Mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof

A mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof are disclosed, by which coupon information may be received using broadcast related information and by which a specific coupon may be received using the received coupon information. The present invention includes receiving broadcast related information, extracting at least one coupon information from the received broadcast related information, displaying the extracted at least one coupon information, and receiving a coupon corresponding to a selected coupon information if the coupon information is selected from the displayed at least one coupon information.

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. 10-2011-0033255, filed on Apr. 11, 2011, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for receiving a coupon using coupon information received via broadcast related information.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals again according to possibility of user's direct portability.

As functions of the terminal are diversified, the terminal is implemented as a multimedia player provided with composite functions such as photographing of photos or moving pictures, playback of music or moving picture files, game play, broadcast reception and the like for example.

To support and increase of the terminal functions, it may be able to consider the improvement of structural part and/or software part of the terminal.

Recently, as social commerce services are getting the spotlight, a user purchases a discount coupon of a product or service on line. When the user actually purchases a product or service, the user may take advantage of discount using the discount coupon.

However, a method of receiving coupon information or a coupon using a mobile device has not been proposed in detail. And, the present invention may intend to devise a method of receiving coupon information or a coupon using a service (e.g., a broadcast related service, etc.) executable in a related art mobile device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof, by which coupon information may be received using broadcast related information and by which a specific coupon may be received using the received coupon information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and coupon managing method thereof, by which coupon information related to a currently outputted broadcast program or a broadcast service providing the currently outputted broadcast program may be provided.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a wireless communication unit configured to receive a broadcast related information, a display unit configured to display the received broadcast related information, a controller configured to extract at least one coupon information from the received broadcast related information, to control the display unit to display the extracted at least one coupon information, and to control the wireless communication unit to received a coupon corresponding to a selected coupon information if the coupon information is selected from the displayed at least one coupon information.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of managing a coupon in a mobile terminal according to the present invention includes the steps of receiving broadcast related information, extracting at least one coupon information from the received broadcast related information, displaying the extracted at least one coupon information, and receiving a coupon corresponding to a selected coupon information if the coupon information is selected from the displayed at least one coupon information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. The suffixes ‘module’ and ‘unit’ for the elements used in the following description are given or used in common by considering facilitation in writing this disclosure only but fail to have meanings or roles discriminated from each other.

First of all, mobile terminals described in this disclosure can include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a PDA (personal digital assistants), a PMP (portable multimedia player), a navigation system and the like.

Except a case applicable to a mobile terminal only, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the configurations according to an embodiment described in this disclosure is applicable to such a stationary terminal as a digital TV, a desktop computer and the like.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, a mobile terminal100according to one embodiment of the present invention includes 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, a power supply unit190and the like.FIG. 1shows the mobile terminal100having various components, but it is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

In the following description, the above elements of the mobile terminal100are explained in sequence.

First of all, the wireless communication unit110typically includes one or more components which permits wireless communication between the mobile terminal100and a wireless communication system or network within which the mobile terminal100is located. For instance, the wireless communication unit110can include a broadcast receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless internet module113, a short-range communication module114, a position-location module115and the like.

The broadcast receiving module111receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel.

The broadcast managing server generally refers to a server which generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a server which is provided with a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and then transmits the provided signal or information to a terminal. The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, among others. If desired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information includes information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, etc. And, the broadcast associated information can be provided via a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast associated information can be received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcast associated information can be implemented in various forms. For instance, broadcast associated information may include an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information received by the broadcast receiving module111may be stored in a suitable device, such as a memory160.

The mobile communication module112transmits/receives wireless signals to/from one or more network entities (e.g., base station, external terminal, server, etc.). Such wireless signals may represent audio, video, and data according to text/multimedia message transceivings, among others.

The wireless internet module113supports Internet access for the mobile terminal100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to the mobile terminal100. In this case, the wireless Internet technology can include WLAN (Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), etc.

The position-location module115identifies or otherwise obtains the location of the mobile terminal100. If desired, this module may be implemented with a global positioning system (GPS) module.

Referring toFIG. 1, the audio/video (A/V) input unit120is configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal100. As shown, the A/V input unit120includes a camera121and a microphone122. The camera121receives and processes image frames of still pictures or video, which are obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. And, the processed image frames can be displayed on the display unit151.

The image frames processed by the camera121can be stored in the memory160or can be externally transmitted via the wireless communication unit110. Optionally, at least two cameras121can be provided to the mobile terminal100according to environment of usage.

The user input unit130generates input data responsive to user manipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of such devices include a keypad, a dome switch, a touchpad (e.g., static pressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, etc.

The sensing unit140provides sensing signals for controlling operations of the mobile terminal100using status measurements of various aspects of the mobile terminal. For instance, the sensing unit140may detect an open/close status of the mobile terminal100, relative positioning of components (e.g., a display and keypad) of the mobile terminal100, a change of position of the mobile terminal100or a component of the mobile terminal100, a presence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal100, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal100. As an example, consider the mobile terminal100being configured as a slide-type mobile terminal. In this configuration, the sensing unit140may sense whether a sliding portion of the mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include the sensing unit140sensing the presence or absence of power provided by the power supply190, the presence or absence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit170and an external device. And, the sensing unit140can include a proximity sensor141.

The output unit150generates outputs relevant to the senses of sight, hearing, touch and the like. And, the output unit150includes the display unit151, an audio output module152, an alarm unit153, a haptic module154, a projector module155and the like.

Some of the above displays can be implemented in a transparent or optical transmittive type, which can be named a transparent display. As a representative example for the transparent display, there is TOLED (transparent OLED) or the like. A rear configuration of the display unit151can be implemented in the optical transmittive type as well. In this configuration, a user is able to see an object in rear of a terminal body via the area occupied by the display unit151of the terminal body.

At least two display units151can be provided to the mobile terminal100in accordance with the implemented configuration of the mobile terminal100. For instance, a plurality of display units can be arranged on a single face of the mobile terminal100in a manner of being spaced apart from each other or being built in one body. Alternatively, a plurality of display units can be arranged on different faces of the mobile terminal100.

In case that the display unit151and a sensor for detecting a touch action (hereinafter called ‘touch sensor’) configures a mutual layer structure (hereinafter called ‘touchscreen’), it is able to use the display unit151as an input device as well as an output device. In this case, the touch sensor can be configured as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad or the like.

The touch sensor can be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit151or a variation of a capacitance generated from a specific portion of the display unit151to an electric input signal. Moreover, it is able to configure the touch sensor to detect a pressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size.

