Device, method, and storage medium storing program for displaying overlapped screens while performing multitasking function

According to an aspect, a device includes a display and a controller. The display displays a screen. In a case where an execution screen of a second function is to be displayed during execution of a first function, the controller displays the execution screen of the second function and a notification screen indicating that the first function is in the middle of execution on the display in an overlapping manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2011-259500, filed on Nov. 28, 2011, the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present application relates to a device, a method, and a storage medium storing therein a program. More particularly, the present application relates to a device including a touch screen display, a method of controlling the device, and a storage medium storing therein a program for controlling the device.

2. Description of the Related Art

A touch screen device having a touch screen display has been known. Examples of the touch screen devices include, but are not limited to, a smartphone and a tablet. The touch screen device detects a gesture of a finger, a pen, or a stylus pen through the touch screen display. Then, the touch screen device operates according to the detected gesture. An example of the operation according to the detected gesture is described in, for example, International Publication Pamphlet No. 2008/086302.

The basic operation of the touch screen device is implemented by an operating system (OS) built into the device. Examples of the OS built into the touch screen device include, but are not limited to, Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Symbian OS, and Windows Phone.

While most of touch screen devices can perform a plurality of applications of a phone call function and the like in a parallel manner utilizing a multitasking function, there are cases where an application that is not used is left alone in an executing state due to user's negligence or the like. For example, after the end of a conversation with a calling opponent, there is a case where the phone call state is left behind so as to be maintained without receiving an operation of ending the phone call function.

Generally, in a case where a plurality of applications are performed in a parallel manner utilizing a multitasking function, the load of information processing resources such as a CPU and a memory that are mounted in a device increases in accordance with an increase in the number of applications that are performed in a parallel manner, whereby the performance of the device may be lowered.

Meanwhile, in a case where the plurality of applications are performed in a parallel manner, many of devices capable of performing a plurality of applications in a parallel manner displays only an unobtrusive display or the like is made using a small icon, a balloon, or the like for each of applications other than an application that is currently operated by a user. Thus, a display having an appearance that can be easily recognized by a user or the like is not necessarily made. Accordingly, the state in which the performance of the device is lowered may continue, and there may also a negative effect that the device that is in the state of having lowered performance is used by the user not knowing the state.

For such reasons, there is a need for a device, a method, and a program capable of reducing the possibility that a function that is not used is left behind in the executing state.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect, a device includes a display and a controller. The display displays a screen. In a case where an execution screen of a second function is to be displayed during execution of a first function, the controller displays the execution screen of the second function and a notification screen indicating that the first function is in the middle of execution on the display in an overlapping manner.

According to another aspect, a method is for controlling a device that includes a display. The method includes: determining whether a first function is in the middle of execution; and displaying, in a case where an execution screen of a second function is to be displayed during execution of the first function, the execution screen of the second function and a notification screen indicating that the first function is in the middle of execution on the display in an overlapping manner.

According to another aspect, a non-transitory storage medium stores a program. When executed by a device including a display, the program causes the device to execute: determining whether a first function is in the middle of execution; and displaying, in a case where an execution screen of a second function is to be displayed during execution of the first function, the execution screen of the second function and a notification screen indicating that the first function is in the middle of execution on the display in an overlapping manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. A smartphone will be explained below as an example of a device that performs a plurality of applications in a parallel manner utilizing a multitasking function.

An overall configuration of a smartphone1according to an embodiment will be explained below with reference toFIG. 1toFIG. 3. As illustrated inFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the smartphone1includes a housing20. The housing20includes a front face1A, a back face1B, and side faces1C1to1C4. The front face1A is a front of the housing20. The back face1B is a back of the housing20. The side faces1C1to1C4are sides each connecting the front face1A and the back face1B. Hereinafter, the side faces1C1to1C4may be collectively called “side face1C” without being specific to any of the side faces.

The smartphone1includes a touch screen display2, buttons3A to3C, an illumination (ambient light) sensor4, a proximity sensor5, a receiver7, a microphone8, and a camera12, which are provided in the front face1A. The smartphone1includes a speaker11and a camera13, which are provided in the back face1B. The smartphone1includes buttons3D to3F and a connector14, which are provided in the side face1C. Hereinafter, the buttons3A to3F may be collectively called “button3” without being specific to any of the buttons.

The touch screen display2includes a display2A and a touch screen2B. In the example ofFIG. 1, each of the display2A and the touch screen2B is approximately rectangular-shaped; however, the shapes of the display2A and the touch screen2B are not limited thereto. Each of the display2A and the touch screen2B may have any shape such as a square, a circle or the like. In the example ofFIG. 1, the display2A and the touch screen2B are arranged in a superimposed manner; however, the manner in which the display2A and the touch screen2B are arranged is not limited thereto. The display2A and the touch screen2B may be arranged, for example, side by side or apart from each other. In the example ofFIG. 1, longer sides of the display2A are along with longer sides of the touch screen2B respectively while shorter sides of the display2A are along with shorter sides of the touch screen2B respectively; however, the manner in which the display2A and the touch screen2B are superimposed is not limited thereto. In case the display2A and the touch screen2B are arranged in the superimposed manner, they can be arranged such that, for example, one or more sides of the display2A are not along with any sides of the touch screen2B.

