U.S. patent application number 13/570947 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for method of forwarding communication service based on vehicle and system thereof, and terminal supporting the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Il Ku Chang, Young Shil Jang, Young Kyu Jin, Young Ho Rhee. Invention is credited to Il Ku Chang, Young Shil Jang, Young Kyu Jin, Young Ho Rhee.
Application Number | 20130078964 13/570947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47911809 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130078964 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jin; Young Kyu ; et
al. |
March 28, 2013 |
METHOD OF FORWARDING COMMUNICATION SERVICE BASED ON VEHICLE AND
SYSTEM THEREOF, AND TERMINAL SUPPORTING THE SAME
Abstract
A method of forwarding a communication service based on a
vehicle is provided. The method includes registering a portable
terminal located in the vehicle in a vehicle electronic system; and
forwarding a received communication service connection request
message to another terminal, when a communication service
connection request message is transmitted to a registered portable
terminal.
Inventors: |
Jin; Young Kyu; (Seoul,
KR) ; Rhee; Young Ho; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Jang;
Young Shil; (Suwon-si, KR) ; Chang; Il Ku;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jin; Young Kyu
Rhee; Young Ho
Jang; Young Shil
Chang; Il Ku |
Seoul
Yongin-si
Suwon-si
Seongnam-si |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
47911809 |
Appl. No.: |
13/570947 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1 ;
455/550.1; 455/566 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/16 20130101; H04W
4/48 20180201; H04W 4/44 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/414.1 ;
455/550.1; 455/566 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/04 20090101
H04W004/04; H04W 88/02 20090101 H04W088/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 26, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0097003 |
Claims
1. A method of forwarding on a communication service based on a
vehicle, the method comprising: registering a portable terminal
located in the vehicle in a vehicle electronic system; and
forwarding a received communication service connection request
message to another terminal, when a communication service
connection request message is transmitted to a registered portable
terminal.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: entering a vehicle
mode based on whether the registered portable terminal is in the
vehicle electronic system; requesting identification information
necessary to forward the communication service connection request
message to the another terminal by the registered portable terminal
operating in the vehicle mode; collecting the identification
information necessary for the forwarding by the registered portable
terminal; and generating forwarding group information based on the
identification information by the vehicle electronic system.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising at least one of:
receiving the forwarding group information by the portable terminal
and outputting the forwarding group information when the registered
portable terminal receives the communication service connection
request message, and designating another terminal included in the
forwarding group information as a forwarding terminal by the
registered portable terminal according to an input signal and
automatically designating the another terminal included in the
forwarding group information as the forwarding terminal by the
registered portable terminal according to preset information.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein forwarding a received
communication service connection request message comprises:
providing a forwarding terminal designation signal to the vehicle
electronic system by the registered portable terminal; transferring
a forwarding acceptance presence message to a terminal designated
as the forwarding terminal by the vehicle electronic system;
providing a forwarding acceptance message to the registered
portable terminal through the vehicle electronic system by the
forwarding terminal based on forwarding acceptance; and providing
an alarm message informing a user that a communication service
connection request is forwarded to the another terminal in a mobile
communication system.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: transferring the
alarm message to a transmission terminal requesting the
communication service connection of the mobile communication system
and outputting the alarm message by the transmission terminal,
supporting a communication service based on a communication path
including the registered portable terminal, the vehicle electronic
system, the forwarding terminal, the mobile communication system,
and the transmission terminal requesting the communication service
connection, and supporting a communication service based on a
communication path including the forwarding terminal, the mobile
communication system, and the transmission terminal having
requested the communication service connection.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising: providing the
forwarding group information to a mobile communication system,
wherein forwarding a received communication service connection
request message includes automatically transferring the
communication service connection request message to an automatic
forwarding terminal set in the forwarding group information by the
mobile communication system.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: informing the
registered portable terminal that the communication service
connection request message has been received by the mobile
communication system; informing a terminal having requested the
communication service connection that the registered portable
terminal is in a vehicle mode by the mobile communication system;
informing the registered portable terminal that the communication
service connection request message has been transferred to the
automatic forwarding terminal by the mobile communication system;
and establishing a communication channel with the terminal by the
mobile communication system when communication service connection
between the automatic forwarding terminal and the terminal having
requested the communication service connection is accepted.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating forwarding
setting information including identification information of another
terminal to which a corresponding message is forwarded by the
registered portable terminal when the communication service
connection request message is received; and wherein forwarding a
received communication service connection request message comprises
at least of: automatically forwarding the communication service
connection request message to a forwarding terminal set in the
forwarding setting information by the registered portable terminal,
outputting reception of the communication service connection
request message, and automatically forwarding the communication
service connection request message to the forwarding terminal set
in the forwarding setting information when there is no reception of
an input signal for designating a registered forwarding terminal
after a predetermined time elapses by the registered portable
terminal, and outputting the reception of the communication service
connection request message and forwarding the communication service
connection request message to a forwarding terminal corresponding
to a corresponding input signal when an input signal for
designating a registered forwarding terminal is received before a
predetermined time elapses by the registered portable terminal.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:
restoring to a previous screen of the reception of the
communication service connection request message after the
forwarding by the registered portable terminal, outputting a screen
indicating that forwarding is performed to communication
termination between a forwarding terminal and a terminal having
requested communication service connection after the forwarding,
and restoring a previous screen at the communication termination
time, outputting forwarding group information by the forwarding
terminal having received the communication service connection
request message, and forwarding, again, the communication service
connection request message to another designated forwarding
terminal according to a received input signal.
10. A system for forwarding a communication service based on a
vehicle, the system comprising: the vehicle; a vehicle electronic
system, located in the vehicle, for communicating with a portable
terminal; the portable terminal, located in the vehicle for
communicating with the vehicle electronic system to be registered
in the vehicle electronic system; a transmission terminal
requesting communication service connection to the portable
terminal; and a mobile communication system establishing a
communication channel between a forwarding terminal designated by
the portable terminal and the transmission terminal.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein a registered portable terminal
of the portable terminal forwards a communication service
connection request message from the transmission terminal to a
terminal designated as a forward terminal according to an input
signal or automatically when the registered portable terminal is
operated in a vehicle mode according to registration in the vehicle
electronic system.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the vehicle electronic system
comprises: a vehicle communication unit communicating with the
portable terminal to collect identification information of the
portable terminal. a vehicle controller generating forwarding group
information based on the collected identification information; and
a vehicle memory unit storing the forwarding group information.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the portable terminal
comprises: a communication module receiving the forwarding group
information and the communication service connection request
message; a display unit outputting a received message and the
forwarding group information when the communication service
connection request message is received; an input unit generating an
input signal for designating another terminal included in the
forwarding group information as a forwarding terminal; and a
controller controlling the another terminal included in the
forwarding group information to be automatically designated as the
forwarding terminal according to preset information or the terminal
designated to the input signal is designated as the forwarding
terminal.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the portable terminal comprises
a memory storing forwarding setting information designating a
registered terminal as an automatic forwarding terminal according
to the input signal from the input unit, wherein the controller
controls the communication service connection request message to be
automatically forwarded to the automatic forwarding terminal when
the communication service connection request message is
received.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the mobile communication system
receives a message indicating designation of the forwarding
terminal and transfers the message to the transmission terminal,
and transfers the communication service connection request message
to the automatic forwarding terminal based on the forwarding group
information when designation of the automatic forwarding terminal
is included in the forwarding group information.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein the forwarding terminal outputs
the forwarding group information when the forwarded communication
service connection request message is received, and forwards again
the communication service connection request message to another
forwarding terminal designated according a received input
signal.
17. A terminal supporting forwarding of a communication service
based on a vehicle, the terminal comprising: a first communication
unit supporting a communication service function; a second
communication unit supporting signal transmission/reception
necessary for registration in a vehicle electronic system in the
vehicle; and a controller controlling signal transmission/reception
for registration in the vehicle electronic system, and controlling
the communication service connection request message to be
forwarded to a forward terminal selected according to an input
signal or a preset automatic forwarding terminal when the first
communication unit receives the communication service connection
request message.
18. The terminal of claim 17, further comprising a memory storing
forwarding setting information setting an automatic forwarding
terminal selected to automatically forward the communication
service connection request message when the communication service
connection request message is received; and wherein the second
communication unit provides identification information upon
registration in a vehicle electronic system, and receive generated
forwarding group information based on identification information of
terminals located in the vehicle from the vehicle electronic
system.
19. The terminal of claim 18, wherein the controller: controls the
communication service connection request message to be
automatically forwarded to the automatic forwarding terminal set in
the forwarding setting information, controls the communication
service connection request message to be forwarded to the automatic
forwarding terminal when a predetermined time elapses without
selection of a separate forwarding terminal after output of the
forwarding group information, and controls the communication
service connection request message to be forwarded to a
corresponding forwarding terminal when an input signal for
selecting a registered forwarding terminal is generated before a
predetermined time elapses after the output of the forwarding group
information.