If a touch input is made to the touch sensor, signal(s) corresponding to the touch is transferred to a touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transfers the processed signal(s) to the controller180. Therefore, the controller180is able to know whether a prescribed portion of the display unit151is touched.

Referring toFIG. 1, a proximity sensor (not shown in the drawing) can be provided to an internal area of the mobile terminal100enclosed by the touchscreen or around the touchscreen. The proximity sensor is the sensor that detects a presence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existing around the proximity sensor using an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray without mechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor has durability longer than that of a contact type sensor and also has utility wider than that of the contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor can include one of a transmittive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor and the like. In case that the touchscreen includes the electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configured to detect the proximity of a pointer using a variation of electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touchscreen (touch sensor) can be classified as the proximity sensor.

In the following description, for clarity, an action that a pointer approaches without contacting with the touchscreen to be recognized as located on the touchscreen is named ‘proximity touch’. And, an action that a pointer actually touches the touchscreen is named ‘contact touch’. The meaning of the position on the touchscreen proximity-touched by the pointer means the position of the pointer which vertically opposes the touchscreen when the pointer performs the proximity touch.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state, etc.). And, information corresponding to the detected proximity touch action and the detected proximity touch pattern can be outputted to the touchscreen.

The alarm unit153is output a signal for announcing the occurrence of a particular event associated with the mobile terminal100. Typical events include a call received event, a message received event and a touch input received event. The alarm unit153is able to output a signal for announcing the event occurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal. The video or audio signal can be outputted via the display unit151or the audio output unit152. Hence, the display unit151or the audio output module152can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit153.

The haptic module154generates various tactile effects that can be sensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module154. Strength and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module154are controllable. For instance, different vibrations can be outputted in a manner of being synthesized together or can be outputted in sequence.

The haptic module154can be implemented to enable a user to sense the tactile effect through a muscle sense of finger, arm or the like as well as to transfer the tactile effect through a direct contact. Optionally, at least two haptic modules154can be provided to the mobile terminal100in accordance with the corresponding configuration type of the mobile terminal100.

The projector module155is the element for performing an image projector function using the mobile terminal100. And, the projector module155is able to display an image, which is identical to or partially different at least from the image displayed on the display unit151, on an external screen or wall according to a control signal of the controller180.

In particular, the projector module155can include a light source (not shown in the drawing) generating light (e.g., laser) for projecting an image externally, an image producing means (not shown in the drawing) for producing an image to output externally using the light generated from the light source, and a lens (not shown in the drawing) for enlarging to output the image externally in a predetermined focus distance. And, the projector module155can further include a device (not shown in the drawing) for adjusting an image projected direction by mechanically moving the lens or the whole module.

The projector module155can be classified into a CRT (cathode ray tube) module, an LCD (liquid crystal display) module, a DLP (digital light processing) module or the like according to a device type of a display means. In particular, the DLP module is operated by the mechanism of enabling the light generated from the light source to reflect on a DMD (digital micro-mirror device) chip and can be advantageous for the downsizing of the projector module151.

Preferably, the projector module155can be provided in a length direction of a lateral, front or backside direction of the mobile terminal100. And, it is understood that the projector module155can be provided to any portion of the mobile terminal100according to the necessity thereof.

The memory unit160is generally used to store various types of data to support the processing, control, and storage requirements of the mobile terminal100. Examples of such data include program instructions for applications operating on the mobile terminal100, contact data, phonebook data, messages, audio, still pictures, moving pictures, etc. And, a recent use history or a cumulative use frequency of each data (e.g., use frequency for each phonebook, each message or each multimedia) can be stored in the memory unit160. Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound outputted in case of a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory unit160.

The identity module is the chip for storing various kinds of information for authenticating a use authority of the mobile terminal100and can include User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and/or the like. A device having the identity module (hereinafter called ‘identity device’) can be manufactured as a smart card. Therefore, the identity device is connectible to the mobile terminal100via the corresponding port.

The controller180typically controls the overall operations of the mobile terminal100. For example, the controller180performs the control and processing associated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. The controller180may include a multimedia module181that provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module181may be configured as part of the controller180, or implemented as a separate component.

Moreover, the controller180is able to perform a pattern recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and a picture drawing input carried out on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively.

The power supply unit190provides power required by the various components for the mobile terminal100. The power may be internal power, external power, or combinations thereof.

The mobile terminal mentioned in this specification may include at least one of the former components shown inFIG. 1. If necessary, components not shown inFIG. 1may be further included.

A coupon mentioned in this specification may mean a ticket for purchasing or using a specific product or a specific service for free or at a price discounted with a predetermined reference in purchasing or using the specific product or the specific service.

Coupon information mentioned in this specification may mean information on a corresponding coupon and may include at least one of coupon providing company information, coupon providing website information, coupon expiry term information, coupon downloadable term information, coupon usable area information, coupon category information, coupon price information, coupon discount rate information, coupon associated broadcast program/service information and the like.

Moreover, according to ATSC-MH technology, coupon information may be received via a service (hereinafter named ESG service) for providing ESG data. And, a coupon may be received via a service (hereinafter named NRT service) for providing NRT (non real time) data.

Prior to the detailed description of a coupon managing method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention, a data structure containing coupon information may be described with reference toFIGS. 2A to 5Bas follows.

FIGS. 2A to 2Dare diagrams of an ensemble structure according to the present invention, and more particularly, an ensemble structure according to ATSC-MH technology.

Referring toFIG. 2A, a single network may provide a single ensemble. A/V service (A/V) for providing a broadcast program, ESG service (ESG) for providing a broadcast program or ESG data related to A/V service providing the broadcast program, and a configuration table (SSC-Table) for providing inter-service connection information (GAT), decoding information (SMT) of the services contained in the ensemble and the like may be included in the single ensemble.

Referring toFIG. 2B, a single network may provide a plurality of ensembles (e.g., ensemble A, ensemble B). In the ensemble A, a plurality of A/V services (A/V) for providing broadcast programs may be included. In the ensemble B, ESG service (ESG) for providing ESG data of the broadcast programs or a plurality of the A/V services provided by the ensemble A may be included. Of course, a configuration table (SSC-Table) for providing configuration information may be included in each of the ensemble A and the ensemble B.

