Method of executing application and terminal using the method

A method of executing an application by a first terminal is provided. The first terminal executes an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal, and the first terminal transmits, to a second terminal, information about the application and connection information regarding the at least one external device. The second terminal establishes a connection with respect to the at least one external device based on the connection information, and executes the application with the at least one external device connected to the second terminal based on the information about the application.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0099465, filed on Sep. 7, 2012, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Methods and apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a method of executing an application by a terminal with an external device connected to the terminal and the terminal in which the method is performed.

2. Description of the Related Art

A mobile terminal may be configured to execute various functions. Examples of the functions include communication of data and sound, capturing an image or recording a video by using a camera, a sound recording function, a replaying function of a music file via a speaker system, or a function of displaying an image or a video.

Certain mobile terminals include an additional function for executing a game, and other terminals are designed as multi-media devices. Moreover, as development of smartphones accelerates, various applications are under development.

While communication technology has gradually advanced, a mobile terminal may execute an application in connection with various external devices. The mobile terminal then undergoes an operation of setting up a connection. Accordingly, a system via which the mobile terminal may be easily connected to an external device without undergoing a complicated connection setting procedure is required.

SUMMARY

The exemplary embodiments provide a method of executing an application, whereby as a service related to an application that is being executed in a first terminal is shifted to a second terminal, an external device connected to the first terminal is also automatically connected to the second terminal, and a terminal in which the method is performed.

According to an aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of executing an application, the method including: executing, by the first terminal, an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; transmitting, by the first terminal, to a second terminal, information about the application and connection information regarding the at least one external device, wherein the transmitting is performed by the first terminal; establishing, by the second terminal, a connection with respect to the at least one external device based on the connection information; and executing, by the second terminal, the application with the at least one external device connected to the second terminal based on the information about the application.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of executing an application, the method including: executing, by the first terminal, an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; transmitting, by the first terminal, to a second terminal, information about the application; transmitting, by the first terminal, connection information regarding the second terminal to the at least one external device; establishing, by the at least one external device, a connection with respect to the second terminal based on the connection information; and executing, by the second terminal, the application with the at least one external device connected to the second terminal based on the information about the application.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of executing an application, the method performed by a first terminal and including: executing an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; and transmitting to a second terminal information about the application and connection information regarding the at least one external device, wherein the connection information regarding the at least one external device is information for establishing a connection with respect to the at least one external device by the second terminal, wherein the information about the application is information applied by the second terminal to execute the application with the at least one external device.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of executing an application, the method performed by a first terminal and including: executing an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; transmitting information about the application to a second terminal; and transmitting connection information regarding the second terminal to the at least one external device, wherein the connection information is information for establishing a connection by the at least one external device with respect to the second terminal, wherein the information about the application is information applied by the second terminal in executing the application with the at least one external device.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of executing an application, the method performed by a second terminal and including: receiving, from a first terminal, information about an application being executed on the first terminal and connection information regarding at least one external device connected to the first terminal; establishing a connection with respect to the at least one external device based on the connection information; and executing the application with the at least one external device connected to the second terminal based on the information about the application.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a first terminal comprising: a controller configured to execute an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; and a communication device configured to transmit information about the application and connection information regarding the at least one external device to a second terminal, wherein the connection information regarding the at least one external device is information for establishing a connection by the second terminal with the at least one external device, wherein the information about the application is information applied by the second terminal to execute the application with the at least one external device.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a first terminal comprising: a controller configured to execute an application with at least one external device connected to the first terminal; and a communication device configured to transmit information about the application to a second terminal and connection information regarding the second terminal to the at least one external device, wherein the connection information is information for establishing a connection with the second terminal by the at least one external device, and wherein the information about the application is information applied by the second terminal to execute the application with the at least one external device.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a second terminal including: a communication device configured to receive information about an application being executed on a first terminal and connection information regarding at least one external device connected to the first terminal and for establishing a connection with respect to the at least one external device based on the connection information; and a controller configured to execute the application with the at least one external device connected to the second terminal based on the information about the application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Also, it will be further understood that the terms “comprises” or “includes” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated elements and/or operations, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or operations. In the following description, terms such as “unit” and “module” indicate a unit for processing at least one function or operation, wherein the unit and the block may be embodied as hardware or software or may be embodied by combining hardware and software.

Throughout the specification, the term “application” means a set of a series of computer programs designed to execute particular tasks. The application described in the specification may vary. That is, examples of the application may include, without limitation, a game application, an instrument playing application, a video replay application, a map application, a broadcasting application, a sports-supporting application, and a payment application.

One or more exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein; rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail, and like reference numerals in the drawings denote like or similar elements throughout the specification.

FIG. 1is a schematic view illustrating an application executing system according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the application executing system may include a first terminal100, a second terminal200, and an external device300. However, not all of the illustrated elements are essential. An application executing system may be formed of more or less elements than the illustrated ones. For example, the application executing system may further include an external server to connect the first terminal100and the second terminal200.

