Abstract:
An operation method and mobile terminal connected to an electronic device. The operation method includes extracting a piece of content displayed on a portion of a display of the electronic device, corresponding to a user selection, from among multiple pieces of content displayed on the display; displaying a function of the mobile terminal corresponding to the extracted piece of content; and delivering, to the mobile terminal, the extracted piece of content and a command of the function of the mobile terminal that will execute the extracted piece of content.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/252,310, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Apr. 14, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/706,591, filed in the USPTO on Feb. 16, 2010, and is now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,725,209 on May 13, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Feb. 13, 2009 and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0012155, and to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 31, 2009 and assigned Serial No. 10-2009-0027864, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a mobile communication terminal (or “mobile terminal”), and more particularly, to a method and system in which a mobile terminal connected to an arbitrary electronic device interacts with the arbitrary electronic device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    With the general use of mobile terminals and the development of their functions, applications which have been implemented in electronic devices such as a computer, a television and a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP) are now available even in mobile terminals, and functional applications of mobile terminals can also be executed in a computer. In addition, there is an increase in number of applications which are executed through interaction between a mobile terminal and a computer. 
         [0006]    For example, such applications may include an application for transmitting various information stored in a computer, such as contact information, schedule information, photo files, music files, video files and Internet bookmark information, to a mobile terminal, and an application for downloading images and the like stored in a mobile terminal into a computer. For execution of these applications, the computer and the mobile terminal should be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner, and synchronization may be achieved to keep the latest information between the two devices. Also, there is an application for delivering digital multimedia broadcast data received in a mobile terminal to a connected television to display the received broadcast data on the television. 
         [0007]    As another example, there is an application, with which a computer sends messages based on Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) which are functions of mobile terminals. Accordingly, a user may send SMS messages or MMS messages from a computer connected to the Internet to mobile terminals of other users. Since the user sends messages based on SMS provided by a separate external service system without using his/her own mobile terminal, it is common that the user should subscribe to the SMS service before sending the messages. 
         [0008]    MMS generally transmits data generated by and/or stored in a mobile terminal, for example, photo files created by photographing with a mobile terminal. However, in some cases, a user, who is using a computer, may send images stored in the computer to mobile terminals of other users. In this case, as in SMS, the user uses the system after subscribing to the separate service system providing MMS, without using his/her mobile terminal. Also, the user may download desired images to the mobile terminal and then send them using an MMS function of the mobile terminal. 
         [0009]    In order to send text to other mobile terminals, the user can use a separate messaging service that is accessible via a computer. The user is usually required to subscribe to the separate messaging service. 
         [0010]    If a user sends messages to other mobile terminals over his/her own mobile terminal without using the separate messaging service accessible via a computer, the user directly inputs the content displayed on a computer screen to the mobile terminal using a keypad of the terminal, causing inconvenience. 
         [0011]    A more complex process is required when a user, who is using a computer, delivers images on some areas of a computer screen to his/her own mobile terminal, or transmits the images to other mobile terminals through his/her own mobile terminal. 
         [0012]    First, an image to be transmitted among the data displayed on a computer screen is stored in the computer as a particular image file. The computer and a mobile terminal are connected in a wired or wireless manner, and the stored image file is downloaded to the mobile terminal. Thereafter, if it is desired to send a message by MMS, the mobile terminal executes an MMS function, attaches the downloaded image file to the message, inputs a phone number of a receiving mobile terminal, and sends the message. 
         [0013]    In this case, due to the complex procedure, only a person with a certain level of knowledge about a file download method between the computer and the mobile terminal can store a particular image file in his/her mobile terminal. 
         [0014]    Besides, the user needs to directly input a phone number to the mobile terminal even when dialing a phone number displayed on the computer screen or sending an SMS message and an MMS message to the phone number. 
         [0015]    In the above examples, the user is required to input many characters using a small keypad on the mobile terminal, causing inconvenience, and there is a possibility that characters or phone numbers may be wrongly input. In addition, the user must check both the computer screen and the mobile terminal screen. 
         [0016]    If a user wants to output an image file stored in a mobile terminal using a printer connected to a computer, the user needs to first download the image file from the mobile terminal to the computer. Then the user needs to run an application required to print an image file by manipulating the computer, search for the image file, and make a request to print the image file through the printer. That is, the user must manipulate both the mobile terminal and the computer in order to print image files stored in the mobile terminal. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a method and system in which a user may operate functions of a mobile terminal without directly manipulating the mobile terminal. 
         [0018]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method and system in which, in a mobile terminal, a user may easily use content displayed on and/or stored in an electronic device that is connected to the mobile terminal in a wired or wireless manner. 
         [0019]    A further another aspect of the present invention provides a method and system in which a user executes an operation associated with a function of a mobile terminal in a separate electronic device by manipulating only the mobile terminal in the state where the electronic device and the mobile terminal are connected. 
         [0020]    Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method and system in which an event that has occurred in a mobile terminal may be executed in a separate electronic device connected to the mobile terminal. 
         [0021]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an operation method of a mobile terminal connected to an electronic device is provided. The operation method includes extracting a piece of content displayed on a portion of a display of the electronic device, corresponding to a user selection, from among multiple pieces of content displayed on the display; displaying a function of the mobile terminal corresponding to the extracted piece of content; and delivering, to the mobile terminal, the extracted piece of content and a command of the function of the mobile terminal that will execute the extracted piece of content. 
         [0022]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device connected to a mobile terminal is provided. The electronic device includes a display configured to display content; and a processor configured to extract a piece of content displayed on a portion of the display, corresponding to a user selection, from among multiple pieces of content displayed on the display, display a function of the mobile terminal corresponding to the extracted piece of content, and deliver to the mobile terminal the extracted piece of content and a command of the function of the mobile terminal that will execute the extracted piece of content. 
         [0023]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores a program including a command of an operation method of an electronic device is provided. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes a first command set that extracts a piece of content displayed on a portion of a display of the electronic device, corresponding to a user selection, from among multiple pieces of content displayed on the display; a second command set that displays a function of the mobile terminal corresponding to the extracted piece of content; and a third command set that delivers, to the mobile terminal, the extracted piece of content and a command of the function of the mobile terminal that will execute the extracted piece of content. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating configurations of a computer and a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 5 to 16  are flow diagrams illustrating operations of a computer and a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIGS. 17, 18, 19A-19C, 20A-20C, and 21  are diagrams illustrating screens displayed on a computer and a mobile terminal according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features and structures. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