The display2A is provided with a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electro-luminescence display (OELD), or an inorganic electro-luminescence display (IELD). The display2A displays text, images, symbols, graphics, and the like.

The touch screen2B detects a contact of a finger, a pen, a stylus pen, or the like on the touch screen2B. The touch screen2B can detect positions where a plurality of fingers, pens, stylus pens, or the like make contact with the touch screen2B. In the description herein below, a finger, pen, stylus pen, and the like may be referred to as a “contact object” or an “object”.

The detection method of the touch screen2B may be any detection methods, including but not limited to, a capacitive type detection method, a resistive type detection method, a surface acoustic wave type (or ultrasonic type) detection method, an infrared type detection method, an electro magnetic induction type detection method, and a load sensing type detection method. In the description herein below, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the user uses his/her finger(s) to make contact with the touch screen2B in order to operate the smartphone1.

The smartphone1determines a type of a gesture based on at least one of a contact detected by the touch screen2B, a position where the contact is detected, a change of a position where the contact is detected, an interval between detected contacts, and the number of detection times of the contact. The gesture is an operation performed on the touch screen2B. Examples of the gestures determined by the smartphone1include, but are not limited to, touch, long touch, release, swipe, tap, double tap, long tap, drag, flick, pinch in, and pinch out.

“Touch” is a gesture in which a finger makes contact with the touch screen2B. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the finger makes contact with the touch screen2B as touch. “Long touch” is a gesture in which a finger makes contact with the touch screen2B for longer than a given time. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the finger makes contact with the touch screen2B for longer than a given time as long touch.

“Release” is a gesture in which a finger separates from the touch screen2B. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the finger separates from the touch screen2B as release. “Swipe” is a gesture in which a finger moves on the touch screen2B with continuous contact thereon. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the finger moves on the touch screen2B with continuous contact thereon as swipe.

“Tap” is a gesture in which a touch is followed by a release. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which a touch is followed by a release as tap. “Double tap” is a gesture such that a gesture in which a touch is followed by a release is successively performed twice. The smartphone1determines a gesture such that a gesture in which a touch is followed by a release is successively performed twice as double tap.

“Long tap” is a gesture in which a long touch is followed by a release. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which a long touch is followed by a release as long tap. “Drag” is a gesture in which a swipe is performed from an area where a movable-object is displayed. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which a swipe is performed from an area where the movable-object displayed as drag.

“Flick” is a gesture in which a finger separates from the touch screen2B while moving after making contact with the touch screen2B. That is, “Flick” is a gesture in which a touch is followed by a release accompanied with a movement of the finger. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the finger separates from the touch screen2B while moving after making contact with the touch screen2B as flick. The flick is performed, in many cases, with a finger moving along one direction. The flick includes “upward flick” in which the finger moves upward on the screen, “downward flick” in which the finger moves downward on the screen, “rightward flick” in which the finger moves rightward on the screen, and “leftward flick” in which the finger moves leftward on the screen, and the like. Movement of the finger during the flick is, in many cases, quicker than that of the finger during the swipe.

“Pinch in” is a gesture in which a swipe with a plurality of fingers is performed in a direction to move the fingers toward each other. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the distance between a position of one finger and a position of another finger detected by the touch screen2B becomes shorter as pinch in. “Pinch out” is a gesture in which a swipe with a plurality of fingers is performed in a direction to move the fingers away from each other. The smartphone1determines a gesture in which the distance between a position of one finger and a position of another finger detected by the touch screen2B becomes longer as pinch out.

In the description herein below, a gesture performed by using a finger may be referred to as a “single touch gesture”, and a gesture performed by using a plurality of fingers may be referred to as a “multi touch gesture”. Examples of the multi touch gesture include a pinch in and a pinch out. A tap, a flick, a swipe, and the like are a single touch gesture when performed by using a finger, and are a multi touch gesture when performed by using a plurality of fingers.

The smartphone1performs operations according to these gestures which are determined through the touch screen2B. Therefore, user-friendly and intuitive operability is achieved. The operations performed by the smartphone1according to the determined gestures may be different depending on the screen displayed on the display2A. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the fact that the touch screen detects the contact(s) and then the smartphone determines the type of the gesture as X based on the contact(s) may be simply described as “the smartphone detects X” or “the controller detects X”.

An example of the screen displayed on the display2A will be explained below with reference toFIG. 4.FIG. 4represents an example of a home screen. The home screen may also be called “desktop”, “standby screen”, “idle screen”, or “standard screen”. The home screen is displayed on the display2A. The home screen is a screen allowing the user to select which one of applications (programs) installed in the smartphone1is executed. The smartphone1executes the application selected on the home screen in the foreground. The screen of the application executed in the foreground is displayed on the display2A.

Icons can be arranged on the home screen of the smartphone1. A plurality of icons50are arranged on a home screen40illustrated inFIG. 4. Each of the icons50is previously associated with an application installed in the smartphone1. When detecting a gesture for an icon50, the smartphone1executes the application associated with the icon50for which the gesture is detected. For example, when detecting a tap on an icon50associated with a mail application, the smartphone1executes the mail application.

