Wireless communication device and information communication method

A wireless communication device, system and methods are presented. The wireless communication device includes a display unit, a transmitting unit, a touch input, a storage unit and an execution unit. The display unit displays screens comprising display objects related to one or more applications. The touch input acceptance unit accepts a touch input. The storage unit stores screen information comprising icons related at least to the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, and acquisition source information for the applications. The execution unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit screen information associated with the screens selected based on input accepted by the touch input acceptance unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-093062, filed on Apr. 25, 2013. The content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication devices, and more particularly relate to an electronic device with a wireless communication capability.

BACKGROUND

In the conventional art, transmission by e-mail or near-field communication is performed in a communication terminal, in which data is converted to a format for execution of a prescribed application. In a conventional wireless communication device such as a smartphone, a user may dispose icons and widgets related to applications at arbitrary positions on a plurality of home screens. The user can share information related to icons, dispositions of icons and the like on the home screens with another person with a complicated operation such as sending those data individually, by e-mail, or near-field communication.

SUMMARY

A wireless communication device, system and methods are presented. A display unit displays screens including display objects related to one or more applications. A touch input acceptance unit accepts a touch input. A storage unit stores screen information including icons related at least to the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, and acquisition source information for the applications. An execution unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit screen information associated with the screens selected based on input accepted by the touch input acceptance unit.

In an embodiment, a wireless communication device comprises: a display unit, a transmitting unit, a touch input acceptance unit, a storage unit, and an execution unit. The display unit displays screens comprising display objects related to one or more applications. The touch input acceptance unit accepts a touch input. The storage unit stores screen information comprising icons related at least to the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, and acquisition source information for the applications. The execution unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit screen information associated with the screens selected based on input accepted by the touch input acceptance unit.

In another embodiment, an information communication method in a communication terminal comprising a display unit configured to display a plurality of screens comprising display objects related to applications, and a transmitting unit, accepts a touch input, stores screen information comprising icons related to at least the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, application names, and acquisition source information for the applications, and transmits screen information associated with the screens selected based on the touch input.

In a further embodiment, a wireless communication system comprises: a wireless communication base station, and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device comprises: a display unit, a transmitting unit, a touch input acceptance unit, a storage unit, and an execution unit. The display unit displays screens comprising display objects related to one or more applications. The touch input acceptance unit accepts a touch input. The storage unit stores screen information comprising icons related at least to the applications, disposition information of the icons on the screens, and acquisition source information for the applications. The execution unit causes the transmitting unit to transmit screen information associated with the screens selected based on input accepted by the touch input acceptance unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments of the disclosure. The following detailed description is exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the embodiments of the disclosure. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure should be accorded scope consistent with the claims, and not limited to the examples described and shown herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described herein in the context of one practical non-limiting application, namely, a mobile electronic device such as a mobile phone. Embodiments of the disclosure, however, are not limited to such mobile phone, and the techniques described herein may be utilized in other applications. For example, embodiments may be applicable to digital books, digital cameras, electronic game machines, digital music players, personal digital assistance (PDA), tablets, personal handy phone system (PHS), lap top computers, TV's, Global Positioning Systems (GPS's) or navigation systems, health equipment, and other communication device. As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this description, these are merely examples and the embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to operating in accordance with these examples. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

In a communication terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, if an operation is done to transmit information related to a home screen that includes display objects such as icons and widgets, screen information (home screen information) regarding display objects on the selected home screen can be transmitted to a specified communication terminal. In the embodiment described below, a specific description is presented of an embodiment of a communication terminal of the present disclosure, usingFIG. 1toFIG. 8.

First, the constitution of a communication terminal100, which is an embodiment of the present disclosure, will be described, usingFIG. 1toFIG. 3.

FIG. 1shows outer views of the communication terminal100.FIG. 1Ais a front view of the communication terminal100, andFIG. 1Bis a rear view of the communication terminal100. The communication terminal100shown in the outer views ofFIG. 1includes a display unit110, a touch input unit120, a key input unit130, a sound output unit140, a sound input unit150, and a light-emitting unit160. In this document, unit and module may be used interchangeably.

