WO2012033242A1

WO2012033242A1 - Mobile terminal and application provision method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2012033242A1
Application number: PCT/KR2010/006102
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박승용; 박효림
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2010-09-08
Filing date: 2010-09-08
Publication date: 2012-03-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and an application provision method thereof. According to the present invention, a variety of information on how to use specific applications is provided, and an appropriate application is recommended by considering the environment in which a mobile terminal is used, which make it possible to efficiently use various applications on the mobile terminal.

Description

Mobile terminal and application providing method of mobile terminal

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for providing an application and a method for providing an application of the mobile terminal.

The mobile terminal is equipped with a wide variety of applications, such as applications for e-mail, electronic games, music players, schedule management, and television broadcast viewing. In particular, such applications are associated with a smart phone (smart phone) has emerged a wide variety of applications in its kind and function.

Recently, applications related to smartphones have been utilized in almost all fields. Smartphone applications can get information such as maps, search, traffic, community, banks, education, games, movies, etc. with a touch.

It is very rare for general users of a mobile terminal to fully understand its existence and how to use the applications installed in the mobile terminal. Accordingly, it is common for mobile terminal users to use only applications for which they know their existence and how to use them.

In addition, the user of the mobile terminal may not even be able to select at all for applications that he does not know.

Accordingly, there is a need for proper guidance information on applications available in a mobile terminal, and it is necessary to recommend an appropriate application applicable to a user's mobile terminal to increase the utilization of the application on the mobile terminal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal for providing an application and an application providing method of the mobile terminal.

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

Mobile terminal according to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, a memory; An output unit; And automatically obtaining at least one information related to a usage of a specific application installed in the memory through a web search, and, when a predetermined event occurs, at least one of the obtained at least one information. It includes a control unit provided through.

Mobile terminal according to another aspect of the present invention, the output unit; A memory for storing a program recommending an application; And a controller for recommending a specific application in consideration of at least one of an application used by the user and characteristics of the user, and providing at least one of at least one information related to usage of the recommended application.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an application of a mobile terminal, the method comprising: automatically obtaining at least one information related to a usage of a specific application installed in a memory through a web search; And when a predetermined event occurs, providing at least one of the obtained at least one information through an output unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing an application of a mobile terminal, the method including: executing a program recommending an application; Recommending a specific application to the user in consideration of at least one of an application used by the user, a community of the user, and characteristics of the user; And providing at least one of at least one information related to usage of the recommended application through an output unit.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the mobile terminal and the application providing method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

According to the present invention, an application can be efficiently used on a mobile terminal.

According to the present invention, access to a wide variety of applications can be efficiently guided in consideration of a user's mobile terminal use environment.

According to the present invention, the mobile terminal user can efficiently guide the desired application.

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

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

3 is a view for explaining a configuration that can be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal shown in FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7 are diagrams for describing an exemplary embodiment of providing information related to usage of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

8 to 12 are diagrams for describing another embodiment of providing information related to usage of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

13 to 14 are diagrams for describing an exemplary embodiment of providing update information of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a flowchart illustrating an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

16 to 17 are diagrams for describing an example of recommending a specific application through the method illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing an embodiment in which a recommendation target application is categorized and provided through the method illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing an embodiment in which a recommendation target application illustrated in FIG. 18 is categorized.

20 to 21 are diagrams for describing an exemplary embodiment for providing information related to usage of the recommended application illustrated in FIG. 18.

The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In addition, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known function or configuration related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The mobile terminal 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110, a user input unit 120, a sensing unit 130, an output unit 140, a memory 150, a user interface unit 160, and a controller 170. have. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a mobile communication module 111, a wireless internet module 112, and a short range communication module 113.

The mobile communication module 111 transmits and receives a radio signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 112 refers to a module for wireless internet access, and the wireless internet module 112 may be internal or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

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

The user input unit 120 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 120 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 130 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is a slide phone type, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, the power supply unit 180 may be responsible for sensing functions related to whether or not the power supply unit 180 is supplied with power, whether the user interface unit 160 is coupled to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 130 may include a proximity sensor.

The output unit 140 is to generate an output related to visual, auditory, or tactile, and may include a display unit 141, a sound output module 142, an alarm unit 143, and a haptic module 144. have.

The display unit 141 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in a call mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

The display unit 141 may include a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a three-dimensional display. 3D display).

