U.S. patent application number 14/827010 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for method and apparatus for arranging a plurality of icons on a screen.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hyo-sun SHIM.
Application Number | 20150355816 14/827010 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51207310 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150355816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIM; Hyo-sun |
December 10, 2015 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARRANGING A PLURALITY OF ICONS ON A
SCREEN
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for arranging icons on a
screen of a device, wherein a first device receives information
about a layout of a plurality of icons displayed on a screen of a
second device, and then displays the plurality of icons on a screen
of the first device, based on the received information.
Inventors: |
SHIM; Hyo-sun; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
51207310 |
Appl. No.: |
14/827010 |
Filed: |
August 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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14159952 |
Jan 21, 2014 |
|
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14827010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/745 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/04817 20130101;
G09G 2354/00 20130101; G09G 5/14 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101;
G09G 2370/042 20130101; H04L 67/306 20130101; G06F 3/1454 20130101;
H04L 67/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0481 20060101
G06F003/0481; G06F 3/0482 20060101 G06F003/0482; H04L 29/08
20060101 H04L029/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2013 |
KR |
10-2013-0006287 |
Claims
1. An electronic device, comprising: a display for providing a
first screen; a communication unit configured to receive, from a
server, screen layout information about a layout of visual display
elements for a second screen displayed by another electronic
device, the screen layout information comprising order information
relating to an order for arranging the visual display elements on
the second screen of the other electronic device, size information
relating to respective sizes of the visual display elements, and
application information for identifying applications installed on
the other electronic device corresponding to the visual display
elements; and a processor configured to control the display to
provide the visual display elements on the first screen based on at
least one of a resolution of the first screen of the electronic
device and the received screen layout information.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the size information
comprises information about a number of horizontal and vertical
cells for each respective visual display element.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the size information
is indicative of one or more predetermined sizes.
4. The device as claimed claim 2, wherein each cell has a square
shape.
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is
configured to control the display to provide the visual display
elements on the first screen so that visual display elements for
applications installed on the electronic device are distinguished
from visual display elements for applications not installed on the
electronic device.
6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the communication
circuitry receives changed screen layout information based on a
change to at least one of arrangement and size of the visual
display elements for the second screen of the other electronic
device, the processor is configured to control the display to
provide at least one changed visual display element on the first
screen of the electronic device based on the received changed
screen layout information.
7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is
further configured to control the communication circuitry to access
an account accessed by the other electronic device and the
communication circuitry receives the screen layout information when
the account is accessed.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program
which, when executed by a computer of an electronic device
including a communication unit and a display for providing a first
screen, causes the computer to control the electronic device to
perform operations comprising: receiving, from a server, via the
communication circuitry, screen layout information about a layout
of visual display elements for a second screen displayed by another
electronic device, the screen layout information comprising order
information relating to an order for arranging the visual display
elements on the second screen of the other electronic device, size
information relating to respective sizes of the visual display
elements, and application information for identifying applications
installed on the other electronic device corresponding to the
visual display elements; and controlling the display to provide the
visual display elements on the first screen based on at least one
of a resolution of the first screen of the electronic device and
the received screen layout information.
9. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
size information comprises information about a number of horizontal
cells and vertical cells for each respective visual display
element.
10. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
size information is indicative of one or more predetermined
sizes.
11. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 9, wherein
each cell has a square shape.
12. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
operations further comprise controlling the display to provide the
visual display elements on the first screen so that visual display
elements for applications installed on the electronic device are
distinguished from visual display elements for applications not
installed on the electronic device.
13. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
operations further comprise: when changed screen layout information
based on a change to at least one of arrangement and size of the
visual display elements for the second screen of the other
electronic device is received, controlling the display to provide
at least one changed visual display element on the first screen of
the electronic device based on the received changed screen layout
information.
14. The computer-readable medium as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
electronic device and the other electronic device log into a same
account on the server in order to share layout information.
15. A server computer, comprising: a communication unit for
communicating with a first electronic device for providing a first
screen and a second electronic device for providing a second
screen; and a processor configured to control the server computer
to perform operations comprising: receiving, from the second
electronic device, screen layout information about a layout of
visual display elements for the second screen of the second
electronic device, the screen layout information comprising order
information relating to an order for arranging the visual display
elements on the second screen of the second electronic device, size
information relating to respective sizes of the visual display
elements, and application information for identifying applications
installed on the second electronic device corresponding to the
visual display elements; and in response to a request communicated
to the server by the first electronic device, transmitting the
received screen layout information to the first electronic device
for use by the first electronic device in determining a screen
layout of the visual display elements for the first screen
thereof.
16. The server as claimed in claim 15, wherein the size information
comprises information about a number of horizontal cells and
vertical cells for each respective visual display element.
17. The server as claimed in claim 16, wherein the size information
is indicative of one or more predetermined sizes.
18. The server as claimed claim 16, wherein each cell has a square
shape.
19. The server as claimed in claim 15, wherein when changed screen
layout information based on a change to at least one of arrangement
and size of the plurality of visual display elements for the second
screen of the second electronic device is received, the processor
is configured to transmit changed screen layout information to the
first electronic device in response to a request therefrom.
20. The server as claimed in claim 15, wherein the screen layout
information is received from the second electronic device when the
second electronic device is logged into an account maintained on
the server and the received screen layout information is
transmitted to the first electronic device when the first
electronic device logs into the same account.
21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program
which, when executed by a processor of a server computer
communicatively coupled to a first electronic device for providing
a first screen and a second electronic device for providing a
second screen, causes the server computer to perform operations
comprising: receive, from the second electronic device, screen
layout information about a layout of visual display elements for
the second screen of the second electronic device, the screen
layout information comprising order information relating to an
order for arranging the visual display elements on the second
screen of the second electronic device, size information relating
to respective sizes of the visual display elements, and application
information for identifying applications installed on the second
electronic device corresponding to the visual display elements; and
in response to a request communicated to the server by the first
electronic device, transmitting the received screen layout
information to the first electronic device for use by the first
electronic device in determining a screen layout of the visual
display elements for the first screen thereof.
22. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim
21, wherein the size information comprises information about a
number of horizontal cells and vertical cells for each respective
visual display element.
23. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim
22, wherein the size information is indicative of one or more
predetermined sizes.
24. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed claim
22, wherein each cell has a square shape.
25. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim
21, wherein the operations further comprise: when changed screen
layout information based on a change to at least one of arrangement
and size of the visual display elements for the second screen of
the second electronic device is received, transmitting changed
screen layout information to the first electronic device in
response to a request therefrom.
26. The non-transitory computer readable medium as claimed in claim
21, wherein the screen layout information is received from the
second electronic device when the second electronic device is
logged into an account maintained on the server and the received
screen layout information is transmitted to the first electronic
device when the first electronic device logs into the same account.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/159,952, filed Jan. 21, 2014, which claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0006287,
which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan.
21, 2013. The entire disclosure of each of these applications is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to displaying icons
on a screen of a device, and more particularly, to a method and
apparatus for arranging a plurality of icons included in a
plurality of pages on a screen of a device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As users upgrade or purchase additional electronic devices,
it is common to install the same applications that were installed
on their previous devices on their new devices.
[0006] Conventionally, a list of applications installed on the
previous device is provided on a screen of a new device to help a
user to install the previous applications of the old device on a
new device with ease. However, the new device will only install the
applications selected by the user from the application list, but
will not consider how icons corresponding to these installed
applications should be arranged on a screen of the new device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is designed to address at
least the problems and/or disadvantages described above and to
provide at least the advantages described below.
[0008] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to
provide a method and an apparatus for arranging icons on a screen
of a device.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
method and an apparatus for arranging icons corresponding to
applications of a first device on a screen of a second device, when
a user installs the application of the first device onto the second
device.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method for displaying, by a first device, on a screen thereof, a
plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality of applications
installed on a second device, which is separate from the first
device, is provided. The method includes receiving, by the first
device, information about a layout of the plurality of icons
displayed on a screen of the second device; for displaying the
plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of applications
on the screen of the first device, based the received information;
and displaying the plurality of icons on the screen of the first
device according to the determined layout.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method for displaying, on a screen of a first device, a plurality
of icons corresponding to a plurality of applications installed on
a second device, which is separate from the first device, is
provided. The method includes displaying, by the second device, the
plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of applications
on a screen of the second device; transmitting, by the second
device, information about a layout of the plurality of icons
displayed on the screen of the second device, to the first device
or a server; receiving, by the first device, the information about
the layout of the plurality of icons, from the second device or the
server; determining, by the first device, a layout of the plurality
of icons to be displayed on the screen of the first device, based
on the received information; and displaying the plurality of icons
on the screen of the first device according to the determined
layout.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method for displaying a plurality of icons corresponding to a
plurality of applications on a screen of a first device is
provided. The method includes receiving, by the first device,
information about a layout of the plurality of icons; determining a
layout of the plurality of icons corresponding to the plurality of
applications to be displayed on the screen of the first device,
based on the received information; and displaying the plurality of
icons on the screen of the first device according to the determined
layout.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a first device is provided for displaying a plurality of icons on a
screen thereof, the plurality of icons corresponding to a plurality
of applications installed on a second device, which is separate
from the first device. The first device includes a controller
configured to receive information about a layout of the plurality
of icons displayed on a screen of the second device, and to
determine a layout of the plurality of icons corresponding to the
plurality of applications to be displayed on the screen of the
first device, based on the received information; and a display
configured to display the plurality of icons on the screen
according to the determined layout.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a system for displaying a plurality of icons is provided. The
system includes a second device; and a first device configured to
display, on a screen thereof, a plurality of icons corresponding to
a plurality of applications installed on the second device. The
second device transmits information about a layout of the plurality
of icons displayed on a screen of the second device, to the first
device or a server, and the first device receives the information
about the layout of the plurality of icons from the second device
or the server, determines a layout of the plurality of icons to be
displayed on the screen of the first device, based on the received
information, and displays the plurality of icons on the screen of
the first device according to the determined layout.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a device is provided for displaying a plurality of icons
corresponding to a plurality of applications on a screen thereof.
The device includes a controller configured to receive information
about a layout of the plurality of icons, and to determine the
layout of the plurality of icons to be displayed on the screen of
the device, based on the received information; and a display
configured to display the plurality of icons on the screen of the
device according to the determined layout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of
the present invention will be more apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of sharing a layout of icons
among devices according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate layouts of icons on a screen of a
device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates function blocks of a controller of a
device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a
controller of a device, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates screens on which a page layout is shared
among devices, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates screens on which an icon layout is shared
among devices, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 10 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 12 illustrates screens that inform of a change in an
icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, specific details such as detailed
configurations and components are merely provided to assist the
overall understanding of these embodiments of the present
invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the
art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of
well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and
conciseness.
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of sharing a layout of icons
among devices according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 share a
layout of icons on their respective screens with the other devices.
For example, device 10 may receive information about the layout of
the icons from devices 20, 30, and 40 or transmit information about
the layout of the icons to the devices 20, 30, and 40.
[0032] Sizes, resolutions, Pixel Per Inch (PPI), or size
(width.times.height) of the cells where the icons are arranged, may
be identical or different. For example, in FIG. 1, device 10 and
device 20 have a 4.8 inch size, a 720.times.1280 resolution, a 240
PPI, and a 4.times.5 cell size. Device 30 has a 10.1 inch size, a
1280.times.800 resolution, a 149 PPI, and an 8.times.5 cell size.
Device 40 has a 46 inch size, a 3940.times.2160 resolution, a 96
PPI, and an 8.times.15 cell size. In FIG. 1, devices 10 and 20 are
smartphones, device 30 is a tablet device, and device 40 is a
digital TeleVision (TV).
