Abstract:
A telecommunication system comprising a mobile telecommunication network and a mobile communication apparatus arranged to communicate with said mobile telecommunication network is disclosed. The mobile communication apparatus comprises a controller, and is associated with a first and a second display, wherein said controller is arranged to control said first display to view a first set of information and said second display to view a second set of information. A method for providing messages in the telecommunication system is also disclosed. The method comprises sending a message from said mobile telecommunication network to said mobile communication apparatus; receiving said message by said mobile communication apparatus; determining if one of said first and second displays is currently actively used; assigning said message information to the one of said first or second display not currently actively used to avoid interruption of an active session; and viewing said message information on said assigned display. A method for controlling the mobile communication apparatus, comprising viewing on said first display a first set of information, and viewing on said second display a second set of information, is also disclosed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an improved mobile communication apparatus, a method for the apparatus, a mobile communication system, and a method for the system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many models of mobile communication apparatuses of today are provided with two displays. It is common that a main display is used when actively using the apparatus, e.g. for browsing, and-a secondary display is used to show information during stand-by. As the mobile communication apparatus becomes a more important tool for its user, there is a need for improvements.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In view of the above, an objective of the invention is to solve or at least reduce the problems discussed above. In particular, an objective is to improve the use of multiple displays associated with a mobile communication apparatus.  
         [0004]     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile communication apparatus comprising a controller, and being associated with a first display and a second display, wherein said controller is arranged to control said first display to view a first set of information and said second display to view a second set of information.  
         [0005]     An advantage of this is an improved user interface with improved information presentation, which is particularly important on portable devices, where physical dimensions are crucial, and thus display areas are limited.  
         [0006]     The first and second displays may be arranged in said mobile communication apparatus. One of said first and second displays may be arranged in an external device, said device being a watch, a headset, a handsfree device, or a video system.  
         [0007]     The first information may comprise image information and said second information may comprise text information. The first information may relate to a first view associated with an application and said second information may relate to a second view associated with said application. The first information may be associated with a first application and said second information may be associated with a second application. The first information may relate to a first part of a view associated with an application and the second information may relate to a second part of said view associated with said application. The first and second information may be distributed according to a user defined assignment. The first information may relate to an application executed on said apparatus on request of a user, and said second information may relate to an advertising message provided from a telecommunication network in which said apparatus is arranged to work.  
         [0008]     Advantages of these features are provision of versatility, which implies that information is viewed in a proper way in all situations.  
         [0009]     The mobile communication apparatus may be arranged to assign incoming message information to one of said first or second display not currently actively used to avoid interruption of an active session.  
         [0010]     An advantage of this is that current sessions are still viewed while an incoming information related to a message can be viewed.  
         [0011]     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling a mobile communication apparatus being associated with a first display and a second display, comprising viewing on said first display a first set of information, and viewing on said second display a second set of information.  
         [0012]     The first information may comprise image information and said second information may comprise text information.  
         [0013]     The method may further comprise executing an application, wherein said first information relates to a first view associated with said application and said second information relates to a second view associated with said application.  
         [0014]     The method may further comprise executing a first application; and executing a second application, wherein said first information is associated with said first application and said second information is associated with said second application.  
         [0015]     The method may further comprise executing an, application, wherein said first information relates to a first part of a view associated with said application and said second information relates to a second part of said view associated with said application.  
         [0016]     The method may further comprise inputting an information distribution; and assigning said first and second information according to said information distribution.  
         [0017]     The method may further comprise inputting a request for an application to be executed; executing an application according to said request; receiving an advertising message; assigning viewing of said first information to said application; and assigning viewing of said second information to said advertising message.  
         [0018]     The method may further comprise receiving a message comprising message information; determining if one of said first and second displays is currently actively used; and assigning said message information to the one of said first or second display not currently actively used to avoid interruption of an active session.  
         [0019]     According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunication system comprising a mobile telecommunication network and a mobile communication apparatus arranged to communicate with said mobile telecommunication network, wherein said mobile communication apparatus comprises a controller, and is associated with a first display and a second display, wherein said controller is arranged to control said first display to view a first set of -information and said second display to view a second set of information.  
         [0020]     The first and second displays may be arranged in said mobile communication apparatus. One of said first and second displays may be arranged in an external device, said device being a watch, a headset, a handsfree device, or a video system.  
         [0021]     The telecommunication network may comprise means for sending messages to said mobile communication apparatus, the mobile communication apparatus may be arranged to receive said message, the first information may relate to an application executed on said mobile communication apparatus on request of a user, and the second information may relate to said message provided from said telecommunication network.  
         [0022]     The mobile communication apparatus may, be arranged to assign incoming message information to one of said first or second display not currently actively used to avoid interruption of an active session.  
         [0023]     The message may be an advertising message.  
