Patent Description:
Most electronic devices are able to communicate via a network, and are equipped with a display screen for displaying various types of information. However, users are not able to carry with them all of their electronic devices. As a result, these users cannot take immediate action on those electronic device which they do not carry, which undergo an operation state change.

<CIT> discloses sending, by a communication device, information about an operational state to an information output device when the positional relation between them satisfies a fixed condition.

<CIT> discloses predicting where a user may be located and notifying him of the status change of a device.

Aspects of exemplary embodiments provide a technique for sharing information regarding a state change between devices capable of performing network communication.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of notifying an operation state change of a device, the method including the operations of forming a network of devices that can be used by a user and that perform network communication; when an operation state change of a first device in the network occurs, searching for at least one device that is currently being used by the user in the network; and transmitting information regarding the operation state change of the first device to the at least one device, wherein the information regarding the operation state change of the first device is displayed on a display unit of the at least one device.

By notifying an operation state change of devices, a device currently undergoing an operation state change automatically searches for other devices currently being used by the user to allow the user to effectively respond to the operation-state-changed device. In addition, to search for a device currently being used by the user, devices included in an accessible network are sequentially scanned, thereby finding a target device to which notification information indicating the occurrence of an operation state change is to be transmitted.

Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof includes a network communication unit <NUM> and an operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM>.

The network communication unit <NUM> can be used by a user and can perform network communication with devices capable of performing network communication. The devices capable of performing network communication can be used by a single user and may be included in a network formed to allow the devices to perform mutual communication. An example of such a network may be Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network. However, an operation environment is not limited to a network environment complying with the wireless Wi-Fi standard.

If an operation state change of the current device <NUM> included in the network of the devices occurs, the operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> searches for at least one device currently being used by a user among the other devices included in the network. The operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> generates information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM> and transmits the generated information to the at least one found device that is currently being used by the user.

The transmitted information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM> is intended to allow the user to handle the operation state change of the current device <NUM> by notifying the user of whether the operation state of the current device <NUM> changes via a display unit of another device currently being used by the user. To indicate the information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM>, target devices included in the network of the devices may include display units.

The information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM> may be output from the operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> directly or via the network communication unit <NUM>.

The current device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof may be any type of an electronic device that can perform networking and that can be used by a user. An example of the operation state change of the device <NUM> may include changing states of various functions of various electronic devices. For example, output of a ring tone of a mobile phone, completion of a washing operation of a washing machine, arrival of the broadcasting start time of a reserved program in a set-top box, completion of downloading of an electronic sound source in an audio equipment, elapsing of the operation time of a reserved cooking function of a microwave oven, and the like may be operation state changes of the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof.

In a case where a user inputs a user response to the current device <NUM> by being notified about an operation state change via at least one found device that is currently being used by the user or by recognizing an operation state change via a notification function included in the current device <NUM> that is currently operating, the current device <NUM> may transmit state change information and user response information to the other devices included in the network.

For example, in a case where a user directly accepts or rejects a call in a mobile phone receiving the call, information for notifying call acceptance or call rejection may be transmitted to the other devices via a user interface of the mobile phone. Also, in a digital television (TV), when a user inputs a response to reproduce or record a reserved program after being notified about the reserved program broadcasting start time, or in a media player, when a user inputs a response to directly reproduce contents via the media player after a message indicating completion of downloading of the contents is displayed, that is, in a case where a first state change of a device occurs and then a second state change occurs due to a user response input from a user, information for indicating that a corresponding state change is caused by the user response may be transmitted together with the state change information.

Based on information exchanged between the devices, user interfaces provided by the other devices connected to the network may operate in conjunction with a user interface included in the current device <NUM> that provides the original service. Information about the second state change may be transmitted to the other devices connected to the network via the user interface of the current device <NUM>, so that the user interfaces provided according to the first state change may be changed according to the second state change. The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof may search for another device currently being used by the user via the network of the devices after a predetermined time has elapsed if the user does not respond to the operation state change of the device <NUM> for the predetermined time. For example, when the device <NUM> is a mobile phone, if there is no response from the user during the <NUM>-second ringing of the phone, the device <NUM> may subsequently search for another device currently being used by the user via the network of the devices.

