U.S. patent application number 14/698496 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for mobile device and control method of the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Woo-yong CHANG, Hyung-rae CHO, Sun-ae KIM.
Application Number | 20150231494 14/698496 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43922813 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150231494 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHANG; Woo-yong ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
MOBILE DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME
Abstract
A mobile device is provided. The mobile device includes a
communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of
counterpart mobile devices; a display unit; and a controller
configured to control the communication unit to transmit a request
for participation in an ad-hoc network to the plurality of
counterpart mobile devices, receive an acceptance signal from at
least one counterpart mobile device among the plurality of
counterpart mobile devices, to control the display unit to provide
status information on the participation in the ad-hoc network based
on the received acceptance signal, such that the at least one
counterpart mobile device, which transmits the acceptance signal,
reproduces a content which is being reproduced in the mobile
device.
Inventors: |
CHANG; Woo-yong;
(Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; KIM; Sun-ae; (Seoul, KR)
; CHO; Hyung-rae; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Gyeonggi-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
43922813 |
Appl. No.: |
14/698496 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12913383 |
Oct 27, 2010 |
9037121 |
|
|
14698496 |
|
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|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/416 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/104 20130101;
H04L 12/1822 20130101; A63F 13/87 20140902; H04L 51/20 20130101;
H04M 2250/62 20130101; H04N 21/4788 20130101; H04N 21/41407
20130101; H04W 76/40 20180201; H04L 51/32 20130101; H04L 51/14
20130101; A63F 13/12 20130101; H04N 21/4532 20130101; A63F 13/35
20140902; H04L 51/38 20130101; A63F 13/533 20140902; A63F 13/332
20140902; A63F 13/822 20140902; A63F 2300/406 20130101; H04L 51/04
20130101; H04W 84/18 20130101; A63F 13/795 20140902; H04L 67/1046
20130101; H04W 4/08 20130101; A63F 13/31 20140902 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/332 20060101
A63F013/332; H04W 76/00 20060101 H04W076/00; H04N 21/414 20060101
H04N021/414; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08; H04N 21/4788 20060101
H04N021/4788; H04L 12/18 20060101 H04L012/18; H04L 12/58 20060101
H04L012/58; H04W 4/08 20060101 H04W004/08; H04N 21/45 20060101
H04N021/45 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 30, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0104430 |
Claims
1. A mobile device, comprising: a communication unit configured to
communicate with a plurality of counterpart mobile devices; a
display unit; and a controller configured to control the
communication unit to transmit a request for participation in an
ad-hoc network to the plurality of counterpart mobile devices,
receive an acceptance signal from at least one counterpart mobile
device among the plurality of counterpart mobile devices, to
control the display unit to provide status information on the
participation in the ad-hoc network based on the received
acceptance signal, such that the at least one counterpart mobile
device, which transmits the acceptance signal, reproduces a content
which is being reproduced in the mobile device.
2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the controller
is configured to control the communication unit to transmit the
request for participation in the ad-hoc network to the plurality of
counterpart mobile devices having a profile corresponding to a user
profile from the plurality of counterpart mobile devices
connectable with the communication unit.
3. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein the controller
is further configured to control to set a right of performing an
activity for reproducing the content of the plurality of mobile
devices participating in the ad-hoc network.
4. The mobile device according to claim 3, wherein the activity
comprises at least one of joint implementation of an application,
sharing the content implemented by the user with a user of the at
least one counterpart mobile device, and transmitting and receiving
the content between the users.
5. A control method of a mobile device, the method comprising:
transmitting a request for participation in an ad-hoc network to a
plurality of counterpart mobile devices; receiving an acceptance
signal from at least one counterpart mobile device among the
plurality of counterpart mobile devices; providing status
information on the participation in the ad-hoc network based on the
received acceptance signal; reproducing a content which is being
reproduced in the mobile device with the at least one counterpart
mobile device which transmits the acceptance signal.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein transmitting a request
for participation in an ad-hoc network comprises transmitting the
request for the participation in the ad-hoc network to the
plurality of counterpart mobile devices having a profile
corresponding to a user profile from the plurality of counterpart
mobile devices connectable with the mobile device.