The icons50include an image and a character string. The icons50may contain a symbol or a graphic instead of an image. The icons50do not have to include either one of the image and the character string. The icons50are arranged based on a layout pattern. A wall paper41is displayed behind the icons50. The wall paper may sometimes be called “photo screen”, “back screen”, “idle image”, or “background image”. The smartphone1can use an arbitrary image as the wall paper41. The smartphone1may be configured so that the user can select an image to be displayed as the wall paper41.

The smartphone1can include a plurality of home screens. The smartphone1determines, for example, the number of home screens according to setting by the user. The smartphone1displays a selected one on the display2A even if there is a plurality of home screens.

The smartphone1displays an indicator (a locator)51on the home screen. The indicator51includes one or more symbols. The number of the symbols is the same as that of the home screens. In the indicator51, a symbol corresponding to a home screen that is currently displayed is displayed in a different manner from that of symbols corresponding to the other home screens.

The indicator51in an example illustrated inFIG. 4includes four symbols. This means the number of home screens is four. According to the indicator51in the example illustrated inFIG. 4, the second symbol from the left is displayed in a different manner from that of the other symbols. This means that the second home screen from the left is currently displayed.

The smartphone1can change a home screen to be displayed on the display2A. When a gesture is detected while displaying one of home screens, the smartphone1changes the home screen to be displayed on the display2A to another one. For example, when detecting a rightward flick, the smartphone1changes the home screen to be displayed on the display2A to a home screen on the left side. For example, when detecting a leftward flick, the smartphone1changes the home screen to be displayed on the display2A to a home screen on the right side. The smartphone1changes the home screen to be displayed on the display2A from a first home screen to a second home screen, when a gesture is detected while displaying the first home screen, such that the area of the first home screen displayed on the display2A gradually becomes smaller and the area of the second home screen displayed gradually becomes larger. The smartphone1may switch the home screens such that the first home screen is instantly replaced by the second home screen.

An area42is provided along the top edge of the display2A. Displayed on the area42are a remaining mark43indicating a remaining amount of a power supply and a radio-wave level mark44indicating an electric field strength of radio wave for communication. The smartphone1may display time, weather, an application during execution thereof, a type of communication system, a status of a phone call, a mode of the device, an event occurring in the device, and the like in the area42. In this manner, the area42is used to inform the user of various notifications. The area42may be provided on any screen other than the home screen40. A position where the area42is provided is not limited to the top edge of the display2A.

The home screen40illustrated inFIG. 4is only an example, and therefore the configuration of each of elements, the arrangement of the elements, the number of home screens40, the way to perform each of operations on the home screen40, and the like do not have to be like the above mentioned explanation.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of the smartphone1. The smartphone1includes the touch screen display2, the button3, the illumination sensor4, the proximity sensor5, a communication unit6, the receiver7, the microphone8, a storage9, a controller10, the speaker11, the cameras12and13, the connector14, an acceleration sensor15, a direction (orientation) sensor16, and a gyroscope17.

The touch screen display2includes, as explained above, the display2A and the touch screen2B. The display2A displays text, images, symbols, graphics, or the like. The touch screen2B detects contact(s). The controller10detects a gesture performed for the smartphone1. Specifically, the controller10detects an operation (a gesture) for the touch screen2B in cooperation with the touch screen2B.

The button3is operated by the user. The button3includes buttons3A to3F. The controller10detects an operation for the button3in cooperation with the button3. Examples of the operations for the button3include, but are not limited to, a click, a double click, a triple click, a push, and a multi-push.

The buttons3A to3C are, for example, a home button, a back button, or a menu button. The button3D is, for example, a power on/off button of the smartphone1. The button3D may function also as a sleep/sleep release button. The buttons3E and3F are, for example, volume buttons.

The illumination sensor4detects illumination of the ambient light of the smartphone1. The illumination indicates intensity of light, lightness, or brightness. The illumination sensor4is used, for example, to adjust the brightness of the display2A. The proximity sensor5detects the presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The proximity sensor5detects the presence of the object based on a change of the magnetic field, a change of the return time of the reflected ultrasonic wave, etc. The proximity sensor5detects that, for example, the touch screen display2is brought close to someone's face. The illumination sensor4and the proximity sensor5may be configured as one sensor. The illumination sensor4can be used as a proximity sensor.

The communication unit6performs communication via radio waves. A communication system supported by the communication unit6is wireless communication standard. The wireless communication standard includes, for example, a communication standard of cellar phones such as 2G, 3G, and 4G. The communication standard of cellar phones includes, for example, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), CDMA 2000, a Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), and a Personal Handy-phone System (PHS). The wireless communication standard further includes, for example, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association (IrDA), and Near Field Communication (NFC). The communication unit6may support one or more communication standards.