If a device currently being used by the user to which information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM> is to be transmitted cannot be found in the network of the devices, the operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> may search for the device currently being used by the user in a sharing network accessible by the current device <NUM>. The operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> may scan the other devices in a device list database owned by the current device <NUM> to search for the device currently being used by the user.

The operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> may transmit a search signal indicating a search for the device currently used by the user to at least one device included in the network of the devices. Instead of transmitting the search signal, the current device <NUM> may access target devices to analyze if the user currently uses the target devices, thereby directly finding the device currently being used by the user. For example, a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) service may be designated by using a UPnP protocol, and then devices registered in the UPnP service may be regarded as devices currently being used by the user.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof may select a target device to which the information about the operation state change of the current device <NUM> is to be transmitted, by obtaining information indicating the current use or non-use by the user, which is generated and broadcast by the target device.

For the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof, the user may selectively set the use of an operation state change notifying function to on or off.

The information about the operation state change may include notification information indicating the occurrence of the operation state change of the device <NUM> and detail information indicating details of the operation state change.

The operation state change information transmitting unit <NUM> may convert the details of the operation state change of the device <NUM> into a format that can be displayed by the target device before transmission.

The detail information may be converted into a format that can be reproduced by the target device via a management server of the network before transmission.

For example, the operation state change of the device <NUM> may include reception of a text-based message such as a Short Message Service (SMS) message. The notification of the operation state change may be performed based on UPnP technology. A message of the device <NUM> may be converted into text-format data that can be reproduced by the target device and then displayed on the target device. In case of the operation state change where the device <NUM> receives a text-based message combined with image data or audio data, such as a Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message, the message may be converted into image-format data, audio-format data, and text?format data and then displayed on the target device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device includes a network communication unit <NUM>, an other-device operation state change information reception unit <NUM>, an other-device operation state change notification control unit <NUM>, and a display unit <NUM>. The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device may be included in the network of the devices, together with the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof, which has been described above with reference to <FIG>.

The network communication unit <NUM> can be used by a user and performs network communication with the devices capable of performing network communication.

The other-device operation state change information reception unit <NUM> searches for at least one device which is currently being used by the user in the network of the devices, and receives, from a first device included in the network of the devices, information about an operation state change of the first device. The first device may be the device <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG>.

The information about the operation state change of the first device may be input to the other-device operation state change information reception unit <NUM> directly or via the network communication unit <NUM>.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device may receive a search signal indicating a search for the device currently being used by the user, from the first device. The device <NUM> may recognize whether the user currently uses the device <NUM> based on the search signal and provide a signal indicating the current use or non-use of the user to the first device.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device may receive a search signal indicating a search for a device capable of providing a change notification function with respect to application services included in the first device, and an appropriate user interface, from the first device.

The device <NUM> may accept an access permit request from the first device, which requests a direct access to the device <NUM> to analyze if the user currently uses the device <NUM>.

The device <NUM> may periodically generate and broadcast a signal indicating the current use or non-use of the user. The first device searching for the device currently being used by the user may find out the device currently being used by the user by obtaining the signal indicating the current use or non-use of the user, generated and broadcast by the device <NUM>.

To determine whether the user currently uses a predetermined device, it is determined whether an instruction or information from the user has been input during a past predetermined time, whether the user logs in the device, or whether the user is situated within a sensor sensing range of the device.

It is possible to determine whether the user is currently using the predetermined device, based on a list that is previously designated by the user. For example, when the network is formed between devices, if the devices are registered via a service search and registration process such as UPnP, a Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) or the like, the devices may be regarded as the devices that are currently being used.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device may forward information indicating the operation state change, received from the first device, to another device included in the network of the devices.

The other-device operation state change notification control unit <NUM> performs a control operation such that notification information indicating the occurrence of an operation state change of the first device is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. The information about the operation state change of the first device may be displayed by using a notification display window. The display manner of the notification display window, such as position, size, transparency, flickering frequency, color, and the like, may be set.