Referring toFIG. 2C, a single network may provide a plurality of ensembles (e.g., ensemble A, ensemble B). In the ensemble A, a plurality of A/V services (A/V) for providing broadcast programs may be included. In the ensemble B, a plurality of A/V services (A/V) for providing broadcast programs and ESG service (ESG) for providing ESG data of broadcast programs provided by the ensemble A and the ensemble B or a plurality of the A/V services provided by the ensemble A and the ensemble B may be included. Of course, a configuration table (SSC-Table) for providing configuration information may be included in each of the ensemble A and the ensemble B.

Compared toFIG. 2C,FIG. 2Dshows a case that a plurality of networks provide a plurality of ensembles, respectively. In this case, a different frequency band may be assigned to each of a plurality of the networks.

FIG. 3is a diagram of NRT (non real time) service structure according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, if a single frequency band is set in a tuner stage, M/H physical layer may be formed. If a single ensemble provided by the set frequency band is set, RS frame may be formed. It may be then able to check information provided through the set ensemble using corresponding IP and UDP.

For instance, the information provided through the ensemble may include billing information (STKM, LTKM) contained in the ensemble, information (SSC-Table) on service configuration, information (NTP) related to current hour, information (ALC)310(configured with ESG service or NRT service) corresponding to ESG data or NRT data, and information (RTP/RTCP) (configured with A/V service) corresponding to a broadcast program (e.g., A/v data).

In particular, the ESG data311may be provided via the ESG service and the NRT data312may be provided via the NRT service. Specifically, when a coupon is received via the NRT service, it may be able to use the coupon information contained in the ESG data. Moreover, the ESG data311and the NRT data312may be provided using FLUTE Protocol.

FIGS. 4A to 4Care diagrams of ESG structure containing coupon information according to the present invention.FIG. 5AandFIG. 5Bare diagrams of a coupon information list containing at least one coupon information according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 4A, ESG data410corresponding to A/V service may contain identification information (e.g., ID) (Associated Service Reference)411of a service providing coupon information associated with a corresponding A/v service [FIG. 4A(a)]. And, ESG data420related to coupon information may contain corresponding service identification information (e.g., ID)421, a corresponding service type (NRT)422and a name (Brand Coupon)423of a corresponding service [FIG. 4A(b)].

Referring toFIG. 4B, ESG data430/440corresponding to specific coupon information may contain a service reference (Service Reference)431/441linked with a corresponding service identification information (cf. a reference number421shown inFIG. 4A), a name (Name) of a corresponding coupon432/442, an icon image (Preview Data Reference)433/443of the corresponding coupon and a location information (Content Linkage)434/444within NRT data for downloading the corresponding coupon.

Referring toFIG. 4C, ESG data450corresponding to a schedule of specific coupon information may contain a service reference (Service Reference)451linked with a corresponding service identification information (cf. a reference number ‘421’ shown inFIG. 4A), an identification information (Content Reference)452of a content (cf. a reference number ‘430/440’ shown inFIG. 4B) corresponding to the specific coupon information, a downloadable time information (Distribution Window)453(e.g., Start Time, End Time, Duration) of the specific coupon information, and displayable time information (Presentation Window)454(e.g., Start Time, End Time, Duration) of the specific coupon information.

According toFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B, it may be able to display a coupon information list created using the ESG data corresponding to the above-described coupon information.

Referring toFIG. 5A, the mobile terminal100may extract a service fragment having a service type set to NRT from the ESG data and may be then able to display a service list configured with services for providing coupon information using the extracted service fragment having the service type set to NRT.

Referring toFIG. 5B, if a specific service is selected from the service list shown inFIG. 5A, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list related to the selected specific service.

Moreover, while a specific broadcast program is being outputted, if the associated service reference (cf. a reference number411shown inFIG. 4A) contained in the service fragment (service type: AV) providing the specific broadcast program indicates the service fragment having the service type set to NRT, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list related to the service fragment having the service type set to NRT [cf.FIG. 5B].

The configuration of the coupon information shown inFIG. 5Bmay be described in detail as follows.

First of all, a service coupon name (Name)511may correspond to a name (Brand Coupon) of a corresponding service, a coupon icon512may corresponding to an icon image (Preview Data reference)433/443of a corresponding coupon, a per-coupon name513may correspond to a name (Name)432/442of the corresponding coupon, and a downloadable time515may correspond to a downloadable time information (Distribution Window)453of specific coupon information. Moreover, a per-coupon reception hour514may correspond to an hour at which the corresponding coupon has bee substantially downloaded. And, a per-coupon status516may correspond to a presence or non-presence of a download of the coupon of the corresponding coupon information.

In the following description, a method of managing a coupon in a mobile terminal according to the present invention may be explained in detail with reference toFIGS. 6 to 15B.

FIG. 6is a flowchart of a method of managing a coupon in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, the mobile terminal100may receive broadcast related information via the wireless communication unit110[S610].

In this case, the broadcast related information may mean information on a broadcast program transmitted to the mobile terminal100or information on a broadcast service that provides the broadcast program. And, the broadcast related information may include a name information of a broadcast program/service, a schedule information of the broadcast program/service, a synopsis/character information of the broadcast program, a broadcast program organization information of the broadcast service and the like.

For instance, as mentioned in the foregoing description, the broadcast related information may be contained in the ESG (electronic service guide) or EPG (electronic program guide).

In the receiving step S610, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information via a broadcasting network or wireless internet. Via the broadcasting network, the broadcast related information may receive the broadcast related information using the broadcast receiving module111. Via the wireless internet, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information using the wireless internet module113.

Specifically, according to the ATSC-MH technology, at least one broadcast service may be included in at least one ensemble and ESG may be provided through a specific broadcast service of a specific ensemble [cf.FIGS. 2A to 2D]. moreover, at least one coupon information may be provided to the mobile terminal10by being contained in ESG data and a coupon (or a coupon related image) corresponding to coupon information may be provided to the mobile terminal100via NRT service by being contained in NRT (non real time) data. Hence, in case that a shift between broadcast services or ensembles, which differ from each other in ESG data or NRT data, coupon information and a coupon corresponding to the coupon information may be changed.

In the receiving step S610, the mobile terminal100may be able to receive broadcast related information from an external server (not shown in the drawing). In this case, the external server may include a server (e.g., an individual server) for managing the broadcast related information only or a server (e.g., an integrated server) for managing a broadcast program/service associated with the broadcast related information.