7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising setting a
right of performing an activity for reproducing the content of the
plurality of mobile devices participating in the ad-hoc
network.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the activity comprises
at least one of joint implementation of an application, sharing the
content implemented by the user with a user of the at least one
counterpart mobile device, and transmitting and receiving the
content between the users.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This continuation application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/913,383
(now in condition for allowance), filed on Oct. 27, 2010 in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, which claimed priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed
on Oct. 30, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and
assigned Ser. No. 10-2009-0104430, the entire disclosures of each
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a mobile device
and a control method of the same, and more particularly, to a
method and apparatus in which a mobile device voluntarily and
easily forms a network under a ubiquitous environment to perform
various services.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a plurality of users connected to a network form
a community and may communicate with each other. Conventionally, a
network for community activity may be set up in a state where
communication is enabled with prior consent, such as network for
community activity set up by users connected to a server providing
a service. However, a more convenient method of constituting a
network between groups is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention has been made to address the
above-mentioned problems and disadvantages, and to provide at least
the advantages described below.
[0007] Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a
mobile device, which voluntarily and easily forms a network under a
ubiquitous environment, to perform various services and a control
method of the same.
[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
mobile device is provided. The mobile device includes a
communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of
counterpart mobile devices; a display unit; and a controller
configured to control the communication unit to transmit a request
for participation in an ad-hoc network to the plurality of
counterpart mobile devices, receive an acceptance signal from at
least one counterpart mobile device among the plurality of
counterpart mobile devices, to control the display unit to provide
status information on the participation in the ad-hoc network based
on the received acceptance signal, such that the at least one
counterpart mobile device, which transmits the acceptance signal,
reproduces a content which is being reproduced in the mobile
device.
[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is for a controller
to control the communication unit to transmit the request for the
participation in the ad-hoc network the plurality of counterpart
mobile device having a profile corresponding to a user profile from
the plurality of counterpart mobile device connectable with the
communication unit.
[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is for a controller
to control to set the right of performing a activity for
reproducing the content of the plurality of mobile device
participating in the ad-hoc group network.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention is for an activity
to include at least one of joint implementation of an application,
sharing the content implemented by the user with a user of the
counterpart mobile device, and transmitting and receiving the
content between users.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
control method of a mobile device is provided. The method includes
transmitting a request for participation in an ad-hoc network to a
plurality of counterpart mobile devices; receiving an acceptance
signal from at least one counterpart mobile device among the
plurality of counterpart mobile devices; providing status
information on the participation in the ad-hoc network based on the
received acceptance signal; reproducing a content which is being
reproduced in the mobile device with the at least one counterpart
mobile device which transmits the acceptance signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of
certain embodiments of the present invention will become apparent
and more readily appreciated from the following description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of a network for a community activity according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a network for a community
activity connected in ad hoc mode;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network for a community
activity connected in infrastructure mode;
[0018] FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating screen display examples of
a mobile device setting up a network for a community activity;
[0019] FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating screen display examples of
a mobile device receiving a request for participation in a
network;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a community activity
network according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a community activity
network according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a community activity
network according to still another embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a control method of a
mobile device according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT
INVENTION
[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings so as
to be easily understood by a person having ordinary skill in the
art. Various changes and modifications of the embodiments described
herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of
the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions
and parts are omitted for clarity, and similar reference numerals
will be understood to refer to similar elements, features and
structures throughout the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically
illustrates a configuration of a network for a community activity
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] When a user performs a community activity with a plurality
of unspecified counterparts existing in the same space, for example
on the bus or in the subway, the user sets up a network for a
community activity, for example a game room, using his or her
mobile device 100. The user searches for a counterpart to
participate in the network and to perform the community activity
among the plurality of counterparts existing in the same place.
Specifically, user's mobile device 100 communicates with mobile
devices of the counterparts to search for counterpart mobile
devices, which satisfy a predetermined condition. For example,
user's mobile device 100 may search for a mobile device of a
counterpart playing a game, a mobile device of a counter part
playing the same game as that to be played in the set up game room,
and the like. In FIG. 1, mobile device 110 of counterpart A, mobile
device 120 of counterpart B, mobile device 130 of counterpart C,
and mobile device 140 of counterpart D are found.
