KR20060102859A - Portable apparatus for converting voip and method for providing communication service thereby - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable VoIP interface device and a method for providing a call service using the same. In the case of a call request from a user connected to the portable terminal, the present invention provides a communication service using VoIP, and provides various additional functions such as MP3 playback. A portable VoIP interface device can be provided. According to the present invention, a VoIP interface device connected to a portable terminal to provide a communication service using VoIP, comprising: a terminal connection terminal connected to the portable terminal; VoIP, which checks whether an application program that can use a communication service using VoIP is installed in the portable terminal, transmits the program, and converts and outputs a call connection request signal and voice data output from the portable terminal into a VoIP packet. module; And a memory for storing the application program, wherein the VoIP packet is transmitted to a PC connected to a network in a wired or wireless manner. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication service using VoIP without having to have a computer with a separate Internet phone and application program, and also to provide VoIP service through a wireless network of a portable terminal even without a PC connected to the Internet network. There is an advantage that it can be provided to the user with convenience.

VoIP, Internet, Interface, Portable Terminal, Mobile Phone, Gateway

Description

PORTABLE APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING VoIP AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION SERVICE THEREBY}

1 is a block diagram of a communication system using a portable VoIP interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an internal block diagram of a portable VoIP interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A-3B are perspective views of a portable VoIP interface device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a call process using a portable VoIP interface device according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: portable terminal 102: VoIP interface device

204: VoIP module 206: MP3 control module

208: reader module 210: USB connector

212: switching unit 214: flash memory

216: MP3 codec 218: power supply

220: terminal charging unit 222: terminal communication unit

The present invention relates to a portable VoIP interface device, and more particularly, when the user's portable terminal is connected, it is possible to make a call via VoIP through the Internet network, MP3 file playback function, external storage reader function and portable terminal The present invention relates to a portable VoIP interface device capable of providing a charging function and a call service providing method using the same.

The Internet is an open network that can be connected and used freely by applying a common protocol called TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) to the other computer. It is used for the delivery of multimedia information.

Although the Internet was initially designed mainly for data transmission, it has evolved into a broadband multimedia network capable of transmitting voice and video according to the rapid development of communication technology and users' demands, and in particular, interworking with the Internet and existing telephone networks. As user demands for needs grow, VoIP technology emerges.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that transmits voice by using the Internet's IP layer. In this regard, VoIP can reduce phone charges, enable one to many calls, and provide various additional services. Recently, the market is rapidly growing and spreading as the largest application service of the Internet.

Conventionally, in order to use VoIP technology, a program for enabling communication using VoIP on a user's computer is installed, and an Internet phone or a headset is connected to a PC.

In a conventional VoIP service, a user makes a call request after performing a membership registration and login procedure to a web site that provides a VoIP service.

When a user requests a call, the computer converts the call connection request signal and the caller's voice data into an Internet protocol packet and transmits it to the Internet network, which is converted back into a format that can be interpreted by the mobile terminal at the gateway. It is delivered to the called terminal.

However, in order to use the conventional VoIP service, the user has to register at a specific site and must install a program for using the VoIP service on a computer, and in addition to the portable terminal generally used, There has been a problem of having an internet phone or a headset.

Therefore, there has been a problem in that there is a limitation in the place where the Internet phone can be used because it can only be used in a computer where a program for using VoIP service is installed.

On the other hand, in the related art, when a caller uses a VoIP service through a mobile phone, an exchange station of a telephone company and a gateway adjacent to the caller interwork with each other to transmit and receive a call connection request signal and voice data.

However, in such a system, an expensive VoIP communication gateway must be provided at the caller side, thereby increasing the system installation cost.

In order to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, a portable VoIP interface device and a call service providing method using the same can provide a VoIP service even if a separate program is not installed in a user computer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable VoIP interface device and a call service providing method using the same, which can provide various functions, such as an MP3 player function and a portable terminal charging function.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a VoIP interface device connected to a portable terminal to provide a communication service using VoIP, comprising: a terminal connection terminal connected to the portable terminal; VoIP, which checks whether an application program that can use a communication service using VoIP is installed in the portable terminal, transmits the program, and converts and outputs a call connection request signal and voice data output from the portable terminal into a VoIP packet. module; And a memory for storing the application program, wherein the VoIP packet is transmitted to a PC connected to a network in a wired or wireless manner.

Further, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in a system including a caller terminal, a user computer, an internet network, and a caller terminal, a method for providing a call service through a portable VoIP interface device connected to the caller terminal, the caller Detecting a connection of the terminal; Determining whether an application program capable of providing a communication service using VoIP is installed in the caller terminal, and transmitting the program; Converting the call connection request signal and the caller's voice data output from the caller terminal into a VoIP packet format to be transmitted to the Internet network; And transmitting the VoIP packet to the user computer, wherein the user computer transmits the VoIP packet to a called party terminal through an internet network, and the called party voice data-called voice data transmitted from the called party terminal is a VoIP packet. Provided is a method of providing a call service using a portable VoIP interface device for converting a format transmitted to a data format that can be processed by a caller terminal.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of a portable VoIP interface device and a call service providing method using the same according to the present invention.

