Abstract:
A method for identifying receipt of a message at a mobile terminal comprising a first body and a second body positionable between open and closed states includes receiving a message via a wireless communication, determining an open state of the mobile terminal, and selectively providing a notification indicating the receiving of the message based upon the open state of the mobile terminal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2006-0114706 filed on Nov. 20, 2006, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a MIDlet (Mobile Information Device Application) execution through terminal. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Nowadays, a mobile terminal user chats with others using a messenger MIDlet installed in the mobile terminal. The user sends a messenger request signal to another party&#39;s mobile terminal through a push registry and a user of a receiving mobile terminal checks the signal and executes the messenger MIDlet, thereby performing a wireless chat. 
         [0006]    However, if the receiving mobile terminal is a folder type, the folder type mobile terminal does not have a notification function, such as making a reception sound or brightening a sub-LCD, when the messenger request signal is received while the terminal is in a closed state. 
         [0007]    Further, when the messenger request signal was received while the mobile terminal is in a closed state, the corresponding messenger MIDlet was unconditionally executed by the receiving mobile terminal. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, even if the messenger MIDlet was automatically executed upon reception of the messenger request signal by a terminal, the user could not see the execution of the messenger MIDlet and the power of a battery was consumed due to the automatic execution of the corresponding MIDlet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
         [0010]    In one aspect, a method for identifying receipt of a message at a mobile terminal having a first body and a second body positionable between open and closed states receives a message via a wireless communication, determines an open state of the mobile terminal, and selectively provides a notification indicating the receiving of the message based upon the open state of the mobile terminal. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, a mobile terminal having a first body and a second body positionable between open and closed states includes a communication module for receiving a message, a sensor for sensing an open state of the mobile terminal, and a controller for selectively providing a notification indicating the receiving of the message based upon the open state of the mobile terminal. 
         [0012]    In still another aspect, a method for identifying receipt of a message and executing a messenger mobile information device application (MIDlet) at a mobile terminal having a first body and a second body positionable between open and closed states receives a message via a wireless communication and determines whether the message is equal to a previously received message. 
         [0013]    These and other embodiments will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment disclosed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the present invention are herein described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like numerals refer to like elements. 
           [0015]    The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a folder type mobile terminal to which a MIDlet execution method is applied in one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an external shape of a folder type mobile terminal. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a MIDlet execution method of a folder type mobile terminal in one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a list of Java programs to which a messenger MIDlet is added. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a process of registering a push registry by inputting an ID and a password. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates a screen for immediately executing a messenger MIDlet when a messenger request signal is received while a folder-type terminal is in an opened state. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates a screen for notifying that a messenger request signal was received by a user by displaying a message. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a MIDlet execution method of a mobile terminal in another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates a push list management table. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9A  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slide type mobile terminal to which a MIDlet execution method is applied in still another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9B  illustrates an external shape of a slide type mobile terminal. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a MIDlet execution method in a slide type mobile terminal in still another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary skill in this technological field that other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1A  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a folder type mobile terminal which may be used to execute a Midlet, in accordance with one embodiment of the present application, and  FIG. 1B  illustrates an external shape of the folder type mobile terminal. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the folder type mobile terminal  100  according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first body  110 . The folder type mobile terminal can be opened by moving first body  110  relative to second body  150 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , the folder type mobile terminal  100  comprises a communication module  112 , an input unit  114 , a program unit  116 , a controller  118 , a display  120 , a folder state sensor  122 , a virtual machine execution unit  124 , a storage unit  126 , and a sound output unit  128 . 
         [0032]    The communication module  112  receives a Java MIDlet from a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) service or a Web page through wireless communication. Further, the communication module  112  receives a messenger request signal. The communication module  112  transmits to and receives a sound signal or data from another mobile terminal through a mobile communication network. 
         [0033]    A user&#39;s instruction is inputted to the input unit  114  and the input unit  114  transfers the instruction to the controller  118 . Particularly, the input unit  114  transfers the user&#39;s instruction for execution of a messenger MIDlet to the controller  118 . 
         [0034]    The program unit  116  stores a MIDlet execution program for executing the messenger MIDlet or notifying reception of the messenger request signal to the user according to the state of a folder, whether opened or closed, when the messenger request signal is received. Further, the program unit  116  comprises an operating system of the folder type mobile terminal  100 . The program unit  116  may also comprise a push list management table for displaying a management state of a push registry. 
         [0035]    If the messenger request signal is received through the communication module  112 , the controller  118  checks the state of a folder, whether opened or closed, through the folder state sensor  122 . If the folder is in an opened state, the controller  118  immediately executes the messenger MIDlet, and if the folder is in a closed state, the controller  118  notifies reception of the messenger request signal to the user with a sound or display. That is, the controller  118  notifies reception of the messenger request signal to the user by outputting a sound, brightening a sub-LCD of the display  120 , or displaying a message. 