[0033] In the embodiments of the invention described below, "the
first device" is the device that receives information about a
layout of icons from another device, i.e., "the second device".
Further, while the first and second devices may be any of devices
10, 20, 30, and 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1, for the convenience
of explanation, the embodiments will be described using device 10
as the first device and device 20 as the second device.
[0034] FIGS. 2A to 2C illustrate layouts of icons on a screen of a
device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, a plurality of icons are
arranged and displayed on screens of the first and second devices
10 and 20. Additionally, the first or second device 10 or 20 may
selectively provide one of a plurality of pages, e.g., in response
to a gesture made by a user. Thereafter, icons included in the
selected page are displayed on the screen. Each page may include a
plurality of cells and the icons may be displayed on one or more of
the plurality of cells.
[0036] More specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a layout of icons on
a first page of a home screen of the first or second device 10 or
20. The plurality of icons are arranged within a 4.times.5
(width.times.height) cell area 219. As an example, the icons on the
screen in FIG. 2A include a weather widget icon 211 for a weather
application, a search widget icon 214 for a search application,
shortcuts icons 212 and 213 for executing other specific
applications, etc.
[0037] FIG. 2B illustrates a layout of icons on a second page of a
home screen of the first or second device 10 or 20. Again, a
plurality of icons are arranged within a 4.times.5
(width.times.height) cell area 219. As an example, the icons in
FIG. 2B include a memo widget icon 234 for a memo application,
shortcut icons 231, 232, and 233 for executing other specific
applications, etc.
[0038] For example, information about a layout of the plurality of
icons on the screen of the first or second device 10 or 20, as
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, may be stored in a Favorite table
of Launcher.db, which is accessed when a Launcher program is
executed on the first or second device 10 or 20. A Launcher program
is a software program which emphasizes a user interface function on
a certain function so as to reduce inconvenience of a user in
executing the corresponding function.
[0039] For example, the stored information about the layout
includes at least one of page information that indicates a position
at which an icon is placed, identification information of an
application corresponding to the icon, icon type information that
indicates the type of icons, e.g., app/shortcut/folder/widget,
coordinates (X, Y) of the icon as arranged on a cell area, a cell
area size (width.times.height) on which the icon is displayed, and
widget identification information that identifies a widget, when
there are a plurality of widgets corresponding to an
application.
[0040] The Launcher program may obtain information about an icon
layout when a terminal boots up. Alternatively, when a user tries
to change the icon layout, the package manager may detect the
change and provide information such as ACTION_PACKAGE_ADDED,
ACTION_PACKAGE_CHANGED, or ACTION_PACKAGE_REMOVED to the Launcher
program. The Launcher program then updates stored information about
the icon layout in the Launcher.db, using the provided
information.
[0041] The information about the layouts of the icons displayed on
the screens of the first or second device 10 or 20, as illustrated
in FIGS. 2A and 2B, may be tabulated as shown in Table 1. In Table
1, the Coordinates, e.g., (1,1), (1,3), etc., correspond to a
specific cell in the 4.times.5 (width.times.height) cell area
219.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Application Icon Page info. Icon type
Coordinates Size Identification Icon 1 page Widget (1, 1) 4 .times.
2 Weather (211) application Icon 1 page Shortcut (1, 3) 1 .times. 1
chatting (212) application Icon 1 page Shortcut (2, 3) 1 .times. 1
Internet (213) application Icon 1 page Widget (1, 5) 4 .times. 1
Search (214) application Icon 3 pages Shortcut (1, 1) 1 .times. 1
Alarm (231) application Icon 3 pages Shortcut (2, 1) 1 .times. 1
Camera (232) application Icon 3 pages Shortcut (3, 1) 1 .times. 1
Calculator (233) Application Icon 3 pages Widget (1, 4) 3 .times. 2
Memo (234) application
[0042] FIG. 2C illustrates a layout of icons on a first page of an
application list screen, of the first or second device 10 or 20.
The plurality of icons are arranged within a 4.times.5
(width.times.height) cell area 219. The icons in FIG. 2C include
shortcut icons 251, 252, 253, and 254 for executing different
applications, folder icons 255 and 256, which include a plurality
of icons, etc. The information about the layout of the plurality of
icons may include information about an order in which the icons are
arranged. For example, icons 251, 252, 253, and 254 may include
information about their respective order, such as being the first,
second, third, and fourth icon, respectively.
[0043] The above-described layouts and layout information may be
equally or similarly implemented in accordance with different
examples, e.g., when the first or second device 10 or 20 is a
digital TV, a Personal Computer (PC), a tablet device, etc.,
instead of a smartphone.
[0044] Arrangement of the icons on the screen of the first or
second device 10 or 20 may be changed by another device that
generates icons, deletes icons, moves icons, adjusts size of icons,
or forms a folder of a plurality of icons, or in accordance with a
user manipulation. Additionally, the information about the layout
of the icons may include a history of such changes to the
icons.
[0045] Further, the information about the layout of the icons may
include an install status of the applications corresponding to the
icons. For example, the install status of an application
corresponding to an icon may include information indicating if the
application is installed on the first or second device 10 or 20, if
the application is not installed on the first or second device 10
or 20 but is installable upon a user selection of an icon, or if
the application is not installable on the first or second device 10
or 20.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device, e.g., the first
device 10, includes a communicator 310, a user input device 320, a
display 330, an audio processor 340, a storage 350, an interface
360, a power supply 370, and a controller 380, e.g., a hardware
processor. The elements illustrated in FIG. 3 are not necessarily
essential, and the device may include more or less elements than
actually illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0048] The communicator 310 includes modules that communicate with
the other devices, e.g., devices 20, 30, and 40, communicate with a
network where other devices are located, and communicate with an
external server (not illustrated). For example, in FIG. 1, the
communicator 310 includes a broadcast receiver module 311, a mobile
communication module 312, a wireless internet module 313, a
short-range communication module 314, and a location information
module 315.