The receiver7and the speaker11are sound output units. The receiver7and the speaker11output a sound signal transmitted from the controller10as sound. The receiver7is used, for example, to output voice of the other party on the phone. The speaker11is used, for example, to output a ring tone and music. Either one of the receiver7and the speaker11may double as the other function. The microphone8is a sound input unit. The microphone8converts speech of the user or the like to a sound signal and transmit the converted signal to the controller10.

The storage9stores therein programs and data. The storage9is used also as a work area that temporarily stores a processing result of the controller10. The storage9may include any non-transitory storage medium such as a semiconductor storage medium and a magnetic storage medium. The storage9may include a plurality type of storage mediums. The storage9may include a combination of a portable storage medium such as a memory card, an optical disc, or a magneto-optical disc with a reader of the storage medium. The storage9may include a storage device used as a temporary storage area such as Random Access Memory (RAM).

Programs stored in the storage9include applications executed in the foreground or the background and a control program for assisting operations of the applications. The application causes the controller10, for example, to display a screen on the display2A and perform a process according to a gesture detected through the touch screen2B. The control program is, for example, an OS. The applications and the control program may be installed in the storage9through communication by the communication unit6or through a non-transitory storage medium.

The storage9, for example, stores a control program9A, a mail application9B, a browser application9C, usage status data9Y, and setting data9Z. The mail application9B provides an electronic mail function. The electronic mail function, for example, enables composition, transmission, reception, and display of an electronic mail. The browser application9C provides a Web browsing function. The Web browsing function, for example, enables a display of a web page, editing of a book mark, and the like. The usage status data9Y includes information that relates to a usage status of applications that are installed to the smartphone1. The setting data9Z includes information that relates to various settings relating to the operation of the smartphone1.

The control program9A provides a function related to various controls for operating the smartphone1. The control program9A controls, for example, the communication unit6, the receiver7, and the microphone8to make a phone call. The function provided by the control program9A includes functions for performing various controls such as changing information displayed on the display2A according to an application in execution. The functions provided by the control program9A can be used in combination with a function provided by the other program such as the mail application9B.

The controller10is a processing unit. Examples of the processing units include, but are not limited to, a Central Processing Unit (CPU), System-on-a-chip (SoC), a Micro Control Unit (MCU), and a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The controller10integrally controls the operations of the smartphone1to implement various functions.

Specifically, the controller10executes instructions contained in the program stored in the storage9while referring to the data stored in the storage9as necessary. The controller10controls a function unit according to the data and the instructions to thereby implement the various functions. Examples of the function units include, but are not limited to, the display2A, the communication unit6, the receiver7, and the speaker11. The controller10can change the control of the function unit according to the detection result of a detector. Examples of the detectors include, but are not limited to, the touch screen2B, the button3, the illumination sensor4, the proximity sensor5, the microphone8, the camera12, the camera13, the acceleration sensor15, the direction sensor16, and the gyroscope17.

The controller10executes, for example, the control program9A to thereby execute various controls such as changing information displayed on the display2A according to an application in execution.

The camera12is an in-camera for photographing an object facing the front face1A. The camera13is an out-camera for photographing an object facing the back face1B.

The connector14is a terminal to which other device is connected. The connector14may be a general-purpose terminal such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Light Peak (Thunderbolt), and an earphone/microphone connector. The connector14may be a dedicated terminal such as a dock connector. Examples of the devices connected to the connector14include, but are not limited to, an external storage device, a speaker, and a communication device.

The acceleration sensor15detects a direction and a magnitude of acceleration applied to the smartphone1. The direction sensor16detects a direction of geomagnetism. The gyroscope17detects an angle and an angular velocity of the smartphone1. The detection results of the acceleration sensor15, the direction sensor16, and the gyroscope17are used in combination with each other in order to detect a position of the smartphone1and a change of its attitude.

Part or all of the programs and the data stored in the storage9inFIG. 5may be downloaded from any other device through communication by the communication unit6. Part or all of the programs and the data stored in the storage9inFIG. 5may be stored in the non-transitory storage medium that can be read by the reader included in the storage9. Part or all of the programs and the data stored in the storage9inFIG. 5may be stored in the non-transitory storage medium that can be read by a reader connected to the connector14. Examples of the non-transitory storage mediums include, but are not limited to, an optical disc such as CD, DVD, and Blu-ray, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic storage medium, a memory card, and solid-state storage medium.

The configuration of the smartphone1illustrated inFIG. 5is only an example, and therefore it can be modified as required within a scope that does not depart from the gist of the present invention. For example, the number and the type of the button3are not limited to the example ofFIG. 5. The smartphone1may be provided with buttons of a numeric keypad layout or a QWERTY layout and so on as buttons for operation of the screen instead of the buttons3A to3C. The smartphone1may be provided with only one button to operate the screen, or with no button. In the example ofFIG. 5, the smartphone1is provided with two cameras; however, the smartphone1may be provided with only one camera or with no camera. In the example ofFIG. 5, the smartphone1is provided with three types of sensors in order to detect its position and attitude; however, the smartphone1does not have to be provided with some of the sensors. Alternatively, the smartphone1may be provided with any other type of sensor for detecting at least one of the position and the attitude.

