Abstract:
An apparatus and a method for supporting a multimedia service which is capable of collecting opinions on a certain subject by receiving an opinion message in response to an opinion request message attached a plurality of images transmitted together with check widgets is provided. The method includes preparing at least two images, attaching at least two prepared images as thumbnail images to the multimedia service message for display at the same time, and transmitting the multimedia service message with the images. Accordingly, the user can make a decision, by negotiating with the counterpart user, on a subject such as a purchase of goods or a selection of foods.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to an application entitled “Apparatus And Method For Supporting Multimedia Service In Mobile Terminal” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Feb. 9, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-0012341, the 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 Multi Media Service (MMS) of mobile communication system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for supporting MMS with message exchange between the mobile terminals.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In order to overcome the slowdown with the voice communication and to increase selling per subscriber, various research has been done in consideration with the mobile Internet services. One of the sources creating profit is the multimedia service providing contents such as bell sounds, characters, photos, Video On Demand (VOD), etc. The mobile Internet multimedia service can be provided in two manners. Firstly, the user can be provided with the multimedia service by connecting to a wireless Internet server with the mobile terminal such as a cellular phone, a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and the like.  
         [0006]     As mentioned above, the typical multimedia services have been provided by downloading the contents from the WAP server or the Internet portal site. Recently, however, the mobile terminals have been basically equipped with a camera such that the photographs taken with the camera itself can be used as the multimedia contents. That is, the photographs taken with a built-in camera can be managed in the user&#39;s album, displayed on a screen as background image, and transmitted to a counterpart subscriber.  
         [0007]     In such manner, it is possible to use the photographs taken by the mobile terminal for various purposes and multimedia services without support of the additional network element such as the WAP server or other web portal server.  
         [0008]     In other cases, predetermined images can be used as a background of a Short Message Service (SMS), which is called a color mail service, or the images taken by the built-in camera can be attached to the short message.  
         [0009]     Typically, when a user asks something with the images attached to the message while the users exchange messages, the counterpart user responses with a text message or voice call. However, if the number of images to be transmitted increases, especially with asking certain opinions about images, the exchanges of the images and opinions about the images between the users may become very time consuming and involve bothersome operations.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for supporting a multimedia service which is capable of collecting opinions of a counterpart user by transmitting a plurality of images taken by a built-in camera of a mobile terminal as an picture comparison request.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for supporting a multimedia service which is capable of collecting opinions on a certain subject by receiving an opinion message in response to a picture comparison request message attached a plurality of images.  
         [0012]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for supporting a multimedia service which allows a user to send a picture comparison request message having images on a certain subject such as foods and commercial goods immediately taken by a camera built into the mobile terminal and to receive an opinion message from a counterpart user in response to the comparison request message.  
         [0013]     The above objects of the present invention are achieved by a method for transmitting a multimedia service message in a mobile terminal according to the present invention. The method includes preparing at least two images, attaching at least two images among the prepared images as thumbnail images to the multimedia service message so as to be displayed at the same time, and transmitting the multimedia service message with the images.  
         [0014]     Preferably, the method further includes setting a number of the images to be attached to the MMS message and assigning a check widget to each image attached to the multimedia service message.  
         [0015]     Preferably, the multimedia service message is transmitted with information for displaying the check widgets.  
         [0016]     Preferably, the method further includes entitling the images attached to the multimedia service message, distinguishing the phone number of the counterpart users by individual or group, enlarging the images if it is required while comparing the images, and transmitting the multimedia service message with image selection factors (check widgets).  
         [0017]     In another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for transmitting a multimedia service message in mobile terminal includes an image-preparing unit which prepares images to be transmitted with the multimedia service message, an image integration unit which attaches at least two images among the images prepared by the image-preparing unit as thumbnail images to the multimedia service message so as to be displayed at the same time, and a transmit unit which transmits the multimedia service message with the images. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings;  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of components of a mobile phone according to the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flowcharts illustrating a method for transmitting the picture comparison MMS image at the transmitter according to the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting a response message, at the receiver, in response to the picture comparison MMS image;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a process for creating and transmitting the picture comparison MMS image; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a process for creating and transmitting the response message to the transmitter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of components of a mobile phone according to the present invention.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the mobile phone includes a controller  110 , a data processor  120 , a Radio Frequency (RF) part  123 , a keypad  127 , a memory  130 , a camera module  140 , an image processor  150 , and a display part  160 .  