20. The terminal of claim 18, further comprising: a display unit
outputting at least one of: a screen indicating reception of the
communication service connection request message and the forwarding
group information when the communication service connection request
message is received, a screen indicating automatic forwarding
terminal information set to be automatically forwarded after a
predetermined time elapses among the forwarding group information,
a screen indicating that a communication service forwarding
according to forwarding the communication service connection
request message is performed, a screen indicating that the terminal
is operated in a vehicle mode, a previous screen, restored after
forwarding the communication service connection request message is
terminated, a communication service forwarding screen output before
call termination between a forwarding terminal and a terminal
having requested a communication service connection after
forwarding the communication service connection request message,
and a previous screen, restored after call termination between the
forwarding terminal and the terminal having requested the
communication service connection after forwarding the communication
service connection request message is performed.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0097003,
which was filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep.
26, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to communication
service forwarding, and more particularly, to a method of
forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle for
selectively or automatically forwarding a communication service to
another terminal when connection of the communication service
occurs in at least one terminal in a predetermined group defined
based on the vehicle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A portable terminal supports a call function, and has been
used in very wide fields due to its convenience of use and
portability. Such a portable terminal provides various input
schemes to provide user functions. For example, a conventional
portable terminal provides a touchpanel and a display unit such
that a user may process an operation performed by selecting an
image output on the display unit. Further, the portable terminal
generates a touch event according to a corresponding user operation
and controls an application program corresponding to a user
function based on the generated touch event.
[0006] A portable terminal user may drive a vehicle. The user of a
portable terminal should focus on driving. Using a conventional
portable terminal while driving a vehicle may result in motor
vehicle crash.
[0007] Accordingly, the conventional portable terminal user has
used a speaker phone or an earphone to minimize driving
distraction. However, using a speaker phone or an earphone while
driving may cause a problem of breaking the driver's focus on
driving.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above
problems, and provides a method of forwarding a communication
service based on a vehicle that allows a vehicle driver to pay
attention only to driving by forwarding a communication service
connection of a terminal located in the vehicle to a certain
terminal, a system thereof, and a terminal supporting the same.
[0009] The present invention further provides a method of
forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle that allows a
user to use the communication service in a stable environment
although a certain person in the vehicle uses the communication
service, a system thereof, and a terminal supporting the same.
[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method of forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle is
provided. The method includes registering a portable terminal
located in the vehicle in a vehicle electronic system; and
forwarding a received communication service connection request
message to another terminal, when a communication service
connection request message is transmitted to a registered portable
terminal.
[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a system for forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle
is provided. The system includes the vehicle; a vehicle electronic
system, located in the vehicle, for communicating with a portable
terminal; the portable terminal, located in the vehicle for
communicating with the vehicle electronic system to be registered
in the vehicle electronic system; a transmission terminal
requesting communication service connection to the portable
terminal; and a mobile communication system establishing a
communication channel between a forwarding terminal designated by
the portable terminal and the transmission terminal.
[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a terminal for supporting forwarding of a communication service
based on a vehicle is provided. The terminal includes a first
communication unit supporting a communication service function; a
second communication unit supporting signal transmission/reception
necessary for registration in a vehicle electronic system in the
vehicle; and a controller controlling signal transmission/reception
for registration in the vehicle electronic system, and controlling
the communication service connection request message to be
forwarded to a forward terminal selected according to an input
signal or a preset automatic forwarding terminal when the first
communication unit receives the communication service connection
request message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a
system for forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle electronic
system shown in FIG. 1 in detail;
[0016] FIG. 3 is block diagram illustrating a portable terminal
shown in FIG. 1 in detail;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a controller shown in
FIG. 3 in detail;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen interface
associated with a communication service forwarding function
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen interface
associated with a communication service forwarding function
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of
a portable terminal for supporting a communication service
forwarding function according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forwarding a
communication service based on a vehicle according to an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forwarding a
communication service based on a vehicle according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0023] Embodiments of the present invention are described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same
reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the
same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions
and structures incorporated herein is omitted to avoid obscuring
the subject matter of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system
10 for forwarding a communication service based on a vehicle
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the system 10 for forwarding a
communication service based on a vehicle according to the present
invention includes a vehicle electronic system 200 provided on a
vehicle 201, at least one portable terminals 101, 102, and 103
mounted in the vehicle 201, a transmission terminal 109 requesting
communication service connection to the portable terminal 101, 102,
and 103, and a mobile communication system 300. Hereinafter, it is
assumed that a plurality of portable terminal provided in the
vehicle 201. However, only one terminal is located in the vehicle
201 according to situations.
[0026] In the system 10 for forwarding a communication service,
when certain portable terminals 101, 102, 103 enter the vehicle
201, it establishes a communication channel with the portable
terminals 101, 102, 103 to register the portable terminals 101,
102, 103 into the vehicle electronic system 200. Next, when a
message requesting communication service connection to a certain
portable terminal, for example, a first portable terminal 101, the
first portable terminal 101 forwards a communication service
connection request message to another terminal, for example, a
second portable terminal 102 or a third terminal 103. In this case,
the first portable terminal 101 forwards a communication service
connection request message to another portable terminal 102 or 103
which is currently registered in a vehicle electronic system 200.
The communication service connection request message includes at
least one of a message in which the transmission terminal 109
requests a voice call to the first portable terminal 101, a message
in which the transmission terminal 109 requests a video phone call
to the first portable terminal 101, a message in which the
transmission terminal 109 transmits an e-mail or Social Network
Service (SNS) message to the first portable terminal 101.
[0027] The first portable terminal 101 ensures that the
communication service connection request service is forwarded to a
certain terminal outside the vehicle 201. Through this, the system
10 for forwarding a communication service allowe a user to drive in
a stable environment such that a user with the first portable
terminal 101 may pay attention to driving. Further, the system 10
for forwarding a communication service of the present invention
transfers the communication service connection request message
transferred to the first portable terminal 101 to another portable
terminal 102 or 103 such that a person with another portable
terminal 102 or 103 uses a corresponding communication service not
to lose a contact. To accomplish this, a communication means is
provided in a vehicle electronic system 200, which recognizes at
least one portable terminal 101, 102, 103 which includes portable
terminals in a close range, for example, portable terminals in a
vehicle 201.
[0028] Accordingly, when at least one portable terminal 101, 102,
103 enters the vehicle 201, the vehicle electronic system 200
recognizes and registers corresponding portable terminals 101, 102,
103, and support communication service forwarding between the
registered portable terminals 101, 102, 103. Further, the vehicle
electronic system 200 receives forwarding setting information from
at least one portable terminal entering the vehicle 201, and
forwards a communication service connection request message
received based on the received forwarding setting information to
another portable terminal. A detailed configuration of a vehicle
electronic system 200 for supporting the foregoing function will be
given with reference to FIG. 2.
[0029] The mobile communication system 300 forms a mobile
communication service channel between the portable terminals 101,
102, 103 and the transmission terminal 109. Moreover, the mobile
communication system 300 forms a communication service channel with
the vehicle electronic system 200, and support signal
transmission/reception necessary to support a communication service
forwarding function of the present invention. The mobile
communication system 300 includes a 2G network device, a 3G network
device, and a 4G network device for supporting a communication
service between the portable terminal and the transmission terminal
109. Moreover, the mobile communication system 300 communicates
with the vehicle electronic system 200 using the foregoing network
devices, and support formation of a communication channel between
the vehicle electronic system 200, the portable terminals 101, 102,
103, and the transmission terminal 109, if necessary.
[0030] The portable terminals 101, 102, 103 are located inside or
outside the vehicle according to an operation of the user with the
portable terminals 101, 102, 103. In particular, the portable
terminals 101, 102, 103 are classified into a first portable 101
possessed by a driver, and a second portable terminal 102 and a
third portable terminal 103 possessed by other persons in the
vehicle with the driver. Here, the first portable terminal 101 is
defined as a terminal transmitting a communication service
connection request message, and at least one of a second portable
terminal 102 and a third portable terminal 103 is defined as a
terminal receiving the communication service connection request
message that the first portable terminal 101 forwards. When the
first portable terminal 101 is mounted in the vehicle 210 or the
transmission terminal 109 transmits a communication service
connection request message, the first portable terminal 101 outputs
forwarding group information. Accordingly, the first portable
terminal 101 user selects a certain terminal which will forward the
communication service connection request message. The first
portable terminal 101 may automatically forward a communication
service to one of the second portable terminal 102 or the third
portable terminal 103 belonging to the forwarding group information
based on forwarding setting information without receiving a
separate selection signal according to user setting. Additionally,
the first portable terminal 101 controls a certain portable
terminal located outside the vehicle 201 to perform the
communication service forwarding. The foregoing embodiment
illustrates that three terminals 101, 102, 103 are provided in the
vehicle 201. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, there is only one of the portable terminals 101, 102, 103
is in the vehicle 201, and more portable terminal may also exist
therein. When only one terminal exists, the first portable terminal
101 performs the foregoing preset communication service forwarding
according to forwarding setting information.
