Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. et al

Filing 540

Administrative Motion to File Under Seal Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief filed by Apple Inc.(a California corporation). (Attachments: #1 Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #2 Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #3 Exhibit A to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #4 Exhibit B to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #5 Exhibit C to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #6 Exhibit D to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #7 Exhibit E to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #8 Exhibit F to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #9 Exhibit G to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #10 Exhibit H to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #11 Exhibit I to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #12 Exhibit J to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #13 Exhibit K to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #14 Exhibit L to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #15 Exhibit M to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #16 Exhibit N to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #17 Exhibit O to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #18 Exhibit P to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #19 Exhibit Q to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #20 Exhibit R to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief, #21 Exhibit S to Declaration of Mark D. Selwyn in Support of Apple Inc.s Responsive Claim Construction Brief)(Selwyn, Mark) (Filed on 12/22/2011)

EXHIBIT G

US007698711B2

(12) United States Patent

(10) Patent No.:
US 7,698,711 B2
*Apr. 13, 2010
(45) Date of Patent:

Jeong
(54)

(75)

MULTI-TASKING APPARATUS AND
METHOD IN PORTABLE TERMINAL
Inventor:

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

Moon-Sang Jeong, Daegu (KR)

6,407,325 B2*
6,509,716 B2
6,608,637 B1
6,889,043 B2
6,894,213 B2
6,944,287 B2

(73) Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.,
Suwon-si (KR)
( * ) Notice:

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(22)

Filed:

KR

Nov. 1, 2007

Related U.S. Application Data
(63)

(30)

10-2003-0084799 A

6/2005

(Continued)

Prior Publication Data
US 2007/0256074 A1

84/610

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

Jul. 16, 2007

(65)

6/2002 Yi et al .........................
1/2003 Yi
8/2003 Beatonet al.
5/2005 Okazakiet al.
5/2005 Saito
9/2005 Mori

(Continued)

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
(21) Appl. No.: 11/778,466

References Cited

(56)

Continuation of application No. 11/390,338, filed on
Mar. 28, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,526,585.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Litchfield, Steve. "AAS Feature: Getting more from your E61 Active
Standby Screen." Jun. 22, 2006.*
(Continued)
Primary Examine~Meng-Ai An
Assistant Examiner Jennifer N To
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm~efferson IP Law, LLP

Foreign Application Priority Data

Aug. 30, 2005

(KR) ...................... 10-2005-0079921

(51) Int. Cl.
GO6F 9/46
(2006.01)
GO6F 3/00
(2006.01)
GO6F 3/16
(2006.01)
HO4M 1/00
(2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI ........................ 7181107; 715/716; 715/718;
715/727; 455/556.1; 455/556.2
(58) Field of Classification Search ..................... 718/1,
718/100 108; 455/1 899; 715/762 764,
715/716, 718, 727
See application file for complete search history.

(57)

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method capable of performing multiple
tasks in a portable terminal are provided, in which menu
functions of the portable terminal can be implemented while
continuing to play the music. The multi-tasking apparatus
includes a controller for performing controlling to implement
at least one menu function while playing a music file and a
display unit for displaying an indication that the music file is
being played during the implementation of the menu function.
20 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017299

US 7,698,711 B2
Page 2
U.S. PATENTDOCUMENTS
6,947,728 B2
9/2005
6,999,802 B2 *
2/2006
7,009,637 B2
3/2006
7,065,324 B2 *
6/2006
7,119,268 B2 10/2006
7,123,945 B2*
10/2006
7,166,791 B2 *
1/2007
7,206,571 B2
4/2007
7,222,304 B2 *
5/2007
7,231,175 B2 *
6/2007
7,251,504 B2 *
7/2007
7,526,585 B2 *
4/2009
7,594,181 B2 *
9/2009
2002/0067308 A1 *
6/2002
2002/0070960 A1
6/2002
2003/0083106 A1
5/2003
2003/0119562 A1
6/2003
2003/0218976 A1
11/2003
2003/0219706 A1
11/2003
2003/0236814 A1
12/2003
2004/0021697 A1 *
2/2004
2005/0054379 A1 *
3/2005
2005/0083642 A1 *
4/2005
2005/0097506 A1 *
5/2005
2005/0164688 A1 *
7/2005
2005/0172789 A1
8/2005
2005/0181826 A1
8/2005
2006/0036569 A1 *
2/2006
2006/0135198 A1 *
6/2006
2006/0174307 A1
8/2006
2006/0197753 A1
9/2006
2006/0209036 A1
9/2006
2006/0211454 A1
9/2006
2006/0212853 A1
9/2006
2006/0229106 AI*
10/2006
2006/0246955 AI*
11/2006
2007/0025311 A1
2/2007

