JP2008530887A - Mobile device, communication system, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

The communication system of the present invention includes a first portable device 100 and a second portable device 130. The first portable device 100 is a first short-distance communication device and a first wireless device that transmits / receives. The first portable device 100 is connected to the network service through the first connection unit 125 to the communication network 120, the second portable device 130 is a second short-range communication device, and transmission / reception The second portable device is adapted to exchange identification information when the first and second short-range communication devices are held next to each other, In order to be able to subscribe to the network service, a second connection 128 between the second portable device and the communication network 120 is activated. Such a communication system according to the present invention can be a teleconferencing service provided by a mobile network or online gaming service between multiple participants.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system having at least two portable devices such that one portable device is connected to a network service and the other portable device wants to subscribe to the network service.

  The invention also relates to a portable device configured in such a communication system.

  The present invention finally relates to a communication method between portable devices in which one portable device is connected to a network service and the other portable device desires to subscribe to the network service.

  The present invention finds its application in the field of mobile phones or personal digital assistants PDAs, or other devices that can connect to network services, for example.

  Mobile phone network operators offer more and more network services to users. Although these services are usually individuals, the introduction of services among several users is becoming more common. Such a service is, for example, the ability to establish a conference call between several members.

  Although these network services are useful to the user, their usage requires the complexity of setting up such services that require reading very long menus and / or pressing multiple key combinations. Limited due to

  More specifically, assume that the user of the first mobile phone is in a pre-established call with the remote user and the user of the second mobile phone is in close proximity to the first mobile phone. In this case, the construction of a conference call between the three users requires several steps and can be different as in the function of the network used.

  The conventional solution is that at least the first mobile phone holds the pre-established call and obtains the phone number of the second mobile phone (this feature is supported by the mobile phone and the mobile phone network operator). Mechanism provided by the mobile phone network operator, calling the second mobile phone) and waiting until the second call is established between the first mobile phone and the second mobile phone Requires two calls to be connected.

  The above solution is not satisfactory from the user's point of view and is extremely complex. This is because they require great involvement from the user. According to the example of teleconference, building a second call is already a challenge for most mobile phones, and in addition to this complexity, the user can use the teleconference service of the mobile phone network operator. You must know how to start up. In fact, mobile phone users are familiar with the basic functions provided by mobile phones (such as dial-up and answering), but advanced such as call forwarding or conference calls. Not very familiar with these features.

  It is an object of the present invention to allow a mobile device that is close to other mobile devices connected to a network service to subscribe to the network service in a manner that is more convenient for the user than that of the prior art. The system is proposed.

  In accordance with the present invention, a first portable device having a first near field communication device and a first wireless device for transmitting / receiving and connected to a network service through a first connection to a communication network; A second portable device having a second wireless device for transmitting / receiving, wherein the first and second near field communication devices are held next to each other Adapted to exchange identification information, so that the second portable device can subscribe to the network service, a second between the second portable device and the communication network Provided is a communication system for activating a connection unit.

  As a result, holding the adjacent first and second short-range communication devices allows communication between the first portable device and the second portable device without other involvement between users of these portable devices. It is a much more convenient solution for the user than that of the prior art.

  Beneficially, the first and second near field communication devices are of NFC type.

  The invention also extends to portable devices configured within such communication systems.

  These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a communication system according to the present invention is shown in a schematic case.

  Such a communication system comprises at least two mobile devices 100 and 130, for example mobile phones. These two portable devices can connect to the network via the first connection 125 and the second connection 128 to the communication network 120.

  The first portable device 100 includes a first short-range communication device, a first conventional wireless transmission device, and first network service connection software.

  The communication system also includes a second mobile device 130, such as a mobile phone, in the vicinity of the parent device (first) mobile device. The second portable device includes a second short-range communication device, a second wireless transmission device, and second network service connection software.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second short-range communication devices are both NFC type. NFC is described in, for example, document ECMA 340, which is a short-range communication interface and protocol (NFCIP-1) standard dated December 2002, and document ECMA 352, which is an NFC interface and protocol-2 (NFCIP-2) standard. Yes. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. As an alternative, these short-range communication devices are colored light, provided that the portable device of the child device can communicate with the portable device of the parent device when the portable device of the parent device and the child device are close to each other. It can be based on LED flashing or other techniques.

  The first portable device 100 is potentially capable of using a service provided by the communication network through the first connection 125 or a service provided by the communication network. Either of the two states is possible (ie, no service is established between the device and the communication network). A service network is constructed using any conventional method to exchange information with the network.

  The second portable device is either in a standby state or connected to the first portable device or in a state compatible with a network service that can be connected.

  This network service can be viewed as a collaborative service provided by a network operator or by other third parties where two or more portable devices can cooperate in a specific instantiation of the service. . It can be, for example, a conference call provided by a mobile network. In this case, together with the remote handset, the handheld handset already established in advance can request the mobile network for a kind of upgrade of the pre-established call in order to establish a conference call that includes the new user. . Another example is an online game between several participants who are close to each other using services provided by a mobile network.

