Abstract:
A method and system of controlling a notification of a call reception in a mobile terminal is disclosed. The method and system comprises a caller setting a type of reception notification in a receiver terminal and requesting a communication; judging whether or not an automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set when the communication request is received in the receiver terminal; determining whether or not a dialed telephone number is a registered number when the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set; checking the type of reception notification of a calling party transmitted by the caller when the dialed telephone number is the registered number; comparing the type of reception notification of the calling party with the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal; and changing the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal as the type of reception notification of the calling side and reporting a call reception when the type of reception notification of the calling party does not match the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to an application entitled “Method for controlling notification of call reception in mobile terminal” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 23, 2003 and assigned Serial No. 2003-58497, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling a notification of a call reception in a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system by which a caller terminal can control the type of call reception notification of a receiver terminal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     When a call is received in a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal typically informs a user of a call reception according to the type of reception notification set in advance by the user. If reception notification of the mobile terminal is set to no-sound or vibration and the mobile terminal is separated from the user&#39;s body, when an emergency call is received, the user may not recognize the call reception due to the reception notification being set to the no-sound or the vibration mode. Further, if a user has frequent meetings, when the meeting is progressing and the user has not set the type of reception notification to the no-sound or the vibration mode, a bell rings for all incoming calls. Therefore, the meeting is interrupted by the ring. Furthermore, a reception notification that is not suitable for a situation such as a public place or sleeping environment may cause a disturbance to others.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for reporting a call reception of a receiver terminal by setting the type of reception notification set by a caller terminal to the type of reception notification of the receiver terminal.  
         [0007]     In order to accomplish the aforementioned object, according to one aspect of the present, there is provided a method and system for controlling a notification of a call reception in a mobile terminal. The method and system comprises a caller setting a type of reception notification in a receiver terminal and requesting a communication; judging whether or not an automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set when the communication request is received in the receiver terminal; checking a type of reception notification of a calling party transmitted by the caller when the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set; comparing the type of reception notification of the calling party with the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal; and changing the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal to the type of reception notification of the calling party and reporting a call reception when the type of reception notification of the calling side does not match with the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a mobile terminal with a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a caller terminal sets and transmits reception notification of a receiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a base station sets up the type of reception notification set by a caller terminal and transmits it to a receiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an information format transmitted from the base station of  FIG. 3  to a receiving terminal;  
         [0013]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flowcharts illustrating a process in which a receiver terminal sets an automatic change for the type of reception notification according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the type of reception notification of a receiver terminal is controlled according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a process for reporting a call reception according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0016]     In the drawings, it should be understood that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same elements as those shown in other drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0017]     Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, exemplary types of delimitation marks for reception notification or the type of reception notification, are shown in order to provide a better understanding of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without the specific examples.  
         [0018]     In an embodiment of the present invention, a call reception notification is a method of notifying a user of a call occurrence when a voice call occurs in a mobile terminal. The type of call reception notification may include a bell/melody, a vibration, and a non-sound (lamp or LED flickering)  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a mobile terminal with a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal with the camera according to the present invention includes a radio frequency (RF) unit  123 , a data processing unit  120 , an audio processing unit  125 , a memory  130 , a control unit  110 , a camera unit  140 , an image processing unit  150 , a display unit  160 , and a key input unit  127 .  
         [0021]     The RF unit  123  performs wireless communication functions, and includes an RF transmitter (not shown) for transforming a frequency of a transmitted signal into a high frequency signal and amplifying the transformed frequency, and an RF receiver (not shown) for low-noise amplifying a received signal and transforming the frequency of the amplified signal into a low frequency signal. The data processing unit  120  includes a transmitter (not shown) for coding and modulating the transmitted signal, and a receiver (not shown) for demodulating and decoding the received signal. That is, the data processing unit  120  may include a modem and a codec. Herein, the codec includes a data codec for processing packet data, and the like, and an audio codec for processing an audio signal such as voice. The audio processing unit  125  reproduces the audio signal output from the audio codec of the data processing unit  120 , or transmits an audio signal generated in a microphone to the audio codec of the data processing unit  120 .  