The display unit110includes, for example but without limitation, a liquid-crystal display of the backlighted type that makes a color display, and includes a liquid-crystal panel and a backlight for shining illumination onto the liquid-crystal panel. The display unit110displays display objects such as icons and widgets and various information of images and the like, based on control signals input from the control unit230, described below. The display unit110is not limited to a liquid-crystal display, and may include, for example but without limitation, an organic Electroluminescent (EL) display, a display with a matrix arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or other display.

The touch input unit120is disposed over the display surface of the display unit110, and accepts touch operations from a user. The touch input unit120outputs a touch operation as an input signal to the control unit230.

The touch input unit120further detects a position of acceptance (detected position) of a touch operation, and outputs a coordinate data corresponding to the detected position to the control unit230. That is, by performing a touch operation on the touch input unit120, the user inputs operation positions, and directions (coordinates) to the communication terminal100.

The user can perform various touch operations by touching the touch input unit120with a finger. Types of touch operations include, for example but without limitation, a tap operation, a flick operation, a slide operation, a drag operation, a long-tap operation, or other touch operations. A tap operation includes, for example, a finger coming into contact with the touch input unit120and then released from the touch input unit120after a short period of time. A flick operation includes, for example, when the touch input unit120is flicked with the finger in an arbitrary direction. A slide operation includes, for example, a finger slid in an arbitrary direction while remaining in contact with the touch input unit120. A drag operation includes, for example, a finger released from the touch input unit120after a slide operation. That is, flick, slide, and drag operations are touches accompanied by movement of the touch position. A long-tap operation includes, for example, a finger coming into contact with the touch input unit120, held at the same position for a prescribed amount of time, and then released from the touch input unit120.

The touch operations will be described in more detail below. For example, after an input at a prescribed touch position on the touch input unit120is detected, if the touch is no longer detected within a pre-established first time, that is, if the operation of removing the finger from the touch input unit120occurs, the control unit230determines that a tap operation has occurred. If an input at a prescribed touch position on the touch input unit120is detected and, after the touch position has moved more than a first pre-established distance within a pre-established second time, if the input to the touch position is no longer detected, the control unit230determines that a flick operation has occurred. After an input to a prescribed touch position on the touch input unit120is detected, if the touch position moves more than a pre-established second distance, the control unit230determines that a slide operation has occurred. After an input at a prescribed touch position on the touch input unit120is detected, if the touch position remains detected for more than a pre-established third time and after that if the touch position is no longer detected, the control unit230determines that a long-tap operation has occurred.

The touch operations will be described in more detail below, in relation toFIG. 2.FIG. 2is an example of a screen (hereinafter home screen) displayed on the display unit110. This screen includes main touch keys122, icons124related to applications, and widgets126that launch applications simply.

The main touch keys122perform various execution based on touch operations. For example, when a touch operation of the menu key122(a) is accepted, a menu screen is displayed. The menu screen includes, for example but without limitation, a button that displays an address book, a button that changes the brightness of the display, a button that switches near-field communication on and off, or other activation button(s). When launching an application, a touch operation of the home key122(b) is accepted, and the display of the application execution screen on the display unit110switches to the home screen as shown inFIG. 2. When a touch operation of the return key122(c) is accepted, the screen previously displayed on the display unit110replaces the current displayed screen on the display unit110.

The icons124include a type of display object indicating application shortcuts, and when any of them accept a tap operation, an application associated with the tapped icon is launched. Icons124include, for example but without limitation, an icon that executes a telephone function, an icon that launches an e-mail function, an icon that launches a game, or other icon. When a long tap operation of each of the icons124is accepted, each of the icons124changes state into a state enabling its display position to be moved. After that, if an operation of moving the icon124on the display and releasing the finger (or other means for activating the operation) is accepted, each of the icons124will be disposed at the position from which the finger was released.