The information about the operation state change may include notification information indicating the occurrence of the operation state change of the first device, detail information indicating details of the operation state change, and information indicating that the operation state change occurs due to a user response with respect to the first device.

The other-device operation state change notification control unit <NUM> may convert the details of the operation state change of the first device into a format that can be displayed by the device <NUM>.

The detail information may be converted into a format that can be reproduced by the device <NUM> via a management server of the network and then received by the other-device operation state change information reception unit <NUM>.

The other-device operation state change information reception unit <NUM> may receive the detail information transmitted after being converted by the first device into data in a format that can be reproduced by the device <NUM>.

The other-device operation state change notification control unit <NUM> may perform a control operation such that a reception acknowledgement window for the notification information indicating the occurrence of the operation state change of the first device is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. Upon reception of an acknowledgement from the user, the details of the operation state change of the first device may be displayed on the display unit <NUM> based on the detail information in a reproducible format.

Before the reception acknowledgement is received from the user, the device <NUM> may receive again information about the operation state change from the first device <NUM>. In this case, the device <NUM> may receive the information about the operation state change together with information indicating whether the operation state change that occurred in the first device <NUM> was caused by a user response with respect to the first device <NUM>.

Thus, if the operation state change of the first device is reception of an SMS message, the SMS message of the first device may be converted into text-format data that can be reproduced by the device <NUM> and then displayed on the display unit <NUM>. In case of the operation state change where the first device receives a text-based message combined with image data or audio data, such as an MMS message, the message may be converted into image-format data, audio-format data and text-format data that can be reproduced by the device <NUM> and then displayed on the display unit <NUM>. After completion of reception or display of the notification information or the detail information associated with the operation state change of the first device, the device <NUM> may inform the first device that the user acknowledges the operation state change.

According to an exemplary embodiment, by using the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof and the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, the device <NUM> currently undergoing an operation state change automatically searches for the device <NUM> currently being used by the user to allow the user to effectively respond to the operation-state-changed device <NUM>. In addition, to search for a device currently being used by the user, devices included in an accessible network are sequentially scanned, thereby finding a target device to which notification information indicating the occurrence of an operation state change is to be transmitted.

For example, where the network of the devices is formed via UPnP service registration, the devices that are registered by using the SSDP may be regarded as the devices that are currently being used by the user. Also, only some of the devices from among the devices that are registered by using the SSDP, which are previously designated by the user, may be regarded as the devices that are currently being used by the user.

With reference to <FIG>, the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof and the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device have been described separately. However, by incorporating all components of the device <NUM> and the device <NUM> in a single device, information about an operation state change of a current device may be transmitted to the other devices included in a network of devices, and information about an operation state change of another device may be received and displayed on a notification display window.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a network <NUM> between devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Included in the network <NUM> are a mobile phone <NUM>, a small-size audio equipment <NUM>, a digital TV <NUM>, and a digital camcorder <NUM>. All of the mobile phone <NUM>, the small-size audio equipment <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM>, and the digital camcorder <NUM> can perform network communication and are mutually registered as devices included in the same network <NUM>.

For example, the mobile phone <NUM> may be an example of the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof and the other devices included in the network <NUM>, that is, the audio equipment <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM>, and the digital camcorder <NUM> may be examples of the device <NUM> capable of notifying the operation state change of another device described with reference to <FIG>.

If there is no response from the user to the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> searches for a target device to which information about the current operation state change is to be transmitted in the network <NUM>. The mobile phone <NUM> may search for a device currently being used by the user among the other devices of the network <NUM>, i.e., the audio equipment <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM>, and the digital camcorder <NUM>. Specifically, the mobile phone <NUM> may transmit information that notifies the operation state change indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> to the found device currently being used by the user.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating networks between devices and types of accessible networks, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The mobile phone <NUM> searches for a device currently being used by the user in the network <NUM> between devices provided to share user information with the device <NUM>. However, if the device currently being used by the user is not found in the network <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> may secondarily search a sharing network <NUM>, which includes a washing machine <NUM>, a refrigerator <NUM>, and the mobile phone <NUM>.