         [0033]    According to embodiments of the present invention, in the state where a separate electronic device and a mobile terminal are connected, a user may operate functions of the mobile terminal by manipulating only the electronic device without manipulating the mobile terminal, or execute operations associated with functions of the mobile terminal in the electronic device by manipulating only the mobile terminal. 
         [0034]    The electronic device refers to a device that can enable data processing, execute at least one application independently, and display or store the data generated by the application execution, and the electronic device includes a minimum user input unit. Such electronic devices include computers, televisions, PMPs, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), electronic dictionaries, mobile terminals, digital multimedia receivers, electronic book terminals, etc. 
         [0035]    According to the present invention, an electronic device may deliver content and a functional application command of a mobile terminal that will execute the content, which are selected by a user, to the mobile terminal, and the mobile terminal may execute the functional application using the provided content. If a user selects arbitrary content from among content displayed on and/or stored in the electronic device, and selects a functional application and its associated command of the mobile terminal that will execute the content, then the electronic device delivers them to the mobile terminal and the mobile terminal executes the functional application corresponding to the command using the received content. 
         [0036]    An event that has occurred in a mobile terminal may be delivered to an electronic device connected to the mobile terminal so that a user may respond to the event using the electronic device. An operation for the response may be executed in the mobile terminal or in both the mobile terminal and the electronic device in an interactive manner. 
         [0037]    If the user delivers a particular command to the connected electronic device by manipulating the mobile terminal, the electronic device may execute an application associated with a function of the mobile terminal according to the command. 
         [0038]    An example of a system to which the present invention is applicable is shown in  FIG. 1 , in which a computer  100 , i.e. an electronic device, is connected to a mobile terminal  200 . 
         [0039]    The computer  100  includes an interactive service application  140 , a content extractor  130 , a phone service application  120 , a device agent  110 , a user input device (not shown), and a display device (not shown). 
         [0040]    The user input device is a device by which a user may input data, and may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. 
         [0041]    The interactive service application  140  is an application for allowing the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  to execute an operation associated with a function of the mobile terminal  200  in an interactive manner. The interactive service application  140  sets an interactive service mode during its execution. In order to allow the mobile terminal  200  to use content that is displayed on a screen by an arbitrary application being executed in the computer  100 , or content such as a data file being used by a particular application, by means of multiple functional applications of the mobile terminal  200  connected to the computer  100 , the interactive service application  140  provides a select indicator for allowing a user to select content and a context menu for allowing the user to select a functional application of the mobile terminal  200 . The select indicator may include, for example, a cursor, a mouse pointer, a select window, and the like. The select window is an indicator for adjusting and deciding a size of an image to be captured on a screen of the computer  100 . The context menu includes a menu item corresponding to each of the multiple functional applications of the mobile terminal  200 , a menu item for data transmission/reception between the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200 , and a search menu capable of searching for various data files stored in the computer  100 . The menu items may include menu items corresponding to, for example, call sending, SMS sending/receiving, MMS sending/receiving, memo writing, etc. and the various data files may include an image file, a music file, a video file, a text file, and the like. This context menu may be provided in the form of a tool bar. 
         [0042]    Further, the interactive service application  140  invokes the content extractor  130  during its execution, and invokes the phone service application  120  according to a user input. 
         [0043]    The content extractor  130  extracts data that the user selected using the select indicator, from among data that is displayed on the screen as an arbitrary application is executed in the computer  100 , and from a data file being used in an application being executed, and delivers the extracted data to the phone service application  120  after converting the extracted data into an appropriate format. 
         [0044]    For example, if a user selects text using a cursor or a mouse pointer in the state where a web browser is executed and an arbitrary web page is displayed, the content extractor  130  extracts the selected text, configures execution data including the extracted text, and delivers the configured execution data to the phone service application  120 . The content extractor  130  may also extract text or an image from a displayed text file in the state where a text application is executed. As another example, if the user selects a music file play application using a mouse pointer in the state where an arbitrary music file is being played by the music file play application, the content extractor  130  may search the memory of the computer  100  for the music file being played, extract the searched music file from the memory, and configure execution data including the extracted music file. 
         [0045]    If the content extraction is completed, the content extractor  130  may provide at least one functional application item of the mobile terminal  200 , which can use the extracted content, according to a type of the extracted content. As in the example above, if text is selected, the content extractor  130  determines whether the selected text is a phone number consisting of a number. If so, the content extractor  130  may provide at least one of call sending/receiving, SMS sending, and MMS sending items. If execution of a particular functional application is granted or selected by the user, the content extractor  130  further includes information about the functional application in the execution data and delivers the execution data to the phone service application  120 . 
         [0046]    Also, even if the user searches for and selects a data file stored in the computer  100  by means of the search menu provided in the context menu without using the select indicator, the content extractor  130  may provide at least one functional application of the mobile terminal  200 , which can use the selected data file. 
         [0047]    If the user selects a particular functional application by means of the context menu in a state where the user has not selected any content using the select indicator or the search menu, the content extractor  130  may configure execution data including only information about the selected functional application. Thereafter, the content extractor  130  may include in the execution data content that is selected or created according to a user input, for example, a select indicator, a user&#39;s direct input, or a search for data stored in the computer  100 . The content inclusion may be achieved by the content extractor  130  or the phone service application  120 . 
         [0048]    The execution data may include information about a functional application to be executed in the mobile terminal  200 , information needed for execution of the functional application, and content selected by the user. The execution data may be configured as shown in Table 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Length 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Type 
                 1 line 
                 SMS sending 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 MMS sending 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Memo writing/reading 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Call sending 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 1 line 
                 John Doe 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Number 
                 1 line 
                 010-1234-5678 
               
