Mobile terminal and method of searching a contact in the mobile terminal

A mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit communicating with a server providing a social network service, a memory storing a contact list and account information related to the social network service, a user input unit receiving a search query, a controller searching for a contact person in the contact list based on the search query, the controller also connecting and transmitting information of the contact person found in the contact list to the server, and receiving a search result from the server, and a display unit displaying the search result.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2009-0092032 filed on Sep. 28, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal which has a function for searching a contact or friend. In particular, a contact can be searched by the mobile terminal by utilizing both information from a contact list stored in the mobile terminal and information obtained from a server providing a social network service or SNS provider.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

As functions of terminals, such as personal computers, notebook computers, and mobile phones, become more diversified, the terminals are implemented as multimedia players supporting complicated functions. For example, the terminals can be used for capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, and receiving broadcast signals.

In general, the terminals may be divided into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminals may be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mountable terminals according to their modes of portability.

Efforts are ongoing to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components which form the terminals.

In general, for a user of a mobile terminal to check whether a contact person listed in a contact list stored in the mobile terminal uses a social network service (SNS), the user must perform two separate tasks. First, the contact person must be searched in the contact list. And then, the user must connect to the SNS site in order to find whether the contact person listed in the contact list of the mobile terminal is registered with the SNS site by inputting a search query, such as a name, an e-mail, and a phone number of the contact person. Therefore, the contact list of the mobile terminal is not interlinked with the SNS site for searching the contact person. The present disclosure provides interlinking the information of the contact list in the mobile terminal with information obtained from the SNS site for easy search of the contact person from both the contact list and the SNS site by entering a common search query.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a wireless communication unit communicating with a server providing a social network service, a memory storing a contact list and account information related to the social network service, a user input unit receiving a search query, a controller searching for a contact person in the contact list based on the search query, the controller also connecting and transmitting information of the contact person found in the contact list to the server, and receiving a search result from the server, and a display unit displaying the search result.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a user input unit receiving a search query from a user, a controller searching for a contact from contact information stored in the mobile terminal based on the search query, a wireless communication unit connecting to a website for a social networking service, transmitting information of the contact found from the contact information to the website, and receiving a search result from the website, and a display unit displaying the search result. The search result is obtained by the website by matching the information of the contact received from the mobile terminal to information of social network service subscribers stored at the website.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of searching for a contact in a mobile terminal includes connecting to a server providing a social network service and having information about social network service subscriber by using user account information related to the social network service, receiving a search query for searching for the contact from the server, displaying a search result received from the server, and updating a contact list stored in the mobile terminal according to the search result.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, usage of suffixes such as “module,” “part” or “unit” used for referring to elements is given merely to facilitate explanation of the present invention, without having any significant meaning by itself.

The mobile terminal described in the present disclosure may include mobile phones, smart phones, notebook computers, digital broadcast receivers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PMPs (Portable Multimedia Player), and navigation devices. It would be understood by a person in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments of the present invention can be also applicable to the fixed types of terminals, such as digital TVs or desk top computers, except for any elements especially configured for a mobile purpose.

Referring toFIG. 1, the mobile terminal100may include a wireless communication unit110, an A/V (Audio/Video) input unit120, a user input unit130, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, a memory160, an interface unit170, a controller180, and a power supply unit190. WhileFIG. 1shows that the mobile terminal100has various components, it should be understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may be implemented alternatively.

The wireless communication unit110typically includes one or more components allowing radio communication between the mobile terminal100and a wireless communication system or a network in which the mobile terminal100is located. For example, the wireless communication unit110may include at least a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module113, a short-range communication module114, or a location information module115.

The broadcast receiving module111receives broadcast signals and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management server or other network entity via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and/or a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may generate and transmit a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or may receive a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and transmit the broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information to the mobile terminal100.

The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and/or a data broadcast signal. The broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may refer to information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast associated information may also be provided via a mobile communication network and received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcast signal may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) or an electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module111may be configured to receive broadcast signals by using various types of broadcast systems. Such broadcast systems may include multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), the data broadcasting system known as media forward link only (MediaFLO®), and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). The broadcast receiving module111may be configured to be suitable for every broadcast system transmitting broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcast systems. Broadcast signals and/or broadcast-associated information received via the broadcast receiving module111may be stored in the memory160or anther type of storage medium.

The mobile communication module112transmits and/or receives radio signals to and/or from at least one of a base station, such as access point or Node B, an external terminal or other user devices and a server or other network entities. Such radio signals may include a voice call signal, a video call signal or various types of data according to text and/or multimedia message transmission and/or reception.

The wireless Internet module113supports wireless Internet access for the mobile terminal100. The wireless Internet module113may be internally or externally coupled to the mobile terminal100. The wireless Internet access technique implemented may include a WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), WiBro (Wireless broadband), WiMax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), or HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access).

The short-range communication module114supports short range communications. Some examples of short-range communication technology include BLUETOOTH™, Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), and Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZIGBEE™.

The location information module115checks or acquires a location or position of the mobile terminal100. A typical example of the location information module is a GPS (Global Positioning System).

The A/V input unit120is configured to receive an audio or video signal. The A/V input unit120may include a camera121or other image capture device and a microphone122or other sound pick-up device. The camera121processes image data of still pictures or video obtained by an image capture device in a video capturing mode or an image capturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on a display unit151or other visual output device.

