KR20120009843A - Mobile terminal and its application sharing method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method for sharing an application thereof. When the mobile terminal according to the present invention receives a sharing command for a predetermined application, the mobile terminal transmits the information of the predetermined application to another terminal using a preset sharing scheme. When the usage information of the predetermined application is updated from the other terminal that has downloaded the predetermined application based on the received information of the predetermined application, when the usage information of the predetermined application is updated, the updated usage information is transferred to the other terminal. send. Therefore, the present invention can share the application stored in the terminal and the usage information related thereto with other terminals.

Description

Mobile terminal and its application sharing method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR SHARING APPLICATIONS THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and its application sharing method for sharing applications stored between mobile terminals.

A terminal such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, or a mobile phone has various functions, for example, a multimedia device having a complex function such as photographing or photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of music or a moving picture file, (Multimedia player).

Terminals may be divided into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

In modern times, the use of intelligent terminals such as smartphones that add computer support functions such as Internet communication and information retrieval to mobile terminals is increasing. Such an intelligent terminal can download an application and content desired by a user from an application store that provides various applications (applications), install it in the terminal, and delete the content. As such, the intelligent terminal can freely install and delete an application program desired by a user, and thus there is a demand for sharing a useful application program among users. Accordingly, researches for providing an interface for easily sharing an application program between terminals have been continuously conducted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and its application sharing method for sharing an application in the terminal with the other terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method for sharing an application thereof that share changed usage information with a sharer terminal according to a change of a user's usage information on an application being shared.

The application sharing method of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a step of receiving a sharing command for a predetermined application, the sharing scheme of preset information of the predetermined application according to the received sharing command Transmitting to the other terminal using the; receiving a request for sharing usage information of the predetermined application from the other terminal; updating the usage information of the predetermined application; and updating the updated usage information to the other terminal. Transmitting.

In addition, the mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication, a display unit for displaying a list of applications downloaded through the wireless communication unit, a preset command when receiving a sharing command for a predetermined application from the application list By using a sharing method, the information of the predetermined application is transmitted to the other terminal through the wireless communication unit, and when the request for sharing the usage information of the predetermined application is received from the other terminal, the updated use information is updated when the usage information of the predetermined application is updated. And a control unit for transmitting information to the other terminal through the wireless communication unit.

The present invention according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may share an application in a terminal with another terminal.

In addition, when the user's usage information about the running application is changed, the present invention may transmit the changed usage information to a terminal sharing the running application and share it.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2a is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
Figure 2b is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in Figure 2a.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an application download process of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating an application sharing method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A to 5F illustrate an example in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention shares an application using a text message.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for sharing a running application by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an example of sharing a running application of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a mobile terminal according to the present invention performs application sharing while executing a predetermined function.
9 is an example in which a mobile terminal according to the present invention performs application sharing while composing a message.
10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of downloading a recommended application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
11 is an example illustrating a process of confirming an application recommendation message by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
12 is an example in which a mobile terminal related to the present invention downloads a recommended application.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for notifying a usage information updater of a shared application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention;
14 is an example in which a mobile terminal associated with the present invention shares changed usage information while executing a book application using a social network service.
15 is an example illustrating a process of confirming update of usage information of a shared application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
16a to 16d are examples illustrating a process of downloading an application purchased by a sharer from a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast center through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast center may refer to a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

Two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. The haptic module 154 may be provided with two or more according to the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

In addition, the memory 160 includes at least one application software. Here, the application program includes a basic application basically provided when the terminal is manufactured and an additional application downloaded from an application providing site for providing various applications. Hereinafter, the term "application" is mixed and described as "application" or "app" for convenience.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of manipulation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an application download process of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 connects to an application providing server 200 that provides various applications by controlling the wireless communication unit 110 when a request for accessing an application providing server from the user input unit 130 is performed (S101). , S102). For example, when a user selects an app market application from among application programs provided by the terminal, the controller 180 executes the app market application. In addition, the controller 180 drives the wireless communication unit 110 to access the application providing server 200 (for example, an App Store of Apple Inc.). Here, the controller 180 controls the mobile communication module 112 to access the application providing server 200 through a mobile communication network (for example, 3G network) or to control the wireless internet module 113 for a wireless internet network (for example, Wi-Fi) may be connected to the application providing server 200.

