Method for selecting and controlling second work process during first work process in multitasking mobile terminal

• US 20070039005A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pantech Corporation (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pantech Incorporated
• Inventors: Choi, Seul, Yoon, Sang
• Granted Patent: US 9,122,518 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04812 Interaction techniques based on cursor appearance or behaviour, e.g. being affected by the presence of displayed objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/48 Program initiating; Program switching, e.g. by interrupt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4806 Task transfer initiation or dispatching
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4843 by program, e.g. task dispatcher, supervisor, operating system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/485 Task life-cycle, e.g. stopping, restarting, resuming execution G06F9/4881 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4881 Scheduling strategies for dispatcher, e.g. round robin, multi-level priority queues

Abstract

Provided is a method for controlling a plurality of work processes in a multitaksing mobile terminal, and more particularly, a method for selecting a second work process during a first work process and controlling a predetermined function of the selected second work process. In the controlling method, icons corresponding to the respective work processes are displayed in response to a user command, and a desired work process is selected through the displayed icons. A predetermined function of the selected work process is controlled through a pop-up menu activated in response to the user command.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a second work process during a first work process in a multitasking mobile terminal that concurrently performs the first work process and the second work process, the method comprising:

(a) inputting a user command for selecting the second work process; and

(b) displaying an icon corresponding to the second work process in response to the user command, and selecting the second work process based on the displayed icon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (a) comprises:

sequentially displaying icons corresponding to work processes in response to the user command;

selecting an icon corresponding to the second work process among the sequentially displayed icons; and

concurrently performing the second work process corresponding to the selected icon together with the first work process.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein a screen image of the selected second work process and an icon corresponding to the first work process are displayed together.

4. A method for controlling a predetermined function of a second work process during a first work process in a multitasking mobile terminal that concurrently performs the first work process and the second work process, the method comprising:

(a) inputting a first command of user for selecting a predetermined function of the second work process;

(b) activating a pop-up menu for controlling the predetermined function of the second work process in response to the first command of user; and

(c) controlling the predetermined function of the second work process through the activated pop-up menu.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step (c) comprises:

inputting a second command of user for controlling the predetermined function of the second work process;

generating a control signal for controlling the predetermined function of the second work process in response to the second command of user; and

controlling the predetermined function of the second work process in response to the generated control signal.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

inputting a third command of user for deactivating the activated pop-up menu; and

deactivating the activated pop-up menu in response to the third command of user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first command of user and the third command of user are inputted through an identical key of the mobile terminal.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the second work process is an MP3 play process.