The image frames processed by the camera121may be stored in the memory160or other storage medium, or transmitted via the wireless communication unit110. Two or more cameras121may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal100.

The microphone122may receive sounds or audible data in a phone call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode, and can process such sounds into audio data. The processed audio voice data, such as voice, may be converted for output into a format transmittable to a mobile communication base station or other network entity via the mobile communication module112in the phone call mode. The microphone122may implement various types of noise canceling or suppression algorithms to cancel or suppress noise or interference generated while receiving and transmitting audio signals.

The user input unit130or other user input device may generate input data in response to commands entered by a user to control various operations of the mobile terminal100. The user input unit130may include at least a keypad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch, or a touch pad, such as a touch sensitive member that detects changes in resistance, pressure, and capacitance generated by a contact.

The sensing unit140or other detection means detects a current status of the mobile terminal100such as an opened or closed state of the mobile terminal100, a location of the mobile terminal100, the presence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal100or touch inputs, the orientation of the mobile terminal100, or an acceleration or deceleration movement and direction of the mobile terminal100. The sensing unit140generates commands or signals for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal100.

For example, when the mobile terminal100is implemented as a slide type mobile phone, the sensing unit140may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, the sensing unit140can detect whether the power supply unit190supplies power or whether the interface unit170is coupled with an external device. The sensing unit140may include a proximity sensor141.

The output unit150is configured to output an audio signal, a video signal, an alarm signal, and a tactile signal such as vibration signal. The output unit150may include the display unit151, an audio output module152, an alarm unit153, and a haptic module.

The display unit151may display or output information processed in the mobile terminal100. For example, when the mobile terminal100is in a phone call mode, the display unit151may display a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI) associated with a call or other communication such as text messaging or multimedia file downloading. When the mobile terminal100is in a video call mode or image capturing mode, the display unit151may display a captured image and/or received image and a UI or GUI that shows videos or images and related functions.

The display unit151may include at least a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Thin Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display, or a three-dimensional (3D) display. Some of the displays may be configured to be transparent or light-transmissive to allow viewing of the exterior, and may be called transparent displays. A typical transparent display may be, for example, a TOLED (Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. Through such configuration, the user can view an object positioned at the rear side of the terminal body through the region occupied by the display unit151of the terminal body.

The mobile terminal100may include two or more display units151or other display means according to its particular desired embodiment. For example, a plurality of display units151may be separately or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal100, or may be separately disposed on mutually different surfaces.

When the display unit151and touch sensor for detecting a touch operation are overlaid in a layered manner to form a touch screen, the display unit151may function as both an input device and an output device. The touch sensor may have a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert pressure applied to a particular portion of the display unit151or a change in the capacitance generated at a particular portion of the display unit151into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect the pressure when a touch is applied, as well as the touched position and area.

When there is a touch input with respect to the touch sensor, a corresponding signal is transmitted to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signals and transmits corresponding data to the controller180. Accordingly, the controller180may recognize which portion of the display unit151has been touched.

With reference toFIG. 1, a proximity sensor141may be disposed within or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor141detects the presence or absence of an object relative to a certain detection surface or an object that exists nearby by using the force of electromagnetism or infrared rays without a physical contact. Thus, the proximity sensor141may have a considerably longer life span compared with a contact type sensor, and it can be utilized for various purposes.

Examples of the proximity sensor141may include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror-reflection type photo sensor, an RF oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. If the touch screen is the capacitance type, proximity of a pointer is detected by a change in electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen or the touch sensor may be classified as a proximity sensor.

In the following description, for the sake of brevity, recognition of the pointer positioned to be close to the touch screen will be called a “proximity touch”, while recognition of actual contacting of the pointer on the touch screen will be called a “contact touch.” When the pointer is in the state of the proximity touch, it means that the pointer is positioned to correspond vertically to the touch screen.

By employing the proximity sensor141, a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern, such as a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, or a proximity touch movement state, can be detected. Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern can be output to the touch screen.

The audio output module152may convert and output as sound audio data received from the wireless communication unit110or stored in the memory160in a call signal reception mode, a call mode, a record mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. Also, the audio output module152may provide audible outputs related to a particular function performed by the mobile terminal100, for example, a call signal reception sound and a message reception sound. The audio output module152may include a speaker, a buzzer, or other sound generating device.

The alarm unit153or other type of user notification means may provide outputs to inform about the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal100. Typical events may include call reception, message reception, key signal inputs, and a touch input. In addition to audio or video outputs, the alarm unit153may provide outputs in a different manner to inform about the occurrence of an event.

For example, the alarm unit153may provide an output in the form of vibrations or other tactile or sensible outputs. When a call, a message, or some other incoming communication is received, the alarm unit153may provide tactile outputs or vibration to inform the user. By providing such tactile outputs, the user can recognize the occurrence of various events even if the mobile terminal100is in the user's pocket.

Outputs informing about the occurrence of an event may be also provided via the display unit151or the audio output module152. The display unit151and the audio output module152may be classified as a part of the alarm unit153.

The haptic module154generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. A typical example of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module154is vibration. The strength and pattern of the haptic module154can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be combined to be output or sequentially output.