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is a transparent LCD. The rear structure of the display unit 141 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. By this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 141 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 141 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 141 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a “touch sensor”) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter, abbreviated as “touch screen”), the display unit 141 is an output device. It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 141 or capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display unit 141 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 170. As a result, the controller 170 may determine which area of the display unit 141 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (eg, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 142 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory unit 150 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 142 outputs 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 142 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like. In addition, the sound output module 142 may output sound through the earphone jack. The user can hear the sound output by connecting the earphone to the earphone jack.

The alarm unit 143 outputs a signal for notifying 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, and touch input. The alarm unit 143 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may also be output through the display unit 141 or the sound output module 142.

The haptic module 144 generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 144. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 144 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 144 may also be used for stimulation by a pin array vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, stimulation through the injection force or suction force of air through the injection or inlet port, and stimulation that strikes the skin surface. Various tactile effects may be generated, such as effects by stimulation through contact of electrodes, effects by stimulation using electrostatic force, and effects of reproducing a sense of warmth and heat using an endothermic or heat generating element.

The haptic module 144 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also implement the haptic effect through the muscle sense of the user's finger or arm. Two or more haptic modules 144 may be provided according to configuration aspects of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory unit 150 may store a program for the operation of the controller 170 and may temporarily store input / output data (eg, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory unit 150 may store data about vibrations and sounds of various patterns that are output when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory unit 150 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (eg, SD or XD memory), Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory unit 150 on the Internet.

The user interface 160 serves as a path to all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The user interface 160 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal 100 or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the user interface unit 160.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as an 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the mobile terminal 100 through a port.

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

The controller 170 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 170 may include a multimedia module 171 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 171 may be implemented in the controller 170 or may be implemented separately from the controller 170.

The controller 170 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 180 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 170 to supply power for operation of each component.

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing the functions. It may be implemented by the controller 170.

In a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that allow at least one function or operation to be performed. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software code may be stored in the memory unit 150 and executed by the controller 170.

2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a proximity depth of a proximity sensor.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a pointer, such as a user's finger, is close to the touch screen, the proximity sensor disposed in or near the touch screen detects this and outputs a proximity signal.

The proximity sensor may be configured to output different proximity signals according to a distance between the proximity touched pointer and the touch screen (hereinafter, referred to as "proximity depth").

The distance at which the proximity signal is output when the pointer approaches the touch screen is called a detection distance. The proximity signal output from each proximity sensor is compared by using a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection distances. I can know the depth.

In FIG. 2, for example, a cross section of a touch screen on which three proximity sensors capable of sensing three proximity depths is disposed is illustrated. Of course, proximity sensors that detect less than three or more than four proximity depths are also possible.

Specifically, when the pointer is completely in contact with the touch screen (d ₀ ), it is recognized as a touch touch. When the pointer is positioned below the distance d ₁ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a first proximity depth. When the pointer is spaced apart from the distance d ₁ or more and less than d ₂ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a second proximity depth. When the pointer is positioned at a distance of more than d _{2 and} less than d ₃ on the touch screen, the pointer is recognized as a proximity touch of a third proximity depth. In addition, when the pointer is located at a distance greater than or equal to d ₃ on the touch screen, the proximity touch is recognized as released.

Accordingly, the controller 170 may recognize the proximity touch as various input signals according to the proximity distance and the proximity position of the pointer touch screen, and perform various operation control according to the various input signals.

The mobile terminal 100 disclosed by the technical idea of the present invention may be configured by omitting some of the components of the mobile terminal 100 or may include components not included in the mobile terminal 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, the memory unit 150 may include a specific application program 151 (hereinafter, referred to as a specific application), specific application description information 152, specific application related content 153, and specific application related link information ( 154 and a program 155 for recommending a particular application.

The specific application 151 is a program designed to allow a user to perform a specific function in the mobile terminal 100. The application is downloaded and stored in the mobile terminal 100 that is provided for a fee or free in an application market. Can be.

In addition, the application may include a web application, and may use the application on the Internet without downloading the specific application 151 to the mobile terminal 100.

The specific application description information 152 is a program manual produced by the developers of the specific application. The specific application description information 152 is obtained through the web search or when the specific application is installed in the mobile terminal 100. May be obtained.

The specific application description information 152 may be text information or video information. The text information may be provided together with the video information. In addition, the description information may be provided by a developer who has developed the specific application.

However, the description information may include information produced by not only the developer of the application but also a user (customers) who directly use the application. For example, it may be video information related to a user's review of the user who used the specific application, and may include information related to evaluation after using the application.

In addition, when the specific application is updated, information related to additional usage according to the update version may be obtained together when the application is updated.