         [0024]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for providing messages in a telecommunication system comprising a mobile telecommunication network and a mobile communication apparatus arranged to communicate with said mobile telecommunication network and being associated with a first display and a second display. The method comprises sending a message from said mobile telecommunication networ to said mobile communication apparatus; receiving said message by said mobile communication apparatus; determining if one of said first and second displays is currently actively used; assigning said message information to the one of said first or second display not currently actively used to avoid interruption of an active session; and viewing said message information on said assigned display.  
         [0025]     The message may be an advertising message.  
         [0026]     The advantages of the features of the second, third, and fourth aspects of the present invention are similar to those of the first aspect of the present invention.  
         [0027]     Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one in-stance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.  
         [0028]     Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]     The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals will be used for similar elements, wherein:  
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a mobile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0031]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are different views of a mobile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   d  show a mobile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  shows a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a part of a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a part of a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, and  FIG. 7   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrates an example where different views of an application are viewed on the displays;  
         [0038]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  illustrates an example where different views of an application are viewed on the displays;  
         [0039]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  illustrates an example where different applications are viewed on the displays;  
         [0040]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrates an example where different parts of a view of an application are viewed on the displays;  
         [0041]      FIG. 12  shows a system architecture for managing a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0047]      FIG. 18  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0048]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a mobile communication apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile communication apparatus  100  can comprise a processor  102  for controlling operation of the mobile communication apparatus  100 , a transceiver  104  connected to an antenna  106  for wireless communication, a memory  108  for storing data and programs to be used by the processor  102 , a keypad  110  and/or a rotating dial  112  for user input, a microphone  114  and a speaker  116  for audio input and output, a buzzer  118  and/or a vibrator (not shown) for providing alerts such as ring signals, a first display  120  and a second display  122  for providing visual output, and miscellaneous electronics  124 , such as camera, communication ports, e.g. IrDA, USB, etc, GPS receiver, and/or sensor means for temperature, compass direction, light, etc. Operation of the first and second displays  120 ,  122  will be further described below.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are different views of a mobile communication apparatus  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile communication apparatus comprises a first display  202  and a second display  204 . The mobile communication apparatus  200  can have a so called clamshell structure with a first body  206  holding e.g. the first and second displays  202 ,  204 , and a speaker  208 . The first body  206  is hingedly connected to a second body  210  holding e.g. a keypad  212 , a rotating dial  214 , and a microphone  216 .  
         [0050]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   d  show a mobile communication apparatus  300 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication apparatus comprising a first body  302  and a second body  304 . The first body  302  comprises a first display  306  and the second body  304  comprises a second display  308 , and the bodies  302 ,  304  are arranged such that they can be, folded or turned in different configurations.  FIG. 3   a  shows a state where the second display  308  can be used and viewed by a user simultaneously with the first display  306 .  FIG. 3   b  shows a state where the second body  304  is folded or turned in to a state where only the first display can be used and viewed by a user, e.g. for stand-by mode or services that do not require a secondary display.  FIG. 3   c  shows a state where the second body  304  is folded or turned further than shown in  FIG. 3   a , preferably to end in a state shown in  FIG. 3   d , where the second display  308  can be used and viewed by a user simultaneously with the first display  306 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 4  shows a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention where a first display  406  is arranged on a main body  402  of a mobile communication apparatus  400 , and a second display  408  is arranged on a remote body  404 , e.g. in the form of a wristwatch, of the mobile communication apparatus. Connection between remote and main bodies  402 ,  404  can be wired or wireless.  
         [0052]      FIG. 5  shows a part of a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, where a remote body  504  of a mobile communication apparatus forms a part of a headset  510 . The remote body  504  comprises a secondary display  508 . Connection between remote and main bodies can be wired or wireless.  
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows a part of a mobile communication apparatus configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention where a secondary display  608  of a mobile communication apparatus can be comprised of a television set  610 . The secondary display  608  can also be a monitor, an LCD screen, an LCD projector, or any other remote video rendering system. The secondary display  608  can be connected to a main body (not shown) of the mobile communication apparatus via an interface  612 . Connection can be wired or wireless.  
         [0054]     The display configurations according to the above demonstrated embodiments enable an improved assignment of viewed information on the displays. Viewing can be optimized by using one display for rendering text information, and the other display for rendering images. Further, viewing can be optimized by using one display for a first application and the other display for a second application. The displays can be used for displaying different views related to an application. A single view can also be divided between the displays. The assignment of displays for applications, views, or parts of views can be user defined, application defined, or defined e.g. by an operating system of the mobile communication apparatus. FIGS.  7  to  11  will illustrate examples of assigning information to be viewed on the displays.  
         [0055]      FIG. 7   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, where an SMS application is run.  FIG. 7   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, where an advertising message is viewed. For example, by simultaneously viewing advertising messages in one display, a low price messaging service can be provided in the other display of course, other services are equally possible.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  illustrate an example where different views of an application, here illustrated by a GPS application, are viewed on the displays.  FIG. 8   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, where an image of a map is viewed.  FIG. 8   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, where text based information related to the map is viewed. Menu information can also be viewed in the second display to enable a display area as large as possible in the first display to be used for the image.  