In the receiving step S610, in accordance with a term or timing point designated by the mobile terminal100(or the external server), the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information. In this case, the term or the timing point may be designated by the mobile terminal100or a user selection. In case that a validity term is set in the broadcast related information, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information if the set validity term expires. Alternatively, in case that a validity term is set in the broadcast related information, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information prior to a predetermined time from an expiry timing point of the validity term.

In the receiving step S610, in case of entering a broadcast mode or turning on the broadcast receiving module111, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information. In doing so, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information each time the broadcast mode is entered or the broadcast receiving module111is turned on. Alternatively, only if the broadcast mode is initially entered or the broadcast receiving module111is initially turned on, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information. Thereafter, the mobile terminal100may determine whether to receive the broadcast related information in accordance with a user selection.

After a request signal for the broadcast related information has been transmitted to the external server, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information. Even if the request signal for the broadcast related information is not transmitted, the mobile terminal100may receive the broadcast related information from the external server unilaterally.

The mobile terminal100may save the received broadcast related information in the memory160under the control of the controller180. Moreover, in case that a previously stored broadcast related information exists, the controller180may update the previously stored broadcast related information into the received broadcast related information. Alternatively, after the controller180has compared the received broadcast related information and the previously stored broadcast related information to each other, if there is a different part in-between, the controller180may be able to update the different part with reference to the received broadcast related information.

The mobile terminal100may extract at least one coupon information from the received broadcast related information under the control of the controller180[S620].

The extracting step S620may be automatically executed if the broadcast related information is received. The receiving step S610may be executed if an extraction command is inputted by a user. In this case, the mobile terminal100may be provided with a menu item, a key or a key zone to receive an input of the extraction command.

In the extracting step S620, the mobile terminal100may extract all the coupon informations contained in the broadcast related information or may extract the coupon information that meets a prescribed condition only. For instance, the prescribed condition may include at least one of a category (e.g., restaurant, coffee, movie, sports, shopping, hair, etc.) of a corresponding coupon, a validity term, a downloadable term, a usable area, a discount rate, a price and the like.

In this case, the prescribed condition may be set in accordance with a user input. Alternatively, the prescribed condition may be set with reference to a current terminal status (e.g., location, etc.) or a currently outputted broadcast program/service.

The setting of the prescribed condition in accordance with the user input may be described as follows. First of all, if a user inputs such a prescribed condition as ‘restaurant’ and ‘downloadable term: Apr. 1 to 10, 2011’, the controller180may be able to extract coupon information of a coupon, of which category and downloadable term are ‘restaurant’ and ‘downloadable term: Apr. 1 to 10, 2011’, respectively, from the broadcast related information.

The setting of the prescribed condition in accordance with the current terminal location may be described as follows. First of all, if a current terminal location is ‘** building, Gangnam Station’, the controller180may be able to extract coupon information of a coupon, of which usable area is area within a predetermined radius from the ‘** building, Gangnam Station’ or a city having the ‘** building, Gangnam Station’ belong thereto, from the broadcast related information.

The setting of the prescribed condition in accordance with the currently outputted broadcast program/service may be described as follows. First of all, assuming that a specific broadcast program of a current specific broadcast service is being received and outputted, the controller180may extract coupon information of a downloadable coupon only within a broadcast time of the specific broadcast program, coupon information of a coupon corresponding to such an item related to the specific broadcast program as a product, a shop, a service, a movie and the like, or coupon information of a coupon downloadable in case of using the specific broadcast service only.

In the extracting step S620, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may extract at least one of coupon information of a coupon downloadable or available at a current timing point and coupon information of a coupon having a discount rate over a predetermined reference.

Moreover, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may save the extracted coupon information in the memory160.

The mobile terminal100may display at least one coupon information extracted in the extracting step S520using the output unit150[S630]. In particular, the mobile terminal180may use the display unit151of the output unit150.

In the following description, assume that the at least one coupon information may correspond to each of at least one coupon. And, assume that the at least one coupon information may be displayed as a list. In the following description, a list containing the at least one coupon information may be named a coupon information list.

The mobile terminal100may perform a displaying step S630in the course of receiving and outputting a broadcast program. Therefore, an output screen of the broadcast program and the coupon information list may be displayed on the display unit151together.

For instance, after a whole screen has been divided into a 1stregion and a 2ndregion, the output screen of the broadcast program and the coupon information list may be displayed on the 1stregion and the 2ndregion, respectively. Alternatively, the coupon information list may be displayed as a popup window on the output screen of the broadcast program. Alternatively, the coupon information list may be displayed by being overlaid over the output screen of the broadcast program.

The displaying step S630may be performed after completion of the extracting step S620. Alternatively, the displaying step S630may be performed if a user inputs a command for displaying the coupon information list. For instance, in order to receive an input of the command for displaying the coupon information list, the mobile terminal100may be provided with at least one of a separate menu item, a key or a key zone.

In the following description, a process for inputting a coupon information list displaying command may be explained with reference toFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B.

FIG. 7AandFIG. 7Bare diagrams of a process for inputting a coupon information list displaying command according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 7A, the mobile terminal100may be able to display broadcast related menu items by a menu search conducted by a user. If a menu item ‘coupon information list view’ is selected, the mobile terminal100may be able to receive an input of a coupon information list displaying command. AlthoughFIG. 7Ashows a case that a broadcast program is not outputted, the embodiment shown inFIG. 7Amay be applicable in the course of outputting a broadcast program.

Referring toFIG. 7B, in case that an operation of extracting coupon information from broadcast related information is completed in the course of outputting a broadcast program, the mobile terminal100informs a user that the coupon information extracting operation has been completed. Therefore, the user may be able to input a coupon information list displaying command. AlthoughFIG. 7Bshows a case that a broadcast program is outputted, the embodiment shown inFIG. 7Bmay be applicable despite that a broadcast program is not outputted.

Referring now toFIG. 6, in the displaying step S630, the mobile terminal100may be able to diversely configure contents of coupon information(s) contained in the coupon information list under the control of the controller180. For instance, the contents of the coupon information contained in the coupon information list may include at least one of a name of a corresponding coupon, a validity term, a downloadable term, a usable area, a current status (e.g., prior to download Download, download completed_View), a discount rate, a price, a download hour (e.g., reception hour) in case of a download completion of the corresponding coupon, and the like. Moreover, a user may be able to select the contents of the coupon information, which will be contained in the coupon information list.