1 is a configuration of a communication system using a portable VoIP interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable VoIP interface device 102 according to the present invention is connected to the portable terminal 100 and is connected to the PC 104 by wire or wireless.

The portable terminal 100 may include a mobile phone, but is not limited thereto and may include other wireless terminals such as PDAs, and the PC 104 may include various user computers such as laptops as well as general desktop PCs. Will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

According to the present invention, when the portable terminal 100 is connected to the VoIP interface device 102, the VoIP interface device 102 detects a connection and uses an application program that can use a communication service using VoIP for the portable terminal 100. It is determined whether it is installed, and if the program is not installed transmits the program to the portable terminal (100).

Thereafter, when the caller requests a call using VoIP, the VoIP interface device 102 converts the call connection request signal of the portable terminal 100 into a VoIP packet format and transmits it to the PC 104.

The VoIP packet may be provided with an identification number of a gateway that manages a called party terminal as well as a called party terminal unique number, and further includes various header information for VoIP communication.

The call connection request signal converted into the VoIP packet is transmitted to the gateway 108 in which the called party communication means exists through the Internet network 106, and the gateway 108 is a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110 or MSC (Mobile Switching Center) performs a function of making a call connection between the caller's portable terminal 100 and the called party's landline (112) or mobile phone (116) in conjunction with.

When the called terminal 112, 116 starts a call in response to a call connection request, the VoIP interface device 102 according to the present invention converts the voice data input by the caller into the VoIP packet format using the H.323 or SIP protocol. The packet thus converted is transmitted to the called party terminals 112 and 116 via the Internet network 106.

In addition, the VoIP interface device converts the called party voice data, which is converted into the VoIP packet format at the gateway 108, into a data format that can be processed by the portable terminal 100, and then transmits the received voice data to the caller portable terminal 100.

On the other hand, if the called terminal is an IP phone 122 or a PC phone 124 supporting the VoIP service, the call packet request by the caller portable terminal 100 and the VoIP packet converted to voice data are not passed through the gateway 108. It can be directly transmitted to the IP phone 122 or the PC phone 124 via the LAN 118 and the gatekeeper 120.

At this time, the PC 104 connected to the VoIP interface device 102 by wire or wireless does not perform a separate process for providing VoIP service as in the conventional Internet phone, and simply transmits the signal transmitted to the VoIP interface device 102 to the Internet. Functions only as a LAN card to transfer over the network.

As such, when using the VoIP interface device 102 according to the present invention, the application program needs to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 100 only when a caller requests a call, and the PC 104 does not need to install a separate program. The user's hassle can be eliminated.

On the other hand, the above has been described that the communication using the VoIP is via a network connected to the PC, according to the present invention, even if the VoIP interface device is not connected to the PC it is also possible to use a wireless network of the portable terminal.

That is, when the portable terminal 100 and the VoIP interface device 102 are connected, the application program establishes a connection between the portable terminal 100 and the wireless network, and the data converted into VoIP packets by the VoIP interface device is converted to the portable terminal 100. By transmitting to the wireless network connected to the), it is possible to communicate using VoIP without a PC.

2 is an internal block diagram of a portable VoIP interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the portable VoIP interface device according to the present invention includes a connection detection module 202, a VoIP module 204, an MP3 control module 206, a reader module 208, a USB connector 210, and a switching. The unit 212, the power supply unit 218, the terminal charging unit 220, the terminal communication unit 222, the terminal connection terminal 224 and the memory interface 228, the application program and MP3 files for VoIP communication The flash memory 214 may include the MP3 codec 216 and the sound source output unit 226 which perform encoding and decoding processes of the MP3 file.

The connection detecting module 202 according to the present invention detects whether the corresponding device is connected to the USB connector 210, the terminal connection terminal 224, and the memory interface 228.

Referring to the operation process after the connection detection, first, when the user's portable terminal 100 is connected to the terminal connection terminal 224, the connection detection module 202 is connected to the VoIP module 204 to detect the portable terminal 100 connection detection signal Output

The VoIP module 204 receives the connection detection signal and determines whether an application program for communication service using VoIP is installed in the portable terminal 100 from the portable terminal 100.

As described above, a program for VoIP communication is stored in the flash memory 214 according to the present invention. When the program is not installed in the connected portable terminal 100, the VoIP module 204 is stored in the flash memory 214. The stored program is read and transmitted to the portable terminal 100.

In the above description, the application program is stored in the flash memory 214, but various memories may be used without being limited thereto.