Besides vibration, the haptic module154may generate various other tactile effects such as a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to a contact skin, a spray force or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a suction opening, a contact on the skin, a contact of an electrode, electrostatic force, or an effect reproducing the sense of cold and warmth using an element that can absorb or generate heat.

The haptic module154may be implemented to allow the user to feel a tactile effect through a muscle sensation such as the fingers or arm of the user, as well as transferring the tactile effect through direct contact. Two or more haptic modules154may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal100.

The memory160may store software programs used for the processing and controlling operations performed by the controller180, or may temporarily store data, such as a phonebook, messages, still images, and video, that are input or output. In addition, the memory160may store data regarding various patterns of vibrations and audio signals output when a touch is input via the touch screen.

The memory160may include at least one type of storage medium including a Flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a card-type memory such as SD or DX memory. Also, the mobile terminal100may be operated with a web storage device that performs the storage function of the memory160over the Internet.

The interface unit170serves as an interface with every external device connected to the mobile terminal100. For example, the external devices may transmit data to an external device, receive and transmit power to each element of the mobile terminal100, or transmit internal data of the mobile terminal100to an external device. For example, the interface unit170may include wired or wireless headset ports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting a device having an identification module, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, or earphone ports.

The identification module may be a chip that stores various information for authenticating the authority of using the mobile terminal100and may include a user identity module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), or a universal subscriber identity module (USIM). In addition, the device having the identification module or identifying device may take the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the identifying device may be connected with the mobile terminal100via a port.

When the mobile terminal100is connected with an external cradle, the interface unit170may serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied through the interface unit to the mobile terminal100or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal100. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal100is properly mounted on the cradle.

The controller180typically controls the general operations of the mobile terminal100. For example, the controller180performs controlling and processing associated with voice calls, data communications, and video calls. The controller180may also perform pattern recognition processing to recognize a handwriting input or a picture drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters or images, respectively.

The controller180may include a multimedia module181for reproducing multimedia data. The multimedia module181may be configured within the controller180or may be configured to be separated from the controller180.

The power supply unit190provides power required by various components under the control of the controller180. The provided power may be internal power, external power, or a combination thereof.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable or similar medium using, for example, software, hardware, or any combination of software and hardware. For hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, such embodiments may be implemented by the controller180itself.

For software implementation, the embodiments such as procedures or functions described herein may be implemented by separate software modules. Each software module may perform one or more functions or operations described herein. Software codes can be implemented by a software application written in any suitable programming language. The software codes may be stored in the memory160and executed by the controller180.

InFIG. 2A, the mobile terminal100is shown to have a bar type terminal body. However, the present invention can also be applicable to a slide type mobile terminal, a folder type mobile terminal, a swing type mobile terminal, and a swivel type mobile terminal including two or more bodies.

The terminal body includes a case, such as casing, housing, or cover, constituting the external appearance of the terminal body. Referring toFIG. 2A, the case may be composed of a front case101and a rear case102. Various electronic components are installed in the space between the front case101and the rear case102. One or more intermediate cases may be additionally disposed between the front case101and the rear case102. The cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may be made of a metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit151, the audio output module152, camera121, and the user input unit130including manipulation units131and132, the microphone122, and the interface unit170may be located on the terminal body, mainly on the front case101. The display unit151occupies the largest portion of the front surface of the front case101. The audio output module152and the camera121are disposed near one end portion of the display unit151, and the manipulation unit131and the microphone122are disposed near the other end of the display unit151. The manipulation unit132and the interface unit170may be disposed at sides of the terminal body formed by the front case101and the rear case102.

The manipulation units131and132that are part of the user input unit130are manipulated to receive commands for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal100. The manipulation units131and132may be called a manipulating portion, and can be manipulated in a tactile manner by the user.

Content input via the first and second manipulation units131and132may be variably set. For example, the first manipulation unit131receives commands such as start, end, or scroll, and the second manipulation unit132may receive commands for adjusting volume of sound output from the audio output unit152or converting to a touch recognition mode for the display unit151.

FIG. 2Bis a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal100illustrated inFIG. 2A. With reference toFIG. 2B, a second camera121′ may additionally be disposed on a rear surface of the terminal body, namely, on the rear case102. The second camera121′ may have an image capture direction which is substantially opposite to that of the camera121disposed on the front surface of the terminal body and may support a different resolution than the camera121.

For example, camera121may operate with a relatively lower resolution to capture images of the user's face and immediately transmit the images to another party in real-time during video call communication. The second camera121′ may operate with a relatively higher resolution to capture images of general objects with high picture quality, which may not require immediate transmission in real time. The cameras121and121′ may be installed on the mobile terminal100such that they are rotated or popped up.

A flash123and a mirror124, may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera121′. When an image of the subject is captured with the second camera121′, the flash123may illuminate the subject. The mirror124allows the user to see himself/herself when he/she wants to capture his/her own image by using the second camera121′.

A second audio output unit152′ may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The second audio output unit152′ may implement a stereoscopic function along with the audio output unit152disposed on the front surface of the terminal body, and may be used for implementing a speaker phone mode during call communication.

A broadcast signal receiving antenna116may be disposed at a side of the terminal body in addition to an antenna (not shown) that supports mobile communications. The antenna116forming a portion of the broadcast reception module111may be installed to be protracted.