  The communication system according to the present invention operates as follows. When the first and second near field communication devices are held adjacent to each other, the first communication link in the near field range (several centimeters) allows the two devices to exchange identification information. Therefore, it is constructed between the devices. This first communication link is not limited to device identification on the network, but exchanges information including international phone numbers, mobile device status, preferred and / or supported network services, service parameters, It is possible to do with the two portable devices.

  This information exchange is accomplished according to the NFC transport interface protocol or / and any extensions or changes to this protocol. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the two portable devices exchange state and service information using the NTIP protocol. This NTIP protocol is defined by the Near Field Communication Forum (NFC Forum) in the NFC Transfer Interface Protocol (NTIP) specification. The configuration of the exchange information according to the NTIP specification is shown in FIG. Data exchange takes place in the form of NTIP packets. The NTIP packet 200 includes a record list 220 having an NTIP header 210 and at least one record. The NTIP header includes the length of the record list in the NTIP packet. Each record 225 is a sequence of three elements: a record type 226, a record content length 227, and a record content element 228. This record content element contains the status and service information to be exchanged.

  In a more secure embodiment, the amount of information exchanged during NFC communication between the portable devices can be limited to increase security and privacy. For example, a temporary unique device identification number can be exchanged.

  Once the portable devices exchange status and service information, these two portable devices use their respective network service connection software to construct network services through their respective connections 125 and 128. If the first portable device is already connected to the network service through the first connection unit 125 to the communication network 120, the second portable device uses the network service connection software to connect to the communication network 120. It is possible to connect to a network service established through the second connection unit 128.

  Each mobile device may have a memory for storing context parameters and service parameters, the context parameters defining data to be transmitted via the connection 125 or 128, which will be described in more detail below. As such, the mobile device can connect to a network service depending on the context parameter.

  These two portable devices establish or connect network services according to the specifications of the network service provider and information exchanged during NFC communication between the portable devices.

  Confirmation from the user before connecting to a network service may be required for security reasons, or in some cases, a surcharge may be required to access such a network service. . A network service is subject to the following conditions: the user terminates the service, the network terminates the service, the application on the mobile device that authenticates access to the network service terminates the service, or a network failure Or pending until one of the other failures occurs.

  Referring now to FIG. 3, a communication system according to the present invention illustrated in the case of a teleconference service provided by a mobile network.

  A pre-established call is set between the first mobile device 100 (ie, a mobile phone in the illustrated example) and a remote communication device over the communication network 120 via the wireless link 125. The remote communication device may be another mobile phone 110 connected to the communication network 120 via a wireless connection 126 or a landline or wireless landline phone connected to the communication network 120 via a fixed line (wired) connection 127. 111.

  The second mobile device 130 (i.e., other mobile phone in the illustrated example) desires to participate in a call that has been previously established using a network service provided by the network operator.

  As described above, the two mobile phones are close to each other and are held next to each other in order to establish an NFC connection between the two mobile phones.

  Once an NFC connection is established, the two mobile phones exchange their unique identification numbers with the mobile network. As an example, the unique network identification number is a mobile phone call number.

  During NFC communication, the first mobile phone is not limited to, for example, service identification numbers and / or service parameters, for example, when joining a pre-established call or when more than two mobile phones communicate Thus, in order to join a previously established conference call, all necessary information is transmitted to the second mobile phone.

  The second mobile phone, which is in a standby state before NFC connection, recognizes reception of a request from another phone and actively responds to the request. Thereafter, the second mobile phone exchanges information with the mobile network using a transmitting / receiving wireless device captured by the second mobile phone, thereby identifying the network service (ie, the illustrated example). Now establish your will to join the conference call. The protocol used between the mobile network and the mobile phone is not part of the present invention and may be specific to the mobile network.

  The first mobile phone then terminates the network service by instructing the mobile network to accept the second mobile phone as part of the conference call.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second mobile phone calls the first mobile phone using the mobile network based on the call number exchanged during NFC communication. The first mobile phone receives notification of the additional call from the mobile network, and the first mobile phone network service connection software is based on the second mobile phone (based on the calling number exchanged during NFC communication). It is possible to connect to the conference call by confirming that there is an incoming call from the mobile phone and instructing the second mobile phone to the mobile network.

  The conference call is terminated with the first mobile phone, the mobile network or a third party request, or any network failure. Each additional portable device can either terminate their participation directly or disconnect the conference call by the first device.

  FIG. 4 shows implementation of NFC-related software and network service connection software. The software stack includes a real-time operating system and driver 410, NFC-related software 420 (based on NTIP), a mobile phone software stack and event manager 430, network service connection software 440, and various applications 450.

  FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of the various steps performed by the network service connection software, which uses a service provided by the mobile network to provide network service between the two mobile devices. Needed to build.

  In step 500, the first mobile phone 100 is in a previously established call or conference with one or more communication partners. Second mobile phone 130 is in standby state 550. If the second mobile phone wishes to join a pre-established call, the two mobile phones are held next to each other and the two mobile phones are placed on the target device (ie, the first or first phone). According to the detection of the second mobile phone), the state 510 is entered.

