U.S. patent application number 12/281509 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for information sharing system, information sharing method, terminal device and program.
Invention is credited to Daisuke Kamachi, Takashi Moriyama.
Application Number | 20090061950 12/281509 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38474881 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090061950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kamachi; Daisuke ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
INFORMATION SHARING SYSTEM, INFORMATION SHARING METHOD, TERMINAL
DEVICE AND PROGRAM
Abstract
[Problems] To share information in one of divided screens of a
terminal device with members performing PoC communications. [Means
For Solving Problems] A plurality of terminal devices used by the
members performing PoC communications are included, and at least
one of the screens partitioned and displayed by a screen
dual-partitioning device 22 on a specific terminal device is shared
with other terminal devices used by members performing PoC
communications.
Inventors: |
Kamachi; Daisuke; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Moriyama; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEC CORPORATION OF AMERICA
6535 N. STATE HWY 161
IRVING
TX
75039
US
|
Family ID: |
38474881 |
Appl. No.: |
12/281509 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 5, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/054156 |
371 Date: |
September 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/1822 20130101;
H03K 5/1532 20130101; H04M 2250/62 20130101; H04M 1/72445 20210101;
H04M 1/72469 20210101; H04M 2250/16 20130101; H04M 1/72412
20210101; H04L 12/189 20130101; H04L 65/4061 20130101; H04M 3/56
20130101; H04M 1/72436 20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/38 20060101
H04B001/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2006 |
JP |
2006-062642 |
Claims
1. A terminal device comprising: a screen activation unit for
partitioning a screen of a mobile terminal into a plurality of
screens corresponding to PoC communications and activates the
screens; and a switch selector unit for switching between activated
plurality of screens and selects one.
2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen
activation unit activates the plurality of partitioned screens
while keeping them displayed at a time of starting PoC
communications.
3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen
activation unit keeps one of the partitioned screens in an
activated state, and at the time of starting PoC communications, a
remaining screen of the partitioned screens is activated by
interrupting the one screen.
4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen
activation unit activates a plurality of screens displayed on a
mobile terminal held by a member performing the PoC communications
on one screen.
5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen
activation unit reflects a function setting for a screen displayed
on a mobile terminal held by a communication counterpart on the
screen of a mobile terminal held by a user himself/herself.
6. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the screen
activation unit includes a rule setting unit, and the rule setting
unit sets rules of PoC communications.
7. An information sharing system including a plurality of terminal
devices used by members performing PoC communications, wherein at
least one of partitioned screens displayed on a predetermined
terminal device is shared with another terminal device used by a
member performing the PoC communications.
8. An information sharing system including a plurality of terminal
devices used by members performing PoC communications, wherein
partitioned screens displayed on a plurality of predetermined
terminal devices are shared by being displayed simultaneously with
other terminal devices used by the members performing the PoC
communications.
9. The information sharing system according to claim 7, wherein the
shared screen is operated from the other terminal device.
10. The information sharing system according to claim 7, wherein a
function setting on the shared screen is performed by the other
terminal device, and the setting is reflected on the predetermined
terminal device.
11. The information sharing system according to claim 7, wherein
the partitioned screen displayed is switched by a selector
switch.
12. An information sharing method using a plurality of mobile
terminals used by members performing PoC communications,
comprising: partitioning a screen and displaying partitioned
screens on a predetermined terminal device; and sharing at least
one of partitioned and displayed screens with another terminal
device used by a member performing the PoC communications.
13. An information sharing method using a plurality of terminal
devices used by members performing PoC communications, comprising:
partitioning each screen and displaying partitioned screens on a
plurality of predetermined terminal devices by each of a plurality
of predetermined terminal devices; and sharing the displayed
partitioned screens with another terminal device used by a member
of the PoC communication by displaying simultaneously.
14. The information sharing method according to claim 12, further
comprising operating the shared screen from the other terminal
device.
15. The information sharing method according to claim 12, further
comprising performing function setting on the shared screen of the
other terminal device and reflecting the setting on the
predetermined terminal device.
16. The information sharing method according to claim 12, further
comprising switching between the partitioned and displayed screens
by a selector switch.
17. A computer readable recording medium storing a program for
causing a computer to execute a function of partitioning a screen
of a mobile terminal into a plurality of screens corresponding to
PoC communications and activating the screens, and a function of
switching between the plurality of activated screens and selecting
one.