[0026] The user may then request that a found counterpart
participate in the network. In FIG. 1, mobile device 100 of the
user requests that device 110 of counterpart A, mobile device 120
of counterpart B, mobile device 130 of counterpart C, and mobile
device 140 of counterpart D participate in the network.
[0027] Here, when a counterpart accepts the request and
participates in the network, the user performs the community
activity with the at least one counterpart mobile device. That is,
in FIG. 1, the mobile device 100 of the user plays the game with
device 110 of counterpart A, mobile device 120 of counterpart B,
mobile device 130 of counterpart C, and mobile device 140 of
counterpart D.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mobile device according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] The mobile device 200 according to the present embodiment
may be a mobile terminal, a laptop computer, a personal digital
assistant (PDA), an MP3 (MPEG audio layer-3) player, and the like.
Further, mobile device 200 according to the present embodiment may
include any electronic device carried by the user and capable of
communicating with other mobile devices.
[0030] Mobile device 200 according to the present embodiment
includes a communication unit 210, a signal processing unit 220, a
display unit 230, a user input unit 240, and a controller 250.
Communication unit 210 communicates with a plurality of counter
mobile devices.
[0031] According to one embodiment, communication unit 210 performs
communication via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.RTM., and Zigbee to constitute
an ad hoc network with the plurality of counterpart mobile devices.
Here, communication unit 210 includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.RTM. and
Zigbee communication modules.
[0032] Alternatively, communication unit 210 performs mobile
communication, such as wireless local area network (WLAN), 3G, 3G
transitional, and 4G communication, to constitute an infrastructure
network with the plurality of counterpart mobile devices. Here,
communication unit 210 includes a WLAN communication module, a 3G
communication module, a 3G transitional communication module, and a
4G communication module.
[0033] The signal processing unit 220 processes a signal
transmitted and received through communication unit 210. For
example, signal processing unit 220 may perform encoding, decoding,
and demodulation of a signal.
[0034] The display unit 230 displays an image based on a signal
processed by signal processing unit 220. Here, display unit 230 may
include a display panel configured as a Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED), a Plasma Display
Panel (PDP), and the like.
[0035] The user input unit 240 receives input by a user. In detail,
the input by the user may be associated with a network for a
community activity. For example, the input may include setting up
the network, searching for participants in the network, a community
activity, or terminating the network.
[0036] Here, user input unit 240 may receive user's input through a
touch screen, a touch pad, or a button of mobile device 200.
[0037] Controller 250 controls communication unit 210 to request
that at least one counterpart mobile device having a profile
corresponding to a profile of the user participates in the network
for the community activity among a plurality of connectable
counterpart mobile devices. Prior to the request, controller 250
controls communication unit 210 to request participation in the
network when a signal allowing constitution of the network for the
community activity is received from the user through user input
unit 240.
[0038] Controller 250 controls communication unit 210 to search for
at least one counterpart mobile device having a profile
corresponding to the profile of the user. Here, controller 250
controls communication unit 210 to transmit a request signal for
the profile of at least one counterpart mobile device to the mobile
device existing within a predetermined range. Here, the
predetermined range may include a preset range of physical distance
from the mobile device. Controller 250 receives the profile from at
least one counterpart mobile device in response to the request
signal and selects at least one counterpart mobile device having a
profile corresponding to the profile of the user among the received
profiles. Controller 250 enables display unit 230 to display a list
or an icon of at least one selected counterpart mobile device.
Controller 250 may control communication unit 210 to transmit a
request signal for participation in the network for the community
activity to a counterpart mobile device selected through user input
unit 240 from a list of at least one displayed counterpart mobile
device.
[0039] According to an embodiment of the present invention,
controller 250 transmits a request signal for a profile to a
plurality of connectable counterpart mobile devices, identifies
whether a received profile in response to the request signal
corresponds to the profile of the user, and determines a candidate
counterpart mobile device to constitute the network for the
community activity. Alternatively, controller 250 transmits a
request signal for a profile to each counterpart mobile device,
identifies whether a received profile in response to the request
signal corresponds to the profile of the user, and determines a
candidate counterpart mobile device to constitute the network for
the community activity.