[0049] The broadcast receiver module 311 receives a broadcast
signal and/or broadcast-related information from an external
broadcast management server via a broadcast channel. The broadcast
channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial
broadcasting channel. The broadcast management server may generate
a broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information and send
out the same, or receive previously generated broadcast signal
and/or broadcast-related information and send out the same to a
terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast
signal, a radio broadcast signal and a data broadcast signal, but
also a combined form of broadcast signal including a TV broadcast
signal or a radio broadcast signal combined with a data broadcast
signal. The broadcast-related information may be about a broadcast
channel, a broadcast program or a broadcast service provider. The
broadcast-related information may also be provided via a mobile
communication network, in which case the signal may be received by
the mobile communication module 312. The broadcast-related
information may be provided in various forms. For example, the
broadcast-related information may be provided in the format such as
electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting
(DMB), or electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video
broadcast-handheld (DVB-H). The broadcast receiver module 311
receives a broadcast signal using various broadcast system
including, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial
(DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media
Forward Only (MediaFLO), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H),
or Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of
course, the broadcast receiver module 311 may be configured to suit
the broadcast systems other than the digital broadcast systems
explained above, as long as the broadcast systems provide broadcast
signals. The broadcast signal and/or the broadcast-related
information received via the broadcast receiver module 311 may be
stored at the storage 350.
[0050] The mobile communication module 312 transmits and receives
wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an
external terminal, and a server. The wireless signal may include
various forms of data according to transmission and reception of an
audio call signal, a video call signal or a text/multimedia
message.
[0051] The wireless internet module 313 connects to a wireless
Internet provider, and may be built into the first device 10 or
provided as a removable module. The wireless internet technology
such as wireless LAN (WLAN) (Wi-Fi), Wireless broadband (Wibro),
World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), or High Speed
Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) may be used.
[0052] The short-range communication module 314 performs
short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, Radio Frequency
IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra
WideBand (UWB), or Zigbee.
[0053] The location information module 315 checks or obtains a
current location of a mobile terminal. The location information
module 315 may acquire location information using Global Navigation
Satellite Systems (GNSS). The GNSS is the term that refers to
wireless navigation satellite systems in which a certain type of
wireless navigation receivers revolving around the earth send out
reference signals to determine their locations on or near the
surface of the earth. The GNSS may include a global position system
of U.S.A., Galileo of Europe, Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite
System (GLONASS) of Russia, COMPASS of China, and Quasi-Zenith
Satellite System (QZSS) of Japan.
[0054] The user input device 320 generates input data for
controlling the device. For example, the user input device 320
includes at least one of a side key, a separately-provided touch
pad, a jog wheel, a jog switch, a keypad dome switch, etc. Further,
the user input 320 may include a button key to implement turn-on or
turn-off of the first device, or a home key which supports return
to a base screen as supported by the first device 10. Further, the
user input 320 may be part of the constituent elements of a remote
controller placed outside the first device 10, in which case the
user may control the operation of the first device 10 by
manipulating the remote controller.
[0055] The display 330 includes a display panel 331 for displaying
information processed by the device and an input panel 332 to
perform a user input function, e.g., touch screen input operations.
The input panel 332 may be implemented as at least one or more
panels which can detect various inputs including user's single or
multi touches, dragging, jotting, or drawing. Further, the input
panel 332 may be implemented as one single panel which can detect
both the inputs from a finger and a pen, or as two separate panels
including a touch panel (not illustrated) which can detect a finger
input and a pen recognition panel (not illustrated) which can
detect pen input. For example, the display panel 331 includes a
liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal
display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, or a
3D display. The display panel 331 may display various screens
according to various operational status of the first device 10, the
application as executed, or services.
[0056] The input panel 332 may detect user's touch input. The input
panel 332 may detect a touch input and output a touch event value
that corresponds to the detected touch signal. The information
corresponding to the detected touch signal may be displayed on the
display panel 331. The input panel 332 may receive a manipulation
signal according to a user's touch input made via a variety of
input means. For example, the input panel 332 may be configured
based on a capacitive touch panel. When implemented as a capacitive
touch panel, the input panel 332 may be constructed so that thin
metallic conductive material (e.g., indium tin oxide (ITO) layer)
is coated on both surfaces of the glass to allow electric current
to flow on the glass surfaces and dielectric substances are coated
to store electric charge. Accordingly, in response to touch made on
the surface of the input panel 332 by another object, a
predetermined electric charge moves to the location of touch, and
the input panel 332 detects the location of touch by perceiving
variation of electric current according to the movement of the
electric charge, and thus traces a touch event. The touch event
generated at the input panel 332 may be originated from a finger of
a human, or other object such as a conductive object that can make
variation in the capacitance.
[0057] The audio processor 340 may include at least one of a
microphone (not illustrated) to collect an audio signal, and a
speaker (not illustrated) to output an audio signal.
[0058] The microphone receives an input of an external sound signal
in communication mode or recording mode, or voice recognition mode,
and processes the input into electric audio data. The processed
audio data may be converted into a form that can be sent out to a
mobile communication base station via the wireless communication
module 312, when the current mode is the communication mode. The
microphone may implement various noise-filtering algorithms to
remove any noise that can be generated in the process of receiving
external sound signal.
[0059] The speaker may output the audio data that may be received
from the communicator 310 in the event of receiving call signal, or
in communication mode or recording mode, voice recognition mode or
broadcast reception mode, or audio data stored at the storage 350.
Further, the speaker may output audio data via an earphone jack
(not illustrated). The user may connect an earphone to the earphone
jack and listen to audio as outputted.
