U.S. patent application number 11/411263 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for mobile telephone for internet applications.
Invention is credited to Wolfgang Theimer.
Application Number | 20060193278 11/411263 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26040846 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060193278 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Theimer; Wolfgang |
August 31, 2006 |
Mobile telephone for Internet applications
Abstract
A control unit for a mobile telephone includes a Web server
adapted to connect to a Web browser in the mobile telephone,
wherein the Web server receives information and provides the
information to the Web browser when connected to the Web
browser.
Inventors: |
Theimer; Wolfgang; (Bochum,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERMAN & GREEN
425 POST ROAD
FAIRFIELD
CT
06824
US
|
Family ID: |
26040846 |
Appl. No.: |
11/411263 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10309544 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
7061897 |
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11411263 |
Apr 26, 2006 |
|
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09172547 |
Oct 14, 1998 |
6519241 |
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10309544 |
Dec 4, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/310 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72445 20210101;
H04M 1/72418 20210101; H04M 2250/12 20130101; H04M 2250/10
20130101; H04L 67/12 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; G06F 21/33
20130101; A61B 5/00 20130101; H04L 67/025 20130101; H04L 69/329
20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; H04W 4/60
20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/310 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/00 20060101
H04B007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 15, 1997 |
DE |
197 45 539.5 |
Claims
1. A control unit for a mobile telephone comprising a Web server
adapted to connect to a Web browser in the mobile telephone,
wherein the Web server receives information and provides the
information to the Web browser when connected to the Web
browser.
2. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a
separate microprogram control unit in the mobile telephone.
3. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the Web server couples to a
service provider over an air interface of the mobile telephone.
4. The control unit of claim 3, wherein the Web browser accesses
the service provider through the Web server.
5. The control unit of claim 3, wherein the Web browser accesses
dynamic updated content through the Web server from the service
provider.
6. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the Web server couples to a
client over an air interface of the mobile phone.
7. The control unit of claim 6, wherein the client is an authorized
Web browser with access authorization to the Web server by a
password or digital signature.
8. The control unit of claim 6, wherein the client calls
information from the Web server.
9. The control unit of claim 6, wherein the client interrogates
information from another server in the mobile telephone through the
Web server.
10. A mobile telephone comprising: a control unit comprising a Web
server; and at least one Web browser connected to the Web server,
wherein the Web server receives information and provides the
information to the Web browser.
11. The mobile telephone of claim 10, wherein the control unit is a
separate microprogram control unit in the mobile telephone.
12. The mobile telephone of claim 10, wherein the Web server
couples to a service provider over an air interface of the mobile
telephone.
13. The mobile telephone of claim 12, wherein the Web browser
accesses the service provider through the Web server.
14. The mobile telephone of claim 12, wherein the Web browser
accesses dynamic updated content through the Web server from the
service provider.
15. The mobile telephone of claim 10, wherein the Web server
couples to a client over an air interface of the mobile phone.
16. The mobile telephone of claim 15, wherein the client is an
authorized Web browser with access authorization to the Web server
by a password or digital signature.
17. The mobile telephone of claim 15, wherein the client calls
information from the Web server.
18. The mobile telephone of claim 15, wherein the client
interrogates information from another server in the mobile
telephone through the Web server.
19. A communication system comprising: a mobile telephone; a
control unit having a Web server adapted to connect to at least a
Web browser in the mobile telephone, wherein the Web server
receives information and provides the information to the Web
browser when connected to the Web browser.
20. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the control unit
is a separate microprogram control unit in the mobile
telephone.
21. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the Web server
couples to a service provider over an air interface of the mobile
telephone.
22. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the Web browser
accesses the service provider through the Web server.
23. The communication system of claim 21, wherein the Web browser
accesses dynamic updated content through the Web server from the
service provider.
24. The communication system of claim 19, wherein the Web server
couples to a client over an air interface of the mobile phone.
25. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the client is an
authorized Web browser with access authorization to the Web server
by a password or digital signature.
26. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the client calls
information from the Web server.
27. The communication system of claim 24, wherein the client
interrogates information from another server in the mobile
telephone through the Web server.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/309,544, filed Dec. 4, 2004, which is a
continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/172,547, filed Oct.
14, 1998, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,241.
