KR20090130689A - Method and system for providing multi-party communication service - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A multi user communication service providing method and a system thereof capable of supplying a multilateral voice or video call service are provided to use the voice or the video call service through the mobile radio communications network. CONSTITUTION: A first mobile communication terminal(110) is connected to a mobile radio communications network. A second mobile communications terminal(112) sets up the first mobile communication terminal and speech path through the mobile radio communications network. A wireless terminal(120) forms the first mobile communication terminal and a first local group. Wireless terminals transmit packet data including the voice and video to the first mobile communication terminal.

Description

Method and system for providing multi-party communication service

The present invention relates to a method and a system for providing a multi-party communication service, and more particularly, to a method and a system for allowing terminals not connected to a mobile communication network to use a voice or video call service through the mobile communication network.

As the mobile communication system, in the second generation Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), a UMTS system, which is a third generation mobile communication, is applied. Accordingly, the mobile communication system can simultaneously provide voice, video and data services.

Currently, UMTS is using Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) based on the European mobile communication system GSM and General Packet Radio Services (GPRS). It provides a consistent service that enables users to transmit packet-based text, digitized voice or video and multimedia data at speeds of more than 2 Mbps wherever they are in the world.

In the UMTS system, a radio access network is called a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), and the UTRAN is a circuit service or circuit switched domain or a packet service or packet switched domain. A user equipment (UE) is connected to another network through a configured core network (hereinafter referred to as CN).

The third generation mobile communication system is equipped with a Universal Subscribe Identity Module (USIM) card for user authentication, guaranteeing user's convenient mobility, and providing various additional services.

USIM is a combination of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card with subscriber information and Universal IC card (UICC). It consists of CPU and memory, and the CPU identifies the user through encryption and decryption. It stores information for additional services, such as function modules such as transportation cards and membership cards.

In the case of using the USIM card, the user can conveniently open the mobile communication terminal only by holding the USIM card.

As such, the opening of the USIM card allows a user to carry multiple terminals. However, even if the user has multiple terminals, only the terminal equipped with the USIM card can be connected to the mobile communication network to receive a call and data service. Accordingly, other terminals without the USIM card become useless. .

In addition, recently integrated functions of portable electronic devices such as an electronic organizer, an MP3 player, a portable multimedia player (PMP), and a digital camera are used to provide a complex function such as data searching, music listening, and video recording from a single terminal. In addition, it is possible to even transmit data wirelessly to other terminals in the near field through the near field communication module.

However, in spite of various functions as described above, the portable terminals do not provide voice calls or video call services with remotely located users.

The present invention to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, to propose a multi-party communication service providing method and system that can provide a multi-party communication service using a mobile communication network to the terminal capable of short-range communication.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for providing a multi-party communication service capable of supporting a multi-party video call with a user located in a remote location, when a terminal capable of video recording.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a multi-party communication service providing system comprising: a first mobile communication terminal connected to a mobile communication network; A second mobile communication terminal in which a communication path is established with the first mobile communication terminal through the mobile communication network; And a wireless terminal that forms a first local group with the first mobile communication terminal and transmits packet data including at least one of audio and video to the first mobile communication terminal. And providing at least one of an audio and a video received from the wireless terminal to the second mobile communication terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a multi-party communication service in a first mobile communication terminal connected to a second mobile communication terminal through a mobile communication network, comprising: (a) at least one of audio and video from a wireless terminal belonging to a local group; Receiving packet data comprising one; (b) transmitting at least one of the received voice and video, the voice and video received through a camera unit and a microphone to the second mobile communication terminal; And (c) transmitting at least one of a voice and an image received from the second mobile communication terminal to the wireless terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the above method.

According to the present invention, it belongs to a local group and has an advantage of providing a communication service to a terminal that cannot access a mobile communication network.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that can provide a multi-party voice and video call service to a user belonging to a local group.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

 Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, in order to facilitate the overall understanding, the same reference numerals will be used for the same means regardless of the drawing numbers.

1 is a diagram illustrating a multi-party communication service providing system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the system for providing a multi-party communication service according to the present invention includes a first local group 100 and a second local group 102, and the first and second local groups 100 and 102 are provided. It is connected through a mobile communication network.

The first local group 100 may include a first mobile communication terminal 110 that can access a mobile communication network, and one or more wireless terminals 120 that perform short-range communication with the first mobile communication terminal 110 through a preset protocol. Can be.

In addition, the second local group 102 may connect the second mobile communication terminal 112 and the second mobile communication terminal 112 that can access the mobile communication network with one or more wireless terminals 122 to perform short-range communication through a preset protocol. It may include.

