Patent Publication Number: US-2005143139-A1

Title: Method for controlling mobile phone to output audio signals and alert sounds through external audio player

Description:
PRIORITY  
      This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to an application entitled “Method for Controlling Mobile Phone to Output Audio Signals and Alert Sounds through External Audio Player” filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 31, 2003 and assigned Serial No. 2003-101756, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a mobile phone. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a mobile phone equipped with an frequency modulation (FM) receiver to output audio signals and various alert sounds through an external audio player.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Conventional mobile phones enable users to make or receive a telephone call through a speaker and a microphone mounted therein. Since it is considered dangerous to make or receive a call while driving, an ear-microphone connected to a jack of a mobile phone or a hands-free car kit is generally used.  
      Recently, with the development of mobile phones having multimedia functions, users can download music files to their own mobile phones. The users can talk and listen to MP3 digital music through mobile phones that have an MP3 player function.  
      Also, drivers can obtain mapping or direction information through navigation services available on the wireless Internet. Such information is output to a display window and a speaker of a mobile phone.  
      There exists a limitation in listening to MP3 music, however, when using a conventional mobile phone because the user has to connect an earphone to a speaker or a plug of the mobile phone. In addition, while driving, the user has to connect the earphone to the plug to listen to MP3 music stored in the mobile phone.  
      When using navigation services, the user can receive voice instructions or information only through the mobile phone&#39;s speaker having a low output volume. Although the above problems can be solved by the use of a hands-free kit, it incurs an additional expense and causes trouble to purchase and affix the hands-free kit to a vehicle. In addition, while driving, the user may fail to hear an alert sound output through the speaker of the mobile phone to notify the user of an event (such as an incoming call or a message).  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned and other problems occurring in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a mobile phone to output audio signals such as voice and music through an external audio player.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a mobile phone to output audio signals and alert or ring sounds for incoming calls through a speaker of an external audio player such as a car audio player that can be used as a hands-free kit.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a mobile phone to output various alert sounds and audio signals generated during navigation services through a speaker of an external audio player such as a car audio player.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a mobile phone to output event alert sounds through a speaker of a car audio player, thereby enabling a user to hear the sounds while driving.  
      In order to accomplish the above objects of the present invention, there is provided a method according to an embodiment of the present invention of controlling a mobile phone capable of processing incoming call signals, alert sounds and speech signals from a caller, which comprises setting modes to be implemented in an audio signal sending mode for outputting audio signals and alert sounds to an external audio player equipped with a radio, modulating an audio signal or an alert sound generated during a mode implemented in the audio signal sending mode to a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency and sending the modulated signal or sound to the radio in the external audio player and outputting an audio signal or an alert sound generated during a mode that is not implemented in the audio signal sending mode through a speaker of the mobile phone.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling a mobile phone capable of processing incoming call signals, alert sounds and speech signals from a caller, which comprises setting an MP3 mode, an incoming call informing mode, a navigation mode and a hands-free mode that are to be implemented in an audio signal sending mode for outputting audio signals and alert sounds to an external audio player equipped with a radio, modulating, while in the MP3 mode, an audio signal in a reproduced MP3 file to a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency and sending the modulated signal to the radio in the external audio player and in the incoming call information mode, modulating a ring or alert sound generated according to an incoming call signal to a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency and sending the modulated sound to the radio in the external audio player. The method for controlling a mobile phone capable of processing incoming call signals, alert sounds and speech signals from a caller further comprises, modulating, while in the navigation mode, an audio signal in voice information received through navigation services to a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency and sending the modulated signal to the radio in the external audio player, and modulating, while in the hands-free mode, a speech signal from a caller or a recipient to a wireless signal having a predetermined frequency and sending the modulated signal to the radio in the external audio player. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a view showing the structure of a mobile phone capable of outputting audio signals and alert sounds through an external audio player according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a view showing a mobile phone having a switch between the D/A converter and FM transmitter in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a process of setting a mode for operating a mobile terminal in an audio signal sending mode according to an embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are flow charts showing a process of controlling a mobile phone to output audio signals and alert sounds through an external audio player according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
      Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted for purposes of conciseness.  
