WO2009154317A1

WO2009154317A1 - Multi-user interface support method of multi-number mobile phone

Info

Publication number: WO2009154317A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/003548
Authority: WO
Inventors: Il Sung Kim
Original assignee: Gavaplus.Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2008-06-20
Filing date: 2008-06-20
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: CN102144384A

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of supporting a multi-user interface of a multi-number mobile phone having a primarily registered fixed number and additionally registered virtual numbers. In the multi-user interface supporting method, a common menu for carrying out additional service setting, screen setting, sound setting, environment setting, etc. which are commonly used using a primarily registered fixed number and additionally registered virtual numbers of one mobile phone, and an independent menu including a phone number directory for searching or registering phone numbers and a message box for managing messages of voice, image, and characters which can be written or deleted by a user are provided. According to the present invention, since one mobile phone provides the effects of two or three mobile phone, costs related to purchase and management can be greatly reducedand it is easy to carry the mobile phone. Moreover, since subscribers can be increased, a mobile phone service provider can anticipate an increase in profit.

Description

MULTI-USER INTERFACE SUPPORT METHOD OF MULTI- NUMBER MOBILE PHONE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a method for supporting a multi-user interface of a multi-number mobile phone, which can provide different interfaces for respective phone numbers in a two-number service mobile phone (hereinafter referred to as the "multi-number mobile phone") in which one or more desired specific phone numbers are assigned in addition to a primarily registered subscriber number.

[2]

Background Art

[3] As is well known, a two-number service or number plus service allows one communication terminal to be assigned two or more phone numbers according to user demand and to separately use the numbers for business use, personal use, and the like. Therefore, one mobile phone provides services of two or more mobile phones. The mobile phone providing a two-number service has a mother number, which is a primarily registered fixed phone number (hereinafter referred to as the "fixed number"), and a son number, which is an additionally registered phone number (hereinafter referred to as the "virtual number") changed by incoming call transfer or originating call transfer of the mother number.

[4]

[5] A known technique is disclosed in Patent Application No. 10-2000-0081199

(hereinafter, referred to as the cited invention), entitled "Mobile Station Capable of Using Two Mobile Communication Services" and is illustrated in Fig. 1. The mobile station which is capable of providing two mobile communication services according to the cited invention includes a plurality of intermediate frequency (IF) transceivers. Upon receiving a radio frequency (RF) signal, the IF transceivers modulate the RF signal into an IF signal using a local frequency and simultaneously down-convert the IF signal into a voice and video baseband signal. Upon receiving the voice and video baseband signal, the IF transceivers up-convert the baseband signal into an IF signal and modulate the IF signal into the RF signal using the local frequency. An RF receiver low-noise-amplifies and simultaneously filters the RF signal and transmits the amplified and filtered signal to the IF transceivers. An RF transmitter amplifies a gain of the RF signal received from the IF transceivers. A duplexer passes an RF signal received from a base station through an antenna and passes the RF signal received from the RF transmitter to the antenna. [6] According to the cited invention of the mobile station which is capable of providing two mobile communication services, since a mobile phone service provider can additionally ensure subscribers, profitability is raised and sales of a manufacturer are improved. Since a user employing mobile communication may use two mobile communication services with only one terminal without the need to purchase two terminals, costs of purchasinganother terminal are eliminated and a necessary mobile communications service can be selectively used. However, unlike an existing mobile phone, a plurality of transceivers is required. Therefore, a circuit constituting the terminal is complicatedand multiple components are used. As a result, since costs are raised and volume is increased, it is difficult to be practically used.

[7]

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-user interface supporting method for a multi-number mobile phone, which maintains an interface mode supporting a primarily registered fixed number, transfers to another user interface mode when originating a call using a virtual number, and includes a common menu used commonly by the fixed number and the virtual number and an independent menuwhich can use message boxes and phone number management menus supported by the user interfaces assigned to the fixed number and the virtual number.