[0031] The transmission terminal 109 is a terminal transmitting a
communication service connection request message to one of the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103. The transmission terminal 109
transmits a call connection request message, an SMS or multi-media
message, or at least one of an e-mail or SNS message to one of the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103. A communication service
connection request message generated by the transmission terminal
109 is transferred to a certain portable terminal 101, and is
forwarded to the second portable terminal 102 or the third portable
terminal 103 according to setting of the first portable terminal
101. The transmission terminal 109 returns a message indicating
that a communication service forwarding function is being performed
according to presence of support of a mobile communication 10,
support of the vehicle electronic system 200, and support of
portable terminals 101, 102, 103. Accordingly, the transmission
terminal 109 informs a user that a communication service connection
request message transmitted by the transmission terminal 109 is
being forwarded, and receive and output forwarded terminal
information according to return information.
[0032] As illustrated above, when a user carrying a portable
terminal operates in a vehicle mode according to board on the
vehicle 201, the system 10 for forwarding a communication service
forwards a received communication service connection request
message to another portable terminal according to the control of
the user or automatically. Accordingly, when the user who possesses
the portable terminal is driving a vehicle 201, the system 10 for
forwarding a communication service provides an environment in which
the driver can pay attention to driving, thereby preventing a motor
vehicle crash.
[0033] The system 10 for forwarding a communication service informs
the transmission terminal 109 that a communication service is
forwarded in a communication service forwarding procedure such that
the transmission terminal 109 operates a communication service in a
state it recognizes the communication service forward situation. An
alarm message indicating during or termination of the communication
service forwarding becomes at least one of a first portable
terminal 101 and a vehicle electronic system 200 instructing
communication service forwarding. In this procedure, at least one
of the first portable terminal 101 and the vehicle electronic
system 200 simultaneously transmits information indicating that the
first portable terminal 101 operates in a vehicle mode and
forwarding group information to the transmission terminal 109, and
simultaneously transmits information indicating a terminal, for
example, a second portable terminal 102 as a forwarding terminal.
The transmission terminal 109 then operates a communication service
in a state in which the first portable terminal 101 recognizes that
a driver is driving the vehicle 201 and performs a communication
service forwarding with a second portable terminal 102.
[0034] Further, the first portable terminal 101 transfers
information indicating that a vehicle mode is operated and
forwarding setting information having information designated as a
forwarding terminal by the first portable terminal 101, for
example, information designating the second portable terminal 102
as an automatic forwarding terminal to the transmission terminal
109. At the same time, when receiving a communication service
connection request from the transmission terminal 109, the first
portable terminal 101 controls such that a corresponding connection
request message is forwarded to the second portable terminal 102.
The first portable terminal 101 outputs the reception of a
communication service connection request message and a message
indicating automatic forwarding of the second portable terminal 102
to a display unit. The second portable terminal 120 is a terminal
located in the vehicle 201 or in another place outside vehicle
201.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle electronic
system 200 shown in FIG. 1 in detail.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, a vehicle electronic system 200
includes a vehicle communication unit 210, a vehicle input unit
220, a vehicle memory 250, and a vehicle controller 260. The
vehicle electronic system 200 recognizes at least one portable
terminal 101, 102, 103 located in a vehicle 201 based on the
vehicle communication unit 210 and generates a communication
service-forwarding group according to recognition of the portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103. Then, at least one of the portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 receives forwarding group information
from the vehicle electronic system 200, and forward a receive
communication service connection request message based on the
received forwarding group information to another portable
terminal.
[0037] As illustrated above, the vehicle communication unit 210
recognizes portable terminals 101, 102, 103, and supports
information transmission/reception necessary for registration of
the portable terminals 101, 102, 103 for generating a communication
service-forwarding group. To accomplish this, when power supplied
to the vehicle communication unit 210, it performs message
broadcasting for searching whether there are portable terminals
101, 102, 103 around it with a constant period. The vehicle
communication unit 210 includes at least one of communication
module, for example, a ZigBee module, a Z-Wave module, an Ethernet
module, a WiFi module, or a Bluetooth module capable of
communicating with portable terminals 101, 102, 103, and form a
communication channel with portable terminals 101, 102, 103 with
the communication module. The vehicle communication unit 210
performs a function of a base station or an Access Point (AP)
capable of recognizing the portable terminals 101, 102, 103. When
the portable terminals 101, 102, 103 are recognized, the vehicle
communication unit 210 collects identification information of
corresponding portable terminals 101, 102, 103 automatically or
through an authentication procedure. The collected identification
information is transferred to the vehicle controller 260. Here, the
identification information includes various information such as
phone numbers, IDs, and photographs of portable terminals 101, 102,
and 103 as information for identifying the respective portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103. The foregoing IDs of the portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 is registered as each item of
forwarding group information.
[0038] The vehicle input unit 220 is configured for generating an
input necessary for controlling the vehicle electronic system 200.
The vehicle input unit 220 generates an input signal for supplying
power to the vehicle electronic system 200 and an input signal for
activating the vehicle communication unit 210 according to the
control of a passenger. Further, the vehicle input unit 220
generates an input signal for manually inputting forwarding setting
information and an input signal for manually inputting
identification information based on the control of the passenger.
The generated input signals are transferred to the vehicle
controller 260 and converted to a command language for
communication service forwarding of the present invention.
[0039] The vehicle memory 250 stores an Operating System (OS)
necessary to operate the vehicle electronic system 200 and various
application programs necessary for operating the vehicle. In
particular, the vehicle memory 250 stores forwarding group
information 250 configured by identification information of the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 registered in the vehicle
electronic system 200. The forwarding group information 251 by
identification information of terminals performing registration of
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 communicating with a vehicle
communication unit 210 of the vehicle electronic system 200. The
forwarding group information 251 is transmitted to the portable
terminals 101, 102, 103.
[0040] The vehicle controller 260 controls activation of the
vehicle electronic system 200 based on the control of the
passenger, and controls various signal flows necessary to support a
communication service forwarding function of the present invention.
For example, the vehicle controller 260 controls a vehicle
communication unit 210 for recognizing portable terminals 101, 102,
and 103 located in the vehicle 201, collecting identification
information of recognized terminals, generating forwarding group
information 251 based on the collected identification information,
distributing the generated forwarding group information 251, and
forwarding a communication service when a certain portable
terminal, for example, the first portable terminal 101 receives the
communication service connection request message.
[0041] More specifically, when a passenger, for example, a driver,
generates an input signal for recognizing peripheral portable
terminals 101, 102, 103 or it is set such that peripheral portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 are recognized, the vehicle controller
260 controls the vehicle communication unit 210 to perform message
broadcasting for recognizing peripheral portable terminals 101,
102, and 103. The vehicle controller 260 collects identification
information of the portable terminals 101, 102, 103 from the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 responding to corresponding
message broadcasting. The identification information includes phone
number information, phone-book information, and photograph
information of corresponding portable terminal. The identification
information may only include a phone number, and a passenger may
separately input name information and photograph information as the
identification information. Further, the vehicle controller 260
requests identification with various information such as phone
numbers or images to the respective portable terminals 101, and
receive corresponding identification information from the portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103.
[0042] When the collection of the identification information is
terminated, the vehicle controller 260 generates forwarding group
information 251 based on the identification information of the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103. In this procedure, the
vehicle controller 260 registers a certain portable terminal, for
example, a first portable terminal 101 as a driver terminal, and
the second portable terminal 102 and the third portable terminal
103 as a follower passenger terminal. To accomplish this, the
vehicle controller 260 registers a driver terminal based on
intensity of a transmission/reception signal in a communication
procedure. The passenger controls the vehicle input unit 220 to
register a terminal corresponding to certain identification
information as the first portable terminal 101 as the driver
terminal.
[0043] When generation of the forwarding group information is
terminated, the vehicle controller 260 transmits corresponding
forwarding group information 251 to the first portable terminal
101. The vehicle controller 260 transmits the forwarding group
information 251 to all the first to third terminals 101, 102, and
103. The vehicle controller 260 provides the forwarding group
information 251 to only a portable terminal requesting it.