The application providing server 200 transmits a list of applications stored (stored) in the database to the mobile terminal 100 (S103). The application providing server 200 may transmit the latest application list, popular application list, paid application list, free application list, category list, etc. according to the request of the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 receives an application list transmitted from the application providing server 200 through the wireless communication unit 110 and outputs it to the display unit 151 (S104). In other words, the controller 180 displays a list of applications provided by the application providing server 200 on the display screen.

The controller 180 receives a predetermined application selection command from the application list from the user input unit 130 (S105). That is, when the user selects a predetermined application from the list of applications displayed on the display screen, the user input unit 130 notifies the controller 180 that the predetermined application is selected.

When the predetermined application is selected, the controller 180 requests the application providing server 200 to download the selected application (S106).

The application providing server 200 receiving the application download request of the mobile terminal 100 requests the user information (identification information) from the mobile terminal 100 (S107). The user information includes identification information such as a user name, an e-mail address, an ID, and a password.

The mobile terminal 100 transmits the corresponding user information to the application providing server 200 according to a request of the application providing server 200 (S108). Here, if there is user information previously stored in the memory 160, the controller 180 accesses and transmits the corresponding information from the memory 160. On the other hand, if there is no user information previously stored in the memory 160, the controller 180 transmits data input by the user through the user input unit 130 as user information.

The application providing server 200 determines whether the application download permission of the mobile terminal 100 is determined by checking whether the received user information matches the user information stored in the database (S109). The application providing server 200 performs a user authentication procedure using the user information transmitted from the mobile terminal 100.

If the user information transmitted from the mobile terminal 100 matches the user information stored in the database of the application providing server 200, the application providing server 200 is a mobile terminal 100 for the application requested by the mobile terminal 100 Transmit to (S110). In other words, if the user authentication is successful, the application providing server 200 transmits the application requested by the mobile terminal 100 to the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 receives an application transmitted from the application providing server 200 through the wireless communication unit 110, stores the received application in the memory 160, and installs the corresponding application in the mobile terminal 100. (S111). The controller 180 adds the downloaded application to a content management list. For example, the controller 180 inserts the downloaded application into the "My Apps" list.

On the other hand, if the user information provided from the mobile terminal 100 in step (S109) does not match the user information registered in the database of the application providing server 200, the application providing server 200 to the mobile terminal 100 Re-request user information (S107). The application providing server 200 notifies the mobile terminal 100 of the user authentication failure when the user authentication fails and re-requests user information. In addition, the application providing server 200 stops downloading the application of the mobile terminal 100 when a mismatch between the user information of the mobile terminal 100 and the user information of the application providing server 200 occurs more than a predetermined number of times.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an application sharing method of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 180 executes an application sharing function (hereinafter, referred to as an “app sharing function”) according to a control command input through the user input unit 130 (S201). For example, if an “app sharing” application is selected among the applications displayed on the idle screen, the controller 180 executes the application.

When the app sharing function is executed, the controller 180 generates a list of applications existing in the terminal and displays the list on the display screen (S202). Here, the controller 180 displays a list of applications downloaded from the app providing server, except for a list of applications basically provided by the terminal. In other words, the controller 180 displays a list of applications downloaded (purchased) from the outside. In this case, the controller 180 may display a list of applications that are recommended by other terminals but not downloaded.

When at least one application from the displayed application list is selected, the controller 180 outputs a pop-up window for selecting a sharing scheme to the display unit 151 (S203 and S204). The sharing scheme may include sending as a message, sending by e-mail, sending to a social network service (SNS) site, and the like.

If a predetermined sharing method is selected among the sharing methods, the controller 180 transmits information of the selected application using the corresponding sharing method (S205). For example, when sending as a message is selected as a sharing method, the controller 180 generates a message by attaching information about the selected application to a message or inputting the text as text in a message input window. The controller 180 transmits the generated message to the counterpart terminal set as the message receiver. The information on the application includes an application name (title), an application price, a detailed description, a download address (URL), and the like. The download address indicates the location of the application in the app market site that provides the application.