[0040] The profile of the user may include an application being
implemented, content being implemented, a preferred application, or
preferred content. The application may include a game, listening to
music, chatting, instant messaging, watching movies, or watching
broadcasts. The content may include an image, a video, an audio
file, or a text.
[0041] The community activity may be various activities performed
by users having corresponding profiles. In detail, community
activity may include joint implementation of an application,
sharing content implemented by a user with another user,
transmitting and receiving content between users, and the like. For
example, joint implementation of the application may be activity
where a plurality of users plays an online game or chat. Sharing
content implemented by the user with the other user may be an
activity where a plurality of users watch a video reproduced by a
user at the same time. Transmitting and receiving content between
users may be an activity where a user transmits an audio file to a
plurality of users in a broadcasting method.
[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
network for the community activity is connected in an ad hoc mode,
which will be described with reference to FIG. 3. Alternatively,
the network for the community activity is connected in an
infrastructure mode, which will be described with reference with
FIG. 4.
[0043] Mobile device 200 may constitute a network with a plurality
of counterpart mobile devices in various processes.
[0044] Mobile device 200 connects to all found counterpart mobile
devices and may disconnect from counterparts, which do not accept a
request for participation. Here, controller 250 controls
communication unit 210 to connect to at least one counterpart
mobile device having a profile corresponding to the profile of the
user and then to terminate connection to a counterpart mobile
device which does not accept the request. Alternatively, mobile
device 200 identifies whether each found counterpart mobile device
accepts a request in participation one to one and then connects.
Here, controller 250 controls communication unit 210 to connect to
a counterpart mobile device, which accepts the request when at
least one counterpart mobile device having a profile corresponding
to the profile of the user accepts the request.
[0045] Controller 250 may control communication unit 210 to perform
community activity with at least one counterpart mobile device,
which accepts the request for participation in the network for the
community activity based on input by the user.
[0046] Mobile device 200 may receive a request to participate in a
network for a community activity from a counterpart mobile device.
Here, controller 250 may control communication unit 210 to perform
the community activity with at least one counterpart mobile device
based on input by the user when participating in the network for
the community activity requested by at least one counter part
mobile among a plurality of connectable counterpart mobile
devices.
[0047] Controller 250 may control communication unit 210 to
transmit an acceptance signal corresponding to a request signal for
participation in the network for the community activity and to
perform the community activity with at least one counterpart mobile
device based on the input by the user when the request signal is
received from a counterpart mobile device among at least one
connectable counterpart mobile devices. Controller 250 may control
communication unit 210 to transmit the acceptance signal when a
signal to allow constituting the network for the community activity
is received through the user input unit 240. Further, controller
250 may control communication unit 210 to transmit a profile
corresponding to a request signal when the request signal for a
profile is received from at least one counterpart mobile
device.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates a network for a community activity
connected in ad hoc mode.
[0049] An ad hoc network is an infrastructure-free network that
enables nodes to wirelessly communicate with each other without
relying on a base station or an access point (AP). That is, each
node constituting the ad hoc network directly routes packets to
another node without passing through the AP. Thus, the ad hoc
network does not need a base station or an AP. In the ad hoc
network, since nodes transfer freely, network topology changes
dynamically. Further, each node may perform as a server or a
client. The ad hoc network may be configured by Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth.RTM., and Zigbee communication.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 3, a mobile device 310 of A sets up a
first network 340 for a community activity. Here, mobile device 310
of A searches for a counterpart mobile device having a profile
corresponding to its own profile. Mobile device 310 of A requests
that a found mobile device 320 of B and a found mobile device 330
of C participate in the first network 340. When mobile device 320
of B and mobile device 330 of C accept the request for
participation in the first network 340, mobile device 320 of B and
mobile device 330 of C are respectively connected to the first
network 340 to participate in the community activity. Here, mobile
device 320 of B and mobile device 330 of C may respectively perform
the community activity with mobile device 310 of A.