      An audio signal sending mode refers to a mode of outputting audio signals and alert sounds generated from a mobile phone through a particular FM frequency of an external audio player with an embedded radio. In this mode of outputting audio signals and ringing sounds, an MP3 mode, an incoming call informing mode, a hands-free mode and a navigation mode can be implemented. Also, the external audio player refers to an audio player with an embedded FM radio. Such a setup, for example, can exist in an automobile. The car has the external audio player in the form of the cassette/CD/AM/FM tuner. The user sets the radio to a certain station (one that is generally not used), and the FM signal generated by the device according to an embodiment of the present invention is received by the radio and played locally through the car stereo&#39;s speakers.  
       FIG. 1  shows the structure of a mobile phone capable of outputting audio signals and alert sounds through an external audio player according to an embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the mobile phone that outputs audio signals and alert sounds through a speaker of an external audio player will be explained in detail with reference to  FIG. 1 .  
      A mobile phone module  102  implements general functions of processing and controlling audio signals for telephone calls or data communications. In the audio signal sending mode selected through a keypad  104 , the mobile phone module  102  controls audio signals and alert sounds generated from the mobile phone to be output through an audio player with an FM radio having a particular frequency channel. A detailed explanation of the general telephone function of the mobile phone will be omitted herein.  
      The mobile phone module  102  stores digital audio data of an MP3 file format that was downloaded upon a user&#39;s key input, in a memory  118 . The MP3 file can be downloaded via the wireless Internet or via a PC connected to the mobile phone over an RS232 cable connection. The mobile phone module  102  controls overall operations in the audio signal sending mode set through the keypad  104 . Depending on whether the mobile phone is in the audio signal sending mode or not, audio signals and alert sounds are output to a CPU  116  or a speaker SPK of the mobile phone. In an MP3 mode set to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode, the mobile phone module  102  receives audio signals in a reproduced MP3 file from the CPU  116 . The mobile phone module  102  includes an RF transmitter for performing upward conversion and amplification of the frequency of a signal being transmitted and an RF receiver for amplifying a received signal with low noise and performing downward conversion of the frequency of the signal. In addition, the mobile phone module  102  includes a modem and a codec for modulating and demodulating signals transmitted and received by the RF transmitter and the RF receiver.  
      A display section  106  receives various information signals from the keypad  104  and the mobile phone module  102  and displays the received signals under the control of the mobile phone module  102 . When the audio signal sending mode is set according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display section  106  displays an icon representing the setting of the audio signal sending mode and also displays additional information that is available in the audio signal sending mode.  
      For example, when the MP3 mode is selected, the display section  106  displays an icon representing the MP3 mode, a title of the MP3 file reproduced in the mode and related file information. When the incoming call informing mode or the hands-free mode is selected, the display section  106  displays a message informing the user of the incoming call, the caller&#39;s telephone number and an icon representing the incoming call informing mode or the hands-free mode. When the navigation mode is selected, the display section  106  displays an icon representing the navigation mode and mapping information provided through the navigation services. The display section  106  comprises an liquid crystal display (LCD) and an light emitting diode (LED) that enables the user to see the displayed information even in the dark or at night.  
      The memory  118  can be comprise of a program memory and a data memory. The program memory stores programs for controlling general operations of the mobile phone and programs for implementing the audio signal sending mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data memory temporarily stores data generated during implementation of the above programs. Also, the data memory stores MP3 files received through the mobile phone module  102 .  
      The CPU  116  performs overall operations to receive audio signals and generate alert sounds from the mobile phone from the mobile phone module  102  and transmit the received signals and sounds to an external audio signal with an FM radio. In the MP3 mode, the CPU  116  reads out audio signals from the memory  118  and selectively outputs the audio signals to the mobile phone module  102  or an MP3 decoder  112 . When the MP3 mode is set to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode, the CPU  116  outputs the audio signals to an FM transmitter  114 . In a general MP3 mode that is not implemented in the audio signal sending mode, the CPU  116  outputs the audio signals read out from the memory  118  to the mobile phone module  102 . In any other mode implemented in the audio signal sending mode (such as the incoming call informing mode, hands-free mode or navigation mode), the CPU  116  outputs audio signals and alert sounds to a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter  113 . The signal or sound output path is determined depending on whether the audio signal sending mode is set or not. The CPU  116  transmits or receives audio signals and alert sounds to or from the mobile phone module  102 . Audio data transmitted and received are depicted as TXD and RXD respectively in  FIG. 1 .  