In the present embodiment, a procedure including a method of selecting an application sharing method is described as an example. However, the application may be implemented to share an application by using a preset sharing method. Therefore, the procedure of selecting the sharing scheme can be omitted.

5A to 5F illustrate an example in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention shares an application using a text message.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the controller 180 displays various application programs on an idle screen. The standby screen includes an area 301 which displays the status of the terminal such as received signal strength, alarm setting, message reception, battery level, time, ring setting, etc., and execution icons (application icons) of various applications installed in the terminal. And a menu bar 303 including a dialing, an address book, a menu, a web viewer connection, a message, and the like. When a touch is detected on the app sharing icon 304 among the applications displayed on the idle screen, the controller 180 detects a touch input through the sensing unit 140 and executes the app sharing application.

The controller 180 executes the app sharing application, and displays the execution screen of the application on the display screen as shown in FIG. 5B. The execution screen of the app sharing application program displays a list of applications that the terminal previously downloaded and stored from the app providing server.

When the “all” icon is selected on the execution screen, the controller 180 displays a list of applications previously downloaded and owned by the terminal and applications recommended by other terminals. Referring to FIG. 5C, when displaying a list of applications, the controller 180 distinguishes between applications stored in the terminal and recommended applications. If the application is a terminal-owned application, the title and price of the corresponding application, an icon image 305, a shared button icon 306, etc. are displayed. If the application is a recommended application, the title, price, and icon image 305 of the corresponding application are displayed. ), The recommender, the buy button icon 307, and the like.

On the other hand, if the "recommended" icon is selected on the execution screen, the controller 180 displays only a list of applications recommended by the other terminal. When the "ranking" icon is selected on the execution screen, the controller 180 lists and displays a list of applications according to the ranking information of the applications stored in the terminal. For example, only a predetermined list of apps among the most used apps is displayed or the apps are listed in order of the most recently used apps.

When a predetermined application is selected on the execution screen of the app sharing function, the controller 180 displays detailed information about the corresponding application as shown in FIG. 5D. The detailed information display screen includes an icon image 305, a title, a category, a price, whether to install (purchase), a detailed description, a share icon, a recommender, and the like as information on the corresponding application. If the user does not purchase (download) the application on the detailed information display screen, a purchase icon (or installation icon) is displayed, and if the user purchases (download) the application, the installed icon 308 is displayed. . The sharing icon may be provided for each sharing method such as sending a message, sending an e-mail, a mini homepage, a blog, and a social network service.

When "Share on Twitter" is selected on the detailed information display screen, the controller 180 attempts to access a corresponding social network service (SNS) site. Here, the controller 180 checks whether the user information for accessing the SNS site is stored in the terminal, and if there is user information in the terminal, accesses the corresponding information and attempts to access the SNS immediately. On the other hand, if there is no user information in the terminal, the controller 180 outputs the login screen of FIG. 5E to the display unit 151 for inputting user information.

In the login screen, the controller 180 inputs data input from the user input unit 130 in each field. Here, the user information includes unique identification information such as a user name, an e-mail address, an ID, and a password.

When accessing the SNS site, the controller 180 outputs a new article creation screen to the display unit 151 as shown in FIG. 5F, and inputs brief information of the selected application into the new article input window 309 of the new article creation screen. If data is input from the user input unit 130 in addition to the application information, the controller 180 inserts the corresponding data into the new article input window 309. When the transmission (upload) command is input after the creation of the new article is completed, the controller 180 transmits the created new article to the SNS site.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of sharing an application running by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the controller 180 executes a predetermined application according to a control command input from the user input unit 130 (S301). For example, when the controller 180 receives an execution command of a predetermined game application from the user input unit 130, the controller 180 executes the game application. The game application is downloaded from the application providing server 200. After executing the predetermined application, the controller 180 controls the predetermined application according to data input through the user input unit 130.

