Method for sharing information between handheld communication devices and handheld communication device therefore

The present invention relates to a method and an electronic equipment for a communication system enabling information sharing, wherein desired information contents are transmitted by few user operations. Electronic equipment comprises a information processing means (16) for processing information according to the operation of the user, a detecting means (15) for detecting the information sharing command, an information content determining means (S2) for determining information content to be transmitted by detecting the current user action, a determine S2 recipient determining means (S3) for determining the recipient of said information content; and content to be transmitting means (S5) for transmitting said information content to the determined recipient via transmitted a communication link.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and an electronic equipment for a communication system enabling information sharing. In particular, it relates to a mechanism for transmitting desired information contents by few user operations in handheld communication devices.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

At present, most handheld devices for a wireless communication system, such as mobile telephones, pagers, personal digital assistants or electronic organizers etc. enable the user to send various types of information contents i.e. voice, text, images, videos, sound, drawings, sketches and documents to another person. Depending on information type, the content is transmitted, for example, via SMS (Short Message Service), MMS (Multimedia Message Service), video conference or email. Thereby, the communication can be based on a communication protocol, such as the Bluetooth™, the WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems), or the GSM (Global Systems for Mobile communication) protocol.

Many of the handheld devices also have the ability to synchronize with a desktop computer, utilizing either a synchronizer connected to the desktop computer or some sort of wireless protocol. Mini-web browsers allow users of the handheld devices with online connection capability to roam the Internet and extract information from the Internet.

Portable communication devices nowadays have to be small, and nevertheless functional, wherein functions shall be activated with only few operations because it is important for many customers to have a small device with easy to access functionabilities.

For reducing user operations, it is known to offer a menu of functions corresponding to a specific current application. For example, when a photo was made by the built-in camera of a mobile telephone, a function of sending the present image via MMS is offered automatically. Further, mobile telephones having a “Walkie-Talkie” function called Push to Talk (PTT) are known, wherein, with the touch of the PTT key of the mobile telephone, a communication with a predetermined group of communication devices is established automatically. However, there is no general “one-key”-function for sharing information contents from any running application with another user.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic equipment for a communication system and a method for an electronic equipment which enable to transmit desired information contents by few user operations.

This object is achieved by an electronic equipment for a communication system and a method for an electronic equipment according to the enclosed independent claims. Advantageous features of the present invention are defined in the corresponding subclaims.

According to the present invention the electronic equipment for a communication system enabling information sharing comprises an information processing means for processing information according to the operation of the user, a detecting means for detecting an information sharing command, an information content determining means for determining information content to be transmitted by detecting the current user action, a recipient determining means for determining the recipient of the information content and a transmitting means for transmitting the information content to the determined recipient via a communication link.

Thus, the present invention provides a new universal information sharing function for each application independent of information type processed by the electronic equipment, wherein information contents of a current application processed by the electronic equipment can be transmitted by few user operations. The sharing function can be achieved by, for example, pressing a predetermined key of the handheld communication device, a so called “share it” key that can be a hard or soft key, a menu function, or via voice control. In particular, if during an application the user just wants to share, for example, the camera viewfinder, an actually reproduced music or video clip, an Internet page, or a displayed photo, only a predetermined key of the device has to be pressed or a predetermined (key)word has to be spoken for triggering the sharing process, wherein the desired information content of the application for transmitting is determined automatically.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the electronic equipment is adapted to transmit information contents by a plurality of transmission methods, wherein the electronic equipment further comprises a transmission method determining means for determining the transmission method by which the determined information content has to be transmitted by the transmitting means. It should be noted that “transmission” also includes, for example, “initiate session” like PTT or video call.

Preferably the transmission method determining means is adapted to determine the transmission method based on the information content to be transmitted and/or the ongoing communication, wherein, for example, the system will be have rules for different standard content formats, e.g. a text shown on the display would always be shared in a particular format, a picture in another format, a sound in a third, etc.

Advantageously the electronic equipment further comprises a storage means for storing recipient data indicating, with respect to each previous communication, recipient address, transmission method and type of the transmitted information content, wherein the recipient determining means is adapted to determine the recipient of the information content based on the recipient data stored in the storage means and/or the transmission method determining means is adapted to determine the transmission method based on the recipient data stored in the storage means.