[0060] The storage 350 stores various programs and data for the
operation of the device. For example, the storage 350 stores an
operating system, and/or function programs that support screens
output on the display 330. Further, the storage 350 may temporarily
store the data as inputted and outputted.
[0061] The storage 350 may include at least one of a flash memory,
a hard disk, a multimedia card, a card memory, a Random Access
Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only
Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Electrically Erasable
PROM (EEPROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical
disk. Additionally, the device may operate in association with a
web storage, which performs a storage function of the storage 350,
over the Internet.
[0062] The interface 360 plays a role of a passage between the
first device 10 and all the external devices connected thereto. The
interface 360 may receive data or power from an external device and
deliver the received data or power to the respective components
inside the first device 10, or transmit the data inside the first
device 10 to the external device. By way of example, the interface
360 may include a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger
port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port to
connect to a device equipped with identification module, an audio
input/output (I/O), a video I/O, or an earphone port. The
identification module may be a chip that stores various information
to verify right to use the first device 10, and may include user
identity module (UIM), subscriber identity module (SIM), or
universal subscriber identity module (USIM). The device equipped
with the identification module may also be designed to a smart card
form. Accordingly, the identification device may be connected to
the first device 10 via the port. Meanwhile, when the first device
10 is connected to an external cradle, the interface 360 may play a
role of a passage to supply the power from the cradle to the first
device 10 or a passage to deliver various command signals inputted
by the user to the cradle to the first device 10.
[0063] The controller 380 is configured to receive information
about a layout from a second device and to display a plurality of
icons on the screen of the device. Based on such elements, the
controller 380 controls signal and data processing and
implementation of the functions to display the plurality of icons.
For example, the controller 380 is configured to receive
information about a layout displayed on the screen of a second
device, determine a layout of displaying a plurality of icons on
the screen of the device using the received information about the
layout, and display the plurality of icons on the display 330,
according to the determined layout.
[0064] The power supply 370 receives external and internal power
according to the control by the controller 380 and supplies power
for operating the respective elements.
[0065] Various embodiments may be implemented on a recording medium
which is readable by a computer or a similar device, using, for
example, software, hardware or a combination of these. The
hardware-level implementation may include at least one of
Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal
Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs),
Programmable Logic Device (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays
(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers,
microprocessors, or electric unit to perform function. The
software-level implementation may include a separate software
module which allows implementation or at least one function or
operation according to the embodiments. Software code may be
implemented by a software application written in proper program
language. Further, the software code may be stored in the storage
350 and executed by the controller 380.
[0066] FIG. 4 illustrates function blocks of a controller of a
device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 380 includes a layout
requester function 381, a layout maintenance function 382, and an
icon display function 385.
[0068] Using the layout requester function 381, the controller 380
requests information about a layout of icons from a server or a
second device. For example, the layout requester function 381
connects the device to the server or the second device via the
communicator 310. Further, the layout requester function 381 may
initiate a request to log in to the server or the second device, by
using user information (e.g., an ID and a password) input from the
user or pre-stored user information from the storage 350.
[0069] The server may have information about a plurality of layouts
corresponding to a plurality of devices, respectively. Accordingly,
when the device provides information about the plurality of
layouts, the layout requester function 361 may request, from the
server, information about a layout that corresponds to a device as
selected by the user.
[0070] The layout manager function 382 includes a layout receiver
function 383 and a layout determiner function 384. The layout
receiver function 383 receives information about the layout of the
icons displayed on the screen of the second device, from the second
device or the server. The layout determiner function 384 may
determine a layout of the plurality of icons displayed on the
screen of the first device, by using the received layout
information.
[0071] Using the icon display function 385, the controller 380
displays icons corresponding to a plurality of applications on the
display 330 of the device, according to the layout of icons as
determined at the layout manager function 382. Further, the icon
display function 385 displays the icons on the screen of the
device, based on the status of the applications corresponding to
the icons. For example, the icon display function 385 may
differently display the icons on the screen depending on whether
the application corresponding to the icon is installed on the
device or not, and whether or not the application is installable or
not.
[0072] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a
controller of a device, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates an operation of the
controller 380 of the first device 10, which receives layout
information of the second device 20.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 5, in step S501, the controller 380
receives information about a layout of the icons. For example, as
described above, the received layout information includes at least
one of the screen size of the second device 20, a resolution, a
PPI, and a size of a cell area in which the icons are arranged.
Further, the layout information of the icons may include at least
one of a total number of pages, page information where the icons
are located, identification information of an application
corresponding to an icon, icon type information, coordinates of
location in the cell area at which the icon is arranged, a size of
the cell area, and widget identification information, when there
are a plurality of widgets corresponding to an application.
Further, the layout information of the icons may include a history
of changing icons and install status of an application
corresponding to each icon. The layout receiver 383 may deliver the
received information about the arrangement to the layout determiner
384.
[0074] In step S502, the controller 380 determines a layout of
pages including icons displayed on the screen of the first device
10, by using the received layout information. For example, the
controller 380 determines a number of pages to be displayed on the
screen of the first device 10, based on the screen sizes of the
first and second devices 10 and 20.
[0075] Further, the controller 380 may consider the PPI used at the
first and second devices 10 and 20. For example, when the first
device 10 has a screen size of 46 inches, and the second device 20
has a screen size of 4.8 inches, which is approximately one-tenth
the size of the first device screen, ten pages of the second device
20 may be displayed on one screen of the first device 10. However,
because the first device 10, which has a larger screen than the
second device 20, has a less PPI than the second device 20, less
than ten pages are displayable on the first device 10. Further,
when the first device 10 is a TV, i.e., a device that is usually
viewed at a predetermined distance, the number of pages that are
actually displayed on the first device 10 may be further decreased
to maintain a predetermined viewable size to a user, considering
the fact that the icon size decreases as the number of pages
increases.