While executing the predetermined application, the controller 180 receives a sharing command (request) of the running application (S302). For example, if a user selects app sharing through a menu operation while playing a game by executing a game application, the user input unit 130 transmits a sharing command of the running application to the controller 180.

When the control unit 180 receives the sharing command of the running application, the controller 180 selects (determines) the sharing method according to the data input from the user input unit 130 (S303). For example, the controller 180 lists and displays a list of available sharing methods in a popup window. If one sharing method is selected from the sharing method list displayed in the pop-up window, the controller 180 sets the selected sharing method as a transmission method to be used for application sharing.

When the sharing scheme is selected, the controller 180 generates information on the currently running application as a message and transmits the generated message to the other terminal using the selected sharing scheme (S304). The other terminal may be a mobile terminal or an SNS site server.

7 illustrates an example in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention shares an application running.

Referring to FIG. 7, the controller 180 executes a specific application according to a user command. For example, the controller 180 executes the selected application when the "Booooly" application is selected by the user. The controller 180 outputs an execution screen of the application as shown in (a) to the display unit 151. When a sharing icon is selected among the icons existing on the execution screen, the controller 180 displays related information and a sharing method of the currently running application as shown in (b). The related information includes an application name, an icon image, an application price, an application description, an application download address, a screenshot, and the like. The sharing scheme includes messages and e-mail, SNS such as mini homepage, twitter, facebook and me2day.

When a predetermined sharing method icon is selected on the screen displaying application information, the controller 180 prepares to share application information currently running through the selected sharing method (c). For example, when an email (e-mail) is selected among the sharing methods, the controller 180 enters an email writing mode and switches the display screen to the email writing screen of (c). The controller 180 inserts information about the application into a content input window of the e-mail creation screen. Here, the user may input a recommendation article in the content input window through the user input unit 130. When the transmission command is input after completing the writing of the email, the controller 180 transmits the created email to another terminal (set recipient).

8 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing application sharing while a mobile terminal according to the present invention executes a predetermined function.

According to FIG. 8, the controller 180 executes a predetermined function according to a user input (S401). For example, the controller 180 executes one of functions such as a message, an SNS connection, an e-mail, a web browser, and the like according to a user input.

While executing the predetermined function, the controller 180 receives an application sharing command from the user input unit 130 (S402). In other words, the controller 180 receives a command such as attaching application information.

When the controller 180 receives the application sharing command, the controller 180 displays a list of applications stored in the terminal (S403).

When a predetermined application is selected from the displayed application list, the controller 180 transmits information on the selected application through a function currently being executed (S404 and S405).

9 illustrates an example in which a mobile terminal according to the present invention performs application sharing while composing a message.

First, when the message function is selected among the menus, the controller 180 enters the message composition mode. For example, when a message button assigned to execute a message function is input for a long time, the controller 180 executes a message function and displays the new message creation screen shown in (a) on the display unit 151. The controller 180 inserts data input by a user into a content field in which message content is input in the message composition screen.

If the attachment field is selected as shown in (b) after the message content is input, the controller 180 displays a menu popup window related to the attachment on the display screen (c). If app sharing is selected from the menu items displayed on the menu pop-up window, the controller 180 displays an application list as shown in FIG. 5B or 5C.

When at least one application from the application list is selected, the controller 180 attaches information on the selected application to the message. When the preparation of the message including the information on the selected application is completed, the controller 180 transmits the corresponding message to the set receiving terminal.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of downloading a recommendation application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 180 receives an application recommendation message through the wireless communication unit 110 (S501). The application recommendation message may be received in the form of a message or e-mail or may be received via SNS. The controller 180 displays the received application recommendation message on a display screen.

After displaying the received application recommendation message, the controller 180 downloads the recommended application when receiving a download command of the recommended application (S502). The controller 180 accesses an application providing server by using a recommended application download address included in the application recommendation message. The controller 180 requests the application providing server to download the recommended application and receives the corresponding application from the application providing server. When the download of the recommended application is completed, the controller 180 installs the corresponding application in the terminal.