         [0027]     The RF part  123  operates at predetermined frequencies dependent on the communication regulation. The RF part  123  includes a RF transmitter which up-converts and amplifies the signal to be transmit and a RF receiver which low-noise-amplifies and down-converts the signal received through an antenna. Also, the RF part  123  of the mobile phone communicates the MMS messages with a counterpart mobile phone in association with the present invention.  
         [0028]     The data processor  120  includes a transmitter which performs encoding and modulation on the signal to be transmitted and a receiver which performs demodulation and decoding on the received signal.  
         [0029]     The memory  130  is provided with a program memory part and a data memory part. The program memory part stores programs for controlling the typical operations of the mobile phone and a program for processing picture comparison MMS according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, the data memory part stores the data generated while executing the programs, a plurality of thumbnail images taken by the built-in camera module, and the information used, by individual or group, for the picture comparison MMS received with the phone book function.  
         [0030]     The controller  110  controls the overall operations of the mobile phone. The controller  110  can include the data processor  120 . Also, the controller  110  configures the picture comparison MMS, controls the camera module  140  for taking photos and the memory for storing the taken photos as identical category images, and displays the images on the display part  160  with an opinion request message as the picture comparison MMS. Also, the controller  110  provides control such that the picture comparison MMS is transmitted to the counterpart terminal through the RF part  123  and the data processor  120  together with a check widget and that an opinion is received through the RF part  123  and the data processor  120  in response to the picture comparison MMS. The opinion is displayed on the display part  160  under the control of the controller  110 . The controller  110  controls the operations of the mobile phone according to the instruction inputted through the keypad  127  and adds a message inputted through the keypad  127  onto the picture comparison MMS.  
         [0031]     The camera module  140  takes the images for the picture comparison MMS and has a camera sensor for converting the optical signals obtained through lenses into electrical signals, and the camera sensor has a signal processing part for converting the analog video signal taken by the camera module into digital data. Here, the camera sensor is a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) sensor, and the signal processing part can be implemented with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). Also, the camera sensor and the signal processing part can be implemented integrally or separately.  
         [0032]     The image processor  150  generates frame data for displaying the picture comparison MMS image outputted from the camera module  140  under the control of the controller  110 . The image processor  150  makes the image outputted from the camera module  140  into thumbnail images and processes the thumbnail images frame by frame so as to output the thumbnail images in consideration of the characteristics and size of the display part  160 , under control of the controller  110 . Also, the image processor  150  can compress the picture comparison MMS image in a predetermined method and recover the compressed data into the original picture comparison MMS image. Also, the image processor  150  can display the check widget on the thumbnail image as a background image in order for the user or the counterpart user to carry out a selection.  
         [0033]     The display part  160  displays the picture comparison MMS thumbnail image and the user data outputted from the controller  110  onto the screen. Here, the display part  160  can be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), which includes an LCD controller, a memory for storing the picture comparison MMS image, and an LCD device. When implementing the LCD with a touch screen mechanism, it can work as an input device.  
         [0034]     The keypad  127  includes a plurality of number and character keys and function keys for manipulating the corresponding functions. The keypad  127  is implemented so as to input instructions for all of the functions, to write opinions and response messages, to input the title of the image, to designate the picture comparison MMS mode, and to carry out the selection with the check widget, according to the embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     Picture Comparison MMS Image Transmission  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method for transmitting the picture comparison MMS image at the transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a drawing illustrating a process for creating and transmitting the picture comparison MMS image.  
         [0037]     In regard to  FIG. 4 , the user prepares two frames for pictures to be compared with each other and types a title  402  at step (a) of  FIG. 4 . The pictures can be obtained in two ways. One is to photograph the subject using the built-in camera and the other is to import the picture stored in the memory. If the user fails to take the photograph, it can be retried. For example, the picture can be taken by selecting a menu item “take target object”  401  so as to obtain the picture at step (b). The picture displayed on the screen fills out the first frame at step (c) by the user pushing the OK key. If a cancel key is pushed at step (b) or (c), the screen returns to step (a).  
