Abstract:
A mobile communication terminal and a method of multi-tasking in the terminal are provided. The mobile communication terminal displays a first task display associated with a first application task, receives a request to execute a second application task while the first application task is being performed, and displays a second task display associated with the second application task, wherein the second task display at least partially replaces the first task display, at least a portion of the second task display is identified by an active cursor configured to allow a user to select a function associated with the second application task, and at least one display feature of the active cursor indicates that the first application task is being concurrently performed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2007-0036757, filed on Apr. 16, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to multi-tasking and displaying an active cursor in a mobile terminal. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Recently, a mobile terminal has been developed to achieve a high processing speed and a high memory capacity to support multitask operations. The mobile terminal with multitask capability processes and displays a most recently executed application on top of a display or in a foreground while processing and displaying other executed applications previously initiated in a background. The mobile terminal with multitask capability displays, for example, a Background Music (BGM) indicator to indicate that an MPEG-1 Audio layer 3 (MP3) file is being reproduced in the background when another application is being executed in the foreground. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one general aspect, a method of multi-tasking in a mobile terminal includes displaying a first task display associated with a first application task in the mobile terminal, receiving a request to execute a second application task while the first application task is being performed, and displaying a second task display, the second task display associated with the second application task and at least partially replacing the first task display, wherein at least a portion of the second task display is identified by an active cursor configured to allow a user to select a function associated with the second application task and at least one display feature of the active cursor indicates that the first application task is concurrently being performed. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the second task display includes a menu list corresponding to the second application task, at least one item of the menu list identified by the active cursor. The display feature of the active cursor may include at least one of color, color tone and fading. Additionally, the display feature of the active cursor may include at least one of still and moving images. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the first application task includes an MP3 file reproduction function and the moving images move in response to a tempo of music played via the MP3 file reproduction function. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the active cursor includes at least one additional display feature that corresponds to at least one additional application task being performed concurrently with the first and the second application tasks. The additional display feature may be selectively determined by the user. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the active cursor includes status information associated with the first application task. The status information may include one of text information and a progressive bar graph. The display feature of the active cursor may be initiated a predetermined time after displaying the second task display. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, a terminal includes an input unit for receiving a request to perform a first application task and a request to perform a second application task, the request to perform the second application task received while the first application task is being performed; a display for displaying a first task display associated with the first application task and a second task display associated with the second application task, the second task display at least partially replacing the first task display; and a controller for displaying an active cursor on the second task display, wherein at least one display feature of the active cursor indicates that the first application task is being concurrently performed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate screens displaying cursors according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate screens displaying active cursors according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate screens displaying active cursors according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate screens displaying active cursors according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile communication terminal  100  according to the present invention includes a transceiver  10 , a memory unit  20 , an input unit  30 , a controller  40 , a display  50 , and an audio processor  60 . 
         [0018]    The transceiver  10  transmits and receives signals to and from a base station (not shown) to perform a communication function for the mobile communication terminal  100 . 
         [0019]    The memory unit  20  stores programs and data for controlling overall operations of the mobile communication terminal  100 . The memory unit  20  further stores files such as MP3 files, video files, and image files. The memory unit  20  may also store a program for a real-time operating system to support multitask operations of the mobile communication terminal  100 . 
         [0020]    The input unit  30  includes various buttons for inputting information such as numbers and characters. The input unit  30  further includes function buttons for manipulating various functions and direction buttons for selecting a specific direction to move a cursor. The input unit  30  is implemented as a key pad, a touchpad, a jog dial, a touch screen, or a joystick. The input unit  30  receives a command from a user to perform a specific task by transferring the input command to the controller  40 . 
         [0021]    The controller  40  is a processor that performs overall control operations of the mobile communication terminal  100  based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit  20 . The controller  40  controls and manages the multitask operations using the program for the real-time operating system stored in the memory unit  20 . 
         [0022]    For example, the controller  40  manages to execute a plurality of tasks in parallel based on a priority preset according to factors such as their urgency and importance. The controller  40  receives a command to operate the specific task from the input unit  20  while operating another task such as reproducing or downloading certain contents. 
         [0023]    Accordingly, the controller  40  performs multitask operations to perform the specific task in the foreground and display a screen related to the specific task on the display  50 . The controller  40  also displays an active cursor on the screen related to the specific task in the foreground to visually indicate that another task is being performed in the background. For example, the active cursor may indicate that certain contents are being reproduced or downloaded in the background. 
