U.S. patent application number 13/469267 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-15 for multiple screen mode in mobile terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to KT Corporation, KT TECH INC.. Invention is credited to Haeng-Suk CHAE, Kyoung-Tae CHOI.
Application Number | 20120290966 13/469267 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44397320 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120290966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHAE; Haeng-Suk ; et
al. |
November 15, 2012 |
MULTIPLE SCREEN MODE IN MOBILE TERMINAL
Abstract
Provided are a method and a mobile terminal for simultaneously
displaying at least two application windows on a display unit of a
mobile terminal. The method may include displaying a first
application window associated with a first application on an entire
display area of the display unit, receiving a multi_screen mode
initiation input from a user, dividing a display area of the
display unit into at least two display areas including a first
display area and a second display area in response to the
multi_screen mode initiation input, and displaying the first
application window and a second application window on the at least
two display areas, respectively, in a multi_screen mode.
Inventors: |
CHAE; Haeng-Suk;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; CHOI; Kyoung-Tae;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) |
Assignee: |
KT Corporation, KT TECH
INC.
|
Family ID: |
44397320 |
Appl. No.: |
13/469267 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
715/778 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20130101;
G06F 2203/04803 20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G09G 5/14
20130101; G09G 2340/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/778 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 11, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0043882 |
Claims
1. A method of simultaneously displaying at least two application
windows on a display unit of a mobile terminal, the method
comprising: displaying a first application window associated with a
first application on an entire display area of the display unit;
receiving a multi_screen mode initiation input from a user;
dividing a display area of the display unit into at least two
display areas including a first display area and a second display
area in response to the multi_screen mode initiation input; and
displaying the first application window and a second application
window on the at least two display areas, respectively, in a
multi_screen mode.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a multi_screen mode
initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is made through at least one
of a predetermined key button and a predetermined icon, which are
designated for initiating the multi_screen mode; initiating the
multi_screen mode when the received input is made through the at
least one of the predetermined key button and the predetermined
icon; otherwise, performing an operation associated the received
input, wherein the predetermined key button is one of key buttons
disposed on the mobile terminal and the predetermined icon is one
of a group of icons included in an initial graphic user interface
displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a multi_screen mode
initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is a pinch input;
determining whether an associated pinching motion of the pinch
input exceeds a range of shrinking an application window when the
received input is the pinch input; initiating the multi_screen mode
when the pinching motion exceeds the range of shrinking the first
application window; otherwise, shrinking the first application
window corresponding to the pinching motion of the pinch input.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving a multi_screen mode
initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is a spread input;
determining whether an associated spreading motion of the spread
input exceeds a range of expanding an application window when the
received input is the spread input; initiating the multi_screen
mode when the spreading motion exceeds the range of expanding the
application window; otherwise, expanding the first application
window corresponding to the expanding motion of the spread
input.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the dividing a display area of
the display unit includes: dividing the display area vertically
into a left side display area as the first display area and a right
side display area as the second display area when the multi_screen
mode is initiated.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the dividing a display area of
the display unit includes: dividing the display area horizontally
into an upper side display area as the first display area and a
lower side display area as the second display area when the
multi_screen mode is initiated.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the displaying the first
application window and the second application window includes:
reconfiguring the first application window corresponding to the
first display area and displaying the first application window on
the first display area; activating a second application previously
selected by at least one of the user, a service provider, and a
manufacturer of the mobile terminal; and displaying the second
application window associated with the second application on the
second display area.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein, after the displaying the first
application window and a second application window, comprising:
receiving a single_screen mode initiation input; closing one of the
first application window and the second application window in
response to, and associated with, the single_screen mode initiation
input; and displaying the other one of the first application window
and the second application window on an entire display area of the
display unit in a single_screen mode.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving a single_screen
mode includes: receiving an input from the user; determining
whether the received input is through at least one of a
predetermined key button and a predetermined icon corresponding to
the single_screen mode; initiating the single_screen mode when the
received input is the single_screen mode initiation input;
otherwise, performing an operation associated with the received
input, wherein the predetermined key button is one of key buttons
disposed on the mobile terminal and the predetermined icon is one
of a group of icons included in an initial graphic user interface
displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving a single_screen
mode includes: receiving an input from the user; determining
whether the received input is a request for closing one of the
first application window and the second application window;
initiating the single_screen mode when the received input is the
request for closing one of the first application window and the
second application window; otherwise, performing an operation
associated with the received input.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving a single_screen
mode initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is a pinch input;
determining whether pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a
range of shrinking an application window when the received input is
the pinch input; initiating the multi_screen mode when the pinching
motion exceeds the range of shrinking an application window; and
shrinking one, associated with the received input, of the first
application window and the second application corresponding to e
pinching motion of the pinch input.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving a single_screen
mode initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is a spread input;
determining whether spreading motion of the spread input exceeds an
allowable range of expanding an application window when the
received input is the spread input; initiating the single_screen
mode when the spreading motion exceeds the allowable range of
expanding an application window; and expanding one, associated with
the received input, of the first application window and the second
application window corresponding to the expanding motion of the
spread input.
13. A method of simultaneously displaying two application windows
on a display unit of a mobile terminal, the method comprising:
displaying a first application window associated with a first
application on an entire display area of the display unit when
activating the first application; receiving a dual_screen mode
initiation input from a user; dividing a display area of the
display unit into a first display area and a second display area in
response to the dual_screen mode; and displaying the first
application window on the first display area and a second
application window on the second display area in the dual_screen
mode.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiving a dual_screen
mode initiation input includes: receiving an input from the user;
determining whether the received input is a pinch input;
determining whether an associated pinching motion of the pinch
input exceeds a range of shrinking an application window when the
received input is the pinch input; initiating the dual_screen mode
when the pinching motion exceeds the range of shrinking an
application window; and otherwise, shrinking the first application
window corresponding to the pinching motion of the pinch input.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the displaying the first
application window and a second application window includes:
reconfiguring the first application window corresponding to the
first display area and displaying the first application window on
the first display area; activating a second application previously
selected by at least one of the user, a service provider, and a
manufacturer of the mobile terminal; and displaying the second
application window associated with the second application on the
second display area.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein, after the displaying e first
application window and a second application window, comprising:
receiving a single_screen mode initiation input; and closing one,
associated with the single_screen mode initiation input, of the
first application window and the second application window; and
displaying the other one of the first application window and the
second application window on an entire display area of the display
unit of the mobile terminal in response to the single_screen
mode.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving a single_screen
mode includes: receiving an input from the user; determining
whether the received input is a pinch input; determining whether an
associated pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a range of
shrinking an application window when the received input is the
pinch input; initiating the single_screen mode when the pinching
motion exceeds the range of shrinking an application window; and
shrinking one, associated with the received input, of the first
application window and the second application corresponding to the
pinching motion of the pinch input.
18. A mobile terminal comprising: a display unit configured to
sense a touch input made on a surface thereof, to determine
coordinate values of the sensed touch input at a given interval, to
display an application window on an entire display area in a
single_screen mode, and to display at least two application windows
separately on divided display areas in a multi_screen mode; a touch
input processor configured to receive the coordinate value from the
display unit and to determine whether the sensed touch input is a
multi_screen mode initiation input or a single_screen mode
initiation input based on the received coordinate values of the
touch input; and a controller configured to initiate at least one
of a multi_screen mode and a single_screen mode based on the
determination result of the touch input processor.
19. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein the touch input
processor is configured to: determine whether the sensed touch
input is at least one of a predetermined icon, a closing request, a
pinch input, and a spread input based on the received coordinate
values of the sensed touch input: when the sensed touch input is
the predetermined icon, determine that the sensed touch input is at
least one of the multi_screen mode initiation input and the
single_screen mode initiation input when the predetermined icon is
associated with initiation of one of the multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input; when
the sensed touch input is the closing request, determine that the
sensed touch input is the single_screen mode initiation input; when
the sensed touch input is the pinch input, determine that the pinch
input is at least one of the multi_screen mode initiation input and
the single_screen mode initiation input when pinching motion of the
pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an application window; and
when the sensed touch input is the spread input, determine that the
spread input is at least one of the multi_screen mode initiation
input and the single_screen mode initiation input when spreading
motion of the spread input exceeds a range of expanding an
application window.
20. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein the controller is
configured to: when the touch input is the multi_screen mode
initiation input based on the determination result of the touch
input processor, divide a display area of the display unit into at
least two display areas including a first display area and a second
display area, activate a second application previously selected by
one of a user and a manufacturer of the mobile terminal,
reconfigure a first application window corresponding to the first
display area, display the reconfigured first application window on
the first display area, and display a second application window
associated with the second application on the second display area,
wherein the first application window is an application window
previously displayed on an entire display area of the display unit;
and when the touch input is the single_screen mode initiation input
based on the determination result of the touch input processor,
close one, associated with the single_screen mode initiation input,
of the first application window and the second application window,
and display the other one of the first application window and the
second application window on the entire display area of the display
unit.
Description
[0001] CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0043882 (filed
on May 11, 2011), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and, in
particular, to displaying at least two application windows on a
display unit of a mobile terminal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Various types of mobile terminals have been introduced. Most
mobile terminals are equipped with a multi-touch sensing display
unit. For example, a smart phone equipped with a multi-touch
sensing display unit has become popular. The smart phone provides
many convenient features to a user. A user may perform daily tasks
using the smart phone instead of using other computing devices
including a computer, a fax, and a phone.
[0005] Such a typical smart phone may display a graphic user
interface to interact with a user and allow a user to perform
multiple tasks simultaneously. Such a typical mobile terminal may,
however, display one application window at a time although multiple
applications are in operation as a background mode. For example, a
typical mobile terminal may display only one application window
associated with one that a user most recently activates among
applications in operation. When a user wants to display another
application window associated with another application running in a
background mode, a user may be required to close a current
application window and initiate another desired application to
display an associated application window on a display unit. Such a
manner of displaying application windows by opening and closing
windows might be inconvenient to a user of the mobile terminal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This summery is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a selection of concepts in a simplified from that are
further described below in the detailed description with reference
to the drawings. This summery is not intended to identify key
features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor
is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention overcome the above
disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also,
the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages
described above, and an embodiment of the present invention may not
overcome any of the problems described above.
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, at
least two application windows may be displayed on a display unit of
a mobile terminal.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a display area of a mobile terminal may be divided into at least
two display areas in response to a multi_screen mode initiation
input and application windows may be displayed in the at least two
display areas simultaneously.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a pinch input may initiate a dual_screen mode in a mobile
terminal.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
method may be provided for simultaneously displaying at least two
application windows on a display unit of a mobile terminal. The
method may include displaying a first application window associated
with a first application on an entire display area of the display
unit, receiving a multi_screen mode initiation input from a user,
dividing a display area of the display unit into at least two
display areas including a first display area and a second display
area in response to the multi_screen mode initiation input, and
displaying the first application window and a second application
window on the at least two display areas, respectively, in a
multi_screen mode.
[0012] The receiving a multi_screen mode initiation input may
include receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is made through at least one of a predetermined key
button and a predetermined icon, which are designated for
initiating the multi_screen mode, initiating the multi_screen mode
when the received input is made through the at least one of the
predetermined key button and the predetermined icon, otherwise,
performing an operation associated the received input. The
predetermined key button may be one of key buttons disposed on the
mobile terminal and the predetermined icon may be one of a group of
icons included in an initial graphic user interface displayed on
the display unit of the mobile terminal.
[0013] The receiving a multi_screen mode initiation input may
include receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is a pinch input, determining whether an associated
pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an
application window when the received input is the pinch input,
initiating the multi_screen mode when the pinching motion exceeds
the range of shrinking the first application window, otherwise,
shrinking the first application window corresponding to the
pinching motion of the pinch input.
[0014] The receiving a multi_screen mode initiation input may
include receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is a spread input, determining whether an associated
spreading motion of the spread input exceeds a range of expanding
an application window when the received input is the spread input,
initiating the multi_screen mode when the spreading motion exceeds
the range of expanding the application window, otherwise, expanding
the first application window corresponding to the expanding motion
of the spread input.
[0015] The dividing a display area of the display unit may include
dividing the display area vertically into a left side display area
as the first display area and a right side display area as the
second display area when the multi_screen mode is initialed.
[0016] The dividing a display area of the display unit may include
dividing the display area horizontally into an upper side display
area as the first display area and a lower side display area as the
second display area when the multi_screen mode is initiated.
[0017] The displaying the first application window and the second
application window may include reconfiguring the first application
window corresponding to the first display area and displaying the
first application window on the first display area, activating a
second application previously selected by at least one of the user,
a service provider, and a manufacturer of the mobile terminal, and
displaying the second application window associated with the second
application on the second display area.
[0018] After the displaying the first application window and a
second application window, the method may include receiving a
single_screen mode initiation input, closing one of the first
application window and the second application window in response
to, and associated with, the single_screen mode initiation input,
and displaying the other one of the first application window and
the second application window on an entire display area of the
display unit in a single_screen mode.
[0019] The receiving a single_screen mode may include receiving an
input from the user, determining whether the received input is
through at least one of a predetermined key button and a
predetermined icon corresponding to the single_screen mode,
initiating the single_screen mode when the received input is the
single_screen mode initiation input, otherwise, performing an
operation associated with the received input. The predetermined key
button may be one of key buttons disposed on the mobile terminal
and the predetermined icon may be one of a group of icons included
in an initial graphic user interface displayed on the display unit
of the mobile terminal.
[0020] The receiving a single_screen mode may include receiving an
input from the user, determining whether the received input is a
request for closing one of the first application window and the
second application window, initiating the single_screen mode when
the received input is the request for closing one of the first
application window and the second application window, otherwise,
performing an operation associated with the received input.
[0021] The receiving a single_screen mode initiation input may
includes receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is a pinch input, determining whether pinching
motion of the pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an
application window when the received input is the pinch input,
initiating the multi_screen mode when the pinching motion exceeds
the range of shrinking an application window, and shrinking one,
associated with the received input, of the first application window
and the second application corresponding to the pinching motion of
the pinch input.