         [0022]     The memory  130  may include program memories and data memories. The program memory may store programs for controlling a general operation of the mobile terminal and programs for setting the type of reception notification according to an embodiment of the present invention to control the type of reception notification to be transmitted to a receiver terminal, and for controlling a call reception to be reported by the type of reception notification transmitted from a caller terminal. Further, the data memory temporarily stores data produced while the programs are being performed. The memory  130  stores the type of reception notification, such as a bell/melody, a vibration, a non-audio (lamp or LED flickering), a bell after a vibration, or a vibration after a bell, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Further, each type of reception notification has an inherent identification number.  
         [0023]     The control unit  110  controls a general operation of the mobile terminal and may include the data processing unit  120 . Further, the control unit  110  sets the type of reception notification of the receiver terminal and controls the type of reception notification to be transmitted to the receiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, the control unit  110  sets the type of reception notification transmitted from the caller terminal as the type of call reception notification of the receiver terminal and controls a call reception to be reported according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]     The camera unit  140  photographs image data and includes a camera sensor for converting a photographed optical signal into an electrical signal and a signal processor for converting an analog image signal photographed from the camera sensor into digital data. Herein, it is assumed that the camera sensor is a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor and the signal processor may include a digital signal processor (DSP). Further, the camera sensor may be integrated with the signal processor, or the camera sensor and the signal processor may be separate.  
         [0025]     The image processing unit  150  generates screen data for displaying an image signal output from the camera unit  140 , processes the image signal, which is output from the camera unit  140 , by the frame, and outputs frame image data according to a characteristic and size of the display unit  160 . Further, the image processing unit  150  includes an image codec, compresses the frame image data displayed in display unit  160  by a predetermined method, or restores the compressed frame image data into original frame image data. Herein, the image codec may include a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) codec, an Moving Pictures Expert Group 4 (MPEG4) codec, or a wavelet codec, and the like. It is assumed that the image processing unit  150  includes an on screen display (OSD) function, and it may output OSD data according to the size of a displayed screen under the control of the control unit  110 .  
         [0026]     The display unit  160  displays the image signal, which is output from the image processing unit  150 , on a screen, and displays user data output from the control unit  110 . Herein, the display unit  160  may use a liquid crystal display (LCD) and may include an LCD controller, a memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD device, etc. Herein, when the LCD employs a touch screen, it may operate as an input unit. The key input unit  127  includes keys for inputting numeral and text information and function keys for setting various functions.  
         [0027]     An operation of the mobile terminal will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . After a user performs an operation through the key input unit  127  when a call is originated, if the user sets a calling mode, the control unit  110  detects the calling mode, processes dial information received through the data processing unit  120 , converts the processed dialed information into an RF signal through the RF unit  123 , and outputs the converted RF signal. Then, when the called subscriber generates a response signal, the control unit  110  detects the response signal through the RF unit  123  and the data processing unit  120 . Then, a voice communication path is established through the audio processing unit  125  and the user performs a communication function.  
         [0028]     Further, in a receiving mode, the control unit  110  detects the receiving mode through the data processing unit  120  and generates a ring signal through the audio processing unit  125 . Then, when the user responds, the control unit  110  detects the response. Further, a voice communication path is established through the audio processing unit  125  and the user performs a communication function. In the calling and receiving mode, an exemplary voice communication has been described. However, a data communication function communicating packet data and image data may also be used. Further, when a standby mode or a text communication is performed, the control unit  110  displays text data processed by the data processing unit  120  on the display  160 .  