         [0036]    The display  120  displays an operation state of the mobile terminal. Further, the display  120  notifies reception of the messenger request signal to the user. For this reason, the display  120  has an LCD or OLED frame for displaying a notification state. Here, the LCD frame or OLED frame has a predetermined size in a width and length for displaying the notification state. 
         [0037]    The folder state sensor  122  senses whether the folder is in an opened or closed state. Here, the folder state sensor  122  senses the opened or dosed state of the folder based on an MIDP 2.0 (JSR 118) specification. 
         [0038]    The virtual machine execution unit  124  is operated with execution of a Windows API according to an operation of an operating system (OS) when the mobile terminal is turned on and executes a Java virtual machine. The Java virtual machine executes the messenger MIDlet according to the user&#39;s selection or automatically, and thus, displays image objects. Accordingly, the messenger MIDlet has a predetermined screen size to display the image objects. 
         [0039]    The virtual machine execution unit  124  comprises a plurality of classes including a MIDlet class required for executing the Java virtual machine. 
         [0040]    The storage unit  126  stores the messenger MIDlet received through the communication module  112 . Further, the storage unit  126  stores image objects for displaying the messenger MIDlet on a screen and temporarily stores image objects scaled to fit the screen size of the display  120 . 
         [0041]    The sound output  128  outputs an audible reception sound for notifying that the messenger request signal was received. 
         [0042]    Further, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the folder type mobile terminal  100  may include the input unit  114  on an upper surface of the first body  110 , and also include the display  120  and the sound output unit  128  on an upper surface of the second body  150 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method for executing a MIDlet on a folder type mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0044]    First, a user downloads and installs a messenger MIDlet to the folder type mobile terminal  100  using a push registry from a web page or a WAP service (S 202 ). 
         [0045]    That is, the controller  118  of the folder type mobile terminal  100  stores the downloaded messenger MIDlet at the storage unit  126 , installs the corresponding messenger MIDlet, and adds the messenger MIDlet to a Java program of the program unit  116 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a messenger MIDlet (Messenger) is added to a list of Java programs. 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  illustrates a list of a Java programs to which the messenger MIDlet is added. As an example of the MIDlet using a push registry, an instant messenger (IM) MIDlet is shown. 
         [0047]    Next, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the mobile terminal  100  registers a push registry for the messenger MIDlet in order to use the installed messenger MIDlet (S 204 ). 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the user inputs an identification (ID) and password through the input unit  114  and the controller  118  registers the push registry. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  illustrates a process of registering a push registry by inputting an ID and a password. 
         [0050]    The controller  118  registers the push registry through a process of checking the identification (ID) and password inputted by the user. 
         [0051]    When other party&#39;s mobile terminal requests to have a chat with a messenger of the mobile terminal  100 , the mobile terminal  100  receives a messenger request signal from the other party&#39;s mobile terminal through the communication module  112  via a mobile communication network (S 206  in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0052]    The controller  118  checks whether the folder is closed using the folder state sensor  122  (S 208  in  FIG. 2 ). That is, the controller  118  senses whether first body  110  is open relative to second body  150  using state sensor  122 . 
         [0053]    If the terminal is closed (S 210 —YES in  FIG. 2 ), the controller  118  displays a message notifying that the messenger request signal was received using the display  120 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , or outputs a reception sound through the sound output unit  128  (S 212  in  FIG. 2 ). Here,  FIG. 6  illustrates a screen for notifying that the messenger request signal was received to the user by displaying a message. 
         [0054]    Further, the controller  118  can notify that the messenger request signal was received to the user by brightening a sub-LCD through the display  120 . 
         [0055]    However, if it is sensed as the terminal is open (S 210 —NO in  FIG. 2 ), the controller  118  executes the messenger MIDlet as shown in  FIG. 5  (S 214  in  FIG. 2 ). Here,  FIG. 5  illustrates a screen for executing the messenger MIDlet when the messenger request signal was received while the terminal was open. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a MIDlet execution method in a mobile terminal in another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0057]    Another embodiment of the present invention illustrates a MIDlet execution process when an identical or different messenger request signal is received again after a messenger request signal was once received by the user&#39;s mobile terminal. 
         [0058]    This embodiment can be applied to a slide type mobile terminal as well as a folder type mobile terminal. However, for convenience of description, only the folder type mobile terminal is described herein. 
         [0059]    In a process shown in  FIG. 7 , the mobile terminal  100  receives a messenger request signal through the communication module  112  (S 702 ). 
         [0060]    Controller  118  checks whether an operation status of the mobile terminal is a notification status for the same messenger request (S 704 ). 