[0044] If the communication service forwarding function is
activated, that is, if a communication service connection request
message is transmitted to a certain portable terminal, a
corresponding portable terminal requests the forwarding group
information 251 to the vehicle controller 260. Then, the vehicle
controller 260 provides the forwarding group information 251 to a
corresponding portable terminal. As illustrated previously, when
the vehicle controller 260 previously provides the forwarding group
information 251 to portable terminals 101, 102, and 103, a separate
procedure for the forwarding group information 251 is omitted. When
the portable terminal receiving the communication service
connection request message selects a forwarding function, the
vehicle controller 260 controls a portable terminal selected as a
forwarding function to perform a communication service function of
a corresponding portable terminal.
[0045] For example, if the transmission terminal 109 transmits a
communication service connection request message to a first
portable terminal not receiving the forwarding group information
251, the vehicle controller 260 provides the forwarding group
information 251 to the first portable terminal 101. Further, if the
first portable terminal 101 designates the second portable terminal
101 as a forwarding selection terminal, the vehicle controller 260
forwards a communication service connection request message to the
second portable terminal 102. When receiving the communication
service connection request message, the second portable terminal
102 outputs it and performs a communication service function with a
transmission terminal 109 according to the preference of the user.
In this procedure, the vehicle controller 260 ensures that a
communication service is forwarded based on a communication service
path including the transmission terminal 109, the mobile
communication system 300, the first portable terminal 101, the
vehicle communication unit 210, and the second portable terminal
102. When forwarding selection terminal information of the first
portable terminal 101 is provided to the mobile communication
system 300, the vehicle controller 260 ensures that a communication
service is performed based on a communication service path
including the transmission terminal 109, the mobile communication
system 300, and the second portable terminal 102. Various
communication service paths will be described in detail with
reference to following drawings.
[0046] FIG. 3 is block diagram illustrating one of portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 in detail according to an embodiment of
the present invention. Portable terminals 101, 102, and 103
illustrated in FIG. 1 were described above. Portable terminal 100
is similar to portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 and it will be
described with reference to a configuration of one portable
terminal. Hereinafter, in order to describe a forwarding function,
it is assumed that a terminal receiving a communication service
connection request message is a first portable terminal 101, and a
forwarding selection terminal is a second portable terminal 102.
This distinction will illustrate a communication service forwarding
function. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, all terminals located in the vehicle 201 are terminals
performing a communication service forwarding function according to
setting of a passenger or a driver. A certain terminal not located
in the vehicle 201 act as a forwarding selection terminal of the
first portable terminal 101.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3, a portable terminal 100 of the present
invention includes a first communication unit 110, a second
communication unit 170, an input unit 120, an audio processor 130,
a display unit 140, a memory 150, and a controller 160. Although
this embodiment illustrates that the portable terminal 100 includes
two communication units, the present invention is not limited
thereto. That is, the first communication unit 110 and the second
communication unit 170 is configured by one communication module,
for example, a 3G or 4G support communication module, and
accordingly the portable terminal 100 communicates with a vehicle
electronic system 200 and the mobile communication system 300 based
on the one communication module. Accordingly, it will be understood
that the first communication unit 110 and the second communication
unit 170 identify a subject for performing communication. As a
result, a portable terminal 100 of the present invention is
operated by one communication module or a plurality of
communication modules. Further, the portable terminal 100 of the
present invention includes an input unit 120 and a display unit 140
for supporting a touch function as input means for generating input
signals.
[0048] The first communication unit 110 is configured by a
communication module capable of establishing a communication
channel with the mobile communication system 300. The first
communication unit 110 establishes a communication channel for
voice call, a communication channel for video call, and a
communication channel for transmitting data such as images or
messages under the control of the controller 160. That is, the
first communication unit 110 establishes a voice call channel, a
data communication channel, and a video call channel with the
mobile communication system 300. In particular, the first
communication unit 110 of the first portable terminal 101 of the
present invention receives and transfers a communication service
connection request message to the controller 160, and transfers
data associated with a communication service received from the
transmission terminal 109 to the second communication unit 170
under a control of the controller 160. Further, the first
communication unit 110 of the first portable terminal 101 transfers
data associated with a communication service received by the second
communication unit 170 to the transmission terminal 109 through the
mobile communication system 300.
[0049] The first communication unit 110 of the second portable
terminal 102 directly establishes a communication channel with the
transmission terminal through the mobile communication system 300
after communication service forwarding is terminated from the first
portable terminal 101 according to a system design scheme. To
accomplish this, if the communication service forwarding of the
first portable terminal 101 is performed, the first communication
unit 110 of the second portable terminal 102 is activated under the
control of the fellow passenger or automatically.
[0050] The second communication unit 170 is configured by a
communication module capable of establishing a communication
channel with a vehicle communication unit 210 included in the
vehicle electronic system 200. Accordingly, when the vehicle
communication unit 210 is configured by a near-distance
communication module, the second communication unit 170 is
configured by a near-distance communication module compatible with
the vehicle communication unit 210. The portable terminal 100
establishes a communication channel with the vehicle electronic
system 200 based on the second communication unit 170 to provide
identification information for generating forwarding group
information to the vehicle electronic system 200.
[0051] In particular, the second communication unit 170 of the
first portable terminal 101 transfers a communication service
connection request message received from the transmission terminal
109 to the second communication unit 170 of the second portable
terminal 102 through the vehicle communication unit 210 under the
control of the user. The second communication unit 170 of the
second portable terminal 102 receives the communication service
connection request message and transfers the received communication
service connection request message to the controller 160 to inform
it that it is forwarded from the first portable terminal 101. When
the second portable terminal 102 user accepts forwarding, the
second portable terminal 102 transfers it to the first terminal
101, and performs a communication service with the transmission
terminal 109 based on a communication service path including the
transmission terminal 109, the first communication unit 110, the
second communication unit 170, the vehicle communication unit 210,
and of the first portable terminal 101. The second portable
terminal 102 operates the first communication unit 110 to exclude
the first portable terminal 101 and the vehicle communication unit
210, and to directly communicate with the transmission terminal
109.
[0052] The input unit 120 generates various input signals necessary
for the operation of the portable terminal 100 under the control of
the user. The input unit 120 includes a plurality of input keys and
function keys for receiving input of numerals or character
information, and setting various functions. The function keys
include arrow keys, side keys, and shortcut keys set to perform
certain functions. Further, the input unit 120 generates and
transfers key signals associated with user setting and function
control of the portable terminal 100 to the controller 160. The
input unit 120 is implemented by using a Qwerty keypad, a 3*4
keypad, or a 4*3 keypad, or the like including a plurality of keys.
Further, the input unit 120 is implemented by a Qwerty key map, a
3*4 keypad, a 4*3 keypad, a menu map, a control key map, or the
like output on the display unit 140. Further, when the display unit
140 of the portable terminal 100 is supported in the form of a full
touchscreen, the input unit 120 includes only side keys provided at
a side surface of a case of the portable terminal 100. The input
unit 120 generates and transfers an input signal for setting an
automatic vehicle mode operation or a vehicle mode release
operation to the controller 160. In particular, when receiving the
communication service connection request message, the input unit
120 of the first portable terminal 101 generates an input signal
for request such that a corresponding message is forwarded to the
second portable terminal 102. When receiving the communication
service connection request message forwarding, the input unit 120
of the second portable terminal 102 generates an input signal
accepting forwarding or generates an input signal such that a
message forwarded to another portable terminal, for example, a
third portable terminal 103 is again forwarded.
[0053] The audio processor 130 outputs various audio data necessary
for operating the portable terminal 100, and supports a function
collecting audio data to support a call function of the portable
terminal 100. To accomplish this, the audio processor 130 includes
a speaker SPK for outputting audio data and a microphone MIC for
collecting the audio data. In particular, the audio processor 130
of the present invention outputs various effect sounds or guide
sounds corresponding to audio data indicating vehicle mode
performing by a portable terminal 100 registered in the vehicle
communication unit 210, audio data informing the user of the
reception of a communication service connection request message
from the transmission terminal 109 while in vehicle mode, audio
data informing the user of the occurrence of message forwarding,
and audio data informing acceptance of a forwarding function. The
audio processor 130 may not output a corresponding sound effect or
guide sound according to user setting. The output of the audio data
is substituted by a vibration function.
[0054] When the portable terminal 100 is configured by a
touchscreen, the display unit 140 includes a display panel and a
touchpanel. The display unit may include a structure in which a
touchpanel is located in a front surface of a display panel.
[0055] The display panel displays information input by the user and
information provided to the user as well as various menus. That is,
the display panel provides various screens, for example, an idle
screen, a menu screen, a message creation screen, and a call screen
according to utilization of the portable terminal 100. The display
panel is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Light Emitted
Diode (OLED) and the like. Furthermore, the display panel is
located in an upper part or a lower part of the touchpanel.
