KR20070106563A - Communication system for enabling at least two handheld apparatuses to join a network service - Google Patents

Abstract

a first handheld apparatus (100) comprising a first near field communication device and a first radio frequency transmitting/receiving device, said first handheld apparatus (100) being connected to a network service through a first connection (125) to a communication network (120), a second handheld apparatus (130) comprising a second near field communication device and a second radio frequency transmitting/receiving device, the first and second near field communication devices being adapted to exchange identification information when they are held next to each other so as to initiate a second connection (128) between the second handheld apparatus and the communication network (120) so that the second handheld apparatus is able to join the network service. Such a communication system in accordance with the invention could be a conference call service provided by a mobile network or an online gaming service between multiple participants.

Description

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR ENABLING AT LEAST TWO HANDHELD APPARATUSES TO JOIN A NETWORK SERVICE}

The present invention relates to a communication system comprising at least two handheld devices in which one handheld apparatus is connected to a network service and the other handheld device wishes to participate in the network service.

The invention also relates to a handheld device included in such a communication system.

The invention also relates to a method of communication between two handheld devices, where one handheld device is connected to a network service and the other handheld device wants to participate in the network service.

The invention can be applied, for example, to the field of mobile telephones or personal digital assistants or any other device capable of connecting to network services.

Mobile network operators provide more and more network services to users. These services are typically individual, but the introduction of services between some users has become more common. Such a service is, for example, the ability to make a conference call between several parties.

These network services are useful for users, but their use is limited due to the complexity of setting up such a service that has to go through a long menu and / or press a combination of keys.

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

The conventional solution is that at least the first mobile phone,

-Stop the preformed call,

-Obtain the phone number of the second mobile phone,

Dial a second mobile phone (assuming this feature is supported by his mobile phone and mobile network operator),

Wait until a second call is established between the first and second mobile phones,

It is necessary to connect two calls by the mechanism provided by the mobile network operator.

The above solution is not satisfactory because most of the user needs to be involved and is very complex from the user's point of view. According to the example of a conference call, forming a second call is already a challenge for most telephones today, and besides this complexity, the user must know how to activate the conference call service of the mobile network operator. In fact, mobile phone users are familiar with the basic functions provided by mobile phones (eg, dialing up, answering), while not familiar with advanced features such as call forwarding or conferencing.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to propose a communication system that allows a handheld device in proximity to another handheld device connected to the network service to participate in the network service in a way that is more convenient for the user than the method in the prior art.

According to the invention, a communication system is provided, such communication system,

A first handheld device comprising a first near area communication device and a first radio frequency transmitting / receiving device and connected to a network service via a first connection to the communication network,

A second handheld device comprising a second near area communication device and a second radio frequency transmitting / receiving device, wherein the first and second near area communication devices comprise a second between the second handheld device and the communication network; By exchanging identification information when located adjacent to each other to initiate a connection, the second handheld device can participate in network services.

Thus, when placing near area communication devices adjacent to each other, communication between the first handheld device and the second handheld device is initiated without any other involvement of the user of the handheld device, which is more user-friendly than the prior art solutions. Is a much more convenient solution.

Advantageously, the first and second near area communication devices are NFC type devices.

The present invention also extends to handheld devices included in such communication systems.

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

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example.

1 shows an embodiment of a communication system according to the invention.

2 shows the structure of information exchanged according to the NTIP specification.

3 shows another embodiment of a communication system according to the invention.

4 illustrates an implementation of NFC related software and network service connection software.

5 illustrates a method of establishing a connection to a network service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 illustrates a method for establishing a connection to a network service according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, a communication system according to the present invention is shown for the general case.

Such a communication system includes at least two handheld devices 100, 130, for example a mobile phone. Two handheld devices may access network services through first and second connections 125, 128 to the communication network 120.

The first handheld device 100 includes a first near field communication device, a first conventional radio frequency transmission device, and a first network service connection software.

The communication system also includes a second handheld device 130, such as a mobile phone, in the neighborhood of the master handheld device. The second handheld device includes a second near area communication device, a second radio frequency transmission device, and a second network service connection software.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second near area communication devices are NFC type devices. NFC is described, for example, in the documents of ECMA 340: Near Field Communication Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1) (Dec. 2002) and ECMA 352: NFC Interface and Protocol-2 (NFCIP-2). However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The near area communication device may alternatively be colored lights, LED flashing (as long as the slave handheld device can communicate with the master handheld device when the slave handheld device and the master handheld device are in proximity to each other). flashing) or any other technique.

The first handheld device 100 has a first state in which it uses a service provided by the communication network over the first connection 125 or a second state in which it can potentially use the service provided by the communication network (ie, No service is established between the device and the communication network). The service network can be formed using any conventional method for exchanging information with the network.

The second handheld device is in an idle state or in a state suitable for network services to which the first handheld device can be connected or accessible.