[0076] When the number of pages to be displayed on the first device
10 is determined, the controller 380 determines a location to
display the pages on the screen of the first device 10. For
example, when there are six pages of the second device 20 to be
displayed on one page of the first device 10, according to the
order of pages, the first to third pages of the second device 20
are placed on an upper portion of the screen of the first device
10, and the fourth to sixth pages of the second device 20 are
placed on the lower portion of the screen of the first device
10.
[0077] FIG. 6 illustrates screens on which a page layout is shared
among devices, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0078] Referring to FIG. 6, the devices 610, 630, and 650 have
screens of 4.8 inches, 10.1 inches, and 46 inches, respectively. A
screen of device 610 displays one page 611. The rest of pages 612,
613, 614, 615, and 616 are displayed in sequence on the screen of
device 610, in response to a user swipe gesture.
[0079] Pages 631 and 632 correspond to pages 611 and 612, which are
selectively displayed on one screen of the device 610, are
displayed on one screen of device 630. Pages 633, 634, 635, and 636
of device 630, which correspond to pages 613, 614, 615, and 616 of
device 610, are displayed on the screen of device 630 in pairs, in
sequence, and in response to a user gesture. Further, all six pages
611, 612, 613, 614, 615, and 616 that are selectively displayed on
the device 610 are displayed on one screen of device 650 as pages
651 to 656.
[0080] When the number of pages displayable concurrently on one
screen varies among the devices 610, 630, and 650, the total number
of indicia 617 and 637, which is constructed of a plurality of dots
indicative of location of the pages displayed on the current screen
among the total pages of the respective devices 610, 630, and 650,
may vary.
[0081] For example, if only one page is displayed on the screen of
the device 610, six pages may be displayed sequentially in response
to a user gesture (e.g., a flick gesture). In this example, the
indicia 617 indicates that there are six displayable pages, and
where the currently-displayed page is located among the six
pages.
[0082] Further, where two pages are concurrently displayed on one
screen of device 630, the six pages may be displayed in pairs, in
sequence, and in response to three user gestures. In this example,
the indicia 637 indicates that there are three groups of pages
displayable and to which of the three groups the
currently-displayed page group belongs.
[0083] Further, because the six pages are concurrently displayed on
the screen of device 650, the indicia may be omitted. As described
above, as the number of pages that can be displayed on one screen
of the devices 610, 630, and 640 increases, the number of indicia
displayed on the screens of the devices 610, 630, and 650 may
decrease.
[0084] Referring again to FIG. 5, in step S503, the controller 380
determines a layout of the icons displayed on the screen of the
first device 10.
[0085] Specifically, the controller 380 arranges a plurality of
icons on the page of the first device 10 corresponding to the page
of the second device 20, using the page information of the second
device 20 and information about locations and sizes of the icons
included in the page. For example, the controller 380 arranges a
plurality of icons on the page of the first device 10 corresponding
to the page of the second device 20, in the same or similar format
as the locations and sizes of the icons included in the page of the
second device 20.
[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates screens on which an icon layout is shared
among devices, according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 7, a device 710 receives information about
a layout of icons from a device 750. A first page 720 of the device
710 corresponds to a first page 760 of the device 750, and a second
page 730 of the device 710 corresponds to a second page 770 of the
device 750.
[0088] The device 710 receives information about the icon layout
from the device 750 and displays a plurality of icons on the screen
of the device 710. For example, the device 710 receives, from the
device 750, information about a page where a weather widget icon
761 is placed, coordinates (1, 1) that represent the location in a
cell area at which the icon 761 is arranged, and size 4.times.5 of
the cell area where the icon 761 is displayed. Using this
information, the device 710 determines the page where the weather
widget icon 721 of the device 710 is located, the coordinates of a
location of the icon arranged in a cell, and a size of the cell
where the icon is displayed. For example, the device 710 may
determine the left page on the screen to be the page where the
weather widget icon 721 is located, determine (1, 1) on the left
page to be the coordinates of the location of the cell where the
icon is arranged, and determine 4.times.5 to be the size of the
cell area on the left page where the icon is displayed.
[0089] Similarly, the device 710 may use the information about the
layouts of the icons 762, 763, and 764 received from the device 750
to determine the page of the icons 722, 723, and 724 to be arranged
on the screen of the device 710, coordinates of a location of the
icon in the cell, and a size of the cell area where the icon is
displayed.
[0090] The icons 744, 745, 746, and 747 that are displayed on the
first and second pages 720 and 730 may be displayed on the first
and second pages 720 and 730, respectively. Alternatively, the
icons 744, 745, 746, and 747 may be displayed on either of the
first or second pages 720 or 730, or some of the icons 744, 745,
746, and 747 may be displayed on the first page 720 and the rest of
the icons 744, 745, 746, and 747 may be displayed on the second
page 730, in which the first and second pages 720 and 730 are
divided with reference to a center 749 therebetween.
[0091] Further, indicia 748, i.e., a plurality of dots that
indicate the locations of the first and second pages 720 and 730,
is displayed on both of the first and second pages 720 and 730.
Alternatively, the indicia 748 may be displayed on either one of
the first and second pages 720 and 730, or some of the indicia 748
may be displayed on the first page 720 and the rest of the indicia
749 may be displayed on the second page 730, in which the first and
second pages 720 and 730 are divided with reference to the center
749 therebetween.
[0092] Referring again to FIG. 5, in step S504, the controller 380
checks the install status of applications that corresponds to the
icons displayed on the screen of the first device 10. The
controller 380 then varies the form of displaying the icons,
depending on the install status of the application. For example,
varying the displaying form of the icons may include entirely or
partly varying color, lightness, or brightness of the icon, or
varying the color, lightness or brightness of a cell including icon
therein.
[0093] In step S505, the controller 380 determines if the
application corresponding to the icon is installed on the first
device 10. If the application corresponding to the icon is
installed, the first device 10 displays the icon in the form of an
installed icon in step S506.
[0094] However, if the application corresponding to the icon has
not been installed, the first device 10 determines if the
application is installable on the first device 10 in step S507.