The first terminal100may be connected to the external device300in a wired or wireless manner. In detail, according to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may be connected to the external device300via short-range wireless communication. Examples of the short-range wireless communication include, without limitation, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Near Field Communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Zigbee, Wi-Fi Direct (WFD), and Ultra Wideband (UWB).

The first terminal100may control the external device300by executing an application related to the external device300. Also, when an application is executed, the first terminal100may automatically search for the external device300related to the application and connect to the external device300.

The first terminal100according to the current exemplary embodiment may be implemented in various forms. For example, the first terminal100may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), an e-book terminal, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation device, a smart TV, or a consumer electronics (CE) device (e.g., a refrigerator or an air-conditioner having a display panel).

The second terminal200may communicate with the first terminal100or an external server or the like via a network. A network according to the current exemplary embodiment may be implemented by wireless communication technology such as Wi-Fi, home radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth, NFC, high-rate wireless personal area network (HR WPAN), UWB, low-rate (LR) WPAN, or IEEE 1394.

The second terminal200may be automatically connected to the external device300connected to the first terminal100when a service that is being provided on the first terminal100is shifted to the second terminal200. That is, according to the current exemplary embodiment, the second terminal200may also be connected to the external device300via short-range wireless communication.

The second terminal200according to the current exemplary embodiment may have various forms. For example, the second terminal200may be a smart TV, an Internet protocol television (IPTV), a digital television (DTV), a computer, a laptop computer, an e-book terminal, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA, a PMP, a navigation device, a CE device (e.g., a refrigerator or an air-conditioner having a display panel), or a kiosk, but is not limited thereto.

The external device300may be a device related to an application that is executed on the first terminal100or the second terminal200. According to the exemplary embodiments, a single external device300or a plurality of external devices300may be included.

The external device300may be connected to the first terminal100or the second terminal200via short-range wireless communication. The external device300may receive a control command from the first terminal100or the second terminal200via short-range wireless communication, or may transmit input or output data to the first terminal100or the second terminal via short-range wireless communication.

The external device300may include a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) module. The external device300may receive a connection request from the first terminal100to activate a Wi-Fi module or a Bluetooth module. Also, the external device300may broadcast authentication information or connection information via a BLE.

The external device300may have various forms. The external device300may include, for example, an input device, an output device, and a controller. Examples of the external device300may include a microphone, a speaker, a pedal, a joystick, an instrument (e.g., piano, organ, electronic keyboard, guitar, violin, or cello), a game manipulation device, a doll, a medical instrument, and exercise equipment.

Hereinafter, a method of executing an application by using the first terminal100or the second terminal200with the external device300will be described in detail.

FIG. 2is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing an application by the first terminal100, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation210, the first terminal100may execute an application with at least one external device300connected to the first terminal100. For example, the first terminal100may perform short-range wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like) with the at least one external device300related to a predetermined application to thereby execute the predetermined application.

An application according to an exemplary embodiment may vary as a game application, an instrument playing application, a video replay application, a map application, a broadcasting application, an exercise-supporting application, and a payment application.

In operation220, the first terminal100may transmit information about an application to the second terminal200. The information about an application refers to information that is used by the second terminal200in executing an application working along with the at least one external device300.

For example, in the information about an application, identification information of an application, execution status information of an application, and information about an external device related to an application may be included. The identification information of an application distinguishes a predetermined application from other applications, and may be, for example, identification (ID) of an application, a name of an application, or a classification code for an application.

The execution status information of an application refers to information about a state in which the application is being executed on the first terminal100at the time when the information about an application is transmitted to the second terminal200. For example, in an example of a game, a process level (e.g., Level 3) may be included as execution status information, and in an example of a video, a replay position may be included as execution status information.

The information about an external device related to an application refers to information about an external device used during execution of the application. For example, in the information about an external device related to an application, the number of external devices related to an application, types of an external device, a name of an external device, or a device ID of an external device may be included. However, these types of information are only exemplary, and other types of information may be included.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, if an application is not previously installed in the second terminal200, the first terminal100may receive a request for providing an application, from the second terminal200, and transmit the requested application to the second terminal200.

In operation230, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200or the at least one external device300, connection information for connecting the second terminal200to the at least one external device300.

For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, connection information regarding the at least one external device300. The connection information regarding the external device300is information for establishing, by the second terminal200, a connection with respect to the at least one external device300.

For example, the connection information regarding the at least one external device300may be a communication method of the at least one external device300, connection information of a wireless local area network (WLAN) used by the at least one external device300(e.g., a service set identifier (SSID), an internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, a channel number, a security key, or the like), a MAC address of the at least one external device300, a Bluetooth (BT) address of the at least one external device300, a product name of the at least one external device300, and profile information of the at least one external device300. Examples of the communication method include WLAN (ad hoc mode or infrastructure mode), Bluetooth, Zigbee, WFD, and UWB.

