WO2006080620A1

WO2006080620A1 - External input device and system for mapping buttons of external device

Info

Publication number: WO2006080620A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/003113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sang-Ho Lee
Original assignee: SONG, Hyun-Chang
Priority date: 2004-09-18
Filing date: 2005-09-20
Publication date: 2006-08-03

Abstract

An external game input device and a system that are connectable to a portable device and output a button signal for controlling the portable device and application running thereon regardless of the types of portable device and application are disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a button configuration data system for matching control buttons of an external input device and keypad buttons of a mobile terminal, comprising: a button data server, providing a button configuration data associated with the control buttons that are mapped to the keypad buttons for game control; and an external input device, generating a keypad button signal corresponding to the control button based on the button configuration data downloaded from said button configuration data server through the mobile terminal and outputting the keypad button signal to the mobile terminal.

Description

Title of the invention

EXTERNAL INPUT DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR MAPPING BUTTONS

OF EXTERNAL DEVICE

Technical field

The present invention relates to an external game input device, more

specifically to a system and an input device that are connectable to a portable device

and output button signals for controlling the portable device and application running

thereon regardless of the types of portable device and application.

Background of the invention

There has been a great development in portable devices, especially cellular

phones, in the last several years. They even encompass the function of a data processing

terminal as well as the function of a voice call device. Among these new functions, the

function for processing multimedia data and game has been developed so dramatically

that most cellular phones now have the multimedia and game function as default.

Yet, the main purpose of cellular phones remains in the voice call, for which

many of the devices and components are designed. The processing ability in performing

games, particularly, has made rapid progress, but the input device for a cellular phone,

which is designed for voice communication, has not been suitable for an input device for games, hampering the realization of smooth game experience.

Generally, an external game input device such as the joypad or joystick

requires an arrangement of a plural number of buttons, to be pushed by a plural number

of fingers of both hands to control the game, and each button must endure between

several to tens of inputs per second. However, as the keypad, i.e., the input device of a

cellular phone, was originally designed for a precise input by one hand only, the basic

design concept is quite different from that of a game device.

There have been numerous approaches to overcome these problems and to

revitalize the game on cellular phones. One approach is to mount an external game input

device on a cellular phone. Nokia's N-Gage was the first cellular phone that was

completely equipped with an external game input device. By adding the input device for

game, however, N-Gage looked closer to a portable game device. This increased the

weight and volume of the cellular phone, as well as the price, running counter to the

'compact and light' trend of the cellular phone industry.

Another approach is to connect an additional input device to a cellular phone,

the input device transmitting the signal corresponding to the pushed button to the

cellular phone when the user pushes any button on the input device. This approach has

been realized in various ways; for example, Sony-Ericsson and Samsung Electronics

developed this kind of product. As this additional input device does not impede the

voice call function and provides the user interface for games only when it is needed, it has been considered as the preferred external game input device, with low price, for

cellular phones.

FIG. 11 illustrates a common protocol scheme. The operation scheme of the

external game input device for a cellular phone can be classified into a self protocol

scheme and a common protocol scheme, based on the type of signal that is generated

when the input device receives an input from the user. In a self protocol scheme, the

external game input device generates a signal based on its own signaling system and

transmits the signal to the cellular phone, and the signal is delivered to the game

software having a function of recognizing the signaling system. In a common protocol

scheme, since the external game input device uses the same signaling system of the

button input signal as the cellular phone, no additional function for signal recognition is

needed, and most game software that is designed to run in the cellular phone can operate

according to the signals from the external game input device.

For example, when input buttons on the cellular phone generates signals, such

as '0~9', '*', and '#', for dialing, the external game input device with a common

protocol generates signals of '0-9', '*', and '#', which are identical to the signals that

the cellular phone generates, regardless of the configuration or shape of the buttons, e.g.,

cross or joystick.

Although there is no restriction on the technical realization of external game

input devices with a self protocol, there are limitations on realizing actual products since the device can operate games supporting the self protocol only. On the other hand,

external game input devices supporting a common protocol can control most games in

the market, and consumers are expected to be highly satisfied with the device if

manufactured and released in the market. Nevertheless, actual external game input

devices supporting a common protocol have not been realized because of the limitations

that the cellular phone should be able to receive the button input signal through the I/O

port and that the button operating rules and the signals generated by the external input

device are different between the games.