[0095] If the application is installable on the first device 10 in
step S507, the controller 380 displays the icon as an installable
icon. When the icon is displayed as an installable icon, the user
may request installation of the application corresponding to the
icon, by making a suitable gesture to select the icon.
[0096] In step S509, the first device 10 installs the application
corresponding to the icon, in response to the instruction by a user
to install the application corresponding to the icon. Although not
illustrated in FIG. 5, the first device 10 may change the icon
corresponding to the application in the installed icon form and
display it in step S506.
[0097] If the application corresponding to the icon is a
non-installable icon in the first device 10 in step S507, the
controller 380 displays the icon in the form of a non-installable
icon in step S510.
[0098] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an
application may be installed automatically by the first device 10
or a user.
[0099] When the application is installed automatically by the first
device 10, some icons which are displayed on the screen of the
first device 10 may be displayed in the installed icon form, while
other icons may be displayed in icon forms that are not installed
yet. On the contrary, if the user installs the application, the
screen of the first device 10 may display some icons in the
installable icon form, while display other icons in icon forms that
are not installed yet And, if a user proceeds with installing an
application installed in icon forms that are not installed yet, the
application may be changed to icon forms with the installed
applications and displayed.
[0100] The first device 10 may determine whether the specific
application is installable or not, by determining whether the
specific application is within an installable range or not. For
example, the range for determining installability may include
screen resolution of the application, an OS version of the first
device 10, the supporting peripheral units, etc.
[0101] Referring again to FIG. 7, the icons of the device 710 may
be displayed in different forms, depending on the install status of
the applications corresponding to the icons. For example, icons
721, 724, and 725 on the first page 720 of the device 710 and icons
734, 735, 737, 738, 739, and 743 on the second page 730 are have
corresponding applications installable on the device 710, and thus,
have bold line edges to indicate installability on the device 710.
Icon 723 on the first page 720 and icons 731, 733, 736, and 741 on
the second page 730 of the device 710 correspond to applications
that are installable on the first device 710, but have not been
installed yet, and thus, have solid lines edges to indicate that
the applications have not been installed yet. Icons 722 and 726 on
the first page and icons 732, 740, and 742 on the second page of
the device 710 correspond to applications that are not installable
on the device 710, and thus, have dotted line edges or the icons
may be translucently displayed to indicate that the corresponding
applications are not installable.
[0102] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the
controller 380 determines the number of pages displayed on the
first device 10 and the size of the icons, depending on a user
input made via a user interface. For example, the first device 10
provides the user with a menu to enter the number of pages
displayed on one screen of the first device 10. According to the
number of pages input by the user, the controller 380 determines
the number of pages displayed on the screen of the first device 10
and the size of icons. For example, the first device 10 may provide
the user with a menu to determine the size of icons. According to
the size of the icon input by the user, the controller 380
determines the size of icons displayed on the screen of the first
device 10 and subsequent number of pages. Additionally, the
controller 380 may provide the layout of the plurality of icons to
be displayed on the screen in the form of preview screen.
[0103] FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0104] Referring to FIG. 8, in step S810, a user of the second
device 20 logs in to the server 50 with a user account. In step
S820, the second device 20 transmits the information about the
layout of the icons on the screen of the second device 20, in
response to a user request or automatically. In step S830, the
server 50 stores the received information about the layout of the
icons of the second device 20 in a storage of the server.
[0105] In step S840, the user uses the first device 10 to log in to
the server 50 with the same user account as the second device 20.
In step S850, the first device 10 requests information about a
layout of the icons on the screens of the second device 20, in
response to a user request or automatically.
[0106] In step S860, the server 50 searches the layout information
of the icons of the second device 20 from the storage of the server
50, in response to the request from the first device 10. In step
S870, the server 50 transmits, to the first device 10, the searched
information about the layout of the icons of the second device
20.
[0107] In step S880, the first device 10 determines a layout of the
icons displayed on the screen of the first device 10, using the
information about the layout of the icons of the second device 20,
as received from the server 50. In step S890, the first device 10
displays the icons on the screen of the first device 10 according
to the determined layout.
[0108] FIG. 9 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, in step S910, a user uses the first
device 10 to log in to the server 50 based on the user account. In
step S920, the first device 10 requests information about a layout
of the icons on the screen of another device, in response to a
user's request or automatically. In step S930, in response to the
request from the first device 10, the server 50 searches for
another device with the same user account from its own list of
devices. Alternatively, the server 50 may search devices other than
the another device of the same user account. That is, the server 50
may search devices of another user who is an acquainted person to
the user or who belongs to a specific same group as the user. The
server 50 may additionally provide a user signal requesting to
select one from among the layouts of the plurality of icons that
correspond to the plurality of devices, respectively.
[0110] In step S940, the server 50 requests information about the
layout of the icons to the second device 20, which is either
automatically searched by the server 50 or selected by the user. In
step S950, the second device 20 transmits the information about the
layout of the icons on the screen of the second device 20 to the
server 50. In step S960, the server 50 transmits the information
about layout of the icons on the screen of the second device 20, as
received from the second device 20, to the first device 10.
[0111] In step S970, the first device 10 determines the layout of
the icons displayed on the screen of the first device 10, using the
information received from the server 50. In step S980, the first
device 10 displays the icons on the screen of the first device 10
according to the determined layout.
[0112] FIG. 10 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 10, in step S1010, the user changes the
layout of the icons displayed on the screen of the second device
20. In step S1015, the user uses the second device 20 to log in to
the server 50, based on the user account. In step S1020, the second
device 20 transmits the changed information about layout of the
icons of the second device 20 to the server 50, either in response
to a user request or automatically. In step S1025, the server 50
stores the changed information about layout of the icons of the
second device 20.
[0114] In step S1030, the user uses the first device 10 to log in
to the server 50, based on the user account. In step S1035, the
server 50 transmits, to the first device 10, information indicating
that the icon layout of the second 20 is changed.