The first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, connection information of some of a plurality of external devices connected to the first terminal100. In this case, some of a plurality of external devices may be connected to the first terminal100, and other external devices may be connected to the second terminal200.

For example, when the first terminal100transmits information about a plurality of external devices related to an application, to the second terminal200, the second terminal200may check the information about a plurality of external devices related to an application, and transmit, to the first terminal100, information on connectable or unconnectable external devices. For example, if the second terminal200does not support a Bluetooth function, the second terminal200may transmit, to the first terminal100, information indicating that Bluetooth-enabled external devices are not connectable.

Here, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, information about external devices that are connectable to the second terminal200, and may maintain connection of the rest of external devices that are unconnectable to the second terminal200. The first terminal100may function as a gateway between the rest of the external devices whose connection is maintained and the second terminal200.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit, to the at least one external device300, connection information regarding the second terminal200.

The connection information regarding the second terminal200may be information needed for the at least one external device300to be connected to the second terminal200. Examples of the connection information regarding the second terminal200include a communication method of the second terminal200, connection information of a WLAN used by the second terminal200(e.g., an SSID, an IP address, a MAC address, a channel number, a security key, or the like), a MAC address of the second terminal200, a Bluetooth (BT) address of the second terminal200, a product name of the second terminal200, and profile information of the second terminal200. Examples of the communication method include WLAN (ad hoc mode or infrastructure mode), Bluetooth, Zigbee, WFD, and UWB.

The first terminal100may transmit connection information regarding the second terminal200to some of a plurality of external devices that are connected to the first terminal100. For example, when the second terminal200does not support a Bluetooth function, the first terminal100may not transmit connection information regarding the second terminal200to a Bluetooth-enabled external device but only to an external device connected via Wi-Fi. Also, the first terminal100may transmit connection information regarding the second terminal200to some of the external devices300upon receiving a user input.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing an application by the second terminal200, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation310, the second terminal200may receive information about an application that is being executed on the first terminal100, and receive connection information regarding the at least one external device300that is connected to the first terminal100. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second terminal200may receive information about an application being executed on the first terminal100and connection information regarding the at least one external device300that is connected to the first terminal100, from the first terminal100or an external server (not shown).

As described above, identification information of an application, execution status information of an application and information about an external device related to an application may be included in information about an application. The connection information regarding the at least one external device300may include connection information of a WLAN used by the at least one external device300(e.g., an SSID, an IP address, a MAC address, a channel number, a security key, or the like), a MAC address of the at least one external device300, a Bluetooth (BT) address of the at least one external device300, a product name of the at least one external device300, or profile information of the at least one external device300.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second terminal200may receive connection information of some of a plurality of external devices300connected to the first terminal100.

In operation320, the second terminal200may establish a connection with respect to the at least one external device300based on the connection information regarding the at least one external device300.

For example, the second terminal200may connect to the at least one external device300via Wi-Fi (WLAN) based on the connection information of a WLAN used by the at least one external device300(e.g., an SSID, an IP address, a MAC address, a channel number, a security key or the like). Also, the second terminal200may communicate with the at least one external device300via Bluetooth based on, for example, a BT address or a product name of the at least one external device300.

When the second terminal200receives connection information regarding some of a plurality of external devices connected to the first terminal100, the second terminal200may establish a connection only with respect to the some of the plurality of external devices.

In operation330, the second terminal200may execute an application with the at least one external device300connected to the second terminal200based on information about an application.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, when an application is not executed on the second terminal200, the second terminal200may receive an application from an external server or the first terminal100based on identification information of an application included in the information about an application, and install the application.

When an application is already installed in the second terminal200, the second terminal200may search for an application that is previously installed in the second terminal200and display the same based on identification information of an application included in information about an application.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, the second terminal200may execute an application with the at least one external device300in the same state as the state in which the application is executed on the first terminal100based on execution status information of the application included in the information about an application. For example, when a game “abc” is completed up to Level 3 on the first terminal100, and Level 4 is about to start, the second terminal200may start execution of the game “abc” from Level 4 based on the execution status information of the application of the first terminal100.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, if the at least one external device300is not registered in the second terminal200, the second terminal200may receive registration information of the at least one external device300from the first terminal100and register the external device in the second terminal200. In the registration information of the external device300, identification information of the at least one external device300, authentication information of the at least one external device300, and application information of the at least one external device300(e.g., identification information of an application related to the at least one external device300or link information of an application) may be included.

Hereinafter, a method in which a service providing terminal is changed so that an external device connected to the service providing terminal is automatically connected to a new terminal, and the new terminal provides a service with the external device will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing an application according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation S410, the first terminal100and the external device300may be connected via a network. Examples of the network may be wireless communication techniques such as Wi-Fi, HomeRF, Bluetooth, NFC, HR WPAN, UWB, LR WPAN, and IEEE 1394.

