U.S. patent application number 10/332934 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-18 for character information providing system and method and character doll.
Invention is credited to Byun, Tae-Uk, Cho, Young-Guk, Jeon, Dae-Young, Kim, Deok-Woo.
Application Number | 20040053696 10/332934 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 19677974 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040053696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Deok-Woo ; et
al. |
March 18, 2004 |
Character information providing system and method and character
doll
Abstract
isclosed is a character information providing system. A response
unit provides a guide message to a transmission request terminal,
receives a transfer request, and outputs an information providing
message corresponding to the transfer request. A message storage
unit receives an information providing message to be transmitted to
a character doll from the response unit and temporarily stores the
same. A first server receives the information providing message and
transmits the same to the recipient character doll. A second server
installs a program for converting the text message of the transfer
request into voice data based on a predetermined conversion
reference data, and provides the information providing message
including the converted voice data to the first server. In this
instance, the response unit comprises the second server and a voice
combination data storage unit.
Inventors: |
Kim, Deok-Woo; (Seoul,
KR) ; Byun, Tae-Uk; (Seoul, KR) ; Cho,
Young-Guk; (Seoul, KR) ; Jeon, Dae-Young;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Marshall Gerstein & Borun
Sears Tower Suite 6300
233 South Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60606-6357
US
|
Family ID: |
19677974 |
Appl. No.: |
10/332934 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
June 5, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR01/00960 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20130101; A63H
2200/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 14, 2000 |
KR |
2000/40378 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A character information-providing system connected to a
transmission requester's terminal through a communication network,
for receiving a transmission request selected from one of voice
reproduction, image reproduction, motion, and a combination thereof
from the transmission requester's terminal, and transmitting an
information service message corresponding to the transmission
request to a receiver's character doll so that the character doll
performs an operation corresponding to the information service
message, comprising: a responder for providing a guide message to
the transmission requester's terminal, receiving the transmission
request, and outputting an information service message
corresponding to the transmission request; a message storage unit
for receiving the information service message from the responder to
be transmitted to the character doll, and temporarily storing the
same; and a first server for receiving the information service
message and transmitting it to the receiver's character doll, and
the responder comprising: a second server for mounting a program
for converting a text message included in the transmission request
into voice data on the basis of predetermined conversion reference
data, and providing the information service message including the
converted voice data to the first server; and a voice composition
data storage unit for storing the conversion reference data.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication network
includes the Internet, and the transmission requester's terminal is
a personal computer (PC) accessible to the second server through
the Internet.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication network
includes wire and wireless telephone networks, and the responder
comprises a computer telephony system for receiving the
transmission request through the communication network, converting,
a voice message included in the transmission request into voice
data, and providing the information service message including the
converted voice data to the first server.
4. A character doll having a predetermined character form,
receiving an information service message selected from one of voice
reproduction, image reproduction, motion, and a combination thereof
through a mobile phone, and performing an operation corresponding
to the information service message, comprising: an interface
including a data port connector to be interfaced with the mobile
phone; a controller for controlling motion of respective components
of the character doll; a first memory for storing a plurality of
programs of the controller; a second memory for temporarily storing
the information service message; a digital/analog converter for
converting voice data included in the information service message
into analog voice signals; a speaker for outputting the analog
voice signals; a power supply for supplying power to the character
doll; and an input unit for adjusting operation of the
controller.
5. The character doll of claim 4, wherein the character doll
further comprises a charging terminal, electrically connected to
the power supply, for charging the mobile phone's battery.
6. The character doll of claim 4 or 5, wherein the character doll
is a combination of a plurality of parts some of which can be
relatively moved with respect to other parts, and it further
comprises an operation driver for driving at least some of the
parts to represent motion corresponding to motion data included in
the information service message.
7. The character doll of claim 6, wherein the character doll's body
and face are separable.
8. The character doll of claim 4 or 5, wherein the character doll
further comprises a display connected to the controller, for
displaying images corresponding to image data included in the
information service message.
9. The character doll of claim 8, wherein the character doll's body
and face are separable.
10. The character doll of claim 8, wherein the character doll is a
combination of a plurality of parts some of which can be relatively
moved with respect to other parts, and it further comprises an
operation driver for driving at least some of the parts to
represent motions corresponding to motion data included in the
information service message.
11. The character doll of claim 4, 5 or 10, wherein the character
doll's body and face are separable.