[0002] The invention relates to a mobile telephone which can be
used in particular in a communications system for monitoring and/or
guiding a vehicle or for monitoring the medical condition of a
patient.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF RELATED DEVELOPMENTS
[0003] Communications systems for, for example, monitoring and/or
guiding a vehicle are generally known. Thus; there are, for
example, already vehicles (Internet cars) which are coupled to the
Internet, which provides the driver of the vehicle with a whole
series of technically interesting possibilities. A disadvantage of
such vehicles is, however, that a vehicle computer which has an
Internet facility and which is programmed as a stand-alone WEB
server and which is connected to the Internet via a cordless mobile
telephone has to be present in the interior of the vehicle.
However, such vehicle computers with an Internet facility require a
very large amount of space, on the one hand, and are relatively
expensive, on the other hand.
SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0004] The object of the invention is to develop a mobile telephone
of the type mentioned at the beginning in such a way that it makes
it possible to communicate on the Internet in a simpler way.
[0005] In one embodiment a control unit for a mobile telephone
includes a Web server adapted to connect to a Web browser in the
mobile telephone, wherein the Web server receives information and
provides the information to the Web browser when connected to the
Web browser. Other embodiments are directed to a mobile telephone
that includes such a control unit and a communications system with
a mobile telephone that includes the control unit.
[0006] The invention is characterized by the fact that the control
unit includes at least one WEB server. A WEB server is in this case
a software packet which makes available specific information via an
interface to the Internet, which information can be interrogated on
request by other devices connected to the Internet. By virtue of
the fact that the WEB server is contained in a control unit in a
mobile telephone, a locally independent WEB server is easily
formed, said server being situated with the user of the mobile
telephone at all times if the user carries the telephone with
him.
[0007] As an alternative, the WEB server can also supply the
information via an interface to a local network (LAN) or another
network. Furthermore, it is conceivable that a plurality of WEB
servers are contained in a mobile telephone, in which case, a WEB
server is connected to the Internet while another WEB server may be
connected to a local network. Here, it is also conceivable for the
individual WEB servers contained in the mobile telephone to be
coupled to one another.
[0008] According to one advantageous refinement of the invention,
the at least one WEB server is contained in the microprogram
control unit (MCU) of the mobile telephone. By virtue of the
implementation of the WEB server in the microprogram control unit
which is already present in a mobile telephone, the mobile
telephone does not need to be expanded with additional
components.
[0009] If the WEB server for the microprogram control unit of the
mobile telephone is too large, the mobile telephone may
alternatively also contain a separate microprogram control unit in
which the WEB server is contained.
[0010] According to a preferred development of the invention, the
at least one WEB server can be coupled to at least one further
server. As a result, information which is associated in terms of
content may be contained on each server, making rapid access to the
corresponding information, for example for updating purposes,
substantially easier. Here, the further server merely needs to be
coupled to the WEB server when required, a constant link also being
conceivable as an alternative.
[0011] According to a further refinement of the invention, the
further server is contained in the mobile telephone, as a result of
which it is likewise locally independent. However, the further
server may also be one which is arranged outside the mobile
telephone.
[0012] In addition, it is possible for a plurality of servers also
to be contained in the mobile telephone or for a plurality of
external servers to be connected to the mobile telephone via an air
interface. If a plurality of servers are present, they may be, for
example, continuously coupled to one another or may be coupled to
one another when required. Using an external server, it is
possible, for example, for specific information to be transmitted
from a service provider via an air interface to the WEB server
contained in the mobile telephone. This is advantageous if the
information is so extensive that it is not possible to store this
information on the locally independent WEB server for reasons of
space.
[0013] The difference between the WEB server contained in the
mobile telephone and the servers contained in the mobile telephone
is that only the WEB server can be coupled to a network (Internet,
LAN) via an air interface, for example.
[0014] According to another refinement of the invention, the WEB
server contained in the mobile telephone can be coupled to at least
one client. A client is a software packet which requests
information from a server, that is to say a second software packet.
A typical example is a database interrogation in which a user calls
information from the database server by means of a client
program.
[0015] According to one development of the invention, the at least
one client is contained in the mobile telephone. As a result, the
user of the mobile telephone can access the individual local
servers via this client and interrogate information.
[0016] According to yet another refinement of the invention, the
client which is contained in the mobile telephone is designed as a
WEB browser as a result of which a user of the mobile telephone can
call Internet information via an air interface by means of
http.
[0017] It is also conceivable for the WEB server contained in the
mobile telephone to be capable of being coupled to an external
client which is designed for example, as an authorized browser and
can call information from the WEB server via the air interface.
