WO2008030007A1

WO2008030007A1 - System and method for setting standby screen using multimedia contents in a mobile phone

Info

Publication number: WO2008030007A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun-Young Roh
Original assignee: Eun-Young Roh
Priority date: 2006-09-08
Filing date: 2007-08-28
Publication date: 2008-03-13
Also published as: KR100763075B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a service system and method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents. According to the present invention, there is a merit that a receiver can auto¬ matically set multimedia contents transmitted from providers in his or her mobile phone as a standby screen without having to annoyingly manipulate them. There is another merit that it is possible to prevent spam multimedia contents from being unintentionally set in the mobile phone of the receiver by enabling the receiver to set the counterparts in advance who can provide the multimedia contents.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SETTING STANDBY SCREEN USING MULTIMEDIA CONTENTS IN A MOBILE PHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a service system and a method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents. Background Art

[2] FIG. 1 is a view provided to describe a conventional method for setting multimedia contents transmitted from a counterpart as a standby screen.

[3] Referring to FIG. 1, first, a user "A" transmits multimedia contents saved in his or her mobile phone to a mobile phone of a user "B" using a multimedia message service, or transmits the contents to the user "B" by logging on to the web page of a mobile communication company or a contents provider (CP) and then selecting the multimedia contents (S 11).

[4] Subsequently, the user "B" saves the transmitted multimedia contents in his or her mobile phone (S 13), selects a setting menu of the standby screen (S 15) and then moves to a folder in which the transmitted multimedia contents are saved (S 17). Then, the user B checks out the multimedia contents and sets them as the standby screen of the mobile phone (S 19).

[5] One drawback of the conventional method described above is that the user of the mobile phone has to suffer from complicated processes. That is, the user has to save the multimedia contents transmitted from a counterpart in his or her mobile phone, select the setting menu of the standby screen, search the transmitted multimedia contents and set them as the standby screen.

[6] To aged persons who are not skilled with the mobile phone, the above-mentioned processes to set the multimedia contents as the standby screen are so complicated and troublesome that they can hardly use such a function to set a standby screen. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a system and a method for automatically setting multimedia contents transmitted from a specific counterpart as a standby screen. Technical Solution

[8] One aspect of the present invention provides a service method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents comprising the steps of receiving the multimedia contents from a provider; determining whether a desired receiver has set the provider as a counterpart in advance from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents; if the desired receiver has set the provider as a counterpart in advance, transmitting the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider to the mobile communication terminal of the receiver; and setting the transmitted multimedia contents as a standby screen in the mobile communication terminal of the receiver.

[9] Preferably, the service method further comprises the steps of the providers directing a multimedia contents receiver; providing the receiver with a list of the providers who have directed the receiver as the multimedia contents receiver; and the receiver's setting the provider from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents for the standby screen among the providers included in the list.

[10] Preferably, the service method further comprises the step of, when transmitting the multimedia contents, selecting a specific receiver who will receive the multimedia contents from the receiver group, so that the converted multimedia contents are transmitted to the specific receiver only.

[11] Preferably, according to the service method of the present invention, the selection of the specific receiver may be attained by, if the multimedia contents are transmitted using a multimedia message service, including an identifier corresponding to the specific receiver in a text inserted into the multimedia message.

[12] And, preferably, according to the service method of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal may have a standby screen automatic control application that receives the multimedia contents and automatically sets the multimedia contents as the standby screen.

[13] Preferably, according to the service method of the present invention, the standby screen automatic control application may make the receiver's terminal periodically access a desired server that converts the multimedia contents provided by the provider into a proper format for the receiver's terminal and transmit the converted multimedia contents to the receiver's terminal, and, when there are new multimedia contents, download the new multimedia contents and automatically set the contents as the standby screen.