12. A character information-providing method for providing a
character doll with a service message configured with one of a
character-related voice, image, motion, and a combination thereof
according to a service request input through a communication
network so that the character doll performs an operation
corresponding to the service message, comprising: receiving the
service request through the communication network; composing the
voice corresponding to a text message included in the service
request, and generating a service message including the composed
voice data; and transmitting the service message to the character
doll so that the character doll may perform an operation selected
from among voice reproduction, image reproduction, motion
representation and a combination thereof, in accordance with the
service message.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. (a) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an information-providing
method and system using a character doll, and an adequate character
doll thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to a
transmission service method and system for transmitting voice
messages, image data or motion information to predetermined
persons, and a character doll for reproducing received data by a
receiver so as to reproduce voice messages, restore image data or
continuously move.
[0003] 2. (b) Description of the Related Art
[0004] As electronic communication techniques have developed,
various types of communication services have been created. In
particular, a digital mobile communication system represented by a
cellular communication system removes limits of frequency resources
so that more users may receive voice and data communication
services any time and anywhere, and it will also provide image
services in connection with the next generation mobile
communication, that is, the IMT-2000, soon to be
commercialized.
[0005] The cellular or PCS terminals sold in and out of Korea are
categorized as flip, folder and slide types, but they have almost
similar forms, and there are no character terminals that have
greatly distinctive designs such as entertainers, animals or lovers
up to now. Recently, telephone covers having a bear doll or other
character forms have been sold, but they temporarily surround the
telephone housings to protect the telephones and improve their
outer appearances, they are not unified into a single body with the
telephones, and the characters are not integrated with the
telephones and are not used for creating additional value.
[0006] That is, the conventional terminals have a merit of
performing communication without restrictions of time and space,
but in another viewpoint, they only provide conventional services
using the communication's instantaneous and bidirectional
characteristics, and cannot create greater additional value in
connection with the characters.
[0007] To reinforce functions of the cellular communication system,
most cellular mobile communication service providers provide
various additional services as well as a voice post office box
service at an exchange level. The voice post office box service
enables a sender to record the sender's own, voice when a
receiver's receipt terminal cannot receive calls. Therefore, most
messages recorded through the voice post office box (POB) service
are the senders, voice messages.
[0008] Also, the conventional voice POB service requires
bi-directional communication terminals for accessing the POB and
checking the received message states and contents in the like
manner of the cellular terminals or wire telephones, and voice
message or image receipt-only character terminals for receiving and
reproducing messages stored in the POB, messages stored in the
service provider's system, or messages selected from an image pool
are not provided up to now. Further, since the user must perform a
telephone access and check the corresponding message in the
conventional voice POB service, if the user forgets to or
concentrates on other tasks because the user is very busy, the user
frequently fails to check the message stored in the POB at an
appropriate time, only to hear it later.
[0009] The conventional character dolls are related to the
corresponding characters only in their appearances, and do not
provide voice messages or image data connected with the characters.
Even when some dolls can slightly move, and the user can select the
dolls' motion, it is impossible to download such motion via the
network and connect it with various kinds of information.
[0010] These characters only provide the doll possessors with the
conventional doll value, and not greater additional values by
applying other marketing management methods to the doll
possessors.
[0011] To solve this, the applicant of the present invention
previously filed a Korean patent application No. 10-2000-0007400
entitled "Character Information Providing Method and System Using
Character Terminal, and Adequate Character Terminal Thereof." The
system according to the previously filed patent application
includes various messages, image data or motion pools in a server,
and voice messages, images or motions selected by the character
terminal possessor or a third person are transmitted to the
receiver character terminal so that the terminal reproduces the
messages or the images.
[0012] However, in implementing the above-noted patent application,
service providers need to have a vast database of character voices
so as to satisfy the users of a character information service.
Also, a message sender can select one of messages stored in the
server or transmit a message generated by the message transmitter,
but the message sender cannot randomly input a desired message, by
using a keypad of a computer connected to a mobile phone or an
Internet-accessed computer, to transmit a voice message
corresponding to the text message to a receiver. In addition, the
message receiver must buy a terminal that fits a-wireless link
subsystem (e.g.; a wireless call method or the FM-MARC method);
which may increase the message receiver's economic burden.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
character information-providing system and method for providing
various data, image data and/or motion pools for combining messages
to a server, transmitting a voice message, an image or a motion
selected by a character doll possessor or a third person to a
receiver character doll so that a terminal may reproduce the
message, the image or the motion.