               
                   
                 Attached File 
                 1 line 
                 20090123134400328.jpg 
               
               
                   
                 Date 
                 1 line 
                 20090123134400 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 (13:44:00, Jan. 23, 2009) 
               
               
                   
                 URL 
                 1 line 
                 http://www.abcd.net/ 
               
               
                   
                 Tag, Keyword 
                 1 line 
                 address, memo 
               
               
                   
                 Content 
                 1 line 
                 text data 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0049]    Referring to Table 1, a Type field includes information indicating a type and a command of a functional application of a mobile terminal, which are selected by the user. A name list of a receiving user is stored in a Name field, and a receiving phone number list is stored in a Phone Number field. An Attached File field may include content selected by the user. A time at which the execution data was configured is stored in a Date field, and if content is extracted from a web browser, a relevant Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address may be stored in a URL field. Separate data input from the user is stored in a Tag, Keyword field, and content in text form, selected by the user, may be stored in a Content field. 
         [0050]    In the execution data, a field including the content selected by the user is not fixedly defined, and the selected content may be included in an appropriate field according to a type of the content. For example, the content is included in the Phone Number field if its type is a phone number, and the content is included in the Content field if its type is a general string. In addition, the content will be included in the Attached File field if its type is an image file or a music file. Accordingly, only the information necessary for a type of a functional application to be executed will be stored in a related field. 
         [0051]    Other information except for a type and a command of a functional application of a mobile terminal and an extracted content, which are stored in the Type field, may be expressed as additional information of the application. 
         [0052]    The phone service application  120  provides the user with a user interface corresponding to each functional application of the mobile terminal  200  and a user interface for a data transmission/reception function between the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200 , thereby inducing an additional input of the user if needed, or providing the user with information about the progress of a functional application being executed in interaction with the mobile terminal  200 . Therefore, the phone service application  120  may provide a user interface for an associated functional application based on information included in the execution data provided from the content extractor  130 . If an end is input by the user, the phone service application  120  may deliver the execution data with a functional application command to the device agent  110 . 
         [0053]    The device agent  110  manages a connection between computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200 , processes execution data received from the phone service application  120 , and delivers the execution data to a phone agent  210  in the mobile terminal  200  in interaction with the phone agent  210  in the mobile terminal  200 . The device agent  110  may download a phone book or phone number database stored in the mobile terminal  200 , and manage the phone book. 
         [0054]    While the computer  100  serves as an example of an electronic device in  FIG. 1 , the interactive service application  140 , the content extractor  130 , the phone service application  120  and the device agent  110  may operate in a similar manner regardless of the electronic device in which they are installed. Although a computer will be designated as an example of the electronic device in the following description, the electronic device shall not be limited to a computer. 
         [0055]    A configuration of the computer  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the interactive service application  140  in the computer  100  includes a tool bar  141  and a context menu  142 , which provide the above-described menus provided in the context menu and a menu capable of designating a type of a select indicator. 
         [0056]    The phone service application  120  may include a call sender/receiver application  121 , an SMS sender/receiver application  122 , an MMS sender/receiver application  123 , an image capture application  124 , a memo viewer application  125 , a memo writer application  126 , and an File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client  127 , which correspond to respective functional applications of the mobile terminal  200 . Although not shown in the drawings, the phone service application  120  may include various other functional applications executed in the mobile terminal  200 , including, for example, a video call application, a music file play application, and a camera application. 
         [0057]    The call sender/receiver application  121  is activated if call sending/receiving is designated as a type in a request of the interactive service application  140  or in execution data provided from the content extractor  130 . The call sender/receiver application  121  may provide a user interface that sends a call to a phone number carried on the execution data or a phone number corresponding to a name, and may deliver execution data with a call send command to the device agent  110 . 
         [0058]    The SMS sender/receiver application  122  is activated if SMS is designated as a type in a request of the interactive service application  140  or in execution data provided from the content extractor  130 . The SMS sender/receiver application  122  may display an SMS sending user interface with text included in the execution data displayed on the SMS sending user interface. The SMS sender/receiver application  122  delivers execution data including an SMS send command, an SMS body text and an SMS receiving number list to the device agent  110  in response to user input. 
         [0059]    The MMS sender/receiver application  123  is activated if MMS is designated as a type in a request of the interactive service application  140  or in execution data provided from the content extractor  130 . The MMS sender/receiver application  123  may display an MMS sending user interface with a text or an attached file included in the execution data displayed on the MMS sending user interface. The MMS sender/receiver application  123  delivers execution data including an MMS send command, MMS content and an MMS receiving number list to the device agent  110  in response to user input. 