Particularly, the display panel of the present invention outputs
various screens necessary for applying a communication service
forwarding function. The various screens will be described in
detail with reference to following drawings.
[0056] The touchpanel is located in one of an upper part or a lower
part of the display panel, generate a touch event according to
contact of a touch object, for example, user finger, and transfer
the generated touch event to the controller 160. In this case, a
sensor configuring the touchpanel is arranged in a matrix pattern.
Corresponding location information with respect to a touch event
occurring on the touchpanel and information about a type of touch
event are transferred to the controller 160. In particular, the
touchpanel of the present invention is set according to a screen
corresponding to a communication service forwarding function. For
example, when an icon or an image corresponding to at least one
terminal included in the forwarding group information 251 are
output on the display panel, the touchpanel is set to select
corresponding image or icon. The set touchpanel generates a touch
event according to a user touch and transfers the generated touch
event to the controller 160.
[0057] The memory 150 stores a key map or a menu map for operating
the display unit 140 as well as application program necessary for a
function operation according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The key map or the menu map is various forms. That is,
the key map becomes a keyboard map, a 3*4 key map, a Qwerty key
map, or a control key map for controlling an operation of a
currently activated application program. Further, the menu map is
used as a menu map for controlling a currently activated
application program. The memory 150 may include a program area and
a data area.
[0058] The program area stores an OS for booting the portable
terminal 100 and operating the foregoing structural elements, and
application programs for playing various files, for example, an
application program for supporting a call function of the portable
terminal 100, a web browser accessing an Internet server, an MP3
application program for playing sounds, an image output application
program for displaying photographs, and a moving image playback
application program. In particular, the program area of the present
invention stores a forwarding support program 151.
[0059] The forwarding support program 151 is a program for
supporting a communication service forwarding function of the
portable terminal 100. When the portable terminal 100 enters a
vehicle mode or when receiving a communication service connection
request message after it enters the vehicle mode, the forwarding
support program 151 is loaded into the controller 160 and supports
a communication service forward function of the present invention.
To accomplish this, the forwarding support program 151 includes a
routine for operating the second communication unit 170, a routing
providing identification information according to a request of the
vehicle communication unit 210, a routine for receiving and storing
the forwarding group information 251, a routine for requesting and
receiving the forwarding group information 251 to the vehicle
electronic system 200 when the communication service connection
request message is received from the transmission terminal 109, and
a routine for outputting the received forwarding group information
251 to the display unit 140. The forwarding support program 151
includes a routine for forwarding a communication service
connection request message to a forwarding terminal selected from
the forwarding group information 251, for example, a second
portable terminal, and a routine for performing communication
service forwarding between the transmission terminal 109 and the
second portable terminal 102 when the second portable terminal 102
accepts the forwarding.
[0060] The data area is an area for storing data created according
to use of the portable terminal 100, and stores phone-book data, at
least one icon according to a widget function, and various
contents. Further, the data area stores user input provided from
the touchpanel. In particular, the data area stores forwarding
setting information 153.
[0061] The forwarding setting information 153 becomes forwarding
selection terminal information previously defined by the user. The
portable terminal forwarding setting information 153 provides
forward setting information 153 to the vehicle electronic system
200 in a vehicle mode entering procedure. The portable terminal
forwarding setting information 153 designates the second portable
terminal 102 as an automatic forwarding selection terminal, and
designation information is provided to the vehicle electronic
system 200 as the forward setting information. If the forwarding
group information 251 is received from the vehicle electronic
system 200, the portable terminal forwarding setting information
creates forwarding setting information 153 designating a certain
terminal included in the received forwarding group information 251
as the automatic forwarding selection terminal, and feed it back to
the vehicle electronic system 200.
[0062] The vehicle electronic system 200 then stores the forwarding
setting information 153 in the vehicle memory 250. When the first
portable terminal 101 performs a communication service forwarding
function, the vehicle electronic system 200 forwards the
communication service connection request message to the second
portable in the forward setting information 153. In this procedure,
the first portable terminal 101 does not output separate forwarding
group information 251, and receives an input signal with respect to
whether to perform a communication service forwarding function.
[0063] Further, when receiving a corresponding input signal, the
first portable terminal 101 provides a communication service
connection request message to the vehicle electronic system 200,
and the vehicle electronic system 200 automatically transfers the
communication service connection request message to the second
portable 102. The first portable terminal 101 or the vehicle
electronic system 200 receiving the forwarding setting information
153 from the first portable terminal 101 provides the forwarding
setting information 153 to the mobile communication system 300. The
mobile communication system 300 then transfers a communication
service connection request message of a transmission terminal 109
to the second portable terminal according to a vehicle mode entry
of the first portable terminal 101 or signal feedback according to
generation of an input signal for activating a forwarding
function.
[0064] The controller 160 controls power supply to respective
structural elements of the portable terminal 100 to perform an
initializing procedure. Further, the controller 160 controls
various signal flows necessary for applying a communication service
forwarding function of the present invention. To accomplish this,
the controller 160 includes a configuration as illustrated in FIG.
4.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a
controller 160 of the portable terminal forwarding setting
information 153 according to the present invention.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 4, the controller 160 includes a
forwarding group information collector 161, a forwarding group
information output unit 163, and a forwarding supporting unit
165.
[0067] When a portable terminal enters in the vehicle 201, the
forwarding supporting unit 165 receives a message that a vehicle
communication unit 210 included in a vehicle electronic system 200
broadcasts. The controller 160 then establishes a communication
channel with the vehicle electronic system 200, and automatically
registers in the vehicle electronic system 200 according to the
user control or an access history. In the registration procedure,
the controller 160 provides identification information of the
forwarding supporting unit 165 to the vehicle electronic system
200. The vehicle electronic system 200 performs a function of an AP
with respect to the forwarding supporting unit 165. Receiving
identification information from the forwarding supporting unit 165,
the vehicle electronic system 200 generates forwarding group
information 251 based on the received identification information.
If the registration in the vehicle electronic system 200 is
terminated, the controller 160 determines that it has entered
vehicle mode, and outputs an indicator informing of a corresponding
operation, for example, a vehicle mode entry to an indicator
region.
[0068] The forwarding group information collector 161 is an element
collecting forwarding group information 251 generated by the
vehicle electronic system 200. In the case in which the vehicle
electronic system 200 generates the forwarding group information
251 according to a design scheme of a system designer, when the
forwarding group information 251 is transferred regardless of the
generation of a separate event, the forwarding group information
collector 161 of the first portable terminal 101 receives the
forwarding group information 251 and control the memory 150 to
stored it. Further, the forwarding group information collector 161
requests the forwarding group information 251 to the vehicle
electronic system 200 and receives it from vehicle electronic
system 200 when a communication service connection request message
is received from the transmission terminal 109. The forwarding
group information collector 161 of the second portable terminal 102
provides identification information to the vehicle electronic
system 200. When receiving the forwarding group information 251 or
communication service forwarding from the first portable terminal
101 in response thereto, the forwarding group information collector
161 receives the forwarding group information 251 from the first
portable terminal 101 or the vehicle electronic system 200. Based
on this, the second portable terminal 102 again forwards the
received communication service forwarding to another terminal, for
example, the third portable terminal 103 or rejects the
communication service forwarding.
[0069] If the forwarding supporting unit 165 receives the
forwarding group information, the forwarding group information
output unit 163 outputs it to the display unit 140. The forwarding
group information output unit 163 outputs the forwarding group
information 251 with output to a screen according to reception of
the communication service connection request message. A screen
interface associated with output to the forwarding group
information will be described in detail with reference to drawings
to be illustrated below.
[0070] The forwarding supporting unit 165 supports a communication
service forwarding function of the forwarding supporting unit 165.
When the user selects a link item corresponding to a certain
portable terminal in an output state of the forwarding group
information 251, the forwarding supporting unit 165 collects
information linked with the corresponding item, for example,
information for performing communication connection with the second
portable terminal 102, and transfers a communication service
connection request message to the second portable terminal 102
based on the collected information. The forwarding supporting unit
165 ensures that that a communication service connection request
message is forwarded using the second communication unit 170
establishing a communication channel with the vehicle communication
unit 210. When receiving the communication service connection
request message provided through the vehicle communication unit
210, the forwarding supporting unit 165 of the second portable
terminal 102 ensures that it is output to the display unit 140.