The differences in meaning in the external game input device supporting a

common protocol come from the fact that various button configurations are used when

games are created based on the input device on cellular phones. That is, the external

game input device has a button configuration for use in games, but the input device on a

cellular phone has a button configuration in the form of a numeric keypad. Because of

this reason, most games arbitrarily set the button configuration on the numeric keypad,

requiring the system of signal generated by the external game input device to be

different for each game.

FIG. 12 illustrates inconsistency in the signaling system between the games

and external game input devices. While game Auses the '2', '8', '4', and '6' buttons for

the up, down, move-left, and move-right buttons, respectively, game B uses the

'2', '5', T, '3' buttons. Game C only needs the left-arrow and right-arrow buttons while the '*' and '#' buttons are used for the move-left and move-right buttons,

respectively, and the '1' and '2' buttons are set as the attack 1 and attack 2 buttons,

respectively. As such, the ways of setting the input- buttons on the cellular phone are

various between games. In order to connect and use an external game input device, in

which the common button configurations of the up, down, left, and right buttons and the

action 1, 2, 3, and 4 buttons are suitable for game, with the cellular phone, the signals

for each button of the external game input device must be changed according to the

game.

Eventually, the mapping between the input buttons on an external game input

device supporting a common protocol scheme and the input buttons on a cellular phone

must be changed for each game. For the game using the '2', '4', '6', and '8' buttons for

moving up, down, left, and right, for example, the external game input device must

generate the '2', '4', '6', and '8' signals, respectively, when the user pushes these

buttons. Likewise, for the game using the '1' and '2' buttons for moving left and right,

the external game input device must generate the T, '2' signals when the user pushes

these buttons.

Up to now, changing the button mapping was possible only by manually

setting the buttons of the cellular phone on the buttons of the external game input device

one by one using a configuration setting program. If the user who has more than one

game wants to play another game, it was very inconvenient to manually change the setting of more than ten buttons. Moreover, the user who acquires a new game must set

a new button mapping for the game. In the end, this inconvenience, when multiple

games are stored in a cellular phone, has become a critical shortcoming.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 shows a button configuration data system of a preferred embodiment of

the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication between an external input device and a

button configuration data server of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of an external input device of a

preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates the entire button configuration data storage area of a

preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates the current button configuration data load area of a preferred

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of a button configuration data server

of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a button configuration data storage area of a button configuration

data server according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing the operation between the external input device and the button configuration data server according to a preferred embodiment of

the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the external input device according to another

preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing the operation between the external input

device and the button configuration data server according to another preferred

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a common protocol scheme; and

FIG. 12 illustrates inconsistency in the signaling system between the games

and external game input devices.

Detailed description of the invention

Technical objectives

The objective of the present invention is to provide an external input device

and system helping a user to easily set mapping information (hereinafter, "button

configuration data") between the keypad buttons of a cellular phone and the control

buttons of the external input device.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an external input

device wherein a user can easily change the button configuration data by a simple

manipulation whenever he wants to play any one of plural games. Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an external input

device with a hotkey that provides a direct access to a wireless Internet site.

Technical solution

To achieve aforementioned objectives, according to a preferred embodiment of

the present invention, there is provided a button configuration data system for matching

control buttons of an external input device and keypad buttons of a mobile terminal,

comprising: a button data server, providing a button configuration data associated with

the control buttons that are mapped to the keypad buttons for game control; and an

external input device, generating a keypad button signal corresponding to the control

button based on the button configuration data downloaded from said button

configuration data server through the mobile terminal and outputting the keypad button

signal to the mobile terminal. Here, the button configuration data server and the external

input device can communicate with each other using the TCP/IP protocol.