         [0029]     Hereinafter, an operation of controlling the type of reception notification when a communication request occurs in the mobile terminal as described. When the user of the caller terminal sequentially inputs a dialed telephone number, a delimitation mark, and the type of reception notification and transmits them to a base station, the base station detects that the type of reception notification of the receiver terminal has been set through the delimitation mark. The base station sets up the type of reception notification after the delimitation mark in a reserved field of a calling party number when transmitting an alert with an information message to the receiver terminal. When the communication request occurs in the mobile terminal, the control unit  110  detects the type of reception notification set in the reserved bit of the calling party number, and reports a call reception through the received type of reception notification.  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a caller terminal sets and transmits the type of reception notification of a receiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a base station sets up the type of reception notification set by a caller terminal and transmits it to a receiver terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are flowcharts illustrating a process in which a receiver terminal sets an automatic change of the type of reception notification according to an embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the type of reception notification of a receiver terminal is controlled according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a process of reporting a call reception according to an embodiment of the present invention. A description will now be given on the assumption that the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1  is the receiver terminal. However, the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1  may perform the same function as that of the caller terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , when a caller sequentially inputs a telephone number, a delimitation mark, and the type of reception notification in a waiting mode, a control unit of the caller terminal detects the input of the caller in step  201  and controls a display unit to display the input telephone number, the delimitation mark, and the type of reception notification in step  202 .  
         [0032]     The delimitation mark indicates that the type of reception notification that has been set and may be set as a predetermined character or a character pattern, such as * or #, defined in advance between a base station and a terminal. In an embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the delimitation mark is ‘*’, the type of reception notification is a bell/melody (1), a vibration (2), a non-sound (lamp or LED flickering) (3), a bell after a vibration (4), or vibration after a bell (5), and an identifier representing the type of reception notification, that is, a numeral is input after the delimitation mark. The identifier may use not only a numeral but also all patterns capable of being used as the identifier.  
         [0033]     Accordingly, when the caller inputs the “bell/melody,” type of reception notification to the receiver terminal having a telephone number of 011-300-3000 as the type of reception notification, the control unit of the caller terminal detects the outgoing call in step  201  and controls the display unit to display 0113003000*1 in step  202 . Otherwise, when the caller inputs the telephone number and the delimitation mark (*) and presses a checking key of menu keys or a predetermined key, the control unit displays the type of reception notification. When the caller selects one of the types of reception notification, the control unit detects this selection and controls the selected identification number of the type of reception notification to be automatically displayed after the telephone number and the delimitation mark input by the caller in step  202 . Otherwise, when the caller inputs the telephone number and switches a mode of the terminal to a setting mode of the type of reception notification by pressing a predetermined key, such as a hot key or a menu key, or a checking key, the control unit detects the setting mode and controls the type of reception notification to be displayed.  
         [0034]     When the caller selects one of the types of reception notification, the control unit detects this selection and controls the delimitation mark and the selected identification number of the type of reception notification to be automatically displayed after the telephone number input by the caller in step  202 .  
         [0035]     Further, when the caller selects a phone book while in the waiting mode, the control unit detects the selection of the caller and displays stored telephone numbers in step  203 . Then, at least one telephone number from among the displayed telephone numbers is selected in step  204 . If the menu key is not selected in step  205 , the method proceeds to step  209 .  
         [0036]     In step  209 , the delimitation mark is input along with the type of reception notification after the selected telephone number. Herein, the type of reception notification may be selected and displayed through an input of a menu key. When the input has been completed in step  209 , the control unit controls the display unit to display the input telephone number, delimitation mark, and type of reception notification. That is, step  210  is performed.  
         [0037]     After the caller selects the telephone number in step  204 , when the caller selects the type of reception notification from among menus displayed through the input of the menu key in step  205 , the control unit detects this selection in step  206 . Then, step  207  of displaying the available types of reception notification is performed. When the caller selects one of the available types of reception notification displayed in step  207 , the control unit detects this selection in step  208  and controls the display unit to display the telephone number selected by the caller, an automatically generated delimitation mark (*), and the type of reception notification. That is, step  210  is performed.  
         [0038]     It should be understood that the foregoing description relates to exemplary ways of generating a telephone number to be dialed, and selecting a type of reception notification. Any other suitable method of generating a telephone number, delimitation mark, and reception notification type could of course be used.  
