KR101398182B1

KR101398182B1 - Method of direct-running an application software of smart phone using hardware input means and the smart phone having the method

Info

Publication number: KR101398182B1
Application number: KR1020130051113A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 공정인
Original assignee: 공정인
Priority date: 2013-05-07
Filing date: 2013-05-07
Publication date: 2014-05-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to a direct execution method of a smartphone application software using a hardware input device. The method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes (a) a step in which a first hardware input device of a smartphone calls a lock screen; (b) a step in which a second hardware input device executes an input event after the lock screen is called; (c) a step of unlocking the lock screen according to the input event and operating a predetermined application software to display the application on the smartphone screen.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method for directly executing application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device, and a smartphone having such a function. [0002]

The present invention relates to a method of executing application software of a smartphone and a smartphone in which an application to be executed by such method is installed.

As the smartphone becomes the center of the mobile industry, the conventional feature phone-based mobile communication service has undergone a major change. The smartphone functions not just as a mobile phone, but as a small computer in the hand, so various functions that were not previously available have been implemented. It is also possible to provide new services.

Based on enhanced computing capabilities, smartphones were provided with an application environment that works in tandem with operating system software. Platforms ensure the distribution of various applications, and there are applications that are installed on smartphones at the user's option via the platform and provide various utilities and game environments. Users enjoy a new user experience by installing a variety of applications on their smartphones.

These application software include messenger applications that serve as platforms for mobile instant messaging, SNS applications such as Facebook and Twitter, gaming applications, map / navigation applications, education / learning applications, and other utility applications. Sometimes application software is understood as software that performs specific and independent functions of a smartphone.

New changes are often accompanied by new problems. As the flood of information through the Internet has led to the difficulty of information retrieval, access to the desired app became a problem as numerous application software was installed on the device. Because there are too many icons and widgets on the smartphone home screen, the user has had to use the input means several times in order to execute the desired software. This hassle adds up as more software is installed on the device.

Today, the screen of a smartphone is composed of a touch screen and interprets a touch event by a user's finger touch as an input event. Most of the major input methods of smartphones have changed to software input devices. This entailed a new problem of power efficiency. Since the entire screen must be activated to receive the touch input, power is consumed as quickly as possible. Most smartphones today have the ability to lock the screen when not in use to avoid power consumption problems and prevent accidental touch events.

This user interface environment made it more difficult for users to access the applications they wanted. Suppose you have 100 application software installed (including applications installed by the manufacturer as well as applications installed by you). There is an application called "A" in it, and the user has to execute a series of input procedures in order to execute it. First, press the hardware input device to call the lock screen). Next, a touch event of a predetermined method is generated to release the lock screen and call the home screen. If it is unlocked, first check whether there is an icon or widget to execute "A" on the home screen displayed on the screen of the smartphone. If there is, touch "A" to select the icon or widget. But there are a lot more apps than apps on the home screen. If there is no icon or widget on the home screen, you have to call another screen or call the subscreen through the touch event. At this time, the user executes one or more touch events. And finally, by finding the icon and executing it, I get to run "A". The desired application can be executed only by performing at least four input operations.

In such an environment, you can not run the application you want more quickly. Among the many software installed in the smartphone, there are problems that the software is often troublesome and inconvenient because the software that the user uses frequently or in special situations is limited.

The inventor of the present invention has made a long effort to solve the above problems and propose a new approach.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for promptly executing application software desired by a user and outputting an application screen to a smartphone.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of directly executing application software desired by a user using a hardware input device of a smartphone.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a user can select application software to be executed directly.

Further, the present invention is to provide a smartphone in which the novel methods to be provided by the present invention are programmed.

On the other hand, other unspecified purposes of the present invention will be further considered within the scope of the following detailed description and easily deduced from the effects thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is a method for directly executing application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device,

(a) a first hardware input device of the smart phone (an input device that releases sleep mode and calls a lock screen) calls a lock screen;

(b) the second hardware input device executing an input event with the lock screen being called; And

(c) releasing the lock screen in response to the input event and driving predetermined application software to display on the smartphone screen.