A power supply unit190for supplying power to the mobile terminal100may be mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit190may be installed in the terminal body or may be directly detached from the outside of the terminal body.

A touch pad135for detecting a touch may be additionally mounted on the rear case102. The touch pad135may be configured to be light-transmissive like the display unit151. In this case, when the display unit151is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information can be recognized through the touch pad135.

Information output to both sides of the display unit151may be controlled by the touch pad135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case102.

The touch pad135is operated in relation to the display unit151of the front case101. The touch pad135may be disposed to be parallel to the rear side of the display unit151. The touch pad135may have the same or smaller size than the display unit151.

FIG. 3illustrates a social network service (SNS) system related to the present invention. The SNS provides a community service allowing a user to share information with others and build personal connections online. For example, the SNS includes Cyworld™, Facebook™, MySpace™, Twitter™, Bebo™, Orkut™, LinkedIn™, and Nesopia™.

With reference toFIG. 3, an SNS system includes a mobile terminal100, a network200, and an SNS server300. The mobile terminal100is a terminal in which a client application can be installed to receive the SNS, namely, an SNS client.

A client application for using a service provided by a particular SNS site is installed in the mobile terminal100according to a user command. The client application may be present in each SNS site and provided from each SNS site. Alternatively, the client application may be an integrated SNS client application implemented to be connected to every SNS site.

When installation of the client application is completed, the terminal user may register accounts with respect to one or more SNS sites the user uses through an environment setting menu of the client application. For example, the terminal user may execute a client application for receiving a Twitter™ service and select the environment setting menu.

Then, as shown inFIG. 4A, the mobile terminal100displays an account registration screen image to receive input of account information. The user may input information, such as ID and password, of each item by manipulating the user input unit130from the displayed account registration screen.

The controller180of the mobile terminal100stores the information received via the user input unit130in the memory160. Thereafter, when the client application is executed, the mobile terminal100connects to the SNS site and performs user authentication at the corresponding SNS site by using the previously registered account information.

If the mobile terminal100has an integrated or common client application allowing connection to various SNS sites, the user may register information regarding one or more SNS sites in the mobile terminal100. The mobile terminal100may also store the SNS site information and account information about the corresponding site.

For example, when the user selects an SNS site menu, the controller180of the mobile terminal100executes an SNS site menu that can manage the SNS site. When the SNS site menu is executed, the controller displays a registered SNS site list. If there is no registered SNS site list, the controller180displays an SNS site registration screen on the display unit151, as shown inFIG. 4B, allowing registration at a new SNS site.

The user enters account information such as an SNS site address, the name of an SNS site, an ID or user name and a password with respect to the SNS site on the SNS site registration screen through the user input unit130. When the SNS site information is received, the controller180of the mobile terminal100stores the received SNS site information in the memory160and displays the registered SNS site list.

If the mobile terminal100does not have a client application, it may request the client application from the SNS server300to download and install the client application, or may connect to an SNS site through a Web browser. The user of the mobile terminal100can share various information such as interest and/or personal connection information online through the client application.

The mobile terminal100may connect to the network200through the wireless communication unit110and then connect to the SNS server300via the network200to receive information or contents from the SNS server300or upload information to the SNS server300. The SNS server300searches a database for an SNS site subscriber/user in response to a request from the mobile terminal100, and transmits the searched subscriber/user information to the mobile terminal100. In addition, the SNS server300may add or delete a searched subscriber/user to or from a friend, or register the searched subscriber/user as a new contact person according to a request by the mobile terminal100.

Information such as subscriber information, images, photos, video, sound source, personal connection information, or bulletin board messages including text is stored in the database of the SNS server300. In addition, the SNS server300may check whether the mobile terminal100has been registered as a subscriber for the SNS through an authentication procedure using subscriber information. If the mobile terminal100is a subscriber terminal, the SNS server300authenticates the mobile terminal100such that it can use the SNS.

Referring toFIG. 5, in a contact person search method by a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller180of the mobile terminal100executes a contact list or phone book in response to a user input (S101). Then the controller180displays the screen image of the contact list or phone book on the display unit151.

Subsequently, the controller180receives a search query via the user input unit130and the received search query is displayed on the contact list/phone book screen (S102). For example, when a search query input window is selected by the user on the contact list/phone book screen, the controller180enters a text input mode and provides a cursor to the search query input window. Thereafter, the controller180displays data received via the user input unit130on the search query input window.

After inputting of the search query is completed, the controller180receives a search command via the user input unit130(S103). When the search command is received, the controller180checks a pre-set search option setting to determine whether an option for “Find in SNS site” has been set (S104).

If “Find in SNS site” has been set, the controller180searches a contact person including the search query from the contact list/phone book and connects to a pre-set SNS site (S105). In other words, the controller180searches for a contact person according to the received search query or a contact person including the input search query from the contact list/phone book. Further, the controller180connects to the SNS site by using pre-set user information such as name and password while searching for the contact person from the phone book.

After the contact list/phone book of the mobile terminal100is searched for the contact person, the controller180requests a subscriber search from the SNS site by using information such as an e-mail and a phone number of the contact person to be searched (S106). In other words, the controller180searches the contact list/phone book of the mobile terminal100for the contact person and connects to the pre-set SNS site. The controller180connects to the SNS site and requests the SNS server300to check whether the searched contact person uses the SNS site.

