WO2008130101A1

WO2008130101A1 - Mobile telecommunication terminal providing various call service using hot key and method providing various call service

Info

Publication number: WO2008130101A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hee-Jung Ahn; Si-Woo Park; Sung-Shik Woo
Original assignee: Kt Corporation
Priority date: 2007-04-23
Filing date: 2008-03-21
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Also published as: KR100871156B1; JP2010525652A; KR20080095051A; CN101682350A

Abstract

Provided are a mobile communication terminal and method for providing various call services by using a hot key. The mobile communication terminal includes: a key input unit which includes at least one hot key; a database (DB) which stores a list of call services; and a data processing unit which displays the list of call services on a display unit in response to a signal generated when at least one hot key is pressed.

Description

MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION TERMINAL PROVIDING

VARIOUS CALL SERVICE USING HOT KEY AND METHOD

PROVIDING VARIOUS CALL SERVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal and a method for providing call services. Background Art

[2] With the advancement of mobile communication technology, a third-generation (3G) mobile communication network (such as a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) network or a high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) network), which can transfer a large amount of data at high speed, has been deployed. Accordingly, the scope of call service, which was limited to a voice call service, has expanded to include a video call service. That is, users can now talk to each other over the phone, face to face. In this regard, mobile communication service providers are developing and providing more various, special call services in order to predominate the 3G mobile communication network market in terms of the number of subscribers.

[3] The above special call services include services that can add fun and excitement to a conversation by telephone - for example, a service which enables users to record voice/ video calls on their terminals and a service which enables users to exchange multimedia contents, such as emoticons, images, flash images and moving images. In addition, the above special services include a service of analyzing the state and emotion of a person on the other side of the phone and displaying the result of analysis.

[4] However, if complicated keystrokes are required to use such various call services provided by mobile communication service providers or if users have to input a different feature code whenever trying to use a call service, the call connection time may be increased, and the users may have to memorize feature codes for all call services or obtain and learn a corresponding manual.

[5] In addition, when a mobile communication service provider develops a new service, users have to visit its place of business and update related software on their terminals. If the new service cannot still be provided on their terminals even after the software is updated, the users have to buy a new terminal, which is not only inconvenient but also costly. Furthermore, mobile communication service providers have to introduce a lineup of new terminals whenever developing a new service, thereby causes a loss of labor, time and money. Disclosure of Invention [6] Aspects of the present invention provide a mobile communication terminal which can provide various call services by using a hot key.

[7] Aspects of the present invention also provide a method of providing various services by using a hot key.

[8] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile communication terminal including: a key input unit which comprises at least one hot key; a database (DB) which stores a list of call services; and a data processing unit which displays the list of call services on a display unit in response to a signal generated when at least one hot key is pressed.

[9] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing call services. The method includes: displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed; reading a feature code which corresponds to a call service selected from the displayed list of call services; and making a call by using the read feature code.

[10] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing call services. The method includes: receiving a called number; displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed; and selecting any one of the call services in the displayed list and making a call.

[11] However, aspects of the present invention are not restricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains by referencing the detailed description of the present invention given below.

[12] Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

[13] Hereinafter, a system and method for providing various call services using a hot key according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal 100 according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile communication terminal 100 is a calling terminal and includes a key input unit 101, a data processing unit 103, a display unit 105, and a database (DB) 107. [15] The key input unit 101 includes at least one hot key (dedicated key). When at least one hot key is pressed, a list of call services, which are special functions, is displayed. The list of call services may be embedded in and provided by the mobile communication terminal 100 or may be provided by a server of a mobile communication base station. If the latter is the case, the list of call services may be provided as an independent application, pop-up window, or ticker. Therefore, when a new call service developed by a mobile communication service provider is added to the list of call services, when a call service is removed from the list, or when a call service in the list is changed, the list of call services can be updated without requiring a lineup of new terminals. Consequently, the mobile communication service provider can provide various call services to its subscribers more easily and quickly.

[16] In response to a signal generated when at least one hot key of the key input unit 101 is pressed, the data processing unit 103 is connected with the DB 107 and processes a list of call services stored in the DB 107 so that the list of call services can be displayed on the display unit 105. In addition, the data processing unit 103 compares version information of an updated list of call services received from a server of a mobile communication base station with that of the list of call services stored in the DB 107, updates the stored list of call services, and displays the updated list of call services on the display unit 105 on a periodic basis, whenever one or more call services are selected, or at the request of a user.