Tagawa et al.
Kim ........................ 455/575.1
Sawachi
Mee et al .................
455/67.11
Futamase et al.
Kokubo ...................... 455/566
Robbin et al .............. 84/477 R
Kuroda
Beaton et al ................
715/744
Ellis .......................... 455/3.01
Lee et al .....................
455/566
Jeong ..........................
710/72
Rothwein et al ............ 715/763
Robertson .............. 342/357.17
Maine et al.
Seo
Kokubo
Kumazawa
Nijim
Miyasaka et al.
Beaton et al ................
345/810
Cao et al .................
455/556.1
Senpuku et al .............. 361/681
Heumesser ................. 717/102
Satake ........................ 455/418
Hsu et al.
Yueh
Kim ..............................
707/1
Lee ......................... 455/550.1
Hwang et al.
Hotelling
Shin et al.
Park et al.
Sutardja
Otaka et al ..................
455/566
Nirhamo et al .............. 455/566
Jeong et al.

2007/0039005 A1
2007/0050778 A1
2007/0118870 A1
2007/0225022 A1 *

2/2007
3/2007
5/2007
9/2007

Choi et al.
Lee et al.
Yoo et al.
Satake ........................

455/466

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
KR
TW
TW
TW

10-2005-0051086 A
403866
200502940 A
M269546

6/2005
9/2000
1/2005
7/2005

OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Sony Ericsson, "Sony Ericsson K7501, User Manual Guide", Feb.
2005, pp. 1-92.*
Nacul et al., "Synthesis of Time-Constrained Multitasking Embedded Software," ACM Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems, Oct. 2006, pp. 822-847, vol. 11, No. 4, ACM Press,
NewYork, NY, USA.
Nognera et al., "Multitasking on Reconfigurable Architectures:
Microarchitecture Support and Dynamic Scheduling," ACM Transactions on Embedded Computing Systems, May 2004, pp. 385-406,
vol. 3, No. 2, ACM Press, NewYork, NY, USA.
Potkonjak et al., "A Methodology and Algorithms for the Design of
Hard Real-Time Multi-Tasking ASICs," ACM Transactions on
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Schmandt et al., "Impromptu: Managing Networked Audio Applications for Mobile Users," MobiSys 2004 Second International Conference on Mobile Systems, Applications and Services, 2004, pp.
59-69.
Nakamura et al., "Wireless Handheld Portable Communicator
’mobileCyber’," NEC Technical Journal, Aug. 1998, pp. 214-218,
vol. 51, No. 8, NEC, Japan.
Microsoft Company, Operation Introduction to Windows Media
Player, Jun. 30, 2003, www.microsoft.com/taiwan/windowsxp/
windowsmediaplayer/get started.