The mobile phone <NUM> may search for the device currently being used by the user via another mobile phone <NUM> and a notebook <NUM>, which are included in a neighboring infra network <NUM>. If the mobile phone <NUM> includes a device list database <NUM> including a list of devices capable of performing network communication, the mobile phone <NUM> may search for the device currently being used by the user in the list of devices when the user cannot search for the device currently being used by the user in neighboring accessible networks.

<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> are diagrams illustrating methods for performing information exchange between a device undergoing an operation state change and a device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, a mobile phone <NUM> is an example of the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof, and a digital TV <NUM> is an example of the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a first method for performing information exchange between a device undergoing an operation state change and a device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a user is using the digital TV <NUM> through a remote control <NUM> in operation A-<NUM>. Although the mobile phone <NUM> of the user, which is located in another room, rings, the user fails to sense the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>.

If there is no response from the user in spite of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> for a predetermined time, the mobile phone <NUM> transmits to the digital TV <NUM> a search signal indicating a search for a device currently being used by the user in a network of devices, in operation A-<NUM>.

The mobile phone <NUM> checks if the user currently uses the mobile phone in operation A-<NUM>. The digital TV <NUM> may accept an access permit request of the mobile phone <NUM>, or may provide information about the current use requested by the mobile phone <NUM>.

To determine whether the user currently uses the digital TV <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> may analyze a history regarding whether there has been an input of a signal or an instruction from the user within a predetermined time. The mobile phone <NUM> may determine whether the user currently uses the digital TV <NUM> based on information about whether the user logs in the digital TV <NUM> or whether the user is sensed by various sensors mounted on the digital TV <NUM>.

If the mobile phone <NUM> determines that the user is currently using the digital TV <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> transmits information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>, specifically, notification information indicating the occurrence of an operation state change to the digital TV <NUM> in operation A-<NUM>.

The digital TV <NUM> receives the operation state change notification indicative of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> from the mobile phone <NUM> and displays information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> of the user on a partial area <NUM> of the display screen of the digital TV <NUM> in operation A-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a second method for performing information exchange between the device undergoing an operation state change and the device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is using the digital TV <NUM> through the remote control <NUM> in operation B-<NUM>. Although the mobile phone <NUM> of the user, which is located in another room, rings, the user fails to sense the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>.

If there is no response from the user in spite of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> for a predetermined time, the mobile phone <NUM> transmits to the digital TV <NUM> a search signal indicating a search for the device currently being used by the user in a network of devices in operation B-<NUM>.

The digital TV <NUM> then receives the search signal of the mobile phone <NUM> and recognizes the current use state of the user in operation B-<NUM>. To determine whether the user currently uses the digital TV <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM> may analyze whether there has been an input of a signal or an instruction from the user within a predetermined time, whether the user logs in the digital TV <NUM>, or whether the user is sensed by various sensors mounted on the digital TV <NUM>.

If the digital TV <NUM> determines that the user currently uses the digital TV <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM> transmits a use state signal indicating the user is currently using the digital TV <NUM> to the mobile phone <NUM> in operation B-<NUM>.

The mobile phone <NUM> transmits information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>, specifically, notification information indicating the occurrence of an operation state change to the digital TV <NUM> in operation B-<NUM>.

The digital TV <NUM> receives the operation state change notification indicative of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> from the mobile phone <NUM> and displays information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> of the user on the partial area <NUM> of the display screen of the digital TV <NUM> in operation B-<NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a third method for performing information exchange between the device undergoing an operation state change and the device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is using the digital TV <NUM> through the remote control <NUM> in operation C-<NUM>. Although the mobile phone <NUM> of the user, which is located in another room, rings, the user fails to sense the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>.

The digital TV <NUM> frequently checks the current use state of the user in operation C-<NUM>. If the user currently uses the digital TV <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM> broadcasts a use state signal pertaining to the current use state of the user in operation C-<NUM>.

If there is no response from the user in spite of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> for a predetermined time, the mobile phone <NUM> searches for a device currently being used by the user in a network of devices in operation C-<NUM>.