A network service may be viewed as a collaborative service provided by a network operator or any other third party that allows two or more handheld devices to cooperate in a particular instance of the service. For example, it may be a conference call provided by a mobile network. In this case, the remote handset and the mobile handset that are already in the preformed call can request the mobile network to update some sort of preformed call to form a conference call that includes the new user. Another example is online gaming between several participants in each other's neighborhood using the services provided by the mobile network.

The communication system according to the present invention operates as follows. When the first and second near area communication devices are located adjacent to each other, a first short range (several centimeters) of communication link is formed between the two devices, allowing them to exchange identification information. This first communication link allows two handheld devices to contain information such as, but not limited to, an international call number, the status of the handheld device, preferred and / or supported network services, and device identification on the network, including service parameters. Allow exchange.

This information exchange is accomplished in accordance with the NFC transport interface protocol, and / or any extension or modification of such protocol. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the two devices exchange status and service information using the NTIP protocol. The NTIP protocol is specified by the Near Filed Communication Forum (NFC Forum) in the NFC Transfer Interface Protocol (NTIP) specification. The structure of the information exchanged according to the NTIP specification is given in FIG. Data exchange is performed in the form of NTIP packets. NTIP packet 200 includes an NTIP header 210 and a record list 220 containing at least one record. The NTIP header contains the length of the record list in the NTIP packet. Each record 225 is a sequence of three elements: record type 226, record content length 227, and record content element 228. The record content element contains the status and service information to be exchanged.

More secure embodiments may limit the amount of information exchanged during NFC communication between devices to increase security and privacy. For example, temporary unique device identification may be exchanged.

Once the handheld devices exchange status and service information, the two devices use their respective network service connection software to form network services through their respective connections 125 and 128. If the first handheld device is already connected to the network service via the first connection 125 to the communication network 120, the second handheld device uses its network service connection software to connect to the communication network 120. Through the second connection 128 to, it may participate in the formed network service.

Each handheld device may include a memory that stores context parameters and service parameters, the context parameters defining data to be transmitted over connection 125 or 128, as described in more detail below. Likewise, the handheld device may participate in network services according to context parameters.

The handheld device forms or participates in a network service according to the specifications of the network service provider and the information exchanged during the NFC communication between the two handheld devices.

If for safety reasons or any additional charge is required to access such network service, confirmation from the user may be requested before joining the network service. Network services are subject to the following conditions:

-The user shuts down the service,

-Network shuts down services,

An application on the handheld device granting access to the network service terminates the service,

Pending until one of the conditions occurs, such as a network failure or any other failure.

3, a communication system in accordance with the present invention is shown for the case of a conference call service provided by a mobile network.

A preformed call is placed between the first handheld device 100 (ie, the mobile phone in this example) and the telecommunication device via the communication network 120 via the radio frequency link 125. The telecommunications device may be connected to the communication network 120 via a wireless connection 126 or another mobile phone 110 connected to the communication network 120 via a fixed landline or a fixed line connection 127. (111).

The second handheld device 130 (ie, another mobile phone in this example) wants to join the preformed call using the network service provided by the network operator.

The two mobile phones are in close proximity to each other and are located adjacent to each other to form an NFC connection between the two mobile phones, as described above.

Once the NFC connection is established, the two mobile phones exchange their unique identification for the mobile network. By way of example, the unique network identification is a mobile phone call number.

During NFC communication, the first mobile phone sends all necessary information to the second mobile phone to participate in a pre-formed call, or if two or more mobile phones communicate, but are not limited to service and / or service parameters. Join a pre-formed conference call, such as identification of.

The second mobile phone in idle state prior to the NFC connection approves receipt of the request of the other phone (s) and responds positively to the request. The second mobile phone then exchanges information with the mobile network using a radio frequency transmitting / receiving device integrated into that second mobile phone, thereby identifying the network service identified for the mobile network (i.e., in this case a conference call). Form his intention to participate. 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 second mobile phone using the mobile network based on the call number exchanged during the NFC communication. The first mobile phone receives a notification of an additional call from the mobile network, and the network service connection software of the first mobile phone proves that the incoming call is from the second mobile phone (based on the call number exchanged during the NFC communication). Instructing the mobile network to allow the second mobile phone to join the conference call.

The conference call ends at the request of the first mobile phone, network, third party, or at any network failure. Each additional handheld device either terminates their participation directly, or is disconnected from the conference call by the first device.

4 illustrates an implementation of NFC related software and network service connection software. The software stack includes the following:

A real time operating system and driver 410,

NFC-related software (based on NTIP) 420,

Mobile software stack and event manager 430,

Network service access software 440,

Another application 450.

FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of different steps implemented by network service connection software, which is required to form a network service between two handheld devices using a service provided by a mobile network.

In step 500, the first mobile phone 100 is in a pre-formed or conference call with one or more communicating parties. Second mobile phone 130 is in idle state 550. If the second mobile phone wants to join the pre-formed call, the two mobile phones are located adjacent to each other so that the two mobile phones are detected 510 in which the target device (ie, the first or second mobile phone) is detected. To enter.