The first and second local groups 100 and 102 may be set to areas in which short-range communication between the first mobile communication terminal 110 and the second mobile communication terminal 112 is possible, and the short-range communication scheme may be Zigbee, Bluetooth, or Binary. CDMA system and the like can be included.

The wireless terminals 120 and 122 belonging to the first and second local groups 100 and 102 may not be directly connected to the mobile communication network, but may be short-range communication devices. Wireless terminal 120,122 according to the present invention is not equipped with a USIM card, but may be a mobile communication terminal capable of short-range communication, in addition to an MP3 player, PMP, electronic notebook, It may include all electronic devices such as laptops and computers.

On the other hand, the mobile communication network is a system capable of providing a voice or video call service, preferably, as shown in Figure 1, Node B (130), Radio Network Controller (hereinafter referred to as 'RNC') 132), Mobile Switching Center (MSC 134), GMSC (Gateway MSC, 136), Packet Switching Support Node (Serving GPRS Support: hereinafter referred to as 'SGSN', 138) and Packet Gateway Support Node (Gateway GPRS Support) Node: hereinafter referred to as 'GGSN', may be a WCDMA network including 140).

The node B 130 sets up a physical channel necessary for data exchange with the mobile communication terminals 110 and 112 according to the control information transmitted from the RNC 132, converts the data transmitted from the higher level protocol to the wireless environment, and performs mobile communication. Transmit to the terminal (110,112).

In addition, the Node B 130 transmits data received from the mobile communication terminals 110 and 112 to an upper layer protocol of the RNC 132.

The RNC 132 controls components in the RNC to dynamically allocate radio resources of the UTRAN, and performs switching to deliver data transmitted through the UTRAN to an appropriate node. The RNC 132 serves as an access point for all services provided through the core network (core network) including the exchange 134 and the SGSN 138.

The core network including the switch 134 to the GGSN 130 performs functions such as call control, session management, mobility management, and the like. Include.

The switch 134 included in the circuit switched area manages the circuit switched connection, and manages the security of data along with mobility management such as location information update (LAU), location registration (Location Registration), and call (paging). Responsible for the relevant function, the GMSC 136 serves as a path through which the circuit switched area is connected to the external network.

SGSN 138 included in the packet switched area manages and supports packet switched services destined for the UTRAN. In addition, to perform the mobility management of the mobile communication terminal (110, 112) receiving the packet-switched service performs a function such as routing area update (RAU), call (page).

The GGSN 140 serves as a path connecting the packet switched area to another packet switched network such as the Internet.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a call path is established between the first mobile communication terminal 110 and the second mobile communication terminal 112 through the mobile communication network, the first mobile communication terminal 110 The wireless terminal 120 belonging to the first local group 100 supports communication with the second mobile communication terminal 112 and the wireless terminal 122 belonging to the second local group 102.

In addition, the second mobile communication terminal 112 also includes a wireless terminal 122 belonging to the second local group 102 and a wireless terminal 120 belonging to the first mobile communication terminal 110 and the first local group 100. Support communication.

First, with reference to the first local group 100, the first mobile communication terminal 110 is connected to at least one wireless terminal 120 belonging to the first local group 100, the wireless terminal 120 When packet data including audio or video is received from the first mobile communication terminal 110, the first mobile communication terminal 110 inputs audio or video included in the received packet data by the user of the first mobile communication terminal 110. The image is transmitted to the second mobile communication terminal 112 together with the image.

According to the present invention, when packet data is received from the wireless terminal 120, the first mobile communication terminal 110 requests the second mobile communication terminal 112 to communicate with a third party through a preset data channel. When the message is transmitted and the acceptance message is received from the second mobile communication terminal 112, the user of the first mobile communication terminal 110 inputs an audio or video included in the packet data received from the wireless terminal 120. It may be transmitted to the second mobile communication terminal 112 together with one voice or video.

When the communication is made in the above manner, the second mobile communication terminal 112 outputs the received voice or video. When a connection is established between the second mobile communication terminal 112 and another wireless terminal 122 belonging to the second local group 102, the wireless terminal 122 belonging to the second local group 102 receives the received voice or video. ) Can be sent.

According to the present invention, even if the wireless terminal belonging to each local group does not support the unloading or mobile communication function of the USIM card, it is possible to provide a multi-party communication service using a terminal that can access the mobile communication network. It can provide convenience.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a mobile communication terminal and a wireless terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 3.

2 is an internal block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention includes a control unit 200, an RF unit 202, a short range communication unit 204, a camera unit 206, an image processing unit 208, and a data processing unit 210. , An audio processor 212, a display unit 214, and a key input unit 216.

Hereinafter, although FIG. 2 is described as a configuration for the first mobile communication terminal, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same configuration can be employed in the second mobile communication terminal.