         [0061]    The controller  118  checks whether the mobile terminal is in a state of notifying the user that a messenger request signal was received through the display  120 , or in a state of notifying the user through the sound output  128 , using a push list management table of the program unit  116 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the push list management table comprises an ID (PID) of a push registry, transmission type of a push registry, a transmission port, an application ID (AppID), and a state of a push registry. 
         [0063]    If the currently received messenger request signal is equal to a previously received messenger request signal (S 706 —YES in  FIG. 7 ), the controller  118  delays execution of the messenger MIDlet until an execution instruction by the user for the messenger MIDlet is received from the input unit  114  (S 708  in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0064]    However, if the received messenger request signal is not equal to the previously received messenger request signal (S 706 —NO in  FIG. 7 ), and the terminal is closed, the controller  118  notifies that a new messenger request signal was received to the user. Otherwise, if the terminal is opened, the controller executes the messenger MIDlet (S 710  in  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0065]    Accordingly, if the messenger request signal is received while the folder is in a closed state, the messenger MIDlet will not be immediately executed, preventing unnecessary power consumption. 
         [0066]    According to one aspect of the present invention, a folder type mobile terminal is described in the present application. However, the disclosure according to one aspect of the present invention can also be equally applied to a slide type mobile terminal. 
         [0067]      FIG. 9A  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a slide type mobile terminal configured to execute a MIDlet according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9B  illustrates an external shape of the slide type mobile terminal. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a slide type mobile terminal  900  according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a communication module  112 , an input unit  114 , a program unit  912 , a controller  914 , a display  120 , a sliding state sensor  916 , a virtual machine execution unit  124 , a storage unit  126 , and a sound output unit  128 . 
         [0069]    The communication module  112 , the input unit  114 , the display  120 , the virtual machine execution unit  124 , the storage unit  126 , and the sound output unit  128  have the same configuration and function as those shown in  FIG. 1 , and thus, the description thereof will be omitted. 
         [0070]    Further, the slide type mobile terminal  900  may comprise a first body  910 , and a second body  950  that is slidable relative to the first body  910 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 9B , the slide type mobile terminal  900  may include the input unit  114  on an upper surface of the first body  910 , and also include the display  120  and the sound output  128  on an upper surface of the second body  950 . 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 9A , the program unit  912  stores a MIDlet program for executing a messenger MIDlet or notifying reception of a messenger request signal to a user depending on the sliding state of the second body  950  when the messenger request signal is received. The program unit  130  comprises a push list management table for displaying a management state of a push registry. 
         [0072]    When the messenger request signal is received through the communication module  112 , the controller  914  checks the sliding state of the second body  950  through the sliding state sensor  916 . If the second body  950  is slid from the first body  910 , the controller  914  executes a messenger MIDlet, and if the second body  950  is not slid from the first body  910 , notifies that the messenger request signal was received using sound or display. That is, the controller  914  notifies that the messenger request signal was received by outputting a sound, brightening a LCD through the display  120 , or displaying a message. 
         [0073]    The sliding state sensor  916  senses whether the second body  950  is slid from the first body  910 . Here, the sliding state sensor  916  senses the sliding state based on a MIDP 2.0 (JSR 118) specification. 
         [0074]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating a MIDlet execution method in a slide type mobile terminal in still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0075]    First, the slide type mobile terminal  900  downloads and installs a messenger MIDlet using technologies similar to those performed for folder type terminals. 
         [0076]    When another party&#39;s mobile terminal requests to have a chat with a messenger installed in the mobile terminal  900 , the mobile terminal  900  receives a messenger request signal from the other party&#39;s mobile terminal through the communication module  112  via a mobile communication network (S 1010 ). 
         [0077]    When the messenger request signal is received, the controller  914  checks whether the second body  950  is slid from the first body  910  through the sliding state sensor  916  (S 1020 ). 
         [0078]    If it is determined that the second body  950  is slid from the first body  910  based on the sliding sensing signal (S 1030 —YES in  FIG. 10 ), the controller  914  executes a messenger MIDlet, as shown in  FIG. 5  (S 1040  in  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0079]    That is, since the second body  950  is slid from the first body  910 , the controller  914  executes the messenger MIDlet so that the user may instantly use the messenger. 
         [0080]    However, if the second body  950  was not slid from the first body  910  (S 1030 —NO in  FIG. 10 ), the controller  914  may display a message through the display  120  to notify that the messenger request signal was received without immediately executing the messenger MIDlet as shown in  FIG. 6 , or output a reception sound through the sound output unit  128  (S 1050  in FIG.  10 ). Further, the controller  914  may brighten a sub-LCD through the display  120  to notify the user that the messenger request signal was received. 
         [0081]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses and processes. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.