TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING OPERABILITY OF AN APPLICATION

Provided is a terminal that displays the operability of an application including: a storage unit storing precondition information of the application relating to usage environment; a determination unit comparing the stored precondition information of the application and the current state information of the terminal, determining whether the application is normally operable; applying a visual effect based on the determination to an icon corresponding to the application; and displaying the visually affected icon. Accordingly, a user can intuitively check the status of the application desired to be executed, whereby the user convenience can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The terminology used herein is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denotes the presence of at least one of the referenced item. The use of the terms “first,” “second,” and the like does not imply any particular order, but they are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Although some features may be described with respect to individual exemplary embodiments, aspects need not be limited thereto such that features from one or more exemplary embodiments may be combinable with other features from one or more exemplary embodiments.

In addition, embodiments described in the specification are wholly hardware, and may be partially software or wholly software. In the specification, “unit”, “module”, “device”, “system”, or the like represents a computer related entity such as hardware, combination of hardware and software, or software. For example, in the specification, the unit, the module, the device, the system, or the like may be an executed process, a processor, an object, an executable file, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer, but are not limited thereto. For example, both of an application which is being executed in the computer and a computer may correspond to the unit, the module, the device, the system, or the like in the specification.

Hereinafter, a terminal and a method for displaying the status of an application according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1illustrates a terminal for displaying the status of an application, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 2illustrates a screen that is displayed on a display unit of a terminal, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, terminal1can include a storage unit10, a determination unit30, and a display unit70. The terminal1may further include an environment setting unit50.

The terminal1may include a mobile device, such as, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a netbook, a PDA, a PMP, a PSP, an MP3 player, an e-book reader, a navigation device, a smart camera, an electronic dictionary, an electronic watch, and the like. The terminal1may include an electronic device, such as, a desktop computer, a smart television set, a wired/wireless phone, a smart door lock, and the like. For example, the terminal1may be a touch-screen type smartphone that receives information by sensing a touch from a user's hand, a touch pen, or the like on the display unit70.

The terminal1may execute various application programs based on an Operating System (OS), and the operating system may include any operating system that can be disposed in a terminal, such as, ANDROID OS, IOS produced by Apple Inc., a WINDOWS MOBILE OS, a BADA OS, a SYMBIAN OS, a BLACKBERRY OS, and the like.

The storage unit10can include a collection of precondition information of applications relating to the usage environment of the terminal. The collection can store information for applications installed on the terminal1. The storage unit10can store precondition information for describing an environment ideal for application use. The applications may be installed by the manufacturer of the terminal, or may be downloaded by a user from an application market or the like, and be installed.

The applications are programs developed for executing specific operations and may include application programs, multimedia content, such as, a game, a motion picture, or a photograph, or an execution program that reproduces the multimedia contents, such as, a camera, an image viewer, or a motion picture player.

The precondition information of an application can be collected by parsing metadata of the application, for example, by the terminal1. In some embodiments, the metadata can be provided to the terminal1by a provider of the application, for example, by the application market or the terminal manufacturer. The metadata includes attribute information of the application. Attribute information is data assigned to contents according to a rule for efficiently searching for desired information from among a large quantity of information and using the desired information. For example, in the metadata, the usage environment, the location, the subject matter of contents, author information, right preconditions, use preconditions, use histories, and the like of an application can be recorded.

The determination unit30determines whether applications can be normally or ideally operated by comparing the stored precondition information of the application to the usage environment. When application icons representing applications are displayed, for example, on a home menu or the like, the determination unit30queries the information of the applications from the storage unit10.

The home menu is a screen on which icons of applications are arranged to perform specific functions in the terminal1. The functionality of the home menu includes an application launcher.

The determination unit30queries information relating to an application's preconditions of use to the use and determines what usage environment is requested or required by the application. When an application does not have preconditions relating to the usage environment, a basic icon of the application is displayed without alteration in a conventional manner.

On the other hand, when an application has the preconditions relating to the usage environment, the determination unit30compares the stored precondition information of the application relating to the usage environment and the current state information of the terminal1relating to the usage environment with each other, and determines whether the application can be operated normally.

When the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment satisfies the preconditions of the application relating to the usage environment, the determination unit30determines that the application can be normally operated. On the other hand, when the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the preconditions of the application relating to the usage environment, the determination unit30determines that the application cannot be normally operated. Thereafter, when the usage environment of the terminal1changes, for example, due to user's setting, a change in the external environment, or the like, the determination unit30updates the determination of whether the application can be normally operated.