In the displaying step S630, if a specific broadcast program of a specific broadcast service is being received and outputted, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may be able to display the coupon information list related to the specific broadcast program or the specific broadcast service in the course of outputting the specific broadcast program or using the specific broadcast service only. In doing so, the coupon information related to the specific broadcast program or the specific broadcast service may be extracted in the extracting step S620.

For instance, the coupon information related to the specific broadcast program or the specific broadcast service may include may include one of coupon information on a coupon downloadable during a broadcast time of the specific broadcast program or in the course of using the specific broadcast service, coupon information on a coupon on a place, a service, a product, a shop or the like in association with the specific broadcast program, a coupon matching a genre or viewable ages of the specific broadcast program or the specific broadcast service, coupon information on a coupon issued by a broadcaster providing the specific broadcast program or the specific broadcast service and the like. In particular, the coupon matching the genre may include a sports game related coupon if the genre is ‘sports’. The coupon matching the viewable ages may include a bar related coupon if the viewable ages correspond to ‘over 19’.

This may be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 8A to 8Cas follows.

FIGS. 8A to 8Care diagrams of a process for displaying a coupon information list associated with a currently outputted broadcast program according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 8A, in case of receiving an input of a coupon information list displaying command in the course of outputting a broadcast program, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list810on a prescribed region of a screen.

In particular, referring toFIG. 8A(a), in case of receiving the coupon information list displaying command, the mobile terminal100displays the coupon information list810. And, the mobile terminal100may be also able to represent a status per coupon information as ‘Download’ because of the coupon information prior to downloading a corresponding coupon.

Alternatively, referring toFIG. 8A(b), in case of receiving the coupon information list displaying command, the mobile terminal100displays the coupon information list810. The mobile terminal100may be able to download the corresponding coupon per coupon information sequentially or simultaneously. The mobile terminal100may be able to represent a status of download completed coupon information as ‘View’. And, the mobile terminal100may be able to represent a status of the coupon information prior to download as ‘Download’.

Referring toFIG. 8B(a), after a 1stbroadcast program of a 1stbroadcast service CH1has been completely outputted, if a 2ndbroadcast program of the 1stbroadcast service is outputted (i.e., a broadcast program switching in the same broadcast service), the mobile terminal100may stop displaying the coupon information list810related to the 1stbroadcast program and may then display a coupon information list810related to the 2ndbroadcast program. Alternatively, in addition to coupon informations related to the 1stbroadcast program, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list containing coupon informations related to the switched 2ndbroadcast program.

Meanwhile, if the coupon information list related to the 1stbroadcast service is being displayed in the course of outputting the 1stbroadcast program, the configuration of the coupon information list may not be changed despite outputting the 2ndbroadcast program.

Referring toFIG. 8B(b), in case of switching the 1stbroadcast service CH1to a 2ndbroadcast service CH2(e.g., a broadcast service switching), the mobile terminal100may stop displaying the coupon information list810related to the 1stbroadcast service and may then display a coupon information list810related to the 2ndbroadcast service. Alternatively, in addition to coupon informations related to the 1stbroadcast service, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list containing coupon informations related to the switched 2ndbroadcast service.

Meanwhile, in case that the coupon information of the 1stbroadcast service is equal to that of the 2ndbroadcast service, the configuration of the coupon information list may not be changed despite switching the broadcast service.

Referring toFIG. 8C, if a broadcast program (e.g., genre: sports) provided from a 3rdbroadcast service CH3is being outputted, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list810including coupon informations of coupons belonging to the category ‘sports’. For instance, the coupons belonging to the category ‘sports’ may include a sports watching coupon, a sports goods coupon and the like. In this case, if the broadcast program is ‘baseball related program’, a baseball game watching coupon, a baseball goods coupon and the like may be included.

Meanwhile, a currently outputted broadcast program may belong to at least one of various genres including drama, news, music, economy and the like. And, a coupon information list may include coupon informations of coupons that match a corresponding genre [not shown in the drawing].

Referring now toFIG. 6, in the displaying step S630, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may obtain a current terminal location using the position location module115and may be then able to display a coupon information list containing at least one coupon information corresponding to an area to which the obtained current terminal location belongs. In doing so, the at least one coupon information corresponding to the current terminal location may be extracted in the extracting step S620.

For instance, the area, to which the current terminal location belongs, may include an area within a predetermined radius from the current terminal location or an administrative district (unit: city, state, province, etc.) to which the current terminal location belongs. In this case, the predetermined radius or the administrative district may be determined by a user or a corresponding coupon provider.

Moreover, the at least one coupon information corresponding to the area, to which the current terminal location belongs, may be displayed not on a list but on a map image. For instance, it may be able to display each identifier at a point corresponding to each of the at least one coupon information on the map image corresponding to the current terminal location.

This may be further described in detail with reference toFIGS. 9A to 9Cas follows. For clarity and convenience of the following description, assume that an area, to which a current terminal location belongs, may lie within a radius of 5 km from the current terminal location.

FIGS. 9A to 9Care diagrams of a process for displaying a coupon information list associated with a current terminal location according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9A, the mobile terminal100may display a map image and may be then able to display identifiers (hereinafter named 1stto 4thidentifiers)901to904of coupons, which are usable at places (e.g., restaurant, beauty shop, health club, etc.) located within a radius of 5 km from a current terminal location on the map image, on the corresponding places, respectively. For instance, a coupon name, a coupon icon, a name (or address) of a coupon usable place, a status (e.g., a presence or non-presence of a previous download) and the like may be displayed together on each of the 1stto 4thidentifiers901to904.

In case of displaying an image inputted via the camera121as a preview, the mobile terminal100may activate an augmented reality program to display the 1stto 4th identifiers901to904within the preview image. In doing so, each of the 1stto 4thidentifiers901to904may be displayed at a point indicating the corresponding place. Of course, the mobile terminal100may be able to display an identifier in accordance with augmented reality program activation in an image previously stored in the memory160or an image provided by the external server as well as the preview image. In this case, the image previously stored in the memory160or the image provided by the external server may mean a virtual image corresponding to the current terminal location.

Referring toFIG. 9B, if a user selects the 1stidentifier910corresponding to the coupon A inFIG. 9A, the mobile terminal100may be able to display an image for the coupon A. In particular, the mobile terminal100may determine whether the coupon A was previously downloaded. If the coupon A was not previously downloaded, the mobile terminal100may download the coupon A and may then display the image for the coupon A. If the coupon A was previously downloaded, the mobile terminal100may bring the image for the coupon A from the memory160and may then display the image for the coupon A. The coupon download may be further described in detail as follows.