[0014] It is another object of the present invention to convert a
text message transmitted by a character doll possessor or a third
person into a voice message and transmit the voice message to the
terminal.
[0015] It is still another object of the present invention to
provide a character doll for receiving a message selected by a
character doll possessor or a third person, voice message data
corresponding to image data, image data and/or motion information,
and message reproduction time data, reproducing the message and
images at the reproduction time or performing related motions.
[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, a character
information providing system connected to a transmission
requester's terminal through a communication network, for receiving
a transmission request of one selected from voice reproduction,
image reproduction, motion, and a combination thereof from the
transmission requesters, terminal, and transmitting an information
service message corresponding to the transmission request to a
receiver's character doll so that the character doll performs an
operation corresponding to the information service message,
comprises: a responder for providing a guide message to the
transmission requester's terminal, receiving the transmission
request, and outputting an information service message
corresponding to the transmission request; a message storage unit
for receiving the information service message from the responder to
be transmitted to the character doll, and temporarily storing the
same; and a first server for receiving the information service
message and transmitting it to the receiver's character doll, and
the responder comprises: a second server for mounting a program for
converting a text message included in the transmission request into
voice data on the basis of predetermined conversion reference data,
and providing the information service message including the
converted voice data to the first server; and a voice composition
data storage unit for storing the conversion reference data.
[0017] In another aspect of the present invention, a character doll
having a predetermined character form, receiving an information
service message of one selected from voice reproduction, image
reproduction, motion, and a combination thereof through a mobile
phone, and performing an operation corresponding to the information
service message, comprises: an interface including a data port
connector to be interfaced with the mobile phone; a controller for
controlling motion of respective components of the character doll;
a first memory for storing a plurality of programs of the
controller; a second memory for temporarily storing the information
service message; a digital/analog converter for converting voice
data included in the information service message into analog voice
signals; a speaker for outputting the analog voice signals; a power
supply for supplying the power to the character doll; and an input
unit for adjusting the operation of the controller.
[0018] In still another aspect of the present invention, a
character information-providing method for providing a character
doll with a service message configured with one of a
character-related voice, image, motion, and a combination thereof
according to a service request input through a communication
network so that the character doll performs an operation
corresponding to the service message, comprises: receiving the
service request through the communication network; composing the
voice corresponding to a text message included in the service
request, and generating a service message including the composed
voice data; and transmitting the service message to the character
doll so that the character doll may perform an operation selected
from among voice reproduction, image reproduction, motion
representation, and a combination thereof, in accordance with the
service message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of
the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a character information-providing system
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a preferred embodiment of the character
doll of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a detailed block diagram of the character doll
of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a character information-providing system
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a preferred embodiment of the character
doll of FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a detailed block diagram of the character doll
of FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a character information-providing system
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0027] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a preferred embodiment of the character
doll of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In the following detailed description, only the preferred
embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, simply by
way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by the
inventor(s) of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the
invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects,
all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings
and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not restrictive.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a character information-providing system
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The system receives text messages from a personal computer (PC) 10
connected to the Internet, a wire telephone or a mobile phone,
converts the text messages into voice message data and transmits
them to a character doll 200 so that the character doll 200 may
reproduce voices corresponding to the voice data. Also, the system
receives voice messages from the PC 10, a wire telephone 20 or a
mobile phone 30 or 32, and transmits the voice messages to the
character doll 200 so that the character doll 200 may reproduce
them. Further, the system enables a message transmission requester
to select one of message pools possessed by the system, instead of
the message transmission requester's using the PC 10, the wire
telephone 20 or the mobile phone 30 and 32 to directly provide the
text message or the voice message.
[0030] Instead of enabling the message transmission requester to
transmit a text message or a voice message, or selecting a message
category, the system enables transmission of images through the PC
10, or selects one of the-images stored in an image server. In this
case, the image input or selected by the transmission requester is
displayed on a display of the character doll 200. Further, the
system can receive a motion presentation request that enables the
character doll to represent motion from the message transmission
requester, instead of or together with the message transmission
requester's inputting or selecting a voice message or an image. In
response to the motion representation request, the system transmits
a motion representation request order to the character doll 200
together with or instead of the voice or image data so that the
motion of the character doll 200 is represented.