      The MP3 decoder  112  decodes MP3 data received from the CPU  116  and outputs the decoded data. The D/A converter  113  converts a digital audio signal output from the MP3 decoder  112  into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the FM transmitter  114  or the speaker SPK of the mobile phone module  102  depending on whether the audio signal sending mode is set or not. In the incoming call informing mode or the hands-free mode, the D/A converter  113  converts audio signals and alert sounds output from the CPU  116  to analog signals and outputs the analog signals. The D/A converter  113  receives a control signal from the CPU  116  to determine an output path according to whether the audio signal sending mode is set or not.  
      In the MP3, incoming call informing, hands-free or navigation mode set to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode, the FM transmitter  114  performs frequency modulation (FM) on the analog audio signals and alert sounds output from the D/A converter  113  and outputs the modulated signals and sounds. The FM transmitter  114  then modulates the audio signals and alert sounds to a preset frequency channel (which is not used in broadcasting among frequency channels between 88.1 to 108 MHz) and outputs the modulated signals and sounds externally of the mobile phone.  
      In order to hear the audio signals and alert sounds output from the FM transmitter  114  through an external audio player, the user has to set the audio player (i.e., car stereo) in the FM radio mode having the same frequency bandwidth as the preset frequency channel.  
      The audio signals and alert sounds output from the mobile phone are transmitted to and received by the external audio player, demodulated and processed, and the audio signals and alert sounds are output through the speaker of the audio player. For example, the mobile phone outputs audio signals and alert sounds in a particular frequency bandwidth to an FM radio in a car (car audio player) in a mode that can be implemented in the audio signal sending mode. The FM radio set in the same frequency bandwidth receives the audio signals and alert sounds output from the mobile phone and outputs them through the car speakers.  
      The process described above of transmitting audio signals output from the D/A converter to the FM transmitter  114  or the mobile phone module  102  depends on whether the audio signal sending mode is set or not. Alternatively, the mobile phone module  102  can detect whether the audio signal sending mode is set. If the audio signal sending mode is set, the mobile phone module  102  will allow the CPU  116  to control the overall operations of the mobile phone in the audio signal sending mode. Otherwise, the mobile phone module  102  will control the overall operations of the mobile phone.  
       FIG. 2  shows a mobile phone having a switch  115  between the D/A converter and FM transmitter in  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a switch  115  is provided between the D/A converter  113  and the FM transmitter  114 . The switch  115  can selectively output signals from the D/A converter  113  to the FM transmitter  114  or the speaker of the mobile phone according to a switching control signal (not shown). The switching control signal is output from either the mobile phone module  102  or the CPU  116  depending on whether the audio signal sending mode is set or not.  
      The CPU  116 , MP3 decoder  112  and D/A converter  113  of the mobile phone can be incorporated into a single multimedia chip  101  for processing multimedia data. For the operations and functions as explained above, the MP3 mode, incoming call informing mode, hands-free mode and navigation mode should be set in the audio signal sending mode.  
      The process for setting a mode for operating a mobile phone in the audio signal sending mode according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing a process of setting a mode for operating the mobile phone in the audio signal sending mode according to according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a process of controlling a mobile phone to output audio signals and alert sounds through an external audio player according to according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the mobile phone module  102  in a standby mode at step  311  proceeds with decision step  313  to detect whether a menu key has been pressed. When the menu key is pressed (“Yes” path from decision step  313 ), a predetermined number of menus provided on the mobile phone are displayed on the display section  106 .  
      At step  315 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether the user has selected the menu “Audio Signal Sending Mode” using either a combination of a direction key and an OK key or a number key 4. If any other menu is selected, the mobile phone module  102  will perform the function corresponding to the selected menu. If the menu “4” or “Audio Signal Sending Mode” is selected (“Yes” path from decision step  315 ), the mobile phone module  102  will proceed with step  317  to set a frequency channel of a transmit frequency output through the FM transmitter  114  in the audio signal sending mode as shown in step  437  of  FIG. 4B . The frequency channel can be a channel which is not used in broadcasting among frequency channels between 88.1 to 108 MHz.  
      Subsequently, the mobile phone module  102  proceeds with step  319  to enable the user to select a mode for operating the mobile phone in the audio signal sending mode. As shown in  FIG. 4B , when the user selects at least one of either the MP3 mode, incoming call informing mode, hands-free mode or navigation mode to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode, an indication (for example, “V”) of being in the audio signal sending mode is displayed.  