[0018] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the
WEB server contained in the mobile telephone can itself operate as
a client. As a result, the WEB server can call information from an
external server (service provider), it being possible, for example,
for the client which is designed as a WEB browser and is contained
in the mobile telephone to be used for the access to the service
provider. In addition, the WEB server is operated as a client if it
calls information from one or more servers which are contained in
the mobile telephone or else may be of an external design.
[0019] In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the mobile
telephone according to the invention, the latter is used in a
communications system for monitoring and/or guiding a vehicle.
Thus, the vehicle can be supervised and controlled by the driver or
by an external control centre in a relatively easy way.
[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the mobile
telephone according to the invention, it is used in a
communications system for monitoring the medical condition of a
patient. As a result, it is possible to request medical data in
order to monitor the state of health from a central control centre
or from a doctor's practice and to initiate actions which may
necessary. As an alternative, the user of the mobile telephone may
call the information relating to his state of health by means of
the WEB browser located in the telephone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a communications system for
monitoring a patient in which the mobile telephone according to the
invention is used;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the implementation of the
communications system according to FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communications system, for
monitoring and/or guiding a vehicle in which the mobile telephone
according to the invention is used; and
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the implementation of the
communications system according to FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a communications system in
which the mobile telephone according to the invention (not shown)
is used, in order to monitor a patient medically, the block 1 shown
in FIG. 1 being contained in the mobile telephone.
[0027] The mobile telephone consequently contains a WEB server 2
which can be coupled via an air interface 3 to a service provider 4
which serves as the server. Furthermore, the WEB server 2 can be
coupled via the air interface 3 to an authorised browser 5 which is
designed as a client. The external service provider 4 and the
external authorized browser 5 are accordingly coupled to the mobile
telephone via the radio network, the data communication taking
place via the WEB server 2 which is contained in the mobile
telephone and which either passes on enquiries of a mobile browser
6 to the outside or receives and evaluates enquiries from the
outside. For the purpose of evaluation, a local database 7 is used,
which in this case functions as a server. Conversely, the database
7 may also be a client, in which case, in order to update its data
stock, devices (for example a glucose measuring sensor) which are
connected are called via the WEB browser 2. The WEB browser 6 and
local database 7 are likewise situated in the mobile telephone.
[0028] The data which are measured by the glucose measuring sensor
are transmitted to a glucose measuring server 8 contained in the
mobile telephone, and are stored there. Thus, a medical service
computer (authorised browser 5) may periodically interrogate the
medical measured values (glucose concentration here) via the WEB
server 2 and in the case of emergencies send back instructions.
However, in the case of acute emergencies (for example deficit of
sugar) which is also possible to request help automatically or
manually via the mobile WEB browser 6. For the purpose of targeted
guidance in an emergency, a service computer can interrogate the
location of the patient who is in difficulties by means of the
authorized browser 5 which proves its access authorization by a
password or a digital signature, and via the WEB server 2 of a GPS
server 9 contained in the mobile telephone.
[0029] The mobile telephone also contains a pacemaker server 10
which contains information on the working range of the
pacemaker.
[0030] Furthermore, the mobile telephone contains an emergency
detector server 11 which, for example via an acceleration sensor,
receives information indicating whether the patient has fallen.
This information can be called at any time via the WEB server 2, in
which case, in an emergency, the WEB server 2 can request help
automatically using the air interface 3 via the WEB browser 6.
[0031] In order to evaluate the information contained in the GPS
server 9, glucose measuring server 8, pacemaker server 10 and
emergency detector server 11, said information is transmitted via
the WEB server 2 to the database 7 which is coupled to a further
storage medium 12. The database 7 can consequently be operated as a
client or server.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the implementation of the
medical communications system according to FIG. 1.
[0033] The WEB server and WEB browser are standard applications
which merely have to be tailored somewhat for the concrete
applications. All the other servers may be realized as C/C++
programmes which can access the hardware (for example glucose
measuring device or the GPS receiver). They are connected to the
WEB server via a CGI (common gateway interface). With relatively
large data sets it is advisable, owing to the better efficiency, to
use the POST access method. In this case the gateway server
communicates with the WEB browser via standard input and
output.
[0034] Because these parts of the system are not visible from the
outside, they can easily be replaced by other technologies (for
example JAVA or VRML). There is provision for data to be stored in
RAM or FLASH as a replacement for the hard disc which can be used
only to a limited degree in mobile applications.
[0035] In the block diagram according to FIG. 2 there is a mobile
telephone 13 in which there are a transceiver unit 14 and a
microprogram control unit 15 (MCU) with a DSP.