Further, when the user accepts forwarding, the forwarding
supporting unit 165 of the second portable terminal 102 transfers
the forwarding acceptance message to the first portable terminal
101 through the vehicle communication unit 210. The forwarding
supporting unit 165 of the first portable terminal 101 checks a
forwarding acceptance message received through the vehicle
communication unit 210, perform communication service connection
with the transmission terminal 109, and ensures that data
transmitted/received to and from the transmission terminal 109 are
forwarded to the second portable terminal 102 through the vehicle
communication unit 210. Further, the forwarding supporting unit 165
provides forwarding information to the second portable terminal
102, for example, a phone number of the second portable terminal
102 to the mobile communication system 300 such that the
transmission terminal 109 and the second portable terminal 102
perform a mutual communication service.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen interface of a
forwarding supporting unit 165 according to an embodiment of the
present invention. Hereinafter, a screen interface will be
described with reference to a call service of communication
services.
[0072] The first portable terminal 101 receives a call service
connection request message from the transmission terminal 109.
Accordingly, the first portable terminal 101 outputs a screen
according to the reception of the communication service connection
request message as illustrated in a screen 501. The first portable
terminal 101 ensures that the transmission terminal 109 determines
photograph information corresponding to the transmission terminal
109 stored in a phone-book corresponding to an item stored in the
phone-book and outputs the determined photograph information to the
display unit 140. When there is no photograph information, the
first portable terminal 101 ensures that the phone number
information or name information corresponding the transmission
terminal 109 are output to the display unit 140.
[0073] Further, the first portable terminal 101 receives the
forwarding group information 251 and output the received forwarding
group information as illustrated in a screen 501 of FIG. 5. The
forwarding group information 251 contains information "wife"
corresponding to the second portable terminal 102 and information
"Tom" corresponding to the third portable terminal 103.
Accordingly, the display unit 140 outputs a first link item 51 and
a second link item 52 corresponding to the second portable terminal
102 and the third portable terminal 103. In particular, the first
portable terminal 101 configures the first link item 51 and the
second link item 52 based on photograph and image information
included in the forwarding group information 251. When there is no
photograph or image information, the first portable terminal 101
substitutes and outputs phone number or name information of
respective portable terminals for the first link item 51 and the
second link item 52.
[0074] The first portable terminal 101 user generates an input
signal designating one of the first link item 51 and the second
link item 52 as a forwarding selection terminal. When the display
unit 140 supports a touchscreen function, the user generates an
input signal touching a first link item 51 corresponding to the
second portable terminal 102 output on the display unit 140. The
first portable terminal 101 then outputs a screen indicating that
it performs call service forwarding as illustrated in screen 503.
During this procedure, the first portable terminal 101 transfers a
call service connection request message to the second portable
terminal 102. Moreover, the first portable terminal 101 may process
data transmission/reception associated with call service forwarding
by background processing. After the first portable terminal 101
does not return to a previous screen but maintains screen 503
indicating that call service forwarding is being performed, when a
corresponding call service is terminated, it controls returning to
a previous screen.
[0075] When the second portable terminal 102 returns a forwarding
acceptance message with respect to a call service connection
request message, the first portable terminal 101 outputs a screen
corresponding to acceptance of the call service forwarding.
Moreover, the first portable terminal 101 ensures that it is
restored to a screen output on the display unit 140.
[0076] Restoration to the previous screen is changed according to a
system design scheme. For example, when a call service forwarding
function and data transmission/reception associated with a call
service are performed through the vehicle communication unit 210,
the first portable terminal 101 may maintain output of screen 503
to a call service termination. When the second portable terminal
102 excludes the first portable terminal 101 and the vehicle
electronic system 200 but directly operates a call service with the
transmission terminal 109 after acceptance of call service
forwarding, the first portable terminal 101 restores a previous
screen after completing call forwarding.
[0077] Additionally, when the first portable terminal 101 is
located in the vehicle 201 and enters a vehicle mode by performing
registration in the vehicle electronic system 200, it outputs a
vehicle mode indicator 141 indicating that it is in a vehicle mode
on a side of the screen or an indicator region. Accordingly, the
user easily recognizes that the first portable terminal 101 is
currently operated in a vehicle mode, and accordingly a
communication service is forwarded.
[0078] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen
interface of a portable terminal 100 according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] The first portable terminal 101 receives a call service
connection request message from the transmission terminal 109. The
first portable terminal 101 then outputs a screen according to the
reception of a call service connection request message as
illustrated in screen 601 in the same manner as in the screen 501.
Further, the first portable terminal 101 outputs the forwarding
group information 251 received from the vehicle electronic system
200 as illustrated in the screen 601 of FIG. 6. Accordingly, the
first portable terminal 101 outputs a call service connection
request screen in which the first link item 51 and the second link
item 52 are output to a side of the screen.
[0080] After outputting the screen 601 to the display unit 140 for
a predetermined time, when a predetermined time elapses, the first
portable terminal 101 outputs a screen 603. The first portable
terminal 101 checks forwarding setting information 153 stored in
the memory 150, automatically designates a forwarding selection
terminal, for example, a second portable terminal 102, and ensures
that call service forwarding to the second portable terminal 102 is
performed. The first portable terminal 101 highlights the display
to allow a user to recognize that the second portable terminal 102
is designated as a forwarding selection terminal. When a call
service connection request message from the transmission terminal
109 through background processing without an output procedure of
screens 601 and 603, the first portable terminal 101 controls the
second portable terminal 102 registered as the forwarding group
information to automatically forward the call service connection
request message. The second portable terminal 102 is located in the
vehicle 201 and becomes a terminal registered with forwarding group
information 251 by the vehicle electronic system 200. Further, the
second portable terminal 102 is not located in the vehicle 201, but
becomes a terminal of a certain place designated by the first
portable terminal 101. The second portable terminal 102 then
performs a call with the transmission terminal 109 and transfers a
calling content to the first portable terminal 101 with messages to
remove a driving hindrance factor of performing a direct call by
the user. In this procedure, the first portable terminal 101
informs the transmission terminal 109 that it is forwarded to the
second portable terminal 102 to form a call channel with the second
portable terminal 102 in a state that the user recognizes during
forwarding.
[0081] The first portable terminal 101 user controls a forwarding
function to a certain terminal before a predetermined time elapses.
When receiving the call service connection request message, the
first portable terminal 101 user checks the transmission terminal
109 and ensures that a corresponding call service connection
request message to the third portable terminal 103. To accomplish
this, the first portable terminal 101 selects an input signal
selecting a second link item 52 corresponding to the third portable
terminal 103. The display unit 140 of the first portable terminal
101 then outputs a screen indicating that call service forwarding
is being performed to "Tom" being a third portable terminal 103
user as illustrated in screen 605.
[0082] If the call forwarding is terminated, the first portable
terminal 101 restores a previous screen as illustrated in screen
607. Here, the screen 607 indicates that a first portable terminal
101 previously outputs map information. Accordingly, although the
user receives a call service connection request message, the first
portable terminal 101 user confirms map information without being
disturbed, to safely arrive at his destination.
[0083] Additionally, as illustrated previously, the second portable
terminal 102 or the third portable terminal 103 selected to forward
a communication service outputs forwarding ground information 251
on a screen and output a screen informing communication service
forwarding. Accordingly, the second portable terminal 102 of the
third portable terminal 103 ensures that communication service
forwarding is accepted or corresponding communication service
forwarding is again forwarded to another terminal.
[0084] As illustrated above, the communication service forwarding
function of the present invention automatically performs vehicle
mode entry when a driver is located in the vehicle 201 to pay
attention to driving, and support such that a communication service
to a forwarding selection terminal set or selected by the user
based on a vehicle mode. The communication service forwarding
function of the present invention is automatically released when
the user releases a vehicle mode or the portable terminal is beyond
a communication distance of the vehicle communication unit 210.
Accordingly, the portable terminal 100 of the present invention
ensures that a communication service forwarding function is
released to perform service support according to a general
communication service function.
[0085] The foregoing embodiment has illustrated a configuration of
a system and portable terminals for supporting a communication
service forwarding function and functions thereof. Hereinafter,
various methods for supporting a communication service forwarding
function of the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0086] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of
a portable terminal for supporting a communication service
forwarding function according to an embodiment of the present
invention, particularly, which is a flowchart illustrating an
operation method of a first portable terminal 101 first receiving a
communication service connection request message from a
transmission terminal 109.
[0087] Referring to FIG. 7, in the operation method of a portable
terminal according to the present invention, a controller 160 of a
first portable terminal 101 receives power from a power supply and
perform power distribution necessary for operations of respective
structural elements in step 701.
[0088] Next, the first portable terminal 101 determines whether it
enters a vehicle mode in step 703. To accomplish this, the first
portable terminal 101 is located within an allowable communication
range and performs registration in the vehicle communication unit
210. The vehicle communication unit 210 performs a function of an
AP with respect to the first portable terminal 101. If establishing
a communication channel with the vehicle communication unit 210,
the first portable terminal 101 provides identification information
to the vehicle electronic system 200 through the vehicle
communication unit 210. If registration of the vehicle
communication unit 210 is terminated, the first portable terminal
101 determines it as entering the vehicle mode. In this case, the
first portable terminal 101 outputs a pop-up window inquiring
presence of entering the vehicle mode on the display unit 140, and
ensures that entering the vehicle mode is cancelled or the vehicle
mode is not entered.