[0115] In step S1040, the first device 10 receives the information
about the changed icon layout from the server 50 and indicates on
the screen of the first device 10 that the layout of the icons of
the second device 20 has changed. For example, the information may
include a popup window on the screen of the first device 10, or a
message indicated on a status bar of the first device 10.
[0116] In step S1045, the first device 10 determines if the user
input in response to the message directs to change the layout of
the icons on the screen of the first device 10.
[0117] When the user does not agree to change the layout of the
icons, the first device 10 maintains the original icon layout of
the screen of the first device 10 in step S1070, without changing
the icon layout. However, when the user agrees to change the icon
layout, the first device 10 requests the layout information of the
icons displayed on the screen of the second device 20 from the
server 50 in step S1050.
[0118] In step S1055, in response to the request from the first
device 10, the server 50 transmits the layout information of the
icons of the second device 20 to the first device 10. In step
S1060, the first device 10 determines the layout of the icons
displayed on the screen of the first device 10, using the
information about the layout of the icons of the second device 20
received from the server 50. In step S1065, the first device 10
displays the icons on the screen of the first device 10 according
to the determined layout.
[0119] Alternatively, the first device 10 may receive the
information about a layout of the icons of the second device 20 and
change the layout of the icons of the first device 10, upon logging
in to the server 50, i.e., without generating a separate related
message.
[0120] Alternatively, the second device 10 may selectively provide
a message to inform the change of layout of the icons of the second
device 20, based on the history of changes to the icon layout. For
example, the second device 20 may transmit the information about
the layout of the icons to the first device 10, when the change of
the icon layout of the second device 20 includes a deletion of
icons from the screen due to an uninstall of corresponding
application, or a generation of new icons on the screen due to the
installation of new applications.
[0121] FIG. 11 is a signal flow diagram illustrating a method of
sharing an icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0122] Referring to FIG. 11, in step S1110, a channel is formed
between the first and second devices 10 and 20. For example, the
channel may be formed using via a wireless internet connection or
through short-range communication.
[0123] In step S1120, the first device 10 requests information
about a layout of the icons currently displayed on a screen of the
second device 20. In step S1130, the second device 20 transmits, to
the first device 10, the information about the layout of the icons
of the second device 20, in response to the request from the first
device 10. In step S1140, using the received information about
layout of the icons of the second device 20, the first device 10
determines the layout of the icons displayed on the screen of the
first device 10. In step S1150, the first device 10 displays the
icons on the screen thereof according to the determined layout.
[0124] FIG. 12 illustrates screens that inform of a change in an
icon layout among devices, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0125] Referring to FIG. 12, when a layout of icons is changed on
one of the screens of devices 1210 or 1220, the device transmits
information to the counterpart device to inform that the layout of
the icons on its own screen has changed. For example, the user may
uninstall an application from one of the devices 1210 and 1220,
install a new application, or move an icon to another screen.
Thereafter, the information is transmitted from the device having a
change in the icons on the screen to the other device, to inform
that the layout of the icons has changed.
[0126] After receiving the information about the changed layout of
the icons, devices 1210 and 1220 display a message 1211 and 1222,
respectively, on the screens thereof. If the user requests to
change the layout of the icons, the devices 1210 and 1220
displaying the message 1211 and 1222 display the layout of the
icons on their screens in the same or similar layout as the icons
of the original device.
[0127] Alternatively, when the layout of icons of a counterpart
device is changed, a device may change an arrangement of icons on
its own screen using the information about the layout of icons of
the counterpart device. Thereafter, the device may provide a
message to inform that the arrangement of icons on the screen is
changed.
[0128] In accordance with the above-described embodiments of the
present invention, user inconvenience is improved, particularly
when a user changes his device or purchases an additional device,
e.g., a tablet device. For example, when a user tries to execute a
changed device or newly-purchased device for the first time,
conventionally, the user first obtains applications to be installed
on the new device by search in an application market and then
changes the locations of the icons corresponding to the
applications.
[0129] According to the above-described embodiments, however, when
a user changes devices or newly-purchases a device, the device
automatically installs the applications installed on the previously
owned devices, and then automatically arranges the locations of the
icons corresponding to the applications in the same or at least a
similar fashion as in the previously owned devices. Further, when
the user later uses the previously owned and new devices at the
same time, because a change in the layout of the icons of the
previously owned or new device is informed to the counterpart
device, the layout of the icons can be maintained among the
devices.
[0130] Additionally, the above-described embodiments may be
implemented using hardware or a combination of hardware and
software. The predetermined software may be stored on, irrespective
of whether this is deletable or re-writable, volatile or
non-volatile storage, such as a ROM, or a storage such as, for
example, a RAM, a memory chip, device or integrated circuit, or a
storage medium which is optically- or magnetically-writable and
also readable by a machine (e.g., computer), such as a CD, DVD,
magnetic disk or magnetic tape.
[0131] A device for displaying a plurality of icons on a screen and
a method for operating the same according to an embodiment of the
present invention may be implemented by a computer or portable
terminal including a controller and a storage, in which the storage
includes a program including instructions to implement embodiments
or a machine-readable storage medium which stores the programs.
Accordingly, further included are a program including codes to
implement an apparatus or a method as explained herein or covered
in the accompanying claims and a machine (e.g., computer)-readable
storage medium which stores such program therein. Further, such
program may be electrically conveyed via a predetermined medium
such as a communication signal which is transmitted by wired or
wireless connection, or any appropriate equivalents thereof.
Further, according to various embodiments, the programs may be
received from a wired or wirelessly-connected program provider and
stored. Furthermore, a user may adjust the setting of the user
device to limit the operation according to various embodiments to
the user terminal only, or selectively extend the operation to the
operation performed in association with the server via the
network.
[0132] While the present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the following claims and their equivalents.
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