The mobile phone <NUM> recognizes that the user is currently using the digital TV <NUM> by obtaining the use state signal pertaining to the current use state broadcast by the digital TV <NUM> in operation C-<NUM>.

The mobile phone <NUM> transmits information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM>, specifically, notification information indicating an operation state change to the digital TV <NUM> in operation C-<NUM>.

The digital TV <NUM> receives the operation state change notification indicative of the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> from the mobile phone <NUM> and displays information indicating the ringing of the mobile phone <NUM> of the user on the partial area <NUM> of the display screen of the digital TV <NUM> in operation C-<NUM>.

<FIG>, <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of the mobile phone <NUM> undergoing an operation state change and the digital TV <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device when a message is received by the mobile phone <NUM> of the user.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a device undergoing an operation state change and a device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the user is using the digital TV <NUM> through the remote control <NUM>. Although an SMS message has been received in the mobile phone <NUM> of the user, which is located in another room, the user fails to sense the reception of the SMS message in the mobile phone <NUM>.

For exchange of information regarding an operation state change between devices, the mobile phone <NUM> and the digital TV <NUM> may exchange information regarding the message reception therebetween through the first method, the second method, and the third method described above.

The digital TV <NUM> receives notification information indicating the reception of the SMS message in the mobile phone <NUM>, and displays information indicating the SMS message has been received in the mobile phone <NUM> of the user on a partial area <NUM> of the display screen.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of using a device undergoing an operation state change and a device capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The digital TV <NUM> may receive detail information indicating details of an SMS message, together with notification information indicating the reception of the SMS message in the mobile phone <NUM>. The digital TV <NUM> displays a message reception notification display window <NUM> on the screen based on the notification information, and may receive a user input regarding whether to see the received SMS message.

If the user acknowledges the notification information via the digital TV <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM> may display an SMS message display window <NUM> of the mobile phone <NUM> on the screen based on the received detail information of the SMS message.

If the received detail information of the SMS message is not in a format which can be reproduced by the digital TV <NUM> and displayed on the screen, the digital TV <NUM> may convert the details information into data in a reproducible format and display the SMS message display window <NUM> on the screen.

Alternatively, a management server of the network of devices of the user may convert the detail information of the SMS message into a format that can be reproduced by the digital TV <NUM>, and transmit the converted information to the digital TV <NUM>, which then receives the format-converted information and displays the SMS message display window <NUM> on the screen.

Alternatively, the mobile phone <NUM> of the user may convert the detail information of the SMS message into a format that can be reproduced by the digital TV <NUM>, and transmit the converted information to the digital TV <NUM>, which then receives the format-converted information and displays the SMS message display window <NUM> on the screen.

For example, if the mobile phone <NUM> receives a text-based message such as an SMS message, the received message may be converted into text-format data that can be reproduced by the digital TV <NUM> and then displayed on the digital TV <NUM>. If the mobile phone <NUM> undergoes an operation state change by the reception of a text-based message combined with image or audio data, such as an MMS message, the message may be converted into data including image, audio, and text data that can be reproduced by the digital TV <NUM> and then displayed on the digital TV <NUM>.

After reception or completion of display of the notification information indicating the message reception or the details information of the message in the mobile phone <NUM>, the digital TV <NUM> may inform the mobile phone <NUM> that the user acknowledges the message.

The device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change thereof and the device <NUM> capable of notifying an operation state change of another device, which have been described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> may operate under the control of a central server such as a home server which manages and controls a network of devices.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of notifying an operation state change of a device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation <NUM>, a network is formed between devices which can be used by a user and perform network communication. A device of the user may be registered in the network of the devices.

In operation <NUM>, if an operation state of a first device is changed in the network, at least one device, which is currently being used by the user, is sought in the network. The first device searches for the device, which is currently being used by the user, in the previously formed network.

To search for the currently being used device, the first device may request information indicating the current use state of the user from the device, analyze an operation history of the device, or obtain the information indicating the current use state of the user broadcast from the device.

In operation <NUM>, the information indicating the current use state of the user is transmitted to the at least one device found to be currently being used by the user. Since the information indicating the operation state change of the first device is displayed on a display unit of the found device, the user may obtain information regarding the operation state change of the first device from a display unit of a second device currently being used by the user.