First of all, for instance, the image for the coupon A may include one of a coupon-A image (including validity term, address/contact/homepage address of a coupon-usable business enterprise, price information, discount rate, etc.), a code image of the coupon A, coupon-A providing business enterprise image, goods/service image related to the coupon A, and the like.

Referring toFIG. 9C, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list in which coupon informations of coupons usable for the places (e.g., restaurants, beauty shops, health clubs, etc.) located within a radius of 5 km from a current terminal location (e.g., XX building, Gangnam Station) are contained. This coupon information may refer to the former description. Moreover, if a key zone of the coupon information list905is selected, it may be able to configure the screen shown inFIG. 9C, and vice versa.

Referring now toFIG. 6, in the displaying step S630, the mobile terminal100may be able to configure or arrange the coupon information list to match a prescribed reference under the control of the controller180. For instance, the prescribed reference may include at least one of a presence or non-presence of download, a downloadable term, a broadcast service, a coupon usable area, a validity term, a category and the like. The prescribed reference may be set by a user. Alternatively, the prescribed reference may be randomly set by the terminal100.

This may be further described in detail with reference toFIGS. 10A to 10Cas follows.

FIGS. 10A to 10Care diagrams of a process for displaying a coupon information list in accordance with various references according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10A, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list (hereinafter named a post-download coupon information list, Status: View) containing coupon informations of download completed coupons only [FIG. 10A(a)] or may display a coupon information list (hereinafter named a pre-download coupon information list, Status: View) containing coupon informations of coupons prior to download only [FIG. 10A(b)]. Zones1001and1002for receiving inputs of a command for displaying an integrated coupon information list and a command for displaying a pre-download coupon information list may be displayed on a prescribed region of the screen shown inFIG. 10A(a), respectively. And, zones1001and1003for receiving inputs of a command for displaying an integrated coupon information list and a command for displaying a post-download coupon information list may be displayed on a prescribed region of the screen shown inFIG. 10A(b), respectively. In this case, the integrated coupon information list may mean a coupon information list containing the coupon informations of the download completed coupons and the coupon informations of the coupons prior to download all.

Referring toFIG. 10B, while a coupon information list is displayed, the mobile terminal100may be able to identifiably display coupon informations1004and1005of coupons downloadable at current hour on current date. Moreover, the coupon information of a downloadable term expiring coupon or coupon information of a coupon, of which downloadable term is not effective yet, may not be displayed at all or may be blurred.

Referring toFIG. 10C, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list (including coupon informations corresponding to a specific broadcast service) per broadcast service [FIG. 10C(a)] or may display a coupon information list (including coupon informations corresponding to a specific category) per category [FIG. 10C(b)]. Moreover, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list in accordance with such a various reference as a coupon usable area, a validity term, a downloadable term and the like and may be able to display key zones1011to1014for receiving selections of the corresponding references respectively on a prescribed region of a screen.

At least one of the configuration conditions or references of the coupon information list may be combined together to create a coupon information list corresponding to the combination [not shown in the drawing]. For instance, it may be able to create such a coupon information list as including coupon informations matching ‘Coupon usable area: Area A’ (i.e., 2ndcondition) among coupon informations matching ‘Specific broadcast service’ (i.e., 1stcondition). For another instance, it may be able to create such a coupon information list as including coupon informations matching ‘Downloadable term: Apr. 10 to 20, 2011’ (i.e., 2ndcondition) among coupons matching ‘1stbroadcast service’ (i.e., 1stcondition).

Moreover, the coupon informations included in the coupon information list may be sequentially arranged in order of one of an imminent downloadable term, a high discount rate (or a low discount rate), a low coupon price (or a high coupon price), an imminent validity term, a coupon usable area closer to a current terminal location, a presence or non-presence of download and the like.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the mobile terminal100may receive a specific one of the at least one or more coupon informations included in the coupon information list [S640]. In particular, the mobile terminal100may receive a selection action (e.g., a touch action) on the specific coupon information from a user via the user input unit130.

Moreover, in the selecting step S640, the mobile terminal100may be able to receive a selection of at least one specific coupon information.

The mobile terminal100may receive a specific coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information selected in the selecting step S640using the wireless communication unit110, under the control of the controller180[S650]. In this case, the reception of the specific coupon may mean that the specific coupon is downloaded from an external server that provides the specific coupon.

For instance, the specific coupon may be received via broadcasting network or wireless internet. The reception via the broadcasting network may be performed using the broadcast receiving module111. And, the reception via the wireless internet may be performed using the wireless internet module113.

In particular, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may determine whether the specific coupon corresponding to the selected specific under the control of the controller180is previously downloaded. If the specific coupon is not previously downloaded, the mobile terminal100may perform the receiving step S650. Otherwise, the mobile terminal100may not perform the receiving step S650.

In the receiving step S650, the mobile terminal100may receive a coupon image of the specific coupon, a code image, a related product/service image, a related business enterprise image, a homepage image of a related business enterprise and the like. And, the mobile terminal100may receive coupon related informations to display within the images. In the following description, each of the above images may be named an image related to the specific coupon.

A process for receiving a specific coupon by ATSC-MH is described in detail as follows.

First of all, if a specific under the control of the controller180is selected, the controller180opens a channel of a specific broadcast service (different from a broadcast service that provides ESG data containing specific coupon information) that provides a specific coupon (or an image related to the specific coupon) corresponding to the selected specific under the control of the controller180and may be then able to receive the specific coupon provided by the broadcast service. For instance, the broadcast service for providing the specific coupon may include NRT (non real time) service.

In doing so, the mobile terminal100may identify the specific coupon having a coupon identification information matching a coupon identification information (e.g., ContentLinkage shown inFIG. 4B) which is one of specific coupon informations. The mobile terminal100may be then able to receive the identified specific coupon.

The mobile terminal100may display an image related to the specific coupon received in the receiving step S650using the display unit151, under the control of the controller180[S660]. If the specific coupon is previously received [i.e., the receiving step S650is unnecessary], the image related to the specific coupon stored in the memory160may be displayed in the displaying step S660.

Therefore, a user may be able to use the specific coupon by showing the displayed specific coupon to a corresponding shop or a corresponding business enterprise [Off-line] or by inputting the identification information of the displayed specific coupon to a corresponding accessed website [On-line].

This is described in detail with reference toFIG. 11AandFIG. 11Bas follows.