For the request, the mobile terminal100transmits identification information such as an e-mail, a phone number, and a user name of the searched contact person, along with a request message, to the SNS server300. The SNS server300checks whether the contact person is an SNS site subscriber by comparing the received identification information of the contact person and subscriber information of the SNS site in response to the request from the mobile terminal100.

If the searched contact person uses the SNS site, the controller180checks whether the corresponding contact person is registered as a friend of the user of the mobile terminal100. Moreover, the controller180may also request to check whether the searched contact person uses one or more SNS sites to which the terminal user is registered.

When information related to the searched contact person is received from the SNS site, the controller180displays information about the searched contact person indicating whether the contact person uses the SNS site (S107). If the searched contact person uses the SNS site, the controller180displays an icon indicating the corresponding SNS site at one side of the information about the searched contact person. In other words, the controller180displays a particular icon, such as a logo or an initial of the SNS site used by the searched contact person, to allow the terminal user to recognize the SNS site used by the corresponding contact person.

If the searched contact person uses the SNS site but is not registered as a friend of the terminal user, the controller180displays a friend add icon with respect to the corresponding SNS site. If the searched contact person does not use the SNS site, the controller180displays an invitation icon. If the searched contact person uses the SNS site and is registered as a friend of the user, the controller180displays a delete icon for releasing the friend relation.

Depending on the search result, the controller180may add new information with regard to the searched contact person to the contact list/phone book indicating whether the contact person uses the SNS site. Specifically, the controller180inserts new information, such as the SNS site used by the searched contact person and whether the searched contact person is registered as a friend, to certain field values of the contact list/phone book and stores the updated information about the contact person in the memory160. Further, the controller180updates the field values based on a pre-set period or updates the corresponding field values upon request by the terminal user.

At S104, if “Find in SNS site” has not been set, the controller180searches for a contact person only in the contact list/phone book of the mobile terminal100based on the search query (S108). When searching is complete, the controller180displays a list of searched contact persons on the display screen (S107).

FIGS. 6A to 6Eillustrate searching for a contact person or friend in a mobile terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 6A, the controller180of the mobile terminal100executes the contact list/phone book in response to a user input. Subsequently, the controller180displays the screen image of the contact list/phone book on the display screen.

The screen image may include a first display area310displaying the status of the mobile terminal100, such as signal strength, message, and set alarm, a second display area320displaying a menu icon321, a cancel icon322, and a drop down list323for selecting a title or a list view method, a third display area330displaying a search query input window331and a search execution icon332, a fourth display area340displaying an icon341for inputting a command for adding a new contact person, and a fifth display area350displaying a contact list of persons registered in the contact list/phone book. The contact list is displayed on the fifth display area350, and a photo image and a name of each contact person, a call icon354, icon(s)351indicating an SNS site(s) in use, a friend addition icon352or friend invitation icon353, and a friend release icon (not shown) are also displayed as shown inFIGS. 6C and 6D.

When the search query input window331of the executed screen image is selected, the controller180enters a text input mode and displays a cursor at the search query input window331. Thereafter, when a search query is received via the user input unit130, the controller180displays the received search query in the search query input window331of the contact list/phone book screen.

With reference toFIG. 6B, the user may set a search option by manipulating a menu. When the menu icon321is selected by the user, the controller180displays an option menu for setting a search option as shown inFIG. 6B. When the user selects one item from the option menu, the controller180sets the selected item as a search option.

For example, the search option includes “Find in Contacts” for searching a contact person including a search query from the contact list/phone book and “Find in SNS site” for searching for a contact person or friend by searching both the contact list/phone book of the mobile terminal100and an SNS site.

After the search query is received, when a touch input applied to the search execution icon332is detected, the controller180recognizes the touch input as a search command. Subsequently, the controller180checks a pre-set search option. Upon checking the pre-set search option, if the search option is “Find in SNS site,” the controller180connects to a pre-set SNS site. While connecting to the SNS site, the controller180searches for a contact person from the contact list/phone book stored in the mobile terminal100based on the search query.

When the mobile terminal100is connected to the SNS site, the controller180transmits a search request message including information about the contact person to be searched to the SNS server300via the wireless communication unit110. The information of the contact person may include an e-mail address and/or name. The SNS server300searches using the information about the contact person provided from the mobile terminal100and the SNS server300transmits the search result to the mobile terminal100.

In one aspect of the present invention, if a search command is received without a search query, the controller180checks whether each of the entire contact persons registered in the contact list/phone book uses an SNS site by sending a search request message to one or more previously set SNS servers300. In response to the search request message received from the mobile terminal100, the SNS server300checks whether each contact person uses an SNS site and whether each contact person is registered as a friend, and transmits corresponding results to the mobile terminal100. In other words, the mobile terminal100checks whether each contact person stored in the contact list/phone book uses any SNS provided from any one of the SNS servers300.

Upon receiving a search result from the SNS site, the controller180displays an icon351indicating each SNS site used by each contact person as shown inFIG. 6C, and displays any applicable command icon depending on whether each contact person uses the corresponding SNS site and whether each person is registered as a friend. For example, the controller180displays one or more icons351,352indicating SNS site(s) used by a corresponding contact person. Further, if the contact person is registered as a friend of the terminal user in the corresponding sites, the controller180displays icons351corresponding to the sites indicating that the contact person is registered as a friend.