In operation S420, the first terminal100may execute an application with the external device300. In operation S430, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, a request for shifting a service related to an application that is being executed.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, when a distance between the first terminal100and the second terminal200is within a radius of short-range wireless communication, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200via NFC, a request for shifting a service. For example, when a user touches the first terminal100on the second terminal200, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200via NFC, the request for shifting the service.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit the request for shifting the service to the second terminal200based on a direction of a touch input received from the user. For example, while an application is being executed, when a user of the first terminal100inputs a touch gesture for dragging from a first direction to a second direction, the first terminal100may transmit a request for shifting a service, to a terminal disposed in the second direction.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may also transmit, to the second terminal200, a request for shifting a service based on a predetermined motion input or a predetermined key input of a user who requests shifting of the service.

In operation S440, the first terminal100may receive an acceptance message regarding the request for shifting the service, from the second terminal200.

In operation S450, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, information about an application being executed and connection information of the least one external device300connected to the first terminal100. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, information about the application and connection information of the at least one external device300together with the request for shifting the service or separately from the request.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit information about the second terminal200(e.g., a device name or MAC address) to the external device300.

In operation S460, the second terminal200may request the external device300for connection based on the connection information received from the first terminal100. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the external device300may respond to the connection request of the second terminal200based on the information about the second terminal200received from the first terminal100.

In operation S470, the second terminal200and the external device300may be connected via NFC. In operation S480, the second terminal200may execute an application with the external device300based on the information about the application received from the first terminal100.

If the application is not previously installed in the second terminal200, the second terminal200may request the first terminal100for the application. The second terminal200may receive the application from the first terminal100or may receive link information about the application. Link information refers to connection information regarding a website on which the application is located. For example, a uniform resource locator (URL) is link information. When link information about the application is received, the second terminal200may receive the application from an external server based on the link information about the application and install the application.

FIG. 5is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing an application according to another exemplary embodiment.

In operation S510, the first terminal100and the external device300may be connected via short-range wireless communication. In operation520, the first terminal100may execute the application together with the at least one external device300connected to the first terminal100.

In operation S530, the first terminal100may transmit, to the second terminal200, a request for shifting a service related to the application being executed. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit to the second terminal200information about the application being executed (e.g., identification of the application, information about an external device related to the application, or execution status information of the application) together with the request for shifting the service. Alternatively, the first terminal100may transmit to the second terminal200information about the application being executed, separately from the request for shifting a service.

In operation S540, the first terminal100may receive an acceptance message regarding the request for shifting the service, from the second terminal200. As operations S510through S540respectively correspond to operations S410through S440ofFIG. 4, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

In operation S550, the first terminal100may receive connection information regarding the second terminal200from the second terminal200. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may receive connection information regarding the second terminal200together with an acceptance message with respect to the request for shifting the service.

The connection information regarding the second terminal200may be a communication method of the second terminal200, connection information of a WLAN used by the second terminal200(e.g., an SSID, an IP address, a MAC address, a channel number, a security key, or the like), a MAC address of the second terminal200, a Bluetooth (BT) address of the second terminal200, a product name of the second terminal200, or profile information of the second terminal200.

In operation S560, the first terminal100may transmit the connection information regarding the second terminal200to the at least one external device300. In operation S570, the external device300may request the second terminal200for connection, based on the connection information regarding the second terminal200. The second terminal200may respond to the request for connection from the external device300based on information about an external device related to an application received from the first terminal100.

In operation S580, the second terminal200and the external device300may be connected via short-range wireless communication. The short-range wireless communication may be at least one of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WFD, UWB, and Zigbee.

In operation590, the second terminal200may execute an application working along with the external device200based on information about an application received from the first terminal100. The first terminal100may end execution of an application that is being executed on the first terminal100. That is, when a message notifying that connection between the second terminal200and the external device300is completed, is received from the second terminal200or the external device300, the first terminal100may end the application that is being executed.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may not end the application being executed but may provide another service (or function) that is different from a service (or function) provided by the second terminal200by using the application.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare a schematic views illustrating shifting of a music providing service, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 6A, the first terminal100, which may be a tablet PC, may execute a karaoke application to provide a karaoke service. The first terminal100may execute a karaoke application by using a microphone610and a speaker620connected thereto via short-range wireless communication. For example, the first terminal100may provide song lyrics on a display and output sound that is input via the microphone610through the speaker620.

As illustrated inFIG. 6B, upon receiving a user input, the karaoke service that is being provided on the first terminal100may be shifted to the second terminal200which in this case is a smart TV. The first terminal100may provide information about the karaoke application to the second terminal200. Also, the first terminal100may provide the second terminal200with connection information regarding the microphone610and the speaker620. In this case, the second terminal200may be connected to the microphone610and the speaker620based on the connection information regarding the microphone610and the speaker620.