Further, advantageously the electronic equipment further comprises means for generating a priority list of recipients and/or transmission methods based on the recipient data stored in said storage means. The priority list is displayed on a display for user selection. As an advantageous additional feature, before the content is transmitted, the determined information content, the determined recipient and/or the determined transmission method is displayed on a display (together or after each other) for the confirmation by the user.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention the electronic equipment is adapted to transmit the information content via the communication link of an ongoing communication, wherein the electronic equipment further comprises mixing means for interleaving the information contents with the signal of the ongoing communication. Thereby, it is possible to keep up the communication and at the same time transmit the information content in order to share and discuss the information content in real-time.

Preferably the communication system is a wireless communication system, wherein the electronic equipment is a mobile phone. However, it should be noted that the electronic equipment can be any kind of handheld communication device like as pagers, personal digital assistants, handset or electronic organizers etc.

It should be emphasised that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in the specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or edition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

In context of the present application and the present invention, the term “electronic equipment for a wireless communication system” includes any kind of portable radio communication equipment. The term “portable radio communication equipment” includes all equipment's such as mobile telephones, mobile cell-phones, pagers, personal digital assistants, communicators, i.e. electronic organisers, smart phones or the like. The term “wireless communication system” relates to any kind of communication or telecommunication system which enables the wireless transfer of information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1shows schematically an embodiment of a mobile phone according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the mobile terminal1comprises a first part2and a second part3connected by a hinge4interposed therebetween. Communications are exchanged wirelessly with a base station or other devices (not shown) via the antenna5or via the Bluetooth™ interface6. A speaker7and a digital camera8are installed above the display9in the first part2. The second part3includes operation keys10including a “share-it” key15, and a jog dial11, a microphone12, a memory stick slot13that accommodates a removable Memory Stick (trademark)14. The Memory Stick14is made up of flash memory elements constituting a nonvolatile memory EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) housed in a small, thin plastic case. A 10-pin plug allows various kinds of data such as pictures, voice and sounds to be written to and read from the inserted Memory Stick. A battery pack (not shown) is attached to the back of the first part1. In the shown embodiment, the “share-it” function is fixedly allocated to a specific key, in contrary to a “soft key” functionality as described in relation toFIG. 4. Further, it is to be noted that the clam-shell type phone shown inFIG. 1is only an example and that any type of mobile terminal can be used with the fixed “share-it” key.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the mobile phone1shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 2, the mobile phone1includes a main controller16connected via a main bus17with a power circuit18, an operation input controller19, an image encoder20, a camera interface21, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) controller22, an image decoder23, a multiplexer24, a recorder/player circuit25which receives the Memory Stick14, a modem26connected to a transmitter/receiver circuit27, a voice codec28connected to the microphone12and the speaker7and a nonvolatile memory30for storing history data with respect to any previous communication/transmission. The image encoder20, the image decoder23, the multiplexer24, the modem26, the voice codec28and a recorder-player circuit25are interconnected by way of a synchronous bus29.

In a voice call mode, a voice signal picked up by the microphone12is converted by the voice codec28into digital audio data under control of the main controller16constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The digital audio data are subjected to spread-spectrum encoding by the modem26before undergoing digital-analog conversion and frequency conversion by the transmitter/receiver circuit27. After the conversion, the data are transmitted via the antenna5. A received signal captured by the antenna5is amplified and subjected to frequency conversion and analog-digital conversion. The signal thus converted is subjected to spread-spectrum decoding by the modem26. The signal thus processed is converted to an analog voice signal by the voice codec28before being output by the speaker7.

Electronic mail is transmitted in a data communication mode, wherein text data of the mail are first entered by manipulating the operation keys10and jog dial11. The text data are fed to the main controller16via the operation input controller19. The main controller16subjects the text data to spread-spectrum encoding by the modem26prior to digital-analog conversion and frequency conversion by the transmitter/receiver circuit27. The data thus converted are transmitted via the antenna5or the Bluetooth™ interface6.

Image data are transmitted in a data communication mode, wherein image data picked up by the camera8are supplied to the image encoder20via the camera interface21. The image encoder20converts the image data from the camera8into coded image data through suitable compression coding such as that of MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 or MPEG4. The image data thus coded are output to the multiplexer24. When image data are picked up by the camera8, they may be directly displayed on the liquid crystal display9via the camera interface21and LCD controller22.

Any voice picked up by the microphone12during picture-taking by the camera8is sent as digital audio data to the multiplexer24via the voice codec28. The multiplexer24multiplexes the coded image data from the image encoder20and the audio data from the voice codec28in accordance with a specific method. The resulting multiplexed data are subjected to spread-spectrum coding by the modem26before undergoing digital-analog conversion and frequency conversion by the transmitter-receiver circuit27. The data thus converted are transmitted via the antenna5.