If the contact person uses a particular SNS site that the terminal user uses, but is not registered as a friend of the terminal user, the controller180displays an “Add as friend” icon352such that the terminal user may add the contact person as a friend by selecting the icon352. Furthermore, if the contact person does not use a particular SNS site that the terminal user uses, the controller180displays an invitation icon353such that the terminal user may invite the contact person to join the particular SNS site or register to the particular SNS site.

When the terminal user inputs a search query via the search query input window331and selects the search execution icon332as shown inFIG. 6D, the controller180searches for a contact person from the contact list/phone book based on the search query. The controller180connects to a pre-set SNS site through the wireless communication unit110. For example, if “Bob” is input as a search query as shown inFIG. 6D, the controller180searches for a contact person including the search query “Bob” from the contact list/phone book. At the same time, the controller180connects to the pre-set SNS site and performs a user authentication procedure by using pre-set account information.

Subsequently, the controller180transmits a search request message including an e-mail address and/or the name of the searched contact person “Bob” to the pre-set SNS server300. In response to the search request message, the SNS server300checks whether “Bob” is a subscriber of an SNS site or whether “Bob” is registered as a friend of the terminal user by using the information about “Bob”. Afterward, the SNS server300transmits the result to the mobile terminal100.

The controller180displays the search results obtained by performing the search from the contact list/phone book and additionally displays information provided from the SNS server300as shown inFIG. 6D. The controller180displays a command icon352or353based on the information provided from the SNS server300.

If the searched contact person uses the SNS site to which the terminal user is registered to, but is not registered as a friend of the terminal user, the controller180displays the “Add as friend” icon352. If the “Add as friend” icon352is selected by the terminal user, the controller180transmits a request message for adding the contact person as a friend to the corresponding SNS site. At the same time, the controller180transmits identification information for identifying the corresponding contact person to the SNS site.

In turn, the SNS server requests approval from the contact person by forwarding the identification information to the contact person. Once the contact person approves the request, the contact person is registered as a friend of the terminal user for the SNS site.

If the searched contact person does not use the SNS site to which the terminal user is registered, the controller180displays the invitation icon353and may invite the corresponding contact person in response to a user input. For example, when the terminal user selects the invitation icon353, the controller180outputs a message creation screen image356on the display unit151to receive an invitation message as shown inFIG. 6E. When the terminal user composes an invitation message, the controller180transmits the invitation message to the contact person according to a pre-set transmission method, such as a short message or an e-mail. Upon receiving the invitation message, the contact person may connect to and register with the corresponding SNS site.

FIGS. 7A to 7Cillustrate searching for a contact person or friend in a mobile terminal100according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7A, the mobile terminal100displays pre-set widgets410ato410con a home screen or background screen image.

When a search widget410ais selected on the home screen, the controller180executes a search function and enters an input mode in which a search query can be received. As shown inFIG. 7B, the controller180places a cursor at the search query input window411of the search widget410aand displays a keypad icon420.

When the terminal user manipulates the keypad icon420displayed on the display screen and inputs data, for example “Bob,” the controller180displays the received data in the search query input window411. After receiving the search query, the controller180searches for a contact person from the contact list/phone book based on the received search query “Bob” when the search icon412is selected by the terminal user. When searching of the contact person is completed, the controller180connects to one or more previously registered SNS sites to check whether the searched contact person uses the corresponding SNS sites.

If the contact person uses a corresponding SNS site, the controller180checks whether the contact person is registered as a friend of the terminal user. Upon checking, the controller180displays information about the SNS site(s) that the searched contact person uses and whether the searched contact person is registered as a friend of the terminal user as a pop-up window430on the display screen as shown inFIG. 7C.

With reference toFIG. 8, the controller180executes a client application in response to a user input (S201). Subsequently, the controller180connects to an SNS site through the executed client application (S202). At this time, the controller180performs an authentication procedure on the SNS site by using pre-set user information, such as ID and password. The user information may be previously set as shown inFIG. 4Aor may be manually input by the terminal user whenever connected to an SNS site.

After connection to the SNS site, when a contact person/friend search is requested by the terminal user (S203), the controller180checks whether a search option has been set (S204). For example, if a search query input window is selected by the terminal user on the executed client application screen image, the controller180enters an input mode in which a search query can be received and displays a cursor on the search query input window.

When the terminal user inputs a search query via the user input unit130, the controller180displays the received search query on the search query input window. After receiving the search query, the controller180checks whether a search option has been set when a search command is input by the terminal user. The search option may include “Find in Currently connected SNS Site,” “Find in phone book,” “Find in a different network,” and “Invitation.”

Subsequently, the controller180searches for a contact person/friend based on the received search query according to the checked search option (S205). For example, the search query may include an e-mail or a name.

If the search option is “Find in Currently connected SNS Site,” the controller180transmits a search request message including the received search query to the currently connected SNS server300. In response to the search request message, the SNS server300searches an SNS site subscriber substantially matching the search query.

If the search option is “Find in phone book,” the controller180searches a contact person from the contact list/phone book based on the received search query. Subsequently, the controller180transmits a search request message along with the information about the contact person to be searched, such as e-mail and/or name, to the currently connected SNS server.