For example, when the microphone610and the speaker620support Bluetooth communication, the first terminal100may transmit Bluetooth connection information of the microphone610and the speaker620(e.g., Bluetooth addresses or a product name) to the second terminal200, and the second terminal200may automatically establish a Bluetooth communication connection with respect to the microphone610and the speaker620.

Also, the first terminal100may transmit information about an access point (AP) which the microphone610and the speaker620have connected (e.g., a MAC address, an SSID, or a channel number), to the second terminal200, so that the second terminal200and the microphone610and the speaker620are connected via Wi-Fi.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may transmit to the microphone610and the speaker620connection information regarding the second terminal200so that the microphone610and the speaker620may establish communication connection with respect to the second terminal200.

Accordingly, according to the current exemplary embodiment, as a karaoke service has been shifted from the tablet PC to the smart TV, the microphone610and the speaker620connected to the tablet PC are automatically connected to the smart TV so that the smart TV may provide the karaoke service with the microphone610and the speaker620.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare schematic views illustrating shifting of an instrument playing service, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 7A, the first terminal100which may be a tablet PC may execute an instrument playing application to provide an instrument playing service. The first terminal100may execute an instrument playing application with a piano keyboard710and a guitar720that are connected to the first terminal via short-range wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIG. 7B, upon receiving a user request, the instrument playing service being provided on the first terminal, may be shifted from the first terminal100to the second terminal200which may be a PC. The first terminal100may provide information about the instrument playing application, to the second terminal200. The first terminal100may provide the second terminal200with connection information regarding the piano keyboard710and the guitar720. Alternatively, the first terminal100may provide connection information with respect to the second terminal200which may be a PC, to the piano keyboard710and the guitar720.

As the instrument playing service is shifted from the first terminal100to the second terminal200, the second terminal200and the piano keyboard710and the guitar720are automatically connected so as to execute the instrument playing application.

FIGS. 8A and 8Bare schematic views illustrating shifting of a video game service, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 8A, the first terminal100may execute a racing game application with a steering wheel810connected to the first terminal100to provide a game service.

As illustrated inFIG. 8B, upon receiving a user request, the game service being provided on the first terminal100may be shifted to the second terminal200. The first terminal100may provide information related to the racing game application, to the second terminal200. The first terminal100may transmit connection information regarding the steering wheel810to the second terminal200or connection information regarding the second terminal200to the steering wheel810so that the second terminal200and the steering wheel810are automatically connected.

The second terminal200may execute the same racing game application at the same game level as the application being executed on the first terminal100based on information about the racing game application received from the first terminal100.

When the racing game application is executed on the second terminal200, the first terminal100may execute another application related to the racing game application. For example, the first terminal100may execute a map application showing a current position of a racing car or a traveling section thereof.

FIGS. 9A to 9Care schematic views illustrating shifting of a video game service, according to another exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 9A, the first terminal100may be connected to an electronic gun910via short-range wireless communication. In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 9B, the first terminal100may execute a shooting game application (a game aimed at eliminating an enemy or an obstacle by shooting a gun or firing a weapon) with the electronic gun910connected thereto via short-range wireless communication to thereby provide a shooting game service.

As illustrated inFIG. 9C, upon receiving a user request, the shooting game service being provided on the first terminal100which is a mobile phone may be shifted to the second terminal200which is a smart TV. The first terminal100may provide information related to the shooting game application. The first terminal100may transmit connection information regarding the electronic gun910, to the second terminal200or provide connection information regarding the second terminal200, to the electronic gun910. Accordingly, as the shooting game service is shifted from the first terminal100to the second terminal200, a short-range wireless communication connection of the electronic gun910may be automatically changed from the first terminal100to the second terminal200.

The second terminal200may execute the same shooting game application at the same game level as the application being executed on the first terminal100based on information related to the shooting game application received from the first terminal100.

When the shooting game application is executed on the second terminal200, the first terminal100may execute another application related to the shooting game application. For example, the first terminal100may execute an application for displaying radar.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when the shooting game application is executed on the second terminal200, the first terminal100may display radar by modifying an execution status of the shooting game application that has been executed before.

That is, the first terminal100may execute an application that is different from an application that is being executed on the second terminal200or may provide an additional function while executing the same application at the same time

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating a method of installing an application by the second terminal200, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation S1010, the second terminal200may receive information about an application (e.g., identification information of an application, information about an external device related to an application, or execution status information of an application) from the first terminal100. In operation S1020, the second terminal200may search a memory for an application based on identification information of an application.

In operation S1030, the second terminal200may determine whether an application is installed in the second terminal, based on a result of the searching. When an application is previously installed in the second terminal200, the second terminal200may display the application on a screen or may automatically execute the application.

In operation S1040or operation S1060, when an application is not previously installed in the second terminal200, the second terminal200may request an external server400or the first terminal100for the application.