The application program installed in the portable terminal 100 is driven when the portable terminal 100 is connected to the portable VoIP interface device after the program is downloaded or pre-installed as described above, so that the portable terminal 100 is a base station. It converts to the mode that can make a call through the internet network instead.

When the call connection request signal is received from the portable terminal 100 through the telephone number input, the VoIP module 204 converts the call connection request signal into the VoIP packet format and transmits the signal to the PC 104.

The PC 104 transmits the VoIP packet to the Internet network so that the called party can respond to the call connection request.

When a call is initiated between the caller and the called party in response to the caller's call connection, the VoIP control module 204 converts the voice data of the caller, which is input from the mobile terminal 100, into a VoIP packet format through a predetermined algorithm to convert the PC ( 104).

According to the present invention, since the VoIP interface device is connected to a digital portable terminal such as a general mobile phone and a PDA, it can perform a function of converting digital voice data output from the portable terminal into a VoIP packet format.

Therefore, the VoIP interface device according to the present invention does not have to be provided with an audio codec for converting a user's voice signal to digital unlike the conventional art. However, when a terminal for transmitting an analog voice signal is connected, the VoIP interface device may have a separate audio codec. It may be.

As described above, the VoIP interface device according to the present invention may provide a VoIP service through a wireless network (eg, a NATE service) of the portable terminal 100.

In a state where the VoIP interface device and the portable terminal 100 are connected, the connection detecting module 202 detects whether the USB connector 210 is connected.

If the connection detection module 202 receives the connection detection signal of the USB connector 210, the VoIP module 204 transmits and receives a VoIP packet through a PC connected to the network as described above. In a state where the USB connector 210 is not connected, VoIP packets are transmitted and received through the wireless network of the portable terminal.

The VoIP interface device according to the present invention provides a terminal charging function at the same time, the terminal charging unit 220 receives the connection detection signal of the portable terminal 100 from the connection detection module 202 to power the portable terminal 220 Performs the function of charging.

The MP3 control module 206 receives the MP3 file through the PC 104 and stores the MP3 file in the flash memory 214, or performs a function of modifying and changing an MP3 file already stored in the flash memory 214, and the flash memory 214. ) Or play an MP3 file stored in the external memory card 312.

When the user selects the MP3 playback mode through the keypad unit 230 and inputs a key signal for MP3 file playback, the MP3 control module 206 stores the sound source stored in the flash memory 214 or the external memory card 312. The information is extracted, and the MP3 codec 216 decodes the MP3 file and outputs the MP3 file to the sound source output unit 226.

Meanwhile, the VoIP interface device according to the present invention has a groove 318 into which the external memory card 312 can be inserted (see FIG. 3A), and when the memory card 312 is mounted, the reader module 208 is Read and write data on the memory card.

Here, the memory card may include a mini SD memory card, but is not limited thereto and may include various memory cards such as a compact flash (CF), a memory stick (MS), a smart media (SM), and an extreme digital (XD). Can be.

As described above, when the VoIP interface device according to the present invention is equipped with various devices such as the portable terminal 100, the PC 104, and the memory card 312, each device performs communication in a host-slave manner. The switching unit 212 performs a switching operation control function of setting each device connected to the VoIP interface device as a host and a slave.

3A-3B are perspective views of a portable VoIP interface device according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3B, the VoIP interface device according to the present invention includes a cover 304 which protects the main body 300, the USB connector 210, and the USB connector 210 from foreign matter including an internal circuit. ), A USB connector withdrawal unit 310 for withdrawing the USB connector 210, a terminal connection terminal 224 and a connection terminal withdrawal unit 306 connected to the portable terminal 100.

In addition, on one side of the main body portion, the keypad 230 for mode setting and MP3 playback, and the LCD 316 to check the mode, such as call mode, charging mode, MP3 playback mode and reader mode, and check the playlist of MP3 files, etc. It may be formed, the earphone connecting portion 320 to listen to the sound source may be further formed on the main body side.

When the user wants to charge the mobile terminal 100 or make a call with another party, the user connects the terminal connection terminal 224 to the outside to connect the portable terminal 100.

In addition, when the user wishes to connect the VoIP interface device to the PC 104, the user removes the cover 304 and exposes the USB connector 210 to connect it to a USB port (not shown) of the PC 104.

Meanwhile, the VoIP interface device according to the present invention includes a groove 318 in which the memory card 312 is mounted. When the predetermined memory card 312 is mounted in the groove 318, the reader module 208 The process of reading the contents of the memory card 312 and recording them is performed.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a call process using a portable VoIP interface device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, first, when the portable terminal 100 is connected to a terminal connection terminal 224 formed on one side of the VoIP interface device, the connection detecting module 202 detects the connection of the portable terminal 100 (S400). ).