[0031] In addition, the image message can be input from the wire
telephone 20 or the mobile phone 32. In the case of transmitting
the image message through the wire telephone, it is desirable that
the wire telephone 20 is a videophone having an image transmission
function or a telephone that can receive image signals from an
external camera. Also, in the case of transmitting image messages
through the mobile phone 32, it is desirable that the mobile phone
32 is a telephone having a pickup-device function such as an
IMT-2000 terminal or a PDA. Also, the image message can be
transmitted through the mobile phone 32 by providing the image
signals to the mobile phone 32 from an external camera or a
computer.
[0032] In a subsequent preferred embodiment, the character doll 200
is implemented by transforming a portable charger. That is, after
the mobile phone is mounted to the character doll 200, the
character doll charges the mobile phone and concurrently receives
voice or image data and/or motion data from the
information-providing system through the mobile phone, and performs
a corresponding operation in response to the received data.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the information-providing system
comprises a host subsystem 100 and a wireless link repeating
subsystem 120. The host subsystem 100 comprises an Internet server
102, a voice composition database 104, a message library database
105, a computer telephony system (CTS) 106, a transmission server
108 and a message storage database 110. Also, the wireless link
repeating subsystem 120 comprises a plurality of base stations that
respectively include a mobile exchange and a mobile phone service
center (MSC) 122, and a plurality of antennas 124 and 126. The
wireless link repeating subsystem 120 is interfaced to the host
subsystem 100 from the MSC 122 directly or through a short message
service center (not illustrated) or another node.
[0034] In the host subsystem 100, the Internet server 102 includes
a plurality of web documents, and a program for converting text
messages into voice data. This conversion program or algorithm may
be one of existing programs or algorithms or an algorithm to be
adopted later, and no further detailed description on the programs
or algorithms will be provided since they are not main features of
the present invention.
[0035] When accessed by a message senders PC 10, the host subsystem
100 provides the web documents to the PC 10 so that the sender may
select or input a voice message or music, input image data to be
transmitted to a receiver according to the sender's selection, or
select a predetermined motion to be played by the receiver's
character doll. In the present invention, a method for a sender to
input or select a message using the sender's PC 10 is categorized
as 1) to input a text message, 2) to select one of messages stored
in a server and 3) to directly transmit a voice message through a
microphone connected to the sender's PC 10. In addition, the web
documents provided by the host subsystem 100 include a mobile phone
number of the message receiver, and a window for selecting or
inputting a message reproducing time, and accordingly, the sender
can input or select these data.
[0036] The voice composition database 104 stores data needed for
the Internet server 102 to convert the text messages input by the
sender into voice data. For example, the data include basic voice
data previously sampled and stored for each syllable, and voice
features for each character doll. In particular, it is desirable
that the voice features have a conversion function format defined
by frequency region. The message library database 105 stores a
message library selectable by the sender. It is desirable that the
message library is respectively provided for each character doll
regarding all or a portion of the character dolls.
[0037] When the sender inputs a text message, the Internet server
102, refers to the data stored in the voice composition database
104 and converts the text message into voice data. In the preferred
embodiment, the Internet server 102 converts each syllable of the
text message into the basic voice data, and uses a voice feature
function according to the receiver's character doll to transform
the basic voice data. The Internet server 102 transmits the
transformed voice data to the transmission server 108 so that the
transmission server 108 may store the receiver's telephone number,
reproduction time and voice data in the message storage database
110. When the sender selects one of messages stored in the Internet
server 102, the Internet server 102 transmits the message selected
by the sender to the transmission server 108. If the sender inputs
a voice message through a microphone connected to the sender's PC
10, the voice message is converted into the voice message data by
the PC 10 and transmitted to the Internet server 102. The Internet
server 102 transmits the data to the transmission server 108.
[0038] In the present invention, two methods for inputting or
selecting a message to be transmitted to the receiver, or selecting
a motion order of the character doll by the sender are further
provided in addition to the above-noted three methods that use the
PC 10. One of them is to use either the wire telephone 20 or the
mobile phone 30 and input a text message in response to a guide
message provided by the system. The other one is to use either the
wire telephone 20 or the mobile phone 32 and input a voice message
in response to a guide message provided by the system.
[0039] The CTS 106 can be accessed to the message transmission
requester's wire telephone 20 through the public switched telephone
network. (PSTN). When a call is received from the wire telephone 20
of the message transmission requester, the CTS 106 provides a
constant guide message so that the requester may record a message
to be transmitted according to the guide message and input the
receiver's mobile phone number and a message reproduction time. The
CTS 106 converts the voice message provided by the wire telephone
20 into digital data, and provides the transmission server 108 with
the voice data, the receiver's mobile phone number and a message
reproduction time so that these data are stored in the message
storage database 110.