An example of a control process that is based on the functions provided by the control program9A will be described with reference toFIGS. 6 to 22. In the functions provided by the control program9A, a function of displaying a notification screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of a first function so as to overlap an execution screen that is executed by a second function other than the first function in a case where the execution screen is displayed during the execution of the first function is included. For example, in the functions provided by the control program9A, a function of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of a predetermined application and an image displayed on a screen that is executed by another application other than the predetermined application on the display2A in an overlapping manner is included. Hereinafter, a plurality of examples of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of a predetermined application and an image displayed on a screen that is executed by another application other than the predetermined application on the display2A in an overlapping manner will be illustrated.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of the home screen that is illustrated inFIG. 4described above.FIGS. 7 and 8illustrate examples of the screen at a time when a program for a phone call is executed. For example, when a tap on an icon50that is associated with the program for a phone call that is installed to the smartphone1is detected, the smartphone1executes the program for a phone call. Then, as a screen at the time of executing the program for a phone call, a phone call screen45aillustrated inFIG. 7is displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B by the executed program for a phone call. The phone call screen45aillustrated inFIG. 7is an example of a screen before performing a dialing operation, and includes an image of a symbol imitating a receiver that corresponds to a before-dialing state, a keypad used for performing a dialing operation, and a call button used for the calling operation.

When a tap on the call button is detected, the phone call screen45aillustrated inFIG. 7transits to a phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8by the program for a phone call. The phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8is an example of a screen during a phone call and includes an image of a symbol imitating a receiver that corresponds to an in-call state, a keypad used for performing a dialing operation, and an end call button used for performing a phone call ending operation.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call. In a case where the home screen or the like is displayed or another application is newly executed during the execution of the program for a phone call, for example, in a state in which the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8is displayed, the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is generated as a screen that is used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and forms an image layer that is generated separately from the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8. On the screen illustrated inFIG. 9, an image G1that is used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call is displayed. The image G1is configured by an area in which an enlarged image of a symbol imitating a receiver that corresponds to an in-call state illustrated inFIG. 8and a shaded area in which “In Call” is represented.

FIG. 10illustrates a display example in a case where an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the home screen are displayed in an overlapping manner.FIG. 10is a display example in a case where the home screen is displayed during the execution of the program for a phone call. For example, when an operation for displaying the home screen is performed during the execution of the program for a phone call, the smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6. In the embodiment, for example, the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6is displayed on the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9can be visually recognized through the home screen illustrated inFIG. 6. Accordingly, even when the user returns to the home screen in the middle of a phone call, the user does not forget that the phone call has not ended, whereby a possibility that a function that is not used is neglected in the executing state is reduced. In this case, an operation for the home screen40is effective on the touch screen2B.

FIG. 11, similarly toFIG. 10, illustrates a display example in a case where an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the home screen are displayed in an overlapping manner.FIG. 11is a display example in a case where a wall paper41other than a plain wall paper is set on the home screen. Even in a case where the wall paper41other than a plain wall paper is set on the home screen, the smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6. In the embodiment, for example, the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6is displayed on the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9can be visually recognized through the home screen illustrated inFIG. 6.

InFIG. 10 or 11, the method of overlapping the images may be arbitrary as long as both the image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and the image displayed on the home screen can be seen. Any one of the images may be relatively positioned on the front side. For example, the images may overlap each other as layers. The image presented during a phone call may be displayed between layers of another application. The image presented during a phone call may be composed with an image of another application, and the image presented during a phone call may be set to be displayed as a background of another application or an image of the wall paper.

Similarly toFIGS. 10 and 11,FIG. 12illustrates a display example of a case in which an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the home screen are displayed in an overlapping manner.FIG. 12is an example of a display in a case where an image G2that is configured by a predetermined color scheme and a character string of “In Call” is employed as the image used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call. The smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 12and the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6is transmitted through the screen illustrated inFIG. 12. Thus, a predetermined screen may be configured in various forms capable of clearly indicating an ongoing phone call to the user, such as an image that is configured only by a color scheme and an image, for which a predetermined color scheme is applied, being turned on and off at a predetermined interval.

FIG. 13illustrates an example of a lock screen. The lock screen is a screen that is initially displayed on the display2A at the time of starting up the smartphone1or returning from a standby state, and, for example, the home screen as illustrated inFIG. 4is displayed by releasing the locked state. Here, the standby state represents a state of the smartphone1in which the display2A is turned off, and an operation for the touch screen2B cannot be performed although the state is a power-on state. For example, in the embodiment, as an example of the lock screen46, a screen that includes an image of a lock and an unlock button that is used for performing an operation of releasing the locked state will be described.

FIG. 14illustrates a display example in a case where an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the lock screen are displayed in an overlapping manner.FIG. 14is an example of a display in a case where the lock screen is displayed during the execution of the program for a phone call. For example, when an operation of displaying a lock screen is performed during the execution of the program for a phone call, the smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the lock screen46illustrated inFIG. 13on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the lock screen illustrated inFIG. 13. In the embodiment, for example, the image displayed on the lock screen46illustrated inFIG. 13is displayed on the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9can be visually recognized through the lock screen46illustrated inFIG. 13. Accordingly, even when a user sets the smartphone1in the standby state while misunderstanding that an operation of ending the phone call has been performed, the user can quickly notice that the phone call state is continued at timing when the lock screen is displayed, whereby a possibility that a function that is not used is neglected in the executing state is reduced. In this case, an operation for the lock screen46is effective on the touch screen2B.