Also in the data communication mode, data representing a moving picture are transmitted and received, wherein moving picture data picked up by the camera8or moving picture data contained in the moving picture file derived from the simple-format website are supplied through the LCD controller22to the liquid crystal display9for playback.

In addition to the transmission of information, with the mobile phone1, the user can play back audio and video signals recorded on the Memory Stick14, record video signals supplied from the camera8and roam the Internet via a Mini-web browser (not shown), execute various programs for word processing, address administration etc., wherein the user issues various commands for controlling the above processes and applications by manipulating the operation keys10and the jog dial11.

By pressing the “share-it” key15during any application the user initiates the sharing process according to the present invention. As shown inFIG. 3, after the sharing process is started in step S1by pressing the “share-it” key15, in step S2the main controller16determines the information content to be transmitted by detecting the applications in process and the current user action. For example, if a video recorded on the Memory Stick14is played back, this video signal is determined, if the camera8is activated, the image data picked up by the camera8is determined, if the internal telephone book or calendar is visited, the displayed entry is determined, if a game is activated, the game information is determined. For the exact determination, it could be advantageous to determine, in addition to the current user action, the user action(s) before and/or after the sharing process is initiated.

In step S3the main controller16determines the recipient(s) of information content based on the type of the determined information content and the history data stored in the memory30, wherein the history data contain transmission date, recipient address (email-address, telephone number etc.), transmission method (PTT, SMS, MMS, IM, 3G, Bluetooth™/IrDa etc.) and type of the transmitted information content of each previous communication. For example, if the game information is determined in step S2, the main controller16judges, based on the history data, whether the same game was played with other parties in a previous session and, if so, the members of the previous game are determined as recipients of the game information.

In step S4the main controller16determines, based on the type of the information content determined in step S2and the history data stored in the memory29, the transmission method by which the information content has to be transmitted. For example, if an image information is determined in step S2and image information was transmitted to the recipient determined in step3via MMS in a previous transmission, the Multimedia Message Service (MMS) is determined as transmission method. After the information content is transmitted to the recipient(s) by the transmitter/receiver circuit27in step S5, the sharing process ends in step6.

It is to be noted that the steps S2, S3and S4can be implemented in any kind of suitable hardware and/or software structure. For example, the steps of determining the information content, determining the recipient and/or determining the transmission method could be implemented as a computer programme product directly loadable into an internal memory of a communication device.

As an advantageous additional feature, before the content is transmitted, the determined information content, the determined recipient and/or the determined transmission method is displayed on the display9(together or after each other) for the confirmation by the user by re-pressing the “share-it” key15or any other confirmation key.

In the case, where the content, the recipient(s) and/or the transmission method can not be determined in steps S2, S3and S4, respectively, the user is asked for via entry menu displayed on the display9(not shown). In particular, if the “share-it” key15is pressed during browsing the Internet, in the menu, for example, the user has to select whether the web-page displayed on the or the URL shall be sent, wherein the user selections are recorded for learning. Further, the main controller16can generate a priority list of recipients and/or transmission methods based on the recipient data stored in the memory30for user selection.

According to the present invention, during a communication the user can share/transmit information to the person he is in communication with. For example, if a video is played back during a voice or video call and the user presses the “share-it” key15, the video signal played back is determined as information content to be transmitted in step S2. In step S3, the main controller16judges whether there is an ongoing communication and, if so, the person or group the user is in communication is determined as recipient of the video signal. It should be noted that the recipient also can be a machine, e.g. a web-server (life blog). The video signal is encoded by the image encoder20and mixed with the signal of the ongoing communication by the multiplexer24.

As an advantageous additional feature, for transmitting the video signal, the mobile phone1can switch between a voice call and video conference mode.

With the present invention, during a communication, the user can spontaneously select content and transmit the selected content to the person he is in communication. This solution gives the user the possibility to talk and at the same time transmit the information content in order to share and discuss the information content in real-time, or near realtime as is the case with SMS, MMS, email.