[9]

Technical Solution

[10] In accordancewith an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a multi-user interface supporting method for a multi-number mobile phone including a mobile phone transmitter for performing a call originating process when a call is originated using a virtual number, a mobile phone receiver for performing a call receiving process when an incoming call to the virtual number is received, a switching system transmitter for performing a call originating process when a two-number phone subscriber originates a call using the virtual number, and a switching system receiver for performing a call receiving process when the two-number phone subscriber receives an incoming call to the virtual number. In the multi-user interface supporting method, a common menufor carrying out additional service setting, screen setting, sound setting, environment setting, etc. which are commonly used using a primarilyregistered fixed number and additionally registered virtual numbers of one mobile phone, and an independent menu including a phone number directory for searching or registering phone numbers and a message box for managing messages of voice, image, and text messages which can be written or deleted by a user are provided. [H]

Advantageous Effects

[12] The present invention provides the convenience of multiple mobile phones to a user having one mobile phone employing one fixed number and a plurality of virtual numbers without the need of carrying multiple mobile phones. Therefore, a user can easily carry the phone and can save a mobile phone purchasing cost and additional costs. [13]

Brief Description of the Drawings [14] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [15] Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile station which can provide two mobile communication services according to the prior art;

[16] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a common menu and an independent menu of a two- number phone system according to the present invention; [17] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating incoming and originating call states using a virtual number according to the present invention [18] Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a call receiving process when a subscriber receives an incoming call to a virtual number according to the present invention [19] Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a call originating process when a subscriber originates a call using a virtual number according to the present invention; [20] Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a call processing process of a switching system transmitterwhen a two-number phone subscriber originates a call using a virtual number according to the present invention and [21] Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a call processing process of a switching system receiver when a two-number phone subscriber receives an incoming call to a virtual number according to the present invention. [22]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[23] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[24] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a menu configuration of a mobile phone to which a multi-user interface supporting method of a multi-number mobile phone is applied according to the present invention. [25] According to the present invention, the multi-number mobile phoneusing one mobile phone based on a microprocessor includes a common menu 201 for performing additional service setting, screen setting, environment setting, etc. which are commonly used using a primarily registered fixed number and additionally regis- teredvirtual numbers, and independent menus 202 including message boxes and phone number directories corresponding to the fixed number and the virtual numbers. Therefore, according to the present invention, since a user interface assigned to each virtual number different from the fixed number is provided by the common menu 201 and a plurality of independent menus 202 which can be independently edited and managed with respect to the virtual numbers in addition to the fixed number, an independent use environment is achieved. As indicated in Fig. 3, if a two-number phone subscriber 301 places a call to another subscriber 307 through mode transfer to a virtual number use mode by pressing a specific key in a two-number phone which is set to use a fixed number in a usual state, a switching system 304 of a mobile communication service provider searches an intelligence network code and a recipient number by contacting an artificial intelligence network so that a switching system transmitter 305 connects a call with another subscriber 307. In this case, the virtual number of the two-phone subscriber 301 is displayed on a mobile phone of another subscriber 307. A mobile phone transmitter 302 performs a call originating process using the virtual number. A mobile phone receiver 303 performs a call receiving process using the virtual number. If another subscriber 307 places a call using the virtual number to the two-number phone subscriber 301, the switching system 304 of a mobile communication service provider, which confirms a virtual number code and connects a call, causes a switchingsystem receiver 306 to display a phone number of another subscriber 307 on the mobile phone of the subscriber 301 as well as a specific indication representing that a connection has been made to the virtual number.

[26] A process according to each function will be described in detail hereinafter.

[27] Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an incoming call receiving process by a mobile phone receiver 303 when the two-number phone subscriber 301 receives an incoming call to a virtual number.

[28] A power switch is powered on to initialize a microprocessor in a start step 401.

[29] If a user receives a call, a phone number of a calling subscriber is displayed on a screen of a mobile phone in a caller identification (ID) display step 402.

[30] Next, the user answers the incoming call to the virtual number by opening a folder of the phone or pressing a talk button in a talk button-on step 403. In this case, since only an authenticated subscriber can use the virtual number, an authentication step 404 is needed.

[31] However, if an authentication procedure in which only the authenticated user can use the phone call received tothe virtual number is very complicated, the user experiences inconvenience and practicalityis deteriorated. Desirably, a password ranging from 4 to 8 digits is set for authentication. Therefore, in the authentication step 404, the microprocessor may displaya request that the user enter a password on a display. If the user enters the password within a designated time, the microprocessor compares the password entered by the user with a previously stored password. If the passwords are identical, a talk step 406 is performed. If the designatedtime elapses or the entered password is incorrect, a message indicating that the password must be entered again is displayed. If an incorrect password is entered a prescribed number of times, an end step 405 is implemented and the whole operation is ended in step 408.