[0022] The receiving a single_screen mode initiation input may
include receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is a spread input, determining whether spreading
motion of the spread input exceeds an allowable range of expanding
an application window when the received input is the spread input,
initiating the single_screen mode when the spreading motion exceeds
the allowable range of expanding an application window, and
expanding one, associated with the received input, of the first
application window and the second application window corresponding
to the expanding motion of the spread input.
[0023] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a method may be provided for simultaneously displaying
two application windows on a display unit of a mobile terminal. The
method may include displaying a first application window associated
with a first application on an entire display area of the display
unit when activating the first application, receiving a dual_screen
mode initiation input from a user, dividing a display area of the
display unit into a first display area and a second display area in
response to the dual_screen mode, and displaying the first
application window on the first display area and a second
application window on the second display area in the dual_screen
mode.
[0024] The receiving a dual_screen mode initiation input may
include receiving an input from the user, determining whether the
received input is a pinch input, determining whether an associated
pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an
application window when the received input is the pinch input,
initiating the dual_screen mode when the pinching motion exceeds
the range of shrinking an application window, otherwise, shrinking
the first application window corresponding to the pinching motion
of the pinch input.
[0025] The displaying the first application window and a second
application window may include reconfiguring the first application
window corresponding to the first display area and displaying the
first application window on the first display area, activating a
second application previously selected by at least one of the user,
a service provider, and a manufacturer of the mobile terminal, and
displaying the second application window associated with the second
application on the second display area.
[0026] After the displaying the first application window and a
second application window, the method may include receiving a
single_screen mode initiation input, closing one, associated with
the single_screen mode initiation input, of the first application
window and the second application window, and displaying the other
one of the first application window and the second application
window on an entire display area of the display unit of the mobile
terminal in response to the single_screen mode.
[0027] The receiving a single_screen mode may include receiving an
input from the user, determining whether the received input is a
pinch input, determining whether an associated pinching motion of
the pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an application window
when the received input is the pinch input, initiating the
single_screen mode when the pinching motion exceeds the range of
shrinking an application window, and shrinking one, associated with
the received input, of the first application window and the second
application corresponding to the pinching motion of the pinch
input.
[0028] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a mobile terminal may include a display unit, a touch
input processor, and a controller. The display unit may be
configured to sense a touch input made on a surface thereof, to
determine coordinate values of the sensed touch input at a given
interval, to display an application window on an entire display
area in a single_screen mode, and to display at least two
application windows separately on divided display areas in a
multi_screen mode. The touch input processor may be configured to
receive the coordinate value from the display unit and to determine
whether the sensed touch input is a multi_screen mode initiation
input or a single_screen mode initiation input based on the
received coordinate values of the touch input. The controller may
be configured to initiate at least one of a multi_screen mode and a
single_screen mode based on the determination result of the touch
input processor.
[0029] The touch input processor may determine whether the sensed
touch input is at least one of a predetermined icon, a closing
request, a pinch input, and a spread input based on the received
coordinate values of the sensed touch input. In case that the
sensed touch input is the predetermined icon, the touch input
processor may determine that the sensed touch input is at least one
of the multi_screen mode initiation input and the single_screen
mode initiation input when the predetermined icon is associated
with initiation of one of the multi_screen mode initiation input
and the single_screen mode initiation input. In case that the
sensed touch input is the closing request, the touch input
processor may determine that the sensed touch input is the
single_screen mode initiation input. In case that the sensed touch
input is the pinch input, the touch input processor may determine
that the pinch input is at least one of the multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input when
pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a range of shrinking an
application window. In case that the sensed touch input is the
spread input, the touch input processor may determine that the
spread input is at least one of the multi_screen mode initiation
input and the single_screen mode initiation input when spreading
motion of the spread input exceeds a range of expanding an
application window.
[0030] When the touch input is the multi_screen mode initiation
input based on the determination result of the touch input
processor, the controller may divide a display area of the display
unit into at least two display areas including a first display area
and a second display area, activate a second application previously
selected by one of a user and a manufacturer of the mobile
terminal, reconfigure a first application window corresponding to
the first display area, display the reconfigured first application
window on the first display area, and display a second application
window associated with the second application on the second display
area, wherein the first application window is an application window
previously displayed on an entire display area of the display
unit.
[0031] When the touch input is the single_screen mode initiation
input based on the determination result of the touch input
processor, the controller may close one, associated with the
single_screen mode initiation input, of the first application
window and the second application window, and display the other one
of the first application window and the second application window
on the entire display area of the display unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0032] The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, of which:
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal operating in a multi_screen
mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a display area of a display unit, divided into
two display areas in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0035] FIG. 3 shows gesture inputs for initiating a multi_screen
mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a mobile terminal for simultaneously displaying
at least two application windows in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a method for simultaneously displaying at least
two application windows on a display unit of a mobile terminal in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a method for transiting from a multi_screen
mode to a single_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 7 shows a method for displaying two application windows
on a display unit of a mobile terminal in a dual_screen mode in
response to a pinch input in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 8 shows a method for returning back to a single_screen
mode from a dual_screen mode in response to a pinch input in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 9 shows a mobile terminal displaying two application
windows in a dual_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 10 shows a mobile terminal displaying two application
windows in a dual_screen mode in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below, in
order to explain the present invention by referring to the
figures.
[0044] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a
mobile terminal may display at least two application windows on a
display unit at the same time in a multi_screen mode. Such a
multi_screen mode may be initiated by a pinch input. Furthermore,
the multi_screen mode may be returned back to a single_screen mode
by a single_screen mode initiation input in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In response to the
single_screen mode initiation input, one of application windows may
be closed and the other application window may be displayed on
entire display area of a display unit.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal operating in a multi_screen
mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, mobile terminal 100 may include display
unit 110 and key buttons 180 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. Display unit 110 may be a touch sensing
display unit. Particularly, display unit 110 may be a multi_touch
sensing display unit that is capable of recognizing multiple points
of contact made on a surface of display unit 110. Mobile terminal
100 may simultaneously display at least two application windows on
display unit 110 in a multi_screen mode as shown in FIG. 1. Such a
multi_screen mode may be initiated in response to a certain input
made by a related user in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The certain input may be referred to as a
multi_screen mode initiation input. The multi_screen mode
initiation input may be set up by a user or a system designer. For
example, one of key buttons 180 may be designated as a multi_screen
mode initiation input. One of icons 600 displayed within initial
graphic user interface 500 may be designated as multi_screen mode
initiation input. The initial graphic user interface may be
produced by an operating system, such as an android operating
system, of mobile terminal 100. Particularly, a gesture input made
on display unit 110 may be designated as the multi_screen mode
initiation input. For example, a pinch input and/or a spread input
may be designated as the multi.sub.-- screen mode initiation input.
The pinch input and the spread input will described with reference
to FIG. 3.
[0047] As shown in a diagram (A) of FIG. 1, mobile terminal 100 may
display initial graphic user interface 500 on a display area of
display unit 110 when mobile terminal 100 is activated. Initial
graphic user interface 500 may be produced by an operating system
of mobile terminal 100. For example, the operating system may be an
android operating system, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. Initial graphic user interface 500 may include a plurality
of icons 600 associated with applications installed in mobile
terminal 100. Applications may be downloaded from a related server
or directly installed from an external device by a related user.