[0040] In addition, the CTS 106 can be accessed to the message
transmission requester's mobile phone 32 through the wireless link
repeating subsystem 120. When a call is received from the mobile
phone 32 of the message transmission requester, the CTS 106
provides a constant guide message so that the requester may record
a voice message or transmit a text message according to the guide
message. In this instance, it is desirable for the requester to
concurrently input the receiver's mobile phone number and a message
reproduction time. The CTS 106 converts the voice message provided
by the mobile phone 32 into digital data, and provides the
transmission server 108 with the voice data, the receiver's mobile
phone number and a message reproduction time so that these data are
stored in the message storage database 110. The text message from
the mobile phone 30 is transmitted to the Internet server 102 to be
converted into digital voice data and stored in the message storage
database 110.
[0041] The transmission server 108 receives the receiver's
telephone number, reproduction time data, voice data, image data or
motion data from the Internet server 102 or the CTS 106, and stores
the received data in the message storage database 110. When the
mobile phone is accessed to the character doll, the transmission
server 108 transmits the voice data, image data or motion data to
the receiver's telephone through the wireless link repeating
subsystem 120 so that the receiver's character doll 200 may
reproduce voices or images respectively corresponding to the voice
data or the image data or represent motions at the reproduction
time.
[0042] FIGS. 2 and 3 show an appearance of the character doll 200
of the first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1.
[0043] The character doll 200 includes a head, a body, arms, legs
and feet. Here, the head components such as the head, eyes, nose,
mouth and glasses, the body, the arms, the legs and the feet are
separable and exchangeable. In particular, the character doll 200
as shown in FIG. 3 can be implemented as a charger of a mobile
phone to function as the charger of the mobile phone. Two slots for
mounting a mobile phone 300 and an extra battery 310 and charging
them are formed on the rear portion of the character doll 200. On
the inner bottom portion of the slot for mounting the mobile phone
300 are provided a first charging terminal 203, and a connector 206
connectable to a data port connector 304 of the mobile phone 300.
On the inner bottom portion of the slot for mounting the extra
battery 310 is provided a second charging terminal 204.
[0044] A substrate 216 for processing signals is provided to the
inner part of the character doll 200, and a display 212 for
displaying the images is provided on the front portion of the head
or the body. Also, a speaker 218 for reproducing sound is provided
to the inner part or the outer circumference of the head or the
body. A power plug 230 for supplying power to the character doll
200 is provided in connection with the rear portion of the
character doll.
[0045] When the mobile phone 300 is installed in the slot to charge
it, the data port connector 206 of the character doll 200 can be
inserted into and combined with the data port connector 304 of the
mobile phone 300. Under this state, the character doll 200 notifies
the host subsystem 100 through the wireless link repeating
subsystem 120 that the character doll 200 can receive messages
through the mobile phone 300. Accordingly, the transmission server
108 checks whether transmission request data are stored with
respect to the mobile phone's subscriber number or a terminal ID,
and when the voice or image data of the corresponding mobile phone
terminal 300 or the motion data are found, the transmission server
108 transmits these data and the reproduction time data to the
mobile phone 300 of the character doll's possessor. The data
transmitted to the mobile phone 300 are transmitted to the
character doll 200 through the connectors 304 and 206. In another
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user of the
mobile phone 300 can call the host subsystem 100 to download the
data.
[0046] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, data
transmission between the base station 126 of the wireless link
repeating subsystem 120 and the mobile phone 300 can be executed
through the short message service (SMS). That is, the data
transmitted to the character doll from the base station 126 are
transmitted to the mobile phone 300 through a paging channel of a
CDMA-type cellular communication system, and then transmitted to
the character doll 200. The data transmitted to the base station
126 from the character doll 200 are transmitted to the mobile phone
300, and then transmitted to the base station 126 through an access
channel. However, if there is a large amount of transmission data,
the data transmitted and received between the base station 126 and
the mobile phone 300 can be transmitted through a traffic
channel.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a, detailed block diagram of the character doll
200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The character doll 200 comprises a
power supply 202; first and second charging terminals 203 and 204;
a data port connector 206; a signal processor 208; first and second
memories 210 and 212; a display 216 interfaced with the signal
processor 208 through an input/output interface 214; a plurality of
buttons 218 interfaced with the signal processor 208 through the
input/output interface 214; a digital/analog converter 220; a
speaker 222; an actuator 224; and a motion driver 226.