[0036] The block 1 which is shown in FIG. 1 is, in the case of the
communications system for the medical monitoring of a patient,
contained completely in the microprogram control unit 15 of the
mobile telephone 13 according to the invention.
[0037] By way of a first antenna 16, the mobile telephone 13 is
coupled using the transceiver unit 14 and an air interface 17 to a
base station 19 containing an antenna 18. The base station 19 can,
for example, be contained in a GSM system and be coupled to a
service provider 21 via a mobile switching centre (MSC) 20.
[0038] The mobile telephone 13 is also coupled via an interface 22
to a medical electronic system 23. This medical electronic system
23 contains a glucose measuring sensor for determining the glucose
concentration of a person with diabetes or some other metabolic
illness which influences the balance of sugar. The glucose
concentration can be measured automatically here, the results being
transmitted to the mobile telephone 13 via the interface 22. The
transfer is preferably effected in a wireless fashion (for example
via a low-power and short-range RF transmission) in order to avoid
the need for a permanent mechanical link between the measurement
device and mobile telephone. In the event of an interruption in the
transmission of data, the measurement device should store values
together with their time of production. Alternatively, instead of
the periodic automatic measurement by appropriate sensor
electronics, the blood sugar values may also be entered regularly
by the person with diabetes into the mobile terminal via a keypad
24.
[0039] The medical electronic system 23 also contains a pacemaker
with a radio transceiver module. As soon as problematic working
ranges of the pacemaker are detected (for example permanent
overloading owing to exceptionally high physical activity or
technical problems of the device), a message is transmitted via the
interface 22 to the mobile telephone 13 located in the vicinity,
and is fed via the WEB server 2 from FIG. 1 to the local database 7
and stored there. As already described above, in the event of the
detection of a problematic working range of the pacemaker, the WEB
browser 6 contained in the MCU 15 of the mobile telephone 13 can be
started automatically, in which case, for example, an audible
warning message may be output via a loudspeaker 25 or a visual
warning message may be output via a display 26. Alternatively, a
warning message may also be transmitted to the service provider 21
via the interface 17, the base station 19 and the MSC 20.
[0040] The medical electronics system also contains an automatic
help request facility which can be triggered, for example, via an
acceleration sensor which detects a fall or accident. A further
technically simple solution consists in the patient registering
periodically at a service point per WEB browser. If the message is
not received, a voice link is set up to the patient to ask for
information. If the patient does not reply, the service centre
initiates a help action owing to the possible emergency. The
external authorized browser 5 from FIG. 1 can make an enquiry via
the WEB server of the telephone and interrogate the precise
location of the person, possibly from a GPS receiver 27. The GPS
receiver 27 may likewise be integrated in the mobile telephone 13
here, in which case it receives the GPS satellite signals via a
second antenna 28.
[0041] The mobile telephone 13 additionally contains a microphone
29 and a video camera 30. Using the microphone, a patient who has,
for example, fallen may request help if he is no longer capable of
operating the key pad 24. The microphone 29 may be, for example,
operated automatically if the abovementioned acceleration sensor
triggers a help request.
[0042] Using the video camera 30, a remote diagnosis of a patient
may be carried out, in which case the doctor attending can also
obtain a visual impression of the patient.
[0043] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a communications system for
monitoring and/or guiding a vehicle in which the mobile telephone
according to the invention is used, in which case the same
reference symbols as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used for identical
components.
[0044] For vehicle applications, the same system from FIGS. 1 and 2
can be used with few modifications. The date link to medical
equipment must merely be replaced here by interfaces to the vehicle
electronics system and other built-in devices.
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a block 1 which is contained in a mobile
telephone (for example in the MCU of the mobile telephone) and has
a WEB server 2 which is coupled to a WEB browser 6 which is
designed as a client.
[0046] The communications system which is shown in FIG. 3 can, for
example, be used for vehicle navigation. For this purpose, a user
requests a route planning operation from a service provider 4 via
the WEB browser 6 by entering the destination and the peripheral
conditions. The request is then locationed in a queue of a database
server 7. The database client 7 then processes requests by
requesting from a GPS server 9 the current location and the current
safety status from an airbag server 21 and from a diagnostic server
32. This information is then sent to the service provider 4. In
response, the driver receives a local road map to the destination,
on which map the optimum route is marked. The WEB browser 6 then
periodically interrogates the database server 7 in order to output
on a screen (not shown in FIG. 3) visual information for the
current location and/or to direct the driver through audible
messages which are appropriate for the situation. The database
client 7 remains active in the background and follows the GPS
location of the driver. When the location of the vehicle reaches
the boundaries of the local map, the client automatically sends a
request to the service provider 4 to update the local map. Between
two such requests an external data link is not necessary since all
the knowledge for the local route planning operation is located in
the vehicle.