Moreover, the external input device further comprises a hotkey associated with

an Internet address, and the mobile terminal accesses to a site corresponding to the

Internet address when the hotkey is pressed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a

button configuration data server for providing button configuration data for mapping

control buttons of an external input device and keypad buttons of a mobile terminal, comprising: a network communication part, performing data communication through

the Internet; a button configuration data storage database, storing button configuration

data of at least one game; a search part, searching button configuration data of a game

included in game list data that is transmitted from the external input device through said

network communication part; and a dispatching part, transmitting the searched button

configuration data to the external input device through said network communication

part. Here, the dispatching part further comprises a message generating part for

generating an index of game list comprising information for selecting button

configuration data corresponding to a list of games supported by the external input

device and games indicated in the list.

Moreover, the button configuration data server of claim 4 further comprises an

external input device data storage database, storing a serial number of a registered

external input device, and an authentication part, controlling download of button

configuration data by searching the received serial number from the external input

device in the external input device data storage database.

According to yet another aspect of this invention, there is provided an external

input device, comprising: a plurality of control buttons; an I/F module, communicating

with a mobile terminal; a memory, storing button configuration data mapping the

control buttons and keypad buttons of the mobile terminal of at least one game; and a

CPU₅ generating a game list data stored in the mobile terminal, receiving at least one button configuration data corresponding to the game list data or pre-selected by a user

from a button configuration data server through the mobile terminal, and outputting a

keypad button signal mapped to the pushed control button based on the button

configuration data selected from one or more button configuration data to the mobile

terminal thought said I/F module. Here, the external input device further comprises a

button configuration change switch for inputting a signal that selects arbitrary button

configuration data from one or more button configuration data, and the button

configuration change switch may be a jog dial.

Moreover, the CPU can repeatedly generate a keypad button signal assigned to

a control button that is pressed for longer than a predetermined time.

Moreover, the external input device may further comprise an update button for

allowing the CPU to receive game data stored in the mobile terminal.

Moreover, the CPU can receive game data from the mobile terminal when a

predetermined condition is satisfied.

Moreover, the memory can further store an Internet address, and the CPU can

output the Internet address to the mobile terminal to allow the mobile terminal to access

to a site corresponding to the Internet address.

Moreover, the CPU can set the button configuration data corresponding to the

game selected by an input of the control button as the current button configuration data.

Moreover, the CPU can output the list of games stored in the mobile terminal on a display of the mobile terminal.

Mode for invention

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described

in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the purpose of

describing the present invention with an embodiment is only for helping those of

ordinary skill in the art understand the present invention, not for limiting the spirit and

scope of the present invention to the embodiment described in the detailed description

and drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a button configuration data system according to a preferred

embodiment of the present invention. The button configuration data system comprises

an external input device 100, a mobile terminal 200, and a button data server 300.

Referring to FIG. 1, the external input device 100 with a common protocol,

which supports the button configuration automatic management, comprises the CPU

(central processing unit) 101, the first memory 102 storing the button configuration data

automatic management software, and the second memory 103 for storing or deleting the

button configuration data. The second memory 103 further stores the keypad button data

for launching an Internet access program (e.g., WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)

browser). It is preferable that the first memory 101 is ROM (Read Only Memory) and the second memory 101, 102 is non- volatile memory such as a programmable ROM or a

flash memory, which is easy to write or delete data.

The external input device 100 comprises plural control buttons for generating

signals for game control. The plural control buttons comprise move keys 105 for

inputting directions and action keys 106, 107 for inputting action. Moreover, an update

button, which generates an update request for updating button configuration data stored

in the mobile terminal 200, can be further included. Furthermore, the external input

device 100 may further comprise a hotkey 108 for accessing to a certain Internet site

directly.

The external input device 100 comprises an I/F (Interface) module 109 for

outputting keypad button signals in compliance with a common protocol, and is coupled

to the mobile terminal via the connector 110. The I/F module 109 supports any one of

the serial communications such as RS232C, USB 1.1, USB 2.0, IEEE1394, etc. Of

course, if the mobile terminal 100 supports local wireless communications such as

Bluetooth, Zigbee, IrDA (Infrared Data Association), PIAFS (PHS Internet Access

Forum Standard), the I/F module 109 can be replaced with the corresponding

communication module.