FIG. 11AandFIG. 11Bare diagrams for displaying a specific coupon corresponding to a specific coupon information selected from a coupon information list according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 11A, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list while outputting a broadcast program. Of course, the coupon information list may be displayed at any time irrespective of the outputting of the broadcast program.

Referring toFIG. 11B, if a download-completed coupon information (Status: View) is selected from the coupon information list shown inFIG. 11A, the mobile terminal100may page and display a coupon image of a previously downloaded coupon.

Referring toFIG. 11C, if a prior-to-download coupon information (Status: Download) is selected from the coupon information list shown inFIG. 11A, the mobile terminal100may download a corresponding coupon [FIG. 11C(a)] and may then display a coupon image of the downloaded coupon.

For instance, the selection action shown inFIG. 11BorFIG. 11Cmay be inputted to a status display part of the corresponding coupon information. And, the coupon image shown inFIG. 11BorFIG. 11Cmay include such a various information (hereinafter named a coupon related information) related to a corresponding coupon as a corresponding coupon usable business enterprise image, a corresponding coupon usable website address or shop address, a corresponding coupon related product/service image, a corresponding coupon bar code image, a corresponding coupon price information/validity term/discount rate and the like. As mentioned in the foregoing description, the coupon related information may be received in the receiving step S650.

If a barcode image of the corresponding coupon is recognized, it may be able to obtain more various kinds of informations related to the corresponding coupon. For instance, such information may include one of advertisement video of product/service related to the corresponding coupon, homage for providing the corresponding coupon and the like.

According to the present invention, in case of receiving a command for switching a broadcast service via the user input unit130in the course of a coupon receiving operation through the broadcast service, the mobile terminal100may be able to control at least one of the coupon receiving operation and the broadcast service switching operation under the control of the controller180.

In particular, the broadcast service switching may include a switching between broadcast services belonging to different ensembles [1] or a switching between broadcast services provided on different frequency bands [2]. In this case, assume that the switched broadcast services may differ from each other in a broadcast service (e.g., NRT service by ATSC-MH) for providing a corresponding coupon.

The controller180may perform a control operation of switching a broadcast service after completion of the coupon receiving operation [1], a control operation of stopping a coupon receiving operation and switching a broadcast service [2], a control operation of enabling a user to select whether to maintain a coupon receiving operation by performing an indication operation for indicating that a coupon is being received [3], or a control operation of performing a coupon receiving operation using wireless internet after switching a broadcast service [4].

In the following description, the broadcast service switching by ATSC-MH and the corresponding control operations may be further explained in detail.

For clarity and convenience of the following description, assume that a plurality of broadcast services may be included in each of 1stand 2ndensembles and that at least one AV broadcast service, at least one NRT service and at least one ESG service may be included in each of the 1stand 2ndensembles. Optionally, each of the NRT service and the ESG service may not be provided to each of the ensembles [cf.FIGS. 2A to 2D].

First of all, the mobile terminal100may receive an input of a command for switching to a 2ndAV broadcast service belonging to a 2ndensemble in the course of an outputting operation of a broadcast program provided by a 1stAV broadcast service belonging to a 1stensemble and a coupon receiving operation from a 1stNRT service. Of course, a broadcast program output is not mandatory for the embodiment of the present invention. In case of a broadcast program non-outputted state, the mobile terminal100may receive an input of an enter command instead of a switching command for switching to the 2ndAV broadcast service.

The mobile terminal100may perform the following control operations.

First of all, after completion of a coupon receiving operation from the 1stNRT service, an output of a broadcast program provided by the 1stAV broadcast service may be interrupted. The 1stAV broadcast service may be switched to the 2ndAV broadcast service. And, a broadcast program provided by the 2ndAV broadcast service may be then outputted [1].

Secondly, a coupon receiving operation from the 1stNRT service may be interrupted. An output of a broadcast program provided by the 1stAV broadcast service may be interrupted. And, a broadcast program provided by the 2ndAV broadcast service may be then outputted [2].

Thirdly, before switching to the 2ndAV broadcast service, a text indicating that a coupon receiving operation from the 1stNRT service is active to lead a user selection [3].

Fourthly, a switching to the 2ndAV broadcast service is performed. And, a coupon receiving operation via wireless internet is maintained [4].

This may be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 12A to 12Das follows.

FIGS. 12A to 12Dare diagrams of a coupon receiving process and a service switching process in case of receiving an input of a service switching command in the course of a coupon download according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 12A, while a broadcast program provided on a 1stbroadcast service CH1is being outputted, the mobile terminal100may receive an input of a switching command for switching to a 2ndbroadcast service CH2from a user [FIG. 12A(a)]. In ding so, assume that the mobile terminal100is in progress of a coupon receiving operation. And, assume that the 1stbroadcast service and the 2ndbroadcast service may be provided with corresponding coupons via different NRT services, respectively.

As the switching command is inputted, the mobile terminal100may output a text indicating that the coupon receiving operation is in progress. And, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a window1210to enable a user to select a control action related to a coupon receiving operation or a control action related to a broadcast service switching operation [FIG. 12A(b)].

Referring toFIG. 12B, if ‘yes’ is selected inFIG. 12A(b), the mobile terminal100may interrupt the coupon receiving operation, may switch to the 2ndbroadcast service, and may be then able to output a broadcast program provided from the 2ndbroadcast service. Moreover, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list related to the 2ndbroadcast service. In this case, a coupon information of a download-completed coupon in case of using the 1stbroadcast service or a coupon information of a non-downloaded coupon in case of using the 1stbroadcast service may be further included in the coupon information list.

In case of ending the broadcast mode after the switching to the 2ndbroadcast service or ending the broadcast program currently outputted by the 2ndbroadcast service, the mobile terminal100may be able to resume the interrupted coupon receiving operation by switching to the 1stbroadcast service automatically or in accordance with a user selection. In case of ending the coupon receiving operation, the mobile terminal100may end the broadcast mode or re-switch the 1stbroadcast service to the 2ndbroadcast service.

Meanwhile, if ‘no’ is selected inFIG. 12A(b), the mobile terminal100may not perform the switching to the 2ndbroadcast service.

Referring toFIG. 12C, if ‘switch after download’ is selected inFIG. 12A(b), the mobile terminal100may switch to the 2ndbroadcast service after completion of the coupon receiving operation and may be then able to output a broadcast program provided by the 2ndbroadcast service. Moreover, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information list related to the 2ndbroadcast service. Furthermore, coupon informations completely downloaded in using the 1stbroadcast service may be further included in the coupon information list. Meanwhile, the broadcast program provided by the 1stbroadcast service may not be outputted until switching to the 2ndbroadcast service after the input of the switching command.