In operation S1050, the second terminal200may receive an application from the external server400. Alternatively, in operation1070, the second terminal200may receive, from the first terminal100, an application or link information (e.g., URL information) about an application. When link information is received, the second terminal200may receive an application from an application providing server based on the link information. The application providing server may be the external server400.

In operation S1080, the second terminal200may install the application. In operation S1090, the second terminal200may execute the application with the at least one external device300connected to the second terminal200.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a method of automatically connecting a first terminal to an external device related to a predetermined application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation S1110, the first terminal100may receive a selection of an application from a user. A selection of an application according to an exemplary embodiment may be selected by a user touching a predetermined icon, pressing a predetermined key, or connecting an external device connected to a predetermined application, to the first terminal100, in a wired or wireless manner.

In operation S1120, the first terminal100may search for an external device related to the selected application. According to the current exemplary embodiment, when the first terminal100registers the external device300, identification information of the external device300and information about an application related to the external device300are matched. Thus, the first terminal100may search a database for the external device300that matches the selected application.

In operation S1130, the first terminal100may request an external device300-1that supports a Wi-Fi communication function for connection, via BLE. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may request connection by transmitting to the external device300-1information of an AP to which the first terminal100has connected, such as a MAC address, an SSID, a channel number, or a security key.

In operation S1140, the external device300-1may activate a Wi-Fi module. In operation S1150, the external device300-1and the first terminal100may be connected via short-range wireless communication as the external device300-1accesses an AP based on information such as a MAC address, an SSID, a channel number or a security key.

In operation S1160, the first terminal100may request an external device300-2that supports a Bluetooth communication function for Bluetooth connection, via BLE. According to an exemplary embodiment, when the external device300-2and the first terminal100are paired, the first terminal100may request Bluetooth connection by transmitting a link key to the external device300-2. “Pairing” refers to a state in which a communication connection between devices that support a Bluetooth function is granted.

When the external device300-2and the first terminal100are not paired, the first terminal100and the external device300-2may conduct a pairing procedure by transmitting or receiving a Bluetooth address, a product name, profile information, or personal ID information (e.g., a PIN code).

In operation S1170, the external device300-2may activate a Bluetooth module. Also, the first terminal100and the external device300-2may be connected via Bluetooth communication as the external device300-2conducts authentication with respect to a link key received from the first terminal100.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, when a user selects a predetermined application, the first terminal100may automatically search for at least one external device300related to the selected application and connect to the same.

FIGS. 12A to 12Care schematic views for explaining a method of automatically connecting the first terminal100to an external device related to a karaoke application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 12A, the first terminal100may receive a selection of a karaoke application from a user.

As illustrated inFIG. 12B, the first terminal100may search for at least one external device related to a karaoke application. For example, the first terminal100is a device related to a karaoke application and may search for an external device such as a microphone1210and a speaker1220that is related to the karaoke application.

As illustrated inFIG. 12C, the first terminal100may transmit to each of the microphone1210and the speaker1220, Wi-Fi connection information (e.g., a MAC address of an AP, an SSID, a channel number, a security key, or the like) or Bluetooth connection information (e.g., a link key) so as to be connected to each of the microphone1210and the speaker1220via short-range wireless communication.

FIGS. 13A to 13Eare schematic views for explaining a method of automatically connecting the first terminal100to an external device related to a video replay application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 13A, the first terminal100may receive from a user a selection of an application for replaying an animation “XYZ”.

As illustrated inFIG. 13B, the first terminal100may search for, as an external device related to the selected application, a character doll A1310and a character doll B1320.

As illustrated inFIG. 13C, the first terminal100may transmit to each of the character doll A1310and the character doll B1320, Wi-Fi connection information (e.g., a MAC address of an AP, an SSID, a channel number, a security key, or the like) or Bluetooth connection information (e.g., a link key) so as to be connected to each of the character doll A1310and the character doll B1320via short-range wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIG. 13D, according to an exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may provide an episode list of episodes in which a character A and a character B appear. The first terminal100may receive at least one episode of the episode list from a user.

In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 13E, the first terminal100may replay the animation “XYZ” with the character doll A1310and the character doll B1320. That is, the first terminal100may replay an episode selected by the user, and may transmit a control command to the character doll A1310and the character doll B1320via short-range wireless communication. The character doll A1310and the character doll B1320may output a line of speech contained in an episode based on the control command.

FIGS. 14A to 14Dare schematic views for explaining a method of automatically connecting the first terminal100to an external device related to an instrument playing application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 14A, the first terminal100may receive a selection of an instrument playing application from a user.

As illustrated inFIG. 14B, the first terminal100may search for, as an external device related to the instrument playing application, a guitar1410, a pedal1420, and a speaker1430.

As illustrated inFIG. 14C, the first terminal100may transmit to each of the guitar1410, the pedal1420, and the speaker1430, Wi-Fi connection information (e.g., a MAC address of an AP, an SSID, a channel number, a security key, or the like) or Bluetooth connection information (e.g., a link key) so as to be connected to each of the guitar1410, the pedal1420, and the speaker1430via short-range wireless communication.