         [0060]    The image capture application  124  is an application that is activated to capture an image on a screen of the computer  100  with a select window. Upon receiving execution data in which a captured image file is included and a memo application is designated as a type, the image capture application  124  delivers the received execution data to the memo writer application  126 . The memo writer application  126  displays a user interface on which a captured image, related URL information, time information and the like are displayed and which requires the user to enter a keyword. The memo writer application  126  delivers execution data including a memo write command, a captured image, an associated URL, time information, etc. to the device agent  110  based on user input. 
         [0061]    The memo viewer application  125  fetches files stored in the mobile terminal  200  via the FTP client  127  and displays the files. 
         [0062]    The device agent  110  may include a connection manager  112  and a phone book manager  111 . The connection manager  112  manages a connection between the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  in interaction with a connection manager  211  in the mobile terminal  200 . The phone book manager  111  downloads a phone book or phone number database stored in the mobile terminal  200 , and synchronizes phone book information stored in the computer  100  with phone book information stored in the mobile terminal  200 . 
         [0063]    Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal  200  includes the phone agent  210 , a phone application  220 , a user input unit (not shown), a display unit (not shown), a Radio Frequency (RF) unit (not shown), and a memory unit (not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user input unit may include a keypad, a touch pad, or the like, and the RF unit is responsible for transmission/reception and processing of radio signals. The memory unit stores various program data required to operate and control the mobile terminal  200 , reference data, updatable archival data, etc. and the memory unit is provided as a working memory. 
         [0064]    The phone application  220  includes various functional applications corresponding to respective functions to execute a variety of functions provided in the mobile terminal  200 , and also includes an application for exchanging data with the computer  100 . 
         [0065]    The phone agent  210  performs communication with the device agent  110  in the computer  100  in a wired or wireless manner and delivers execution data received from the device agent  110  to the phone application  220  so that a proper functional application may be executed by the phone application  220 . 
         [0066]    That is, the phone application  220  executes a functional application designated by execution data provided from the phone agent  210 , using particular content included in the execution data. For example, upon receiving execution data with a call send command designated in the execution data, the phone application  220  sends a call to a phone number included in the execution data. 
         [0067]    The phone agent  210  manages a wire/wireless connection between the mobile terminal  200  and the computer  100 . The wire connection may include a connection via a data cable, and the wireless connection may include a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the phone agent  210  manages a phone book or phone number database stored in the mobile terminal  200  and shares information about the phone book with the computer  100 . 
         [0068]    An example of the configuration of the mobile terminal  200  is shown in  FIG. 2 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the phone agent  210  may include the connection manager  211  and a phone book manager  212 . The connection manager  211  manages a connection between the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  in interaction with the connection manager  112  in the computer  100 . The phone book manager  212  manages a phone book or phone number database stored in the mobile terminal  200 , and shares information about the phone book with the computer  100 . 
         [0069]    The phone application  220  in the mobile terminal  200  may include an FTP server  221 , a call sender/receiver application  222 , an SMS sender/receiver application  223 , an MMS sender/receiver application  224 , and a memo viewer application  225 . Although not shown in the drawing, the phone application  220  may include various other functional applications executed in the mobile terminal  200 , including, for example, a video call application, a music file play application, and a camera application. 
         [0070]    Each of the applications performs a proper operation according to a functional application designated by execution data received from the phone agent  210 . 
         [0071]    For example, the call sender/receiver application  222  sends a call to a phone number provided from the phone agent  210 . The SMS sender/receiver application  223  sends text provided from the phone agent  210  and an SMS message to each phone number in an SMS receiving number list, and displays a user interface for monitoring the operations. The MMS sender/receiver application  224  sends text or an attached file provided from the phone agent  210  to each phone number in an MMS receiving number list, and displays a user interface for monitoring the operations. The memo viewer application  225  displays on a user interface memos provided from the phone agent  210 , including, for example, a captured image, an associated URL, time information, and a keyword. A user may scan or search previously received memos with a search button on the user interface. 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a description will be made of operations of the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention in the state where the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  are connected in a wired or wireless manner. 
         [0073]    If an interactive service mode is set in the computer  100  as a user runs the interactive service application  140 , the interactive service application  140  in the computer  100  provides a select indicator. The user may select desired content among the data displayed on the computer  100  using the select indicator. For example, in a state where a web page is displayed as a web browser is executed, the user may select a particular number string by dragging a number string in the web page using a mouse pointer in step  11 . Then the content extractor  130  automatically extracts the content selected by the user, i.e., the number string, and identifies its type in step  13 . Depending on the type of the content, the content extractor  130  provides a functional application item of the mobile terminal  200  capable of using the content in step  15 . If the content is a number string as in the above example, menu items including call sending, SMS sending and MMS sending may be provided. The user selects an application corresponding to any one of these menu items in step  17 . In response, the content extractor  130  configures execution data that corresponds to selected function and command and includes the extracted content in interaction with the phone service application  120 , and delivers the execution data to the mobile terminal  200  via the device agent  110  in step  19 . 