Specific application-related content 153 may include content that is not the same as the specific application but is functionally similar and how to use the same.

In addition, the application may include content related to an application having high preference and usage of the user who downloaded the specific application.

The content associated with the particular application may also include video information related to a third party's usage review of an application that is functionally similar to the particular application.

In addition, the person installing the specific application may include information about other applications installed with the specific applications and information on how to use the same.

Content related to the specific application may be automatically obtained through web search after the specific application is installed in the memory 150 of the mobile terminal 100.

The specific application related link information 154 means link information (eg, an internet address, etc.) to an internet site where the specific application related content 153 is posted. The link information may be link information about a web application including the specific application related content 153.

The link information may be automatically obtained through web search while using an application.

The program 155 for recommending a specific application is a program that can recommend a specific application to a user according to a predetermined criterion. By executing the program, a specific application may be recommended to the user in consideration of the application being used by the user, the community of the user, and the characteristics of the user.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 may install at least one specific application in the memory 150 (S110).

The specific application installed in the memory 150 may be an application pre-installed at the time of manufacturing the mobile terminal 100 or an application downloaded from the outside.

On the other hand, the controller 170 may obtain information related to the usage of a specific application installed in the memory 150 (S120).

The controller 170 may automatically obtain information related to the usage through a web search. That is, the information related to the usage may be obtained when the specific application is installed in the memory 150 of the mobile terminal 100, or may be automatically obtained through a web search while using the application. have.

The information obtained through the web search may include program description information for the specific application, content related to the specific application, and link information to an internet site providing content related to the specific application.

In a situation where a specific application is installed in the memory 150 of the mobile terminal 100 and information related to the usage of the specific application is also stored on the memory 150, the specific application is executed by executing the specific application. An example of providing a will be described below.

The controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 determines whether the specific application is executed for the first time (S130).

When the specific application is executed for the first time (S130: YES), the controller 170 may display information related to usage of the specific application on the output unit 140 before executing the application (S150).

If the specific application is not executed for the first time (S130: NO), the controller 170 determines whether to execute the specific application according to occurrence of a predetermined event.

The event may be an event for selecting whether to be provided with information related to usage before executing the specific application. The event may be an event for requesting provision of information related to the usage or an event for executing the specific application.

Recently, the applications used in the mobile terminal 100 are so diverse in their functions and types that there is a case that the usage of the application cannot be fully recognized at a time. Accordingly, the controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention provides information related to usage of the application regardless of the existence of the event, when the application is first executed. Thereafter, according to the occurrence of the event, it is possible to select whether to provide information related to the usage or to execute an application.

In addition, when a user is accustomed to using the specific application, the mobile terminal 100 may execute the specific application without the event under the control of the controller 170.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the present invention, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the display unit 141 is a touch screen. As described above, the touch screen may perform both an information display function and an information input function. However, it should be clear that the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the touch mentioned in the present document may include both a touch touch and a proximity touch.

5 to 7 are examples of screen configurations that provide information related to usage of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 displays an icon or graphic objects 11_1, 11_2, 11_3, 11_a, and 11_b representing a plurality of applications installed in the memory 150. 141 may be displayed.

The mobile terminal 100 also includes a touch-sensitive display with a GUI 10. The display surface is transparent to allow various graphical objects (eg, widgets) to be displayed to the user.

In one embodiment, the GUI 10 may be divided into a plurality of sections or windows. For example, one area 15 of the GUI 10 may include icons that represent applications frequently used by a user (eg, video, weather, games, music, etc.) (hereinafter, icons include graphical objects). Tray 11 including 11_1, 11_2, 11_3, and icons 11_a representing applications (eg, address book, browser, etc.) that are not frequently used by the user. And a tray 12 including 11_b).

In addition, the other area 17 of the GUI 10 may be provided with an icon for selecting to display a real-time update status of the applications on an icon representing the applications.

The user may interact with the mobile terminal 100 by using a stylus (not shown), fingers, or two or more fingers to contact the display surface with the GUI 10.

For example, if the user contacts (integrated contact) the display surface at the location of one of the icons 11_1, 11_2, 11_3 representing frequently used applications, the controller 170 may control the application corresponding to the contacted icon. You can activate information related to the usage of the program.

In addition, for example, when the user touches the location of the icon and then disconnects (for example, a tapping gesture), the controller 170 may activate information related to the usage of the application program corresponding to the icon. have.

Also, for example, when the user approaches the icon (close touch), the controller 170 may control the above functions to be activated.

