Abstract:
An apparatus and method for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an event processing unit for outputting a signal to store a selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced, a video data reproduction unit for receiving the signal from the event processing unit and storing the selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced in response to the outputted signal while reproducing the video data. A message transmission unit is further provided for attaching the stored selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced to a message and transmitting the message to the receiving terminal. A data storage unit stores the video data and the selected portion of the video data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2004-0012388, filed on Feb. 24, 2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for transmitting video data from a mobile communication terminal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     With the increase in the availability of highly integrated memory and the transmission speed of large-scale data, a mobile communication terminal (“terminal”) may store and transmit a text message, a still image or a melody, and record, store, edit and transmit video.  
         [0006]     Users are increasingly recording video through the terminal or transmitting stored video to other terminals.  
         [0007]     During transmission of video data or an audio signal synchronized with a video signal between terminals, a conventional terminal cannot transmit the video data when the video data is being reproduced. A user must stop reproducing the video data, write a message, attach the video data to be transmitted to the message, and transmit the message to another terminal. In other words, conventional terminals transmit video data by separately implement reproduction of video data and transmission of a message to which the video data file is attached.  
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a conventional terminal apparatus, including signal flow through the apparatus, for transmitting video data from a terminal.  
         [0009]     As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the apparatus for transmitting the video data includes a key input unit  110 , an event processing unit  120 , a video data reproduction unit  130 , a message transmission unit  140 , a data storage unit  150 , an output processing unit  160 , and a call processing unit  170 . The descriptions for these units are given below.  
         [0010]     Upon a user pressing an option key, the key input unit  110  recognizes the pressed key. The key input unit  110  determines, for example, if the pressed key is a video data reproduction start key, a video data reproduction stop key, or a message transmission start key. The key input unit  110  transmits the result of the determination to the event processing unit  120 .  
         [0011]     The event processing unit  120  notifies the video reproduction unit  130  and the message transmission unit  140  of an event. Examples of an event include a video data reproduction start event, a video data reproduction stop event, and a message transmission start event.  
         [0012]     The video data reproduction unit  130  reads video data selected by the user from the data storage unit  150  and reproduces the video data.  
         [0013]     The message transmission unit  140  writes a message, attaches a selected video data file to the written message, and attempts to transmit the message attached to a video data file according to a data transmission protocol.  
         [0014]     The video data file and related information are stored in the data storage unit  150 .  
         [0015]     The output processing unit  160  audiovisually notifies a user of reproduction information of the video data and terminal information.  
         [0016]     The call processing unit  170  transmits the message to a receiving terminal in accordance with directions from the message transmission unit  140 .  
         [0017]     Hereinafter, a method for transmitting video data from a conventional terminal will be described with reference to signal flow diagram of  FIGS. 1A and 1B .  
         [0018]     A user presses a video data reproduction key after selecting the video data to be reproduced from a list of videos stored in the data storage unit  150 . The key input unit  110  determines that the pressed key is a video data reproduction start key. The key input unit  110  notifies the event processing unit  120  of the determination. The event processing unit  120  notifies the reproduction unit  130  of a video data reproduction start event corresponding to the determination. The event processing unit  120  activates the video data reproduction unit  130  and notifies the video data reproduction unit  130  of selected video data information.  
         [0019]     The video data reproduction unit  130  reads the selected video data from the data storage unit  150  and reproduces the read video data.  
         [0020]     To transmit the video data currently being reproduced, the user stops reproducing the video data.  
         [0021]     The user presses a key to stop reproduction of the video data currently being reproduced. The key input unit  110  determines the pressed key is intended to stop video data reproduction, and notifies the event processing unit  120  of the determination. The event processing unit  120  notifies the video data reproduction unit  130  to stop reproducing video data and deactivates the video data reproduction unit  130 .  
         [0022]     The video data reproduction unit  130  stops reproducing the video data and notifies the event processing unit  120  that reproduction has stopped. The event processing unit  120  notifies the output processing unit  130  that the video data reproduction unit  130  is deactivated. The output processing unit  160  indicates, on a terminal screen the video data reproduction unit  130  is deactivated.  
         [0023]     To transmit the video data for which reproduction of has stopped, the user presses a message transmission key. The key input unit  110  determines the pressed key is for message transmission and notifies the event processing unit  120 . The event processing unit  120  notifies the message transmission unit  140  of a message transmission event corresponding to the pressed key and activates the message transmission unit  140 .  