Hereinafter the operation of the external input device 100 when executing a

game will be described briefly. If a user pushes the move key 105 or action key 106,

107, the CPU 101 detects this and finds which control button is pushed. Then, with referring to the button configuration data stored in the second memory 103, the CPU

transmits the keypad button signal assigned to the pushed control button to the mobile

terminal via the I/F module 109. If the same control button is pushed for longer than a

predetermined time, the CPU 101 repeats the generation of keypad button signal

assigned to the pushed button and transmits the keypad button signal to the mobile

terminal 200. The CPU 101 can also transmit information on how strong or long the

control button is pushed with the keypad button signal to the mobile terminal 200.

The button configuration data server 300 stores the button configuration data

on each game, and provides the burton configuration data corresponding to the game(s)

stored in the mobile terminal 200 if the external input device 100 accesses to the server

from a mobile communication network via the mobile terminal 200. Preferably, the

button data server 300 communicates with the mobile terminal 100 by using the TCP/IP

protocol. As shown in FIG. 3, the button configuration data, which the button data server

300 provides, comprises a mapping table of control button-keypad button.

FIG. 2 illustrates a communication between the external input device 100 and

the button configuration data server 300 according to a preferred embodiment of the

present invention. The communication procedure in FIG. 2 shows an example of TCP/IP

communication between the external input device 100 and the button configuration data

server 300 based on the CDMA technology, and it is also possible that any communication method (e.g., E-mail, Short Message Service, etc.) on any

communication network (e.g., GSM network, WCDMA network, etc.) is available.

Referring to FIG. 2, the external input device 100 is coupled to the mobile

terminal 200 via the connector 110. The external input device 100 accesses to the

wireless Internet using the mobile terminal 200 as a modem. The mobile terminal 200

accesses to BSS 205 via the mobile communication network 204, and BSS 205 accesses

to the wireless Internet gateway 207 via the mobile switching center 206. The wireless

Internet gateway 207 is connected to a general TCP/IP network via Ethernet 208, and as

a result, the communication with the button configuration data server 300 on the TCP/IP

network becomes possible. Through this physical connection 210 of the wireless

Internet network, the external input device 100 sets up a data link layer session to the

wireless Internet gateway 207 by the PPP protocol 211, and is connected to the Internet

by the Ethernet protocol 212 after that. When the session on the data link layer is

established, a normal TCP/IP session is connected, allowing the external input device

100 to communicate data with the button configuration data server 300.

FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of the external input device according

to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, especially when the CPU 101

executes the button configuration data automatic management software. Hereinafter, the

creation/update of button configuration data and the setup of current button configuration data will be described separately.

Examining first the functional blocks for the creation/update of button

configuration data, the external input device 100 comprises a serial communication part

301 for performing a serial communication with the mobile terminal 200, which is

electrically coupled via the I/F module 109, and a terminal data receiver 302, a network

communication part 304 and a button signal transmitter 312, which transmit and receive

data with the mobile terminal 200 through the serial communication part 301.

The terminal data receiver 302 receives data provided by the mobile terminal

200 via the serial communication part 301. hi detail, the terminal data receiver 302

requests data on the manufacturer or model name, or the name of the stored game or list

the title corresponding to the game name to the mobile terminal 200 via the serial

communication part 301. If it is possible to respond to the request, the mobile terminal

200 outputs the response to an output port coupled to the connector 110. If the mobile

terminal 200 provides a list of game titles, the external input device sends the list to a

game list transmitter 303 to use as a list of button configuration data to be updated. If

the mobile terminal 200 cannot provide the list of game titles, it is also possible to set

up the list of games beforehand to update the button configuration data through the Web

or WAP site.

The network communication part 304 sets up a TCP/IP session with the button

configuration data server 300 in a remote place using the mobile terminal 200, which is coupled through the serial communication part 301, as a modem. The game list

transmitter 303 transmits the list of game titles to the button configuration data server

300 via the TCP/IP session. In detail, the network communication part 304 manages the

PPP protocol, IP protocol, and TCP protocol for networking with the button

configuration data server 300, transmits the list of game titles, which the game list

transmitter 303 sends, to the button configuration data server 300, and receives button

configuration data from the button configuration data server 300. In processing

protocols corresponding to each layer, the network communication part 303 processes a

PPP or other corresponding protocol, such as SLIP, an IP or other corresponding

protocol, and a TCP or other corresponding protocol.