18. A terminal device comprising: a screen activation means for
partitioning a screen of a mobile terminal into a plurality of
screens corresponding to PoC communications and activates the
screens; and a switch selector means for switching between
activated plurality of screens and selects one.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a technique to share
information with members performing PoC (Push to talk over
Cellular) communications using mobile terminals.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, in mobile terminals such as mobile phones,
it is basically required to always check presence statuses of the
members and to listen to the dialogues of the members during PoC
communications.
[0003] In order to perform general operations of a mobile phone
such as e-mail editing and site viewing while checking presence
statuses of the members, it has been required to use a multitask
function or the like to perform operation by switching one screen.
For example, when a meeting was being held through PoC
communications, it was impossible to edit an e-mail while
constantly checking presence statuses of the member participating
in the meeting.
[0004] A technique has been proposed to move a cursor to any
desired position on a display screen with fewer and easy operations
without any special hardware, by partitioning an LCD by a screen
partitioning unit into a plurality of screens, and selecting one
desired screen by a screen selection unit from the partitioned
screens and narrowing the range to the target position in the LCD
before performing movement in one dot unit (for example, see Patent
Document 1).
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2002-014773
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem to be Solved by the Invention
[0006] However, there has been a problem even though the
above-described conventional example was applied to the screen of a
terminal device.
[0007] As it has been impossible to share one of the partitioned
screens of a terminal device with the members performing PoC
communications, performing various communications among the members
smoothly has been difficult.
[0008] The present invention has bee developed in view of the
above-described problem. It is therefore an object of the present
invention to share information in one of the partitioned screens of
a terminal device with members performing PoC communications.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0009] In order to solve the problem, the present invention
provides a terminal device which allows at least one of partitioned
screens displayed on the device to be shared with other terminal
devices used by the members performing PoC communications.
[0010] Further, the present invention provides a terminal device
which shares at least one of the partitioned screens displayed on a
predetermined terminal used by a member performing PoC
communications.
[0011] Further, the present invention provides terminal devices
which display and share partitioned screens displayed on a
plurality of predetermined terminals used by the members performing
PoC communications.
[0012] Further, the present invention provides an information
sharing system including a plurality of terminal devices used by
the members performing PoC communications, in which at least one of
partitioned screens displayed on a predetermined terminal device is
shared with another terminal device used by a member performing the
PoC communications.
[0013] Further, the present invention provides an information
sharing system including a plurality of terminal devices used by
the members performing PoC communications, in which partitioned
screens displayed on a plurality of predetermined terminal devices
are shared, by being displayed simultaneously, with other terminal
devices used by the members performing the PoC communications.
[0014] Further, the present invention provides an information
sharing method using a plurality of mobile terminals used by the
members performing PoC communications, including the steps of
partitioning a screen and displaying partitioned screens on a
predetermined terminal device, and sharing at least one of the
partitioned and displayed screens with another terminal device used
by a member performing the PoC communications.
[0015] Further, the present invention provides an information
sharing method using a plurality of terminal devices used by the
members performing PoC communications, including the steps of
partitioning each of screens and displaying partitioned screens on
a plurality of predetermined terminal devices, and sharing, by
displaying simultaneously, the partitioned screens with another
terminal device used by a member of the PoC communication.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0016] According to the present invention, information on one of
partitioned screens of a terminal device can be shared with the
members performing PoC communications.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0017] Hereinafter, a first exemplary embodiment of the invention
will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a terminal device in an
information sharing system according to the exemplary embodiment
includes: a mobile terminal 31, a key input object screen switching
button 32, a PoC communicating screen 33 partitioned by a screen
dual-partitioning device 22, an i-mode.RTM. screen 34, a rule
setting device 21, and a key input object screen switching device
23.
[0019] In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device
22 and the rule setting device 21 configure a screen activating
unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 31 into a
plurality of screens and activates them, corresponding to PoC
communications. The key input object screen switching device 23
configures a switching selector unit which switches between the
plurality of activated screens and selects one. In this case, the
rule setting device 21 sets rules for PoC communications
beforehand, and as shown in FIG. 3, the screen dual-partitioning
device 22 activates, according to the rules set by the rule setting
device 21, the i-mode.RTM. screen when keys of the keyboard not to
be used during PoC communications are manipulated, and an e-mail
screen when one button (key) is pushed for a while, together with
the PoC communicating screen. Note that rules to be set by the rule
setting device 21 are not limited to those described above.