As illustrated inFIG. 14D, the first terminal100may execute the instrument playing application with the guitar1410, the pedal1420, and the speaker1430connected thereto via short-range wireless communication.

FIGS. 15A and 15Bare schematic views for explaining a method of automatically connecting the first terminal100to an external device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 15A, the first terminal100may be connected to a guitar1510, which is an external device, via short-range wireless communication. In this case, the first terminal100may search for an instrument playing application related to the guitar1510.

The first terminal100may also search for another external device related to the instrument playing application. For example, the first terminal100may further search for a piano keyboard1520and a drum1530related to the instrument playing application.

As illustrated inFIG. 15B, the first terminal100may request each of the piano keyboard1520and the drum1530for connection by transmitting Wi-Fi connection information or Bluetooth connection information to each of the piano keyboard1520and the drum1530which are not yet connected to the first terminal100. When the piano keyboard1520and the drum1530are connected to the first terminal100via short-range wireless communication, the first terminal100may execute the instrument playing application working along with the previously connected guitar1510and the piano keyboard1520and the drum1530which are connected thereafter.

FIG. 16is a flowchart illustrating a method of searching, by the first terminal100, for an external device related to an application, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation S1610, the first terminal100may select an application upon receiving a user input. In operation S1620, the first terminal100may search for at least one external device related to the selected application. Operations S1610and S1620correspond to operations S1110and S1120ofFIG. 11, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

In operation S1630, when a plurality of external devices are found, the first terminal100may display a list of the found plurality of external devices on a screen.

In operation S1640, the first terminal100may receive a selection of a user of at least one external device300from the list of the plurality of external devices.

In operation S1650, the first terminal100may request the at least one external device300selected by the user, for connection, via BLE. That is, according to the current exemplary embodiment, the first terminal100may establish a connection with respect to only some of a plurality of external devices related to a predetermined application. While a connection request via BLE is illustrated here as an example, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Alternatively, operations S1630and S1640may be omitted. In other words, the first terminal100may automatically request the found plurality of external devices for connection.

The method of searching, by the first terminal100, for an external device related to an application will be further described with reference toFIG. 17.

FIGS. 17A and 17Bare schematic views for explaining a method of executing, by a first terminal, an application with an external device selected by a user, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 17A, the first terminal100may receive a selection of a user of an application for replaying an animation “XYZ”. The first terminal100may also search for, as an external device related to the selected application, a character doll A1710, a character doll B1720, and a character doll C1730, which are dolls of characters appearing in the animation “XYZ”. The first terminal100may display a list of the character doll A1710, the character doll B1720, and the character doll C1730on a screen.

As illustrated inFIG. 17A, when a user selects all of three found external devices, the first terminal100may be connected to each of the character doll A1710, the character doll B1720, and the character doll C1730. The first terminal100may provide an episode list171of the animation “XYZ” in which characters A, B, and C appear.

As illustrated inFIG. 17B, the user may just select only the character doll A1710and the character doll B1720from among the found three external devices. In this case, the first terminal100may establish a connection only with respect to the character doll A1710and the character doll B1720and provide an episode list172of episodes where only the characters A and B appear.

FIG. 18is a block diagram illustrating the first terminal100according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 18, the first terminal100may include a communication device110, a user input120, a searching device130, a memory140, and a controller150. However, all of the components shown inFIG. 18are not essential. The first terminal100may be formed of more or less elements than the illustrated ones.

Hereinafter, the elements of the first terminal100will be described in detail.

The communication device110may include at least one element for communicating with the second terminal200or the external device300. For example, the communication device120may include a short-range wireless communication module111, a mobile communication module, a wireless internet module, a wired internet module, or the like.

The short-range wireless communication module111is a module for short-range wireless communication. Examples of the short-range wireless communication include WLAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, ZigBee, NFC, WFD, and IrDa.

The mobile communication module transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless internet module refers to a module for wireless internet access, and may be embedded in the first terminal100or may be externally mounted from the first terminal100. The wired internet module refers to a module for wired internet access.

According to the current exemplary embodiment, the communication device110may transmit to the second terminal200information about an application and connection information regarding the at least one external device300. According to another exemplary embodiment, the communication device110may transmit information about an application to the second terminal200and transmit connection information regarding the second terminal200to the at least one external device300.

The communication device110may transmit to the second terminal200a request for shifting a service related to an application being executed on the first terminal100. When a distance between the first terminal100and the second terminal200is within a radius of short-range wireless communication, the communication device110may transmit to the second terminal200a request for shifting a service, via short-range wireless communication. The communication device110may receive an acceptance message about the request for shifting a service, from the second terminal200.