The game list transmitter 303 generates the list of game titles, which is stored

in the mobile terminal 200, from game data that the terminal data receiver 302 received

from the mobile terminal 200. If the mobile terminal 200 is not able to provide the game

list, it is possible to use the game list that the user set up in advance on the Web or WAP

site.

The button configuration data receiver 305 receives button configuration data

from the button data server 300 via the serial communication part 301 and the network

communication part 304, and the button configuration data loader 306 stores the

received button configuration data in the entire button configuration data storage area

307 located in the second memory 103. The example of stored button configuration data is shown in FIG. 4.

The creation/update of button configuration data according to the

configuration described above will be performed when (1) there is a user request, (2) the

predetermined condition (e.g., coupling of the external device to the mobile terminal,

elapsing certain period, etc.) is satisfied, or (3) a new game is downloaded. In case of

(2) or (3), it is preferable not to communicate with the button configuration data server

300 if there is no difference with old game data.

In addition, the method of direct access to an Internet site by the hotkey 108

can be embodied in a similar method of the creation/update of button configuration data

using the external input device 100 with a common protocol scheme. When a user

pushes the hotkey 108, keypad button signals for the stored Internet address and Internet

access button (e.g., n button for KTFreetel) are input to the mobile terminal 200. By

these signals, the mobile terminal 200 accesses to the site corresponding to the Internet

address. In Korea, a mobile address service called WINC (Wireless Internet Number for

Content) is already in service. The procedure for using the mobile address service is as

follows: a user inputs numbers, characters, symbols, or the combination thereof on a

standby screen and pushes the Internet access button to send the mobile address; the

mobile network converts the mobile address using a mobile address conversion server

and redirects the mobile terminal to the site or sends the real address to the mobile

terminal. This wireless Internet direct access method using the hotkey may be available for accessing to the Internet site that provides a user guide or customer service for the

external input device, when necessary.

Next, the setup for current button configuration data shall be examined.

Through the creation/update procedure described earlier, the button configuration data

is downloaded from the button configuration data server 300 and stored in the external

input device 100. When a user selects and starts a game, the present button

configuration data loader 306 reads the button configuration data of the selected game

from the entire button configuration data storage area 307 and writes it in the current

button configuration data load area 309. An example of the current button configuration

data is shown in FIG. 5, and the content of button configuration data will be determined

by the game being executed on the mobile terminal.

The current button configuration data can be set automatically or manually. If

a user selects and starts a game by using a keypad button, the external input device 100

cannot know which game is selected. In this case, the user can load the button

configuration data for the game into the current button configuration data load area 309

using the jog dial or buttons manually. However, if the user selects and starts a game

using a control button while connected to the mobile terminal 200, the external input

device 100 can know which game is selected. If the button configuration data

corresponding to each game in the entire button configuration data storage area 307 is

stored in (1) the same order as the games stored in the mobile terminal 200 or (2) the same order as the game list to be displayed on the mobile terminal 200, for example, the

external input device 100 can check which game is selected by the control button. In

another method, the external input device 100 periodically sends an instruction to output

information on which application is running to the mobile terminal 200 when the power

is turned on, and analyzes the received information as a response to find which game is

executed.

As described above, after finishing the setup of the current button

configuration data, the button input processing part 310 receives a button input and

sends to the button input decoding part 311. The button input processing part 310

outputs a button input signal when a button is pushed. Alternatively, it is possible to

output a button input signal when a button is released, or when a button is either pushed

or released. In addition, if the same button is pushed for longer than a predetermined

time, it is possible to output the same button input signals corresponding to the pushed

button repeatedly. Also, if the control button outputs an analog signal, the button input

processing part 310 can convert it into a digital signal with a corresponding magnitude

or time information, or output a button input signal as many times as a corresponding

number.

The button input decoding part 311 decodes the keypad button signal

corresponding to the button input signal by making reference to the current button

configuration data load area 309 and sends to the button signal transmitter 312. For example, in the current button configuration data as shown in FIG. 5, the up, down, left,

and right keys are mapped to buttons 2, 8, 4, and 6, respectively. Thus, when the up key

is pushed among the control buttons, the button input decoding part 311 outputs the

keypad button signal indicating that the keypad button 2 is pushed.