The controller 200 performs an overall control process for network access of the mobile communication terminal, and in the present invention, a control process for enabling a wireless terminal belonging to a local group to use a multi-party communication service.

The RF unit 202 forms a channel for transmitting and receiving voice, video, and data with a mobile communication network, a transmitter for amplifying and transmitting an encoded baseband signal, and a receiver for converting a received RF signal and outputting a baseband signal. It may include.

The short range communication unit 204 communicates with one or more wireless terminals belonging to a local group, and receives packet data including voice or video from a wireless terminal for multi-party communication, and receives voice or video received from a mobile communication terminal located at a remote location. Send information to the wireless terminal.

The camera unit 206 is provided in the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention for the video call service. The camera unit 206 includes an image sensor and an image processor, and outputs an image of a subject (video call user) to the image processor 208.

Meanwhile, when packet data including a compressed image is received from a wireless terminal belonging to a local group, the data processor 210 extracts and restores only the compressed image from the packet data and outputs the compressed image to the image processor 208.

When the multi-party video call service is provided, the image processing unit 208 combines the image A captured through the camera unit 206 with the image B received from the wireless terminal as described above.

Here, each of the first image and the second image may include not only a still image but also a moving image. Since image combining is already known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image processor 208 may combine the first image and the second image in parallel in a horizontal or vertical direction.

In addition, the image processor 208 generates combined image related information. The image related information includes at least one of a position of a boundary line with respect to the combined image and an image type. Packet data including the image related information and the combined image is transmitted to the second mobile communication terminal 112 through the RF unit 202.

The first mobile communication terminal 110 transmits not only an image but also a voice, a microphone, and an audio input through the audio processor 212 to the second mobile communication terminal 112.

Preferably, the first mobile communication terminal 110 may mix the voice received from the wireless terminal with the voice received through the microphone and transmit the voice to the second mobile communication terminal 112 through a preset voice channel.

Meanwhile, according to the present invention, while a call is being made between the first mobile communication terminal 110 and the second mobile communication terminal 112, a multi-party communication request is received from the first wireless terminal 120 belonging to the first local group. Alternatively, when packet data including voice / video is received, the controller 200 of the first mobile communication terminal 110 may transmit a multi-party communication request message to the second mobile communication terminal 112 through a data channel.

The second mobile communication terminal 112 outputs a multi-party communication request message, and transmits an approval message to the first mobile communication terminal 110 when a user's consent is input.

When the acceptance message is received as described above, the control unit 200 of the first mobile communication terminal 110 performs video combining and voice mixing to the second mobile communication terminal 112 to include a video and audio of different users. It will transmit data.

On the other hand, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can periodically inquire with the wireless terminal belonging to its local group to inquire whether or not multi-party communication is desired.

That is, the second mobile communication terminal 112 periodically transmits a polling message to the second wireless terminal 122 belonging to the second local group while communicating with the first mobile communication terminal 110. The same process as the first mobile communication terminal 110 may be performed by receiving a voice and a video from the second wireless terminal 122 having a response.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such a polling process may be performed in the first mobile communication terminal 110 in the same manner.

The display unit 214 outputs an image transmitted from the second mobile communication terminal 112 and, if an image combining different images is received from the second mobile communication terminal 112, outputs the combined image.

The key input unit 216 may include a command keypad such as a menu button, a call button, a call end button, and a number keypad including a number.

4 is an internal block diagram of a wireless terminal according to the present invention, wherein the wireless terminal includes a control unit 400, a short range communication unit 402, a camera unit 404, an audio processing unit 406, a key input unit 408, and a display unit 410. ) May be included.

The controller 400 performs an overall control process for generating packet data including near field communication, voice, and video with the mobile communication terminals 110 and 112.

In addition, the controller 400 performs a control process for receiving a polling message received from the mobile communication terminal, searching for a mobile communication terminal located at a short distance, and the like.

Since the details of the short range communication unit 402 to the display unit 410 are the same as those described in the mobile communication terminal, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a multi-party communication service providing process according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 6.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-party communication service providing process according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a call path is established between the first mobile communication terminal 110 and the second mobile communication terminal 112 to start a video call (step 500).

During the video call, the first mobile communication terminal 110 receives packet data including voice and video from the first wireless terminal 120 belonging to the first local group (step 502).

Upon receiving the packet data, the first mobile communication terminal 110 transmits a multilateral communication request message to the second mobile communication terminal 112 through a preset data channel (step 504).

When the acceptance message for the multilateral communication request is received from the second mobile communication terminal 112 (step 506), the first mobile communication terminal 110 extracts an image from the packet data received from the first wireless terminal 122. And restoring (step 508) and combining the restored image with the image received from the camera unit (step 510).