[0020] Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be
described (active system: activate i-mode.RTM. during PoC
communications).
[0021] First, it assumes that a user A who often uses PoC (Push to
talk over Cellular) communications in business and private sets a
rule by means of the rule setting device 21 such that i-mode.RTM.
is activated by pushing the button of a numerical key "1" of the
keyboard or the like during PoC communications. Here, PoC is a
system in which a push to talk system capable of switching between
a plurality of calls by operating buttons is realized on mobile
terminals such as mobile phones. For keys of the keyboard or the
like to be used for button operations to switch between the calls,
those not to be used during PoC communications are used. Although
the calls to be switched during PoC communications is limited to
two in the exemplary embodiment, the number of calls is not limited
to this example.
[0022] Now, the user A using the mobile terminal 31 is
participating in a meeting over PoC communications. Although the
user A is currently performing PoC communications, the user
remembers that he/she has to make a bank transfer immediately via a
web site of i-mode.RTM..
[0023] However, the user has to check the presence states of the
members performing PoC communications in the meeting using the PoC
communications. Further, in the meeting, the user has to make
instructions to the members as required.
[0024] As such, the user A uses the screen dual-partitioning device
22 to partition the screen of the mobile phone into the PoC
communicating screen 33 and the i-mode.RTM. screen 34, and
activates the partitioned screen 33 and 34 in parallel.
[0025] When the screen of the mobile terminal 31 is partitioned
into two and activated by the screen dual-partitioning device 22,
the PoC communicating screen 33 which is a screen of the meeting
and the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 are activated and displayed on the
screen of the mobile terminal 31, as shown in FIG. 1 for example.
On the PoC communicating screen 33, the presence statuses of the
members performing PoC communications, which has been displayed, is
currently displayed as shown in FIG. 1 for example, and the user
can also perform communications through i-mode.RTM. using the
i-mode.RTM. screen 34.
[0026] As a button for operating the key input object screen
switching device 23, the button 32 of the mobile terminal 31 is
set. The key input object screen switching device 23 is activated
by operating this button 32, and a screen to which information is
input by using keys of the keyboard is set to either one of the
partitioned screens 33 and 34. More specifically, when the user A
sets to switch to "up", that is, the PoC communicating screen 33,
by the key input object screen switching button 32 for operating
the key input object screen switching device 23, input of
information using the key input device (keyboard, etc.) of the
mobile terminal 31 will be performed to the PoC communicating
screen 33.
[0027] If the user A sets to switch to "down", that is, i-mode.RTM.
screen 34, by the key input object screen switching button 32,
input of information using the key input device (keyboard, etc.) of
the mobile terminal 31 will be performed to the i-mode.RTM. screen
34. In this case, it is possible to input necessary information on
a web site for bank transfer of i-mode.RTM., for example.
[0028] By separating objects of key input for the PoC communicating
screen 33 and for the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 by means of the key
input object screen switching button 32, the user A can process
processing not related to the meeting in parallel while
participating in the meeting.
[0029] Thereby, the present invention is capable of satisfying the
user's needs to perform i-mode.RTM. or e-mail editing while
checking the presence statuses of the group members performing PoC
communications. Further, in the case that the user himself/herself
does not need to speak but has to wail for another member's
comments during PoC communications, it is possible to avoid the
screen of the mobile phone being occupied only for checking the
presence statuses of the members. Instead, a plurality of calls can
be processed in parallel. Further, for an effective key operation
being required because of the number of keys being limited on a
mobile phone, it is possible to effectively input information into
a screen being switched in PoC communications by using keys not
required for the PoC communications.
[0030] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of users A, B, and
C perform PoC communications one another, and the screen of the
mobile terminal 31 is divided into the PoC communication screen 33
and the i-mode.RTM. screen 34. Then, the user C is capable of
easily notifying the users A and B performing the PoC
communications of information on a site that the user C desires to
share with all other members (users A and B) by sharing the site
screen of page C of i-mode.RTM. displayed on the i-mode.RTM. screen
34 of the mobile terminal C of the user C.