The communication device110may receive a request for providing an application, from the second terminal200, and transmit to the second terminal200an application or link information of the application. In addition, the communication device110may transmit registration information of the at least one external device300to the second terminal200.

The communication device110may transmit to the second terminal200connection information of some of a plurality of external devices connected to the first terminal100. Also, the communication device110may establish a connection with respect to the at least one external device300via BLE.

The user input120may receive a user input about the first terminal100. For example, the user input120may receive a selection of an application from a user. Also, the user input120may receive a selection of a user of at least one external device from a list of a plurality of found external devices.

The user input120may be formed of, for example, a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (a static pressure type/electrostatic type), a jog wheel, or a jog switch. In particular, when the user input120is formed of a touch pad that forms an interlayer structure with a display, the user input120may be referred to as a touch screen.

The searching device130may search for at least one external device300related to an application selected by a user. For example, the searching device130may search for an application in the memory140based on identification information of the selected application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when the first terminal100registers an external device300, identification information of the external device300and an application are matched, and thus, the first terminal100may search a database for the external device300that matches the selected application.

The memory140may store programs for processing and controlling the controller150. Also, the memory140may perform a function of storing data that is input or output. For example, the memory140may store registration information of the external device300. Examples of the registration information of the external device300include identification information, authentication information, and application information of the external device300. The application information of the external device300may be, for example, identification information of an application related to the external device300or link information of an application.

The memory140may be at least one of a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., a Secure Digital (SD) or Extreme Digital (XD) memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM) magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk, but is not limited thereto. Also, the first terminal100may operate using a web storage function that stores data on the Internet.

The controller150controls the overall operation of the first terminal100. For example, the controller150may execute an application with at least one external device300connected to the first terminal100.

Also, when the second terminal200executes a first application with the at least one external device300, the controller150may execute a second application related to the first application.

FIG. 19is a block diagram illustrating the second terminal200according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 19, the second terminal200may include a communication device210, a display220, a memory230, and a controller240. However, all of the components shown inFIG. 19are not essential. The second terminal200may be formed of more or less elements than the illustrated ones. Hereinafter, the elements of the second terminal100will be described in detail.

The communication device210may include at least one element for communicating with the first terminal100or the external device300. For example, the communication device210may include a short-range wireless communication module211, a mobile communication module, a wireless internet module, a wired internet module, or the like.

The short-range wireless communication module211is a module for short-range wireless communication. Examples of the short-range wireless communication include WLAN (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, ZigBee, NFC, WFD, and IrDa.

The mobile communication module transmits or receives a wireless signal to or from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless internet module refers to a module for wireless internet access, and may be embedded in the second terminal200or may be externally mounted from the second terminal200. The wired internet module refers to a module for wired internet access.

The communication device210may receive a request for shifting a service related to an application being executed on the first terminal100, from the first terminal100and may transmit an acceptance message with regard to the request for shifting a service, to the first terminal100. The communication device210may receive a request for shifting a service, from the first terminal100via short-range wireless communication.

Also, the communication device210may receive from the first terminal100information about an application being executed on the first terminal100and connection information regarding the at least one external device300connected to the first terminal100. According to the current exemplary embodiment, the communication device210may receive connection information of some of a plurality of external devices connected to the first terminal100.

The communication device210may establish a connection with respect to the at least one external device300based on connection information regarding the at least one external device300. The communication device210may establish a short-range wireless communication connection with respect to the at least one external device300.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the communication device210may receive registration information of the at least one external device300from the first terminal100.

The display220may display and output information processed in the second terminal200. For example, the display220may display a previously installed application on a screen.

When the display220and a touch pad are formed in an interlayer structure as a touch screen, the display220may also be used as an input device as well as an output device.

The display220may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3D display, an electrophoretic display, and a transparent display. According to a structure of the second terminal200, at least two displays220may be included.

The memory230may store programs for processing and controlling of the controller240. Also, the memory230may perform a function of storing data that is input or output. For example, the memory230may store registration information of the external device300. Examples of the registration information of the external device300include identification information, authentication information, and application information of the external device300. The application information of the external device300may be, for example, identification information of an application related to the external device300or link information of an application.

The controller240controls the overall operation of the second terminal200. For example, the controller240may execute an application with at least one external device300connected to the second terminal200based on information about an application.

The controller240may receive an application from an external server or the first terminal100based on the information about the application, and install the application, and execute the installed application.

The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in the form of executable program commands through a variety of computer means and may be recordable to computer readable media. The computer readable media may include solely or in combination, program commands, data files and data structures. The program commands recorded to the media may be components specially designed for the exemplary embodiments or may be usable by one of ordinary skill in the art of computer software. Computer readable record media include magnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROM and DVD, magneto-optical media such as floppy disk and hardware devices such as ROM, RAM and flash memory specially designed to store and carry out programs. Program commands include not only machine language code generated by a complier but also high level code that can be used by an interpreter or the like, which is executed by a computer.