[32] Through the authentication step 404 and the talk step 406, if the user presses a button corresponding to call termination or the microprocessor determines that talk has ended, a talk end step 407 is performed and an operation of a voice transceiver circuit is terminated, thereby ending the whole operation in step 408. Then the mobile phone receiver returns to an initial screen of the fixed number or a reception standby state.

[33] A process of originating a call to a virtual number is carried out as illustrated in Fig.

5. A powerswitch is powered on and a microprocessor performs an initialization process in a start step 501. If the two-number phone subscriber 301 operates at least one numeral key or a function key to place a call using a virtual number in a standby state of a fixed number mode, the fixed number mode is transferred to a virtual number mode in a screen mode transfer step 502.

[34] Like the above incoming call receiving process as in Fig. 4, an authentication step

503 is needed so that only an authenticated user can use the virtual number.

[35] Therefore, a password having security and practicality is used so that the user is not inconvenienced and security is maintained. Amessage requesting that the user enter the password is displayed. A menu corresponding to the virtual number is provided in step

504 only when the user enters the password within a prescribed time.

[36] As the menu assigned to the virtual number includes, as shown in Fig. 2, a common menu, such as additional service, screen, voice, and environment setting, and an independent menu including a message box of text, photo, mail, and message and a phone number directory of call history, name, phone number, and E-mail address.

[37] A dialing step 505, a phone number step 508, a short message service (SMS) step

511, a call history request step 513, and an end step 515 may be provided. If the user presses a phone number of a called subscriber in the dialing step 505, the microprocessor inserts a virtual number code into a calling number in a virtual number code inserting step 506. Data including the virtual number code is transmitted via a transmitter as an electromagnetic wave output in a transmission step 507. Then the wave is transmitted to a mobile phone of the called subscriber via a switching system of a transmitting side and a switching system of a receiving side. While transmitting the wave, a ring tone is transmitted in a ring tone transmitting step 516. The called subscriber operates a talk button to speak by phone with the calling subscriber in a talk implementation step 517. If the calling subscriber or called subscriber presses a talk end button or operates a key corresponding to the talk end button, or if the microprocessor determines that talk is not possible in a talk end step 518,an operation of the mobile phone transceiver is stopped.

[38] Next, the microprocessor of the mobilephone returns to an initial screen state of the fixed number mode in step 519. If the user presses a button corresponding to an end of phone use or closes a folder of the phone in step 520, a series of operations are ended in step 521 and the mobile phone enters a call reception or operation standby state.

[39] In the phone number step 508, a phone number may be selected according to a general button operation. A phone number directory including name, phone number, E- mail address, etc. of a corresponding virtual number stored in a specific area of a memory may be edited, added, or deleted by a method used in a typical mobile phone in step 509. If necessary, dialing is performed in a dialing step 510. If the dialing step 510 is performed, the ring tone transmitting step 516 is performed.

[40] If the user selects the SMS step 511 of the independent menu of the virtual number, a text message is written and sent in a general way in step 512. If the call history request step 513 is desired, call history data of only the virtual number stored in a specific area of the memory is decoded and displayed on a display in step 514. If the user desires to stop using the virtual number and selects an end button in the end step 515, the mobile phone returns to the initial screen state of the fixed number in step 519. Thereafter, if the end button is pressed in step 520, the whole operation is ended in step 521.

[41] As described above, when the two-number phone subscriber 301 performs the call originating and receiving processesof the virtual number, switching systems of a transmitting side and a receiving side of a mobile communication service provider should be supported for virtual number code confirmation of the calling subscriber and the called subscriber, call connection, and virtual number caller ID display.

[42] A detailed function of the switching system of the transmitting side is illustrated in

Fig. 6.