Initial graphic user interface 500 may enable a related user to
interact with desired applications. The related user may initiate
desired applications by touching icons 600 associated with the
desired applications. For example, the related user may activate a
movie player application, as a first application, by making a touch
input on corresponding icon 601. In this case, mobile terminal 100
may display first application window 200 associated with the first
application on display unit 110, as shown in a diagram (B). As
shown in the diagram (B), a movie is played back on display unit
110 as first application window 200.
[0048] The user of mobile terminal 100 may activate a second
application while the first application is running. In this case,
mobile terminal 100 may transition the first application to a
background mode and perform the second application in a foreground.
mode. That is, mobile terminal 100 may close first application
window 200 associated with the first application and display a
second application window which is associated the second
application. Typically, mobile terminal 100 may display one
application window at a time although multiple applications are in
operation. For example, a typical. mobile terminal may display only
one application window associated with one that a user most
recently activates among applications in operation. When a user
wants to display another application window associated with another
application running in a background mode, a user may be required to
close a current application window and initiate another desired
application to display an associated application window on a
display unit. For example, the typical android operating system for
a mobile terminal does not simultaneously display two or more
application windows on a display unit. Such a manner of displaying
application windows by opening and closing windows might be
inconvenient to a user of the mobile terminal.
[0049] In order to overcome such drawback of a typical mobile
terminal, mobile terminal 100 in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention may display at least two application windows
simultaneously as shown in a diagram (C) of FIG. 1. Such a
multi_screen mode of mobile terminal 100 may be initiated through a
certain input, defined herein as a multi_screen mode initiation
input, applied by a user to mobile terminal 100. In a diagram (B)
of FIG. 1, the multi_screen mode initiation input may be
illustrated as a pinch input, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. Such multi_screen mode initiation input may be a
keypad input, a key button input, or another gesture input, set by
a user or a system designer.
[0050] Referring to a diagram (B) of FIG. 1, when a user makes a
pinch input on first application window 200, mobile terminal 100
may determine that the pinch input is a multi_screen mode
initiation input when the pinch input exceeds a shrinking
threshold, and activate a multi_screen mode in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. For example, mobile terminal
100 may divide a display area of display unit 110 into two display
areas. Mobile terminal 100 may reduce in size re-size or otherwise
"shrink") first application window 200 and display the re-sized
first application window 200 on a right display area of display
unit 110 and display second application window 300 on a left
display area of display unit 110, as shown in a diagram (C) of FIG.
1. In a diagram (C) of FIG. 1, re-sized first application window
200 may be illustrated as being displayed on the right display area
of display unit 110 and second application window 300 may be
illustrated as being displayed on the left display area of display
unit 110. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
Re-sized first application window 200 may be displayed on a left
display area of display unit 110 and second application window 300
may be displayed on a right display area of display unit 110.
Furthermore, three or more application windows may be displayed in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
second application window 300 may be associated with an application
that enables a user to select one of three applications. For
example, second application window 300 may be associated with a
multitasking application. Such an application may be selected and
set up by a system designer in advance. As shown in a diagram (C)
of FIG. 1, second application window 300 may include taps 310 for
selecting one of three applications, for example, a memo
application, a message application, and a social network service
(SNS) application. The present invention, however, is not limited
thereto. Second application window 300 may be associated with any
applications installed in mobile terminal 100. A user may select
and set up one of the applications to be activated and to display
an associated application window on one of display areas of display
unit 110 when the multi_screen mode is initiated. For example, when
the multi_screen mode initiation input is made while a movie is
played back as a first application window, mobile terminal 100 may
display an application window associated with an application enable
a user to select one of applications installed in mobile terminal
100 or display an initial graphic user interface on one of divided
display areas in display unit 110. Such examples of displaying two
application windows are illustrated and described subsequently in
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
[0052] Such a multi_screen mode may be returned back to a
single_screen mode in response to a certain input made by a related
user in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
certain input may be referred to as a single_screen mode initiation
input. The single_screen mode initiation input may be set up by a
user or a system designer. For example, one of key buttons 180 may
be designated as a single_screen mode initiation input. One of
icons displayed within an initial graphic user interface may be
designated as the single_screen mode initiation input.
Particularly, a gesture input made on display unit 110 may be
designated as the single_screen mode initiation input. For example,
a pinch input and/or a spread input may be designated as the
single_screen mode initiation input. The pinch input, and the
spread input will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In
response to the single_screen mode initiation input, one of first
and second application windows 200 and 300 may be closed and the
other may be displayed on entire display area of device unit 110 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows display area of a display unit, divided into
two display areas in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0054] Referring to diagrams (A) and (B) of FIG. 2, display area
410 of display unit 110 may be divided into first display area 210
and second display area 310 in response to a multi.sub.-- screen
mode initiation input in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. First display area 210 may be referred to as a
main display area and second display area 310 may be referred to as
a multitasking display area, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, first application window 200
displayed on entire display area 410 of display unit 110 may be
reduced in size, or re-sized, in response to a multi.sub.-- screen
mode initiation input and re-sized first application window 200 may
be displayed on first display area 210. Then, second application
window 300 (FIG. 1 (C)) may be displayed on second display area
310.
[0055] Diagrams (A) and (B) of FIG. 2 illustrate display area 410
vertically divided into first display area 210 and second display
area 310. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
Display area 410 may be horizon ally divided into lower display
area 210 and upper display area 310 as shown in diagrams (C) and
(D) of FIG. 2.
[0056] Furthermore, display area 410 may be illustrated as being
divided in a ratio of 1:1 in FIG. 2, but the present invention is
not limited thereto. That is, first display area 210 and second
display area 310 may have the same size in FIG. 2. However, display
area 410 may be divided in a ratio of x:y, for example, 2:1, 1:2,
3:1, or 1:3, in accordance another embodiment of the present
invention. That is, first display area 210 and second display area
310 may have different sizes in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0057] As described above, a multi_screen mode and a single_screen
mode may be initiated in response to a multi_screen mode initiation
input and a single_screen mode initiation input in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention. The multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input may be
set up by a user or a system designer. For example, one of key
buttons 180 may be designated as a multi_screen mode initiation
input and a single_screen mode initiation input. One of icons
displayed within an initial graphic user interface may be
designated as multi_screen mode initiation input and a
single_screen mode initiation input. Particularly, a gesture input
made on display unit 110 may be designated as the multi_screen mode
initiation input and a single_screen mode initiation input. For
example, a pinch input and/or a spread input may be designated as
the multi_screen mode initiation input and the single_screen mode
initiation input when corresponding gestures exceed given
thresholds.
[0058] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
the pinch input and the spread input are described as the
multi_screen mode initiation input and the single_screen mode
initiation input. Hereinafter, the pinch input and the spread input
will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows gesture inputs for initiating a multi_screen
mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] Referring to diagrams (A) and (B) of FIG. 3, a pinch input
may be a multi_touch gesture made on a surface of display unit 110.