         [0039]     In step  202  or step  210  in which the telephone number, delimitation mark, and type of reception notification are displayed, when the caller presses a communication key, the control unit detects this in step  211  and requests establishment of a communication channel to a base station  300  (see  FIG. 7 ). That is, step  212  is performed. A description will now be given on the assumption that a combination of the telephone number, delimitation mark, and type of reception notification displayed in step  202  or step  210  and transmitted to the base station  300  is 0113003000*1.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the base station  300  having received the communication request from the caller terminal  200  detects the request in step  301 , and determines whether or not the delimitation mark (*) for setting the type of reception notification of the receiver terminal  500  exists from among information transmitted from the caller terminal  200 . From the result of the determination, when the delimitation mark (*) for setting the type of reception notification of the receiver terminal  500  exists, the base station  300  detects the delimitation mark in step  302 , and sets up an identification number of the type of reception notification in a reserved field of a calling party number when transmitting an alert with information message to the receiver terminal. In the foregoing example a (1) to indicate the “bell/melody” type of reception notification, would be set by the base terminal. That is, step  303  is performed. The base station  300  transmits the alert with information message for requesting a communication to the receiver terminal  500  (see  FIG. 7 ) together with information on the caller terminal  200 . Herein, the base station  300  sets up a ‘1’, that is the identification number behind the delimitation mark (*) representing the type of reception notification, to be the reserved field, of the calling party number, and transmits the reserved field. The message can also include a field, preferably a single bit, indicating the type of message, and in particular identifying the record type to be a record as shown in  FIG. 4 . The message is a message representing the calling party number and a message field having a structure in  FIG. 4  is attached. In step  305 , general functions are performed if the delimination mark is not detected at step  302 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a structure of the calling party number. A number type field  401  in  FIG. 4  is a number type defined in ANSI T1.607-1990, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, and may include an unknown (field value is 000), an international number (field value is 001), a national number (field value is 010), a network-specific number (field value is 011), a subscriber number (field value is 100), a reserved (field value is 101), an abbreviated number (field value is 110), and a reserved for extension. A number plan field  402  is a numbering plan defined in ANSI T1.607-1990 and may include an unknown (field value is 0000), an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)/telephony numbering plan ( 17  and  16 ) (field value is 0001), a data numbering plan ( 20 ) (field value is 0011), a telex numbering plan ( 19 ) (field value is 0100), a private numbering plan (field value is 1001), and a reserved for extension (field value is 1111). A PI field  403  is a presentation indicator and represents whether or not a calling number must be displayed. An SI field  404  is a screening indicator and represents a screen processing of a terminal, and a CHARi field  405  represents an actual calling number. A reserved field  406  is a reserved field of five bits. In embodiments of the present invention, the base station  300  sets the reserved field  406  to ‘1’ to identify the type of reception notification and transmits it to the receiver terminal  500 . That is, step  304  is performed.  
         [0042]     Hereinafter, a process in which the receiver terminal  500  sets an automatic change of the type of reception notification will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 A. When a user of the receiver terminal  500  presses a menu key on the key input unit  127 , the control unit  110  detects the press of the user in step  501  and controls the display unit  160  to display a menu. If the menu is displayed, when the user selects the automatic change of the type of reception notification, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  502  and allows the automatic change of the type of reception notification to be set. That is, step  503  is performed. Herein, the automatic change of the type of reception notification represents a function capable of reporting a call reception by the type of reception notification set by the caller terminal  200  when a communication request occurs in the receiver terminal  500 . In step  504 , corresponding functions are performed if there is no automatic change of the type of reception notification in step  502 .  
         [0043]     FIG  5 B is a flowchart illustrating a registration process for a dialed telephone number for performing an automatic change of the type of reception notification. Hereinafter, the registration process of a dialed telephone number for performing an automatic change of the type of reception notification will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 5 B. When the user of the receiver terminal  500  presses the menu key on the key input unit  127 , the control unit  110  detects the press of the user in step  504  and controls the display unit  160  to display the menu.  
         [0044]     In step  514 , corresponding functions are performed if the setting of a number for the automatic change of the type of reception notification is not performed in step  505 . If the menu is displayed, when the user selects the setting of a number for the automatic change of the type of reception notification, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  505  and allows setting of a number or release of a number for the automatic change of the type of reception notification to be selected. If the user selects the setting of the number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  506  and displays the type of setting of the dialed telephone number used in performing the automatic change of the type of reception notification. If the user selects all numbers from among the type of settings of the dialed telephone number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  507  and sets all received dialed telephone numbers as a number used in performing the automatic change of the type of reception notification. That is, step  510  is performed.  
