APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING MULTI-TASKING

• US 20140208276A1
• Filed: 01/08/2014
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: PARK, Young-Joo
• Granted Patent: US 9,727,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/863
• 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 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for performing multi-tasking, and more particularly to a multi-tasking performance apparatus and method which easily enable a shift between a plurality of applications being executed and a shift into an initial application. A currently operating application window is simultaneously displayed, with at least one executed application window by overlapping the executed application window on the currently operating application window according to a predetermined format.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a touch screen; and

a controller for controlling the touch screen to;

display a first application in a first region of the touch screen and display, at the same time, a plurality of objects corresponding respectively to a plurality of other applications being executed on the mobile terminal in a second region of the touch screen, the first application currently being operated by a user of the mobile terminal,

the controller configured to be responsive to a gesture input on the touch screen to enable the user to select an object corresponding to a second application from the plurality of other applications so that the second application is displayed on the touch screen so as to perform task switching,

wherein the second region is displayed on a lower portion of the touch screen, and

wherein the controller is configured to be responsive to a gesture input on the second region of the touch screen to enable the user to select an object corresponding to an application from the plurality of other applications for termination.

2. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to rearrange positions of the objects corresponding respectively to the plurality of other applications when the second application from the plurality of other applications is selected by the gesture input on the touch screen.

3. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second application corresponding to the selected object is displayed in both the first and second regions of the touch screen.

4. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to display, in response to the gesture input with respect to the second region, an object corresponding to an application executed on the mobile terminal that is not initially displayed in the second region.

5. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control the touch screen to display only the first application or the second application in response to the gesture input on the touch screen.

6. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller further configured to display the plurality of objects corresponding respectively to the plurality of other applications in an order selected by the user of the mobile terminal.

7. A method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal, comprising:

displaying a first application in a first region of a touch screen and displaying, at the same time, a plurality of objects corresponding, respectively, to a plurality of other applications being executed on the mobile terminal in a second region of the touch screen, the first application currently being operated by a user of the mobile terminal,

when an object corresponding to a second application from the plurality of other applications is selected by a gesture input, displaying the second application on the touch screen so as to perform task switching,

wherein the second region is displayed on a lower portion of the touch screen, and

wherein, in response to a gesture input on the second region of the touch screen, an object corresponding to an application from the plurality of other applications is selected for termination.

8. The method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to rearrange positions of the objects corresponding respectively to the plurality of other applications when the second application from the plurality of other applications is selected by the gesture input on the touch screen.

9. The method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second application corresponding to the selected object is displayed in both the first and second regions of the touch screen.

10. The method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to display, in response to the gesture input with respect to the second region, an object corresponding to an application executed on the mobile terminal that is not initially displayed in the second region.

11. The method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the touch screen to display only the first application or the second application in response to the gesture input on the touch screen.

12. The method for multi-tasking in a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 7, wherein the controller further configured to display the plurality of objects corresponding respectively to the plurality of other applications in an order selected by the user of the mobile terminal.