The SNS server300then performs contact person/friend searching by using the information about the searched contact person. The SNS server300checks whether the searched contact person is a subscriber of the currently connected SNS site and transmits the result to the mobile terminal100. The controller180of the mobile terminal100receives the checked result through the wireless communication unit110.

If the search option is “Find in different network,” the controller180connects to one or more different networks in response to the user command for requesting a user address list of the connected network. The controller180receives the user address list from the network and displays it. When one or more of friends on the displayed user list are selected, the controller180transmits a message inviting the selected friends to the currently connected SNS site.

If the search option is “Invitation,” the controller180transmits an invitation message to a specific friend according to a user input. When contact person/friend searching is completed, the controller180displays a searched contact person/friend list (S206). If no contact person/friend is found after searching based on the search query in step S205, the controller180displays a notification message indicating that no search result has been received from the SNS server (S207).

FIGS. 9A to 9Dillustrate searching for a contact person or friend in a mobile terminal100according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 9A, when a search menu such as “Find Friends” is selected by the terminal user from the SNS site access screen image, a sub-menu501of the search menu is displayed in a pop-up manner on the display screen. Alternatively, when the search menu is selected, the controller180may immediately enter a search query input mode in which a search query can be input, and display the search screen on the display unit151.

Thereafter, when a menu button502is selected on the search screen, the controller180displays the sub-menu501of the search menu as shown inFIG. 9A. For example, the sub-menu includes search options such as “Find on the current SNS site,” “Find in contacts,” “Find on other networks,” and “Invitation by email.”

When “Find on current SNS site” is selected from the sub-menu, the controller180executes the selected sub-menu item. Subsequently, the controller180displays a search screen and an executed screen image of the sub-menu selected by the terminal user on the display screen.

With reference toFIG. 9B, the search screen includes a search query input window503displaying a search query received from the terminal user and a virtual keypad504used for inputting the search query. When the virtual keypad504is touched, the controller180displays keypad data corresponding to the touched point in the search query input window503, as shown inFIG. 9C.

Thereafter, when a search command is input by the terminal user, the controller180searches for a contact person or friend from the SNS site subscribers according to the search query. When the friend searching is completed, the controller180displays the search result on the display screen as shown inFIG. 9D. The controller180also checks whether the searched contact person/friend(s) are registered as friend(s) of the terminal user and displays the friend status.

Furthermore, the controller180checks whether the searched contact person/friend is a contact person present in the contact list/phone book stored in the memory of the mobile terminal100and may display an exist icon505indicating that the searched contact person/friend exists in the contact list/phone book. Alternatively or in addition to the exist icon505, the controller180may change the color and/or the thickness of characters of an item corresponding to the searched contact person/friend that is present in the contact list/phone book.

FIGS. 10A to 10Dillustrate searching for a contact person or friend in a mobile terminal100according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 10A, when the client application is executed by the user, the controller180displays the executed screen image on the display unit151.

When a menu button displayed in a title display area602is selected from the executed screen image, the controller180displays a sub-menu601or search option in a pop-up manner. When “Find in Contacts” is selected from the sub-menu601, the controller180executes the corresponding sub-menu item. Subsequently, the controller180displays a screen image of the executed sub-menu item on the display unit151.

With reference toFIG. 10B, when a search query input window603is displayed, the controller180enters a search query input mode and displays a virtual keypad604for receiving a search query. The controller180also displays a cursor at the search query input window603. For example, when the terminal user touches the search query input window603, the mobile terminal100activates the search query input window603such that a search query can be input and displays the cursor at the search query input window603.

When a search query is received via the virtual keypad604in the search query input mode, the controller180displays the received search query in the search query input window603as shown inFIG. 10C. For example, when a touch input applied to the virtual keypad604is detected, the controller180displays key data corresponding to the touch-detected point to the search query input window603.

Thereafter, when a search command is input by the terminal user, the controller180searches for a contact person from the contact list/phone book stored in the mobile terminal100based on the search query received. The controller180checks whether the contact person is a subscriber of the SNS site currently accessed by the mobile terminal100. If the searched contact person is a subscriber, the controller180checks whether the contact person is registered as a friend in the SNS site.

In other words, the controller180searches for the contact person including the received search query from the contact list/phone book, and transmits a search request message including information about the searched contact person to the currently accessed SNS site. The SNS site checks whether the contact person is a subscriber of the currently accessed SNS site by using the information about the contact person included in the request message. Upon checking, the SNS site transmits the check result to the mobile terminal100.

When friend searching is completed, the controller180displays the searched contact person/friend list as shown inFIG. 10D. The controller180displays command icons for adding the contact person as a friend, inviting the contact person to register to the SNS site, or removing the contact person from the friend list for each of the searched friend items depending on whether the searched contact person/friend uses the SNS site and/or whether the searched friend is registered as a friend of the terminal user.

FIGS. 11A to 11Dillustrate searching for a contact person or friend in a mobile terminal according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 11A, the controller180displays sub-menus of the friend search menu in response to a user input. When “Find on other networks” is selected from the sub-menus, the controller180displays a list of one or more different networks as shown inFIG. 11B.

When one network, for example “Yahoo,” is selected from the network list, the controller180displays a user information input screen for receiving user information for the selected network connection as shown inFIG. 11C. Once the user information, such as an e-mail and a password of the terminal user is received, when a “Log in” icon is selected, the controller180connects to the corresponding network and perform an authentication procedure.

