Mobile terminal and multitasking method thereof

• US 9,405,428 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Roh, Hyeongseok, Kang, Haksoo, Lim, Taehyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Amy M
• Application Number:
  US13/706,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20130145313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,336 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails

Abstract

Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a multitasking method thereof. In a state where a plurality of layers corresponding to a plurality of applications are displayed on a screen, a user performs an operation through an uppermost application. In this case, a search region of a preset shape through which a lower application can be directly visible is created on the uppermost application. This can allow the user to more rapidly and conveniently search for or select information provided from the lower application, and to apply the information to multitasking.

Claims

1. A method of multitasking in a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of applications with a hierarchical structure on a screen such that an uppermost application of the plurality of applications is displayed on the screen while executing at least two of the plurality of applications;

creating a first search region on the uppermost application in response to a touch input, the first search region having a preset shape via which a first lower application of the plurality of applications is visible;

automatically moving a position of the first lower application according to a type of the uppermost application when the first search region is created such that the portion of the first lower application having the same type of information as a function performed in the uppermost application is positioned at a central part of the first search region;

accessing the first lower application via the created first search region;

selecting information from the first lower application; and

applying the selected information to the uppermost application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the uppermost application is in an activated state and one or more lower applications of the plurality of applications are in a deactivated state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset shape comprises a hole formed by a cutting function selected via an icon displayed on the uppermost application.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of layer icons each corresponding to one of the plurality of displayed applications upon creation of the first search region; and

displaying a plurality of release buttons each configured to release a corresponding one of the plurality of displayed applications.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of layer icons is displayed on a predetermined region of the first search region, on an additional icon region, or on an object icon.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the preset shape comprises is a hole that is transparent and centered around a touched point with a spreading effect when a long-touch is received on the uppermost application.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a size of the created first search region is determined according to either a shape formed by a touch &

drag of an icon or a time for which a touch is applied.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a position value of the moved first lower application; and

automatically displaying a previously-searched portion of the first lower application on the first search region according to the stored position value when the uppermost application is re-activated or re-created.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first lower application is moved according to a touch input.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating a second search region on the first search region, the second search region having a preset shape via which a second subsequently lower application of the plurality of applications is visible;

accessing the second subsequently lower application via the created second search region;

selecting information from the second subsequently lower application; and

applying the selected information to the uppermost application.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a plurality of layer icons each corresponding to one of the plurality of displayed applications, the plurality of layer icons displayed upon creation of the second search region and on a predetermined region of the second search region, on an additional icon region or on an object icon.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving a selection of one of the plurality of displayed layer icons;

displaying content of the corresponding displayed application via the second search region; and

displaying the entire corresponding displayed application upon selection of the displayed content.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising dividing the screen such that corresponding applications of displayed layers are simultaneously displayed if two or more of the plurality of displayed layer icons are moved such that they collide with each other.

14. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a display unit configured to display a plurality of applications, each of the plurality of the application having a corresponding display position;

a memory configured to store the plurality of applications and the display position of the each of the plurality of applications; and

a controller connected to the display unit and the memory and configured to;

control the display unit to display the plurality of applications with a hierarchical structure on a screen of the display unit such that an uppermost application of the plurality of applications is displayed on the screen while executing at least two of the plurality of applications;

control the display unit to create a first search region on the uppermost application in response to a touch input, the first search region having a preset shape via which a first lower application of the plurality of applications is visible;

control the display unit to automatically move a position of the first lower application according to a type of the uppermost application when the first search region is created such that the portion of the first lower application having the same type of information as a function performed in the uppermost application is positioned at a central part of the first search region;

control the display unit to access the first lower application via the created first search region;

receive a selection of information from the first lower application; and

apply the selected information to the uppermost application.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the uppermost application is in an activated state and one or more lower application of the plurality of applications are in a deactivated state.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the preset shape comprises a hole formed by a cutting function selected via an icon displayed on the uppermost application.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to:

display a plurality of layer icons each corresponding to one of the plurality of displayed applications upon creation of the first search region; and

display a plurality of release buttons each configured to release a corresponding one of the plurality of displayed applications.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of layer icons is displayed on a predetermined region of the first search region, on an additional icon region, or on an object icon.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the preset shape comprises a hole that is transparent and centered around a touched point with a spreading effect when a long-touch is received on the uppermost application.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to determine a size of the created first search region according to either a shape formed by a touch &

drag of an icon or a time for which a touch is applied.

21. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to:

control the memory to store a position value of the moved first lower application; and

control the display unit to automatically display a previously-searched portion of the first lower application on the first search region according to the stored position value when the uppermost application is re-activated or re-created.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to move the first lower application according to a touch input.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to:

control the display unit to create a second search region on the first search region, the second search region having a preset shape via which a second subsequently lower application of the plurality of applications is visible; and

control the display unit to access the second subsequently lower application via the created second search region;

receive a selection of information from second subsequently lower application; and

apply the selected information to the uppermost application.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 23, wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to display a plurality of layer icons each corresponding to one of the plurality of displayed applications, the plurality of layer icons displayed upon creation of the second search region and on a predetermined region of the second search region, on an additional icon region or on an object icon.

25. The mobile terminal of claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to divide the screen such that corresponding applications of displayed layers are simultaneously displayed if two or more of the plurality of displayed layer icons are moved such that they collide with each other.

26. The mobile terminal of claim 24, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive a selection of one of the plurality of displayed layer icons;

control the display unit to display content of the corresponding displayed application via the second search region; and

control the display unit to display the entire corresponding displayed application upon selection of the displayed content.