing apparatus connected by wire or wireless. The program providing apparatus may further include a memory for storing a program including instructions for causing the dynamic widget providing apparatus to perform a predetermined content protection method, information necessary for the content protection method, and the like, A communication unit for performing communication, and a control unit for transmitting the request to the dynamic widget providing apparatus or automatically transmitting the program to the dynamic widget providing apparatus.

100:
110: communication module
120: I / O module
130:
140:

Claims (18)

An apparatus for providing a dynamic widget,
A storage unit for storing a widget,
A display unit for outputting widget data through the widget;
When the user input requesting the output of the sub data is received, the size of the widget is changed according to the received user input, and the display unit is controlled to output at least one of the widget data and the sub data through the changed widget And a control unit for controlling the dynamic widget. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the widget data includes detailed information of the widget, and the sub data includes an item for the widget. The display device according to claim 1,
And outputs the widget data to the main area of the widget and outputs the sub data to the sub area. The apparatus of claim 1,
Upon receipt of a user input for changing the size of the widget, determining whether the size of the widget is larger than the reference widget size and changing the size of the widget to be larger than the reference widget size, And controls the display unit to output the sub data. 5. The apparatus of claim 4,
And controls the display unit to output the widget data through the changed widget when the size of the widget is changed to be smaller than the reference widget size. The apparatus of claim 1,
And controlling the display unit to change the size of the widget when the hovering event requesting the output of the sub data is generated and output the widget data and the sub data together through the widget having the changed size. . 7. The apparatus of claim 6,
Wherein the control unit controls the display unit to change the size of the widget to a reference size and output the widget data through the widget changed to the reference size when the preset time elapses, Widget providing device. The apparatus of claim 3,
When the user input for outputting the unselected sub data is received, controls the display unit to reduce the size of the main area and output the sub data to the sub area while increasing the size of the sub area. Widget providing device. The apparatus of claim 1,
And controls the display unit to output the sub data together with the widget data through the changed widget. A method for providing a dynamic widget in a dynamic widget providing apparatus,
A process of outputting widget data through a widget,
Receiving a user input requesting output of sub data;
Changing the size of the widget according to the received user input, and outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data through the changed widget. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the widget data includes detailed information of the widget, and the sub data includes an item for the widget. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data comprises:
Outputting the widget data to the main area of the widget;
And outputting the sub-data to the sub-area. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data comprises:
Determining whether a size of the widget is larger than a size of a reference widget when a user input for changing the size of the widget is received;
And outputting the widget data and the sub data through the changed widget when the size of the widget is changed to be larger than the reference widget size. 14. The method of claim 13,
And outputting the widget data through the changed widget if the size of the widget is smaller than the reference widget size. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the step of outputting at least one of the widget data and the sub data comprises:
Changing a size of the widget when a hovering event requesting output of the sub data occurs;
And outputting the widget data and the sub data together through the widget having the changed size. 16. The method of claim 15,
Determining whether a preset time has elapsed,
Changing a size of the widget to a reference size when the predetermined time elapses;
And outputting the widget data through a widget changed to the reference size. 13. The method of claim 12,
When the user input for outputting the non-output sub-data is received, reducing the size of the main area and outputting the sub-data to the sub-area while increasing the size of the sub-area. How widgets are provided. 11. The method of claim 10,
And outputting the sub data together with the widget data through the changed widget.

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