[17] That is, when at least one hot key is pressed, the display unit 105 displays a list of call services stored in the DB 107 on a window of the mobile communication terminal 100. Here, the list of call services is provided in the form of a menu. When an updated list of call services is received from a server of a mobile communication base station, it is displayed on the window of the mobile communication terminal 100. The updated list refers to an existing list of call services to which a new call service has been added, from which a call service has been removed, or in which a call service has been changed.

[18] The DB 107 stores version information of a list of call services, which is provided when at least one hot key is pressed, and, after the list of call services is updated in a series of processes, receives and stores again the version information of the updated list.

[19] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mobile communication system using the mobile communication terminal 100 of FIG. 1.

[20] Referring to FIG. 2, a calling terminal 100, which is the mobile communication terminal 100 of FIG. 1, includes at least one hot key and transmits call connection request signals for various special call services. A call connection request signal includes a feature code, which is set for each call service, and a called number. [21] The call connection request signal further includes a video call identifier which contains video call connection request information for a video call and a voice call identifier which contains voice call connection request information for a voice call. The video call identifier may be set to '*', and the voice call identifier may be set to '#' . However, the video call identifier and the voice call identifier are not limited to the above examples and may be set in various ways.

[22] That is, based on the voice/video call identifier of the call connection request signal, it is determined whether to make a voice or video call. In addition, from among a plurality of voice/video call services which correspond to a plurality of feature codes, respectively, a call voice/video call service corresponding to a specified feature code is connected to a called number and provided on a mobile communication terminal at the called number. For a list of video call services and a list of voice call services, a single hot key or different hot keys may be implemented on the calling terminal 100.

[23] When at least one hot key is pressed shorter than a set period of time, the data processing unit 103 (see FIG. 1) displays a list of call services on the display unit 105 (see FIG. 1) in the form of a menu. When at least one hot key is pressed longer than the set period of time, the data processing unit 103 (see FIG. 1) connects the transmitting terminal 100 directly to a call service preset by a user from among the call services in the list.

[24] A called terminal 200 responds to the call connection request signal received from the calling terminal 100, thereby completing call connection. The called terminal 200 does not necessarily include a hot key.

[25] A calling switchboard 300 and a called switchboard 400 communicate with each other in a wired/wireless manner in order to exchange signals received from the calling terminal 100 and the called terminal 200, respectively.

[26] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another mobile communication system using the mobile communication terminal 100 of FIG. 1.

[27] Referring to FIG. 3, a calling server 500 is connected to the calling switchboard 300 shown in FIG. 2. The calling server 500 receives a signal routed by the calling switchboard 300 according to a feature code, programs the signal to perform a corresponding call service, and processes and transmits the programmed signal.

[28] A called server 600 is connected to the called switchboard 400 shown in FIG. 2. The called server 600 receives a signal from the calling switchboard 400, programs the received signal as an incoming call signal, and processes and transmits the incoming call signal.

[29] The calling server 500 is a server optimized for both voice and video call services.

That is, the calling server 500 not only provides various voice call services but also enables users to record their video calls or exchange multimedia contents such as emoticons, images, flash images and moving images. In addition, the calling server 500 periodically analyzes the voice of the called and transmits the result of analysis to a calling terminal 100, which is the mobile communication terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1, in real time so that a caller can identify the emotional state of the called on the screen of the calling terminal 100 in real time.

[30] After a call, the calling server 500 analyzes the content of the call, expresses the result of analysis numerically (e.g., a love index or a truth index), and transmits the numerically expressed result of analysis through a multimedia messaging system (MMS).

[31] At the request of a user, the calling server 500 transmits the content of the call to a server of a corresponding site via an Internet network. Thus, the user can store, view and modify the content of the call on the Internet.

[32] A list of various special call services which is provided when a single hot key is pressed may be embedded in and provided by the calling terminal 100 or may be provided by a server of a mobile communication base station. If the latter is the case, the list of call services may be provided as an independent application, pop-up window, or ticker. Therefore, when a new call service developed by a mobile communication service provider is added to the list of call services, when a call service is removed from the list, or when a call service in the list is changed, the list of call services can be updated more easily and quickly, and more various call services can be included in the list. Consequently, user inconvenience can be reduced, and an active user interface can be provided.