After the installation of the recommended application is completed, the controller 180 sets whether to follow the application usage information of the recommender who recommended the installed application according to a user input (S503). In other words, the mobile terminal requests to share usage information of the recommender related to the recommended application.

When the recommendation of the application information update subscription of the recommender is set, the controller 180 transmits a notification message indicating the subscription of the usage information of the recommended application to the mobile terminal (recommended terminal) of the recommender (S504). When the recommendation terminal receives the notification message, the recommendation terminal registers the mobile terminal that transmitted the notification message in the subscriber list.

11 is an example illustrating a process of confirming an application recommendation message by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 receives a recommendation message (shared message) through the wireless communication unit 110. Then, the controller 180 displays the received message on the display screen as shown in (a). The user may check the information of the recommended application displayed on the display screen and transmit the opinion of the recommended application to the recommender. For example, the controller 180 inputs data input by the user into the comment input field 311 at the bottom of the screen of (a), and then detects a touch on the send icon 312 and sends the touch input as a transfer command. Recognizes and transmits the opinion entered in the opinion input field 311 to the terminal of the recommender.

When "Detail" is selected by the user's touch on the screen of (a), the controller 180 displays detailed information about the recommended application on the display screen as shown in (b). In this case, the controller 180 may access the address linked to "Detail" and receive and display detailed information about the recommended application. The detailed information includes the title, price, star rating, icon image, description, screenshot, and the recent recommender and the previous recommender who recommended the application. In addition, the ranking information and / or ranking information (game ranking information, etc.) of the contacts using the application among the contacts (friends) in the address book. The ranking information includes application download order, game level, application usage frequency, and the like. When the "more" icon 313 of "my friends ranking" is selected in the screen (b), the controller 180 displays all ranking information as shown in (c).

12 illustrates an example in which the mobile terminal according to the present invention downloads the recommended application.

When the purchase command is received on the screen (a) of FIG. 11 described above, the controller 180 attempts to access the application providing server by using the application download address included in the application recommendation message. The controller 180 displays a login screen as shown in (a) for receiving user information required for accessing an app providing site providing a recommended application. When a user name and password are input at the login screen, the controller 180 accesses the app providing site through user authentication using the input user name and password. Subsequently, the controller 180 moves to the download address of the recommended application and requests the app providing server to download the recommended application.

 In response to the request, the app providing server transmits the requested application from the mobile terminal 100 to the mobile terminal 100. The controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 receives an application transmitted from the app providing server and stores it in the memory 160. At this time, the controller 180 switches the login screen to the standby screen and displays an icon 321 indicating that the application is being downloaded in the indicator display area (b).

When a touch is detected on the icon 321, the controller 180 displays a list of applications currently downloaded and a list of recently downloaded applications (c). The controller 180 can display a status bar indicating the progress of the download on one side of the application icon being downloaded. Although the present embodiment discloses displaying a list of applications currently downloaded and a list of recently downloaded applications together, the list may be implemented to display a list of applications currently being downloaded and applications awaiting download.

When the download of the application is completed, the controller 180 installs the downloaded application in the terminal. After the installation of the downloaded application is completed, when the execution command of the corresponding application is received, the controller 180 executes the corresponding application and displays the execution screen as shown in (d).

When the "follow" icon 322 is selected on the execution screen of (d), the controller 180 requests a recommender to update the recommended application usage information of the recommender to the terminal that recommends the corresponding application. In other words, when the usage information of the recommender related to the recommended application is changed, the controller 180 requests the recommendation terminal to provide notification of the changed recommender's usage information and usage information update. The usage information includes information such as an alias name, a user name, an e-mail address, a ranking, a level, whether an application is deleted, and whether an application is installed (purchased). The controller 180 converts the "follow" icon 322 into an "unfollow" icon. When the recommendation terminal receives a request for sharing usage information (subscription) of a recommendation application, the recommendation terminal registers the corresponding application in a shared application management list, and registers the other terminal that requested the sharing of the usage information in a sharer list.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for notifying a usage information updater of a shared application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the controller 180 executes a predetermined application among shared applications (S601). The controller 180 controls the executed application based on a user input.