         [0074]    Then the mobile terminal  200  receives the execution data via the phone agent  210  in an interactive service mode in step  31 . The phone agent  210  identifies a functional application and a command of the mobile terminal  200 , which correspond to the execution data, and delivers the functional application and command to the phone application  220  in step  33 . The phone application  220  executes the functional application and command using the content included in the execution data in step  35 . 
         [0075]    For example, upon receiving execution data in which Call Sending is designated and which includes a phone number, the mobile terminal  200  performs a call to the phone number. 
         [0076]    While it has been described in the above example that the user first selects content and then selects its associated functional application, the user may first select a functional application and then select content. In this case, if the user selects a particular functional application by means of the tool bar  141  or the context menu  142 , the content extractor  130  configures execution data including information about the particular functional application and delivers the execution data to the phone service application  120 . In response, the phone service application  120  provides a user interface for the functional application. Thereafter, content selected or input by the user shall be included in the execution data. 
         [0077]    A phone event, such as call receiving, message receiving and alarming, may occur in the mobile terminal  200 . Operations of the mobile terminal  200  and the computer  100  in this case are shown in  FIG. 5 . The phone event is an event that occurs in the mobile terminal  200  with respect to an operation of a functional application provided in the mobile terminal  200 . The phone event includes both an event occurring based on the data received externally, such as call receiving and message receiving, and an event occurring based on an internal operation, such as an alarm, power shortage alert and/or schedule alert. 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , if a phone event occurs in the mobile terminal  200  in step  71 , the phone application  220  detects and delivers the phone event to the phone agent  210 , and the phone agent  210  delivers the phone event to the device agent  110  in step  73 . The device agent  110  delivers the phone event received from the phone agent  210  to the phone service application  120 , and the phone service application  120  displays the phone event by activating a functional application associated with the received phone event in step  75 . Accordingly, the user may check the phone event and then input a response thereto to the computer  100  through a user input device of the computer  100 . Upon detecting the response in step  77 , the phone service application  120  in the computer  100  delivers the response to the mobile terminal  200  and executes a functional application corresponding to the phone event in interaction with the mobile terminal  200  in step  79 . 
         [0079]    For example, in the case of a call receiving event, if the user responds with the computer  100 , the computer  100  sends a call receive response to the mobile terminal  200 , so that a call channel is connected in the mobile terminal  200 . The mobile terminal  200  delivers a voice signal received over the call channel to the computer  100  so that the voice signal may be output through a speaker of the computer  100 . The computer  100  may deliver a voice signal received through a microphone to the mobile terminal  200  so that the voice signal may be delivered to the other party through the mobile terminal  200 . In other words, the user may respond to a call received at the mobile terminal  200  and talk to the caller, using the computer  100 . 
         [0080]    While overall operations of the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  have been described so far, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 21 . 
         [0081]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the state where the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200  are connected in a wired or wireless manner, if an interactive service mode is set as the interactive service application  140  is executed, the device agent  110  sends a request for phone book data to the phone agent  210 , and in response, the phone agent  210  delivers a phone book and a call history to the device agent  110 , so that phone book synchronization may be achieved between the computer  100  and the mobile terminal  200 , in steps  301  and  303 . A detailed operation regarding this is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  sends a Hello command to the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  to request connection check in step  401 . Upon receiving the Hello command, the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  sends a Hello ACKnowledgement (ACK) to the device agent  210  in step  403 . Thereafter, the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  sends a request for a phone book to the phone agent  210  in step  405 . The phone book manager  212  in the phone agent  210  delivers all address book information or phone book information in the mobile terminal  200  to the device agent  110  via the connection manager  211 , and the device agent  110  stores the received phone book information in the phone book manager  111  in step  407 . The phone book manager  212  in the phone agent  210  delivers the last call log and the frequent call log in the mobile terminal  200  to the device agent  110  via the connection manager  211 , and the device agent  110  stores the received phone book information in the phone book manager  111  in steps  409  and  411 . Once all the data is stored, the device agent  110  sends an ACK to the phone agent  210 . 
         [0083]    In the above process, a data format of phone book information transmitted and received by the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  may be configured as shown in Table 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Last Name 
                 Park 
               