[33] When a list of call services is updated, the calling server 500 transmits the updated list to the calling terminal 100 in a push manner. Accordingly, when at least one hot key is pressed, the calling terminal 100 displays a list of call services stored therein by reflecting the received list.

[34] Alternatively, the data processing unit 103 compares version information of an updated list of call services received from the calling server 500 with that of a list of call services stored in the DB 107 on a periodic basis, whenever one or more call services are selected, or at the request of a user, and transmits call services, which are to be added, removed or changed, to the display unit 105 so that the call services, which are to be added, removed or changed, can be displayed on a window of the calling terminal 100.

[35] When the call services, which are to be added, removed or changed, are displayed on the display unit 105, the calling terminal 100 is connected to the calling server 500 automatically or at the request of a user and via a wired/wireless communication network, and the displayed call services are added, removed or changed. The added, removed or changed call services are reflected when a list of call services are displayed after at least one hot key is pressed. In addition, the version information of the updated list of call services is stored in the DB 107.

[36] A method of providing various call services using a hot key will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4 through 6.

[37] FIGS. 4 through 6 are views for explaining three methods of providing various call services by using a hot key. When a hot key on a terminal shown in each drawing is pressed, special video call services are provided. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, when the hot key is pressed, various special voice call services may also be provided.

[38] FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[39] Referring to FIG. 4, if a hot key on a mobile communication terminal is pressed shorter than a predetermined period of time, a 'video message service' list is displayed in the form of a menu. When a 'video love detector' service is selected from the list, the mobile communication terminal is connected to a 'telephone directory' mode. Here, a user searches for and selects the called and makes a call. If the hot key is pressed longer than the predetermined period of time, the mobile communication terminal is connected directly to a 'video letter recording' mode.

[40] That is, the method of providing various call services by using a hot key according to the first exemplary embodiment includes displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed, selecting any one of the call services in the list, reading a feature code preset for the selected call service, and making a call using the read feature code. The method further includes receiving a called number, which is directly input by a user, retrieved from a telephone directory by the user or selected by the user from a call history, after reading the feature code.

[41] The method further includes connecting the mobile communication terminal directly to a call service, which was preset by the user from the list of call services, for example, the 'video letter recording' mode, when the hot key is pressed longer than the predetermined period of time. Thus, with a single keystroke, a user can easily use a preset call service.

[42] FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[43] Referring to FIG. 5, if a user presses a hot key after inputting a called number directly to a window of a mobile communication terminal, a 'video message service' list is displayed in the form of a menu. Then, the user selects a 'video love detector' service and makes a call.

[44] That is, the method of providing various call services by using a hot key according to the second exemplary embodiment includes receiving a called number directly input to a window of a mobile communication terminal, displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed, and making a call by selecting any one of the call services in the displayed list.

[45] FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[46] Referring to FIG. 6, if a user presses a 'send' button, a 'recent call history' is displayed. Then, if the user selects a called number in the 'recent call history' and presses a 'menu' button on a bottom left corner of a window of a mobile communication terminal, a plurality of submenus including 'video message' are displayed. In this case, 'video message' is a hotkey menu having a hotkey function. If the user selects 'video message,' a 'video message service' list is displayed as in the first and second exemplary embodiments. Here, the user selects a 'video love detector' service and makes a call.

[47] That is, the method of providing various call services by using a hot key according to the third exemplary embodiment includes selecting a called number from a call history, displaying one or more submenus having a hotkey function by pressing a 'menu' button after selecting the called number, displaying a list of call services by selecting any one of the submenus having the hotkey function, and making a call by selecting any one of the call services from the displayed list.

[48] In FIGS. 4 through 6, '*01' is a feature code for providing the 'video love detector' service, and '01012345678' is a called number. A different feature code is set for each video call service provided. For example, a 'truth told during a video call' service may be set to '*02,' a 'video recording call' service may be set to '*03,' a 'video conference' service may be set to '*04,' and a 'video lip-sync' service may be set to '*05.' Thus, when a user makes a call connection request, a feature code, which is set for a specified call service, and a called number are transmitted together.