* cited by examiner

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017300

U.S. Patent

Apr. 13, 2010

Sheet 1 of 3

US 7,698,711 B2

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017301

U.S. Patent

Apr. 13, 2010

US 7,698,711 B2

Sheet 2 of 3

START
GENERATE MP3 MUSIC
BACKGROUND PLAY OBJECTF
EXECUTE MP3 MUSIC
PLAY APPLICATION

201

F

202

i

MP3 MUSIC PLAY MODE USING MP3
MUSIC BACKGROUND PLAY OBJECT !~ 203

5
0

OTHER
FUNCTION
~- PERFORM’~
TERMINATE MP3 MUSIC PLAY MODE i~
206
AND SWITCH TO STANDBY MODE

~YES
SWITCH TO STANDBY MODE WHILE MAINTAINING | ,~
L PLAY OF M~ BACKGROUND MUS C
I--- 207~,~ PERFORM
OTHER

@YES
PERFORM CORRESPONDING FUNCTIONS i

~NM~SS~GE~,~OD~/MAINTA~N
"21o

PLAY OF MP3 BACKGROUND MUSIC)
r~ ~~ 2!2
~ PH(!N,~,_,~ NO
~ 2!1
~

~-BooKFUNCT~ON~

~~

YES

~ ~ OTHER
~ FUNCTION
~’~
PERFORM CORRESPONDING
FUNCTIONS IN PHONE-B~K MODE p 213
[M~NTAIN P~Y OF MR3 BACKGROUND MUSIC)I

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017302

U.S. Patent

Apr. 13, 2010

US 7,698,711 B2

Sheet 3 of 3

START

L

MP3 MUSIC PLAY MODE ~301

PERFORM
OTHER
FUNCTION

,vLYES

~F~FO~ oo~s~’o~o~
~U~CT~O,S ~, ~SSA~ ~O~ ---~04

(MAINTAIN PLAY OF MP3 MUSIC)

l

~305

"
~

NO
~’~",,,,,~’ -~l~,f£~)~ -/

306

-BOOK FUNCTION ~
q’~ F.’q

/" PERFORM ~"~

PERFORM CORRESPONDING
FUNC]-IONS IN PHONE-BOOK MODE ----, 307
(MAINTAIN PLAY OF MP3 MUSIC)
I
’~,.-I

I

~YES

FIG.3

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017303

US 7,698,711 B2
1

2

MULTI-TASKING APPARATUS AND
METHOD IN PORTABLE TERMINAL

unit for displaying an indication that the music file is being
played during the implementation of the menu function.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a multi-tasking method in a portable
terminal is provided. Use of the multi-tasking method allows
a music file to be played in the portable terminal and allows
menu functions of the portable terminal to be implemented
while continuing to play the music file.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a multi-tasking method in a portable
terminal is provided. Where a music background play object
is prevented in a standby mode. The music background play
object acquires a task for music background play and provides a control interface for music play. The music file is
played through multi-tasking in the standby mode using the
music background play object upon selection of a music play
mode in the portable terminal. The played music file is
selected as background music during the play of the music
file, switching to the standby mode while continuing to play
the music as background music upon selection of the played
music file as background music. The menu functions of the
portable terminal are implemented in the standby mode so
that the play of background music is maintained and the menu
functions of the portable terminal are implemented while
continuing to play background music.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a multi-tasking method in a portable
terminal is provided. Where a music background play object
is generated in a standby mode. The music background play
object acquires a task for music background play and provides a control interface for music play. The music file is
played through multi-tasking in the standby mode using the
music background play object upon selection of a music play
mode in the portable terminal. A menu function of the portable terminal in the music play mode is selected. The portable terminal switches to a mode of the selected menu of the
portable terminal and implements a corresponding function
while continuing to play the music upon selection of the menu
function of the portable terminal. The portable terminal
switches to the music play mode upon termination of the
mode of the selected menu of the portable terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of prior application Ser.
No. 11/390,338, filed on Mar. 28, 2006.
PRIORITY
This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119
(a) of Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office onAug. 30, 2005 and assigned Serial No.
2005-79921, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