[0048] The power supply 202 rectifies the AC power supplied through
the power plug 230 and adjusts its level to provide it to the
respective components of the character doll including the signal
processor 208, and further provides the same to a charging port 302
of the mobile phone 300 and a charging port 312 of the extra
battery 310 through the first and second charging terminals 203 and
204 so as to charge the batteries. The data port connector 206
receives data through the data port connector 304 of the mobile
phone 300 and transmits them to the signal processor 208. It is
desirable that the mobile phone terminal 300 for receiving the
character doll information service of the present invention has a
program for distinguishing data to be transmitted to the character
doll 200 among the received short messages. These data are
distinguished by detecting a data stream that starts with a
predetermined symbol (such as "**") and ends with another symbol
(such as "##"). The mobile phone terminal 300 transmits a data
receipt available state through a short message when the character
doll 200 is installed.
[0049] The first, memory 210 stores a program for driving the
signal processor 208 and basic data, and it is desirable to
implement the first memory using a non-volatile memory such as an
EEPROM. The second memory 212 stores voice or image data and motion
data received through the mobile phone terminal 300, and
reproduction time data. It is desirable to implement the second
memory using a flash memory. The buttons 218 enable implementation
of convenient functions such as a function of setting motion on/off
modes when the character doll 200 is not connected to the mobile
phone 300, and another function of changing the data for setting
the character information service of the character doll.
[0050] The signal processor 208 periodically compares the
reproduction time included in the stored data with the current
time. (Here, a time generation unit is omitted because it is a
general block, and if needed, the current time can be calculated by
receiving a predetermined time from the mobile phone and using
software clock signals.) If the established time is identical with
the current time, the signal processor 208 reads data set by the
current time from the data stored in the second memory 212 and
outputs them. If the data to be reproduced are voice data, the
signal processor 208 provides the data to the digital/analog
converter 220 to reproduce voices though the speaker 222. If the
data to be reproduced are image data, the signal processor 208
provides the data to the display 216 through the input/output
interface 214 to reproduce the images. If the data to be reproduced
are motion data, the signal processor 208 controls the actuator 224
according to the motion data, and controls corresponding blocks to
represent motions. Here, the actuator 224 for representing the
motions can be provided to the arms, legs, neck or back.
[0051] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a service provided by the
character information-providing system of FIG. 1 will be
described.
[0052] As described above, the message transmission requester
inputs or selects a message to be transmitted, according to one of
at least five methods including (1) inputting a text message using
the PC 10 after being connected to the Internet, (2) selecting one
of messages stored in the server using the PC 10 after connected to
the Internet, (3) transmitting a voice message through a microphone
connected to the PC 10 after being connected to the Internet, (4)
inputting a text message according to the guide message provided by
the system using the mobile phone 30, and (5) inputting a voice
message according to the guide message provided by the system using
the wire telephone 20 or the mobile phone 32. In this instance, the
sender additionally inputs or selects the message receiver's mobile
phone number and message reproduction time.
[0053] Further to the first method of inputting a text message
using the PC 10, for example, the message transmission requester
transmits a message of "Good night. Dream of me!" to the Internet
server 102 through a key input of the PC 10. In this instance, the
Internet server 102 enables the message transmission requester to
select information on a character that looks like a hero of the
character doll possessed by the receiver. When receiving the text
message, the Internet server 102 refers to a conversion table
stored in the voice composition database 104 and the voice feature
data of the character doll of the corresponding message receiver,
and composes a voice message from the text message. The Internet
server 102 transmits the composed voice message data, the
receiver's telephone number and the reproduction time data to the
transmission server 108 so that the transmission server 108 may
store these data in the message storage database 110.
[0054] As to the second method for the message transmission
requester to select one of the messages stored in the server, the
Internet server 102 provides a list of the messages stored in the
message library database 105 to the message transmission
requester's PC 10 so that the message transmission requester may
select one of these messages. When the message transmission
requester selects one of them, the Internet server 102 reads a
corresponding message stored in the message library database 105,
and transmits the read message, the receiver's telephone number and
the reproduction time data to the transmission server 108 so that
the transmission server 108 may store these data in the message
storage database 110.