While using the executed application, the controller 180 changes usage information of the application being executed based on a user input (S602). For example, when a user name is changed to be used during the game application is requested, the controller 180 changes the user name to data input through the user input unit 130.

Subsequently, upon receiving an end command of the running application, the controller 180 checks whether there is a subscription terminal that requests a usage information update notification of the running application (S603 and S604).

As a result of the check, if there is a terminal requesting a usage information update notification of the running application, the controller 180 transmits the changed usage information to the subscription terminal (S605).

In the present exemplary embodiment, the updated usage information is transmitted to the subscription terminal when the execution application is terminated. However, whenever the usage information is changed, the changed usage information may be immediately transmitted to the subscription terminal.

14 illustrates an example in which a mobile terminal according to the present invention shares changed usage information while executing a book application using a social network service.

First, when a predetermined e-book application is selected among e-book applications purchased (downloaded) in advance, the controller 180 executes the corresponding e-book application. The user can read the purchased e-book through the executed e-book application.

The user can use the various tools provided by the eBook application (e.g. Search, Brightness, Bookmark, Pen, Comment, Share) to underline certain phrases or write comments and comments while reading the e-book. have. When the user requests the sharing of the underlined phrase or the recorded user opinion and comments, the controller 180 transmits the underlined phrase or the user feedback and comments to the subscriber terminal by using a preset sharing method.

For example, when the sharing method is set to SNS, when the user underlines the desired phrase and selects the sharing icon while reading the e-book, the controller 180 displays a login screen for accessing the preset SNS site on the display screen. (a) (b). In the login screen, the controller 180 inputs data input through the user input unit 130 into an e-mail address field and a password field, respectively. Subsequently, when the controller 180 receives a login command from the user input unit 130, the controller 180 accesses the SNS site using the previously entered e-mail address and password.

Upon accessing the SNS site, the controller 180 enters a new article writing mode. In the new article creation mode, the controller 180 inserts the input user opinion into the content input field of the new article creation screen (c) when a user opinion about the underlined phrase is input by the user. In addition, the controller 180 inserts location information and e-book application information of an underlined phrase in the e-book into the content input field.

In the above-described exemplary embodiment, the data generated by the user when the e-book application is used is shared with another terminal as an example. In addition, when the user listens to music or a video and records the corresponding opinion, the recorded opinion is shared to other terminals.

Or, when using a shopping application to register or purchase a predetermined item as the item of interest, information such as price information, site address, product description, product image, etc. for the item is transmitted to the terminal of the sharer sharing the shopping application.

In the case of using the map application, the travel application may be set to set a travel route, and the set travel route information may be transmitted to another terminal for sharing. In this case, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal can provide the information of the map application and the set travel route information to the other terminal together. If the map application is not installed on the other terminal, the other terminal downloads and installs the map application through the information of the provided map application.

15 is an example illustrating a process of confirming update of usage information of a shared application by a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The controller 180 executes a my app management function according to a user input. When the my app management function is executed, the controller 180 displays a list of applications downloaded from the application providing server and installed in the terminal (a). In this case, the controller 180 groups and manages applications shared with other terminals separately.

If the shared application group 401 is selected from the application list, the controller 180 displays the shared application list (b). In this case, the shared application group display screen (b) includes a sharer display area (A) for displaying a list of sharers sharing an application, a shared app display area (B) for displaying a list of applications shared with the sharers, and a sharer. It is divided into a sharer app purchase information display area (C) for displaying their application purchase information.

In the shared app display area B, application icons of the shared applications are arranged and displayed, and an icon 402 indicating an update is displayed on one side of the application icon in which the update usage information received among the applications exists. In other words, a list of applications registered with sharers (subscriptions) of sharers for the application is displayed.

The sharer app purchase information display area (C) displays a list of applications newly purchased by a given sharer among the sharers displayed on the sharer display area (A). In this case, the controller 180 may display the sharer who purchased the corresponding application and the price together with the application icon image newly purchased by the sharer.