10

15

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
20
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and
method for performing multiple tasks in a portable terminal.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a multitasking apparatus and method in a portable terminal, where
menu functions of the portable terminal can be implemented 25
while continuing to play a music file.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable terminals include various applications such as
scheduling, game, and Short Message Service (SMS) applications. When integrated with digital devices, portable termi- 30
nals include multimedia menus such as options for MP3
music play. Generally, a portable terminal having an MP3
music play function controls and plays an MP3 music file
using a separate player. For example, a user may select an
MP3 music play function from menus of a portable terminal 35
for listening to the music. The user may also selectively use
control-related functions such as play, pause, repeat, and terminate the MP3 music play function.
However, the user cannot simultaneously work on several
menus of the portable terminal while listening to the music 4o
using the conventional MP3 music play function. In other
words, the user cannot use the other functions of scheduling,
picture viewing, or game menu among others while listening
to the music.
To address this problem, a control processor is added to 45
manage only MP3 music play, resulting in an increase in cost
and an increase in the complexity of hardware and software
configurations.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and
method to allow a user to simultaneously work on multiple 5o
menus of the portable terminal while listening to music.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other exemplary objects, features, and
advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of implementing
menu functions of a portable terminal while continuing to
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
play a music file according to a first exemplary embodiment
the present invention; and
An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present inven- 55 of FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of implementing
tion is to address at least the above problems and/or disadmenu functions of a portable terminal while continuing to
vantages and to provide at least the advantages described
below. Accordingly, an aspect of exemplary embodiments of play a music file according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
the present invention is to provide a multi-tasking apparatus
Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference
and method in a portable terminal, in which menu functions 6o numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements,
of the portable terminal can be implemented while continuing
features, and structures.
to play a music file.

According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
the present invention, a multi-tasking apparatus in a portable
EMBODIMENTS
terminal is provided. The multi-tasking apparatus includes a 65
controller for performing controlling to implement at least
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed
one menu function while playing a music file and a display construction and elements are provided to assist in a compre-