[0055] Regarding the third method for the message transmission
requester to transmit a voice message through the microphone
connected to the PC 10, the voice message is encoded in, the, PC 10
and transmitted to the Internet server 102. The Internet server 102
transmits the received voice data to the transmission server 108 so
that the voice data may be stored in the message storage database
110.
[0056] In the fourth method for the message transmission requester
to input a text message using the mobile phone 30, the text message
is transmitted to the Internet server 102 from the MSC 122. In the
like manner of receiving the text message from the PC 10, the
Internet server 102 composes the voice message from the text
message, and provides the composed voice message data to the
transmission server 108 so that the voice data may be stored in the
message storage database 110.
[0057] In the fifth method for the message transmission requester
to input a voice message using the wire telephone 20 or the mobile
phone 32, the message transmission requester directly inputs the
requester's own voice, and inputs the data needed for representing
the images or the motions and data of the reproduction time in an
order instructed by the system. The input message and the data are
transmitted to the CTS 106 through the PSTN or the MSC 122. In this
instance, the CTS 106 converts the voice message into corresponding
voice message data and transmits them to the transmission server
108. Accordingly, the transmission server 108 stores the voice data
in the message storage database 110.
[0058] As described, in the above five input methods, together with
or instead of inputting or selecting a voice message or inputting a
text message, the transmission requester can select one of images
stored in the server 102 or directly input an image so that the
compressed and encoded image data may be transmitted to the server
102. Also, the transmission requester can select a motion
representation request so that the character doll 200 may represent
predetermined motions. In this case, the data representing the
image data or motion contents are stored in the message storage
database 110 through the transmission server 108.
[0059] When transmitting an image message through the wire
telephone 20, the image message is stored in the message storage
database 110 through the Internet server 102 or the CTS 106.
Further, when transmitting the image message through the mobile
phone 32, the image message is stored in the message storage
database 110 through the Internet server 102 or the CTS 106.
[0060] In the preferred embodiment, when the transmission server
108 determines that the receiver's character doll can receive the
respective voice data, image data or motion data stored in the
message storage database 110, the transmission server 108
immediately transmits the corresponding data to the receiver's
mobile phone 300. In this case it is desirable that the transmitted
data include the reproduction time data. The character doll 200
reproduces voices or images or represents motions at the
reproduction time. In the other preferred embodiment, when the
reproduction time starts, the transmission server 108 can transmit
voice data, image data or motion data to the receiver's mobile
phone 300 through the wireless link repeating subsystem 120 in this
case, the receiver's character doll 200 immediately reproduces
voices or images corresponding to the voice data or the image data
or represents the motions at the receipt of the data.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows a character information-providing system
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0062] The preferred embodiment of FIG. 5 has similarities with
that of FIG. 1. However, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the
character doll 200 that receives information from the system has a
function of a charger, and in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5,
the character doll 400 is separated from the charger, and includes
a battery within the character doll or receives the power from the
mobile phone 500. The character doll 400 is accessed to the
receiver's mobile phone 500 through a data communication cable 510,
and transmits and receives data to/from the information-providing
system through the mobile phone 500. In this instance, the data
communication cable 510 is connected between the data port
connectors of the character doll 400 and the mobile phone 500.
[0063] In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 5, since the character
doll 400 can be portable, the doll possessor can more effectively
receive the character information service. In particular, in the
system of FIG. 5, since the character doll 400 is connected to the
mobile phone 500 through a data port, the character doll 400 or the
mobile phone 500 notifies the transmission server 108 that the
character doll is capable of receiving service information, and
addition, the transmission server 108 can actively notify the
character doll possessor of a message arrival signal through the
mobile phone 500. When receiving the message arrival signal, the
user immediately connects the character doll 400 with the mobile
phone 500 so that the arrived message may be reproduced, restored
or represented.
[0064] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an outer appearance of the character doll
400 of FIG. 5. The illustrated character doll 400 has similarities
with that of FIGS. 2 and 3 when viewing it from its front. However,
since a slot for charging is not needed, its side form is much
simpler compared to that of FIGS. 2 and 3, and accordingly, the
user can carry it just like a portable doll.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 8, the character doll 400 does not require
a power circuit for rectifying the AC power and adjusting its
level, and it includes a battery 402 that functions as an operating
power supply. In addition, the character doll 400 does not require
a circuit for charging the mobile phone or the extra battery.
However, a data port connector 206 accessed to the connector 504 of
the mobile phone 500 through the data communication cable 510 is
still required. Since other features of the character doll 400 as
shown in FIG. 8 are similar to those of FIG. 4, no further
corresponding description will be provided.