In the method of directly executing application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first hardware input device and the second hardware input device may include a power button, a volume control button, A home button, a menu button, and an additional button.

Further, in the direct execution method of application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first hardware input device and the second hardware input device may be different or the same hardware input device.

Further, in a direct execution method of application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application software may be application software preset by a manufacturer.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for directly executing application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device, the application software being application software installed by a user,

The method comprising:

(1) the input means calls a direct application driven user interface; And

(2) setting the application software displayed through the step (c) by selecting any application software from the list of applications output through the direct application operating user interface.

A second aspect of the present invention is a method for directly executing application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device,

(b) the second hardware input device or the third hardware input device executing the input event with the lock screen being called; And

(c) a second hardware input device for inputting an event, releasing a lock screen in response to an input event, and displaying a predetermined first application software on a smartphone screen, or And releasing the lock screen and simultaneously driving the predetermined second application software and displaying it on the smartphone screen.

A third aspect of the present invention is a method for directly executing application software of a smartphone,

(a) the input means invoking a direct application driven user interface;

(b) selecting any one of application software installed in advance by a user using the direct application running user interface;

(c) entering the sleep mode of the smartphone;

(d) the hardware input device of the smart phone calls the lock screen;

(e) executing a second touch event different from the first touch event of releasing the lock screen with the lock screen being called; And

(f) releasing the lock screen in response to the second touch event, and driving the application software set in the step (b) to display on the smartphone screen.

The fourth aspect of the present invention also relates to a device,

In smartphones,

A touch screen display;

A first hardware input device and a second hardware input device for performing input to the smartphone;

Output means;

A communication module for performing data communication with an external device through a wireless communication network;

Internal memory; And

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The internal memory stores application software,

Wherein the processor is configured to unlock an input event from the second hardware input device after the input event of the first hardware input device calls the lock screen to the smartphone in the sleep mode, The first application software).

In a smartphone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the smartphone comprises a third hardware input device,

Wherein the processor is configured to release the lock when an input event from the third hardware input device occurs after an input event of the first hardware input device calls a lock screen on a smartphone in a sleep mode, And executes the predetermined second application software.

Further, in a smartphone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first hardware input device and the second hardware input device may be different or the same hardware input device.

Also, in a smartphone according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first hardware input device is a power button, and the second hardware input device is a volume control button.

Further, in a smartphone according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first hardware input device is a power button, and the second hardware input device is a home button or a function selection button.

In addition, in a smartphone according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the processor is configured to cause the processor to perform an unlocking call on the display after the input event of the first hardware input device calls the lock screen on the smartphone in the sleep mode It is preferable to release the lock and simultaneously execute predetermined application software which is the same as or different from the application software.

According to the present invention as described above, there is an advantage that a specific application preferred by the user can be immediately called and executed on the lock screen. Not all users prefer to have many applications installed on their smartphones, especially a few applications are frequently used. If you can get up and running quickly without wasting time finding your favorite apps, you will provide users with a new user experience. In addition, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is very convenient to release the lock screen with only one hand, not two hands, and to execute the application at the same time.

On the other hand, even if the effects are not explicitly mentioned here, the effect described in the following specification, which is expected by the technical features of the present invention, and its potential effects are treated as described in the specification of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal electronic configuration of a smartphone according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a process for setting application " X " in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of a direct execution method for an application " X " in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the smartphone 100 in the sleep mode.
5 is a view showing a smartphone 100 in a lock screen state.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a principle of directly executing application "X" in the smartphone 100 of FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a process of a direct execution method of application " X " according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually illustrating the step S310 of FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of another smartphone 1000 in the sleep mode.
10 is a diagram showing the principle of directly executing the application " X " in the smartphone 1000 of Fig.
* The accompanying drawings illustrate examples of the present invention in order to facilitate understanding of the technical idea of the present invention, and thus the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates an internal electronic configuration of a smartphone of the present invention. The input devices 30, 31, 38 receive input events to be executed. The smartphone typically has one or more hardware input devices 30, 31, and also a touch screen 38. The input events received by the input devices 30, 31 and 38 are transmitted to the processor 10. [

Either one of the hardware input devices 30 and 31 may be a power button for switching the smart phone into a sleep mode or a function for calling a lock screen or a function for completely shutting off or re-starting the power supply of the smart phone have. The other one of the hardware input devices 30 and 31 may be a volume control button for adjusting the volume of the speaker 50. [ The hardware input devices 30 and 31 may be any one of a home button, a function selection button (e.g., a menu button, a cancel button). Although the location, size, and existence of the hardware input devices 30 and 31 are different for each smartphone maker, most smart phones include a plurality of hardware input devices 30 and 31.