[0031] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen dual-partitioning
device 22 may be configured to activate a plurality of screens
displayed on the mobile terminals 31 held by members performing PoC
communications on one screen. More specifically, by simultaneously
displaying, on the partitioned i-mode.RTM. screen 34 of the
terminal A of the user A, the site screen of a page C of
i-mode.RTM. displayed on the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 of the mobile
terminal C of the user C and the site screen of a page B of
i-mode.RTM. displayed on the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 of the terminal
B of the user B, the user A can easily acquire information of a
plurality of members. Further, by giving operational authorization,
the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 on the terminal C of the user C or on the
terminal B of the user B may be operated from the terminal A of the
user A.
[0032] Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the screen dual-partitioning
device 22 may be configured to reflect the screen function
settings, displayed on the mobile terminal 31 held by a
communication counterpart, on the screen function settings of the
mobile terminal of his/her own. More specifically, by displaying
the setting screen of a machine answering function displayed on the
i-mode.RTM. screen 34 of the terminal A, owned by the mother, on
the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 on the terminal B owned by her son, the
setting screen of the machine answering function may be shared with
the members performing PoC communications so as to set the machine
answering function of the i-mode.RTM. screen 34 on the mother's
terminal A from the son's terminal B. If this function is realized
as a service which can be used only between terminals made by the
same manufacturer, this may promote selecting terminals made by the
same manufacturer by all family members.
[0033] Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be
described.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a terminal device in an
information sharing system of the exemplary embodiment includes a
mobile terminal 51, a key input object screen switching button 43,
a PoC communicating screen 52 which is partitioned by a screen
dual-partitioning device 42, a new e-mail screen 53, and a rule
setting device 41.
[0035] In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device
42 and the rule setting device 41 configure a screen activating
unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 51 into a
plurality of screens corresponding to PoC communications and
activates them. The key input object screen switching device 43
configures a switching selector unit which switches between the
plurality of activated screens and selects one. In this case, it
assumes that the screen dual-partitioning device 42 and the rule
setting device 41 are set such that the screen is partitioned into
two screens when an e-mail is received and the new e-mail is
opened, according to Rule 1. However, rules set by the screen
dual-partitioning device 42 and the rule setting device 41 are not
limited to Rule 1 mentioned above.
[0036] The screen activating units (41, 42) keeps one of the
partitioned screens in an activated state, and when PoC
communications begin, the remaining partitioned screen is activated
by interrupting the one screen.
[0037] Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be
described (passive system: receive e-mail during PoC
communications).
[0038] First, a user B uses the rule setting device 41 to partition
the screen into two screens when receiving an e-mail during PoC
communications so as to enable the user to view and edit the new
e-mail while displaying the PoC communication screen, and sets Rule
1 from those shown in FIG. 1 for example.
[0039] It assumes that the user B using the mobile terminal 51 is
now in a meeting using PoC communications, and is receiving an
e-mail.
[0040] As set by the rule setting device 41, the screen of the
mobile terminal 51 is automatically partitioned into a PoC
communicating screen 52 and a new e-mail screen 53 by means of a
screen dual-partitioning device 42.
[0041] The PoC communicating screen 52 displays the presence
statuses of the members performing the PoC communications which
have been displayed. The new e-mail screen 53 is displayed on a
part of the PoC communicating screen by interrupting the PoC
communicating screen 52, and the content of a new e-mail is
displayed on the new e-mail screen 53.
[0042] In this case, it assumes that the content of the e-mail
requires an immediate response and also, it is required to
carefully monitor the PoC communicating screen 52 so as to keep
checking the presence statuses of the members performing the PoC
communications. Further, it also assumes that an instruction must
be given to the members as required.
[0043] The user B switches the key input object screen from the PoC
communicating screen 52 to the new e-mail screen 53 by means of the
key input object screen switching button 43, and replies to the
e-mail using the new e-mail screen 53.
[0044] Next, a third exemplary embodiment of the invention will be
described.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a terminal device of an
information sharing system according to the exemplary embodiment
includes a mobile terminal 71, a PoC communicating screen 72 and an
incoming call display screen 73 which are partitioned by a screen
dual-partitioning device 62, and a rule setting device 61.