The button signal transmitter 312 transmits a keypad button signal to the

mobile terminal 200 via serial communication.

FIG. 4 illustrates the entire button configuration data storage area 307

according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 illustrates the

current button configuration data load area 309 according to a preferred embodiment of

the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the button configuration data comprises control buttons of

the external input device 100 and keypad buttons of the mobile terminal corresponding

to each control button. Control buttons of the external input device 100 comprises move

keys 105 and action keys 106, 107, and keypad buttons of the mobile terminal

comprises buttons 0-9, *, and #. The button configuration data for each game 400 is

changed according to the games stored in the mobile terminal 200, and FIG. 4 shows an

example wherein the external input device 100 supports 6 games and the button

configuration data for games A, C, and F is currently stored. FIG. 5 shows that the

button configuration data is read from the entire button configuration data storage area 307 and then moved to the current button configuration data load area 309.

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of a button configuration data server

according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The button configuration

data server 300 comprises a network communication part 601 for connecting to the

TCP/IP Internet, a search part 602 for searching button configuration data from the

button configuration data storage area 604 as a response to the request from the external

input device, and a dispatching part 603 for dispatching searched button configuration

data to the mobile terminal. Also, an authentication part 605 for authenticating the

external input device 100 or the game program can be further comprised.

The network communication part 601 communicates with the external input

device through a TCP/IP network, and additionally communicates with a user data

managing device (e.g., HRL) or a game program downloading server. The network

communication part 601 delivers the game list data transmitted via the mobile terminal

200 to the search part 602, and transmits the button configuration data, which is output

from the dispatching part 603, to the external input device 100.

The search part 602 searches the button configuration data for at least one

game included in the game list data in the button configuration data storage area 604.

Since the keypads of most mobile terminals 200 are standardized, there is little need to

change the button configuration data according to the type of mobile terminal. Recently, however, since new mobile terminals such as a satellite DMB phone having a new

keypad configuration are introduced, a problem of having to map the keypad button

differently according to the type of mobile phone even in the same game may rise. Thus,

the search part 602 can acquire information on the mobile terminal coupled to the

external device from the authentication part 605, and search the button configuration

data suitable for the mobile terminal.

The button configuration data storage area 604 stores button configuration data

of the entire games downloadable to the mobile terminal, and the structure is shown in

FIG. 7. Since the button configuration data storage area 604 in FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 4

except for storing the button configuration data for all downloadable games, the

description will be omitted.

The dispatching part 603 sends the button configuration data searched by the

search part 602 to the external input device through the network communication part

601. As shown in FIG. 9, if the button configuration data is set manually, the dispatching

part 603 further comprises a message generating part to help the user set the button

configuration, and the message generating part generates a message including a button

configuration data index to be sent to the mobile terminal 200 or the external input

device 100. The button configuration data index comprises a game list (i.e., game titles

to which button configuration data is provided) and information for selecting button

configuration data of the listed games (e.g., jog dial A-XXX game, jog dial B-YYY game, or selection button 1 time-XXX game, selection button 2 times- YYY game).

The authentication part 605 performs authentication on the external input

device and/or the downloaded game program, and controls the download of button

configuration data by distinguishing authorized users and unauthorized users. The

unauthorized user may be one who (1) did not register the external input device via the

Internet, (2) tries to use button configuration data with an illegally copied external input

device, or (3) tries to use button configuration data for an illegally copied game program.

Preferably, by inducing the user to register the external input device after the purchase

to acquire information on the mobile terminal, it becomes possible to provide button

configuration data to non-standard mobile terminals. Additionally, the authentication

part 605 can prevent illegal copying of game programs by receiving identification data

on the mobile terminal that downloads game programs from a game program download

server. For this purpose, it is preferable to store identification data on external input

devices and identification data on mobile terminal in the external input device data

storage area 607.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for describing the operation between the external input

device and the button configuration data server according to a preferred embodiment of

the present invention.

In step 800, after accessing to the game program download server, the user downloads more than one game to the mobile terminal 200 through a selection step.

The downloaded game is registered and managed by the operating system of the

mobile terminal.