The modem 60 is a communication module that exchanges data with an external device. Wireless communication is performed via the modem 60. [ All events that run the application software to communicate with an external server are also made through the wireless modem 60. The processor 10 controls the processing of processes related to the installation, display, and execution of the application software, and in particular controls the changes of the GUI elements of the smartphone to be guaranteed by the operating system software and executed by the application software.

The internal memory 20 of the smart phone generally provides a place for storing the computer code and data used in the device. In addition, various application software are installed in the internal memory 20, and it is possible to store a resource for executing and managing each application software, and a database for storing various history and downloaded contents according to execution of the application software.

The processor 10 executes the computer code with the operating system and performs the operations of generating and using the data. The processor 10 may also use a series of instructions to receive and process input and output data between components of the smartphone. The processor 10 also serves as a control unit for executing functions of the application software installed in the smartphone.

In the present invention, the processor 10 extracts and executes application software located in the memory 20 in response to an input event of the input devices 30, 31, and 38. Although the direct execution user interface 11 is shown in the drawing as being located in the process, this is because the specific application (application "X") 21 stored in the memory 20 in the present invention is extracted from the lock screen, To emphasize the control function of the processor 10 executing simultaneously with the release. Such a function is executed in response to an input event of the input devices 30, 31, This is explained below again.

The display 40 and the speaker 50 of the smartphone function as output devices of the smartphone. Although not shown, devices such as a camera module and an NFC module may be included in a smart phone.

Figure 2 shows an example of a process, particularly in the previous step, in the process of implementing the method of the present invention. In one preferred embodiment, the process of FIG. 2 may be programmed by a manufacturer. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process of Figure 2 may be a procedure executed by a user's input device.

First, the direct execution setting user interface is called (S100). The direct execution setting user interface can be defined as a user interface for selecting any one of the application software installed in the smart phone. The selected application software is executed immediately upon releasing the lock screen in response to the following input event. The Direct Execution Settings user interface may include elements that access application software stored on the smartphone, elements that display a list of application software, and elements from which the user selects specific application software. In this specification, an application software selected by a user or set by a manufacturer is referred to as " application X ".

When the step S100 is executed, the processor displays the application software list on the smartphone screen (S110). Next, the input means selects one application software and sets the application " X " (S120).

The method of selecting the specific application from the list and setting the application " X " through steps S110 and S120 may be variously modified using various graphic user interfaces. The user screen of the smartphone has application icons arranged, which can be understood as an application list. Then, by touching the icon of the application software on the user screen of the smartphone, it is possible to set the application "X" by moving in a specific pattern or moving to a specific position.

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a process for an application " X " execution method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The smartphone enters the sleep mode to prevent power consumption and to block unnecessary input events if it is not used for a long time. No indication appears on the smartphone screen. Assume that the current smartphone is in this sleep mode.

First, the first hardware input device awakes the sleep mode and calls a lock screen (S200). In this state, the second hardware input device is pressed again to generate an input event (S210). This input event calls the application " X ".

Then, at the same time that the lock screen is automatically released, the set application "X" is executed without entering the home screen or the widget screen (S220).

3, since the preset application software is executed directly at the same time as releasing the lock screen, the user can execute the desired application without performing a plurality of input actions, so that at least the application software can be freed of the hassle and save time have.

The application software that is directly executed as described above may preferably be a user downloaded and installed on his smartphone through the application market. There are the following types:

Various utility applications (if the application "X" is a mirror function application using a camera module, it can quickly see its own face according to the method of the present invention);

An application running a web browser;

Game applications;

An SNS application (e.g., Facebook or Twitter); And

A mobile messenger application (using a user account to send a mobile instant message (MIM) or to send and receive real-time chat communications).

