DESC:CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This patent application is related to and claims the benefit of priority from the Indian Provisional Patent Application with Serial No. 201641015383 titled “A METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SETTING A USER INTERFACE LANGUAGE”, filed on May 03, 2016 and subsequently Post-dated by 2 month to July 03, 2016 and the contents of which are incorporated in entirety by the way of reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to user interfaces implemented on handheld devices. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to lock screen interfaces implemented on handheld devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to language sensitive lock screens implemented on handheld devices.

BACKGROUND
[0003] Since the advent of information technology, and post vast levels of improvements achieved in mobile communications, there has been a steady as well as a wide-spread increase in the use of handheld mobile phones not only as a means of interpersonal communication but also as a means for accessing World Wide Web, for accessing various forms of entertainment including movies, music, and the like.
[0004] Typically, handheld mobile devices include a display screen, and in certain cases a touch sensitive display screen which in turn incorporates a user interface that enables a user to selectively lock and unlock the mobile device (phone), and subsequently operate the mobile phone to place a phone call, receive an incoming phone call, access the internet, manipulate the settings and configurations of the mobile phone, amongst other possible operations.
[0005] Typically, mobile phones are, by default programmed to operate in English language, with the option of changing to a different language by the way of modifying the ‘language settings’ of the mobile phone. Typically, modifying the ‘language settings’ of the mobile phone requires the user to firstly unlock the phone (only in the event that the mobile phone was previously locked), and subsequently perform a plurality of operations including selecting, preferably by the way of touch based gestures, certain options/keys from the user interface of the mobile phone, that upon activation change the language of the mobile phone. However, typically all the keys and the options are displayed on the user interface in the language previously set by the user or otherwise in English language, which is preferably the default language for a vast majority of mobile phones offered for sale across the globe.
[0006] Therefore, for a user who does not understand English, changing the default language (English) of the mobile phone by the way of selecting the required options/keys which are displayed in English becomes a herculean task. Further, in the event that a mobile phone changes hands and ends up with a person who does not understand the current display language of the mobile phone, then changing the display language to another language becomes almost impossible since such a person would not be able to understand the meaning and functionalities of the keys/options displayed on the user interface.
[0007] Therefore, it is apparent that lack of understanding of English language makes a user face difficulties in terms of changing the display language of the mobile phone from English to a preferred language, because the keys/options which are initially displayed in English language are not comprehendible to the user. Similarly, when the mobile phone is configured to be operated in a specific language other than English (for example, German language), and if the mobile phone is to be accessed by a user not familiar with German, such a user would be handicapped by the fact the keys/options of the mobile phone which would enable the user to change the language (of the mobile phone) from German to a preferred language are displayed in German language which is not understood by the user.
[0008] Therefore, in view of the drawbacks discussed hitherto, there was felt a need for a method using which a user could change the (display) language of the mobile phone, without essentially having to understand the keys/options displayed on the user interface thereof. There was also felt a need for a method that enabled a user to change the (display) language of the mobile phone without having to be familiar with the current (display) language of the mobile phone.

OBJECTS
[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to simplify the process of changing the display language of a mobile phone.
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to change the display language of a mobile phone, in a seamless manner.
[0011] Still a further object of the present disclosure is to envisage a customized lock screen interface that overrides the default lock screen interface of the mobile phone.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to envisage a method that provides for the phone to be unlocked and the phone language to be changed simultaneously.
[0013] One more object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to unlock a mobile phone in a language of his choice.
[0014] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to enable a user to change the display language of the mobile phone in a seamless manner, and by making a one-touch gesture.

SUMMARY
[0015] The present disclosure envisages a method for overriding a default lock screen of a mobile phone with a customized lock screen which enables users to change the display language of the mobile phone using a one-touch gesture. The method envisaged by the present disclosure enables a user to unlock his phone and simultaneously change the display language of the mobile phone to the language of user’s preference.
[0016] In accordance with the present disclosure, the user interface language of the mobile phone is changed while the mobile phone was in a locked state, and subsequent to the mobile phone transformed from being in a locked state to an unlocked state, the change in the user interface language incorporated into the user interface of the mobile phone, and the mobile phone is triggered to be operated with the changed user interface language.
[0017] In accordance with the present disclosure, the user interface is reconfigured to display a customized lock screen which in turn includes a user interface icon adapted to be activated by a touch based gesture. The said user interface icon when activated by touch causes the user interface language to be toggled from the default (user interface) language to a second user interface language. Subsequently, the mobile phone is unlocked with all the icons, options and keys being displayed in the second user interface language instead of the default user interface language.