Referring toFIG. 12D, if ‘switch/download via internet’ is selected inFIG. 12A(b), the mobile terminal100may output a broadcast program provided by the 2ndbroadcast service by switching to the 2ndbroadcast service, ma interrupt the coupon receiving operation used to be performed in association with the 1stbroadcast service, and may be then able to resume the interrupted coupon receiving operation via the wireless internet. In doing so, since web address information for providing the corresponding coupon may be contained in the coupon information, the mobile terminal100may download the corresponding coupon by accessing a website corresponding to the web address information. Moreover, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a progress extent and process1220of the coupon receiving operation via the wireless internet on the screen.

According to the present invention, in case of recording a specific broadcast program, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may save the coupon information together with the specific broadcast program during the recording in the memory160[1] or may save coupon information extracted for the recording in the memory160[2]. In this case, the coupon information may include the coupon information related to the specific broadcast program or may not be related to the specific broadcast program. In case of receiving an input of a recording command for recording the specific broadcast program from a user, the mobile terminal100may perform a recording of the specific broadcast program and a saving of the corresponding coupon information. Optionally, a saving command for the coupon information may be separately inputted to the mobile terminal100.

In case of playing the recorded specific broadcast program, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may be able to display a coupon information list of the coupon information saved together with the specific broadcast program while playing the recorded specific broadcast program. For instance, an output screen of the specific broadcast program may be displayed one region of the screen while the coupon information list may be displayed on another region of the screen. In case of receiving an input of a play command for playing the specific broadcast program from a user, the mobile terminal100may be able to perform a playback of the specific broadcast program and a display of the coupon information list. Optionally, the display command for displaying the coupon information list may be separately inputted.

This may be described in detail with reference toFIG. 13AandFIG. 13Bas follows.

FIG. 13AandFIG. 13Bare diagrams for saving and displaying coupon information related to a case of recording/playing a broadcast program according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 13A, the mobile terminal may display a coupon information list in the course of outputting a specific broadcast program [FIG. 13A(a)]. In case of receiving an input of a recording command from a user [e.g., by a touch action on a key region ‘record’1301], the mobile terminal100may save a coupon information list itself or coupon information configuring the coupon information list displayed together with the specific broadcast program while recording the specific broadcast program [FIG. 13A(b)].

Referring toFIG. 13B, in case of receiving a selection of an item1302of a specific broadcast program from a list containing items of the recorded broadcast programs [FIG. 13B(a)], the mobile terminal100may display save coupon information saved together with the specific broadcast program or a coupon information list including the coupon information saved together while recording the specific broadcast program [FIG. 13B(b)].

According to the present invention, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal may be able to output indication information on a coupon, of which validity term or downloadable term expires within a predetermined term, using the output unit150. This may not require an active broadcast mode or an output of a broadcast program but may be applicable to an active state of another application irrespective of a standby mode or a broadcast mode.

This may be described in detail with reference toFIG. 14AandFIG. 14Bas follows.

FIG. 14AandFIG. 14Bare diagrams for outputting a coupon indication information according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 14a, in a standby mode or a home screen display mode, if there is a coupon having an imminent validity term or an imminent downloadable term (e.g., a coupon having a validity term expiring today, a coupon having a downloadable term expiring after 1 hour later, etc.), the mobile terminal100may be able to output an information1410indicating a presence of the corresponding coupon.

Referring toFIG. 14b, in case of receiving an input of a command for viewing a coupon or coupon information corresponding to the information1410shown inFIG. 14Afrom a user (e.g., a touch action on the information1410), if the corresponding coupon is not downloaded yet, the mobile terminal100may display a coupon information (including a zone ‘download’ for receiving an input of a download command) [FIG. 14B(a)]. If the corresponding coupon is downloaded, the mobile terminal100may be then able to display the corresponding coupon image [FIG. 14B(b)].

Meanwhile, a coupon or a coupon information, which may become a target of a coupon indication information output, may be designated by a user or the controller180. And a timing point or cycle of the indication may be designated by the user or the controller180.

According to the present invention, under the control of the controller180, the mobile terminal100may be able to transmit specific coupon information selected from a coupon information list or a specific coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information to a counterpart terminal using the wireless communication unit110. Having received the specific coupon information or the specific coupon, the counterpart terminal may be able to use a specific coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information or the received specific coupon. This may be more useful in case that the counterpart terminal is a terminal incapable of broadcast reception.

This may be described in detail with reference toFIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bas follows.

FIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bare diagrams of a process for transmitting a specific coupon information or a specific coupon according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 15A, the mobile terminal100may receive an input of a selection action (e.g., a touch action on the specific coupon information1501) on a specific coupon information1501contained in a coupon information list and an input of a send command action (e.g., a touch action on a key zone ‘SEND’1502). In dong so, assume that a coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information1501was previously download.

Referring toFIG. 15B, the mobile terminal100may send a message containing the coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information1501to a counterpart terminal [FIG. 15B(a)] or may send a message containing the specific coupon information1501to the counterpart terminal [FIG. 15B(b)]. In the former case, it may not be necessary for the counterpart terminal to receive the coupon corresponding to the specific coupon information1501separately. In the latter case, it may be necessary for the counterpart terminal to download the corresponding coupon using the specific coupon information1501.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the above-described coupon managing method can be implemented in a program recorded medium as computer-readable codes. The computer-readable media include all kinds of recording devices in which data readable by a computer system are stored. The computer-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes, floppy discs, optical data storage devices, and the like for example and also include carrier-wave type implementations (e.g., transmission via Internet). And, the computer can include the controller180of the terminal.

Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects and/or advantages.

First of all, the present invention may receive coupon informations using broadcast related information and may receive a specific coupon corresponding to a specific coupon information among the received coupon informations using a broadcast service. Therefore, it may be unnecessary to allocate a separate radio resource for transmission/reception of coupon information and coupon.

Secondly, the present invention receives a coupon corresponding to a coupon information selected from a coupon information list only, thereby reducing load for a coupon reception.

Thirdly, the present invention may enable a specific coupon to be downloadable only during a broadcast time of a currently broadcast program or a usable time of a broadcast service for providing the currently outputted broadcast program, thereby enabling a user to be led to a coupon download as well as a broadcast viewing.