In step 805, the user requests an update of button configuration data for the

newly downloaded game. The update of button configuration data is transmitted to the

button configuration data server when the user pushes the update button or a certain

event happens.

In step 810, on receiving the update request, the external input device extracts

game data stored in the memory of mobile terminal. In step 815, the external input

device generates game list data based on the game data, sets up a TCP/IP session to the

button configuration data server, and transmits the game list data to the button

configuration data server.

In step 830, the button configuration data server searches more than one button

configuration data corresponding to the game list data and transmits the searched button

configuration data to the external input device via the TCP/IP session.

On receiving button configuration data in step 850, the external input device

stores the received button configuration data in the entire button configuration data

storage area in step 855.

In step 880, if the user selects any one of the games, the external input device

reads button configuration data corresponding to the selected game from the entire button configuration data storage area and loads it to the current button configuration

data load area so as that the current button configuration is changed. Based on the

current button configuration, if the user pushes any one of the control buttons (in step

890), the external input device transmits the keypad button signal corresponding to the

pushed control button to the mobile terminal (in step 895).

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the external input device according to another

preferred embodiment of the present invention. Comparing with FIG. 1, the external

input device further comprises an update button 901 and a button configuration change

switch 902. Any repeat description will be omitted.

The update button 901 is for sending an instruction to output the game data to

the external input device 100 to the mobile terminal 200, and for generating the game

list using the game data received as a response. After downloading a game, in particular,

the user can request the update of button configuration data using the update button 901.

The button configuration change switch 902 is for changing the current button

configuration set by the user, and is preferably a jog dial. However, the button

configuration change switch can also be embodied using one or more buttons. When

using the button configuration change switch 902, even if the current button

configuration data cannot be changed automatically due to the characteristics of the

mobile terminal, the user can change the current button configuration data as the button configuration data for the game to execute. If the user operates the button configuration

change switch 902, the current button configuration data loading part 308 reads the

button configuration data corresponding to the operation and writes it in the current

button configuration data load area 308.

Moreover, once a signal from the button configuration change switch 902 is

received, the CPU 101 can output the button configuration data index, which includes

the game title associated with the current button configuration data or the game list

selectable by the button configuration change switch 902, on the display of the mobile

terminal 200. The button configuration data index comprises a value that the user can

select (or input) by using the button configuration change switch 902 (e.g., in case of a

jog dial, "A", "B", "C", etc.) and the game title associated with the value. The button

configuration data index can be stored in the form of a short message in the mobile

terminal 200. hi this case, the short message comprises an unique identification data

(e.g., serial number of the external input device is inserted in the message title), and can

be selected and displayed by the external input device. Also, a Teleservice ID of the

short message can be set as a control short message, so the user cannot see the message

by using a messaging program but the message can be displayed only when the external

input device is coupled. Additionally, the button configuration data index can be stored

in the form of a message in the external input device. Also, on receiving a signal from

the button configuration change switch 902, the external input device 100 can read all game titles in the entire button configuration data storage area and match them to the

selectable values of the button configuration change switch 902, then display the

matched game titles on the display of the mobile terminal 200.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing the operation between the external input

device and the button data server according to another preferred embodiment of the

present invention. Most operations are similar to FIG. 8, and the step of transmitting a

text message including the button configuration data index (steps 1040 and 1060) and

the step of authenticating an authorized user using a unique serial number of the

external input device and/or the download data stored in the game program download

server (steps 1020 to 1035, 1045, 1075) are added.

In step 1015, the external input device transmits its unique serial number

together with the game list data to the button configuration data server. Of course, as a

TCP/IP communication is performed on the mobile network, the button configuration

data server can receive information on the mobile terminal (e.g., phone number, MIN,

etc) from the mobile network, and can perform the authentication process using this

information from the mobile network.

In step 1020, in order to confirm that the received serial number is an already

registered serial number, the button configuration data server searches the serial number

in the external input device data storing area. If it is registered according to the search, in step 1030, the button configuration data server reads the button configuration data

corresponding to the game list data and transmits to the external input device. If it is not

registered, however, an error message is transmitted (step 1035), and an error text

message is transmitted to the mobile terminal (step 1045). The error text message may

recommend that the external input device, not currently registered, be registered online.