[0018] In accordance with the present disclosure, the second user interface language is chosen (selected) by the user of the mobile phone based on his language preferences. Alternatively, the second user interface language could be set by default to a language previously chosen by the user. Alternatively, the second user interface language could be set by default to a most preferred language of the user of the mobile phone, with user preferences determined based on historic mobile phone usage patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0019] The other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG.1A – FIG.1B are screenshots of the customized lock screen, as displayed on a mobile terminal, in accordance with the present disclosure; and
[0021] FIG.2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps involved in a method for selectively changing a user interface language of a mobile terminal in a locked state and incorporating a changed user interface language into a user interface of the mobile terminal in an unlocked state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In view of the drawbacks discussed in the ‘Background’ section, there was felt a need for a customized lock screen interface that would enable a user (of a mobile terminal) to switch over to his preferred user interface language, in a seamless manner. There was also felt a need to reduce the number of keystrokes/gestures necessary for switching from one (mobile terminal) user interface language to another, thereby making the process of switching between the mobile terminal user interface languages comparatively simpler and quicker.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 1A through FIG.1B, there are shown screenshots of the customized lock screen interface 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.1A–FIG.1B the customized lock screen 100 is displayed preferably on a touch sensitive display screen 100A of a mobile terminal. The customized lock screen 100 incorporates a user interface icon, preferably a padlock icon 102 which typically indicates that the mobile terminal is in a ‘locked’ state. The customized lock screen interface 100 is configured to at least temporarily override the default lock screen interface of the mobile terminal.
[0024] Further, as shown in FIG.1A – FIG.1B, the customized lock screen interface 100 further incorporates a first user interface icon 104 and a second user interface icon 106 positioned in proximity to the padlock icon 102. Preferably, the first user interface icon 104 is linked to the default user interface language programmed into the mobile terminal, and the second user interface icon 106 is linked to a user interface language previously selected by the user of the mobile terminal. Alternatively, the second user interface icon 106 could be linked to the most preferred user interface language (available as an option on the operating system of the mobile terminal) identified based on historic mobile terminal usage pattern. Alternatively, the second user interface icon 106 could be linked to any one of the optional languages programmed into the mobile terminal.
[0025] In accordance with the present disclosure, the first user interface icon 104 and the second interface 106 are designed to visualize the language that they are currently linked to. For instance, if the first user interface icon 104 is linked to ‘English’ language, then as shown in FIG.1A-FIG.1B, the first user interface icon 104 is represented as embedding an ‘English’ Alphabet. Further, if the second user interface icon 106 is linked to ‘Hindi’ language, then as shown in FIG.1A-FIG.1B, the second user interface icon 106 is represented as embedding a ‘Hindi’ Alphabet. However, the above described representations are only exemplary, and it is within the scope of the present disclosure to represent the first user interface icon 104 and second user interface icon 106 using any convenient design choices indicative of the languages that the icons (first user interface icon 104 and second user interface icon 106) are respectively linked to.
[0026] In accordance with the present disclosure, when the mobile terminal is in a locked state, the customized lock screen interface 100 is displayed on the touch sensitive display screen 100 of the mobile terminal. As shown in FIG.1A-FIG.1B, the user is required to perform a ‘drag and drop’ gesture on the padlock icon 102 and subsequently drag and drop the padlock icon 102 either on the first user interface icon 104 indicative of ‘English’ language, or on the second user interface icon 106 indicative of ‘Hindi’ language.
[0027] In accordance with the present disclosure, if the user drags and drops the padlock icon 102 on the first user interface icon 104, the mobile terminal would be subsequently unlocked in English language. Alternatively, if the user drags and drops the padlock icon 102 on the second user interface icon, the mobile terminal would be subsequently unlocked in ‘Hindi’ language. As explained earlier, the first user interface icon 104 typically represents the default language (default user interface language) of the mobile terminal, and dragging-dropping the padlock icon 102 on the first user interface icon 104 would cause the mobile terminal to be unlocked in the default language programmed into the mobile terminal. Typically, the second user interface icon 106 represents a second language that the mobile terminal can be operated with, and dragging-dropping the padlock icon 102 on the second user interface icon 106 would cause the mobile terminal’s user interface language to be changed from the default language to the said second language.
[0028] The first user interface icon 104, upon activation by a predetermined touch based gesture (for example, drag and drop gesture) performed by the user, triggers the mobile terminal to display a user interface using the default user interface language. Further, the second user interface icon 106 upon activation by a predetermined touch based gesture (for example, drag and drop gesture) performed by the user, triggers a change from the default user interface language to the said second user interface language.
[0029] The customized lock screen interface 100 enables the user to configure the second user interface icon 106 to represent a specific language which would form an alternative to the default language. For instance, the second user interface icon 106 could represent the last regional language (other than the default language) selected by the user. Alternatively, the second user interface icon 106 could, based on information corresponding to the historic usage pattern of the mobile terminal, represent a regional language most preferred by the user. Alternatively, the second user interface icon 106 when activated by a predetermined gesture (for example, long press gesture) could provide a user with a list of language that the mobile terminal could operate with, and subsequently the user could be prompted to select a language from the list. Subsequent to such a selection by the user, the mobile terminal is unlocked in the language selected from the list, by the user.