[14] Another aspect of the present invention provides a service system for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents comprising a database unit for saving a receiver group set by providers to receive multimedia contents of the providers and saving the provider from whom the receiver group wishes to receive the multimedia contents for the standby screen, the provider being set by the receivers; and a control unit for receiving the multimedia contents from the provider's terminal, determining whether a desired receiver has set the user of the provider's terminal as a counterpart from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents in advance, and, if the receiver has set the user of the provider's terminal in advance, transmitting the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider's terminal to the mobile communication terminal of the receiver, wherein the mobile communication terminal of the receiver has a standby screen automatic control application for setting the multimedia contents transmitted from the server as a standby screen on the mobile communication terminal of the receiver.

[15] Preferably, the service system of the present invention may further comprise a contents converter unit for converting the multimedia contents provided from the provider's terminal into a format proper for the mobile communication terminal of the receiver and transmitting the converted multimedia contents.

[16] Preferably, according to the service system of the present invention, the standby screen automatic control application may make the mobile communication terminal of the receiver periodically access the content converter, and when there are new multimedia contents, download the new multimedia contents and set the new contents as the standby screen.

Advantageous Effects

[17] As such, the present invention has a merit that a receiver can automatically set the multimedia contents transmitted from providers in his or her mobile phone as a standby screen without having to annoyingly manipulate them.

[18] Especially, when the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents containing the appearances of family members who live remotely, it is possible to receive the multimedia contents in real time and identify them as the standby screen directly without having to annoyingly manipulate them.

[19] Further, it is possible to prevent the spam multimedia contents from being unintentionally set in a mobile phone of the receiver by enabling the receiver to set a counterpart in advance who can provide the multimedia contents. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 is a view provided to describe a conventional method for setting multimedia contents transmitted from a counterpart as a standby screen.

[21] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a service system for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[22] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a service method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[23] 20: provider's terminal 30: receiver's mobile terminal

[24] 40: mobile network 50: MMSC

[25] 100: present service system 110: control unit [26] 120: database uit 130: VM download unit

[27] 140: contents coverter unit

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[28] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail, referring to the attached drawings.

[29] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a service system for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[30] Referring to FIG. 2, the service system for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents in accordance with the present invention (100, hereinafter referred to as "the service system" comprises a control unit 110, a database unit 120, a VM download unit 130 and a contents converter unit 140. The service system 100 is connected to a provider's terminal 20, a receiver's mobile terminal 30 and a multimedia message service center 50 through a communication network 40, thereby transmitting and receiving data to and from them. The communication network 40 can be embodied with a mobile communication network or a wired or wireless Internet network.

[31] The provider's terminal 20 refers to a communication terminal used by a user that transmits the multimedia contents (hereinafter referred to as "a provider") using the service system 100 to a counterpart, so that they may be set as a standby screen. The provider's terminal 20 connected to the service system 100 through the communication network 40 can transmit and receive various kinds of information thereto and therefrom.

[32] The provider's terminal 20 can be a terminal which is equipped with an operation capability by including a memory means and a microprocessor, such as a notebook computer, a workstation, a palmtop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a web pad and a mobile communication terminal, as well as a desktop computer.

[33] The provider can access a wired or wireless Internet web site provided by the service system 100 through the provider's terminal 20, enlist as a member, and then set a receiver group to whom the multimedia contents provided by the provider are transmitted. The provider may divide and set the receiver group into specific subgroups, so the provider can selectively transmit the multimedia contents only to a specific subgroup in the receiver group. For example, suppose that the provider has divided and set the receiver group into a first subgroup whose group name is "family" and a second subgroup whose group name is "friend". Then, the provider can transmit the multimedia contents to the first or second subgroup selectively.

[34] The provider can access the service system 100 and set the receiver group, and then request the service system 100 to transmit an SMS message containing information that the receiver group has been set by the provider to the receiver group. The service system 100 transmits to the receiver group the personal information about the provider and an SMS message including a callback URL used to directly connect the terminals of the receiver group to the service system 100 by the WAP Push method.