               
                   
                 First Name 
                 Seri 
               
               
                   
                 Group 
                 Samsung Electronics 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Number 
                 010-234-5678 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0084]    A process of terminating the connection between the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  is shown in  FIG. 8 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  sends a Stop command to the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  to request connection termination in step  451 . In response thereto, the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  sends a Stop ACK to the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  in step  453 , thereby terminating the connection. 
         [0085]    Turning back to  FIG. 6 , after the phone book synchronization is completed, a user  230  may select a web content such as text, an image and a hyperlink on the content or web page displayed on a computer screen  240  in steps  305  and  307 . The content extractor  130  extracts the selected content such as a name, a phone number, a simple string, a URL and an image in step  309 , and delivers data to each functional application according to user preferences in step  311 . Accordingly, the phone service application  120  generates an additional input according to user preferences or requests a phone book, if necessary, to thereby receive a phone number list and select a recipient, in interaction with the device agent  110  in step  315 . After configuring execution data including functional application information and recipient information through this process, the service application  120  delivers the execution data to the phone agent  210  via the device agent  110  in steps  319  and  321 . The phone agent  210  identifies a functional application included in the received execution data, invokes the functional application, and delivers the content included in the execution data to the phone application  220  to execute SMS sending, MMS sending, memo storing, call sending, etc. in steps  323  and  325 . Thereafter, the phone application  220  generates an ACK and sends it up to the phone service application  120  via the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  in step  327 . The results can be displayed on a User Interface (UI) in step  329 . 
         [0086]    While it has been described that the above process extracts content in the computer  100  and delivers the content to the mobile terminal  200  along with an application command to be executed, the process of delivering a command associated with execution of a functional application from the computer  100  to the mobile terminal  200  may be simplified as shown in  FIG. 9 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , the phone service application  120  configures execution data including a command for a functional application to be executed and content, in interaction with the content extractor  130 , and delivers the execution data to the phone agent  210  via the device agent  110  in steps  501  and  503 . The phone agent  210  sends the content along with the command to the phone application  220  based on the received execution data in step  505 . The phone application  220  executes or processes the provided command and content in step  507 , and sends an ACK indicating the completed execution of the command up to the phone service application  120  via the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  in step  509 . The execution of the command and content may include, for example, call sending, message sending, memo storing, and/or address book adding. 
         [0087]      FIGS. 10 and 17  are diagrams showing a process of automatically sending a call request to the mobile terminal  200  when a string is selected in a web page according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0088]    As shown in  FIG. 17 , in a state where a web page is displayed on the computer  100 , if a user input occurs that holds a cursor or a mouse pointer on a string for a predetermined time, the content extractor  130  extracts the string “060-524-3849” selected by the user. The content extractor  130  determines that the extracted string is a phone number if the extracted string consists of numbers and special characters used for expressing a phone number. For example, since “060-524-3849” consists of numbers and the special characters “-”, it may be determined to be a phone number. A type of the special characters indicating a phone number is predefined. If the extracted string is determined as a phone number, the content extractor  130  extracts only the number string from the extracted string after removing the special characters. As shown in Table 3, the content extractor  130  configures execution data that includes the extracted phone number as a recipient number. A type of the execution data is automatically designated as Call Sending. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Length 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Type 
                 1 line 
                 Call Sending 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Number 
                 1 line 
                 0605243849 
               
               
                   
                 Attached File 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Date 
                 1 line 
                 20090123134400 
               
               
                   
                 URL 
                 1 line 
                 http://map.google.com/ 
               
               
                   
                 Tag, Keyword 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Content 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0089]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the content extractor  130  delivers the execution data configured as shown in Table 3 to the call sender/receiver application  121  in step  551 . Upon receiving the execution data, the call sender/receiver application  121  displays a call sending (or phone call) user interface  801  indicating ‘call connecting’ as shown in  FIG. 17 , and delivers the execution data to the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  to request call sending in step  553 . The device agent  110  delivers the execution data to the phone agent  210  to request call sending in step  555 . Upon receiving the execution data shown in Table 3, the phone agent  210  delivers the execution data to the call sender/receiver application  222  to request call sending in step  557 . In response, the call sender/receiver application  222  sends a call to the phone number included in the execution data, and sends a Call ACK indicating the execution of a call send command to the call sender/receiver application  121  via the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  in step  559 . A call channel is formed if there is a response from a recipient after the call is sent, and a voice signal to be transmitted over the call channel is delivered to the computer  100 . Therefore, the user may perform a call on the computer  100 . 
         [0090]    With reference to  FIGS. 11 and 18 , a description will be made of an embodiment in which the string selected by the user is not a phone number but a name. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 18 , if a mouse pointer is located on a name “Alice”  811  by the user, the content extractor  130  extracts a string corresponding to the name “Alice”  811 , configures execution data with the extracted string as shown in Table 4, and delivers the execution data to the call sender/receiver application  121  in step  601 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Length 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Type 
                 1 line 
                 Call Sending 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 1 line 
                 Alice 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Number 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Attached File 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Date 
                 1 line 
                 20090123134400 
               