In another embodiment of the present invention, it may be application software preset by the manufacturer of the smartphone. In this embodiment, the basic software of the smartphone can be called directly. Mail software, calendar software, map software, music software, and the like.

That is, the term application used herein may include the concept of independent software that performs certain functions of the smartphone. Therefore, the spirit of the present invention can be understood as the quickest and convenient visualization of the initial execution screen of a specific function on the user screen of the smartphone.

4 to 6 show an example of a scenario in which the application " X " is directly executed by the method of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the smartphone 100 in the sleep mode is exemplarily shown. The smartphone 100 has various hardware input devices. The hardware input device 120 is a power button. The hardware input device 130 is a volume control button. The hardware input device 140 is a home button. Also, hardware input devices 150 and 151 may be further included which are faintly visible. The power supply to the user screen 110 is cut off.

The user can press the hardware input device 120, which is a power button, as shown in FIG. Then, power is supplied to the smartphone 100 and the user screen 111 is changed to a lock screen. Normally, the unlocking touch event is generated here to release the lock and enter the home screen. However, in the present invention, a second hardware input is executed. Call application "X" directly, for example, by pressing another hardware input device 130, as shown in FIG. The user screen 112 then changes to the execution screen of application " X ". At this time, the lock screen is automatically released.

As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6, when the user holds the smartphone with one hand, the user presses the hardware input device 120, which is the power button, with one finger, and the other hardware input device 130, which is the volume control button, with the other finger So that the desired application software can be executed immediately. It is not necessary to use the other hand unlockingly to unintentionally bother. Everything is possible with one hand. The desired application software can be executed from the sleep mode state with only two finger presses (input event by the hardware input device).

There are several variations on which hardware input device to use. In another embodiment of the present invention, the second hardware input device may be the home button 140 or the buttons 150 and 151 for performing other functions. Although two hands can be used in this embodiment, the finger usage still strikes twice. The application can be run directly by two push operations with only the hardware input device.

In addition, a new hardware input device can be configured as an add button on the outside of the smartphone. These additional buttons can be dedicated to the ability to run applications directly.

Figure 7 presents yet another embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of FIG. 7 changes the button press event to the touch event on the touch screen by the second hardware input device, and executes the method of the present invention described above.

First, the hardware input device calls the lock screen (S300). Then, a lock screen is displayed, and a touch event (first touch event) is executed on the screen, thereby normally releasing the lock and calling the home screen. However, in the present invention, a touch event different from the first touch event is executed (S310). If the touch event is the same as the predefined second touch event, if it is the same, (S320). In this embodiment, steps S300 and S320 are the same as steps S200 and S220 of FIG. 3, respectively.

See FIG. FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates the step S310. For example, the present invention sees that there are two unlocking areas for switching the smartphone from the lock screen to the normal use mode. These unlocking areas 170 and 171 are areas where a touch event that commands unlocking occurs. The unlock area 170 is an area for calling a home screen, and this area is independent of the feature of the present invention. The unlocking area 171 is an area for calling a preset application "X" rather than calling a home screen. That is, if (1) touch event occurs, the lock screen is canceled and the home screen is only called, but when the (2) touch event occurs, the application "X" is called while releasing the lock screen. In the preferred embodiment, the application " X " is an application installed by a user on his smartphone and is application software that selects one of a plurality of application software using the above-described direct execution setting user interface.

The method and the method of the present invention are not limited to the type and the model of the smartphone in which the program is installed. Several manufacturers are producing smartphones of various models. Therefore, hardware input devices are different in position and size, and unlocking and touch input methods are different for each manufacturer. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate examples of other smart models (e.g., iPhone ^TM ).

As shown in FIG. 9, waking up the smartphone 1000 in the sleep mode is a hardware input device 1200 (power button) installed above the device. Then, the lock screen is displayed as shown in FIG. At this time, by depressing the second hardware input device 1300 (volume control button) located at a different position from the first hardware input device 1200, the lock screen 1101 is moved to the application "X" screen while the lock is released. The advantage of the present embodiment is that, as shown in Fig. 6, the unlocking operation can be performed with only one hand, and the preset application software can be executed directly. In the past, even unlocking had to use both hands.