When at least one of the application icons 11_1, 11_2, 11_3, 11_a, and 11_b shown in the screen of FIG. 5 is selected by the interaction between the mobile terminal 100 and the user, the controller 170 is selected. 6 may provide the screen of FIG. 6 or 7.

When the selected application icon 11_1 is executed for the first time on the mobile terminal 100, the controller 170 may provide the screen of FIG. 6.

In addition, if the selected application icon 11_1 is not executed for the first time on the mobile terminal 100, the controller 170 may provide the screen of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 6, when executing a specific application on the mobile terminal 100 for the first time, the controller 170 may provide information related to the usage on the screen before executing the specific application.

The controller 170 may provide at least one of the video information 21 and the text information 22 on the screen as the description information.

Here, the video information 21 and the text information 22 may include information related to the usage of the mobile terminal 100, not limited to information related to the usage of the specific application.

For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is purchased for the first time, when the power of the mobile terminal 100 is turned on, the control unit 170 provides a screen providing information related to usage as shown in FIG. 6. can do.

Referring to FIG. 7, if the application function corresponding to the application icon 11_1 (see FIG. 5) selected by the user is not executed for the first time, the controller 170 may provide information related to the usage. A window 30 may be provided to select whether to execute the selected application.

Even if a user uses a given application more than once, there are cases where the function cannot be fully understood and applied. In this case, the controller 170 displays the window 30 so that the information related to the usage of the application can be continuously used.

In addition, the window 30 may be set to be invisible according to a user's setting.

8 to 12 are other examples of a screen configuration for providing information related to usage of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, under the control of the controller 170, the mobile terminal 100 may display an icon 210 for executing an application and icons 220 to 240 for providing information related to usage of the application. 200).

On the other hand, the GUI 200 may include an icon representing another application for recommending an application to be described later.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the GUI 200 may include a plurality of sections or windows as shown in FIG. 5.

For example, the GUI 200 recommends an application to a user according to a first criterion including a first tray including an icon related to execution of an application, a second tray including an icon representing information related to usage of the application, and a predetermined criterion. It may include a third tray including an icon representing another application.

Hereinafter, embodiments of providing information related to usage of a specific application on a screen of the mobile terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12.

On the screen of FIG. 8, upon receiving a touch input specifying selection of an icon 220 representing program description information for a specific application, the controller 170 provides the aforementioned screen of FIG. 6 in response to the touch input. can do.

Here, the display unit 141 may receive the touch input. As described above, the display unit 141 may be a touch screen in which the display unit 141 and a sensor (touch sensor) for detecting a touch operation form a mutual layer structure.

Referring to the screen illustrated in FIG. 6, the controller 170 may display at least one of video information 21 and text information 22 describing a program for the specific application on the display 141. have.

On the other hand, when the touch input for designating the selection of the icon 230 representing the content related to the specific application is received on the screen of FIG. 8, the controller 170 may provide the screen of FIG. 9 in response to the touch input. have.

Referring to FIG. 9, the content related to the specific application may be a review video 231 of a third party using the specific application.

The controller 170 may display the video player 231_1 at the first position of the display unit 141.

In addition, the controller 170 may display icons 231_2 (hereinafter, referred to as “first icons”) representing at least one user review video information that can be played through the video player 231_1. Can be displayed in position.

When a touch input for selecting one of the first icons 231_2 is received, the controller 170 may refer to an icon 231_3 (hereinafter referred to as “second icon”) indicating user review video information selected by the touch input. Video may be played through the video player 231_1.

The touch input may be drag and drop. For example, when detecting that the second icon 231_3 moves to the first position, the controller 170 may play user review video information corresponding to the second icon 231_3.

That is, the controller 170 may detect a contact point at which the second icon 231_3 existing at the second position contacts the touch sensor of the display unit 141.

In addition, when detecting that the contact point moves from the second position to the first position, the controller 170 displays that the second icon 231_3 moves to the first position, and displays the second icon ( 231_3) may be displayed in the first position. At the same time, video information corresponding to the second icon 231_3 may be played back.

In addition, when receiving a touch input of touching an area of the second position, the controller 170 may move the position of the second icon in response to the received touch input. For example, when the touch input is an operation of dragging in a vertical direction by a user's finger, the controller 170 may move the second icons according to the direction of the drag operation.

In addition, the controller 170 may display text information related to the usage of the specific application in the third area of the display unit 141.