      At decision step  321 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether an end key on the keypad  104  has been pressed. If the end key is pressed (“Yes” path from decision step  321 ), the mobile phone module  102  proceeds with step  323  to store the selected mode in the memory  118  and set the mobile phone to operate according to the selected mode. The mobile phone set in the audio signal sending mode through the process as shown in  FIG. 3  then performs the process of implementing the audio signal sending mode as described in reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B .  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are flow charts showing a process of controlling a mobile phone to output audio signals and alert sounds through an external audio player according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4A , the mobile phone module  102  starts in the standby mode at step  411  and determines whether the MP3 mode has been selected at decision step  413 .  
      If the MP3 mode is selected (“Yes” path from decision step  413 ), the mobile phone module  102  will allow the CPU  116  to control overall operations in that mode. Accordingly, at step  415 , the CPU  116  detects an MP3 file selected by the user and reads out the MP3 file from the memory  118 .  
      In order to select an output path of the read-out MP3 file, the mobile phone module  102  determines whether the selected MP3 mode is set to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode at decision step  417 . If the selected MP3 mode is to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode (“Yes” path from decision step  417 ), the CPU  116  will send the MP3 file data to the MP3 decoder  112  at step  419 .  
      The MP3 decoder  112  then decodes the received MP3 file data at step  421  and converts the digital signals in the MP3 file into analog signals at step  423 . The MP3 file data converted into analog signals is input to the FM transmitter  114 . At step  425 , the analog signals are modulated to a frequency of a preset frequency channel and then transmitted to the external audio player.  
      At step  427 , the MP3 file data modulated to a preset frequency channel is sent to a car audio player, and particularly to an FM radio receiver of the car audio player having the same frequency channel and output through the speakers in the car.  
      At step  429 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether any event occurs or not. Herein, when an event occurs, the mobile phone module  102  proceeds to step  431  of  FIG. 4B , otherwise, proceeds to step  429 . At step  429 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether a MP3 mode is terminated by a user or not. If a MP3 mode is not terminated, the mobile phone module  102  proceeds to the step  415  and repeats the above-mentioned procedure. If a MP3 mode is terminated, the procedure is ended.  
      If the selected MP3 mode is determined not to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode at step  417  (“No” path from decision step  417 ), the mobile phone module  102  will recognize the selected mode as a general MP3 mode and will output the audio signals in the reproduced MP3 file through the speaker SPK of the mobile phone at step  429 . Several methods are available to output the audio signals in the MP3 file through the speaker SPK. A first method is to send the MP3 file data read out from the memory  118  to the mobile phone module  102  and output the MP3 file data using a general MP3 reproduction method. A second method is to send the MP3 file data converted into analog signals by the D/A converter  113  to the CPU  116  and then to the mobile phone module  102  to reproduce the MP3 file data. A third method is to directly output the signals output from the D/A converter  113  to the mobile phone module  102  or the speaker SPK through a switch SW to reproduce the MP3 file data.  
      If the MP3 mode is not detected at step  413  (“No” path from decision step  413 ) or an event is detected at step  428 , the mobile phone module  102  will detect whether any event (such as an incoming call or a message) has occurred at step  431  as shown in  FIG. 4B .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4B , when any event is detected (“Yes” path from decision step  431 ), the mobile phone module  102  determines whether the incoming call informing mode to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode has been selected at decision step  433 . If so (“Yes” path from decision step  433 ), the mobile phone module  102  will proceed with step  435  to convert an alert sound for an incoming call into an analog ring sound through the D/A converter  113 .  
      The analog ring sound is input to the FM transmitter  114  and modulated to a frequency of the preset frequency channel at step  437 . The modulated ring sound is then transmitted to the external audio player. The alert sound notifying the user of an incoming call can be a simple ring sound or a voice signal informing that an incoming call is received. When a new message has arrived, the mobile phone can alert the user of the new message by generating a simple alert sound or a voice signal.  
      At step  439 , the MP3 file data modulated to the preset frequency channel is received by the FM radio receiver of the car audio player having the same frequency channel and output through the car speakers. If the selected incoming call informing mode is determined not to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode at decision step  433  (“No” path from decision step  433 ), the mobile phone module  102  will recognize the selected mode as a general incoming call informing mode and will output the ring or alert sound or the voice signal to the speaker SPK of the mobile phone at step  441 .  