[43] The switching system can process multiple phone numbers simply with one electronic serial number (ESN) assigned to the mobilephone. When the two-number phone subscriber 301 originates a call using a virtual number, the switching system of the transmitting side reads and loads a variety of initial values and recognizes a peripheral device to enter an operablestate in a start step 701. It is checked whether virtual number data exists from among data transmitted by a mobile phone of a calling subscriber in a virtual number registration confirmation step 702. If a number used by the calling subscriber is not a virtual number, calling data is processed as a fixednumber in step 702- 1 and a connection is made with the switching system of the receiving side to perform a talk function in step 706. If a calling subscriber or a called subscriber presses a talk end button of a mobile phone or operates a function corresponding thereto, or if the microprocessor determines that talk is not possible in a talk end step 707, a charge is processed according to talk time and talk condition in a charge processing step 708 and a series of operations are ended in an end step 709.

[44] If the number sent by the mobile phone of the calling subscriberis confirmed as a virtual number in step 702, an intelligence network confirms a fixed number registered by the virtual number user in step 703. Next, a connection is made with the switching system of the receiving side to enable a talk state in a talk connection step 704.

[45] Next, the virtual number is transmitted to the switching system of the receiving side in step 705 and a talk state is performed in step 706. If the talk state is terminated in step 707, the charge processing is carried out in step 708.

[46] Operation of the switching system of the receiving side is illustrated in Fig. 7. The switching system of the receiving side reads and loads a variety of initial values and recognizes a peripheral device to enter an operablestate in a start step 601. In a call connection step 602, the dialed number and the virtual number code transmitted in steps 704 and 705 of Fig. 6 are received to connect a call with the called subscriber. If no virtual number codes exist in step 603, the received number is recognized as a fixed number in a fixed number recognition step 603-1. If a called subscriber presses a talk button or operates the phone to receive a call, a talk connection is made in a talk connection step 603-2. The fixed number is transmitted to the mobile phone of the called subscriber and a caller ID is displayed in a caller ID display step 603-3. It is checked whether the talk state is ended in a talk end step 609. If the talk state is ended in step 609, a series of operations are terminated in an end step 610. Moreover, if the switching system of the receiving side confirms that the virtual number code is received from the switching system of the transmitting side, the switching system of the receiving side receives the virtual number code and generates a virtual number recognition code in step 604. An intelligence network receives an actual fixed number in step 605 and a transceiver is activated to make a talk connection with the mobile phone of the called subscriber in step 606. A virtual number is transmitted to the mobile phone of the called subscriber in a virtual number caller ID display step 607. If the called subscriber presses a talk button or operates a folder, a talk state with the mo- bilephone of the calling subscriber is performed in step 608. If the calling subscriber or the called subscriber presses a talk end button or operates a keycorresponding thereto, or if the microprocessor determines that talk is not possible in step 609, aseries of operations is ended in step 610.

[47] Although the present invention has been described as using only one virtual number as shown in Fig. 5, plural virtual numbers may be used. If a plurality of virtual numbers is used, since one of the virtual numbers is selectively operated, a virtual number selecting method should be varied.

[48] For example, if auser presses a specific button for a given time period to select a virtual number, a mobilephone may transition to a virtual number selection mode. The microprocessor displays a plurality of virtual numbers on a display. The user may select any one of the virtual numbers using a cursor or a selection number.

[49] As described above, the present invention can select any one of one fixed number of a plurality of virtual number in one multi-number mobile phone, thereby using a plurality of different interfaces. Therefore, the present invention has an effect as if a user utilizes a plurality of mobile phones.

[50] Since times using a fixed number and a virtual number between switching systems of a transmitting side and a receiving side are separately stored, chargesfor the fixed number and the virtual number can be kept separate. Accordingly, if the mobile phone is used by a corporation, a charge for personal use may be paid by a personal user. The switching system may process charges based on the fixed number. Even if the virtual number is changed, since the virtual number is regarded as an additional service, the fixed number and the virtual number can be separately charged.

[51] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[52]

Industrial Applicability

[53] According to the present invention, since one mobile phone has an effect of two or three mobile phones, costs related to purchase and management can be greatly reduced and it is easy to carry the mobile phone. Moreover, since telephone fees forbusiness use and personal use can be separately charged, a reasonable fee can be achieved. Further, since subscribers can be increased, a mobile phone service provider can anticipate an increase in profit.