FIG. 15, similarly toFIG. 14, illustrates a display example in a case where an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the lock screen are displayed in an overlapping manner.FIG. 15is an example of a display in a case where an image G2configured by a predetermined color scheme and a character string of “In Call” is employed as a screen that is used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call. The smartphone1displays the image G2displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 12and the image displayed on the lock screen illustrated inFIG. 13on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the image G2illustrated inFIG. 12is transmitted through the lock screen illustrated inFIG. 13.

FIG. 16illustrates an example of a display of screens switched in accordance with a user's operation.FIG. 16is an example of switching between screen displays in accordance with a user's operation in a case where the display illustrated inFIG. 10described above is made. In Step S11illustrated inFIG. 16, the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6and the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9are displayed on the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner. Through Steps S11to S12, a user's finger moves toward the lower side at an area near the center of the screen in continuous contact with the touch screen2B.

When the user's operation is performed through Steps S11and S12, the smartphone1detects a downward sweep on the screen on which the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6and the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9are displayed in an overlapping manner through the touch screen2B. Subsequently, as illustrated at Step S13illustrated inFIG. 16, the smartphone1switches the screen on which the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6and the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9are displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner to the phone call screen45b(FIG. 8) of the program for a phone call that is in the middle of execution for display at time point when the downward sweep is not detected. By thus switching between displays, switching to a state in which an operation for the phone call screen45bcan be performed on the touch screen2B is achieved. The smartphone1may be configured to measure a distance of the downward sweep and perform switching between the screens in a case where the measured distance of the sweep is longer than a half of the maximum size along the display face of the display2A in the vertical direction or more, whereby a possibility the switching between the screens is unstable due to a too sensitive reaction to a user's operation is reduced.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, the smartphone1may be configured to switch the screen on which the image displayed on the screen represented inFIG. 6and the image displayed on the screen represented inFIG. 9overlap each other to the phone call screen45bin accordance with an operation of shaking the smartphone1that is detected through an acceleration sensor15or the like. Furthermore, the smartphone1may be configured to switch the screens at time point when the number of shaking operations reaches a predetermined number of times, whereby a possibility that an interference occurs with any other application in a case where a plurality of applications are performed in parallel for multi-tasking is reduced.

FIG. 18illustrates an example of a screen of a web page that corresponds to a predetermined search engine that is accessed using a web browser function. For example, when a tap on the icon50that is associated with the browser application installed to the smartphone1is detected, the smartphone1executes the browser application. Then, by the executed browser application, a screen47of a web page illustrated inFIG. 18as a screen displaying a predetermined search engine that is browsed is displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B. The screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18is in a state in which a mark representing that the browser application is in the middle of execution is displayed in the upper area of a predetermined web page that includes an image of a symbol of a bear, an input box used for inputting a search query, and a search button used for requesting for the execution of the search.

FIG. 19illustrates a display example of a case where an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the screen of a web page overlap each other.FIG. 19is an example of a display in a case where the screen47of a web page is displayed during the execution of the program for a phone call. For example, when an access to a web page is performed while the program for a phone call is executed, the smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18. In the embodiment, for example, the image displayed on the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18is displayed on the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9can be visually recognized through the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18. Accordingly, even when a user accesses a web page during a phone call, the user does not forget that the phone call has not ended. In this case, an operation for the screen47of the web page is effective on the touch screen2B.

FIG. 20illustrates an example of a screen that is used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the browser application. In a case where the home screen or the like is displayed or another application is newly executed while the browser application is executed, the screen illustrated inFIG. 20is generated as a screen that is used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the browser application and forms an image layer that includes an image of a web site accessed by the browser application or an image G3which is generated separately from an image of the web page.

FIG. 21illustrates an example of a display of screens switched in accordance with a user's operation.FIG. 21is an example of changing the screen display in accordance with a user's operation in a case where the screen illustrated inFIG. 19described above is displayed. In Step S21illustrated inFIG. 21, the image illustrated on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18are displayed on the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner. Through Steps S21and S22, a user's finger moves from the lower side of the screen toward the upper side at an area near the center of the screen in continuous contact with the touch screen2B.

When the user's operation is performed through Steps S21and S22, the smartphone1detects an upward sweep on the screen on which the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 18are displayed in an overlapping manner through the touch screen2B. Subsequently, at time point when the upward sweep is not detected, the smartphone1, as illustrated at Step S23represented inFIG. 21, changes the display of the screen on which the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18are displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that an operation for the phone call screen45b(FIG. 8) of the program for a phone call that is in the middle of the execution can be performed. In other words, the smartphone1displays the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20and the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 20is transmitted through the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8. In the embodiment, for example, the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8is displayed on the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 20can be visually recognized through the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8. In the embodiment, the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8is displayed on the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20in an overlapping manner. Through the switching between the displays, the state is switched to a state in which an operation for the phone call screen45bcan be performed on the touch screen2B.