               
                   
                 URL 
                 1 line 
                 http://map.google.com/ 
               
               
                   
                 Tag, Keyword 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Content 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0092]    Since Call Sending is designated and only the name is included in the execution data, the call sender/receiver application  121  requests the phone book manager  111  in the device agent  110  to search for a phone number using a name in step  603 . The phone book manager  111  searches for a phone number using the provided name, and delivers a number list to the call sender/receiver application  121  in step  605 . If there is no matching name in the phone book, the phone book manager  111  sends a search failure message. The call sender/receiver application  121  displays the number list, so that the user may select a number or determine whether a correct number has been located. If Select or OK is input by the user in step  607 , the call sender/receiver application  121  adds the selected phone number to the execution data shown in Table 4 and delivers the execution data to the device agent  110  to send a call request in step  609 . At this time, the call sender/receiver application  121  displays a call sending user interface  813  that indicates call sending to the phone number as shown in  FIG. 18 . The device agent  110  delivers the received execution data to the phone agent  210  to request call sending in step  611 , and the phone agent  210  delivers the received execution data to the call sender/receiver application  222  to request call sending in step  613 . In response, the call sender/receiver application  222  sends a call to the phone number included in the execution data, and sends a Call ACK indicating the execution of a call send command to the call sender/receiver application  121  via the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  in step  615 . A call channel is formed if there is a response from a recipient after the call is sent, and a voice signal to be transmitted over the call channel is delivered to the computer  100 . Therefore, the user may perform a call on the computer  100 . 
         [0093]    Next, a process of sending an SMS message will be described with reference to  FIGS. 12 and 19A to 19C . While it has been described in the above embodiment that a functional application associated with the content selected by the user is automatically provided, execution data may be configured after the user selects content and a functional application to use. As shown in  FIG. 19A , in the state where a web page is displayed, if the user selects a string by dragging a mouse and selects an SMS sending context menu located in a tool bar  823 , the content extractor  130  extracts the text selected by the user, configures execution data with the extracted text as shown in Table 5, and delivers the execution data to the SMS sender/receiver application  122  in step  651 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Item 
                 Length 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Type 
                 1 line 
                 SMS Sending 
               
               
                 Name 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 Phone Number 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 Attached File 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 Date 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 URL 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 Tag, Keyword 
                 1 line 
               
               
                 Content 
                 1 line 
                 Alice 
               
               
                   
                   
                 +34-60-524-3849 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Welcome to Phone PC Convergence Solution! 
               
               
                   
                   
                 PPC creates a new mobile experience. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0094]    Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 19B , the SMS sender/receiver application  122  displays an SMS sending user interface  825  on which the selected text or content is displayed as the contents of an SMS message and by which the user may input a recipient phone number and additional data. The user, as shown in  FIG. 19B , may directly input a recipient phone number to the displayed SMS sending user interface  825 , or may search for a desired phone number in phone book data stored in the phone book manager  111 . Regarding the search in the phone book data, the user may search for a phone number by inputting a name or a number into a data input area of “Phone Book” in the SMS sending user interface  825  of  FIG. 19B , may select the entire address book by selecting “All”, may select frequently called phone numbers by selecting “Frequent”, may select last called phone numbers by selecting “Recent”, or may select phone numbers in a particular group by selecting “Group”. 
         [0095]    If there is a phone book search request from the user, the SMS sender/receiver application  122  requests the phone book manager  111  in the device agent  110  to search for a number in step  653 . The phone book manager  111  searches for phone numbers based on a received search option, and delivers the searched phone numbers to the SMS sender/receiver application  122  in step  655 . The SMS sender/receiver application  122  displays the received phone numbers on the SMS sending user interface  825 , adds the phone number last selected by the user among the phone numbers to the execution data of Table 5, and delivers the execution data to the device agent  110  to request SMS sending in step  657 . The device agent  110  delivers the received execution data to the phone agent  210  to request SMS sending in step  659 , and the phone agent  210  delivers the received execution data to the SMS sender/receiver application  223  to request SMS sending in step  661 . In response, the SMS sender/receiver application  223  sends an SMS message that includes text content included in the execution data, as a phone number included in the execution data. At this time, a screen of  FIG. 19C  may be displayed on the mobile terminal  200 . Thereafter, the SMS sender/receiver application  223  sends an SMS ACK indicating the execution of an SMS send command to the SMS sender/receiver application  122  via the phone agent  210  and the device agent  110  in step  663 . 
         [0096]    A process of sending an MMS message using a text content is similar to the process of an SMS message except that execution data is designated as MMS sending. 
         [0097]    As another example, a process of sending an image captured by the computer  100  to the mobile terminal  200  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 20A to 20C . 
         [0098]    In the state where a web page is displayed as shown in  FIG. 20A , if the user selects a memo write menu using a context menu or a tool bar, the content extractor  130  extracts a URL of the web page and a time, configures execution data with the extracted data as shown in Table 6, and delivers the execution data to the image capture application  124  in step  901 . 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Item 
                 Length 
                 Content 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Type 
                 1 line 
                 Memo Writing 
               