The pinch input may be referred to as a two finger zoom input or a
pinch to zoom input. The pinch input may be made by contacting two
fingers on the surface of display unit 110 and dragging two fingers
toward one point, as shown in diagrams (A) and (B). Such pinch
input may be made using two fingers of one hand as shown in a
diagram (A) or using one finger on each of two hands as shown in a
diagram (B). The pinch input may be made typically for shrinking an
application window displayed on display unit 110 of mobile terminal
100. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the
pinch input may be determined as one of the multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input when a
pinching motion of the pinch input exceeds a shrinking threshold z.
The shrinking threshold z may be a distance between two fingers,
but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when
the pinching motion exceeds an allowable range of shrinking an
application window, mobile terminal 100 may determine that the
pinch input is made as the multi_screen mode initiation input or
the single_screen mode initiation input.
[0061] Referring to diagrams (C) and (D) of FIG. 3, a spread input
may be a multi_touch gesture made on a surface of display unit 110.
The spread input may be made by contacting two fingers on the
surface of display unit 110 and dragging two fingers outward from
one point, as shown in diagrams (C) and (D). Such spread input may
be made using two fingers of one hand as shown in a diagram (C) or
using one finger on each of two hands as shown in a diagram (D).
The spread input may be made typically for expanding an application
window displayed on display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100, In
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the spread
input may be determined as one of the multi_screen mode initiation
input and the single_screen mode initiation input when a spreading
motion of the spread input exceeds an expanding threshold q. The
expanding threshold q may be a distance between two fingers, but
the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the
spreading motion exceeds an allowable range of expanding an
application window, mobile terminal 100 may determine that the
spread input is made as the multi_screen mode initiation input or
the single_screen mode initiation input.
[0062] As described above, mobile terminal 100 may initiate a
multi_screen mode and a single_screen mode in response to a
multi_screen mode initiation input and a single_screen mode
initiation input in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. In the multi_screen mode, mobile terminal 100 may
simultaneously display at least two application windows on display
unit 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, a mobile terminal for simultaneously displaying at
least two application windows on a display unit in accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIG. 4 shows a mobile terminal for simultaneously displaying
at least two application windows in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0064] Referring to FIG, 4, mobile terminal 100 may include display
unit 110, touch input processor 120, controller 130, speaker 140,
memory 150, microphone 160, and wireless communication unit 170.
Mobile terminal 100 may be a smart phone and operated by an android
operating system, but the present invention is not limited
thereto.
[0065] Display unit 110 may be a touch sensing display unit.
Particularly, display unit 110 may be a multi_touch sensing display
unit that is capable of recognizing multiple points of contacts
made on a surface of display unit 110. Accordingly, display unit
110 may sense a touch input made by a user and provide the sensed
touch input to touch input processor 120 in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. For example, display unit 110
may sense a touch input made in a shape of a rectangle, a circle,
and a line, detect a coordinate value (x, y) of the touch input at
a regular interval such as about 20 ms, and provide the detected
coordinate value (x, y) to touch input processor 120.
[0066] That is, display unit 110 may be an input unit for receiving
a touch input as well as a display unit for displaying a graphic
user interface including an application window. In accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention, display unit 110 may
receive a multi_screen mode initiation input and a single_screen
mode initiation input as well as other touch inputs made for
initiating a certain feature of mobile terminal 100. The touch
input may include a tap input, a double tap input, a long press
input, a scroll input, a pan input, a flick input, a two finger tap
input, a two finger scroll input, a pinch input, a two hand pinch
input, a spread input, a two hand spread input, a rotate input, and
a two hand rotate input. Among the touch inputs, the pinch input
and the spread input may be determined as the multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input when
the pinch input and the spread input exceed given thresholds in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The present
invention, however, is not limited thereto. Other touch inputs may
be selected and set up as the multi_screen mode initiation input
and the single_screen mode initiation input with certain
conditions.
[0067] Display unit 110 may employ one of a capacitive overlay type
touch screen, a resistive overlay type touch screen, an infrared
beam type touch screen, and a surface acoustic wave type touch
screen, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Display
unit 110 may employ other types of touch screens to detect touch
inputs made thereon by a user. Display unit 110 may detect values
corresponding to touch inputs made thereon. Such values may be a
potential difference value, a capacitance value, a wavelength, or
an infrared ray (IR) interrupt value.
[0068] For example, in case of a resistive overlay type touch
screen, display unit 110 may detect a potential difference on a
position Where a touch input is made. Display unit 110 may
determine a coordinate value (x, y) of the position based on the
detected potential difference and provide the coordinate value (x,
y) to touch input processor 320.
[0069] Display unit 110 may display graphic user interfaces and
application windows in response to control of controller 330. For
example, display unit 110 may display initial graphic user
interface 500 when mobile terminal 100 is initiated. Such initial
graphic user interface 500 may be produced by an operating system
of mobile terminal 100. Display unit 110 may display application
windows associated with applications installed in mobile terminal
100. A user activates one of icons 600 (FIG. 1) associated with
applications and in initial graphic user interface 500. Display
unit 110 may display an application window associated with the
activated application.
[0070] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
display unit 110 may simultaneously display at least two
application windows on two divided display areas in a multi_screen
mode. Further, display unit 110 may display only one application
window on entire display area in a single_screen mode. Such
operation of display unit 110 will be described with reference to
FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.
[0071] Touch input processor 120 may receive coordinate values (x,
y) associated with a touch input made on display unit 110 at a
regular interval and determine a type of the touch input. For
example, touch input processor 120 may determine whether a touch
input is to activate an icon designated to initiate one of the
multi_screen mode initiation input and the single_screen mode
initiation input. Furthermore, touch input processor 120 may
compare two consecutive coordinate values and detect an increment
and/or a decrement of the coordinate values based on the comparison
results. Touch input processor 120 may determine whether the touch
input is a pinch input or a spread input based on the detected
increment and decrement.
[0072] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
touch input processor 120 may determine whether or not a touch
input made on display unit 110 is a pinch input for shrinking an
application window or a pinch input for initiating a multi_screen
mode or a single_screen mode. Particularly, touch input processor
120 may calculate an increment and/or a decrement by comparing two
consecutive coordinate values received corresponding to a pinch
input. Based on the increment or the decrement, touch input
processor 120 may determine whether pinching motion exceeds the
shrinking threshold z or not. When touch input processor 120
determines that pinching motion exceeds the shrinking threshold z,
touch input processor 120 may determine that the pinch input is
made for initiating the multi_screen mode or the single_screen
mode. That is, when the pinch input is for shrinking an application
window smaller than an allowable application window size, touch
input processor 120 may determine that the pinch input is a
multi_screen mode initiation input or a single_screen mode
initiation input. In this case, touch input processor 120 may
request controller 130 to control display unit 110 in the
multi_screen mode or the single_screen mode.