[0030] Referring to FIG.2, there is shown a method for selectively changing a user interface language of a mobile terminal in a locked state and incorporating a changed user interface language into a user interface of the mobile terminal in an unlocked state. At step 200, the user interface of the mobile terminal is reconfigured to display a customized lock screen, and the default lock screen of the mobile phone is at least temporarily overridden. At step 202, the customized lock screen is configured to incorporate at least one user interface icon which is adapted to be activated by a predetermined touch based gesture performed by a user. The said user interface icon (for example, a padlock icon) on activation by a gesture (for example, a drag-drop gesture) is adapted to cause the user interface language to be toggled from a default user interface language (for example, English language) to a second user interface language (for example, Hindi language). At step 204, the mobile terminal is unlocked in a language chosen by the user by the way of implementation of predetermined (drag and drop) gesture.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES
[0031] The technical advantages envisaged by the present disclosure include the realization of a customized lock screen interface for a mobile phone that overrides, at least temporarily, the default lock screen and enables a user (of the mobile phone) to unlock the mobile phone in his preferred language using a one-touch gesture, without him having to follow the conventional procedure of unlocking the phone followed by altering the language settings of the mobile phone to switch over to a preferred language. The customized lock screen interface envisaged by the present disclosure simplifies the process of switching over from one user interface language to another, by enabling a mobile phone user to choose between different user interface languages on the lock screen, and without having to unlock the phone. The customized lock screen interface obviates the need for a mobile phone user to run through the conventional procedure of using a number of necessary keystrokes to change the language settings of the mobile phone, instead allowing him to seamlessly switch over to a preferred (user interface) language on the lock screen. ,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A method for selectively changing a user interface language of a mobile terminal in a locked state and incorporating a changed user interface language into a user interface of the mobile terminal in an unlocked state, said method comprising the following steps:
reconfiguring a user interface of the mobile terminal to display a customized lock screen by at least temporarily overriding default lock screen of the mobile terminal;
configuring said customized lock screen to incorporate at least one user interface icon adapted to be activated by a predetermined touch based gesture performed by a user, and further adapted to cause the user interface language to be toggled from a default user interface language to a second user interface language, in response to said predetermined touch based gesture; and
unlocking the mobile terminal and presenting the user interface in said second user interface language.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of configuring said customized lock screen further includes the step of configuring said customized lock screen to incorporate a first user interface icon and a second user interface icon, said first user interface icon, upon activation by a predetermined touch based gesture performed by the user, configured to trigger the mobile terminal to display a user interface using said default user interface language, and said second user interface icon upon activation by a predetermined touch based gesture performed by the user, configured to trigger on the user interface, a change from the default user interface language to the second user interface language.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of configuring said customized lock screen further includes the following steps:
configuring said customized lock screen to incorporate a padlock icon in addition to said first user interface icon and second user interface icon;
configuring said padlock icon to be responsive to the predetermined touch based gesture performed by the user;
detecting the predetermined touch based gesture performed by the user on said padlock icon, and configuring said padlock icon to be dragged and dropped over at least one of said first user interface icon and second user interface icon, in response to said predetermined touch based gesture; and
displaying the default user interface language on the user interface in an event that the padlock icon is dragged and dropped over said first user interface icon, and changing the default user interface language to the second user interface language, in an event that the padlock icon is dragged and dropped over said second user interface icon.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the step of configuring said customized lock screen further includes the following steps:
configuring said second user interface icon to display a list of languages on the user interface, in response to the predetermined touch based gesture performed upon said second user interface icon;
prompting the user to select a language from the list; and
triggering, on the user interface, a change from the default user interface language to the language selected from the list.
5. A mobile terminal comprising a touch-sensitive user interface, said mobile terminal characterized in that the mobile terminal is reconfigured to at least temporarily override a default lock screen and display a customized lock screen, said customized lock screen configured to:
incorporate at least one user interface icon adapted to be activated by a predetermined touch based gesture performed by a user, said user interface icon further adapted to cause the user interface language to be toggled from a default user interface language to a second user interface language, in response to a predetermined touch based gesture performed by a user on the customized lock screen; and
unlock the mobile terminal and present the user interface in said second user interface language.
6. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 5, wherein said customized lock screen further includes a first user interface icon and a second user interface icon, said first user interface icon configured to trigger the mobile terminal to display a user interface using said default user interface language, and said second user interface icon configured to trigger, on the user interface, a change from the default user interface language to the second user interface language.
7. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 5, wherein customized lock screen further includes a padlock icon responsive to the predetermined touch based gesture performed by the user, said padlock icon configured to be dragged and dropped over at least one of said first user interface icon and second user interface icon, in response to said predetermined touch based gesture, said padlock icon further configured to trigger inclusion of said default user interface language on the user interface when dragged and dropped over said first user interface icon, said padlock icon still further configured to trigger a change from the default user interface language to the second user interface language, when dragged and dropped over said second user interface icon.
8. The mobile terminal as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second user interface icon is further configured to display a list of languages on the user interface, in response to the predetermined touch based gesture performed upon said second user interface icon, said second user interface icon further configured to prompt the user to select a language from the list and trigger, on the user interface, a change from the default user interface language to the language selected from the list.