[0089] When the first portable terminal 101 does not enter the
vehicle mode at step 703, it supports a terminal function according
to user input in step 705. For example, the first portable terminal
101 ensures that certain user functions such as a navigation
function, a file search function, a file playback function, and a
broadcasting receiving function are performed according to an input
signal provided from the input unit 120 or a display unit 140 of an
input function.
[0090] When entering the vehicle mode is performed at step 703, the
portable terminal 101 receives forwarding group information 251
from a vehicle electronic system 200 in step 707. To accomplish
this, the vehicle electronic system 200 collects identification
information of portable terminals located in the vehicle 201 in a
registration procedure, and generate forwarding group information
251 based on the collected identification information of the
portable terminals. A procedure of receiving forwarding group
information 251 is performed after step 709 to be described
later.
[0091] The first portable terminal 101 then determines whether a
communication service connection request message is received from
the transmission terminal 109 in step 709. To accomplish this, the
transmission terminal 109 transmits a communication service
connection request message to the first portable terminal 101
through the mobile communication system 300. When a separate
communication service connection request message is not received,
the first portable terminal 101 performs a user function according
to user input while maintaining a vehicle mode state.
[0092] When the communication service connection request message is
received from the transmission terminal 109 at step 709, the first
portable terminal 101, the first portable terminal 101 outputs a
screen according to reception of the communication service
connection request message on a display unit 140. The first
portable terminal 101 outputs forwarding group information 251
together with the display unit 140. The first portable terminal 101
determines whether an automatic mode of a communication service
forwarding function is set in step 711. The automatic mode of the
communication service forwarding function is a mode of forwarding a
communication service to a certain preset portable terminal without
selection of a terminal performing forwarding. When the automatic
mode is not set, the first portable terminal 101 transfers a
communication service connection request message to a forwarding
terminal selected by the user in step 713. The user designates a
certain terminal from the forwarding group information 251 output
on the display unit 140 as a forwarding selection terminal.
[0093] However, when the automatic mode is selected at step 711,
the first portable terminal 101 determines whether an input signal
for selecting a forwarding terminal is generated in step 715. When
a certain forwarding terminal is selected at step 715, the process
may go to step 713. To accomplish this, the first portable terminal
101 waits for a predetermined time for selecting the forwarding
terminal. Further, the first portable terminal 101 outputs
information with respect to a terminal automatically performing
communication service forwarding on the display unit 140. When a
separate forwarding terminal is not selected at step 715, the first
portable terminal 101 controls a forwarding selection terminal
previously set in the forwarding setting information 153, for
example, the second portable terminal 102 to automatically perform
the communication service forwarding in step 717. Here, the second
portable terminal 102 is a terminal belonging to the forwarding
group information 251 generated by the vehicle electronic system
200. The second portable terminal 102 is a terminal that the first
portable terminal 101 user optionally inputs.
[0094] Accordingly, the first portable terminal 101 forwards a
communication service connection request message received while a
driver is driving a vehicle to another portable terminal that lets
the driver to pay attention to driving. Further, although the first
portable terminal 101 user does not drive the vehicle, the first
portable terminal 101 ensures that communication service forwarding
to another portable terminal in the vehicle 201 is easily performed
according to a need of the user.
[0095] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of forwarding a
communication service based on a vehicle according to an embodiment
of the present invention. Hereinafter, a call service will be
described as an example of communication services.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 8, in the method of forwarding a
communication service according to the present invention, portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 communicates with a vehicle electronic
system 200 within an allowable communication range, for example, in
a vehicle 201 to perform registration in a vehicle communication
unit 210 in step 801. The portable terminals 101, 102, and 103
perform an SSID search of the vehicle communication unit 210. When
security is set, the portable terminals performs an authentication
procedure and be registered in the vehicle communication unit 210.
Conversely, when the security is not set, the portable terminals
are registered in the vehicle communication unit 210 without
performing the authentication procedure.
[0097] When the portable terminals 101, 102, 103 are registered in
the vehicle electronic system 200, the vehicle electronic system
200 requests IDentification (ID) information for communication
service forwarding to the respective portable terminals 101, 102,
103 in step 803. Then, the portable terminals 101, 102, and 103
provide each ID information to the vehicle electronic system 200 in
step 805. Here, the ID information contains terminal ID, phone
numbers, a name, and photograph information. The vehicle electronic
system 200 collecting the ID information from the respective
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 combines the collected ID
information to generate forwarding group information 251.
[0098] A transmission terminal 109 then requests call connection
with a first portable terminal 101 to a mobile communication system
300 in step 807. Then, the mobile communication system 300 controls
the first portable terminal 101 to transmit a message corresponding
to a call service connection request in step 809. To accomplish
this, the mobile communication system 300 searches a base station
in which the first portable terminal 101 is located and controls a
corresponding base station to transmit a call service connection
request message to the first portable terminal 101.
[0099] The first portable terminal 101 receiving the call service
connection request message requests the forwarding group
information 251 to the vehicle electronic system 200 in step 811.
The step of providing the forwarding group information 251 is
adjusted to be performed immediately after the vehicle electronic
system 200 generates the forwarding group information 251. The
forwarding group information 251 is provided to respective portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103 without separate request from the
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103. Accordingly, the respective
portable terminals 101, 102, and 103 store and manage the
forwarding group information 251 while they are located in the
vehicle 201.
[0100] If the vehicle electronic system 200 receives a request
signal of the forwarding group information 251, it provides the
forwarding group information 251 to the first portable terminal 101
in step 813. Then, the first portable terminal 101 ensures that the
received forwarding group information 251 and a screen interface
according to reception of the call service connection request
message are output on the display unit 140. Accordingly, the first
portable terminal 101 user recognizes that a current state is a
state that call service connection is requested from the
transmission terminal 109 and a call service forwarding to the
second portable terminal 102 and the third portable terminal 103 is
possible. Next, the first portable terminal 101 user generates an
input signal designating a certain terminal, for example, the
second portable terminal 102 as a forwarding selection terminal.
The generated input signal, namely, a forwarding selection terminal
designation signal is then transferred to the vehicle electronic
system 200 in step 815.
[0101] When the vehicle electronic system 200 receives the
forwarding selection terminal designation signal, it transmits a
call service forwarding acceptance presence message to the second
portable terminal 102 designated in step 817. The second portable
terminal 102 then outputs a screen interface regarding presence of
a call service forwarding acceptance on a display unit.
Accordingly, the second portable terminal 102 user recognizes that
the first portable terminal 101 currently instructs call service
forwarding. The second portable terminal 102 outputs the forwarding
group information 251 together with the display unit 140 such that
the user again forwards the received call service forwarding to
another portable terminal, for example, the third portable terminal
103.
[0102] When the second portable terminal 102 user accepts the call
service forwarding, the second portable terminal 102 transfers a
call service forwarding acceptance message to the first portable
terminal 101 through the vehicle electronic system 200 in step 819.
Accordingly, the first portable terminal 101 transfers an alarm
message informing the mobile communication system 300 that call
service forwarding to the second portable terminal 102 is performed
in step 821.
[0103] The mobile communication system 300 then transfers the alarm
message to the transmission terminal 109 and form a communication
channel for call connection of the transmission terminal 109 in
step 823.
[0104] Accordingly, a communication path including the transmission
terminal 109, the mobile communication system 300, the first
portable terminal 101, the vehicle electronic system 200, and the
second portable terminal 102 is formed, and a call service between
the second portable terminal 102 and the transmission terminal 109
is supported through the communication path. In more detail, when
the transmission terminal 109 transfers a first voice signal to a
mobile communication system 300 in step 825a voice signal transfer
procedure is performed, that is, the mobile communication system
300 transfers the first voice signal to the first portable terminal
101 in step 827, the first portable terminal 101 transfers the
first voice signal to the vehicle electronic system 200 in step
829, and the vehicle electronic system 200 transfers the first
voice signal to the second portable terminal 102 in step 831. The
voice signal transfer procedure of the second portable terminal 102
includes a step of transferring a second voice signal to a vehicle
electronic system 200 by the second portable terminal 102 in step
833, a step of transferring the second voice signal to the first
portable terminal 101 by the vehicle electronic system 200 in step
835, a step of transferring the second voice signal to a mobile
communication system 300 by the first portable terminal 101 in step
837, and a step of transferring the second voice signal to the
transmission terminal 109 by the mobile communication system 300 in
step 839.
[0105] FIG. 9 is a signal flowchart illustrating a method of
forwarding a communication service according to a second embodiment
of the present invention.