         [0057]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  also illustrate an example where different views of an application, here illustrated by a calendar application, are viewed on the displays.  FIG. 9   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, where a calendar overview for e.g. a week is viewed.  FIG. 9   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, where information related to a single item, e.g. a meeting summon, in the calendar is viewed.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  illustrate an example where different applications, here illustrated by a calendar application and a messaging service, are viewed on the displays.  FIG. 10   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, where a calendar overview for e.g. a week is viewed.  FIG. 10   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, where a message editor is viewed. Thus, the user is able to check her calendar on the other display while writing a message.  
         [0059]      FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate an example where different parts of a view of an application, here illustrated by a gaming application, are viewed on the displays.  FIG. 11   a  is a view of a first display of a mobile communication apparatus, where an item in the game controlled by the user is viewed.  FIG. 11   b  is a view of a second display of the mobile communication apparatus, where e.g. a counterpart item in the game is viewed.  
         [0060]     A system architecture for managing a system  1200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 12 . A Home Location Register (HLR)  1202  contains a database (not shown) including relevant subscriber information for provision of telecommunication service. A CCITT specified network  1204  interconnects the individual parts of the system  1200 . An advertising gateway  1206  is a switching unit routing an advertising message to a mobile communication apparatus  1208 - 1212 . An Advertising Service Center  1214  (ASC) and the advertising gateway  1206  handles and routes the advertising messages between the ASC  1214  and the network  1204 . From the network  1204 , the advertising messages are routed to the mobile communication apparatuses  1208 - 1212  via a Mobile Switching Center (MSC)  1216  to a Base Station Controller (BSC)  1217  and a Base Transceiver Station (BTS)  1220 ,  1221 , or a Radio Network Controller (RNC)  1218  and a Node. B  1222 . Alternatively, the advertising messages are routed to the mobile communication apparatuses  1208 - 1212  via a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)  1226 ,  1228  to the BSC  1217  and the BTS  1220 ,  1221 , or the RNC  1218  and the Node B  1222 , respectively. The BTS  1220 ,  1221  or the Node B  1222  establish the air connection to the mobile communication apparatuses  1208 - 1212 .  
         [0061]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network operator or other third party company handling an advertising server  1224  could offer an advertising function. For example a network operator may have an advertising server  1224  supporting a feature where the advertiser may provide advertisements and the users may send an advertisement admission from their mobile communication apparatuses  1208 - 1212  to the advertising server  1224 , and in exchange for the admission be provided low cost services. This advertising server  1224  automatically may place people sending a similar admission to the advertising server  1224  into “advertising groups” or “advertising rooms”.  
         [0062]      FIG. 13  is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an assignment step  1300 , information to be viewed in each of the displays are assigned. This can be done by a user, by an application, or by an operating system of the mobile communication apparatus. In a first viewing step  1302 , a first assigned set of information is viewed on a first display, and in a second viewing step  1304 , a second assigned set of information is viewed on a second display of the mobile communication apparatus.  
         [0063]      FIG. 14  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a first execution step  1400 , a first application is executed, and in a second execution step  1402 , a second application is executed. In a first assignment step  1404 , information to be viewed related to the first application is assigned to a first display, and in a second assignment step  1406 , information to be viewed related to the second application is assigned to a second display.  
         [0064]      FIG. 15  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an execution step  1500 , an application is executed. In a first assignment step  1502 , information to be viewed related to a first part of a view related to the application is assigned to a first display, and in a second assignment step  1504 , information to be viewed related to a second part of a view related to the application is assigned to a second display.  
         [0065]      FIG. 16  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an execution step  1600 , an application is executed. In an advertisement reception step  1602 , an advertising message is received. In a first assignment step  1604 , information to be viewed related to the application is assigned to a first display, and in a second assignment step  1606 , advertising information to be viewed related to the received advertising message is assigned to a second display.  
         [0066]      FIG. 17  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. In an execution step  1700 , an application is executed. In a first assignment step  1702 , information to be viewed related to the application is assigned to a display, and said assigned information is viewed, in a first viewing step  1704 , on said assigned display. In an advertisement reception step  1706 , an advertising message is received. In a determination step  1708 , it is determined if any display is not currently actively used, i.e. not the display viewing information related to the application, and in a second assignment step  1710 , advertising information to be viewed related to the received advertising message is assigned to a display determined not to be actively used.  
         [0067]      FIG. 18  is a flow chart illustrating how information to be viewed is assigned to displays according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a distribution input step  1800 , a desired distribution of information on displays is input. The input can be made by a user, by an application, or by an operating system. In an information assignment step  1802 , information to be viewed is assigned according to the desired distribution of information on the displays.  
         [0068]     The above described steps can be performed in other orders than mentioned above, or in parallel. The terms “first”, “second”, etc. above are only used to discriminate different elements, and do not indicate any timing or priority.  
         [0069]     The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.