FIG. 4shows a mobile phone1according to a further embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone1according to the further embodiment of the present invention has a one-part system-unit cover. The mobile phone shown inFIG. 4comprises an antenna5, a speaker7, a display9, operation keys10, and a microphone12. As shown inFIG. 4, the sharing function can be activated (and the “share-it” key is realised) by a so called “soft key”15, wherein the user presses the key15bpositioned under the “share it” icon15adisplayed on the display9. Note that the position of the “share it” icon15on the screen/display9has not to be fixed. Generally, a plurality of soft keys are located on the soft key bar at the bottom of the screen/display9, and the position of the “share it” icon15on the screen indicates the key of the soft key bar that has to be pressed to start the sharing function. It is to be noted that the one-part phone as shown inFIG. 4is only an example and that any kind of mobile terminal can be used with the “share-it” soft key functionality.

FIG. 5shows a block diagram illustrating schematically the elements of a mobile phone according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the arrangement shown inFIG. 5, the same elements as those described above with reference toFIG. 2are indicated by the same reference numerals and thus, their descriptions are omitted. According to the third embodiment, the sharing function can be activated by a voice command of the user. As shown inFIG. 5, the mobile phone further comprises a voice detector31connected via the main bus17with the voice codec28and the main controller18. When the main controller18detects any user activation, the main controller18activates the microphone7, the voice codec28and the voice detector31, wherein the voice detector31detects the digital audio data received from the voice codec28and sends a signal for starting the sharing process to the main controller18via the main bus17, if a predetermined key word/voice command (e.g. “share it”) is detected. It should be noted that, according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the key word/voice command function of the third embodiment can be added to the first and second embodiment of the present invention above. In this case, the sharing function can be activated by a voice command of the user as well as by pressing the “share-it” key15.

Further, according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the sharing function can be activated, if, during a call, an external device is connected to the mobile phone or a medium is inserted in the mobile phone. For example, if, during a call, the main controller18detects that an external audio/video device is connected to the mobile phone (e.g. via Bluetooth™ interface6) or that a Memory Stick14having recorded thereon audio/video signals is inserted in memory stick slot13, the main controller18starts the sharing process for sharing the audio/video signals reproduced from the device or the Memory Stick14, wherein the audio/video signals are transmitted (e.g. after user confirmation) to the determined recipient. This embodiment of the present invention can be combined with the embodiments above.

In line with the steps S2, S3and S4, the system must aid/automate three major parameters of the sharing process:

1. Determine exactly what the user desires to share, e.g. is it the exact content of the screen, when browsing a web-page, or should the URL be sent?

According to one preferred method, the system assumes that the user wants to share the information that is contained by the application that has “focus”, i.e. control of keypad and display. For example, on user activation, the application shall receive the “share it” signal, and infer what the desired information is. This will make sure that a reasonable semantic behaviour will occur. An application knows something meaningful about the presentation, and can therefore make a good choice.In a second method, the system will have rules for different standard content formats. E.g. a text shown on the display would always be shared in a particular format, a picture in another format, a sound in a third, etc.In a third method, the user will be prompted to select what information to share. This could mean that the user would have to select from the entire set of available information in the phone, and thus have to browse all information available. A more relevant variant is to combine this method with the first, or second, i.e. the user would be asked to choose between a few alternatives.
2. Determine the address(es) to the receiver(s), e.g. is the receiver implied by the B-party in an ongoing call?One preferred method is to ask the user to select the receiver, e.g. via the phonebook.Another preferred method is to let the system state imply the receiver, e.g. if a call, video call, PTT session, or IM chat session, is ongoing it would imply receiver(s). In addition, the user could be prompted to confirm or choose from a list of implied receivers.The format of the shared data could be used as a parameter in a rule system or equation to determine the most likely receiver, e.g. a PTT session can imply a receiver, but that would only be relevant when sharing sounds.History information can be used to present frequent receivers for user selection, since they are more likely to be desired.All methods can be combined in a receiver selection algorithm.
3. Determine what the most suitable transmission method is, e.g. is it via a message or via video telephony, etc.One method is to base the transmission method entirely on the data format share, e.g. short texts always via SMS, pictures via MMS, etc.An alternative method is check the current state of the system. I.e., if a video call is connected, that would be the preferred channel. If instant messaging is available, that would be the second best. The method would be decided based both on format and system state.An alternative method is to determine method based on state and/or capability information (e.g. PTT presence) published by the receiver on a networked system.An alternative method is to determine method based on previous “experience” with the receiver. E.g., if MMS messages have been received earlier, the system can expect MMS to work and therefore prefer that method.All methods above can be used as parameters in a priority equation that would determine the best transmission methods is.