         [0045]     If the control unit  110  does not detect the selection of a predetermined number in step  508 , the method returns to step  507 . Otherwise, if the user selects a predetermined number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  508 . Then, step  509  of setting the dialed telephone number through a selection in a phone book or a direct input is performed. Next, step  510  is performed, in which the predetermined number set in step  509  is set as a number used in performing the automatic change of the type of reception notification.  
         [0046]     In contrast, if the user selects the release of the number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  511  and displays the type of release of the dialed telephone number used in performing the automatic change of the type of reception notification. If the user selects all numbers from among the type of release of the dialed telephone number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  512  and sets a number for reporting a call reception by the type of reception notification always set in the receiver terminal  500  regardless of the dialed telephone number received in step  510 . Otherwise, if the user selects a predetermined number, the control unit  110  detects the selection in step  513 . Then, step  509  of setting the dialed telephone number through a selection in a phone book or a direct input is performed. Next, step  510  is performed, in which the predetermined number is set as a number of reporting a call reception by the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal  500  when the predetermined number set in step  509  is received.  
         [0047]     In an embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set in the receiver terminal  500  through the aforementioned processes, in which the type of reception notification has been set to be a vibration.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 6 , and  7 , when the alert with information message for the communication request is received from the base station  300 , the control unit  110  of the receiver terminal  500  detects the reception in step  601  and determines whether or not the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set. As a result of the determination, when the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been set, the control unit  110  detects the set in step  602  and determines whether or not a dialed telephone number for requesting a communication is a registered number. Herein, when the automatic change of the type of reception notification has been released, the control unit  110  detects the release in step  602  and reports a call reception through vibration that is the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal  500 . That is, step  610  is performed.  
         [0049]     As a result of the determination, when the dialed telephone number is the registered number, the control unit  110  detects a registration in step  603 , searches for a reserved bit of a calling party number, and checks the type of reception notification set in the caller terminal  200 . In contrast, when the dialed telephone number is not the registered number, the control unit  110  detects non-registration in step  603  and reports a call reception through vibration, that is, the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal  500 . That is, step  610  is performed.  
         [0050]     The control unit  110  having checked the type of reception notification set in the caller terminal  200  determines whether or not a value of the reserved field coincides with that of the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal  500 . As a result of the determination, when the two values match, the control unit  110  detects the match in step  605  and reports a call reception through vibration that is the type of reception notification set in the receiver terminal  500 . That is, step  609  is performed.  
         [0051]     In contrast, when the two values do not coincide with each other, the control unit  110  detects the difference in step  605 , stores the value ‘1’ set in the reserved field in a reception notification value of the receiver terminal  500 , and changes the type of reception notification in the receiver terminal  500 . That is, step  606  is performed. In step  606 , the control unit  110  detects and informs a user of a call reception through a bell/melody that is the changed type of reception notification. When the user having recognized the call reception through the reception notification sound of the bell/melody presses a communication key, the control unit  110  detects the press in step  607  and changes the reception notification sound of the receiver terminal  500  from the changed bell/melody to the vibration that is the original reception notification sound. That is, step  608  is performed. Then, step  611  is performed, (see  FIG. 7 ) in which communication is established between the caller terminal  200  and the receiver terminal  500  through an input of the communication key of the user.  
         [0052]     In embodiments of the present invention as described, if a user has a frequent meeting, the user may set their terminal on vibration. The user may forget or neglect to change the type of reception notification on their phone from a vibration to a bell or melody. Further, since there are many cases in which the reception notification type is set as a vibration while a user is asleep, a caller may set the reception notification type as a bell for an urgent call to wake the sleeper. Furthermore, if a user uses public transportation, the calling party may set the reception notification type as vibration to call.  
         [0053]     The described embodiments of the present invention have provided examples of different types of call reception notification.  
         [0054]     Consequently, in the present invention, a caller terminal controls the type of call reception notification of a receiver terminal, so that a receiver may receive an urgent call which must be received by the receiver without disturbing others. Furthermore, the receiver may conveniently receive a call regardless of the setting of the receiver.  
         [0055]     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it should 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.