         [0038]     After obtained the first picture, a second picture is obtained in the identical manner at step (d) so as to fill out the second frame at step (e). Below the frames, a check widget  405  is positioned in order for the user to select one of the frames (pictures). Also, a message box  403  is positioned below the check widget in order for the user to type a message. The message may request an opinion on a subject associated with the pictures, for example, “Which one do we eat, Spaghetti or Kalguksu?,” “could you select which one is much pretty?,” “which one do you want?,” “please select one matching my style,” “flower pattern one piece Vs. stripe one piece?,” and “which style is fit for me, bob cut vs. setting permanent?” If the user pushes the OK key after typing the phone number of the counterpart user, the pictures and the check widget are transmitted, together with the message, as a single picture comparison MMS image.  
         [0039]     Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 2A , if a menu key is inputted at step  201 , the controller determines whether the picture comparison MMS mode is activated at step  203 . If the picture comparison MMS mode is not activated, the controller  110  performs a configuration of the picture comparison MMS mode at step  204 . It is determined that the mobile phone is in the picture comparison MMS mode, the controller  110  displays the image of step (a) of  FIG. 4  on the display part  160  at step  205  and then allows the title to be written through the keypad  160  at step  206 . Sequentially, the controller  110  determines whether any previously stored picture exists in the memory at step  207 . If it is determined that there is a previously stored picture, the controller  110  displays the thumbnail image corresponding to the title on the display part  160  as in (a) of  FIG. 4  and displays the image to be compared, as in (b) of  FIG. 4 , at step  210 . On the other hand, if there is no previously stored picture at step  207 , the picture to be compared can be taken with the camera as in (a) of  FIG. 4 . The controller  110  configures the number of the thumbnail pictures to be taken upon entering the photo shot mode at step  213  and then checks whether the camera module is prepare for taking photographs at step  214 . The order of configuration of processes  213  and  214  for the photo shot mode and the number of the pictures to be taken can be changed. That is, the number of the pictures to be taken can be designated after entering the photo shot mode. This results in the same effect.  
         [0040]     In the photo shot mode, the first and second pictures are sequentially obtained by being taken at steps  216  and  221  ( FIG. 2B ) and then stored at steps  219  and  223 , respectively. The first picture taken at step  216  through the camera module  140  and the image processor  150  is displayed on the display part  160  as the thumbnail image as in (b). The thumbnail image is stored as in (c) of  FIG. 4  after being checked at step  220 . The second picture is obtained in an identical manner such that the second picture is taken at step  221 , displayed as a thumbnail image at step  223 , and stored after being checked at step  224 . The controller  110  reads the previously stored pictures or the pictures taken at steps  216  and  221  from the memory  130  and then displays, as in (e) of  FIG. 4 , the pictures onto the display part together with the check widget  405  in order for the user to choose one of the pictures at step  227 . The message  403  is then written through the keypad  127  as in (e) of  FIG. 4  at step  229 . The written message is added to the thumbnail image selected by under the control of the controller  110 .  
         [0041]     The phone number(s)  404  of the counterpart user can be directly inputted through the keypad  127  as in (e) of  FIG. 4  or loaded from the phone book stored in the memory  130  individually or by group, such that the pictures, the messages, and the check widget are transmitted at the same time as the picture comparison MMS image.  
         [0042]     The controller  110  determines whether to store the transmitted picture comparison MMS image at step  235 . If it is determined that the picture comparison MMS image will be stored, the controller classifies and stores the images by title at step  237 .  
         [0043]     Also, the controller  110  determines whether there is any image or message checked with the check widget from the message received in response to the picture comparison MMS image at step  239 . If there is any checked image or message, the controller  110  displays the received messages so as to help the user to make decision on the subject. In business, this service can be used for helping the client to select one of several items in any category such as a gift, shopping, food, meeting, cloth, hair style, electric appliance, shoes, ring, and etc or to make a decision on a subject such as design, color, style, and etc. If there is no response from the counterpart user at step  239 , the mobile terminal stays in waiting mode at step  238 .  