         [0024]    The display  50  displays on a screen a variety of information output from the mobile communication terminal  100 . The screen may include a menu screen. The display  50  may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). 
         [0025]    The display  50  may include more than one display devices, such as an external display device and an internal display device. The display  50  may display an active cursor under the control of the controller  40 . The active cursor may display in its interior at least one graphic pattern such as a rhythmical motion. 
         [0026]    The audio processor  60  processes audio signals decoded by the controller  40  to output specific sound through a speaker SPK under the control of the controller  40 . The audio processor  60  further processes audio signals from a microphone MIC to transmit the processed audio signals to the controller  40 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , cursors  220 ,  240 , and  260  are shown on screens  210 ,  230 , and  250 , respectively, of the display  50  of the mobile communication terminal  100 . A cursor generally refers to a pointer, a moving icon or position markers of the pointing device. In a graphical user interface as often used in the mobile communication terminal  100 , the cursor is often a blinking line or bar that is used to indicate which submenu or item in a menu or list is selected by highlighting or distinguishing the selected submenu or item from other submenus or items. In general, the cursor is monotonous and displayed in a single solid color. In the present invention, an “active cursor” is distinguished from the common cursor and is characterized by changing colors, or graphic image/motion of waves or bubbles in the cursor. 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 2 , a ‘Multimedia’  220  is selected from an initial ‘MENU’ screen  210  showing a list of submenus. Then, a ‘MULTIMEDIA’  230  menu screen showing a list of a plurality of the multimedia submenus is displayed on the display  50 . An ‘MP3 player’ menu  240 , for example, is selected from the ‘MULTIMEDIA’  230  menu screen. As a result, the mobile communication terminal  100  transitions to an ‘MP3’  250  play mode and displays a list of MP3 files stored in the memory unit  20  on the display  50 . 
         [0029]    In the list of the MP3 files displayed on the display  50 , the user moves a cursor to a desired MP3 file, for example, ‘Dream Lover’  260 , and selects a ‘PLAY’ menu  270  to play the selected MP3 file. Alternatively, the display  50  may be a touch screen and tapping on the name of the desired MP3 file, for example, ‘Dream Lover’  260 , will play the tapped file. 
         [0030]    After the MP3 file is selected as described above in connection with  FIG. 2 , the display  50  displays a play screen  310 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , to play the selected MP3 file. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the user may further request to perform another task while the MP3 file is being played. 
         [0031]    Another task is then executed in the foreground while the MP3 file is being played in the background. For example, the user may request to enter a message mode by manipulating the input unit  30  while the MP3 file is being played as shown in the play screen  310 . In response to the user&#39;s input, the mobile communication terminal  100  transitioned to the message mode to display a ‘Messaging’ menu screen  320 A showing a list of message submenus such as ‘New Message’, ‘Inbox’, ‘Drafts’, and ‘Outbox’ on the foreground while the MP3 file is being played in the background. 
         [0032]    On the displayed list of message submenus, a cursor  330  for selecting a desired menu is placed on one of the message submenus. The message menu screen  320 A may display in an indicator area  340  a ‘BGM’ indicator to indicate that the MP3 file is being played in the background. 
         [0033]    After a predetermined time lapses, for example 0.1 second, the message menu screen  320 A may be changed into a modified screen  320 B. In the modified screen  320 B, the initial cursor  330  of the initial message menu screen  320 A has been changed into an active cursor  350  having at least one graphic pattern displaying a rhythmical motion, for example, a pattern with polka dots in rhythmical movements. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate screens displaying examples of active cursors. As described above, the mobile communication terminal  100  may change the cursor  330  into the active cursor  350  having a specific pattern with rhythmic motions if the MP3 file is being played in the background while the multitask processing is performed. Therefore, from the specific pattern of the active cursor  350 , the user may instantly notice that the MP3 file is being played in the background. 
         [0035]    The described implementation is merely exemplary, and many variations may be applied to the implementation. For example, the active cursor  350  may be displayed to inform that a moving picture is being reproduced or a specific file is being downloaded in the background while another task is performed in the foreground. 