               
                   
                 Name 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Phone Number 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Attached File 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Date 
                 1 line 
                 20090123134400 
               
               
                   
                 URL 
                 1 line 
                 http://map.google.com/ 
               
               
                   
                 Tag, Keyword 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                 Content 
                 1 line 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0099]    The image capture application  124  provides a select window  831  on the web page as a select indicator as shown in  FIG. 20A . The user selects an image area to be captured, using the select window  831 . A size of the select window  831  is adjustable according to user preferences. If the user inputs OK, the image capture application  124  captures a screen area designated by the user, stores it as an image file, adds the image file to execution data shown in Table 6, and delivers the execution data to the memo writer application  126  in step  903 . 
         [0100]    The memo writer application  126  configures a memo writing user interface  833  according to the received execution data as shown in  FIG. 20B , and displays the memo writing user interface  833 . The user inputs additional data on the memo writing user interface  833  when necessary in step  905 . The memo writer application  126  adds the additional data to the execution data, and if the user selects a sending event on the memo writing user interface  833 , the memo writer application  126  delivers the execution data to the device agent  110 , thereby delivering memo information in step  907 . The device agent  110  sends the phone agent  210  a control message indicating a plan to send memo write-related data thereby to request memo writing in step  909 . The phone agent  210  sends a Memo ACK indicating a ready to receive memo information to the device agent  110  in step  911 . The device agent  110  delivers the execution data to the phone agent  210  to transmit memo information in step  913 . 
         [0101]    The phone agent  210  delivers the stored memo data to the memo viewer application  225  in step  915 , and the memo viewer application  225  displays the memo or an image file on the screen of the mobile terminal  200 , which is shown in  FIG. 20C . If the memo information transmission is completed, the phone agent  210  sends an ACK indicating the transmission completion to the device agent  110  in step  917 . 
         [0102]    While it has been described in the above example that the captured image file is stored in the mobile terminal  200  by memo writing, it is also possible to request to transmit the captured image file through an MMS message. 
         [0103]    As another example, a process of delivering a command from the mobile terminal  200  to the computer  100  will be described with reference to  FIG. 14 . 
         [0104]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , the phone application  220  delivers information or a command which has been input by means of a phone application, to the phone agent  210  in step  951 . The phone agent  210  delivers the information to the device agent  110  in step  953 . The device agent  110  sends a command to an appropriate phone service application  120  or a computer application according to the nature of the information or command in step  955 . An example of the command may include memo display, presentation control, document output, etc. The phone service application  120  processes the information according to the command in step  957 , and delivers the results to the mobile terminal  200  using an ACK in step  959 . 
         [0105]    As further another example, a process of displaying memo information stored in the mobile terminal  200  on the computer  100  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 15 and 16 .  FIG. 15  shows a process in which the FTP client  127  in the computer  100  and the FTP server  221  in the mobile terminal  200  directly exchange memo information according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16  shows a process of exchanging memo information through the device agent  110  and the phone agent  210 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , if a user event occurs, the content extractor  130  executes the memo viewer application  125  in step  701 . The memo viewer application  125  executes the FTP client  127  in step  703 . Then the FTP client  127  sends a request for a memo file to the FTP server  221  in the mobile terminal  200  in step  705 . In response, the FTP server  221  delivers a memo file to the FTP client  127  in step  707 , and the FTP client  127  provides a File Acquire ACK to the memo viewer application  125  in step  709 . Then the memo viewer application  125  displays the memo in step  711 . 
         [0107]    The procedure of  FIG. 16  is similar to that of  FIG. 15  except that the FTP client  127  sends a request for a memo file to the FTP server  221  in the mobile terminal  200  through the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  and the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  in steps  755  and  757 , and then the FTP server  221  delivers a memo file to the FTP client  127  via the connection manager  211  in the phone agent  210  and the connection manager  112  in the device agent  110  in step  761 .  FIG. 21  shows a state where any one of several memos are selected and displayed in the computer  100 . 
         [0108]    As is apparent from the foregoing description, according to embodiments of the present invention, a user may operate functions of a mobile terminal without directly manipulating the mobile terminal. The user may easily use, in the mobile terminal, the data displayed on a screen of or stored in a separate electronic device like a computer that is connected to the mobile terminal in a wired or wireless manner. In addition, in a state where the electronic device and the mobile terminal are connected, the user may execute an operation associated with a function of the mobile terminal in the electronic device by manipulating only the mobile terminal, so that an event that has occurred in the mobile terminal may be executed in the electronic device. 
         [0109]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.