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017304

US 7,698,711 B2
3

4

with a digital signal processor (DSP). The camera sensor and
hensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the
invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
the signal processor may be integrated as one body or prorecognize that various changes and modifications of the
vided separately.
embodiments described herein can be made without departA video processor unit 150 generates screen data for dising from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descrip- 5 playing an image signal output from the camera module unit
140. The video processor unit 150 processes an image signal
tions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted
for clarity and conciseness.
output from the camera module unit 140 by the frame unit and
outputs frame image data suitable for the characteristic and
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according
the size of a display unit 160. The video processor unit 150
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in
which an MP3 music control processor is not included. Appli- 10 includes a video codec and compresses frame image data
displayed on the display unit 160 according to a predetercation modules of the portable terminal include at least one
mined compression method or reconstructs compressed
applet and each of the application modules, that is each menu
frame image data into original frame image data. The video
of the portable terminal, independently performs multi-taskcodec may be JPEG codec, MPEG-4 codec, or Wavelet codec.
ing.
Referring to FIG. 1, a Radio Frequency (RF) unit 123 15 The video processor unit 150 is assumed to have an On Screen
Display (OSD) function and may output OSD data according
performs radio communication for the portable terminal. The
to a screen size displayed under the control of the controller
RF unit 123 includes an RF transmitter (not shown) for up110.
converting a frequency of a transmission signal and amplifyThe display unit 160 displays an image signal output from
ing the up-converted transmission signal and an RF receiver
(not shown) for low-noise-amplifying a received signal and 2o the video processor unit 150 on a screen and displays user
data output from the controller 110. Preferably, the display
down-converting a frequency of the low-noise-amplified sigunit 160 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), and if so, the
nal.
display unit 160 may include an LCD controller, a memory
A modem 120 includes a transmitter for encoding and
for storing image data, and an LCD device. When the LCD is
modulating the transmission signal and a receiver for decod25 implemented with a touch screen, the display unit 160 may
ing and demodulating the received signal.
also serve as an input unit. The display unit 160 displays MP3
An audio processor unit 125 may be a codec including a
music information in an MP3 music play mode according to
data codec for processing packet data and an audio codec for
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Accordprocessing an audio signal. The audio processor unit 125
ing to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
converts a digital audio signal received from the modem 120
3o display unit 160 also displays information that an MP3 music
into an analog signal through the audio codec for reproducfile is being played in the standby mode of the portable tertion. Alternatively, the audio processor unit 125 converts a
minal. The display unit 160 also displays information that the
transmission analog audio signal generated by a microphone
MP3 music file is being played during implementation of
into a digital audio signal through the audio codec for transmenu functions of the portable terminal.
mission to the modem 120. The codec is included in the
35
A key input unit 127 includes alphanumeric keys for inputcontroller 110 or it is provided separately. According to an
ting number and character information and function keys for
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the audio
setting various functions. The key input unit 127 may also
processor unit 125 performs an MP3 music play function in a
include a key for controlling MP3 music according to an
standby mode of the portable terminal. In addition, the audio
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
processor unit 125 performs the MP3 music play function
Hereinafter, a multi-tasking operation in the portable ter4o
while implementing menu functions of the portable terminal
minal will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inven3.
tion.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of implementing
A memory 130 is comprised of program memories and
menu functions of the portable terminal while continuing to
data memories. The program memories store programs for 45 play a music file according to a first exemplary embodiment
controlling general operations of the portable terminal and
of the present invention. In the first exemplary embodiment of
control programs for implementing various menu functions
the present invention, various menu functions such as mesof the portable terminal while continuing to play an MP3
sage, phone-book, scheduling, game, and picture searching
music file according to an exemplary embodiment of the
functions among others are simultaneously implemented.
present invention. The data memories temporarily store data 5o The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
generated during execution of the programs.
be described in detail with reference FIG. 1.
A controller 110 controls the overall operation of the porReferring to FIG. 2, the controller 110 of the portable
table terminal. The controller 110 includes the modem 120
terminal generates an MP3 music background play object in
and the codec. The controller 110 performs controlling to
the standby mode in step 201 to play an MP3 music file as
switch the portable terminal to the standby mode while con- 55 background music. The MP3 music background play object
tinuing to play an MP3 music file according to an exemplary
generated in step 201 internally acquires a task for MP3 music
embodiment of the present invention. The controller 110 also
background play, returns to the standby mode, and provides a
implements menu functions of the portable terminal while
control interface to allow other applications to transmit comcontinuing to play an MP3 music file according to an exemmands for music play and control through the MP3 music
plary embodiment of the present invention.
6o background play object.
A camera module unit 140 includes a camera sensor and a
When an MP3 music play command is selected in the
signal processor. The camera sensor photographs image data
portable terminal, the controller 110 senses the selection and
and converts a photographed optical signal into an electric
executes an MP3 music play application in step 202. The
signal. A signal processor converts an analog image signal controller 110 transmits the MP3 music play command to the
photographed by the camera sensor into digital data. The 65 activated MP3 music background play object in the standby
camera sensor is assumed to be a charge-coupled device
mode through an interface for an execution command pro(CCD) sensor and the signal processor may be implemented
vided by the MP3 music background play object. The MP3