[0106] Hereinafter, a call service forwarding method will be
described as an example of communication service forwarding
methods. Before the description, step 901, step 903, and step 905
are implemented in the same manner as step 801, step 803, and step
805, respectively, and thus a detailed description thereof is
omitted.
[0107] Referring to FIG. 9, in the call service forwarding method,
a vehicle electronic system 200 generates forwarding group
information 251 based on ID information received from the portable
terminals 101, 102, and 103, and provide the generated forwarding
group information 251 to the mobile communication system 300 in
step 907. To accomplish this, the vehicle electronic system 200
includes a communication module capable of communicating with the
mobile communication system 300. When forwarding setting
information setting to automatically forward a communication
service connection request message to another terminal is included
in the forwarding group information 251, the method of forwarding a
communication service of the present invention omits a part of
following procedures and establishes a communication channel
between a forwarding terminal set with automatic forwarding and the
transmission terminal 109. The mobile communication system 300
informs the first portable terminal 101 that a communication
service connection request message according to communication
service connection request from the transmission terminal 109.
Moreover, the mobile communication system 300 informs the
transmission terminal 109 that the first portable terminal 101 is
in a vehicle mode, and a corresponding communication service
connection request message is transferred to a second portable
terminal 102 designated as a forwarding terminal. Subsequently,
both of the second portable terminal 102 and the transmission
terminal 109 accept communication service connection, the mobile
communication system 300 establishes a communication channel
between the second portable terminal 102 and the transmission
terminal 109.
[0108] The transmission terminal 109 requests call service
connection with the first portable terminal 101 to the mobile
communication system 300 in step 909. To accomplish this, the
transmission terminal 109 may input phone numbers of the first
portable terminal 101, and perform call dial based on the phone
numbers.
[0109] When the mobile communication system 300 receives request of
a call service connection with the first portable terminal 101, it
transfers a call service connection request message and forwarding
group information 251 to the first portable terminal 101 in step
911.
[0110] When the first portable terminal 101 receives the call
service connection request message and the forwarding group
information 251, it outputs them to the display unit 140. The first
portable terminal 101 user then recognizes reception of the call
service connection request, and generates an input signal for
selecting another terminal, for example, a second portable terminal
from the forwarding group information 251, and designates the
selected terminal as a forwarding terminal. Accordingly, the first
portable terminal 101 provides a designation signal for designating
the second portable terminal as a forwarding terminal for call
service forwarding to the vehicle electronic system 200 in step
913.
[0111] When the vehicle electronic system 200 receives a forwarding
terminal designation signal from the first portable terminal 101,
it transfers a call service forwarding acceptance presence message
to a second portable terminal 102 designated by the forwarding
terminal designation signal in step 915. When receiving the call
service forwarding acceptance presence message, the second portable
terminal 102 then outputs the reception of a corresponding message
to the display unit such that the second portable terminal 120 user
checks presence of forwarding. When the user accepts the
forwarding, the second portable terminal 102 ensures that a call
service forwarding acceptance message is transferred to the vehicle
electronic system 200 in step 917.
[0112] When receiving the call service forwarding acceptance
message, the vehicle electronic system 200 transfers the call
service forwarding acceptance message to the first portable
terminal 101 in step 919, and the first portable terminal 101
transfers an alarm message informing that the call service is
forwarded to the second portable terminal 102 to the mobile
communication system 300 in step 921. The mobile communication
system 300 transfers a call acceptance presence message with the
second portable terminal 102 according to call service forwarding
to the transmission terminal 109 in step 923. When accepting it,
the transmission terminal 109 transfers a call acceptance message
with the second portable terminal 102 to the mobile communication
system 300 in step 925. Subsequently, the mobile communication
system 300 transfers call acceptance of the transmission terminal
109 to the first portable terminal 101 in step 927, and form a call
channel between the transmission terminal 109 and the second
portable terminal 102 in step 929.
[0113] As illustrated above, the method of forwarding a
communication service of the present invention performs a
communication service based on a communication path including a
transmission terminal 109, a mobile communication system 300, and a
second portable terminal 120 according to communication service
forwarding. More specifically, a voice signal transmitting
procedure of the transmission terminal 109 includes a step of
transmitting a first voice signal to a mobile communication system
300 by the transmission terminal 109 in step 931, and a step of
transferring a first voice signal to a second portable terminal 102
by the mobile communication system 300 in step 933. Further, a
voice signal transmitting procedure of the second portable terminal
102 includes a step of transferring a second voice signal to the
mobile communication system 10 by the second portable terminal 102
in step 35, and a step of transferring the second voice signal to
the transmission terminal 109 by the mobile communication system 10
in step 937.
[0114] As illustrated above, when a first portable terminal 101 is
located in the vehicle 201, and enters a vehicle mode, a method of
forwarding a communication service according to an embodiment of
the present invention forwards a communication service dialed from
the first portable terminal, for example, call connection request
to another terminal, so that a driver with the first portable
terminal 101 can pay attention to driving. Accordingly, the method
of the present invention ensures that stable driving is
achieved.
[0115] Here, the foregoing embodiment has illustrated the method of
forwarding a communication service of the present invention with
reference to a call service. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto. The method of forwarding a communication service
of the present invention may support a forwarding function with
respect to reception of SMS, multi-media message, e-mail or SNS
message. To do this, the first portable terminal 101 outputs a
screen interface including forwarding information 251 to check
whether to forward a service to another terminal before reception
of a message according to a corresponding message service.
[0116] When entering a vehicle mode, the first portable terminal
101 ensures that a corresponding message is automatically forwarded
to another portable terminal according to forwarding setting
information 153. To do this, the first portable terminal 101 checks
forwarding setting information 153 in a vehicle mode entering
procedure to set to which terminal the foregoing message are
forwarded with default. In this procedure, a first portable
terminal 101 user configures forwarding setting information 153
using the first portable terminal 101, and directly operate the
vehicle electronic system 200 to configure the forwarding setting
information 153. In this case, another terminal receiving
forwarding of a corresponding communication service is located in
the vehicle 201, and become a terminal included in the forwarding
group information 251 or a certain terminal of a certain place
optionally designated by the first portable terminal 101 user.
[0117] In the meantime, the foregoing method has illustrated that
the second portable terminal 102 directly accepts call service
forwarding by way of example. However, the second portable terminal
102 can again apply call service forwarding to another portable
terminal, for example, a third portable terminal 103. To do this,
when receiving a message inquiring presence of call service
forwarding acceptance, the second portable terminal 102 receives
the forwarding group information 251 from the first portable
terminal 101 or the vehicle electronic system 200, and output it on
a display unit. As the second portable terminal 102 again applies
call service forwarding to the third portable terminal 103, when
the third portable terminal accepts it, a communication path is
configured to include the transmission terminal 109, the mobile
communication system 300, the first portable terminal 101, the
vehicle electronic system 200, and the third portable terminal 103.
The communication path is configured by a path including the
transmission terminal 109, the mobile communication system 300, and
the third portable terminal 103.
[0118] The foregoing portable terminal 100 may further include
various additional modules according to provision forms. That is,
when the portable terminal 100 is a communication terminal, it
includes parts that are not mentioned such as a near-distance
communication module for near-distance communication, an interface
exchanging data in a wired communication scheme or a wireless
communication scheme of the mobile terminal 100, an Internet
communication module communicating with an Internet to perform an
Internet function, and a digital broadcasting module receiving and
broadcasting digital broadcasting. Since the structural elements
can be variously changed according to convergence trend of a
digital device, no elements can be listed. However, the portable
terminal 100 includes structural elements equivalent to the
foregoing structural elements. Further, the terminal 100 of the
present invention may be substituted by specific constructions in
the foregoing arrangements according to the provided form or
another structure. This can be easily understood to those skilled
in the present art.
[0119] Further, the portable terminal 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention includes various types of
devices supporting a communication service forward function. For
example, the mobile terminal 100 includes an information
communication device and a multimedia device such as a Portable
Multimedia Player (PMP), a digital broadcasting player, a Personal
Digital Assistant (PDA), a music player (e.g., an MP3 player), a
portable game terminal, a SmartPhone, a notebook computer, and a
handheld PC as well as various mobile communication terminals
corresponding to various communication systems.
[0120] In a method of forwarding a communication service based on a
vehicle, a system thereof, and a terminal supporting the same, when
a communication service connection request is received from a
driver, it forwards a communication service to a terminal carried
by a certain person to perform stable driving.
[0121] Additionally, although a driver or a passenger performs a
communication service, the present invention allows a user to use
the communication service at a more comfortable and safer time.
[0122] While the present invention has been shown and described
with reference to certain embodiments and drawings of the portable
terminal, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by
the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *