Mobile terminal capable of managing schedule and method of controlling the mobile terminal

• US 8,112,299 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jong Hwan, Choi, Hyun Bo
• Primary Examiner(s): Jasmin, Lynda
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koneru, Sujay
• Application Number:
  US12/334,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20100030612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 705/7.18
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063116 Schedule adjustment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1093 Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1095 Meeting or appointment
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/123 indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles; Managing passenger vehicles circulating according to a fixed timetable, e.g. buses, trains, tramstransmission of navigation instructions to vehicles G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/963 Calendar or scheduling

Abstract

A mobile terminal capable of managing schedule and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. In order to register a new scheduled event to the mobile terminal, a schedule place corresponding to the new scheduled event may be displayed on a schedule map. Thereafter, a route between the schedule place and other routes may be established in consideration of a current location of the mobile terminal and traffic information. The clarity, color and/or shape of objects displayed on the schedule map may be changed in consideration of the current location of the mobile terminal or the traffic information. Therefore, a user may easily obtain various schedule information, current location information and traffic condition information from the schedule map.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a mobile terminal capable of managing schedule, the method comprising:

receiving user supplied schedule information corresponding to plural events included in a schedule, each of the plural events having a corresponding schedule place, the schedule information of each of the plural events including a scheduled time that a user of the mobile terminal is to arrive at a corresponding one of the schedule places;

obtaining current location information and traffic information;

displaying a schedule map in a display region of the mobile terminal, the schedule map including a flag for each of the plural schedule places and a route on the schedule map from the current location to each of the plural schedule places in a time-ordered sequence based on the traffic information;

determining whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places at the corresponding scheduled time based on the current location information and the traffic information and producing a first determination result;

adding a new event at a new place to the schedule based on a user input to one of the schedule map and a displayed schedule, the new event including a corresponding new place time of arrival;

updating the schedule map with a flag representing the new place and adding corresponding new schedule information to the schedule as a new schedule item;

rearranging the route displayed on the schedule map to include the new place based on the new place time of arrival;

displaying the rearranged route;

determining whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information and producing a second determination result;

displaying schedule notification information or schedule adjustment information in the display region of the mobile terminal according to the second determination result;

displaying an icon indicating that the user cannot arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information;

changing a display characteristic a flag of the one of the plural schedule places to indicate that that the user cannot arrive at the one of the plural schedule places; and

in response to a touch to the icon, displaying a control window providing options for further adjusting the rearranged route.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying each of the flags with one of a clarity, color and shape representing a corresponding one of a schedule information item, an event importance, an event type, an event party, information indicating whether a corresponding event has been adjusted and information indicating whether the corresponding event has already been achieved.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the route and the rearranged route with at least one of a clarity, color and shape representing one of a schedule information item, corresponding route destination information, route traffic information, and the current location information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting one displayed flag by determining whether a proximity signal indicating that there is an object within a predetermined distance of the one displayed flag has been generated by a proximity sensor or whether a command to select the one displayed flag has been issued; and

displaying schedule information corresponding to the one displayed flag upon detecting the proximity signal or the command.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

changing at least one of a clarity, color and shape of the one displayed flag upon detecting the proximity signal or the command.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display region is a region of a touch screen, the method further comprising:

determining whether and how a displayed flag has been touched to produce a third determination result;

displaying schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or a schedule-related application menu; and

adjusting the schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or executing a schedule-related application according to the third determination result.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein

the step of determining whether and how a displayed flag has been touched comprises determining whether that the displayed flag has been touched more than a predefined number of times;

and

the step of displaying schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or a schedule-related application menu comprises, when the displayed flag has been touched more than the predefined number of times, executing an application for transmitting a message or email containing data for remotely displaying the schedule map with the touched flag to parties of an event corresponding to the touched flag.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

displaying a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of schedule maps for different dates in the display region, wherein

the step of determining whether and how a displayed flag has been touched comprises determining whether the touched flag has been dragged into one of the tabs, and

the step of displaying schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or a schedule-related application menu comprises

when the touched flag has been dragged into one of the tabs, moving the touched flag from a schedule map currently being displayed in the display region to a schedule map corresponding to the tab into which the touched flag has been dragged, and

modifying schedule information corresponding to the touched flag according to time information of the schedule map corresponding to the tab into which the touched flag has been dragged.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a time line diagram or a signal flow graph showing the new place and the route.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying in the display region a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of maps for different dates; and

when one of the tabs is chosen, displaying in the display region a schedule map corresponding to the chosen tab.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying in the display region a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of maps for different regions, different schedule times, different schedule importance levels, different schedule types or different schedule parties, or a number of maps displaying one or more flags, the one or more flags corresponding to an adjustable schedule event or an achieved schedule event; and

when one of the tabs is chosen, displaying a schedule map corresponding to the chosen tab in the display region.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a current location of the mobile terminal on the schedule map.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

moving the schedule map or changing a scale of the schedule map in accordance with a change in the current location of the mobile terminal.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the schedule map comprises:

displaying a part of the schedule map corresponding to a current location of the mobile terminal on an idle screen or in a popup window at regular intervals of time.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a gyro signal indicating the movement of the mobile terminal has been generated by a gyro sensor; and

rotating the schedule map in accordance with a direction of the movement of the mobile terminal based on motion information extracted from the gyro signal.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a command to transmit the schedule map has been issued; and

executing an application for sending a message or email to a phone number or an email address received along with the command to transmit the schedule map.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the schedule information includes one of an event importance, an event type, information regarding parties of the scheduled event, information indicating whether the scheduled event has been adjusted, information indicating whether the scheduled event has already been completed, an optimal route to the place, the current location information and the traffic information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the traffic information includes at least one of traffic condition information of the place, information indicating a mode of transportation available or recommended, an estimated time to get to the place, information indicating whether the user can arrive at one of the schedule places on corresponding schedule, and address or other location information of the one of the schedule places.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the schedule adjustment information includes at least one of information for postponing a scheduled event, information for changing a time of the scheduled event, information for changing a place of the scheduled event, and information for canceling the scheduled event and information indicating a recommended or available mode of transportation.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

adjusting the scheduled event by postponing the scheduled event, changing the time of the scheduled event, changing the place of the scheduled event, or canceling the scheduled event.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

when a schedule adjustment is performed on the scheduled event, either transmitting adjusted schedule information to parties of the adjusted scheduled event by sending a message or email or requesting a call.

43. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deleting an event from the schedule based on another user input to one of the schedule map and the displayed schedule;

updating the schedule map by removing a flag representing the deleted event and deleting corresponding schedule information from the schedule;

rearranging the rearranged route displayed on the schedule map to omit the deleted place and generate a second rearranged route;

displaying the second rearranged route; and

determining whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the second rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information and producing a third determination result.

22. A mobile terminal capable of managing schedule, the mobile terminal comprising:

a display having a display region; and

a controller operatively connected to the display and configured to

receive user supplied schedule information corresponding to plural events included in a schedule, each of the plural events having a corresponding schedule place, the schedule information of each of the plural events including a scheduled time that a user of the mobile terminal is to arrive at a corresponding one of the schedule places;

obtain current location information and traffic information,

display a schedule map in the display region, the schedule map including a flag for each of the plural schedule places and a route on the schedule map from the current location to each of the plural schedule places in a time-ordered sequence based on the traffic information,

determine whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places at the corresponding scheduled time based on the current location information and the traffic information and produce a first determination result,

add a new event at a new place to the schedule based on a user input to one of the schedule map and a displayed schedule, the new event including a corresponding new place time of arrival,

update the schedule map with a flag representing the new place and add corresponding new schedule information to the schedule as a new schedule item,

rearrange the route displayed on the schedule map to include the new place based on the new place time of arrival,

display the rearranged route,

determine whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information and produce a second determination result,

display schedule notification information or schedule adjustment information in the display region according to the second determination result,

display an icon indicating that the user cannot arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information,

change a display characteristic a flag of the one of the plural schedule places to indicate that that the user cannot arrive at the one of the plural schedule places, and

in response to a touch to the icon, display a control window providing options for further adjusting the rearranged route.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to display each of the flags with one of a clarity, color and shape representing a corresponding one of a schedule information item, an event importance, an event type, an event party, information indicating whether a corresponding event has been adjusted and information indicating whether the corresponding event has already been achieved.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to display the route and the rearranged route with at least one of a clarity, color and shape representing one of a schedule information item, corresponding route destination information, route traffic information, and the current location information.

25. The mobile terminal of claim 22, further comprising:

a proximity sensor, wherein the controller is configured to

select one displayed flag by determining whether a proximity signal indicating that there is an object within a predetermined distance of the one displayed flag has been generated by the proximity sensor or whether a command to select the one displayed flag has been issued; and

display schedule information corresponding to the one displayed flag upon detecting the proximity signal or the command.

26. The mobile terminal of claim 25, wherein the controller is configured to change at least one of a clarity, color and shape of the one displayed flag upon detecting the proximity signal or the command.

27. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to

determine whether and how a displayed flag has been touched to produce a third determination result,

display schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or a schedule-related application menu, and

adjust the schedule information corresponding to the touched flag or execute a schedule-related application according to the third determination result.

28. The mobile terminal of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to

determine that the displayed flag has been touched more than a predefined number of times, and

execute an application for transmitting a message or email containing data for remotely displaying the schedule map with the touched flag to parties of an event corresponding to the touched flag when the displayed flag has been touched more than the predefined number of times.

29. The mobile terminal of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to

display a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of schedule maps for different dates in the display region,

determine whether the touched flag has been dragged into one of the tabs, and

when the touched flag has been dragged into one of the tabs, move the touched flag from a schedule map currently being displayed in the display region to a schedule map corresponding to the tab into which the touched flag has been dragged, and modify schedule information corresponding to the touched flag according to time information of the schedule map corresponding to the tab into which the touched flag has been dragged.

30. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to display a time line diagram or a signal flow graph corresponding to the new place and the route.

31. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to

display in the display region a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of maps for different dates, and

when one of the tabs is chosen, display in the display region a schedule map corresponding to the chosen tab.

32. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to

display in the display region a number of tabs respectively corresponding to a number of maps for different regions, different schedule times, different schedule importance levels, different schedule types or different schedule parties, or a number of maps displaying one or more flags, the one or more flags corresponding to an adjustable schedule event or an achieved schedule event, and

when one of the tabs is chosen, display a schedule map corresponding to the chosen tab in the display region.

33. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to display a current location of the mobile terminal on the schedule map.

34. The mobile terminal of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to move the schedule map or change a scale of the schedule map in accordance with a change in the current location of the mobile terminal.

35. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to display a part of the schedule map corresponding to a current location of the mobile terminal on an idle screen or in a popup window at regular intervals of time.

36. The mobile terminal of claim 22, further comprising:

a gyro sensor, wherein the controller is configured to

determine whether a gyro signal indicating the movement of the mobile terminal has been generated by the gyro sensor; and

rotate the schedule map in accordance with a direction of the movement of the mobile terminal based on motion information extracted from the gyro signal.

37. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to

determine that a command to transmit the schedule map has been issued;

and

execute an application for sending a message or email to a phone number or an email address received along with the command to transmit the schedule map.

38. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the schedule information includes one of an event importance, an event type, information regarding parties of the scheduled event, information indicating whether the scheduled event has been adjusted, information indicating whether the scheduled event has already been completed, an optimal route to the place, the current location information and the traffic information.

39. The mobile terminal of claim 38, wherein the traffic information includes at least one of traffic condition information of the place, information indicating a mode of transportation available or recommended, an estimated time to get to the place, information indicating whether the user can arrive at one of the schedule places on corresponding schedule, and address or other location information of the one of the schedule places.

40. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the schedule adjustment information includes at least one of information for postponing a scheduled event, information for changing a time of the scheduled event, information for changing a place of the scheduled event, and information for canceling the scheduled event and information indicating a recommended or available mode of transportation.

41. The mobile terminal of claim 40, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the scheduled event by postponing the scheduled event, change the time of the scheduled event, change the place of the scheduled event, or cancel the scheduled event.

42. The mobile terminal of claim 41, wherein the controller is configured to, when a schedule adjustment is performed on the scheduled event, either transmit adjusted schedule information to parties of the adjusted scheduled event by sending a message or email or request a call.

44. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to

delete an event from the schedule based on another user input to one of the schedule map and the displayed schedule;

update the schedule map by removing a flag representing the deleted event and delete corresponding schedule information from the schedule;

rearrange the rearranged route displayed on the schedule map to omit the deleted place and generate a second rearranged route;

display the second rearranged route; and

determine whether the user can arrive at each of the plural schedule places in the second rearranged route at the corresponding scheduled time based on the traffic information and produce a third determination result.