When authentication is successful, the controller180requests address list information of the corresponding network from a different network server. In response to the request from the mobile terminal100, the different network server transmits the address list information of the terminal user to the mobile terminal100.

The controller180of the mobile terminal100displays the address list information received via the wireless communication unit110. For example, the controller180displays a friend list including one or more friends registered in the address list as shown inFIG. 11D.

Thereafter, the terminal user selects one or more friends to be invited to the SNS site accessed by the mobile terminal100from the displayed friend list. For example, when the terminal user touches a check box displayed at one side of the friend list, as shown inFIG. 11D, the controller180indicates that the corresponding item has been selected in the check box.

Subsequently, when an invitation icon is selected, the controller180transmits an invitation message to an e-mail address of the selected friend. The controller180may transmit the invitation message through a text message, as well as through the e-mail.

FIGS. 12A and 12Billustrate inviting a friend by e-mail in a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. When the client application is executed in the mobile terminal100and a friend search is selected from the menu, the controller180displays search options501for selecting the friend search option on a pop-up window.

When the item “Invite by e-mail” is selected from the search options501, the controller180displays a invitation message composing screen507. The terminal user inputs a message through the user input unit130and composes an invitation message on the invitation message composing screen507. If the contact person to be invited is searched and selected from the contact list/phone book, the terminal user can input an e-mail address of the invitee by selecting the email address listed in the contact list/phone book or may directly input the e-mail address of the invitee by typing.

When the invitee accepts the invitation, the terminal user may set a group to which the invitee will be included. For example, when the terminal user selects “Groups” (not shown) from the screen, the controller180displays a group list listing the SNS site addresses of the terminal user.

When one SNS site is selected from the group list, the controller180inserts the group information. Further, the controller180may set a “Bebo Talk” such that a talk request permission is set as ON/OFF according to a user input.

FIGS. 13A and 13Billustrate registering a friend in a mobile terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention. When a friend search result is displayed on the display screen as shown inFIG. 9Dor10D and the “Add as friend” icon is selected from the screen, the controller180displays a friend request message composing screen as shown inFIG. 13A. The terminal user designates a group to which a selected friend is to belong and composes a request message in the friend request message composing screen by manipulating the user input unit130.

For example, when a group item is selected from the friend request message composing screen ofFIG. 13A, the controller180displays a group select screen as shown inFIG. 13B. The group select screen displays a group list. When one group is selected from the group list, the controller180designates the selected group as a group to which the friend is to belong.

When the friend request message is composed, the controller180transmits the composed message to the selected friend in the form of an e-mail or a text message. Thereafter, upon receiving the friend request message, if the selected friend accepts the friend request, the selected friend is added to the designated group of the SNS site address list. If the selected friend does not accept the friend request, the terminal user receives a notification message informing that the friend request has been refused. Specifically, the SNS server transmits the notification message to the mobile terminal100.

FIGS. 14A to 14Cillustrate searching for a contact person in a mobile terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention. When an integrated search menu is selected while the mobile terminal100is connected to the SNS site through the client application, the controller180executes an integrated search function.

While the integrated search function is executed, the controller180enters an input mode in which a search query can be input and activates a search query input window when the search query input window is selected. Further, the controller180displays a cursor at the search query input window.

Thereafter, when the user inputs a search query via the user input unit130, the controller180displays the received search query in the search query input window. After the search query is received, the controller180searches information based on the search query when a search command is input. The category may include an SNS site user, a community, and a topic.

When displaying the search result, a portion consistent with the search query may be displayed to be thicker and/or underlined. Moreover, the controller180of the mobile terminal100provides different command icons according to a search category.

For example, as shown inFIG. 14C, when searching a site user, command icons such as “Add friend,” “Remove,” an “Invite,” are provided. If searching a community, command icons such as “Join” may be provided at one side of the search result. In addition, when the search category is a topic, a command icon such as “View” may be provided.

The controller180receives search results that are less than a pre-set maximum number of results for each category and displays the search results on the display screen. If there are more search results than the maximum number of search results displayed, the controller180displays a further view command icon below the last item of the search result list for each category. When the further view icon is selected, the next search result is fetched from the SNS site and displayed. When a photo image, a name, or a text area is touched from the search result list screen, the controller180receives detailed information regarding the corresponding result item from the SNS server and displays the detailed information.

As described herein, the mobile terminal100according to embodiments of the present invention can search for a contact person or friend by interacting with the contact list/phone book of the mobile terminal100and the SNS300. Command icons, such as “Add friend,” “Remove,” and “Invite,” are selectively provided depending on whether a contact person stored in the contact list/phone book uses an SNS and/or whether the contact person is registered as a friend of the terminal user. Thus, the terminal user can register/delete a searched contact person or invite the contact person to the SNS site by using the command icons.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the methods described herein can be implemented as codes that can be read by a computer in a program-recorded medium. The computer-readable medium includes various types of recording devices in which data read by a computer system is stored.

The computer-readable medium may include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like. The computer-readable medium may also include implementations in the form of carrier waves or signals (e.g., transmission via the Internet). The computer may include the controller180of the mobile terminal100.

As the exemplary embodiments may be implemented in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, various changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claims, or equivalents of such scope are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.