[0073] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,
touch input processor 120 may determine whether or not a touch
input made on display unit 110 is a spread input for expanding an
application window or a spread input for initiating a multi_screen
mode or a single_screen mode. Particularly, touch input processor
120 may calculate increment or decrement by comparing two
consecutive coordinate values received corresponding to a spread
input. Based on the increment or the decrement, touch input
processor 120 may determine whether spreading motion exceeds the
expanding threshold q or not. When touch input processor 120
determines that spreading motion exceeds the expanding threshold q,
touch input processor 120 may determine that the spread input is
made for initiating the multi_screen mode or the single_screen
mode. That is, when the spread input is for expanding an
application window lager than an allowable application window size,
touch input processor 120 may determine that the spread input is a
multi_screen mode initiation input or a single_screen mode
initiation input. In this case, touch input processor 120 may
request controller 130 to control display unit 110 in the
multi_screen mode or the single_screen mode.
[0074] However, the present invention is not limited thereto, For
example, touch input processor 120 may detect a pinch input and a
spread input and determine the pinch input and the spread input as
the multi_screen mode initiation input or the single_screen mode
initiation input regardless of exceeding a given threshold.
[0075] Controller 130 may control constituent elements of mobile
terminal 100 in overall. In accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, controller 130 may control display unit 110 to
be operated in the multi_screen mode or in the single_screen mode
in response to certain touch inputs determined by touch input
processor 120.
[0076] For example, when touch input processor 120 detects the
multi.sub.-- screen mode initiation input, controller 130 may
divide display area 410 of display unit 110 into first display area
210 and second display area 310, display first application window
200 on first display area 210, and display second application
window 300 on second display area 310. In case of the single_screen
mode initiation input, controller 130 may close one of first and
second display applications 200 and 300 and display the other on
entire display area 410 of display unit 110.
[0077] in addition, controller 130 may detect the multi_screen mode
initiation input and the single_screen mode initiation input
received through key button 180. Such key button 180 may generate a
signal when a user activate key button 180. In response to the
signal, controller 130 may determine that the multi_screen mode or
the single_screen mode is initiated. In this case, controller 130
may control display unit 110 to display application windows in the
multi_screen mode or the single_screen mode without, the
determination of touch input processor 120.
[0078] Controller 130 may be illustrated as an independent unit
from touch input processor 120 in FIG. 4. The present invention,
however, is not limited thereto. Touch input processor 120 may be
realized in controller 130 in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0079] Speaker 140 may receive an electric signal from controller
130, convert the electric signal to sound, and output the
sound.
[0080] Memory 150 may store information necessary for operating
mobile terminal 100 and performing certain operations requested by
a user. Such information may include any software programs and
related data. For example, memory 150 may store an operation system
data, applications, and related data, received from an external
device through a physical cable and downloaded from a related
server from through a communication link. Memory 150 be a flash
memory, hard disk, multimedia card micro memory, SD or XD memory,
Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM),
Read-Only Memory (ROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM),
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM),
magnetic memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk, but is not limited
thereto. Microphone 160 may convert sound of a user or around a
user to an electric signal and output the electric signal to
controller 130.
[0081] Wireless communication unit 170 may include at least one
module for communicating with another party through a wireless
communication system. For example, wireless communication unit 170
may include any or all of a duplexer, a radio frequency processor,
and an intermediate processor. Wireless communication unit 170 may
receive a radio frequency signal through an antenna ANT and the
duplexer, convert the received radio frequency signal into an
intermediate frequency signal, convert the intermediate frequency
signal to a baseband signal again, and transmit the baseband signal
to controller 130. Furthermore, wireless communication unit 170 may
receive a baseband signal from controller 130, convert the baseband
signal to an intermediate frequency signal and again to a radio
frequency signal, and transmit the radio frequency signal through
the antenna ANT.
[0082] Beside the constituent elements shown in FIG. 4, mobile
terminal 100 may include other elements as well. For example,
mobile terminal 100 may include a key input receiver (not shown)
configured to receive various key inputs made through a key pad.
The key input receiver may convert the key inputs to corresponding
key codes and transmit the key codes to control 130. Control 130
may perform operations associated with the received key codes.
Furthermore, mobile terminal 100 may include a camera module (not
shown) including a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)
image sensor or a charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor. The
camera module may capture an image and process the captured image
into a data. format that can be displayed on display unit 110.
[0083] As described above, mobile terminal 100 may initiate the
multi_screen mode or the single_screen mode in response to a
certain touch input received from a user and simultaneously
displays at least two application windows on display unit 110 in
the multi_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. Hereinafter an operation of mobile terminal 100
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 5 shows a method for simultaneously displaying at least
two application windows on a display unit of a mobile terminal in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 5, when a user activates an application in
a mobile terminal, a first application window associated with the
activated application may be displayed on an entire display area of
mobile terminal at step S5010. For example, mobile terminal 100 may
display initial graphic user interface 500 when mobile terminal 100
is initiated. A user may activate icon 601 (e.g., FIG. 1) in
initial graphic user interface 500 and mobile terminal 100 may
display first application window 200 associated with icon 601 on
entire display area 410 (e.g., FIG. 2). That is, mobile terminal
100 may display first application window 200 in a single_screen
mode.
[0086] While displaying the first application window, an input may
be received from a user at step S5020. For example, a related user
may enter various types of inputs into mobile terminal 100 through
at least one of graphic user interface 500, key buttons 180, and a
key pad of mobile terminal 100 in order to perform a desired
feature (e.g., FIG. 1). Particularly, the related user may enter an
input to display second application window 300 associated with an
application running as a background mode. In this case, the user
may activate a multi_screen mode in order to display second
application window 300 with first application window 200 at the
same time on display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100. When the user
wants to initiate the multi_screen mode, the user may enter a
multi_screen mode initiation input. The multi_screen mode
initiation input may be one of icons included in initial graphic
user interface 500 displayed on display unit 110 of mobile terminal
100. Furthermore, the multi_screen mode initiation input may be one
of keys in a keypad and key buttons, which is set up as the
multi_screen mode initiation input by the user or a system
designer. Particularly, the multi_screen mode initiation input may
be a gesture input such as a pinch input. As described above,
various types of inputs may be received from the user.
[0087] At step S5030, determination may be made whether the
received input is for a multi_screen mode or not. As described
above, when mobile terminal 110 receives an input, mobile terminal
110 may determine whether the received input s a multi_screen mode
initiation input or not.
[0088] When the received input is the multi_screen mode initiation
input (Yes--S5030), a display area may be divided into a first
display area and a second display area at step S5040. For example,
when mobile terminal 100 determines that the received input is the
multi_screen mode initiation input, mobile terminal 100 may divide
display area 410 into first display area 210 and second display
area 310. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
The display area may be divided into more than two display areas in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. For
convenience and ease of understanding, the display area will be
described as being divided into two display areas, such as the
first display area and the second display area.
[0089] At step S5050, the first application window may be displayed
in the first display area. For example, mobile terminal 100 may
reconfigure first application window 200, which was previously
displayed on entire display area 410 of display unit 110, and
display reconfigured first application window 200 in first display
area 210. Since the entire display area is divided into two display
areas, first application window 200 may be reduced in size to fit
into first display area 210.
[0090] At step S5060, a second application window may be displayed
in the second display area. For example, mobile terminal 100 may
activate a second application previously selected by one of a user
and a manufacturer of mobile terminal 100. Mobile terminal 100 may
display second application window 300 in second display area 310.