[49] As described above, a hot key can be used in various ways. In particular, when a hot key is used, there is no need to publicize a different connection method (e.g., a connection number or a feature code) for each call service. Since mobile communication service providers only have to advertise hotkey menus, they can save advertising costs. In addition, since users do not need to learn/memorize a connection method for each call service, user convenience is enhanced.

[50] Meanwhile, a separate key may be used as a dedicated hot key. Alternatively, an existing key, for example, a 'video call' button may be used as a hot key. In this case, since terminal manufacturers do not need to design/plan a hot key, using an existing key as a hot key is advantageous to the terminal manufacturers.

[51] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the following claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[52] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

[53] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mobile communication system using the mobile communication terminal of FIG. 1 ;

[54] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another mobile communication system using the mobile communication terminal of FIG. 1 ;

[55] FIG. 4 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[56] FIG. 5 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[57] FIG. 6 is a schematic view for explaining a method of providing call services according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[58] <Explanation of Reference Numerals Designating the Major Elements of the

[59] Drawings>

[60] 100: calling terminal 101: key input unit

[61] 103: display unit 105: data processing unit

[62] 107: database 200: called terminal

[63] 300: calling switchboard 400: called switchboard

[64] 500: calling server 600: called server

Industrial Applicability

[65] According to the present invention, various, special voice/video call services can be accessed easily and quickly by using a hot key. In addition, a list of call services can be automatically updated on a periodic basis or whenever a new service is developed in order to add the new service to the list or supplement the list. As a result, user inconvenience can be reduced, and an active user interface can be provided.

[66] In addition, there is no need to publicize a different connection method (e.g., a connection number or a feature code) for each call service. Since mobile communication service providers only have to advertise hotkey menus, they can save advertising costs. Furthermore, users do not need to learn and memorize a connection method for each call service. [67] If an existing video call button is used as a hot key, terminal manufacturers do not need to design/plan the hot key, which is advantageous to the terminal manufacturers.

Claims

[1] A mobile communication terminal comprising: a key input unit which comprises at least one hot key; a database (DB) which stores a list of call services; and a data processing unit which displays the list of call services on a display unit in response to a signal generated when at least one hot key is pressed. [2] The terminal of claim 1, wherein the list of call services comprises feature codes set for the call services, respectively. [3] The terminal of claim 2, wherein the list of call services further comprises a video call identifier for setting a video call or a voice call identifier for setting a voice call. [4] The terminal of claim 1, wherein the data processing unit receives an updated list of call services from a server of a mobile communication base station and updates the list of call services stored in the DB. [5] The terminal of claim 1, wherein the data processing unit displays the list of call services when at least one hot key is pressed shorter than a preset period of time and connects the mobile communication terminal directly to any call service preset by a user from among the list of call services. [6] A method of providing call services, the method comprising: displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed; reading a feature code which corresponds to a call service selected from the displayed list of call services; and making a call by using the read feature code. [7] The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a called number after reading the feature code. [8] The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying of the list of call services further comprises displaying the list of call services by reflecting an updated list of call services sent by a server of a mobile communication base station in a push manner. [9] The method of claim 6, wherein the displaying of the list of call services further comprises: displaying an updated list of call services, which is sent by a server of a mobile communication base station, on a terminal window; updating the displayed list of call services; and storing the updated list of call services in a DB. [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the displaying of the updated list of call services on the terminal window is performed on a periodic basis, whenever one or more call services are selected, or at the request of a user. [11] The method of claim 9, wherein the updating of the displayed list of call services is performed automatically or at the request of a user. [12] The method of any one of claims 6 through 11, wherein the list of call services is provided by the server of the mobile communication base station in the form of an application, a pop-up window, or a ticker. [13] A method of providing call services, the method comprising: receiving a called number; displaying a list of call services when a hot key is pressed; and selecting any one of the call services in the displayed list and making a call. [14] The method of claim 6 or 13, wherein the list of call services comprises feature codes set for the call services, respectively, and each of the feature codes is used to make a call. [15] The method of claim 6 or 13, wherein the list of call services further comprises a video call identifier for setting a video call or a voice call identifier for setting a voice call, and the video call identifier or the voice call identifier is used to make a call.