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017305

US 7,698,711 B2
5

6

music background play object switches to an MP3 music play
As such, MP3 music files selected in the MP3 music play
mode of step 203 are repetitively played in the standby mode,
mode by multi-tasking in step 203.
If termination of the MP3 music play mode is selected in the message mode, and the phone-book mode.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of implementing
the MP3 music play mode in step 204, the controller 110
senses the selection and displays a message asking whether to 5 menu functions of the portable terminal while continuing to
music file according to a
exemplary embodimaintain the played MP3 music file as background music in play aof the present invention. secondsecond exemplary
ment
In the
step 205.
embodiment of the present invention, a message function and
If the played MP3 music file is not selected as background
a phone-book function such as message, phone-book, schedmusic, the controller 110 terminates the MP3 music play 10 uling, game, and picture searching functions among others
mode and switches the portable terminal to the standby mode
are simultaneously implemented.
in step 206.
The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
Alternatively, when the played MP3 music file is selected be described in detail with reference FIG. 3.
as background music, the controller 110 senses the selection
Referring to FIG. 3, ifa menu is selected in step 302 where
and switches the portable terminal to the standby mode while 15 MP3 music files selected in an MP3 music play mode of the
maintaining the played MP3 music file, as background music
portable terminal of step 301 are being played, the controller
in step 207. If the played MP3 music file is to be maintained 110 senses the selection and displays menus of the portable
as background music, in step 205, the controller 110 switches
terminal that can be implemented in the MP3 music play
the portable terminal to the standby mode while maintaining
mode.
the play of the MP3 music file as background music in step 2o If the message function is selected among the menu func207. Since the MP3 music file is played through multi-tasking tions of the portable terminal in step 303, the controller 110
of the MP3 music background play object activated in the
senses the selection and switches the portable terminal to the
standby mode in step 207, the play of the MP3 music file can message mode. In the message mode of step 304, the controlcontinue regardless of termination of the MP3 music play
ler 110 implements functions such as message transmission
mode. In the standby mode of step 207, image data indicating 25 and message checking while continuing to play the MP3
information relating to the MP3 music file that is being played music file that is being played in the MP3 music play mode in
as background music, for example a title and a singer, may be step 304. In the message mode of step 304, an icon or a
overlaid on a background image of the portable terminal. The message indicating that the MP3 music file is being played
type of the MP3 music information displayed on a standby
may be displayed.
screen may be selectively displayed. An icon or a message 3o If termination of the message mode maintaining the play of
indicating that the MP3 music file is being played may be the MP3 music file is selected in step 305, the controller 110
displayed in the standby mode of step 207.
senses the selection and switches the portable terminal to the
MP3 music play mode of step 301.
If the MP3 music play mode is selected in the standby
If the phone-book function is selected in step 306, the
mode maintaining the play of MP3 background music in step
208, the controller 110 senses the selection and switches the 35 controller 110 senses the selection and switches the portable
terminal to the phone-book mode. In the phone-book mode of
portable terminal to the MP3 music play mode of step 203.
step 307, the controller 110 implements functions such as
If the message function is selected in the standby mode
telephone number searching and registration while continumaintaining the play of MP3 background music in step 209,
ing to play MP3 background music. In the phone-book mode
the controller 110 senses the selection and switches the por4o of step 307, an icon or a message indicating that the MP3
table terminal to a message mode in step 210. In the message
mode of step 210, the controller 110 performs controlling to music file is being played may be displayed.
If termination of the phone-book mode maintaining the
implement functions such as message transmission and mesplay of MP3 music is selected, the controller 110 senses the
sage checking while continuing to play MP3 background
selection and switches the portable terminal to the MP3 music
music. In the message mode of step 210, an icon or a message
indicating that the MP3 music file is being played is dis- 45 play mode of step 301.
As such, MP3 music files selected in the MP3 music play
played.
mode of step 301 are repetitively played in the standby mode,
If termination of the message mode maintaining the play of the message mode, and the phone-book mode.
MP3 background music is selected in step 211, the controller
As described above, according to the exemplary embodi110 senses the selection and switches the portable terminal to 5o ments of the present invention, menu functions can be implethe standby mode of step 207 maintaining the play of MP3
mented while continuing to play music in a portable terminal.
background music.
Therefore, various applications of the portable terminal can
If the phone-book function is selected in the standby mode
be simultaneously implemented during the play of music,
maintaining the play of MP3 background music in step 212,
thereby maximizing user convenience.
the controller 110 senses the selection and switches the por- 55 Moreover, a separate music control processor is not
table terminal to a phone-book mode in step 213. In the included in a portable terminal, thereby preventing cost
phone-book mode of step 213, the controller 110 performs increase in the portable terminal and complexity in hardware
controlling to implement functions such as telephone number
and software configurations. Furthermore, exemplary
searching and registration while continuing to play MP3
embodiments of the present invention can also be used for
background music. In the phone-book mode of step 213, an 6o portable terminal applications to be developed without a
icon or a message indicating that the MP3 music file is being
requirement for separate processing.
played is displayed.
While the present invention has been shown and described
If termination of the phone-book mode maintaining the with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
play of MP3 background music is selected in step 214, the
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
controller 110 senses the selection and switches the portable 65 form and details may be made therein without departing from
terminal to the standby mode of step 207 maintaining the play
the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
of MP3 background music.
appended claims.

