Mobile Terminal Multitasking via Foreground Background Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile communication terminals are limited to running a single application at a time, preventing simultaneous operation of multiple applications and requiring users to stop one application when switching to another, even when receiving calls or messages.
Innovation Solution
A method and mobile communication terminal design that allows multiple applications to run simultaneously by switching between foreground and background modes without stopping existing applications, using input commands to control application operations and audio processing, and integrating external I/O devices for seamless multitasking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile communication terminal runs only one application at a time, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but productivity and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The operation mode is segmented into distinct foreground mode and background mode, allowing different applications to run simultaneously without interfering with each other. The foreground application receives user input while the background application continues executing independently, resolving the contradiction between running multiple apps and maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between foreground and background modes based on user commands. When a user inputs a mode conversion command, the currently foreground application transitions to background mode, and another application becomes foreground. This dynamic switching enables multiple applications to run concurrently while maintaining simple user interaction.
2Reliability
If the terminal automatically switches to telephone mode when a call is received, then the telephone function is ensured, but the running application is interrupted and user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The telephone function is segmented from the running application through mode conversion. When a call is received, the system converts the operation mode to allow telephone function execution while the original application continues in background mode. This segmentation enables both telephone reliability and application continuity without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The application's useful action continues uninterrupted by transitioning to background mode when a call is received. The background mode preserves the application's execution state, allowing it to resume seamlessly after the telephone function completes, thus maintaining continuity of useful action.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sub-applications are integrated within a single application, then device complexity is reduced, but versatility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different applications are segmented as independent execution units that can run simultaneously in foreground and background modes. Each application maintains its own execution context and can be independently controlled, enhancing versatility while the unified mode conversion mechanism keeps the management system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The foreground/background mode conversion mechanism serves as a universal interface that works across different applications. This multi-functional mode management system enables various applications to execute independently without requiring application-specific management logic, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user terminal for running a plurality of applications simultaneously is disclosed. In the method for running a plurality of applications simultaneously in accordance with the present invention, a first application is run in a foreground mode in accordance with an inputted first operation start command, and then the operation mode of the first application is switched to a background mode if a mode conversion command is inputted. Then, a second application in accordance with an inputted second operation start command can be run in the foreground mode. With the present invention, a plurality of applications can be run simultaneously in a separate operation mode, maximizing the convenience of the user.