When the connection detection module 202 outputs the connection signal of the portable terminal 100, the VoIP module S402 determines whether an application program for using a communication service using VoIP is installed in the portable terminal 100; S402), if not installed, performs a program transmission process (S404).

As described above, when the portable terminal 100 and the VoIP interface device according to the present invention are connected, an application program is driven so that the portable terminal 100 can make a telephone call through the Internet network without going through a base station and a mobile telephone switching center. Make sure

When the application program is driven, the VoIP module 204 determines whether the user makes a call request (S406). If there is no call request, the VoIP module 204 determines that the user wants to charge the terminal and performs a terminal charging process (S408).

However, the terminal charging process may be performed simultaneously regardless of the user's call request.

When a user (sender) inputs a caller's phone number and requests a call connection, the VoIP control module 204 transmits a call connection request signal to the caller's gateway through the Internet network so that the call connection request signal can be transmitted to the caller gateway. A function of converting the packet format is performed (S410).

When the call is initiated in response to the call connection request signal, the VoIP control module 204 converts the caller voice data into the VoIP packet format and transmits it to the PC 104 (S412), and the caller's voice data (VoIP). The data transmitted in the packet) is converted into a format that can be processed by the portable terminal 100 and output to the portable terminal 100 to relay the call between the callers (S414).

Then, when the call is terminated between the caller, the VoIP control module 204 performs a process of cutting the call by transmitting a call disconnection signal (S416).

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

As described above, according to the VoIP interface device and the call service providing method using the same according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication service using VoIP by being connected to a user's portable terminal even without a separate Internet phone. have.

In addition, according to the present invention, when a user's request is required without installing a VoIP program on a PC, an application program is installed on a portable terminal, thereby providing a communication service using VoIP without restriction of a place.

In addition, according to the present invention, since there is no PC, since the wireless network of the portable terminal can be used, there is an advantage that a communication service using VoIP can be used without restriction of a place.

In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide additional functions such as an MP3 playback function and an external memory card reader function in addition to the VoIP conversion function, thereby improving user satisfaction.

Claims (7)

A VoIP interface device connected to a portable terminal to provide a communication service using VoIP, A terminal connection terminal connected to the portable terminal; VoIP, which checks whether an application program that can use a communication service using VoIP is installed in the portable terminal, transmits the program, and converts and outputs a call connection request signal and voice data output from the portable terminal into a VoIP packet. module; And Including a memory for storing the application program, The VoIP packet is transmitted to a PC connected to the network in a wired or wireless manner. The method of claim 1, A USB connector connected to the PC to receive power and to input and output data; A memory interface electrically and physically connected to the external memory card; An MP3 codec connected to a flash memory in which the MP3 file is stored and configured to encode and decode the MP3 file; A connection detecting module detecting a connection of the PC, the memory card, and the portable terminal; A VoIP module configured to determine whether to install the application program and to perform a VoIP packet conversion function of a call connection request signal and voice data when the connection detection signal of the portable terminal is output from the connection detection module; An MP3 control module for controlling the download and playback of MP3 files; And And a reader module for reading and writing contents contained in the external memory card. The method of claim 1, The application program is driven when the terminal connection terminal is connected to a portable VoIP interface device, characterized in that for automatically converting the portable terminal into a communication service mode using the VoIP. The method of claim 2, And a switching unit configured to control a switching operation for power supply and data input / output according to the connection of the PC, the memory card, and the portable terminal. A VoIP interface device connected to a portable terminal to provide a communication service using VoIP, A terminal connection terminal connected to the portable terminal; Checking whether or not the application program that can use the communication service using the VoIP in the portable terminal, and transmitting the program, converts the call connection request signal and voice data output from the portable terminal into a VoIP packet and outputs VoIP module; And Including a memory for storing the application program, And the application program is driven when the terminal access terminal is connected to transmit the VoIP packet to a wireless network connected to the portable terminal. In a system including a caller terminal, a user computer, an internet network, and a caller terminal, a method for providing a call service through a portable VoIP interface device connected to the caller terminal, (A) detecting a connection of the caller terminal; Determining whether an application program capable of providing a communication service using VoIP is installed in the caller terminal, and transmitting the program; Converting the call connection request signal and the caller's voice data output from the caller terminal into a VoIP packet format so as to be transmitted to the Internet network; And (D) sending said VoIP packet to said user computer, The user computer transmits the VoIP packet to the called party terminal through the Internet network, and the called party voice data transmitted from the called party terminal, wherein the called voice data is sent in the VoIP packet format, can be processed by the calling terminal. Call service providing method using a portable VoIP interface device, characterized in that for converting and outputting. The method of claim 6, The application program is driven when the terminal connection terminal is connected to a portable VoIP interface device, characterized in that for automatically converting the portable terminal into a communication service mode using the VoIP.

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