Thereafter, the first mobile communication terminal 110 transmits the combined image and the combined image related information to the second mobile communication terminal 112 (step 512).

In addition, the first mobile communication terminal 110 mixes the voice received from the first wireless terminal 120 with the voice input from the microphone and transmits it to the second mobile communication terminal 112 (step 514).

The second mobile communication terminal 112 processes and outputs the video and audio to the display unit (step 516).

Through the above process, a user having a wireless terminal that cannot access a mobile communication network can also make a video call with a user located at a remote location.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-party communication service providing process in a second mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in a state in which a communication path is established with the first mobile communication terminal 110 (step 600), the first mobile communication and the audio and video of the first wireless terminal received from the first mobile communication terminal 110 are performed. The voice and video received from the camera unit and the microphone of the terminal 110 are received and output together (step 602).

As such, during the video call with at least two remotely located terminals, the second mobile communication terminal 112 transmits a polling message to the plurality of wireless terminals belonging to the second local group 102 (step 604).

The polling message is a message for inquiring whether the wireless terminal wants multi-party communication, and when the wireless terminal responds to the polling message, or when packet data including voice and video is received from the wireless terminal (step 606, the second mobile communication terminal 112 performs image combining and voice mixing (step 608), and transmits packet data including the combined video and audio to the first mobile communication terminal 110 (step 610). ).

In addition, when the second mobile communication terminal 112 receives packet data including audio and video from the first mobile communication terminal 110 (step 612), the second mobile communication terminal 112 outputs it to the display and belongs to the second local group. Transmit to wireless terminal 122 (step 614).

According to the present invention, a voice or video call service through a mobile communication network can be provided for a user belonging to each local group and a user who does not have a USIM card.

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.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a multi-party communication service providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an internal block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a combined image according to the present invention;

4 is an internal block diagram of a wireless terminal according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-party communication service providing process according to the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a multi-party communication service providing process in a second mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

Claims (13)

In the multi-party communication service providing system, A first mobile communication terminal connected to a mobile communication network; A second mobile communication terminal in which a communication path is established with the first mobile communication terminal through the mobile communication network; And And a wireless terminal that forms a first local group with the first mobile communication terminal and transmits packet data including at least one of audio and video to the first mobile communication terminal. And the first mobile communication terminal transmits at least one of an audio and a video received from the wireless terminal to the second mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 1, And the first mobile communication terminal combines the image received from the wireless terminal and the image captured by the camera unit and transmits the combined image to the second mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 2, The wireless terminal transmits packet data including the compressed image to the first mobile communication terminal, and the first mobile communication terminal extracts and restores the compressed image from the packet data. . The method of claim 3, The first mobile communication terminal combines the restored image and the captured image, and generates the combined image related information, The combined image related information includes at least one of a size of a combined image, a position of a boundary for the combined image, and an image type. The method of claim 1, And the first mobile communication terminal mixes the voice received from the wireless terminal with the voice received through a microphone and transmits the mixed voice through a preset voice channel. The method of claim 1, And the first mobile communication terminal transmits a multi-party communication request message to the second mobile communication terminal through a preset data channel when a connection with the wireless terminal is established. The method of claim 1, The second mobile communication terminal transmits a polling message to one or more wireless terminals belonging to a second local group, and if there is a wireless terminal responding to the polling message, the first mobile terminal through the preset data channel. Multi-party communication service providing system for transmitting a multi-party communication request message to the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 7, wherein And the second mobile communication terminal combines the image received from the second wireless terminal and the image captured by the camera unit and transmits the combined image to the first mobile communication terminal. A method of providing a multi-party communication service in a first mobile communication terminal connected to a second mobile communication terminal through a mobile communication network, (a) receiving packet data including at least one of audio and video from a wireless terminal belonging to a local group; (b) transmitting at least one of the received voice and video, the voice and video received through a camera unit and a microphone to the second mobile communication terminal; And (c) transmitting at least one of an audio and a video received from the second mobile communication terminal to the wireless terminal. The method of claim 9, Prior to the step (b), when the connection is established with the wireless terminal, a multi-party communication service providing method for transmitting a multi-party communication request message to the second mobile communication terminal through a preset data channel. The method of claim 9, In step (a), Receiving packet data including a compressed image from the wireless terminal; Extracting and restoring a compressed image from the packet data; Combining the reconstructed image and the captured image; And And generating image related information including at least one of a size of the combined image, a position of a boundary of the combined image, and an image type. The method of claim 9, Prior to the step (a), further comprising the step of transmitting a polling message to a wireless terminal belonging to the local group, If there is a wireless terminal responsive to the polling message, steps (a) to (c) are performed. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the method according to any one of claims 9 to 12.

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