[0046] In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device
62 and the rule setting device 61 configure a screen activation
unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 71 into a
plurality of screens and activates them corresponding to PoC
communications. In this case, the rule setting device 61 sets rules
for PoC communications beforehand. More specifically, the rule
setting device sets, as Rule 1, whether or not to notify an
incoming call (sets "YES" or "NO"), and as Rule 2, voice settings
during PoC communications when a talk button is pushed, for
example. The rule setting device 61 sets the voice during PoC
communications to mute as Rule 2-1, sets to reduce (halve for
example) the volume of the voice during PoC communications as Rule
2-2, and sets to record the voice during PoC communications as Rule
2-3. However, the rules to be set by the rule setting device 21 are
not limited to those described above. Note that in the exemplary
embodiment, the push button for calling of the mobile terminal 71
configures a switch selector unit for switching between a plurality
of activated screens and selecting one.
[0047] Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be
described (passive system: call incoming during PoC
communications).
[0048] First, a user C sets "YES" to Rule 1, that is, notifying an
incoming call when a call is incoming during PoC communications,
and sets Rule 2-3 of the voice setting rule 2 during PoC
communications when a talk button is pushed so as to be in a state
of recording voices during PoC communications, by means of the rule
setting device 61.
[0049] Now, the user C using the mobile terminal 71 is in a meeting
using PoC communications. In this situation, it assumes that a call
is incoming.
[0050] As set by the rule setting device, 61, the screen of the
mobile terminal 71 is automatically partitioned into a PoC
communicating screen 72 and an incoming call display screen 73 by
means of the screen dual-partitioning device 62, and activated.
[0051] The PoC communicating screen 72 displays presence statuses,
which have been displayed, of the members performing PoC
communications, and the incoming call display screen 73 displays
that a call is incoming.
[0052] In this state, it assumes that when the user looks at the
incoming call display screen 73, a call from an important business
partner is incoming, whereas the user is in a meeting using PoC
communications, and is required to take minutes of the meeting held
through the PoC communications.
[0053] The user C answers the phone by pushing the talk button. As
the user C has set to record the voices during the PoC
communications according to Rule 2, the voices during the PoC
communications are being recorded. As such, the user C is capable
of preparing the minutes by playing back the recorded contents of
the meeting during the PoC communications after the call that the
user answered by pushing the talk button ends.
[0054] According to the respective exemplary embodiments described
above, as the screen of a mobile phone is partitioned into two
screens according to operational settings of another application
performing PoC communications of the user, it is possible to
operate general functions of the mobile phone on one screen while
checking the presence statuses of the members on the other screen.
Further, the user can perform key operations to a desired screen by
using the active screen selector switch.
[0055] Note that a screen may be partitioned into not only upper
and lower parts but also right and left parts. Although the screen
is partitioned into two parts in the exemplary embodiment, the
screen may be partitioned into three or more parts. Further, a
combination of the partitioned screens may be for an e-mail and
i-mode.RTM., not limited to PoC.
[0056] As a trigger to switch the multi-screen, not only a touch to
a hinge portion of a mobile terminal, but also a touch to a liquid
crystal panel part having a touch sensor, a command input through
an external cable having a remote control function, and a voice
input to a microphone (including keyword voices and sound input
other than voice) in a waiting state of a voice recognizing
function may be used.
[0057] The exemplary embodiments described above are preferred
exemplary embodiments of the invention, which can be modified in
various ways within the scope of the subject matter of the present
invention. For instance, processing to realize functions of the
mobile terminal 31, the mobile terminal 51 and the mobile terminal
71 may be performed by installing a program to realize the
functions of the respective terminals so as to execute the
functions. Further, the program may be transmitted to another
computer system via computer readable recording media such as
CD-ROM and optical magnetic discs or by transmission waves via
transmitting media such as the Internet and telephone networks.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] FIG. 1 is an illustration showing presence statuses of the
members performing PoC communications according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention.
[0059] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0060] FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the configuration of a
mobile terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0061] FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration
of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment of
the invention.
[0062] FIG. 5 is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration
of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment of
the invention.
[0063] FIG. 6 is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration
of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment of
the invention.
[0064] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0065] FIG. 8 is an illustration showing the configuration of a
mobile terminal according to the second exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0067] FIG. 10 is an illustration showing the configuration of a
mobile terminal according to the third exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0068] 21 rule setting device [0069] 22 screen dual-partitioning
device [0070] 23 key input object screen switching device [0071] 31
mobile terminal [0072] 32 key input object screen switching button
[0073] 33 PoC communicating screen [0074] 34 i-mode.RTM. screen
* * * * *