Second application window 300 may be associated with the activated
second application. The second application may be a multitasking
application previously selected by a manufacturer of mobile
terminal 100. The multitasking application may enable a user to
choose and to perform one from a set of selected applications. The
present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The second
application may be any application selected by a user or by mobile
terminal 100 and a corresponding application window may be
displayed on second display area 310. Instead of the applications,
initial graphic user interface 500 may be displayed in the second
display area as second application window 300.
[0091] As described above, the multi_screen mode initiation input
may be gesture inputs having multiple purposes. For example, the
multi_screen mode initiation input may be one of a pinch input may
and/or a spread input when the pinch input and the spread input
exceed a given corresponding threshold. Accordingly, when the input
is not the multi_screen mode initiation input (No--S5030),
determination may be made whether the received input is a pinch
input or a spread input at step S5070 and at step S5080.
[0092] When the input is the pinch input (Pinch: Yes--S5070),
determination may be made whether a pinching motion exceeds a
shrinking threshold at step S5090. For example, mobile terminal 100
may determine whether the pinching motion exceeds an allowable
shrinking range of an application window.
[0093] When the pinching motion does not exceed (No--S5090) the
shrinking threshold, a shrinking operation may be performed at step
S5100. For example, mobile terminal 100 may shrink first
application window 200 corresponding to the pinch input made on
display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100.
[0094] When the pinching motion exceeds the shrinking threshold
(Yes--S5090), the pinching motion may be determined as the
multi_screen mode initiation input and a display area may be
divided into two display areas at step S5040. Then, the first
application window and the second application window may be
displayed on the first display area and the second display area
correspondingly at steps S5050 and S5060.
[0095] When the received input is not the pinch input (Pinch:
No--S5070), determination may be made whether the received input is
the spread input at step S5080. When the received input is the
spread input (Yes--S5080), determination may be made whether the
spread input exceeds an expanding threshold at step S5110.
[0096] When the spread motion does not exceed the expanding
threshold (No--S5110), an expanding operation may be performed at
step S5120. For example, mobile terminal 100 may expand first
application window 200 corresponding to the spread input made on
display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100.
[0097] When the spread motion exceeds the expanding threshold
(Yes--S5110), the spread motion may be determined as the
multi_screen mode initiation input and a display area may be
divided into two display areas at step S5040. Then, the first
application window and the second application window may be
displayed on the first display area and the second display area
correspondingly at steps S5050 and S5060.
[0098] When the received input is not anyone of the multi_screen
initiation input, the pinch input, and the spread input, an
operation associated with the received input may be performed at
step S5130.
[0099] The multi_screen mode may be returned back to a
single_screen mode. That is, one of the displayed application
windows may be closed and the other may be displayed on entire
display area of display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100.
Hereinafter, such an operation of transiting from a multi_screen
mode to a single_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
6.
[0100] FIG. 6 shows a method for transiting from a multi.sub.--
screen mode to a single.sub.-- screen mode in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0101] Referring to FIG. 6. a. first application window and a
second application window may be simultaneously displayed on a
display unit of a mobile terminal in a multi.sub.-- screen mode at
step S6010. For example, first application window 200 may be
displayed in first display area 210 and second application window
300 may be displayed in second display area 310.
[0102] While displaying the first and second application windows in
the multi_screen mode, an input may be received at step S6020. For
example, mobile terminal 110 may receive various types of inputs
each for a specific purpose. Accordingly determination may be made
as to whether the received input is a single_screen mode initiation
input or not at step S6030. Similar to the multi_screen mode
initiation input, the single_screen mode initiation input may be
received key button 180 or an icon, which may be selected and
designated as the single_screen mode initiation input. Furthermore,
the single_screen mode initiation input may be a pinch input or a
spread input with a certain condition. In addition, the
single_screen mode initiation input may be a closing request for
closing one of the first and second application windows displayed
on display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100.
[0103] When the received input is the single_screen mode initiation
input (Yes--S6030), determination may be made as to whether the
single_screen mode initiation input is associated with the first
application window or the second application window at step
S6040.
[0104] When the single_screen mode initiation input is associated
with the first application window (First: F--S6040), the second
application window may be closed and first application window may
be displayed on entire display area at step S6050. When the
single_screen mode initiation input is associated with the second
application window (Second: S--56040), the first application window
may be closed and the second application window may be displayed on
entire display area of the display unit at step S6060.
[0105] As described above, the single_screen mode may be initiated
by closing one of application windows displayed on the display
unit. Accordingly, when the received input is not the single_screen
mode initiation input (No--S6030), determination may be made as to
whether the received input is a request for closing one of the
first and second application windows at step S6070.
[0106] When the received input is the closing request (Yes--S6070),
determination may be made whether the closing request is associated
with the first application window or the second application window
at step S6080. When the closing request is associated with the
first application window (First: F--S6080), the first application
window may be closed and the second application window may be
displayed on entire display area at step S6060. When the received
input is associated with the second application window (Second:
S--S6080), the second application window may be closed and the
first application window may be displayed on entire display area at
step S6050.
[0107] As described above, the single_screen mode may be initiated
by a pinch input or a spread input when the pinch input or the
spread input exceed a given threshold. Accordingly, when the
received input is not the single_screen mode initiation input and
is not the closing request, determination may be made as to whether
the received input is a pinch input at step S6090. When the
received input is the pinch input (Yes--S6090), determination may
be made as to whether the pinch input exceed a shrinking threshold
at step S6100. When the pinch input exceed the shrinking threshold
(Yes--S6100), determination may be made as to whether the pinch
input is made associated with first application window or second
application window at step S6110.
[0108] When the pinch input is made associated with first
application window (First: F--S6110), the first application window
may be closed and the second application window may be displayed on
entire display area at step S6060. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto. In accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, the second application window may be closed
and the first application window may be displayed on entire display
area.
[0109] When the pinch input is made associated with the second
application window (Second: S--S6110), the second application
window may be closed and the first application window may be
displayed in entire display area at step S6050. The present
invention, however, is not limited thereto. In accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention, the first application
window may be closed and the second application window may be
displayed on entire display area.
[0110] When the pinch input does not exceed the shrinking threshold
(No--S6100), a corresponding application window may be re-sized,
for example, shrunk corresponding to the pinch input at step
S6120.
[0111] When the received input is not the pinch input (No--S6090),
determination may be made whether the received input is a spread
input at step S6130. When the received input is the spread input
(Yes--S6130), determination may be made as to whether the spread
input exceeds an expanding threshold at step S6140. When the spread
input exceeds the expanding threshold (Yes--S6140), determination
may be made as to whether the spread input is made associated with
first application window or the second application window at step
S6150.
[0112] When the spread input is made associated with the first
application window (First: F--S6150), the first application window
may be displayed on entire display area and the second application
window may be closed at step S6050. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto. In accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, the first application window may be closed
and the second application window may be displayed on entire
display area.
[0113] When the spread input is made associated with the second
application window (Second: S--S6150), the second application
window may be displayed on entire display area and the first
application window may be closed at step S6060. The present
invention, however, is not limited thereto. In accordance with
another embodiment of the present invention, the second application
window may be closed and the first application window may be
displayed on entire display area.