When each mobile phone is detected by another mobile phone, an NFC connection is established. Each mobile phone then exchanges identification information, network service capability and related parameters with another mobile phone, in step 520, as described above. When information exchange is performed, the NFC connection is terminated.

In step 530, as described above, each mobile phone establishes a connection to the mobile network, establishing a concurrent call.

6 shows a second embodiment of the different steps implemented by the network service connection software, which is required to form a network service between two handheld devices using the service provided by the mobile network.

The first mobile phone is in a call with one or more communicating parties. The second mobile phone is not in an idle state. If the second mobile phone wants to join the pre-formed call, the two mobile phones are located adjacent to each other, causing the two mobile phones to enter a state 600 where a new device is detected.

When each mobile phone is detected by another mobile phone, an NFC connection is established. Each mobile phone then exchanges identification information, network service capability and related parameters with another mobile phone, in step 610, as described above.

In step 620, each mobile phone evaluates, as a function of its own state, the most reliable network service (in this case a conference call) related to network service capabilities, the state of the other mobile phone, and context parameters.

If the network service is identified by the first mobile phone, the first mobile phone enters state 630 and invites the second mobile phone to participate in the network service of the mobile network with parameters exchanged during NFC communication. ).

If the network service is identified by the second mobile phone, the second mobile phone enters state 631 and sends an invitation to the first mobile phone to join the network service of the mobile network with the parameters exchanged during NFC communication. do.

Each mobile phone then waits for approval at step 635.

In test 640, if the first mobile phone receives a compatible request from the second mobile phone (y), the first mobile phone re-issues / confirms the invitation to the second mobile phone and sends it to the first mobile phone. Participate in the network service identified by step 660 and, optionally, terminate the NFC connection in step 660 and optionally exchange additional parameters in step 650 to participate in the network service.

In test 640, if the first mobile phone receives a non-compatible request from the second mobile phone (n), the first mobile phone cannot establish a conference call with the second mobile phone, and the request To stop and terminate the NFC connection.

In test 641, if the second mobile phone receives a suitable request from the first mobile phone (y), the second mobile phone approves receipt of the request, and in step 660 terminates the NFC connection and terminates the network service. Prior to initiation, if necessary, in step 650, additional parameters are exchanged to participate in the network service.

In test 641, if the second mobile phone receives an inappropriate request from the first mobile phone (n), the second mobile phone cannot establish a conference call with the first mobile phone, stop the request, and NFC Terminate the connection.

It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments do not limit the invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to design various alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. .

It should be understood that any reference signs in the following claims are not meant to be limiting. The use of the verb “comprises” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of any other steps or elements other than those defined in any claim. The term "one" before an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

Claims (6)

In a communication system, A first handheld device 100 comprising a first near area communication device and a first radio frequency transmitting / receiving device and connected to a network service via a first connection 125 to the communication network 120; A second handheld device 130 comprising a second near area communication device and a second radio frequency transmission / reception device, The first and second near area communication devices exchange identification information when they are located adjacent to each other to initiate a second connection 128 between the second handheld device and the communication network 120. 2 allow the handheld device to participate in the network service Communication system. The method of claim 1, And the first and second near area communication devices are NFC type devices. In the handheld device 130 for participating in a network service, Another handheld device 100 includes a first near area communication device and a first radio frequency transmission / reception device, and is connected to the network service through a first connection 125 to the communication network 120, The participating handheld device 130 includes a second near area communication device and a second radio frequency transmission / reception device, The second near area communication device, when located adjacent to each other with the first near area communication device, to initiate a second connection 128 between the participating handheld device and the communication network 120. 1 by exchanging identification information with a near-field communication device, allowing the participating handheld device to participate in the network service. Handheld device. The method of claim 3, wherein Further comprising a memory for storing a context parameter and a service parameter, the context parameter defining data to be transmitted over the connection, wherein the handheld device is capable of participating in the network service according to the context parameter Handheld device. A handheld device (100) comprising a first near area communication device and a first radio frequency transmission / reception device, The handheld device is suitable for communicating with another handheld device 130 including a second near area communication device and a second radio frequency transmit / receive device, The handheld device 100 is connected to a network service through a first connection 125 to the communication network 120, The first near area communication device is positioned as being adjacent to each other with the second near area communication device to initiate a second connection 128 between the other handheld device and the communication network 120. Exchanging identification information with a near-field communication device to allow the other handheld device to participate in the network service. Handheld device. A communication method between the first handheld device 100 and the second handheld device 130, wherein the first handheld device 100 comprises a first near area communication device and a first radio frequency transmission / reception device; Is connected to a network service via a first connection 125 to the communication network 120, wherein the second handheld device 130 includes a second near area communication device and a second radio frequency transmission / reception device. In Exchanging identification information therebetween when the first near area communication device and the second near area communication device are located adjacent to each other; Initiating a second connection 128 between the second handheld device and the communication network 120; Allowing the second handheld device 130 to participate in the network service through the second connection 128 to the communication network 120. Communication method.

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