Additionally, on receiving the button configuration data or error message in

step 1050, the external input device checks in step 1053 whether the user is registered

based on the received information. If the user is not registered according to the check

(i.e., receipt of an error message), the operation of the external input device is

suspended in step 1075. The step 1075 can be performed selectively.

Industrial applicability

According to the present invention, as described above, when the external

input device supporting a common protocol scheme sends signals to the game that was

made based on the keypad of mobile terminals, it is possible to automatically or

manually change the button configuration data, which is provided from the button

configuration data server using the wireless communication function of the mobile

terminal and stored in the external input device, for mapping the keypad of the mobile

terminal to the control buttons of the external input device.

Thus, in using the external input device for playing a game on the mobile terminal, the user does not need to manually change the signal system of the external

input device whenever changing the game and can enjoy a variety of games with ease.

Moreover, by using the method described above, it is possible to play games

with the optimized input signal configuration scheme.

Claims

1. A button configuration data system for matching control buttons of an

external input device and keypad buttons of a mobile terminal, comprising:

a button configuration data server, providing button configuration data

associated with the control buttons that are mapped to the keypad buttons needed for

game control; and

an external input device, generating a keypad button signal corresponding to

an input by the control button based on the button configuration data downloaded from

said button configuration data server through the mobile terminal and outputting the

keypad button signal to the mobile terminal.

2. The button configuration data system of claim 1, wherein said button

configuration data server and said external input device communicate with each other

using the TCP/IP protocol.

3. The button configuration data system of claim 1 wherein:

said external input device further comprises a hotkey associated with an

Internet address; and

the mobile terminal accesses to a site corresponding to the Internet address

when the hotkey is pressed.

4. A button configuration data server for providing button configuration data

for mapping control buttons of an external input device and keypad buttons of a mobile

terminal, comprising:

a network communication part, performing data communication through the

Internet;

a button configuration data storage database, storing button configuration data

of at least one game;

a search part, searching button configuration data of a game included in game

list data that is transmitted from the external input device through said network

communication part; and

a dispatching part, transmitting the searched button configuration data to the

external input device through said network communication part.

5. The button configuration data server of claim 4, wherein said dispatching

part further comprises a message generating part for generating an index of game list

comprising information for selecting button configuration data corresponding to a list of

games supported by the external input device and games indicated in the list.

6. The button configuration data server of claim 4, further comprising: an external input device data storage database, storing a serial number of a

registered external input device; and

an authentication part, controlling download of button configuration data by

searching the received serial number from the external input device in said external

input device data storage database.

7. An external input device, comprising:

a plurality of control buttons;

an I/F module, communicating with a mobile terminal;

a memory, storing button configuration data mapping the control buttons and

keypad buttons of the mobile terminal of at least one game; and

a CPU, generating a game list data stored in the mobile terminal, receiving at

least one button configuration data corresponding to the game list data or pre-selected

by a user from a button configuration data server through the mobile terminal, and

outputting a keypad button signal mapped to the pushed control button based on the

button configuration data selected from one or more button configuration data to the

mobile terminal thought said I/F module.

8. The external input device of claim 7, further comprising a button

configuration change switch for inputting a signal that selects arbitrary button configuration data from one or more button configuration data.

9. The external input device of claim 8, wherein said button configuration

change switch is a jog dial.

10. The external input device of claim 7, wherein said CPU repeatedly

generates a keypad button signal assigned to a control button that is pressed for longer

than a predetermined time.

11. The external input device of claim 7, further comprising an update button

for allowing said CPU to receive game data stored in the mobile terminal.

12. The external input device of claim 7, wherein said CPU receives game data

from the mobile terminal when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

13. The external input device of claim 7, wherein said memory further stores an

Internet address,

wherein said CPU outputs the Internet address to the mobile terminal to allow

the mobile terminal to access to a site corresponding to the Internet address.

14. The external input device of claim 7, wherein said CPU sets the button

configuration data corresponding to the game selected by an input of said control button

as the current button configuration data.

15. The external input device of claim 7, wherein said CPU outputs the list of

games stored in the mobile terminal on a display of the mobile terminal.