[35] The provider terminal 20 can transmit multimedia contents to the service system

100 as attached to a multimedia message (hereinafter referred to as "MMS") or after accessing the web site provided by the service system 100. In case of transmitting the multimedia contents using the MMS, the MMS is transmitted with a specific receiving number (for example, ##4242) set by the service system 100. Further, the provider's terminal 20 may transmit the multimedia contents by directly access to the service system 100 over the wireless Internet 40 using a virtual machine (VM) application for provider which is provided by the service system 100. In this case, the provider's terminal 20 has to download and install the VM application for provider in advance after accessing the VM download unit 130, or has to have the application as a firmware when it is manufactured.

[36] The VM application for provider provides various kinds of menus and functions needed to use services provided by the service system 100. For example, the application provides a menu to select the multimedia contents and receivers saved in the provider's terminal 20, and performs a function to transmit the multimedia contents and the receiver selected by the provider on the menu to the service system 100.

[37] Meanwhile, in case that the provider wishes to selectively transmit the multimedia contents only to a specific receiver in the receiver group, the following method can be used.

[38] First, in case of transmitting the multimedia contents using the MMS, it is possible to use a method to insert "special character + group name (or receiver's phone number)" into the text attached to the MMS. For example, when "**+ family" is inserted into the text attached to the MMS, the multimedia contents transmitted through the relevant MMS are transmitted only to the receivers belonging to the group "family".

[39] Second, a specific receiver can be selected on the web page which provides a forwarding menu of the multimedia contents by accessing the web site provided by the service system 100. The selection can be made by searching the group registered on the relevant web page in advance or by directly inputting a specific receiving number.

[40] Third, a specific receiver can be selected on a forwarding menu of the multimedia contents which is provided by the VM application for provider. The selection can be made by accessing the service system 100 through the VM application and searching the registered group, or by directly inputting the specific receiving number.

[41] The receiver's mobile terminal 30 (hereinafter referred to as "receiver's terminal") means a communication terminal which is used by a user (hereinafter referred to as "receiver") who receives the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider using the service system 100 and uses them as a standby screen. The receiver's terminal is connected to the service system 100 through the mobile network 40 so as to transmit and receive various kinds of information thereto and therefrom. The receiver's terminal 30 can be a mobile communication terminal which can communicate voice, image and data through the mobile network 40.

[42] The receiver can access the wireless Internet web site provided by the service system 100 through the receiver's terminal 30 and enlist as a member. And then, the receiver can request and receive a list of the providers who has set him or her as a receiver. The receiver checks the list of the providers and sets providers from whom he or she wishes to receive the multimedia contents. As such, the reason why the providers are set by the receiver is that the receiver needs to block the multimedia contents transmitted from an unwanted source so as them not to be set as a standby screen because the multimedia contents transmitted from the counterpart are automatically set as a standby screen according to the service system 100.

[43] The receiver's terminal 30 includes a standby screen automatic control application

(not shown). The standby screen automatic control application can be downloaded and installed through the VM download unit 130 in the VM application format or may be installed in advance in a firmware form when the receiver's terminal is manufactured.

[44] The standby screen automatic control application (not shown) automatically sets the multimedia contents provided by the provider as a standby screen of the receiver's terminal 30.

[45] The standby screen automatic control application can make the receiver's terminal

30 periodically access the service system 100 and check out whether there are multimedia contents that have been transmitted to the receiver. When there are new multimedia contents, the application can download the new contents and set them as a standby screen. Further, when there is a multimedia message transmitted from the service system 100 (for example, in case that the calling number of the multimedia message is a specific number corresponding to the service system 100), the standby screen automatic control application can automatically set the multimedia contents attached to the relevant multimedia message as a standby screen.

[46] The multimedia message service center 50 (hereinafter referred to as "MMSC") performs a function to relay multimedia messages transmitted through the mobile network 40. Especially, when the called number of the MMS transmitted from the provider is a specific number set in the service system 100 (for example, ##4242), the MMSC 50 of the present invention relays the relevant MMS to the service system 100.