The method of the controller 170 displaying information related to the usage of the specific application in a predetermined region of the display unit 141 is not limited to the above-described example, and may be modified in various ways.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 170 may display content related to an application 232 that is similar in function to the specific application on the display unit 141 of the mobile terminal 100.

The content 232_1 relating to the similar application may be the similar application itself or may be content related to the usage of the similar application.

The display of the contents of the similar application on the screen of the mobile terminal 100 may refer to the description of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 11, the information related to the usage of the specific application may be the content 233_1 associated with the contents of the people who are in the contact list 233 on the community in which the user is active to evaluate the specific application. The content 233_1 may be a content recommending an application similar to the specific application.

The content may include at least one of video, image, voice, and text information.

In the screen of FIG. 11, the controller 170 may include an image image related to people present on the contact list and information related to usage of the specific application created by the people present on the contact list together. 141).

Referring to FIG. 12, the information related to the usage of the specific application may be link information to an internet site providing content related to the usage of the specific application. Information related to the usage of the specific application described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 11 may be provided through a predetermined Internet site.

For example, the controller 170 may include a review video 231 of a third party related to the usage of the specific application, an application functionally similar to the specific application, and information 233 related to the usage of the specific application. Link information linked to an internet site may be displayed on the display unit 141.

In addition, the controller 170 may include link information linked to an Internet site where information related to the specific application and its usage is disclosed among the information 233_2 by the people present on the contact list forming the community with the user. Can be displayed on the display unit 141.

13 to 14 illustrate examples of screen configurations of a mobile terminal related to display of update information of a specific application through an application providing method of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 automatically updates the specific application through a web search. In addition, the controller 170 may display the information related to the update on the display unit 141.

Referring back to FIG. 5, as the controller 170 receives a touch input specifying selection of an icon 17 related to the update display, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 14, the controller 170 is related to updating of a specific application. Information may be reflected and displayed on the icon itself.

Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 170 may display

information

51, 52 related to the update of a specific application on a icon 10_1 representing the specific application through a web search.

The controller 170 may display the update time information 51 and summary information 52 of update contents among the applications on an icon 10_1 representing the specific application.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the controller 170 receives a touch input for selecting the selection of the icon 10_1 representing the specific application, the controller 170 may not update summary information 52 of the update contents of the specific application. The information 51_1 including the content may be displayed on the display unit 141.

Referring to FIG. 15, the controller 170 of the mobile terminal 100 may first execute another application program recommending a predetermined application (S210).

In recommending a specific application by executing the program (S220), the controller 170 may recommend in consideration of the following points.

The controller 180 may recommend a specific application in consideration of matters related to an application currently used by the user (S230). That is, an application installed in the memory 150 of the mobile terminal 100 and functionally similar to an application used by the user may be recommended (S235).

For example, when the messenger currently being used is a "MSN" messenger, the controller 170 may recommend other kinds of messenger applications such as Skype, ICQ, SIP, Google, Twitter, Yahoo, AIM, and the like.

In addition, the controller 170 may recommend a specific application in consideration of characteristics of the user (S240). That is, the controller 170 may categorize and recommend the recommended application in consideration of a user's personal profile and an application usage pattern (S250).

In addition, the controller 170 may recommend an application preferred by the people included in the contact list in consideration of the user's community (S260).

The personal profile of the user may include a gender and an age of the user. That is, the controller 170 may recommend an application mainly used by users of the same age group for each age. The same is true of gender. For example, the GPS related application of the mobile terminal 100 may be very useful for children or women.

The application usage pattern of the user may include a type of an application mainly used by the user (a user's application preference, interest, etc.), a main time zone using the application, a type of community group formed using a predetermined application, and belonging to the community. People's interests, and the like.

16 to 17 illustrate examples of screen configurations of a mobile terminal in relation to another embodiment of an application providing method of the mobile terminal.

Referring to FIG. 16, the controller 170 may provide a screen of FIG. 16 by executing a program recommending a specific application.

As shown in FIG. 16, in consideration of characteristics of a user (61) or in consideration of a user's application usage pattern (62), an application wizard 250 capable of recommending a specific application may be executed.

On the screen of FIG. 16, when a touch input for selecting a user characteristic icon 61 is received, the controller 170 may provide the screen of FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 17, the screen of FIG. 17 may select an indicator area 71, a title area 72, an area 72 for inputting a gender, an area 73 for inputting an age, and a character of a user. Region 71 is included.

The character of the user may be classified in various ways. For example, Pet Lover, Couch Poatato, Movie Buff, Foodie, Workout Junkie, Shopaholic, Parent, Student An item for character selection, such as (Student), may be provided.