When a predetermined sharer among the sharers displayed in the sharer display area A executes the e-book application in the shared app display area B and reads the e-book, the underlined phrase is written and the opinion (comment review) is recorded. The sharer's terminal sends the underlined phrase and comments about it as update usage information. The controller 180 receiving the transmitted update usage information displays the update icon 402 on one side of the application icon corresponding to the received usage information. When the update icon 402 is selected, the controller 180 executes the corresponding e-book application and displays the received update usage information. For example, as shown in (c), the controller 180 executes an e-book application corresponding to the received update usage information and moves to a predetermined page of the e-book based on the update usage information. In addition, the controller 180 displays an underlined part of the sharer and a comment of the sharer on the predetermined page. The comments are indicated by callouts proximate to the underlined portions. When a touch is input to the callout, the controller 180 hides the callout. If a touch is detected on the underlined portion, the controller 180 displays the hidden callout again.

16A to 16D illustrate an example of a process in which a mobile terminal related to the present invention downloads an application purchased by a sharer.

As shown in FIG. 16A, when the shared application group is selected on the application management screen, the controller 180 displays the corresponding shared application group on the display screen. When a long touch is input to a predetermined application icon image of the application list displayed in the sharer app purchase information display area C on the screen displaying the shared application group, the controller 180 displays information about the corresponding application as shown in FIG. 16B. .

Referring to FIG. 16C, when a predetermined application is dragged from the application list displayed in the sharer app purchase information display area C, the controller 180 downloads the corresponding application according to the application download procedure described above. The controller 180 can display the download progress information of the application as shown in FIG. 16D as a status bar.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method may be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet) . In addition, the computer may include the controller 180 of the terminal.

The above-described terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or a part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made have.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: A / V input unit 121: camera
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
150: output unit 160: memory
170: interface unit 180: control unit
190: power supply

Claims (13)

Receiving a sharing command for a given application;
Transmitting the information of the predetermined application to another terminal using a preset sharing method according to the received sharing command;
Receiving a request for sharing usage information of the predetermined application from the other terminal;
Updating usage information of the predetermined application;
And transmitting the updated usage information to the other terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the sharing of the predetermined application with another terminal comprises:
Application information sharing method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that for transmitting the information on the predetermined application to the other terminal using a message, e-mail or social network services. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the information of the application,
A method of sharing an application of a mobile terminal, comprising information such as title, price, download address, detailed description, application icon image, and category. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage information is
A method of sharing an application of a mobile terminal, comprising information such as a user name, an alias, whether an application is deleted, data generation, level, and ranking. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request for sharing usage information of the predetermined application comprises:
The application sharing method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that when the request for sharing the use information from the other terminal registers the application to the shared application management list. The method of claim 5,
Receiving updated usage information of a predetermined application among applications registered in the shared application management list from the other terminal;
And displaying the received updated usage information. A wireless communication unit performing wireless communication,
A display unit displaying a list of applications downloaded through the wireless communication unit;
When receiving a sharing command for a predetermined application from the application list, the information of the predetermined application is transmitted to the other terminal through the wireless communication unit by using a preset sharing method, and the sharing information of the predetermined application is requested from the other terminal. And a control unit for transmitting the updated usage information to the other terminal through the wireless communication unit when updating the usage information of the predetermined application. The method of claim 7, wherein the sharing scheme,
A mobile terminal comprising a message, an e-mail, and a social network service. The method of claim 7, wherein the information of the predetermined application,
A mobile terminal comprising information such as title, price, download address, detailed description, application icon image, and category. The method of claim 7, wherein the usage information,
A mobile terminal comprising information such as user name, nickname, application deletion, data generation, level, ranking. The method of claim 7, wherein the control unit,
And dividing the screen of the display unit into an area displaying a list of sharers, an area displaying a list of applications being shared, and a list of applications purchased by the sharers. The method of claim 11, wherein the control unit,
And receiving an update notification for a predetermined application from the other terminal, and displaying an update notification on the corresponding application item displayed in the second area. The method of claim 11, wherein the control unit,
And dragging at least one or more applications from the list of applications displayed in the third area to the second area to download the corresponding applications.

Images