[54]

Claims

[1] A method of supporting a multi-user interface of a multi-number mobile phone, including a common menu performingprocess for performing additional service setting, screen setting, sound setting, and environment setting which are commonly used using a primarily registered fixed number and additionally registered virtual numbers of one mobile phone based on a microprocessor, and an independent menu performing process for independentlyusing a phone number directory for searching or registering phone numbers and a message box for managing messages which can be written and deleted by a user with respect to the fixed number and the virtual numbers, wherein if a two-number phone subscriber places a phone call using the virtual number throughuse mode transfer by pressing a specific key in a two-number mobile phone which is set to use the fixed number in a usual state, the virtual number of a calling subscriber is displayed on a mobile phone of a called subscriber via a switchingsystem of a transmitting side and a switching system of a receiving side, and if an in- comingcall to the virtual number of the two-number phone subscriber is received from another subscriber, a specific indication providing notice that a call is connected to the virtual number and a phone number of another subscriber are displayed via the switching system of the transmitting side and the switchingsystem of the receiving side, the method comprising: performing a screen mode transfer step including the independent menu corresponding to a selected virtual number among a plurality of virtual number- saccording to an operation of one or more numeral keys or a function key, an authentication step for entering a password, a two-number phone menu display step for allowing an authenticated user to use the virtual number, a dialing stepfor dialing a phone number of the called subscriber using a keypad, a virtual number code inserting step, a transmission step for operating a transmitter, a ring tone confirmation step, a talk implementation step, a talk end confirmation step, a fixed number transfer step, a phone close confirmation step, and an end step for ending a program, wherein, if the two-number phone subscriber desires to perform other functions except for a talk function, anyone of a phone number selecting step for processing addresses, an address processing step, a short message service step for transmitting a short message, and a call history request step for requesting a call history is performed or an end step for ending the program using an end key is performed, according to a selection of a subscriber.

[2] The method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing a start step, a caller identification (ID) display step for displaying a phone number of the calling subscriber when a caller ID of the virtual number transmitted from the switching system of the receivingside exists, a talk button- on step for operating a talk button for talk implementation, an authentication step using a password, an end selection step performed when authentication fails or is cancelled, a talk implementation step permitted when the authentication is successful, and an end step for stopping a series of operations.

[3] The method according to claim 2, wherein the switching system of the transmitting side performs: a start step for initializing a program, a virtual number registration confirmation step for checking whether a virtual number exists, a fixed number caller processing step for transmitting a fixed number caller ID signal when the virtual number does not exist, a talk step connected to the switching system of the receiving side, a talk end confirmation step for confirming whether talk between a mobile phone of the calling subscriber and a mobile phone of the called subscriber is ended, a charge processing step for processing a charge according to talk time and various conditions, an end step for ending a program, a fixed number confirmation step for confirming the fixed number when the virtual number code exists, a talk connection step connected with the switchingsystem of the receiving side, and a virtual number caller processing step for transmitting the virtual number to the switching system of the receiving side.

[4] The method according to claim 3, wherein the switching system of the receiving side performs: a start step for setting initial values for an operation of a program, a call connection step for connecting a call transmitted by the switching system of the transmittingside, a virtual number code confirmation step for determining whether a virtual number exists, a fixed number recognition step for recognizing a received number as a fixed number, a fixed number talk connection step for connecting circuits of the switching systems of the transmittingside and the receiving side, a fixed number caller ID display step for transmitting the fixed number of the calling subscriber to the mobile phone of the called subscriber, a talk step, a talk end conformation step, an end step for ending an operation program of the switching system, a virtual number recognition code generating step for generating a virtual number recognition code when the received number is recognized as the virtual number in the virtual number code confirmation step,a fixed number receiving step for receiving the fixed number in an intelligence network, a talk connection step for connecting the switching system of the transmitting side to the mobile phone of the called subscriber, a virtual number caller ID display step for transmitting the virtual number of the calling subscriber to the mobile phone of the called subscriber, and the talk step.

[5] The method according to claim 3, wherein the charge processing step assigns different account codes to the fixed number and the virtual number, divides, accumulates and collects a charge processing result and outputs an added result every set period.