[0051] Here, mobile device 310 of A functions as a server, and
mobile device 320 of B and mobile device 330 of C function as
clients.
[0052] A mobile device 350 of D may independently set up a second
network 380 for another community activity. Here, mobile device 350
of D searches for mobile device 310 of A, a mobile device 360 of E,
and a mobile device 370 of F in the same manner and requests that
the found mobile devices 310, 360, and 370 participate in the
second network 380. In FIG. 3, mobile device 310 of A and mobile
device 360 of E accept the request for participation in the second
network 380, but mobile device 370 of F rejects the request for
participation in the second network 380. Thus, mobile device 350 of
D performs the community activity only with mobile device 310 of A
and mobile device 360 of E.
[0053] In FIG. 3, mobile devices connected via the ad hoc network
perform as a server or a client to communicate with each other. For
example, mobile device 310 of A is a server in the first network
340 but is a client in the second network 380. The ad hoc network
enables a plurality of nodes to be connected one to one and may be
formed in a small space without a server. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3,
the network may be formed in a small space without a server, such
as a subway or a bus, to share and transmit content.
[0054] FIG. 4 illustrates a network for a community activity
connected in infrastructure mode.
[0055] An infrastructure network is a network in which a plurality
of nodes, positioned within a predetermined range of a base station
or AP, constitute one network and communicate with each other. The
infrastructure network may be formed by mobile communication such
as WLAN communication, 3G communication, 3G transitional
communication including long term evolution communication, and 4G
communication.
[0056] FIG. 4 shows an example of an infrastructure network by WLAN
communication via AP relay. A mobile device 410 of A, a mobile
device 420 of B, a mobile device 430 of C, and a mobile device 440
of D constitute one network via AP relay, and mobile devices 410,
420, 430, and 440 transmit and receive data with a server 400
through an AP 450.
[0057] The mobile device 410 of A requests setup of a network 460
for a community activity from the server 400 through the AP 450.
Here, mobile device 410 of A also transmits its own profile. Here,
server 400 searches for a counterpart mobile device having a
profile corresponding to the received profile of the mobile device
410 of A. In detail, server 400 may search for a counterpart mobile
device having a profile corresponding to the profile of mobile
device 410 of A among mobile devices connected to the AP 450.
[0058] Server 400 finds mobile devices 420, 430, and 440 of B, C,
and D having the profile corresponding to mobile device 410 of A
among the mobile devices connected to the AP 450 and requests that
mobile device 420 of B, mobile device 430 of C, and mobile device
440 of D participate in the network 460 through the AP 450. When
mobile device 420 of B, mobile device 430 of C, and mobile device
440 of D receiving the request for the participation in the network
460 transmit an acceptance signal regarding the request for the
participation in the network 460 to server 400 through the AP 450,
server 400 connects mobile device 420 of B, mobile device 430 of C,
and mobile device 440 of D to the network 460 for the community
activity through the AP 450. The AP 450 may route a packet
transmitted and received between the mobile devices so that the
mobile devices constituting the network 460 for the community
activity communicate with each other. Accordingly, mobile device
410 of A, mobile device 420 of B, mobile device 430 of C, and
mobile device 440 of D may communicate with each other.
[0059] When the network 460 for the community activity is connected
in infrastructure mode, the network may be enabled by mobile
communication via relay of a base station, such as 3G, 3G
transitional, and 4G communication. 3G communication is an IMT-2000
system and includes communication performed by cdma2000, WCDMA,
CDMA TDD, UWC-136/EDGE, and DECT standards, 3G transitional
communication is 3.5G, 3.7G, and 3.9G communication and includes
communication performed by HSDPA, HSUPA, LTE, EV-DO, and Mobile
WiMAX standards, and 4G communication is an IMT-Advanced system and
includes communication performed by LTE Advanced and IEEE 802.16m
standards.