The usage environment can include a communication environment of the terminal, an update environment of the application, a functional environment of the terminal, and the like.

For example, the communication environment of the terminal can include availability or enabling of various communication technologies, for example, 3G/4G, WIFI, Near Field Communication (NFC), BLUETOOTH, and the like.

For example, an application providing a navigation function or an application providing a social networking service (SNS), and the like can be executed only in the state of being connected to a network, such as, 3G/4G or WIFI. In other words, ability to connect to a network, such as, 3G/4G or WIFI is a precondition of the application.

In addition, the update environment of an application can include an update/no-update precondition for the application. Depending on an application, the existing version of the application may or may not be executable without the completion of an update.

The functional environment of an application can include a usability/no-usability precondition for an application. For example, a camera application, a camera application linked with a social networking service (SNS), and the like may only be executable when the camera of the terminal1can be used, and when the camera is locked or cannot be used for any reason, the application may not be executable. In other words, the usability of the camera is a precondition of the application relating to the usage environment.

Based on a determination made by the determination unit30whether the application can be normally operated, the display unit70displays the icon of the application with a visual effect being applied thereto.

An icon according to the present disclosure is an image representation or mark for displaying the function of an application in an understandable and intuitive manner, and may include user interfaces (UI), such as, a widget and a theme.

For example, the icon of the application may be displayed with a visual effect (a visually affected icon) including at least one of a dimming, a monochromatic palette, a sharpness adjustment, a transparency adjustment, a web process, a mosaic process, and the like. For example, the icon may be displayed in colors when the corresponding application can be normally operated, and the icon may be displayed in black and white when the corresponding application cannot be normally operated. In some embodiments, the icon may be displayed using a basic icon when the corresponding application can be normally operated, and the icon may be displayed as a visually affected icon, for example, subject to a semitransparency adjustment, when the corresponding application cannot be normally operated.

The above-described visual effects of the icon are merely examples, and any visual effect that causes a non-operable application icon to be distinguishable from the basic icon of an application may be applied.

In some embodiments, the display unit70may combine an auxiliary icon representing the precondition information relating to the usage environment with the icon of the application. The number of auxiliary icons combined with the basic icon may number one, two, or more. The size of the auxiliary icon may be smaller than the icon of the application, and the auxiliary icon may be displayed, for example, along an edge of the basic icon, in a corner of the basic icon, at least one of an upper end, a lower end and a side (edge) of the icon of the application, overlapping the icon of the application, or a combination thereof.

For example, for an application relating to BLUETOOTH, an auxiliary icon (for example, icon861ofFIG. 8B) representing BLUETOOTH may be displayed in combination with the icon of the application to form a visually affected icon. When a connection to a 3G or WIFI network is necessary, auxiliary icons for, for example, 3G or WIFI (for example, icon832ofFIG. 5B) may be displayed combined with the basic icon of the application.

The auxiliary icon may be displayed when the corresponding precondition is in the inactive state or not satisfied. For example, in a case where 3G is in the active state, the auxiliary icon representing 3G is not displayed, and the auxiliary icon representing 3G may be displayed only in a case where 3G is in the inactive state. In some embodiments, the auxiliary icon may be displayed when a corresponding precondition is in the active state or is satisfied.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary icon may be configured to be displayed in colors when a corresponding precondition is in the active state, and in black and white when the corresponding precondition is in the inactive state. For example, when WIFI is in the active state, the auxiliary icon representing WIFI may be displayed in color, and when WIFI is in the inactive state, the auxiliary icon representing WIFI may be displayed in black and white. Further, aspects of the invention need not be limited thereto such that the application icon may additionally or individually be displayed in color and in black and white according to the active or inactive state of the precondition.

The usage environment of the terminal1may change in accordance with a user's input or an external environmental factor (for example, in the case of getting out of a WIFI AP range). When the usage environment of the terminal1changes, the display unit70may display whether the application can be normally operated by updating the icon of the application and the auxiliary icon.

By referring toFIG. 2, an example of a screen71including visually affected icons on the display unit70, ofFIG. 1, is illustrated in which a dimming process has been performed for icons of applications that cannot be executed, as the preconditions relating to the usage environment are not satisfied.

For example, when NFC cannot be used, a dimming process is performed for icons711,716of applications using NFC, and auxiliary icons811,816representing NFC may be displayed together with the icons711,716. In addition, when 3G communications cannot be used, a dimming process is performed for icons712,714of applications using 3G, and auxiliary icons812,814representing 3G communication may be displayed together with the icons712,714.

In a case where WIFI cannot be used, a dimming process is performed for an icon713of an application using WIFI, and an auxiliary icon813representing WIFI may be displayed together with the icon713. When BLUETOOTH cannot be used, a dimming process is performed for an icon715of an application using BLUETOOTH, and an auxiliary icon815representing BLUETOOTH may be displayed together with the icon715. Similarly, in a case where the camera cannot be used, an icon717of an application using the camera is processed in black and white, and an auxiliary icon817representing the camera may be displayed together with the icon717.

In exemplary embodiments, the display unit70may arrange and display only activated icons, in other words, only icons of applications that can be normally operated are displayed. In such a case, a user can check the applications that can be normally operated more easily.

When there is a request for executing an application that cannot be normally operated in accordance with the precondition, the environment setting unit50ofFIG. 1may provide an interface for changing the usage environment of the terminal1. For example, a pop-up window or a setting screen on which the usage environment can be changed may be used can be provided.

For example, when a user tries to execute an application using WIFI in the inactive state of WIFI, the environment setting unit50may provide a window in which the activation of WIFI may be set. In exemplary embodiments, when a user tries to execute an application using a camera in the inactive state of the camera, the environment setting unit50may provide a pop-up window in which the activation of the camera may be set.

In a case where the terminal1is a touch-screen type device, a user may try to execute an application by touching the icon of the application using a hand, a touch pen, or the like. In some embodiments, a user may try to execute an application by clicking or selecting the icon of the application.

In exemplary embodiments, an icon representing each application visually represents whether the application can be normally operated, and accordingly, the user can instantly recognize the status of the application.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary icon representing the precondition information of the application relating to the usage environment is displayed together, a user can intuitively recognize the precondition of the application desired to be executed. Accordingly, the user can change the usage environment of the terminal in accordance with the precondition of the application before trying to execute the application.

In some embodiments, the user convenience may be improved by providing an interface for changing the usage environment of the terminal where an application desired to be executed by a user cannot be normally operated.

FIG. 3illustrates a method of displaying the status of an application according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

The method of displaying the status of an application according to exemplary embodiments may proceed using a configuration that is substantially the same as that of the terminal1, illustrated inFIG. 1. Thus, the same reference numeral is assigned to constituent elements of the terminal1, illustrated inFIG. 1, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

In the method of displaying the status of an application, when a user executes a home menu to perform a specific function in the terminal1, the icons of applications installed to the terminal1are displayed on the display unit70of the terminal1. The icons can display whether the applications can be normally operated in accordance with the preconditions relating to the usage environment.

InFIG. 3, when the home menu is executed, the determination unit30queries precondition information of the applications relating to the usage environment. The precondition information can be stored in the storage unit10(S10). The storage unit10collects and stores the precondition information of the applications installed on the terminal1.

The determination unit30determines whether the preconditions relating to the usage environment is present in each application (S20). A usage environment can include a communication environment, an update environment of the applications, a functional environment, and the like.

When no preconditions relating to a usage environment are present in the stored precondition information for an application (the “NO” branch from S20), the basic icon of the corresponding application is displayed in a conventional manner (S40).

On the other hand, when a precondition relating to a usage environment is present in the stored precondition information for an application (the “YES” branch from S20), the determination unit30determines whether the application can be normally operated in accordance with the stored preconditions (S30).

The stored precondition information of the applications relating to the usage environment and the current state information of the terminal1relating to the usage environment are compared with each other. When the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment satisfies the stored precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, the determination unit30determines that the application can be normally operated (the “YES” branch from S30). On the other hand, when the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the stored precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, the determination unit30determines that the application cannot be normally operated (the “NO” branch from S30).

The display unit70displays the icons of the applications per S40and S50. When the application can be normally operated, the basic icon of the application is displayed in a conventional manner (S40). On the other hand, when the application cannot be normally operated, the basic icon of the application is displayed with a visual effect being applied thereto (S50).

The icon is a representation including an image or a mark for displaying the function of an application in an easily-understandable and intuitive manner and may include user interfaces (UI), such as, a widget and a theme.

In some embodiments, the icon of the application may be displayed using a visual effect. The visual effect can include at least one of a dimming process, a monochromatic palette, sharpness adjustment, transparency adjustment, a web process, a mosaic process, and the like. In some embodiments, the icon may be displayed in color when the application can be normally operated and the icon can be displayed in black and white in a case where the corresponding application cannot be normally operated. In some embodiments, the icon may be displayed using the basic icon when the corresponding application can be normally operated and the icon may be displayed with a semitransparent visual effect when the corresponding application cannot be normally operated. The above-described visual effects of the icon are merely examples, and any visual effect that causes the icon to be distinguishable from the basic icon may be applied.

The display unit70may display the auxiliary icon representing the precondition information relating to the usage environment together with the icon of the application. The auxiliary icon may visually display whether a corresponding precondition is in the active state or whether the corresponding precondition is in the inactive state.

The number of auxiliary icons displayed may be one, two or more. In some embodiments, the size of the auxiliary icon may be smaller than the icon of the application. In some embodiments, the auxiliary icon may be displayed in the upper end or the lower end of the icon of the application, or be displayed to overlap the icon of the application.

In addition, when the usage environment of the terminal1change, the display unit70may update and display whether the application can be normally operated in accordance with the precondition.

An icon of an application visually represents whether the application can be normally operated, and accordingly, a user can instantly recognize whether the application can be normally operated. In addition, since the auxiliary icon representing the precondition information of the application relating to the usage environment is displayed together, the user can intuitively recognize the precondition of the application desired to be executed.

In some embodiments, when a user requests to execute an application that cannot be normally operated in accordance with the precondition, an interface for changing the usage environment of the terminal1may be further included (S60). By providing the interface for changing the usage environment, the user can change the usage environment for executing the application more easily. For example, a pop-up window or a setting screen on which the usage environment can be changed may be used.

Thereafter, it is determined whether the precondition of the application is satisfied (S70). In a case where the precondition is satisfied in S70, the application is executed (S80) (the “YES” branch of S70). When the precondition is not satisfied in S70, the providing the interface for changing the usage environment is provided to the user (S60) (the “NO” branch of S70).

A user convenience is improved by providing an interface for changing the usage environment of the terminal1, when an application desired to be executed by a user cannot normally operate.

FIG. 4B,FIG. 5B,FIG. 6B,FIG. 7B, andFIG. 8Billustrate a screen displayed on a display unit of a terminal, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Since a terminal described below is substantially the same as the terminal1illustrated inFIG. 1, description of the same constituent elements as illustrated inFIG. 1will be simplified or not be presented.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate examples of a case where the condition of the application relating to the use environments is a connection of a network such as a 3G/4G network or a WIFI network. InFIG. 4A, icons are uniformly arranged as a conventional case. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 4B, a screen72is illustrated in which the terminal1is not currently connected to a network, such as, a 3G/4G network or a WIFI network.

Accordingly, since the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, icons721,722,723,725,724,726of applications that can be normally operated only in a case where the terminal is connected to a network such as a 3G/4G network or a WIFI network are processed to have a visual effect. Icons721,722,723,725,724,726are exemplary visually affected icons as they have been dimmed.

In other words, the precondition of the applications corresponding to the icons721,722,723,725,724,726relating to the usage environment is a connection of a network, such as, a 3G/4G network or a WIFI network.

The icons721,722,723,725,724,726represent that the corresponding applications cannot be normally operated. In addition, auxiliary icons821,822,823,825,824,826representing 3G/4G or WIFI may be displayed together with the icons721,722,723,725,724,726. The combination of icons721,722,723,725,724,726with auxiliary icons821,822,823,825,824,826illustrates exemplary visually affected icons that include the visual effect of dimming and addition of auxiliary icons.

Referring toFIG. 5A, icons are uniformly arranged according to various embodiments displaying a screen. The screen may be similar to a conventional screen displaying regular icons when a WIFI is available or connected. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 5B, a screen73is illustrated in which the terminal1is not connected to a WIFI network.

Accordingly, since the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, icons731,732of applications that can be normally operated only in a case where the terminal is connected to a WIFI network are processed to have a visual effect. In other words, the precondition of the applications corresponding to the icons731,732relating to the usage environment is a connection of a WIFI network. Icons731,732are exemplary visually affected icons as they have been dimmed.

The above-described icons731,732represent that the corresponding applications cannot be normally operated. In addition, auxiliary icons831,832representing WIFI may be displayed together with the icons731,732.

FIGS. 6A and 6Billustrate examples of a case where the condition of the application relating to the use environments is a connection of NFC.

Referring toFIG. 6A, icons are uniformly arranged according to various embodiments displaying a screen. The screen may be similar to a conventional screen displaying regular icons when NFC is available or connected. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 6B, a screen74is illustrated in which the terminal1currently does not satisfy the NFC environment.

Accordingly, since the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, icons741,742,743of applications that can be normally operated only under the NFC environment are processed to have a visual effect. In other words, the precondition of the applications corresponding to the icons741,742,743relating to the usage environment is the NFC environment.

The above-described icons741,742,743represent that the corresponding applications cannot be normally operated. In addition, auxiliary icons841,842,843representing NFC may be displayed together with the icons741,742,743.

FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate examples of a case where the condition of the application relating to the use environments is the activated state of the camera.

Referring toFIG. 7A, icons are uniformly arranged according to various embodiments displaying a screen. The screen may be similar to a conventional screen displaying regular icons when a camera is available or active. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 7B, a screen75is illustrated in which the camera is currently inactive.

Accordingly, since the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, icons751,752,753of applications that can be normally operated only in a case where the camera can be used are processed to have a visual effect. In other words, the precondition of the applications corresponding to the icons751,752,753relating to the usage environment is an environment in which the camera can be used.

The above-described icons751,752,753represent that the corresponding applications cannot be normally operated. In addition, auxiliary icons851,852,853representing the camera may be displayed together with the icons751,752,753.

FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate examples of a case where the condition of the application relating to the use environments is a connection of Bluetooth.

Referring toFIG. 8A, icons are uniformly arranged according to various embodiments displaying a screen. The screen may be similar to a conventional screen displaying regular icons when a BLUETOOTH is available or connected. On the other hand, referring toFIG. 8B, a screen76is illustrated in which the terminal1cannot perform BLUETOOTH communication as a case according to the present disclosure.

Accordingly, since the current state of the terminal1relating to the usage environment does not satisfy the precondition of the application relating to the usage environment, an icon761of the application that can be normally operated only in a case where the BLUETOOTH communication can be performed is processed to have a visual effect. In other words, the precondition of the application corresponding to the icon761relating to the usage environment is an environment in which BLUETOOTH can be used.

The above-described icon761represents that the corresponding application cannot be normally operated. In addition, an auxiliary icon861representing BLUETOOTH may be displayed together with the icon761.

As described above, a user can recognize whether applications corresponding to the icons can be normally operated. In addition, the user can immediately recognize the preconditions of the applications, which cannot be normally operated, relating to the usage environment and can change the setting of the usage environment of the terminal in accordance with the preconditions.

In a conventional technology, it can be recognized that the application cannot be normally operated only after the application is directly executed, and then, the usage environment is changed. According to the present disclosure, the usage environment can be easily checked to determine whether the applications can be normally operated before the execution of the applications, and the setting of the usage environment of the terminal can be changed, whereby a user's unnecessary operation can be reduced. Therefore, the time and the effort required for the user can be reduced, and the user convenience can be improved.

The present disclosure can be variously applied. For example, in a case where an update of an application is necessary, a visual effect can be applied to the icon of the application, and accordingly, a user can easily check a necessary update.

In a conventional technology, since update information is supplied through a notification manager, an update information notification is frequently displayed in the upper end of the display unit of the terminal. Accordingly, there is inconvenience that the information notification is continuously exposed before a user performs a corresponding update or checks and removes the information notification.

According to the present disclosure, in a case where an update is necessary or available, the necessity or availability of the update can be displayed in the icon, for example, by using an auxiliary icon with the corresponding application's icon, whereby a user can easily check the update status.

In addition, the present disclosure can be variously utilized, for example, by applying a visual effect to icons based on the use frequency of the applications, activation of an inflight mode of the terminal, the battery capacity, and installation/uninstallation of a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) chip, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) chip, and the like.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments. Instead, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.