The information regarding the operation state change of the first device may include notification information indicating the occurrence of the operation state change and detail information indicating details of the operation state change. The detail information of the first device may be converted into data in a format that can be reproduced by the second device via the first device or via a server of the network and then transmitted to the second device.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method of notifying an operation state change of another device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In operation <NUM>, a network is formed between devices including a first device and at least one device, which can be used by a user and perform network communication.

In operation <NUM>, at least one device currently being used by the user in the network receives information, from the first device, about an operation state change of the first device, which sought the at least one device. The at least one device may receive a search signal indicating a search for the at least one device currently being used by the user from the first device.

The device having received the search signal may check if the user is currently using the device. The device currently being used by the user may broadcast information indicating whether the user currently uses the device, or the first device may access another device to analyze if the user currently uses the device.

In operation <NUM>, information regarding the operation state change of the first device is displayed on a display unit of the at least one device currently being used by the user. The display manner of a notification display window where the information regarding the operation state change of the first device is displayed, such as position, size, transparency, flickering frequency, color, and the like, may be set by a user.

After the device currently being used by the user displays the notification display window on the display screen, an acknowledgement may be input from the user. After the user's acknowledgement, detail information indicating details of the operation state change of the first device may be displayed on a display screen of the device currently being used by the user.

If the detail information of the first device is in a format that cannot be reproduced by the device currently being used by the user, it may be converted into data in a format that can be reproduced by the device currently being used by the user and then displayed on the display screen of the device. Alternatively, the detail information of the first device, which has been converted into data in a format that can be reproduced by the currently being used device via the first device or a server of the network, may be received by the currently being used device. Alternatively, the detail information of the first device may be transmitted after being converted into data in a format that can be reproduced by the display screen of the currently being used device, and the currently being used device may receive the format-converted detail information and reproduce the detail information indicating the details of the operation state change of the first device on the display screen.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a first device, and a network of devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

The first device may be a mobile phone <NUM> of a user <NUM>, and the network of devices may be a home network <NUM> configured of the mobile phone <NUM> of the user <NUM>, a radio repeater <NUM>, a PC <NUM>, and a TV <NUM>. Each of the mobile phone <NUM> of the user <NUM>, the radio repeater <NUM>, the PC <NUM>, and the TV <NUM> supports wireless communication. The user <NUM> may not carry the mobile phone <NUM> in a house but may be provided services of the mobile phone <NUM> via the PC <NUM>, the TV <NUM>, or the like. The PC <NUM> and the TV <NUM> both having a networking function and a display screen may display or may reproduce a call signal reception service or the like on the display screen, wherein the call signal reception service is related to a call transmitted from an external mobile phone <NUM> to the mobile phone <NUM> of the user <NUM> via the home network <NUM>. In particular, contents of an event currently occurring in the mobile phone <NUM> may be notified to the user <NUM> via the display screen.

Also, based on an appropriate user input, when a call signal is received by a home network using a mobile communication network or a Wi-Fi network, the home network may be set so that the mobile phone <NUM> directly receives the call signal, or the call signal may be answered by using a videotelephony function of the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> via a web-cam or a microphone of the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>. With respect to videotelephony, the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> has a larger display screen than that of the mobile phone <NUM>, so that the user <NUM> may further conveniently use the videotelephony function.

The TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> may provide a user interface by which the user <NUM> may select whether to respond to a call signal reception event by using the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> or by using the mobile phone <NUM>. For example, when the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> receives a user input command indicating a response to the call signal, and the user input command is transmitted to the mobile phone <NUM> via the home network <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> may connect the external mobile phone <NUM> to the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>, which is used by the user <NUM>, and may transmit received video information or audio information.

Although the user <NUM> receives the call signal reception event via various devices including the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> in the home network <NUM>, the user <NUM> may directly answer the call signal by using the mobile phone <NUM>. In a case where the user <NUM> responds by answering the call signal in the mobile phone <NUM>, a state change thereof may be transmitted to the devices including the TV <NUM>, the PC <NUM>, or the like in the home network <NUM>.

Information indicating a state change of the mobile phone <NUM> may include not only information about a phone connection state but also include information indicating which device performs the phone connection. If the user <NUM> already responds to the call signal reception event in the mobile phone <NUM> so that the phone connection is performed in the mobile phone <NUM>, the display screen of the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>, which previously displayed the call signal reception event, may notify another user that the user <NUM> answers the phone signal in the mobile phone <NUM> or may provide an appropriate user interface thereof.

That is, after the mobile phone <NUM> transmits state information about the call signal reception event to the devices including the TV <NUM>, the PC <NUM>, or the like, if the user <NUM> accepts or rejects a call in the mobile phone <NUM> having a telephony client embedded therein, it is necessary to transmit state information indicating occurrence of a response to the call signal reception event to the devices. Here, if information indicating that the user <NUM> accepts or rejects the call 'by using the mobile phone <NUM>' is transmitted with call signal response state information indicating that 'the call is accepted or rejected', this case will be distinguished from a case in which a call is accepted or rejected by using the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>.

Thus, a device state change notifying method according to an exemplary embodiment may be performed in such a manner that the mobile phone <NUM> having a telephony client embedded therein may notify other connected devices in the home network <NUM> about an operation state change of the telephony client of the mobile phone <NUM>, and may transmit various responses to a state change, and information about a cause of the state change.

In a case where a telephony service is used in the devices in the home network <NUM> which do not have a telephony client, the device state change notifying method may provide an user interface so that the user <NUM> may appropriately respond to a call signal by using the devices in the home network <NUM> which do not have the telephony client.

For example, the mobile phone <NUM> may transmit a call signal reception message via an external network or a phone network, and may notify the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> that the mobile phone <NUM> is currently receiving a call signal. In a case where the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> includes a media engine for video or audio processing, if the user <NUM> desires to respond to the call signal by using the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>, a message indicating acceptance of the call signal by using the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> may be transmitted to the mobile phone <NUM>.

Although the user <NUM> is notified about the call signal reception event via the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>, if the user <NUM> accepts a call in the telephony client of the mobile phone <NUM> so as to answer the call by using the mobile phone <NUM>, the mobile phone <NUM> may transmit a call response message to the external mobile phone <NUM> and then a phone connection may be made.

In this case, the mobile phone <NUM> may transmit state change information indicating 'the phone connection is performed by using the mobile phone <NUM>' to the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM>, and the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> may acknowledge that the received call signal is connected and then may provide a user interface for a next user input that may be input in a changed operation state of the mobile phone <NUM>. For example, the TV <NUM> or the PC <NUM> may remove a notification user interface for notification of call signal reception, and may display a user interface for providing a call end button on its display screen. After the call signal is disconnected, it is possible to control user interfaces of the devices so as not to activate a call end button on display screens of the devices.

Thus, the user <NUM> using the devices in the home network <NUM> may be provided appropriate information related to call reception, regardless of the types of devices.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of notifying an operation state change of a first device and another device in a network, when a user responds to an operation state change of the first device, according to an exemplary embodiment.

A user mobile phone <NUM> that is a telephony server (TS) corresponding to the first device, and a TV <NUM> based on a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) configure the network.

A call signal from a caller is transmitted (INVITE) to the user mobile phone <NUM> via a Wide Area Network (WAN) <NUM> (operation S812), and the caller is notified that the call signal is received (RINGING) by the user mobile phone <NUM> via the WAN <NUM> (operation S822).

A user may be notified (EVENT NOTIFY) via the TV <NUM> that the user mobile phone <NUM> is currently receiving (RINGING) the call signal (operation S824). That is, the user mobile phone <NUM> may transmit operation state change information indicating reception of the call signal to the TV <NUM> in a home network. The TV <NUM> may display a user interface for call notification on its display screen (operation S842).