         [0024]     The user writes a message utilizing the message transmission unit  140 . The message transmission unit  140  attaches the written message to a selected video data file, and attempts to transmit the message through the call processing unit  170 .  
         [0025]     Upon complete transmission of the message, the message transmission unit  140  notifies the event processing unit  120  and the event processing unit  120  notifies the output processing unit  160 .  
         [0026]     The output processing unit  160  audiovisually notifies the user that transmission of the message, and the video data file has been completed.  
         [0027]     In summary, a user of a conventional terminal desiring to transmit a video data currently being reproduced must stop reproducing the video data and transmit a message to which the entire video data file is attached. To transmit a portion of the video data, the user is required to edit the video data using editing software before transmission. An edited version of the video data and the editing software require separate storage locations.  
         [0028]     Therefore, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for transmitting video data that provides additional advantages over conventional terminals and increases user convenience.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.  
         [0030]     In one embodiment, an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an event processing unit for outputting a signal to store a selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced and a video data reproduction unit for receiving the signal from the event processing unit and storing the selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced in response to a signal from the event processing unit during reproduction of the video data. A message transmission unit is further provided for attaching the stored selected portion of the video data that is currently being reproduced to a message and transmitting the message to the receiving terminal. A data storage unit stores the video data and the selected portion of the video data.  
         [0031]     A user may designate the selected portion of the video data. The video data reproduction unit preferably, upon completion of storing the selected portion of the video data, temporarily stops reproducing the video data.  
         [0032]     In another embodiment, a method of transmitting video data to a receiving terminal is disclosed. The method comprises storing a selected portion of the video data while the video data is being reproduced, attaching the stored selected portion of video data to a message, and transmitting the message to the receiving terminal.  
         [0033]     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.  
         [0034]     These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0036]     Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more embodiments.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a structure and signal flow of an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to the conventional art.  
         [0038]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a structure and signal flow of an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a structure and signal flow of an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]     The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for efficiently transmitting video data while minimizing the resources required by a mobile communication terminal.  
         [0041]     Although the invention is illustrated with respect to a mobile terminal, it is contemplated that the invention may be utilized wherever it is desired to efficiently transmit data, such as video data, that requires editing in a communication system while minimizing the size of a data storage location and reducing user inconvenience. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0042]     The preferred embodiments transmit video data facilitating increased user convenience and data storage efficiency. More specifically, the preferred embodiments specify a portion of the video data for transmission from currently reproduced video data. The preferred embodiment transmits the specified portion of the video data including an attached message.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a structure and signal flow of an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , an apparatus for transmitting the video data from the terminal includes a key input unit  210 , an event processing unit  220 , a video data reproduction unit  230 , a message transmission unit  240 , a data storage unit  250 , an output processing unit  260 , and a call processing unit  270 . Functions of each of these constituent elements are discussed below.  
         [0045]     When a user presses an option key, the key input unit  210  recognizes that the option key has been pressed. The key input unit  210  determines the pressed key. The pressed key, for example, may be a video data reproduction start key, a video data storage start key, or a video data storage termination key. The key input unit  210  transmits the determination to the event processing unit  220 .  
         [0046]     The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  and the message transmission unit  140  of an event. The event, for example, may be a video data reproduction start event, a video data storage start event, or a video data storage termination event corresponding to the pressed key.  
         [0047]     The video data reproduction unit  230  reads video data selected by the user from the data storage unit  250 , and reproduces the read video data. The video data reproduction unit  230  stores a selected portion of the video data specified by a user while the selected video data is being reproduced. The data storage unit  250  temporarily stores position information of the video data that is currently being reproduced.  
         [0048]     The message transmission unit  240  writes a message and attaches the video data selected for transmission to the message. The message transmission unit  240 , in accordance with a data transmission protocol, attempts transmission of the message.  
         [0049]     The data storage unit  250  stores the video data, the selected portion of the video data specified by the user, the stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced, and any related information.  
         [0050]     The output processing unit  260  audiovisually notifies the user regarding information related to reproducing the video data and information about the terminal.  
         [0051]     The call processing unit  270  transmits the message attached to the video data to a receiving terminal in accordance with instructions from the message transmission unit  240 .  
         [0052]     A method for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the signal flow diagram shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C .  