         [0036]    According to the above description, the cursor  330  is displayed on the screen  320 A for processing the new task and then changed into the active cursor  350  after the predetermined time has lapsed after initiating the multitask processing. Alternatively, the active cursor  350  may be displayed instantly upon initiating the new task and the screen  320 B for the new task displayed on the display  50 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the mobile communication terminal  100  transitions to the message mode to display a message menu screen  510 A while playing the MP3 file. The message menu screen  510 A shows the list of message submenus with the active cursor  540  placed at one of the menus in the list. 
         [0038]    If the user selects a ‘CURSOR’ menu  520  at a lower end of the message menu screen  510 A under the list of the message submenus, a popup window  530  is displayed on the message menu screen  510 A. The popup window  530  provides a ‘Music information Display’ menu and a ‘Tempo Control’ menu. 
         [0039]    If the user places a cursor at the ‘Music information Display’ menu and presses a ‘SELECT’ menu on the left side of the ‘CURSOR’ menu  520 , submenus, such as a ‘Setting’ and a ‘Cancel’ menu, are displayed in another popup window on the left side of the popup window  530 . If the user selects the ‘Setting’ menu, the ‘Messaging’ menu screen  510 A is turned into a screen  510 B in which the active cursor  550  displays a name of the MP3 file being played within the active cursor  550 . For example, ‘Inbox/Dream Lover’ is displayed within the active cursor  550  while the MP3 file of “Dream Lover’ is being played in the background. 
         [0040]    If the user moves the cursor to the ‘Tempo Control’ menu in the popup window  530  and presses the ‘SELECT’ menu, submenus, such as an ‘Automatic,’ a ‘Manual,’ and a ‘Cancel’ menu, are displayed in another popup window on the left side of the popup window  530  on the message menu screen  510 C. If the ‘Automatic’ menu is selected, a tempo of the motion of the pattern displayed within the active cursor  540  may be adjusted in accordance with a tempo of the MP3 file being reproduced. For example, the pattern may move in a faster tempo if the tempo of the MP3 file increases. 
         [0041]    If the ‘Manual’ menu is selected, the user may set the tempo of the motion of the pattern in the active cursor  540  to one of available predetermined tempos and the tempo of the displayed motion will be constant regardless of the variation of the tempo in the MP3 file being played. For example, the predetermined tempo of the motion of the pattern may be available as ‘very slow,’ ‘slow,’ ‘normal,’ ‘fast,’ or ‘very fast.’ 
         [0042]    If the user selects the ‘Cancel’ menu in the popup window  530 , the pattern displayed in the active cursor  540  may move in a predetermined tempo set by the mobile communication terminal  100 . 
         [0043]    According to the above description, when the user selects the ‘Music Info Display’ menu, the name of the MP3 file is displayed within the active cursor  540 . Alternatively, information regarding the MP3 file, such as lyrics, artist information or a play order of the MP3 files may be displayed within the active cursor  540 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , if the user selects a connection to the Internet in order to download specific content, the display  50  displays a screen  610  showing a list of contents available for download. If the user moves the cursor to a desired content in the list and presses the ‘SELECT’ menu, the display  50  displays a screen  620  to indicate that the selected content is being downloaded. 
         [0045]    If the user selects the message mode while the selected content is being downloaded, the mobile communication terminal  100  transitions to the message mode and displays a ‘Messaging’ menu screen  630 A showing a list of message submenus in the foreground while downloading the desired content in the background. A cursor  640  may be placed on any one of the message submenus listed in the ‘Messaging’ menu screen  630 A. 
         [0046]    A progressive bar  650  may be displayed inside the cursor  660  after a predetermined time has lapsed, in a manner similar to screen  630 B in order to show the progress of the download. Therefore, the user is able to check the progress of the download in the message mode. 
         [0047]    As described above, the mobile communication terminal  100  may change the cursor  640  to display the progressive bar  650  within the cursor  660  after the predetermined time has lapsed. Alternatively, the cursor  660  may display the progressive bar  650  as soon as the message menu screen  630 A is displayed in the foreground in response to the user&#39;s command. 
         [0048]    Further, rather than displaying the progressive bar  650  within the cursor  660 , the cursor  670  itself may be implemented as a progressive bar to show the progress of the downloading as in a screen  630 C shown in  FIG. 7A . Furthermore, as illustrated by the cursor  680  displayed on a ‘Messaging’ menu screen  630 D in  FIG. 7B , the cursor  680  may be implemented as a progressive bar having a pattern with a rhythmical motion similar to that illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0049]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and processes. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.