[47] The service system 100 provides a service by which the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider are automatically set as a standby screen of the receiver's terminal 30 (hereinafter referred to as "the service").

[48] The service system 100 performs a function to provide a wired or wireless web site for providing various kinds of menus for the service and to transmit the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider to the receiver.

[49] In more detail, the service system 100 comprises a control unit 110, a database unit

120, a VM download unit 130 and a contents converter unit 140.

[50] The control unit 110 performs a function to control the service system 100 on the whole. The control unit 110 processes membership enlisting of providers and receivers and saves the receiver group set by the provider in the database 120. The control unit 110 provides the receiver with a list of the providers, selects the providers from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents, and saves them in the database 120.

[51] When it is requested by the provider to forward a short message to inform the receiver group of the fact that they have been set as the receiver group, the control unit 110 forwards a short message including the personal information of the provider and a callback URL used to directly connect the terminal of the receiver group to the service system 100 to the receiver group through the short message service center (SMSC, not shown) by the WAP Push method.

[52] When the multimedia contents are transmitted from the provider, the control unit

110 identifies the receiver who wishes to receive the multimedia contents from the relevant provider with reference to the database 120 and the multimedia contents are converted into a proper format for the receiver's terminal 30 of the relevant receiver by the contents converter unit 140.

[53] The control unit 110 can transmit the converted multimedia contents to the receiver s terminal 30 through the MMS. Further, when a transmission is requested from a standby screen control application of the receiver's terminal 30, the control unit 110 can transmit the multimedia contents to the receiver's terminal 30.

[54] Meanwhile, when a receiver is specified for the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider (for example, when the multimedia contents are transmitted through the MMS and also the text portion of the relevant MMS includes "**+family"), the control unit 110 transmits the multimedia contents only to the relevant receiver (receivers belonging to the group "family"). Even in this case, of course, it is checked out whether the relevant receiver has set the provider as the counterpart from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents, and the control unit 110 transmits the converted multimedia contents only when the setting has been made.

[55] When a download of the VM application for provider is requested from the provider's terminal 20 or a download of the standby screen automatic control ap- plication is requested from the receiver's terminal 30, the control unit 110 downloads the relevant application through the VM download unit 130.

[56] Meanwhile, when there is no receiver who wishes to receive the multimedia contents of the provider, the control unit 110 can inform the provider's terminal 20 of the fact.

[57] The database unit 120 saves various kinds of information needed for the service and provides them upon the request of the control unit 110. In more detail, the database unit 120 saves information about the receiver group set by the providers and about the providers that are permitted by the receiver to transmit the multimedia contents. Further, the database unit 120 saves multimedia-related specifications such as an LCD size and an encoding format of the receiver's terminal 30.

[58] The VM download unit 130 saves the VM application for provider and VM application to control the standby screen, and downloads them upon the requests of the provider and receiver. Meanwhile, although it is preferable that the VM application for provider and VM application to control the standby screen are embodied separately, both functions may be incorporated in a single application in other embodiments.

[59] The contents converter unit 140 converts the multimedia contents provided by the provider into a proper format according to the receiver's terminal 30 under the control of the control unit 110. The contents converter unit 140 can temporarily save the converted multimedia contents until they are transmitted to the receiver's terminal 30.

[60] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a service method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[61] Referring to FIG. 3, first, the service system 100 saves the receiver group who can receive the multimedia contents from providers in the database 120 (S310).

[62] Next, when a list of providers who have set the receiver as the receiver group is requested by the receiver (S320: Y), the service system 100 provides the list of the providers who have set the receiver as the receiver group, selects a provider as counterpart from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents and saves it in the database 120 (S330).

[63] Subsequently, when the multimedia contents are transmitted from the provider

(S340), the service system 100 identifies a receiver who wishes to receive the multimedia contents from the relevant provider with reference to the database 120 (S350). In step S350, it is checked if the receiver group whom the provider has set in advance has set the provider as a counterpart from whom he or she wishes to receive the multimedia contents. If not (S350: N), the service system 100 informs the provider of the fact and ends the process.