         [0053]     Upon a user pressing a video data reproduction start key, the key input unit  210  recognizes the pressed key. The event processing unit  220  transmits a video data reproduction event, corresponding to the recognized pressed key, and video data reproduction information to the video data reproduction unit  230 . The video data reproduction unit  230  reads the corresponding video data from the data storage unit  250 . The video data reproduction unit  230  reproduces the read video data in accordance with the transmitted video information and the video data reproduction event. The user designates a start position and a stop position for a portion of the video data selected for transmission while the video data is being reproduced.  
         [0054]     The video data reproduction unit  230  temporarily stores, from the start position to the stop position, video data in the data storage unit  250 , temporarily stops reproduction of the video data upon completion of video data storage, and temporarily stores the stop position information of video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 . The event processing unit  220  recognizes the reproduction of the video data temporarily stopped and reactivates the message transmission unit  240 .  
         [0055]     The message transmission unit  240  attaches the temporarily stored video data to a user message. The call processing unit  270  transmits the message attached to the video data to a receiving terminal. The output processing unit  260 , upon complete transmission of the message, audiovisually notifies a user of message transmission. The reproduction unit  230  resumes reproducing the video data based on the stored stop position information.  
         [0056]     Hereinafter, the method of transmitting video data from a terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.  
         [0057]     After searching a list of the video data stored in the data storage unit  250 , a user presses the video data reproduction start key, and video data is selected. The key input unit  210  determines that the video data reproduction start key has been pressed. The key input unit  210  notifies the event processing unit  220 . The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  of a video data reproduction start event and information regarding the selected video data, and reactivates the video data reproduction unit  230 .  
         [0058]     The video data reproduction unit  230  reads the selected video data from the data storage unit  250  and reproduces the selected video data.  
         [0059]     When a portion of the selected video data is reproduced, a user designates, via the key input unit  210 , a start position used for transmitting a portion of the selected video data. The key input unit  210  notifies the event processing unit  220  that a video data storage start key has been pressed. The event processing unit  220  notifies the video processing unit  230  that a portion of the video data currently being reproduced is the start position for transmission.  
         [0060]     The video data reproduction unit  230  continues reproducing the video data and stores the video data from the start position in the data storage unit  250 .  
         [0061]     The user designates, via a key stroke, a stop position for the portion of the video data for transmission. The key input unit  210  notifies the event processing unit  220  that the designated stop position of the video data is to be transmitted. The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  upon completion of storing the video data.  
         [0062]     The video data reproduction unit  230  stops storing the video data and temporarily stops reproduction of the video data. The video data reproduction unit  230  temporarily stores stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 , and notifies the event processing unit  220  that reproduction of the video data has stopped.  
         [0063]     The event processing unit  220  activates the message transmission unit  240 . The message transmission unit  240  attaches the video data temporarily stored in the data storage unit  250  to a message. The message transmission unit  240  attempts to transmit the message to a receiving terminal.  
         [0064]     Upon complete transmission of the message, the message transmission unit  240  deletes the video data temporarily stored in the data storage unit  250 . The message transmission unit  240  notifies the event processing unit  220  that the temporarily stored video data has been deleted upon completion of message transmission.  
         [0065]     The event processing unit  220  reactivates the video data reproduction unit  230 . The video data reproduction unit  230  resumes reproduction of the video based on the stop position information stored in the data storage unit  250 .  
         [0066]      FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a structure and signal flow of an apparatus for transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3C , the apparatus includes a voice input unit  310 , an event processing unit  220 , a video data reproduction unit  230 , a message transmission unit  240 , a data storage unit  250 , an output processing unit  260 , and a call processing unit  270 . Functions of each of the units are described below.  
         [0068]     Upon a user issuing an optional voice command, the voice input unit  310  recognizes the voice command and determines the contents of the voice command. The voice command may be a video data reproduction start command, a video data storage start command, or a video data storage termination command. The voice input unit  310  transmits the result of the determination to the event processing unit  220 .  
         [0069]     The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  and the message transmission unit  240  of the event corresponding to the voice command.  
         [0070]     The video data reproduction unit  230  reads the video data selected by the user from the data storage unit  250  and reproduces the read video data. The video data reproduction unit  230  stores a selected portion of a video data specified by the user during reproduction of the selected video data and stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 .  
         [0071]     The message transmission unit  240  writes a message, attaches the video data selected for transmission to the written message, and attempts to transmit the message according to a data transmission protocol.  
         [0072]     The data storage unit  250  stores the video data, the selected portion of the data specified by the user, the temporarily stored stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced, and related information.  
         [0073]     The output processing unit  260  notifies the user regarding reproduction information regarding the video data and terminal information.  