         [0044]     Response Mode After Receiving the Picture Comparison MMS Image  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for transmitting a response message, at the receiver, in response to the picture comparison MMS image, and  FIG. 5  is a drawing illustrating a process for creating and transmitting the response message to the transmitter.  
         [0046]     Upon receiving the picture comparison MMS image as in (e) of  FIG. 4 , the counterpart terminal displays the received picture comparison MMS image through the display part  160  as in (a) of  FIG. 5  such that the counterpart user can select an item with the check widget  502  after checking the title  501 , two pictures, and the message  503  (“Which one is fit for me, please respond, Youngju”). The receiver can determine whether to store the picture comparison MMS image on the basis of the phone number by individual or group. The picture can be enlarged as in (b) of  FIG. 5  by selecting an area and pushing the OK key, and can further enlarged so as to see in more detail as in (c) of  FIG. 5 . The counterpart user can select one of the pictures with the check widget  503  as in (d) of  FIG. 5 , and then write a response message (for example, “The black one is simple and pretty. I recommend it. It will be fit with both the jeans and formal dress.”)  506  as in (d) of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0047]     Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 3A , the controller  110  of the mobile phone determines whether the picture comparison MMS reception mode is set at step  303  during the waiting mode of step  301 . If the picture comparison MMS reception mode is not set, the controller  110  controls so as to set the picture comparison MMS reception mode at step  305 . On the other hand, if the picture comparison MMS reception mode is set, the controller  110  determines whether the picture comparison MMS image is set to be received by individual or group at step  307 . If there are no settings, an individual or group to receive the picture comparison image can be imported from the memory or directly inputted through the keypad.  
         [0048]     The controller  110  checks the settings at step  307  and determines whether the picture comparison MMS image as in (a) of  FIG. 5  is received. If the picture comparison MMS image is received, the controller  110  determines the number of the thumbnail images to receive at steps  313  and  315 . If the number of the thumbnail images is not provided, the controller  110  sets the number of the thumbnail images at step  315  before receiving the thumbnail images. If the number of the thumbnail images is 2, the controller  110  receives the first thumbnail image at step  317  and displays the first thumbnail image at step  319 . The controller  110  receives the second thumbnail image at step  321  ( FIG. 3B ) and then displays the second thumbnail image at step  323 . In a special case, the first and second thumbnail images can be received at the same time with a special setting.  
         [0049]     The controller  110  controls the display of the check widget, the thumbnail images, and the message through the display part  160  at the same time. Sequentially, the controller  110  receives an instruction for selecting one of the images through the keypad  127  at step  327  and checks that there is an input for enlarging the image at step  331  if there is a designation of a key for enlarging the image at step  329 . If it is determined that there is an input for enlarging the image, the controller  110  controls the display part  160  to display the enlarged image as in (b) of  FIG. 5  at step  333 . As illustrated in (c) of  FIG. 5 , the controller  110  can further enlarge the image with predetermined settings. If there is an input for selecting one of the image through the keypad  127  as in (d) of  FIG. 5  at step  335  and an OK key is pushed at step  337 , the controller  110  allows the user to write the message  506  as in (d) of  FIG. 5  and then transmits the message together with the respond image at step  341 . The transmitter at step  239  of  FIG. 2  checks this message.  
         [0050]     In the present invention, more than two pictures are sequentially taken by camera or loaded from the memory and transmitted, as thumbnail image which supports enlargement, together with the check widget. The counterpart user receives the pictures, select preferred one of the pictures with the check widget, and feedback the selection result. The selection result helps the user to make a decision.  
         [0051]     The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatus. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0052]     As described above, in the method for supporting a multimedia service of the present invention, a user transmits more than two images to the counterpart user together with a message soliciting opinion on the images such that the opinions received in response to the images help the user to make a decision, whereby the present invention is advantageous to allow people to share fun when choosing gift, food, cloth, hair style, etc., or to help a buyer to make a decision on a subject in business.