The controller 170 may provide the classified items together with a predetermined image, and as the drag touch input in the left and right directions is received in the area 71 in which the user's character can be selected, the items are changed and the screen is changed. It can be provided in the phase.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a mobile terminal screen configuration in which a recommendation target application is categorized and provided. FIG. 19 is a table illustrating an example of categorizing the recommendation target application.

Referring to FIGS. 18 to 19, as the drag touch input in the left and right directions is received in the category area 75, for example, four types of categories 75_1, 75_2, 75_3, and 75_4 are provided. 75 may be provided.

The category is not limited to the example described above, and may be subdivided into more various kinds of categories.

20 to 21 are examples of screen configurations of a mobile terminal providing information related to usage of a recommended application.

20 to 21, the screen of the mobile terminal 100 on which the information about the recommended application is displayed is 'Install' for installing the recommended application in the memory 150 of the mobile terminal 100. Area 81 may be included.

In addition, an icon area 82 representing a recommended application, an area 53 for providing a video related to usage of the recommended application, a text information area 84 for providing program description information of the recommended application, 91) may be further included.

Meanwhile, the information related to the usage of the recommended application may include a screen shot that may represent the recommended application in addition to the video as illustrated in FIG. 21.

It may also include areas 85 and 92 for displaying comments of other users who are using the recommended application, and the comments of other users may be changed at predetermined intervals.

The mobile terminal and the method for providing an application of the mobile terminal according to the present invention described above may be provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium as a program for executing in a computer.

The mobile terminal and the application providing method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention can be executed through software. When implemented in software, the constituent means of the present invention are code segments that perform the necessary work. The program or code segments may be stored on a processor readable medium or transmitted by a computer data signal coupled with a carrier on a transmission medium or network.

Computer-readable recording media include all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system. Examples of computer-readable recording devices include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, DVD ± ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, hard disks, optical data storage devices, and the like. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer devices so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is not limited by the drawings. In addition, the embodiments described in this document may not be limitedly applied, but may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications may be made.

100: mobile terminal 141: display unit

150: memory 170: control unit

Claims

Memory;

An output unit; And

At least one associated with usage of a particular application installed in the memory

A control unit that automatically obtains information through a web search, and provides at least one of the obtained at least one information through the output unit when a predetermined event occurs.

Mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 1,

Information related to the use of the specific application,

And at least one of program description information for the specific application, content related to the specific application, and link information to an internet site providing the content.
The method of claim 2,

Content related to the specific application,

And at least one of content related to an assessment of other users of the application and content relating to an application that is functionally similar to the application.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit,

And a user interface including a menu for providing information related to usage of the specific application according to a specific operation by a user.
The method of claim 1,

The predetermined event,

And at least one of a specific operation of a user and initial execution of the application.
The method of claim 1,

The control unit,

The mobile terminal, characterized in that for automatically updating the specific application.
The method of claim 6,

The control unit,

And displaying information related to the update on an icon of the specific application.
An output unit;

A memory for storing a program recommending an application; And

A control unit for recommending a specific application in consideration of at least one of an application used by a user and characteristics of the user, and providing at least one of at least one information related to usage of the recommended application to the output unit

Mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 8,

The control unit,

And recommending, as the specific application, an application that is functionally similar to the application used by the user.
The method of claim 8,

The control unit,

And recommending the specific application in consideration of an application preferred by people included in the contact list of the community in which the user is included.
The method of claim 8,

The control unit,

And recommending the specific application in consideration of one of profile information including personal information of the user or a pattern in which the user uses the application.
The method of claim 11,

The control unit,

And recommending the recommended application by categorizing it according to the profile information and the pattern of the user.
Automatically obtaining at least one information related to usage of a specific application installed in a memory through a web search; And

When a predetermined event occurs, providing at least one of the obtained at least one information through an output unit

Application providing method of the mobile terminal comprising a.
The method of claim 13,

Acquiring information related to the usage of the specific application,

And displaying information related to the update of the specific application on the icon of the specific application.
The method of claim 13,

Acquiring information related to the usage of the specific application,

When the specific application is run for the first time,

And automatically providing the information to the output unit.
Executing a program recommending an application; And

Recommending a specific application to the user in consideration of at least one of an application used by the user, a community of the user, and characteristics of the user; And

Providing at least one of at least one information related to the usage of the recommended application through the output unit

Application providing method of the mobile terminal comprising a.