         [0074]     The call processor  270  transmits the message and the selected portion of the video data to the receiving terminal in accordance with instructions from the message transmission unit  240 .  
         [0075]     A method of transmitting video data to a receiving terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the signal flow as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C .  
         [0076]     The user issues a video data reproduction start voice command and the voice input unit  310  recognizes the voice command. The event processing unit  220  transmits a video data reproduction event corresponding to the recognized voice command along with video reproduction information to the video data reproduction unit  230 . The video data reproduction unit  230  reads the video data from the data storage unit  250 , reproduces the read video data, and stores a specified portion of the video data. While the video data is being reproduced, the user designates a start position and a stop position for transmission of a selected portion of the video data.  
         [0077]     The video data reproduction unit  230  temporarily stores the video data, from the designated start position to the designated stop position, in the data storage unit and temporarily stops reproducing the video data until completion of video data storage. The video data reproduction unit  230  temporarily stores stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 . The event processing unit  220  recognizes that reproduction of the video data has been temporarily stopped and activates the message transmission unit  240 . The message transmission unit  240  attaches the temporarily stored video data to a message.  
         [0078]     The message is attached to the video data for transmission through a call processing unit to the receiving terminal. The output processing unit  260  audiovisually notifies the user that message transmission is complete. The video data reproduction unit  230  resumes reproducing the video data based on the stored stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 .  
         [0079]     Hereinafter, the method of transmitting the video of the terminal according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.  
         [0080]     The user searches a list of the video data stored in the data storage unit  250 , selects video data, and issues a video data reproduction voice command. The voice input unit  310  determines the voice command indicates video data reproduction start and notifies the event processing unit  220  of the result. The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  of a video data reproduction start event corresponding to the determination along with information regarding the selected video data and activates the video data reproduction unit  230 .  
         [0081]     The video data reproduction unit  230  reads the selected video data from the data storage unit  250  and reproduces the read video data.  
         [0082]     A portion of the selected video data being reproduced is selected for transmission. If a start position of the portion to be transmitted is designated by a user issuing a voice command, the voice input unit  310  notifies the event processing unit  220  that a video data storage start voice command has been issued. The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  that the portion currently being reproduced is the start position of the portion to be transmitted.  
         [0083]     The video data reproduction unit  230  continues reproducing the video data and stores the video data from the designated start position in the data storage unit  250 .  
         [0084]     The user designates a stop position for a portion of the video data selected for transmission by issuing a voice command. The voice input unit  310  notifies the event processing unit  220  that the designated stop position is for the video data to be transmitted. The event processing unit  220  notifies the video data reproduction unit  230  upon termination of video data storage.  
         [0085]     The video data reproduction unit  230  terminates video data storage and temporarily stops reproducing the video data. The video data reproduction unit restores stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced in the data storage unit  250 . The video data reproduction unit notifies the event processing unit  220  upon temporarily stopping reproduction of the video data.  
         [0086]     The event processing unit  220  activates the message transmission unit  240 . The message transmission unit  240  attaches the video data stored in the data storage unit  250  to a message the user has written, and attempts transmission through the call processing unit  270 .  
         [0087]     When transmission of the message is completed, the message transmission unit  240  deletes the video data temporarily stored in the data storage unit  250 . The message transmission unit  240  notifies the event processing unit  220  upon completion of message transmission and deletion of the temporarily stored video data.  
         [0088]     The event processing unit  220  reactivates the video data reproduction unit  230 . The video data reproduction unit  230  resumes reproducing the video data based on the stored stop position information of the video data currently being reproduced and completes processing of the video transmission.  
         [0089]     The present invention provides video data reproduction whereby a user can select a selected portion of the video data for transmission to a specific terminal. After transmission is completed, the video data temporarily stored but previously transmitted is automatically deleted. A separate video editing software and an editing process are not required. Accordingly, a user&#39;s convenience is increased, and storage space required for a terminal is reduced.  
         [0090]     As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.  
         [0091]     Although the present invention is described in the context of a mobile terminal, the present invention may also be used in any wired or wireless communication systems using mobile devices, such as PDAs and laptop computers equipped with wired and wireless communication capabilities. Moreover, the use of certain terms to describe the present invention should not limit the scope of the present invention to certain type of wireless communication system, such as UMTS. The present invention is also applicable to other wireless communication systems using different air interfaces and/or physical layers, for example, TDMA, CDMA, FDMA, WCDMA, etc.