The widgets126include a type of display object that launch applications simply and display information in accordance with the current state. Widgets126include, for example but without limitation, a widget that displays the weather information, a widget that displays a schedule, or other widget. When a tap operation on a widget126is accepted, the associated application is launched. Additionally, widgets126may be arranged at arbitrary positions on the screen by performing the same type of operation as in the case of icons. The communication terminal100stores therein a plurality of home screens as shown inFIG. 2as explained in more detail below. When one home screen is displayed on the display unit110, the displayed home screen is switched by a left or right flick operation.

The key input unit130may be constituted, for example but without limitation, by a hardware key, or other input unit suitable for accepting input operation, and accepts an input operation from the user. The input accepted by the key input unit130is output as an input signal to the control unit230. The key input unit130allocated thereto inputs that, for example but without limitation, adjust a volume, switch a power on and off, or other input.

The sound output unit140is constituted, for example but without limitation, by a speaker, or other output unit suitable for outputting a sound to outside, based on an analog signal output from a signal processing unit210.

The sound input unit150is constituted by, for example but without limitation, a microphone, or other input unit suitable for converting a sound from outside, such as a voice to an analog signal output to the signal processing unit210.

The light-emitting unit160is constituted by, for example but without limitation, a light-emitting element such as an LED, or other light-emitting unit. The light-emitting unit160emits a light to the outside by a control signal output from the control unit230. The light-emitting unit160provides notification of, for example but without limitation, a receipt of a telephone call, a reception of an e-mail, that a time of an alarm has been reached by emitting light to the outside, or other notification.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing the communication terminal100. The communication terminal100may have functions, material, and structures that are similar to the communication terminal100shown inFIG. 1. Therefore common features, functions, and elements may not be redundantly described here. The communication terminal100shown inFIG. 3may include the touch input unit120, the key input unit130, the sound output unit140, the sound input unit150, the light-emitting unit160, a touch panel170, an antenna180, a wireless unit190, a vibrator200, the signal processing unit210, the control unit230, the storage unit240, and a power supply220.

The touch panel170is configured so that the above-described touch input unit120covers the surface of the display unit110. The touch input unit120and the display unit110may be made separate or may be combined. That is, the touch input unit120and the display unit110need not be integrated as the touch panel170.

The antenna180receives electromagnetic waves of a prescribed frequency and outputs this as an RF signal to the wireless unit190, and outputs an RF signal output from the wireless unit190to a base station as electromagnetic waves of a prescribed frequency.

The wireless unit190communicates wirelessly with, for example but without limitation, another portable terminal, a base station, or other communication devices. The wireless unit190performs demodulation and decoding of a prescribed Radio Frequency (RF) signal input from the antenna180, converting the signal to a digital voice signal, and other function suitable for operation of the communication terminal100. The wireless unit190also performs encoding and modulation of a digital voice signal input from the control unit230, converting the signal to an RF signal and outputting it to the antenna180, and other function suitable for operation of the communication terminal100. Additionally, the communication terminal100includes an e-mail function and sends and receives e-mail to and from another communication terminal, via the wireless unit190.

A near-field communication unit195performs near-field communication by, for example but without limitation, Bluetooth™, infrared communication, or other communication protocol.

The vibrator200includes a motor and generates a mechanical vibration by a control signal output from the control unit230. The vibrator200provides notification of, for example but without limitation, a receipt of phone call, a receipt of an e-mail, that the time of an alarm has been reached, or other notification by a mechanical vibration.

The signal processing unit210converts the digital signal output from the control unit230to an analog signal and outputs the converted analog signal to the sound output unit140. The signal processing unit210also converts the analog signal input from the sound input unit150to a digital signal and outputs it to the control unit230.

The power supply220is configured to supply electrical power to the various elements of the communication terminal100. The power supply220may comprise rechargeable battery, such as but without limitation, a lithium ion battery, or other battery.

The control unit230includes a Central processing unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processing Unit (DSP), and/or other unit. The control unit230performs overall management and executes various functions of the communication terminal100by controlling the various constituent elements of the communication terminal100. For example, the control unit230executes a near-field communication function, an e-mail transmitting function and the like, based on input accepted by the key input unit130or the touch input unit120. The control unit230also executes a program stored in the storage unit240.

The control unit230, may be implemented or realized with a general purpose processor, a content addressable memory, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof, designed to perform the functions described herein. In this manner, a processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, or the like. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

The storage unit240is configured to store, maintain, and provide data as needed to support the functionality of the communication terminal100in the manner described below. In some embodiments, the storage unit240may comprise, for example but without limitation, a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile semiconductor memory, hard disk device, optical disk device, and the like), a random access storage device (for example, SRAM, DRAM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. The storage unit240stores a control program providing a control function to the control unit230.

The storage unit240stores control programs for assigning control functions to the control unit230as well as various applications. The storage unit240is also used as a working memory that stores various data that is temporarily used or generated during the execution of applications.

The storage unit240stores, for example but without limitation, a program executed by the communication terminal100, and display information displayed on the display unit110.

Characteristic features of the storage unit240are described in more detail below.

The storage unit240includes a program storage area320and a processed information storage area330. The program storage area330stores programs executed by the communication terminal100. The processing information storage area330stores various information (described below) processed when a program is executed. In the following, the “storage area240” will be referred to when not making a distinction between the program storage area320and the processed information storage area330. The program storage area320stores, for example, a program for performing voice communication, a browser for displaying a website, and an e-mail program for creating, displaying, sending, and receiving e-mail. In addition, the program storage area320stores, a home screen transmitting program340(FIG. 4) for sending home screen information described in more detail below, and a home screen receiving program350(FIG. 5) for presenting received home screen information.

The processed information storage area330stores therein, for example but without limitation, a home screen information storage section360that stores screen information regarding the home screen (hereinafter, home screen information), an address book370that stores address information including such information as e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and prescribed graphics (hereinafter, address graphics) associated with names, and a near-field communication destination list380that stores address information for authorizing near-field communication, or other data.

The home screen information storage section360stores therein, for example but without limitation, information regarding a home screen as shown inFIG. 2which is displayed on the display unit110when power is pressed. In this manner, the home screen information storage section360stores therein home screen information for constituting each home screen (for example, five screens in an initial setting). One home screen is displayed on the display unit110and the displayed home screen may be switched by left and right flicks. Each home screen includes prescribed display objects (including icons and widgets) that are set based on operations accepted from the user. Home screen information includes, for example but without limitation, disposition information of display objects on the home screen (coordinate information), acquisition source information for applications corresponding to display objects (acquisition source URLs), thumbnail graphics, application names, and applications associated with display objects.

The display information storage section390stores therein information displayed on the display unit110, as shown inFIG. 6,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8when programs stored in the program storage area320are executed.

Constituent elements provided for the control unit230to execute programs stored in the program storage area320will now be described.

The execution unit250executes programs stored in the storage unit240. An overview of following two programs, that is, the home screen transmitting program340(FIG. 4) for transmitting a home screen information and the home screen receiving program350(FIG. 5) for presenting received home screen information, which are executed by the execution unit250, will be described below.

The execution unit250executes the home screen transmitting program340and transmits to a prescribed destination home screen information selected by the user. The home screen information transmitting program340first determines whether or not an operation has been made to execute home screen transmission. An operation to execute home screen transmission includes, for example but without limitation, a long-tap operation at the home key122(b), or other operation suitable for execute of the home screen. If it is determined that an operation to execute home screen transmission has been made, a thumbnail graphic510of the home screen to be generated based on the home screen stored in the storage unit240will be displayed on the display unit110, as shown at the bottom ofFIG. 2A. Then, if near-field communication is on, a search is made for a communication terminal including address information that has been authorized for near-field communication, based on the near-field communication destination list380.

Next, if communication terminals including address information authorized for near-field communication are within range for near-field communication, information related to the terminals is displayed as near-field communication candidates on the display unit110, as shown at the top ofFIG. 6A. In the example ofFIG. 6A, address graphics520including the address information are displayed on the display unit110. Then, if a thumbnail graphic related to the home screen information to be transmitted is selected from among thumbnail graphics510displayed on the display unit110by a touching operation to slide it to over the address graphics520displayed at the top ofFIG. 6A, the home screen information corresponding to the selected thumbnail graphic is transmitted to the destination corresponding to the selected address graphic520. When a thumbnail graphic is selected, the selected thumbnail graphic540is displayed in a different form from the other thumbnail graphics, as shown inFIG. 6B.

If, however, a near-field communication candidate is not found or is not set, or if near-field communication is off, a display to that effect is made on the display unit110(FIG. 7AandFIG. 7B). Then, if a destination for transmission of the home screen information (transmission destination of screen information) is selected from the address book, the home screen information is transmitted to the selected destination by e-mail.

The home screen receiving program350monitors whether or not home screen information has been received and, if it has been received, that home screen information has been received is displayed on the display unit110and acceptance of a presentation operation is enabled, as shown inFIG. 8A. If a presentation operation has been accepted, a first home screen based on the accepted presentation operation or a new home screen based on the home screen information is presented.FIG. 8Bshows an example in which the communication terminal100receives a home screen corresponding to the thumbnail graphic540selected at another communication terminal and in which a presentation operation is accepted and the home screen is displayed on the display unit110.

A judgment unit260determines the type of input made to the control unit230. For example, the judgment unit260determines whether the input accepted by the touch input unit120is an input for starting the home screen transmission program340, an operation to present the home screen information, or an operation to select the home screen to be transmitted. The judgment unit260also makes various determinations that are necessary when the execution unit250processes various programs.

A display controller270controls the display on the display unit110of screens such as shown inFIG. 2,FIG. 6,FIG. 7, andFIG. 8based on the program executed by the executing unit250.

FIG. 4is an illustration of an exemplary flowchart showing a screen transmitting program340(process400) that can be executed by the executing unit250according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The various tasks performed in connection with the process400may be performed by software, hardware, firmware, a computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing the process method, or any combination thereof. The process400may be recorded in a computer-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like, and can be accessed and executed, for example, by a computer CPU in which the computer-readable medium is stored.

It should be appreciated that process400may include any number of additional or alternative tasks, the tasks shown inFIG. 4need not be performed in the illustrated order, and process400may be incorporated into a more comprehensive procedure or process having additional functionality not described in detail herein. In some embodiments, portions of the process400may be performed by different elements of the communication terminal100explained above. Process400may have functions, material, and structures that are similar to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-3. Therefore common features, functions, and elements may not be redundantly described here.

First, in the home screen transmitting program340, the judgment unit260monitors whether or not an input for executing home screen transmission has been accepted from the touch input unit120(S110).

If the judgment unit260determines that an input for executing home screen transmission has been accepted from the touch input unit120, the display controller270generates and displays on the display unit110the thumbnail graphics for each home screen, based on home screen information stored in the storage unit240, as shown inFIG. 2(S115).

Next, the judgment unit260determines whether or not a touch operation to a thumbnail graphic on the home screen displayed on the display unit110has been accepted (S115) and, if it is determined that a tap operation has been accepted (YES at S115), the display controller270displays that the transmission candidate has been determined (S120). The execution unit250then reads out the home screen information corresponding to the selected thumbnail graphic from the storage unit240(S120). The home screen information includes, for example but without limitation, disposition information related to display objects displayed on the home screen, applications associated with the display objects, download source URLs for the applications, thumbnail graphics, or other information.

After the processing of S125, if the judgment unit260determines that an operation to select a home screen had not been made (NO at S115) it determines whether or not near-field communication is on (S130). If the judgment unit260determines that there is a terminal capable of near-field communication that can be a transmission candidate (YES at S150), the display controller270displays the transmission candidate graphic520on the display unit110, as shown inFIG. 6(S160)

Then, if the judgment unit260determines that an operation to select a transmission candidate graphic520has been accepted (YES at S170), the selected transmission candidate graphic520is displayed on the display unit110.

Next, when the judgment unit260determines that an operation that executes near-field transmission has been accepted, the execution unit250transmits the home screen information to the selected transmission candidate by near-field communication (S200).

In this case, an operation that selects home screen at S115refers to a touch of a thumbnail graphic, and an operation that selects a near-field communication transmission candidate at S170refers to an operation in which the touch position is moved from the position at which the thumbnail graphic is selected to a region in which the transmission candidate is displayed, while maintaining continuous touching. The operation that executes near-field communication at S200refers to an operation of removing the finger from the touch input unit after an operation to move to the touch position. That is, home screen information selected based on a slide operation by the user is transmitted by near-field communication to the selected near-field communication destination.

In the processing of S150, if there is no near-field communication candidate (NO at S150), that is, if a terminal that will be a near-field communication candidate has not be set into the storage unit240beforehand, or if communication has not been established with another communication terminal that will be a near-field communication candidate within the near-field communication range, a message550such as shown inFIG. 7Ato the effect that there is no near-field communication candidate will be displayed on the display unit110.

If, however, near-field communication is off (NO at S130), the display controller270displays a message560such as shown inFIG. 7Bon the display unit110. If Yes is selected while the screen ofFIG. 7Bis being displayed, that is, if a tap operation is accepted at the region in which Yes is displayed in the message560(YES at S134), the execution unit250executes the processing of S150.

After the processing of S152, alternatively, if the judgment unit260has not accepted an operation that sets near-field communication to on in the processing of S134, the judgment unit260determines whether or not an operation that displays the address book has been accepted (S205). This operation refers to, for example, an operation that displays the address book from the menu screen based on a tap operation to the menu key122(a). If the operation was to display the address book, the display controller270displays the address book on the display unit110(S210). Then, if the judgment unit260determines that an operation to send e-mail has been accepted after an operation to select an address had been accepted, the home screen information is transmitted to the selected destination by e-mail.

If, however, the judgment unit260determines NO at S200, NO at S220, and NO at S190or NO at S230, the judgment unit260further determines whether or not a cancel operation has been accepted and, if it determines that a cancel operation has been accepted (YES at S250), the execution unit S250terminates the home screen transmitting program, and it determines that a cancel operation has not be accepted (NO at S250), the execution unit250re-executes the processing of S110. In this case, the cancel operation refers to, for example, a tapping operation at the home key122(b).

Next, the flow of processing of the home screen receiving program350executed by the execution unit250will be described usingFIG. 5.

FIG. 5is an illustration of an exemplary flowchart showing a home screen receiving program350(process500) that can be executed by the executing unit250according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The various tasks performed in connection with the process500may be performed by software, hardware, firmware, a computer-readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing the process method, or any combination thereof. The process500may be recorded in a computer-readable medium such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like, and can be accessed and executed, for example, by a computer CPU in which the computer-readable medium is stored.

It should be appreciated that process500may include any number of additional or alternative tasks, the tasks shown inFIG. 5need not be performed in the illustrated order, and process500may be incorporated into a more comprehensive procedure or process having additional functionality not described in detail herein. In some embodiments, portions of the process500may be performed by different elements of the communication terminal100explained above. Process500may have functions, material, and structures that are similar to the embodiments shown inFIGS. 1-4. Therefore common features, functions, and elements may not be redundantly described here.

When the execution unit250executes the home screen receiving program350, the judgment unit260monitors whether or not home screen information has been received (S500). The home screen information is received by near-field communication or e-mail.

Next, the judgment unit260determines whether or not an operation has been accepted that presents the home screen information. The operation that presents the home screen information includes, for example but without limitation, an operation that selects home screen information received by near-field communication, an operation that selects home screen information attached to an e-mail, or other suitable operation for presenting the home screen information. If the judgment unit260determines that an operation that selects a home screen has been accepted, the execution unit250causes the screen indicated inFIG. 8Ato be displayed on the display unit110.

Then, if the screen ofFIG. 8Ais displayed on the display unit110and the judgment unit260determines that an operation that selects the presentation of a first home screen (for example, a tap operation at a region of the message570in which presentation of the first home screen is displayed) has been accepted, the execution unit250overwrites the home screen information regarding the first home screen stored in the terminal received beforehand with the received home screen information (S530), and causes the display unit110to display the first home screen, based on the overwritten home screen information.

If the screen ofFIG. 8Ais displayed on the display unit110and the judgment unit260determines that an operation that selects the presentation of a new home screen (for example, a tap operation at a region of the message570which presentation of the new home screen is displayed) has been accepted, the execution unit250generates new home screen based on the received home screen information, and causes the display unit110to display generated new home screen.

If the screen ofFIG. 8Ais displayed on the display unit110and the judgment unit260determines that an operation that selects no presentation (for example, a tap operation at a region of the message570in which no presentation is displayed), that is, an operation that cancels the presentation of home screen information has been accepted, the execution unit250stops the presentation of the home screen information.

If the display unit100displays the presented home screen and a prescribed operation (for example, a tap operation) with respect to an icon or widget in the home screen has been accepted, an application related to the icon or widget is executed.

As another aspect, if applications related to icons and widgets have already been stored into another communication terminal that has received home screen information, a message for confirming whether or not the information regarding the applications is to be overwritten is displayed on the display unit110, and the user may select whether or not the processing for overwriting is to be executed. Alternatively, an already-existing application may be overwritten automatically.

As yet another aspect, icons and widgets may function as shortcuts for URLs of the acquisition sources for the applications related thereto. For example, if the copyright of an application is held by another person, an icon or widget functions as a shortcut for the purpose of accessing a prescribed URL, as described above.

Further embodiments, without limitation, will be described below.

The present disclosure is not limited to a straight type of communication terminal such as the communication terminal100shown inFIG. 1, and alternatively may be applied to a folding-type communication terminal100or sliding-type communication terminal having the touch panel170.

Regarding the processing of the home screen transmitting program340, the order of the processing of S130to S152and S110to S125may be reversed. That is, if the judgment unit260determines that an operation to execute a home screen transmission has been accepted, the judgment unit260may first judge whether or not near-field communication is on at S130, followed by execution of processing for indicating a candidate of the home screen that is to be transmitted to the display unit110(S110).

Furthermore, background image and information indicating whether or not the data is data to which another person holds the copyright may be stored in the home screen information. When the home screen to be transmitted is selected, the judgment unit260determines, based on that information, whether or not the background image cannot be transmitted to another communication terminal because the home screen information indicates that the copyright thereto is held by another person. If a determination is made that transmission cannot be done, the display unit110may make a display to that effect. Alternatively, if a determination is made that transmission can be done, transmission may be done of the home screen information, including a background image, to the selected other communication terminal. Such an embodiment enables sharing of home screen information, including background images, with the other communication terminals.

Also, the program described in the present embodiment may be stored in the hard-disk drive of a server for the purpose of distribution of data, to distribute it to the communication terminal100via a network. Alternatively, a plurality of programs may be stored in a storage medium, for example, an optical disk such as a CD, a DVD, a Blue-ray™ (Disk, a USB memory, or a memory card and sold or distributed in that form. If a plurality of programs downloaded via the above-described server or storage media are installed in an electronic document terminal having the same constitution as the present embodiment, the same effects as the present embodiment can be obtained.

In the processing at S540, the received home screen information overwrites the home screen information of the first home screen. However, the home screen based on the received home screen information may be set as the first home screen, and also an already-existing first home screen and another home screen may be changed in sequence order to the second and then the third home screen.

Additionally, the present embodiments are not limited to those noted above, but may be applicable to a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook-type PC, or other communication device.

In this document, the terms “computer program product”, “computer-readable medium”, and the like may be used generally to refer to media such as, for example, memory, storage devices, or storage unit. These and other forms of computer-readable media may be involved in storing one or more instructions for use by the control unit230to cause the control unit230to perform specified operations. Such instructions, generally referred to as “computer program code” or “program code” (e.g., which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or other groupings), when executed, enable the processes400and500.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations hereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future.

Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the present disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The term “about” when referring to a numerical value or range is intended to encompass values resulting from experimental error that can occur when taking measurements.