[0060] Thus, when mobile devices 410, 420, 430, and 440 in FIG. 4
include a module to enable 3G communication, 3G transitional
communication, or 4G communication, it is possible to form a
network for a community activity through 3G communication, 3G
transitional communication, or 4G communication. Here, mobile
devices 210, 420, 430, and 440 communicate with server 400 through
a base station to relay mobile communication to enable connection
of the network for the community activity. Thus, one of the mobile
devices 410, 420, 430, and 440 requests setup of the network for
the community activity from server 400 through the base station and
also transmits its own profile. Server 400 searches for a
counterpart mobile device having a profile corresponding to the
received profile among the mobile devices connected to the base
station and transmits a request signal for participation in the
network. When a counterpart mobile device receiving the request
signal transmits an acceptance signal, the network for the
community activity is set up.
[0061] Conventionally, a network for a community activity may be
set up in a state where communication is enabled with prior
consent. That is, the network for the community activity may be set
up by users connected to a server providing a service.
[0062] According to the present embodiment, a user sets up a
network for a community activity and suggests participation in the
network to adjacent users. Accordingly, users existing in the same
space may set up an instant network and perform various community
activities.
[0063] FIG. 5A illustrates examples of screen displays on a mobile
device setting up a network for a community activity.
[0064] For example, a user may set up a network game, traveling on
public transportation. When the user enters a network game setup
menu, mobile device 200 displays a screen asking whether to set up
a network game. Referring to FIG. 5A, mobile device 200 displays a
screen including a phrase "set up ad hoc game room?" a Yes button
to select setup of the network game, and a No button to cancel
setup of the network game on screen display 510.
[0065] When the network is set up, mobile device 200 recruits
participants in the game. For example, mobile device 200 searches
for a mobile device being implementing a game or a mobile device
being implementing the same game to be implemented by the user
among adjacent mobile devices, and requests participation in the
network from a found mobile device. Here, mobile device 200
displays a phrase "waiting for participants in game" on screen
display 511.
[0066] When a counterpart mobile device receiving the request for
the participation in the network approves the participation in the
game, the counterpart mobile device is connected to the network.
Here, mobile device 200 and the counterpart mobile device perform
one-to-one communication with each other. Further, mobile device
200 displays a phrase "participants are waiting" on the screen on
screen display 512.
[0067] Then, mobile device 200 may display detailed information
about the participants on the screen. For example, as shown in FIG.
5A, a phrase "three participants joined" is displayed. Here, a game
start button and a game cancel button may further be displayed.
When the user of mobile device 200 selects the game start button,
the user starts the game with the approved participants connected
to the network on screen display 513.
[0068] FIG. 5B illustrates examples of screen displays on a mobile
device receiving a request for participation in a network.
[0069] For example, a user may receive a request for participation
in a network game from an anonymous counterpart while traveling on
public transportation. When the request for the participation in
the network game is received, mobile device 200 displays a screen
to report about the request. Referring to FIG. 5B, mobile device
200 displays a screen including a phrase "received a request for
participation in ad hoc game room," a selection button to view
details, and a rejection button to reject the request for the
participation on screen display 520.
[0070] When the user selects the selection button to view the
details, mobile device 200 displays detailed information about the
ad hoc game room on the screen. In detail, as shown in FIG. 5B, it
is displayed that a game to be implemented is Diablo and two
participants joined the room (521).
[0071] Then, mobile device 200 displays a screen asking whether to
participate in a network. With reference to FIG. 5B, a screen
-including a phrase "participate in game?" a Yes button to select
participation in the game, and a No button to reject participation
in the game is displayed on screen display 522.
[0072] When the user of mobile device 200 selects the Yes button to
approve the participation in the game, mobile device 200 is
connected to the set-up network. Here, mobile device 200 may be
loaded with content to implement the game. When the content is
completely loaded, mobile device 200 displays a screen including a
phrase "content is loaded," a game start button, and a game cancel
button on screen display 523.
[0073] Then, when the user of mobile device 200 selects the game
start button, the user starts the game with the approved
participants connected to the network on screen display 523.
[0074] FIG. 6 illustrates a network for a community activity
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] In FIG. 6, a mobile device 600 of a user setting up a
network becomes a server. A mobile device 610 of a counterpart A, a
mobile device 620 of a counterpart B, and a mobile device 630 of a
counterpart C become a client. Here, the clients do not communicate
with each other.