The user responds to the call signal so as to accept call connection by using the user mobile phone <NUM> (operation S826). Thus, the user mobile phone <NUM> may transmit an acceptance message OK <NUM> to the caller (operation S828), and may notify the user (EVENT NOTIFY) via the TV <NUM> that the call connection has been accepted by using the user mobile phone <NUM> (AcceptedOnMob) (operation S830). Accordingly, the TV <NUM> may remove the user interface for call notification on the display screen and may newly display a user interface for indicating that the call signal has been accepted by the user mobile phone <NUM> (Accepted on Mobile Notification) (operation S844).

In the method of notifying the operation state change of the first device and the other device according to an exemplary embodiment, the operation state change information including two pieces of information indicating 'the user accepts the call signal by using the user mobile phone <NUM>' and 'the call connection is made' may be transmitted to the TV <NUM>. The TV <NUM> may configure a user interface for notifying call acceptance by the user, based on the received operation state change information of the user mobile phone <NUM>, and may configure and provide an appropriate user interface screen according to a subsequent state change.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method of notifying an operation state change of a first device and another device in a network, when a user responds to an operation state change of the first device, according to another exemplary embodiment.

A user mobile phone <NUM> that is a telephony server (TS) corresponding to the first device, and a TV <NUM> configure the network. The TV <NUM> may be based on a TCP or may have a telephony client (TC) embedded therein.

A call signal from a caller is transmitted (INVITE) to the user mobile phone <NUM> via a WAN <NUM> (operation S912), and the caller is notified that the call signal is received (RINGING) by the user mobile phone <NUM> via the WAN <NUM> (operation S922).

The user mobile phone <NUM> may transmit operation state change information indicating reception of the call signal to the TV <NUM>, and a user may be notified (EVENT NOTIFY) via the TV <NUM> that the user mobile phone <NUM> is currently receiving (RINGING) the call signal (operation S924). The TV <NUM> may display a user interface for call notification on its display screen (operation S942).

In a case where the user rejects the call signal so as not to accept call connection by using the user mobile phone <NUM> (operation S926), the user mobile phone <NUM> may transmit a rejection message BUSY to the caller (operation S928), and may notify the user (EVENT NOTIFY) via the TV <NUM> that the call connection has been rejected by using the user mobile phone <NUM> (RejectedOnMob) (operation S930). Accordingly, the TV <NUM> may remove the user interface for call notification on the display screen and may newly display a user interface for indicating that the call signal has been rejected by using the user mobile phone <NUM> (Rejected on Mobile Notification) (operation S944).

Thus, in the method of notifying the operation state change of the first device and the other device according to an exemplary embodiment, the operation state change information including two pieces of information indicating 'the user rejects the call connection by using the user mobile phone <NUM>' and 'the call connection is disconnected' is transmitted to the TV <NUM>. The TV <NUM> may configure a user interface for notifying call rejection by the user, based on the received operation state change information of the user mobile phone <NUM>, and may configure and provide an appropriate user interface screen according to a subsequent state change.

In the operation state change information of the mobile phone which is described above with reference to <FIG>, state change information including information indicating which device performs an operation state change, and current state information may be expressed as shown in Table <NUM> below.

That is, the state change information of Table <NUM> may be transmitted to at least one device found as a device that is used by a user and that is from among devices in a network which are registered in a list.

Claim 1:
A method of notifying an operation state change of a device, the method comprising:
forming a network of devices;
when a first change in an operation state of the device (<NUM>) in the network of devices occurs, searching, by the device, for at least one device (<NUM>) currently being used by a user in the network of devices by obtaining, from the at least one device in the network of devices, information indicating whether the user currently uses the at least one device (<NUM>);
transmitting, by the device, information regarding the first change in the operation state to the at least one device (<NUM>) currently being used; and
when a second change in the operation state of the device (<NUM>) in the network of devices occurs by receiving a user response with respect to the first change in the operation state of the device (<NUM>),
transmitting, by the device, information regarding the second change in the operation state to the at least one device (<NUM>) currently being used,
wherein the information regarding the first change in the operation state of the device (<NUM>) is displayed on a display unit (<NUM>) of the at least one device (<NUM>) currently being used,
wherein the device (<NUM>) supports a telephony service and the at least one device (<NUM>) currently being used does not support the telephony service.