[0114] When the spread input does not exceed the expanding
threshold (No--S6140), a corresponding application window may be
expanded corresponding to the spread input at step S6160. When the
received input is not a spread input (No--S6130), an operation
associated with the received input may be performed at step
S6170.
[0115] As described above, at least two application windows may be
displayed on display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100 in the
multi_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. Furthermore, the multi_screen mode and the single_screen
mode may be initiated by variation types of inputs in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto. For simple implementation and
ease of use, the mobile terminal may allow only two application
windows to be simultaneously displayed on display unit 110 of
mobile terminal 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention. That is, two application windows may be
displayed at the same time in a dual_screen mode. Furthermore, such
a dual_screen mode and a single_screen mode may be initiated with a
pinch input in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention. Hereinafter, a method for displaying two application
windows in a dual_screen mode and returning back to a single_screen
mode in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention
will be described.
[0116] FIG. 7 shows a method for displaying two application windows
on a display unit of a mobile terminal in a dual_screen mode in
response to a pinch input in accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention.
[0117] Referring to FIG. 7, when a user activates an application in
a mobile terminal, a first application window associated with the
activated application may be displayed on an entire display area of
mobile terminal at step S7010. While displaying the first
application window, an input may be received from a user at step
S7020. Determination may be made whether the received input is a
pinch input at step S7030.
[0118] When the input is the pinch input (Yes--S7030),
determination may be made whether a pinch motion exceeds a
shrinking threshold at step S7040. For example, mobile terminal 100
may determine whether the pinching motion exceeds a shrinking range
of an application window.
[0119] When the pinch motion exceeds the shrinking threshold
(Yes--S7040), the pinching motion may be determined as the
dual_screen mode initiation input and a display area may be divided
into two display areas at step S7050. Then, the first application
window and the second application window may be displayed on the
first display area and the second display area, respectively, at
steps S7060 and S7070.
[0120] When the pinch motion does not exceed the shrinking
threshold (No--S7040), a shrinking operation may be performed at
step S7080. For example, mobile terminal 100 may shrink first
application window 200 corresponding to the pinch input made on
display unit 110 of mobile terminal 100. When the received input is
not the pinch input (No--S7030), an operation associated with the
received input may be performed at step S7090.
[0121] FIG. 8 shows a method for returning back to a single_screen
mode from a dual_screen mode in response to a pinch input in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 8, a first application window and a second
application window may be simultaneously displayed on a display
unit of a mobile terminal in a dual_screen mode at step S8010.
[0123] While displaying the first and second application windows in
the dual_screen mode, an input may be received at step S8020.
Determination may be made as to whether the received input is a
pinch input at step S8030.
[0124] When the received input is the pinch input (Yes--58030),
determination may be made as to whether the pinch input exceed a
shrinking threshold at step S8040.
[0125] When the pinch input exceed the shrinking threshold
(Yes--S8040), determination may be made as to whether the pinch
input is made associated with first application window or second
application window at step S8050.
[0126] When the pinch input is made associated with first
application window (First--S8050), the first application window may
be closed and the second application window may be displayed on
entire display area at step S8070. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto. In accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, the second application window may be closed
and the first application window may be displayed on entire display
area.
[0127] When the pinch input is made associated with the second
application window (Second--S8050), the second application window
may be closed and the first application window may be displayed in
entire display area at step S8060. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto. In accordance with another embodiment of
the present invention, the first application window may be closed
and the second application window may be displayed on entire
display area.
[0128] When the pinch input does not exceed the shrinking threshold
(No--S8040), a corresponding application window may be re-sized,
for example, shrunk corresponding to the pinch input at step S8080.
When the received input is not the pinch input (No--S8030), an
operation associated with the received input may be performed at
step S8090.
[0129] FIG. 9 shows a mobile terminal displaying two application
windows in a dual_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0130] Referring to a diagram (A) of FIG. 9, mobile terminal 100
may display memo application 315 in second display area 310 and
display web-browser 215 in first display area 210 of display unit
110. Referring to a diagram (B) of FIG. 9, mobile terminal 100 may
display memo application 316 in second display area 310 and display
image viewer 216 in first display area 210 of display unit 110. As
shown, various applications may be displayed in the dual_screen
mode in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0131] FIG. 10 shows a mobile terminal displaying two application
windows in a dual_screen mode in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0132] As shown in a diagram (A) of FIG. 10, mobile terminal 100
may play movie 217 on first display area 210, which is received
through a DMB player included in mobile terminal 100, and display
application window 317 associated with a memo application in second
display area 310. As shown in a diagram (B) of FIG. 10, mobile
terminal 100 may display reduced-size initial graphic user
interface 318 on second display area 310 and display movie 218 on
first display area 210.
[0133] As shown, various application windows may be displayed on
first display area 210 and second display area 310 at the same time
in the multi_screen mode in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0134] Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment"
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at
least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the
phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are
separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive
of other embodiments. The same applies to the term
"implementation."
[0135] As used in this application, the word "exemplary" is used
herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration.
Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not
necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other
aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended
to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
[0136] Additionally, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive
"or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified
otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to
mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X
employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs
A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In
addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and
the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or
more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be
directed to a singular form.
[0137] Moreover, the terms "system," "component," "module,"
"interface," "model" or the like are generally intended to refer to
a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of
hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For
example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process
running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a
thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of
illustration, both an application running on a controller and the
controller can be a component. One or more components may reside
within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be
localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more
computers.
[0138] The present invention can be embodied in the form of methods
and apparatuses for practicing those methods. The present invention
can also be embodied in the form of program code embodied in
tangible media, such as magnetic recording media, optical recording
media, solid state memory, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives,
or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the
program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a
computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the
invention. The present invention can also be embodied in the form
of program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium,
loaded into and/or executed by a machine, or transmitted over some
transmission medium or carrier, such as over electrical wiring or
cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation,
wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a
machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for
practicing the invention. When implemented on a general-purpose
processor, the program code segments combine with the processor to
provide a unique device that operates analogously to specific logic
circuits. The present invention can also be embodied in the form of
a bitstream or other sequence of signal values electrically or
optically transmitted through a medium, stored magnetic-field
variations in a magnetic recording medium, etc., generated using a
method and/or an apparatus of the present invention.
[0139] It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary
methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be
performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of
such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise,
additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps
may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various
embodiments of the present invention.
[0140] As used herein in reference to an element and a standard,
the term "compatible" means that the element, communicates with
other elements in a manner wholly or partially specified by the
standard, and would be recognized by other elements as sufficiently
capable of communicating with the other elements in the manner
specified by the standard. The compatible element does not need to
operate internally in a manner specified by the standard.
[0141] No claim element herein is to be construed under the
provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth paragraph, unless the
element is expressly recited using the phrase "means for" or "step
for."
[0142] Although embodiments of the present invention have been
described herein, it should be understood that the foregoing
embodiments and advantages are merely examples and are not to be
construed as limiting the present invention or the scope of the
claims. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised
by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and
scope of the principles of this disclosure, and the present
teaching can also be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.
More particularly, various variations and modifications are
possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject
combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the
drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and
modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements,
alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the
art.
* * * * *