[0047] The database client 7 monitors the safety status of the
vehicle by periodically sending enquiries to the GPS server 9, the
airbag server 31 and the diagnostic server 32, in order to detect
critical situations. If an accident or other serious disruptions
occur, the database client 7 automatically transmits an emergency
call to the service provider. The latter replies with a description
of the associated action to be initiated by it and opens a voice
channel to the driver. In this way, if appropriate, enquiries can,
if appropriate, be made regarding the health status of the
occupants of the vehicle, or a help action can be effectively
planned.
[0048] FIG. 3 also shows an authorized browser 5 which is designed
as a client and via which a central transport data base (not
shown), implemented at a forwarding agent's, has access to the
entire vehicle fleet. If a fleet management application is active
in the vehicle, the local database client 7 periodically transmits
the GPS location, destination, status and cargo of the vehicle to
the central database server which stores this information.
[0049] The communications system shown in FIG. 3 can also be used
for protection against theft and for chasing vehicles, in which
case the protection against theft should be initiated by the owner
of the vehicle by transmitting an authorization key to the service
provider 4. If anyone enters the vehicle without permission, the
local database client 7 is started automatically and periodically
interrogates the current location from the GPS server 9 and
transmits an alarm message with the location to the service
provider 4. The latter can then deactivate the vehicle by
intervening in the engine electronics. Alternatively, the location
can be reported to the police authorities.
[0050] The question regarding the technical state of a vehicle or
its maintenance can be answered by interrogating the car-diagnostic
server 32 which has access to the relevant technical systems in the
car. The diagnostic date could be evaluated after the information
has been requested in a locally connected service computer by means
of the WEB browser 6. Otherwise, this information can be
interrogated by the authorized external WEB browser 5 and evaluated
at a service point (for example motor vehicle workshop). An expert
at a remote location can use the latter procedure to evaluate the
faults in the vehicle.
[0051] As is shown in FIG. 3, the block 1 also contains a server 33
for other systems. This server can be used, for example, for
monitoring vehicle devices such as the heater, for example. The
monitoring is carried out here by means of the local WEB browser 6
or else using the external authorized browser 5. This enables the
vehicle heater to be actuated from home or from the workplace.
[0052] The WEB server 2 is also coupled to a car HIFI server on
which, for example, compressed audio information is stored. In
mobile radios of the third generation (UMTS, successor of GSM) a
considerably larger dataset can be transmitted. This makes it
possible to offer personally tailored Internet Radio and Video
Services if the tariffs for this are attractive and there is a
simple automatic payment registration system. A user tunes into an
Internet channel by means of push technology (i.e. he receives the
current information of the channel, for example a radio station,
without requesting it). Alternatively a user can make contact with
his private WEB server in order to transfer his desired programme
(for example a compressed audio CD). The received data may be
compressed audio information, MIDI music or compressed video
information. This information can be called by the user via the WEB
browser 6 and the WEB server 2, as a result of which the mobile
Internet terminal replaces a radio and a portable television.
[0053] FIG. 3 also shows a car telephone server 35 which is
contained in block 1 and which is coupled to the WEB server 2, and
which can be accessed via the WEB browser 6 or via the authorized
browser 5.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the implementation of the
communications system according to FIG. 3, identical reference
numerals to those in FIG. 2 being used for identical
components.
[0055] FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 differ only in that the mobile telephone
13 in FIG. 4 is coupled to a vehicle electronic system 36 and to an
airbag sensor 37 (in a dedicated way or via an air interface)
instead of to a medical electronic system.
[0056] The airbag sensor 37 continuously supplies signals to the
airbag sensor server 31 from FIG. 3, in which case in the event of
an accident the database client 7 from FIG. 3 which continuously
interrogates the airbag sensor server 31 automatically transmits an
emergency call to the service provider 21 via the air interface
17.
[0057] The vehicle electronic system 36 also continuously transmits
data to the car diagnostic server 32 from FIG. 3. As already
described above, this car diagnostic server 32 can be accessed when
necessary, it being also possible to intervene in the vehicle
electronics system via the authorized browser 5.
* * * * *