FIG. 22is a diagram illustrating an example of display switching between screens from the state illustrated inFIG. 21to the state illustrated inFIG. 19in accordance with a user's operation again. In Step S31illustrated inFIG. 22, the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8and the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20are displayed on the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner. Through Steps S31and S32, a user's finger moves toward the lower side of the screen at an area near the center of the screen, in other words, in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the finger illustrated inFIG. 21in continuous contact with the touch screen2B.

When the user's operation is performed through Steps S31and S32, the smartphone1detects a downward sweep on the screen on which the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8and the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20are displayed in an overlapping manner through the touch screen2B. Subsequently, at time point when the downward sweep is not detected, the smartphone1, as illustrated at Step S33represented inFIG. 22, changes the display of the screen on which the image displayed on the phone call screen45billustrated inFIG. 8and the image G3displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 20are displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that, contrary to the case illustrated inFIG. 21, an operation for the screen47(FIG. 18) of the web page displayed by the browser application that is in the middle of the execution can be performed. In other words, similarly toFIG. 19, the smartphone1displays the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the screen47of the web page illustrated inFIG. 18. Through the switching between the displays, the state is switched to a state in which an operation for the screen47of the web page can be performed on the touch screen2B.

As illustrated inFIG. 17, the smartphone1may be configured to switch the display between the phone call screen45band the screen47of the web page in accordance with an operation of shaking the smartphone1. In a case where the program for a phone call and the browser application are executed in parallel as illustrated inFIG. 19 or 21, 22, and the like, when any one of the programs is operated to end, only the screen that corresponds to the program that is in the middle of the execution is displayed.

An example of the process sequence of a control process that is based on the functions provided by the control program9A will be described with reference toFIGS. 23 to 25.FIG. 23illustrates an example of the process sequence of a control process of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the home screen in an overlapping manner.FIG. 24illustrates an example of the process sequence of a control process of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the lock screen in an overlapping manner.FIG. 25illustrates an example of the process sequence of a control process of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the screen of a web page in an overlapping manner.

The process sequences illustrated inFIGS. 23 to 25are realized by executing the control program9A using a controller10.

First of all, an example of the process sequence of a control, process of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the home screen in an overlapping manner will be described with reference toFIG. 23.

The controller10performs a process of determining whether to display the home screen40at Step S101. For example, in a case where the smartphone1receives an operation of pressing the button3B or the like from a user in a state (a state in which an application is executed) before being moved to the standby state, the controller10derives a determination result that indicates to perform the display of the home screen40. On the other hand, in a case where an operation of pressing the button3B or the like is not received from a user, the controller10derives a determination result that indicates not to perform the display of the home screen40and repeatedly performs the same determination process of Step S101with the determination of Step S101as “No”.

In a case where the determination result indicating to perform the display of the home screen40is derived (Yes at Step S101), subsequently, the controller10determines whether the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution at Step S102. For example, in a case where a task of the program for a phone call is in the middle of the execution, the controller10derives a determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution.

In a case where the determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution is derived (Yes at Step S102), the controller10displays the layer of the image displayed on the home screen40(FIG. 6) and the layer of the image G1displayed on the screen (FIG. 9) used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner so as to be transmitted through the home screen40at Step S103, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in a case where the determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is not in the middle of execution is derived (No at Step S102), the controller10displays the home screen40on the display2A of the touch screen2B at Step S104, and the process ends.

Next, an example of the process sequence of a control process of displaying the image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing program for a phone call and the image displayed on the lock screen in an overlapping manner will be described with reference toFIG. 24.

The controller10performs a process of determining whether to display the lock screen46at Step S201. For example, in a case where an operation of pressing the button3B,3D, or the like is received from a user in the standby state of the smartphone1, the controller10derives the determination result that indicates to display the lock screen46. On the other hand, in a case where an operation of pressing the button3B,3D, or the like is not received from a user, the controller10derives the determination result that indicates not to display the lock screen46and repeatedly performs the same determination of Step S201with the determination of Step S201as “No”.

In a case where the determination result that indicates to display the lock screen46(Yes at Step S201), the controller10subsequently determines whether the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution at Step S202. For example, in a case where a task of the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution, the controller10derives the determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution.

In a case where the determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is in the middle of execution is derived (Yes at Step S202), the controller10displays the layer of the image displayed on the lock screen46(FIG. 13) and the layer of the image G1displayed on the screen (FIG. 9) used for notifying a user of the ongoing program for a phone call on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner so as to be transmitted through the lock screen46at Step S203, and the process ends.

On the other hand, in a case where the determination result indicating that the program for a phone call is not in the middle of execution is derived (No at Step S202), the controller10displays the lock screen46on the display2A of the touch screen2B at Step S204, and the process ends.

Next, an example of the process sequence of a control process of displaying an image displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call and an image displayed on the screen of a web page in an overlapping manner will be described with reference toFIG. 25. With reference toFIG. 25, the sequence of a control process of a screen display in a case where a predetermined web page is accessed by executing a web browser during the execution of the program for a phone call will be described.