The application direct execution method of a smartphone according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a program command which can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the present invention or may be available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magnetic media such as floppy disks; Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and perform program instructions such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, as well as machine accords such as those produced by a compiler. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

(1) With respect to the representation of the drawings of the present invention, each block may represent a module, segment or part of a code comprising one or more executable instructions for executing the specified logical function (s). Two blocks may actually be executed concurrently or in reverse order programmatically. The drawings are exaggerated for convenience of description.

(2) In the above embodiments, the first hardware input device and the second hardware input device are different buttons. However, the above-described method of the present invention can be executed by repeatedly pressing the first hardware input device (power button) two or more times. It is also possible to set the time of repetitive pressing. For example, the method of the present invention can be carried out by repeatedly pressing at intervals of about 1 second or less. A button to be input later is regarded as an input event of the second hardware input device.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, one application "X" is specifically described, but this is to emphasize that the application selected by the user is directly executed by a combination of pre-programmed input events. The application " X " may be designated as two or more. In this case, the combination of input events will be further defined. Home button "executes another application" X "and the" power button + power button "executes another application" X ", for example, if the" power button + volume control button " &Quot; The first application software, the second application software, and the third application software, respectively.

(4) As a further application of the above (3) modification, in the execution of application "X" by the above-described second touch event, a third touch event which further calls another application "X" . The former can be classified into the first application software, and the latter one can be classified into the second application software.

The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the description and the expression of the embodiments explicitly described in the foregoing. It is again to be understood that the scope of protection of the present invention can not be limited by obvious alterations or permutations of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method for causing a power button, a volume control button, or a home button to function as a second hardware input device that directly executes a predetermined application when the smartphone is on a lock screen, comprising:
(a) a first hardware input device of the smart phone (an input device that releases sleep mode and calls a lock screen) calls a lock screen;
(b) the second hardware input device executing an input event with the lock screen being called; And
(c) a step of releasing the lock screen of the smartphone in response to the input event and simultaneously displaying predetermined application software on the smartphone screen, wherein the application software of the smartphone using the hardware input device Direct execution method.

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The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first hardware input device and the second hardware input device are different or the same hardware input device.

The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the application software is application software pre-set by a manufacturer, the direct execution of application software of a smartphone using a hardware input device.

The method according to claim 1,
The application software is application software installed by a user,
The method comprising:
(1) the input means calls a direct application driven user interface; And
(2) setting application software displayed through the step (c) by selecting any application software from an application list output through the direct application operating user interface; and How to run application software directly on the phone.

A method for allowing any one of a power button, a volume control button, and a home button to function as a second hardware input device and a third hardware input device, each of which directly executes a predetermined application when the smart phone is on a lock screen,
(a) the first hardware input device of the smartphone invokes a lock screen;
(b) the second hardware input device or the third hardware input device executing an input event with the lock screen being called; And
(c) The processor of the smartphone releases the lock screen in response to the input event through the second hardware input device, and simultaneously displays the predetermined first application software on the smartphone screen, or displays it on the third hardware input device And releasing the lock screen in response to the input event, and simultaneously displaying the second application software on the smartphone screen by using the predetermined second application software.

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In smartphones,
A touch screen display;
A second hardware input device that is one of a power button, a volume control button, and a home button, the first hardware input device being a power button or a home button for executing input to the smartphone;
Output means;
A communication module for performing data communication with an external device through a wireless communication network;
Internal memory; And
&Lt; / RTI >
The internal memory stores application software,
Wherein the processor is configured to unlock an input event from the second hardware input device after the input event of the first hardware input device calls the lock screen to the smartphone in the sleep mode, First application software).

9. The method of claim 8,
The smartphone includes a third hardware input device, which is a button other than a power button, a volume control button, and a home button, which is not set as a second hardware input device,
Wherein the processor is configured to release the lock when an input event from the third hardware input device occurs after an input event of the first hardware input device calls a lock screen on a smartphone in a sleep mode, And executes the predetermined second application software.

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