[64] Meanwhile, if the receiver group has set the provider as a counterpart from whom he or she wishes to receive the multimedia contents (S350: Y), the service system 100 converts the transmitted multimedia contents into a proper format for the receiver's terminal 30 of the relevant receiver in the contents converter unit 140 (S360).

[65] Next, the service system 100 transmits the converted multimedia contents to the receiver's terminal 30 through the MMS (S370). When a transmission request is made from the application to control the standby screen of the receiver's terminal 30 in step S370, the service system 100 may transmit the converted multimedia contents to the receiver's terminal 30. Meanwhile, if receivers specified for the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider, the service system 100 transmits them only to the relevant receiver. Of course, even in this case, it is checked if the relevant receiver has set the provider as a counterpart from whom he or she wishes to receive the multimedia contents, and the service system 100 transmits them only when the provider has been set as the counterpart.

[66] Finally, the standby screen automatic control application of the receiver s terminal

30 automatically sets the transmitted multimedia contents as a standby screen of the receiver's terminal 30.

[67] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A service method for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents, comprising: receiving the multimedia contents from a provider; determining whether a receiver has set the provider as a counterpart in advance from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents; if the receiver has set the provider as a counterpart in advance, transmitting the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider to the mobile communication terminal of the receiver; and setting the transmitted multimedia contents as a standby screen in the mobile communication terminal of the receiver.

[2] The service method according to claim 1, further comprising: the providers 's directing a multimedia contents receiver; providing the receiver with a list of the providers who have directed the receiver as a multimedia contents receiver; and the receiver's setting the provider from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents for the standby screen among the providers included in the list

[3] The service method according to claim 2, further comprising: when transmitting the multimedia contents, selecting a specific receiver who will receive the multimedia contents from the receiver group, so that the converted multimedia contents are transmitted to the specific receiver only.

[4] The service method according to claim 3, wherein, the selection of the specific receiver is attained by, if the multimedia contents are transmitted using a multimedia message service, including an identifier corresponding to the specific receiver in a text inserted into the multimedia message.

[5] The service method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile communication terminal of the receiver has a standby screen automatic control application that receives the multimedia contents and automatically sets the multimedia contents as the standby screen.

[6] The service method according to claim 5, wherein the standby screen automatic control application makes the receiver's terminal periodically access a desired server that converts the multimedia contents provided by the provider into a proper format for the receiver's terminal and transmits the converted multimedia contents to the receiver's terminal, and, when there are new multimedia contents, downloads the new multimedia contents and automatically sets the contents as the standby screen.

[7] A service system for automatically setting a standby screen of multimedia contents, comprising: a database unit for saving a receiver group set by providers to receive multimedia contents of the providers and saving the provider from whom the receiver group wishes to receive the multimedia contents for the standby screen, the provider being set by the receivers; and a control unit for receiving the multimedia contents from the provider's terminal, determining whether a receiver has set the user of the provider's terminal as a counterpart from whom the receiver wishes to receive the multimedia contents in advance, and, if the receiver has set the user of the provider's terminal in advance, transmitting the multimedia contents transmitted from the provider's terminal to the mobile communication terminal of the receiver, wherein the mobile communication terminal of the receiver has a standby screen automatic control application for setting the multimedia contents transmitted from the server as a standby screen on the mobile communication terminal of the receiver.

[8] The service system according to claim 7, further comprising: a contents converter unit for converting the multimedia contents provided from the provider's terminal into a format proper for the mobile communication terminal of the receiver and transmitting the converted multimedia contents.

[9] The service system according to claim 8, wherein the standby screen automatic control application makes the mobile communication terminal of the receiver periodically access the content converter unit and, when there are new multimedia contents, downloads the new multimedia contents and automatically sets the new contents as the standby screen.