  Once each mobile phone is detected by another mobile phone, an NFC connection is established. Then, as described above, in step 520, each mobile phone exchanges identification information, network service functions and related parameters with other mobile phones. Once the information exchange is performed, the NFC connection is terminated.

  In step 530, each mobile phone then establishes a connection to the mobile network and sets up the conference call as described above.

  FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the various steps performed by the network service connection software, which uses a service provided by the mobile phone network to perform a network service between the two mobile devices. Is needed to build.

  The first mobile phone is in a call with one or more communication partners. The second mobile phone is in a non-standby state. If the second mobile phone wants to join a pre-built call, the two mobile phones are held next to each other, and the two mobile phones are moved according to the detection of a new device, Let state 600 be entered.

  Once each mobile phone is detected by another mobile phone, an NFC connection is established. At that time, as described above, each mobile phone exchanges identification information, network service functions, and related parameters with other mobile phones in step 610.

  In step 620, each mobile phone determines the most promising network service (in this case, a conference call) with network service functions, other mobile phone states, and associated context parameters as its own state function.

  Once the network service is identified by the first mobile phone, the first mobile phone enters state 630 and invites to subscribe to the network service of the mobile phone network using parameters exchanged during NFC communication. To the second mobile phone.

  When the network service is identified by the second mobile phone, the second mobile phone enters state 631 and invites to subscribe to the network service of the mobile phone network using parameters exchanged during NFC communication. To the first mobile phone.

  Thereafter, each mobile phone waits for approval in step 635.

  In test 640, when the first mobile phone receives a compatible request (y) from the second mobile phone, the first mobile phone subscribes to the network service identified by the first mobile phone. Before re-notifying / confirming the invitation to the second mobile phone, terminating the NFC connection and starting the network service in step 660, in step 650 additional parameters for subscribing to the network service Replace arbitrarily.

  In test 640, if the first mobile phone receives an incompatible request (n) from the second mobile phone, the first mobile phone cannot establish a conference call with the second mobile phone. , Interrupt the request and terminate the NFC connection.

  In test 641, when the second mobile phone receives a compatible request (y) from the first mobile phone, the second mobile phone acknowledges receipt of the request, terminates the NFC connection, and step 660. In step 650, if necessary, additional parameters are exchanged before subscribing to the network service.

  In test 641, when the second mobile phone receives the incompatible request (n) from the first mobile phone, the second mobile phone cannot establish a conference call with the first mobile phone. , Interrupt the request and terminate the NFC connection.

  The above-described embodiments are used to illustrate rather than limit the invention, and can be used by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It should be noted that many alternative embodiments can be designed.

  It should be clear that the use of the verb “having” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of other processes or components other than those defined in any claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element or step does not exclude the presence of such plural elements or steps.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of information exchanged according to the NTIP specification. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating implementation of NFC related software and network service connection software. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for establishing a connection to a network service according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for establishing a connection to a network service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (6)

A first portable device having a first near field communication device and a first wireless device for transmitting / receiving and connected to a network service through a first connection to a communication network;
A second portable device having a second short-range communication device and a second wireless device for transmitting / receiving, wherein the first and second short-range communication devices are held next to each other A second mobile device between the second mobile device and the communication network, adapted to exchange identification information, so that the second mobile device can subscribe to the network service. A communication system that activates a second connection.   The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second short-range communication devices are of NFC type. A mobile device for subscribing to a network service,
Another portable device includes a first short-range communication device and a first wireless device that transmits / receives, and is connected to the network service through a first connection to a communication network, and the portable device for the subscription The apparatus has a second near field communication device and a second wireless device that transmits / receives, the second near field communication device being held next to the first near field communication device. In order to adapt the identification information to be exchanged with the first short-range communication device so that the mobile device for the subscription can subscribe to the network service. A mobile device for subscribing to a network service, wherein a second connection unit is activated between the mobile device and the communication network.   A memory for storing a context parameter and a service parameter, wherein the context parameter defines data to be transmitted through the connection unit, and the mobile device for subscribing is connected to the network according to the context parameter; The portable device according to claim 3, wherein the portable device can participate in a service. Having a first short-range communication device and a first wireless device for transmitting / receiving, communicating with a second short-range communication device and another portable device having a second wireless device for transmitting / receiving A portable device connected to a network service through a first connection to a communication network,
The first short-range communication device is adapted to exchange identification information with the second short-range communication device when held next to the second short-range communication device, and the other A portable device that activates a second connection between the other portable device and the communication network so that the portable device can subscribe to the network service. A first portable device having a first short-range communication device and a first wireless device for transmitting / receiving and connected to a network service through a first communication in a communication network; and a second short-range communication A communication method between a device and a second portable device having a second wireless device for transmitting / receiving, comprising:
When the first and second short-range communication devices are held next to each other, the method exchanges identification information between the first and second short-range communication devices, and the second portable device And activating a second connection between the communication network and the second portable device allowing the communication network to join the network service through the second connection. Communication method.

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