      If no event is detected at step  431  (“No” path from decision step  431 ), the mobile phone module  102  will determine whether the navigation mode has been selected at decision step  443 . If the navigation mode is selected (“Yes” path from decision step  443 ), the mobile phone module  102  proceeds with step  445  to access a navigation service available to the mobile phone and receive navigation information.  
      For example, the user can access the auto navigation service “Nate Drive” to receive location-based information by voice and maps displayed on the mobile phone. At decision step  443 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether the selected navigation mode is to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode. If so, the mobile phone module  102  will proceed with step  445  to access Nate Drive available to the mobile phone and receive mapping or direction information.  
      Graphics information offered by Nate Drive is displayed on the display section  106  through the mobile phone module  102 . In addition, voice information is selectively output through the car audio player or the speaker SPK of the mobile phone, depending on whether the navigation mode is set to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode. At decision step  447 , the mobile phone module  102  determines whether the navigation mode is to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode. If so (“Yes” path from decision step  447 ), the mobile phone module  102  will proceed with step  449  to convert the voice information received from the navigation services into analog audio signals through the D/A converter  113 .  
      At step  451 , the FM transmitter  114  modulates the analog audio signals to a frequency of the preset frequency channel and sends the modulated signals to the external audio player. The audio signals output from the FM transmitter  114  are received by the FM radio receiver of the car audio player having the same frequency channel and output through the car speakers.  
      If the selected navigation mode is determined not to be implemented in the audio signal sending mode at step  447  (“No” path from decision step  447 ), the mobile phone module  102  will recognize the selected mode as a general navigation mode and will output the audio signals of the voice information provided from the navigation services through the speaker SPK of the mobile phone at step  453 . If the navigation mode is not detected at decision step  443  (“No” path from decision step  443 ), the mobile phone module  102  will detect whether the hands-free mode has been selected at step  455 . Incoming calls in the hands-free mode can be attended after implementation of steps  433  through  441 .  
      When the hands-free mode is detected (“Yes” path from decision step  455 ), the mobile phone module  102  converts speech signals from the caller into analog signals through the D/A converter  113  at step  457 . At step  459 , the FM transmitter  114  modulates the analog signals to a frequency of the preset frequency channel and sends the modulated signals to the FM radio of the car audio player. If, however, the hands free mode is not detected in decision step  455  (“No” path from decision step  455 ), the method proceeds to step  460  and performs a corresponding function. Following steps  453 ,  439  and  441 , the method proceeds to “B” and returns to the method according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown and described in reference to  FIG. 4A .  
      The FM radio receiver outputs the signals received from the FM transmitter  114  through the car speakers. As explained above, a mobile phone capable of generating audio signals and alert sounds and a method for controlling the mobile terminal according to the embodiments of the present invention can send audio signals and alert sounds generated in the MP3 mode, the incoming call informing, or the hands-free or navigation mode implemented in the audio signal sending mode to an external audio player with an embedded FM radio in order to output the audio signals and the alert sounds through the speaker of the external audio player.  
      When an event (such as an incoming call or a message) occurs during the reproduction of an MP3 file in the MP3 mode, the mobile phone suspends reproduction of the MP3 file and outputs an alert sound notifying the user of the event. When the incoming call receiving mode is terminated, the mobile phone resumes the reproduction of the MP3 file.  
      The MP3 mode, incoming call informing mode, hands-free mode and navigation modes have been explained as modes that can be set in the audio signal sending mode. Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims, including the full scope of equivalents thereof.  
      According to the embodiments of the present invention, a low sound output from a mobile phone is modulated to an audio signal in a preset frequency bandwidth and then sent to an external audio player with an embedded FM radio. The audio signal is output through a high-output speaker of the external audio player, thereby enabling the user to hear the audio signal while driving.  
      MP3 music reproduced in the mobile phone can be modulated to audio signals in a preset frequency bandwidth and output through the external audio player. Also, speech signals from a caller can be modulated to audio signals in a preset frequency bandwidth and output through the external audio player. Accordingly, the user can talk and listen to MP3 digital music through the external audio player with an FM radio while driving, which eliminates the need to purchase a separate car pack or hands-free kit.  
      No separate unit such as a car pack need be mounted on the external audio player to listen to MP3 music, thereby improving user convenience. Since audio signals and alert sounds notifying the user of events (such as incoming calls and messages) are output through a high-output speaker of the external audio player, the user cannot fail to listen to music or hear the alert sounds while driving.