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017306

US 7,698,711 B2
7

8

What is claimed is:
mode, for switching from the MP3 mode to a standby
mode while the playing of the music file continues and
1. A multi-tasking method in a pocket-sized mobile communication device including an MP3 playing capability, the
for selecting and performing at least one function of the
pocket-sized mobile communication device from the
multi-tasking method comprising:
generating a music background play object, wherein the 5
standby mode while the playing of the music file conmusic background play object includes an application
tinues; and
module including at least one applet;
a display unit for displaying an indication that the music
providing an interface for music play by the music backfile is being played in the standby mode and for continuground play object;
ing to display the indication that the music file is being
selecting an MP3 mode in the pocket-sized mobile com- 10
played while performing the selected function.
munication device using the interface;
10. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
selecting and playing a music file in the pocket-sized indication comprises an icon.
11. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
mobile communication device in the MP3 mode;
switching the MP3 mode to a standby mode while the
indication comprises information relating to the music file.
playing of the music file continues;
15 12. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
displaying an indication that the music file is being played
information comprises at least one of a music title, a musician
in the standby mode;
and an album title.
selecting and performing at least one function of the
13. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 11, wherein the
pocket-sized mobile communication device from the display unit overlays the information relating to the music file
standby mode while the playing of the music file con- 20 on a screen.
tinues; and
14. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
continuing to display the indication that the music file is
controller selects to continue the playing of the music file.
being played while performing the selected function.
15. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
2. The multi-tasking method of claim 1, wherein the dis- function selected from the standby mode comprises a mesplaying of the indication comprises displaying an icon.
25 sage function.
3. The multi-tasking method of claim 1, wherein the dis16. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 9, wherein the
playing of the indication comprises displaying information
function selected from the standby mode comprises a phonerelating to the music file.
book function.
4. The multi-tasking method of claim 3, wherein the infor17. A multi-tasking apparatus in a pocket-sized mobile
mation comprises at least one of a music title, a musician and 30 communication device consisting of a single display unit and
an album title.
including an MP3 playing capability, the multi-tasking appa5. The multi-tasking method of claim 3, wherein the dis- ratus comprising:
playing of the information comprises overlaying the informaa controller for generating a music background play object,
tion relating to the music file on a screen.
wherein the music background play object includes an
6. The multi-tasking method of claim 1, further comprising
application module including at least one applet, for
selecting to continue the playing of the music file.
providing an interface for music play by the music back7. The multi-tasking method of claim 1, wherein the funcground play object, for selecting an MP3 mode in the
tion selected from the standby mode comprises a message
pocket-sized mobile communication device using the
function.
interface, for selecting and playing a music file in the
pocket-sized mobile communication device in the MP3
8. The multi-tasking method of claim 1, wherein the func-4o
tion selected from the standby mode comprises a phone-book
mode, and for switching from the MP3 mode to a
function.
standby mode while the playing of the music file con9. A multi-tasking apparatus in a pocket-sized mobile comtinues; and
munication device including an MP3 playing capability, the
a display unit for displaying an indication that the music
file is being played in the standby mode.
multi-tasking apparatus comprising:
45
a controller for generating a music background play object,
18. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
wherein the music background play object includes an
indication comprises an icon.
application module including at least one applet, for
19. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
providing an interface for music play by the music backindication comprises information relating to the music file.
ground play object, for selecting an MP3 mode in the 5o 20. The multi-tasking apparatus of claim 17, wherein the
pocket-sized mobile communication device using the
controller selects to continue the playing of the music file.
interface, for selecting and playing a music file in the
pocket-sized mobile communication device in the MP3

APLNDC-WH-A 0000017307