[0076] In detail, the mobile device 600 of the user sets up the
network and provides an instant DJ service. That is, the user of
the mobile device 600 may set up an instant music broadcasting
channel to listen to music in the mobile device 600 with the users
of the counterpart mobile devices 610, 620, and 630, and share a
playlist stored in the mobile device 600 of the user with the
counterpart mobile devices 610, 620, and 630 to provide
recommendation and purchase services of content.
[0077] Here, except for the mobile device 600 of the user, the
counterpart mobile devices 610, 620, and 630 do not provide
content, and thus the mobile devices 610, 620, and 630 do not serve
as a server. Therefore, the mobile device 610 of the counterpart A,
the mobile device 620 of the counterpart B, and the mobile device
630 of the counterpart C do not communicate with each other.
[0078] FIG. 7 illustrates a network for a community activity
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] In FIG. 7, both a mobile device 700 of a user setting up a
network and counterpart mobile devices 710, 720, and 730 become a
server. That is, a mobile device 710 of a counterpart A, a mobile
device 720 of a counterpart B, and a mobile device 730 of a
counterpart C communicate with each other, and accordingly all
mobile devices 700, 710, 720, and 730 connected to the network may
serve as a server or client.
[0080] In detail, the mobile device 700 of the user sets up the
network to provide services such as an instant game, instant
chatting, and sharing information about acquaintances. In an
instant game service, a plurality of participants 700, 710, 720,
and 730 may play a game at the same time. In instant chatting, an
instant discussion room is created for debate and chatting over
common issues and interests. In sharing the information about the
acquaintances, information may be shared and identified with each
other based on a security level of profile information set in the
mobile devices 700, 710, 720, and 730 of the plurality of
participants.
[0081] In the above services, the counterpart mobile devices 710,
720, and 730 transmit and receive information with each other in
addition to the mobile device 700 of the user. Thus, mobile device
710 of counterpart A, mobile device 720 of counterpart B, and
mobile device 730 of counterpart C communicate with each other.
[0082] FIG. 8 illustrates a network for a community activity
according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] When any one mobile device among a plurality of mobile
devices constituting the network is connected to an Internet, the
plurality of mobile devices may use the Internet.
[0084] In FIG. 8, only mobile device 810 of counterpart A is
connected to the Internet. In the past, because mobile device 800
of a user, mobile device 820 of counterpart B, and mobile device
830 of counterpart C are not connected to the Internet, mobile
devices 800, 820, and 830 are not provided with services over the
Internet.
[0085] However, in the present embodiment, mobile device 800 of the
user which serves as a server may receive content provided to
mobile device 810 of counterpart A connected to the Internet, and
may transmit the content to mobile device 820 of counterpart B and
mobile device 830 of counterpart C, respectively.
[0086] FIG. 9 illustrates a control method of a mobile device
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] Mobile device 200 sets up a network for a community activity
in step S901.
[0088] Mobile device 200 communicates with a plurality of
counterpart mobile devices in step S902.
[0089] Mobile device 200 searches for at least one counterpart
mobile device having a profile corresponding to a profile of a user
among a plurality of connectable counterpart mobile devices in step
S903. Here, mobile device 200 transmits a request signal for a
profile to the plurality of connectable counterpart mobile devices,
selects at least one counterpart mobile device having a profile
corresponding to the profile of the user among profiles received in
response to the request signal, and displays a list or an icon of
at least one a counterpart mobile device on a display unit.
[0090] Mobile device 200 requests that a found counterpart mobile
device participates in the network for the community activity in
step S904. Mobile device 200 may transmit a request signal for
participation in the network to at least one counterpart mobile
device selected from a list of at least one displayed counterpart
mobile display when requesting the participation in the
network.
[0091] Mobile device 200 receives input by the user in step
S905.
[0092] Mobile device 200 performs the community activity with at
least one counterpart mobile device, which accepts the request
based on the input by the user in step S906. Here, mobile device
200 may perform the community activity by constituting a network
with at least one counterpart mobile device, which transmits an
acceptance signal in response to the request signal for the
participation in the network.
[0093] Although embodiments have been shown and described, it will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made
in these embodiments without departing from the principles and
spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
appended claims.
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