The controller10determines whether to execute a web browser at Step S301. As a result of the determination, in a case where the web browser is to be executed (Yes at Step S301), the controller10displays the layer of the image of the display screen according to the browser and the layer of the image G1displayed on the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner so as to be transmitted through the display screen (FIG. 18) according to the browser at Step S302.

Subsequently, the controller10determines whether the web browser has ended at Step S303. As a result of the determination, in a case where the web browser has not ended (No at Step S330), the determination of Step S303is repeatedly performed. On the other hand, as a result of the determination, in a case where the web browser has ended (Yes at Step S303), the controller10displays only the screen (FIG. 8) of the program for a phone call that is in the middle of the execution on the display2A of the touch screen2B at Step S304, and the process returns to Step S301described above.

On the other hand, in a case where the web browser is not to be executed at Step S301(No at Step S301), the controller10continues to perform the screen display of the program for a phone call at Step S305, and the process returns to Step S301described above.

The embodiment disclosed in the present application can be modified without departing the gist and the scope of the invention. Moreover, the embodiments and their modifications disclosed in the present application can be combined with each other if necessary. For example, the embodiment may be modified as follows.

For example, the programs illustrated inFIG. 5may be divided into a plurality of modules, or may be combined with any other program.

In the above-described embodiment, although a case has been described in which the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call is displayed in an overlapping manner so as to be transmitted through another screen such as the home screen40, any one of functions or applications built in the smartphone1may be arbitrary set by a user for the notice of the ongoing execution thereof to the user.FIG. 26illustrates an example of a transparency setting screen. The user displays the transparency setting screen illustrated inFIG. 26on the smartphone1, for example, on the display2A, and by selecting a check box of “On” for a processing function (program) for displaying another screen so as to be transmitted during the execution and selecting a check box of “Off” for a processing function (program) for not displaying another screen so as to be transmitted during the execution, the processing function for displaying another screen so as to be transmitted during the execution can be selected. In this way, the number of applications for the notification of the ongoing execution of the program may be freely changed.

For example, an application for which a user is notified of the ongoing execution may be an application which is charged by the time during which the application is executed. In other words, the application for which a user is notified of the ongoing execution may be an application that is charged higher as the time during which the application is executed becomes longer. In this way, the occurrence of charging can be perceived also during the execution of another application, whereby the function that is not necessary can be quickly ended. In addition, in the case where a charged application is set to the application for which a user is notified of the ongoing execution, a situation can be avoided in which a great amount of billing occurs to the user.

The target for which a user is notified of the ongoing execution may be set to a function that is executed by a program (or an application). For example, it may be configured such that the above-described control process (FIG. 22, 23, or the like) is performed in a case where the program for a phone call (or a phone call application) is executed and the phone call function is executed, and the above-described control process is not performed in a case where the program for a phone call is executed and the phone call function is not executed.

In the above-described embodiment, although a case has been described in which the screen (for example, seeFIG. 9) used for notifying a user of the execution of the program for a phone call and another screen are displayed in an overlapping manner, the screen (for example, seeFIG. 8) that is displayed during the execution of the program for a phone call and another screen may be displayed in an overlapping manner.

In the above-described embodiment, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9and the image displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6are displayed on the display2A of the touch screen2B in an overlapping manner such that the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is transmitted through the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6. Thus, the home screen illustrated inFIG. 6can be visually recognized through the screen illustrated inFIG. 9. However, for example, the screen illustrated inFIG. 9may be configured to be transmitted through the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6by changing a degree of the transparency of the home screen, or the screen illustrated inFIG. 9may be configured to transmit the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6therethrough by changing the a degree of transparency of the screen illustrated inFIG. 9. In a case where the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is configured to transmit the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6therethrough, the image displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9is displayed on the image displayed on the home screen40in an overlapping manner. Alternatively, for example, the image (layer) displayed on the screen illustrated inFIG. 9may be displayed in the image (layer) displayed on the home screen40illustrated inFIG. 6in a simply overlapping manner without the screen being transmitted.

In the above-described embodiment, in a case where a predetermined operation is received by the smartphone1, the application for which a notification of the ongoing execution thereof is made may be configured to be ended. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10, in a case where the screen used for notifying a user of the ongoing execution of the program for a phone call is displayed in an overlapping manner so as to be transmitted through the home screen40, when an operation of continuously pressing the button3B for a predetermined time is received, or when an operation of pressing the button3B a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time is received, the program for a phone call that is in the middle of execution may be ended.

In the embodiment, the smartphone has been explained as an example of the device provided with the touch screen display; however, the device according to the appended claims is not limited to the smartphone. The device according to the appended claims may be a mobile electronic device other than the smartphone. Examples of the mobile electronic devices include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, mobile personal computers, digital cameras, media players, electronic book readers, navigators, and gaming devices. The device according to the appended claims may be a stationary-type electronic device. Examples of the stationary-type electronic devices include, but are not limited to, desktop personal computers, automatic teller machines (ATM), and television receivers.