[0066] FIG. 9 shows another preferred, embodiment of the character
information-providing system. The system according to the present
preferred embodiment is similar to that of FIG. 5, and the form of
the character doll 600 and an access method of the character doll
600 and the mobile phone are different. Accordingly, a system
configuration and operation by a manager is identical with that of
FIG. 5, and hence, no corresponding description will be
provided.
[0067] FIGS. 10 and 11 show an example of the character doll 600
applied to the system of FIG. 9. The character doll 600 has a
function of a mobile phone case. That is, the character doll 600
can function as a case of a mobile phone 650, and in order for the
character doll 600 to implement the character information service
according to the present invention, the character doll 600 is
connected to the mobile phone 650 through the data port connectors
606 and 654 within the doll. Here, the mobile phone 650 can be
combined with or separated from the character doll 600. Also, the
character doll 600 can be combined with the mobile phone 650 when
receiving data. In addition, while being separated from the mobile
phone 650, the character doll 600 can provide the character
information service by using the data received and stored before
the separation of the character doll 600. Since the circuit
configuration of the character doll 600 of FIGS. 10 and 11 is
similar to that of FIG. 8, no further description will be
provided.
[0068] The above description is provided mainly focused on the
voice message, but the messages that can be transmitted by the
system of the present invention can further be music, the sender's
own voice, voices combined with music and the sender's own voice
for advertisements or fan club management, and image motion,
information. In the subsequent description and claims, the `voice
message` includes the voice messages, music and songs. Also, the
`message` includes the voice message, image message, motion
representation message and combinations thereof.
[0069] In the receiver character doll according to the present
invention, the messages can be reproduced once, or periodically for
each time interval. In the case of onetime reproduction, the
reproduction time can be a time just after the terminal receives
voice message information data, or a time reserved by the sender.
When the sender selects a one-time reproduction or a periodical
reservation reproduction to request a message transmission, the
host immediately transmits corresponding message information data
including reservation time information to the receiver character
doll, and the message is reproduced immediately or after the
receiver character doll stands by until the reserved time, but it
is also possible that the host stores the message information data
until the reservation time and then transmits them to the receiver
character doll to reproduce the same immediately or at an
established time.
[0070] In the above description, a single sender transmits the
message to a single receiver, but the present invention can also be
applied to a message-casting format for a single sender to transmit
the message to a plurality of receivers. These exemplified
embodiments can be applied such that a group that can be a
character or the character publicizes itself, transmits new songs
to publicize them or manages fans.
[0071] In the preferred embodiment for implementing the character
information service using the character doll according to the
present invention, the character doll can be separately configured
with a head, a body or legs so that the outer appearance of the
doll can be configured with these.
[0072] Also, when the sender sequentially selects some kinds of
motions that belong to a basic motion pool, the motions of the
character doll's configuration parts according to the present
invention can be represented according to a motion sequence.
[0073] Further, in the execution of the character information
service using the character doll according to the present
invention, when location information related to a mobile phone is
extracted (by using conventional methods or the global positioning
system (GPS) method) and transmitted to the sender, other
additional values (e.g., providing a child's position to its
parents when the child has a character doll) can be obviously
created.
[0074] Since a skilled person can easily implement the
above-described modified embodiments on the basis of the
descriptions of the preferred embodiments, no corresponding
detailed description will be provided. In addition, the skilled
person can understand that operations of the obvious components
such as a clock signal generator or operators (e.g., of eyes, ears
and a mouth) of the character doll are omitted and these obvious
components can be easily implemented.
[0075] While this invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0076] As described, the possessor of the character doll that has
an appearance of a famous star or an animal character, and a
terminal, can receive voice/song messages recorded by the
corresponding character's voice, images or motion data according to
the present invention. A third person or the character doll
possessor can request a transmission of the voice message, songs or
motion data, and the transmitted message can be reproduced once or
periodically for each time interval.
[0077] In particular, the character dolls according to the present
invention can be sold as character products for managing a fan club
since they have friendly appearances to satisfy the character doll
possessors. Also, emotional communication between friends, lovers,
or parents and children can be obtained though the transmission of
the voice/song messages, images or motion data, which are difficult
to accomplish through the bi-directional voice communication. In
addition, the appearances of the characters can be fully assorted
in order for the character users (e.g.; lovers or a father and a
son) to select appropriate characters.
* * * * *