Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/GB2007/001301, filed Apr. 5, 2007, published in English, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 or 365 to Great Britain Application No. 0607191.4, filed Apr. 10, 2006. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a user interface for handling a communication event in a communication system. In particular the invention relates, but not exclusively to controlling an interface in a communication system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a communication system a communication network is provided, which can link together two communication terminals so that the terminals can send information to each other in a call or other communication event. Information may include voice, text, images or video. 
     One such communication system is a peer to peer communication system, in which a plurality of end users can be connected for communication purposes via a communications structure such as the internet. The communications structure is substantially decentralised with regard to communication route switching therein for connecting the end users. That is, the end users can establish their own communication routes through the structure based on exchange of one or more authorisation certificates (user identity certificates—UIC) to acquire access to the structure. The structure includes an administration arrangement issuing the certificates to the end users. Such a communication system is described in WO 2005/009019. 
     Peer-to-peer telecommunications are beneficial to the user as they are often of significantly lower cost than traditional telephony networks, such as fixed line or mobile networks. This may particularly be the case for long distance calls. These systems may utilise voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”) over an existing network (e.g. the Internet) to provide these services, although alternative protocols can also be used. 
     In a communication system, such as a peer to peer system, client software is installed on end user devices such as personal computers (PCs) to allow the end users to communicate via the communications network. The user interface of the client software can be controlled by the client to display user facilities and to indicate events occurring, such as an incoming call. 
     The inventors of the present invention have identified that it may not always be possible for the client to display information on the end user device when required, for example when receiving an incoming call. This may be due to a different application running on the device which cannot be interrupted or the user interface of the device, such as the monitor of a PC being switched off. It also may not be possible for the client to display information due to the constraints of the operating system of the device, such as mobile game playing consoles. This prevents the user from using the communication system. 
     It is therefore an aim of embodiments of the invention to address at least one of the above identified problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a device for use in a communication system the device comprising; processing means arranged to execute first and second applications, and first and second interface means, the first application comprising a first layer for detecting a communication event and controlling the first interface means to indicate to a user of the device that the communication event has occurred, the second application comprising means for controlling the second interface to allow a user to use the second application the first application including a second layer for handling the communication event, wherein the device comprises means operable to close the second application in order for the processing means to execute the second layer of the first application. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present invention and as to how the same may be carried into effect, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings:
           FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of a peer to peer telephony system;     FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a user device according to an embodiment of the present invention;     FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a user device with a detachable interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;     FIG. 4  shows a client stack according to an embodiment of the present invention;     FIG. 5  is a schematic representation according to an embodiment of the present invention.       

     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will first be made to  FIG. 1 , in which is shown a peer-to-peer telephony system  100 . It should be appreciated that even though the exemplifying telecommunications network shown and described in more detail uses the terminology of a peer to peer network, embodiments of the present invention can be used in any other suitable form of network. 
     A user terminal  102  is shown connected to a network  104 . The user terminal may be, for example, a personal computer, a gaming device, a personal digital assistant, a suitably enabled mobile phone, a television or other device able to connect to the network  104 . The user terminal  102  is connected to the network  104  via a network port  105 , and may be via a cable (wired) connection or a wireless connection. The network  104  may be a network such as the Internet. If the user terminal is connected to the network  104 , then it may be running a client program  112  provided by the operator of the peer-to-peer telephony system. The client  112  is a software program executed on a local processor in the user terminal  102 . The client  112  has a number of different components or layers for implementing various functions, including a protocol layer  402  ( FIG. 4 ) for managing the network interface. 
       FIG. 4  shows a client stack according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown the client protocol layer sits on top off the operating system  401  of the device. Above the protocol layer  402  is the client engine  404 . The client engine  404  is used to control the client user interface layer  406 . The client user interface layer may include software for controlling a main interface and separate software for controlling an alternative interface. The control of the client user interface  406  will be explained in more detail hereinafter. 
     In an embodiment of the invention the present invention both the client protocol layer  402  and the client engine layer  404  are arranged to run on the device when the terminal is either not engaged in a call over the communication network, or when an alternative application is running on the user terminal. The protocol layer and client engine layer may be arranged to run either when the user terminal is switched on, or when the user switches on the communication functionality on the terminal. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, also connected to the network  104  are a backend server  122  and a web application  124 . The backend server  122  and the web application  124  may be located within the private network  128  of the operator of the telephony system. The backend server  122  and the web application  124  may be geographically co-located, or may be geographically separated. The backend server  122  is located between the web application  124  and the network  104 , and is responsible for exchanging messages between the web application  124  and the client  112 . The backend  122  and the client  112  communicate using a proprietary protocol, and do not use HTTP. This is to avoid the detection and blocking of HTTP messages by third parties and firewalls. Furthermore, the backend server  122  also blocks HTTP. 
     In order to be able to communicate across the network, the user  106  must be suitably registered and authenticated. Access is checked using public key cryptography. The protocol layer of the client  112  may be arranged to periodically poll the backend server  122  using the protocol for a new version of the public key. The backend server  122  forwards the request to the web application  124 . The web application  124  returns the key to the backend server  122  in step, and this is passed to the client  112  using the protocol in a user identity certificate (UIC). The above steps are performed periodically, without the user being aware of its operation, in order to ensure that the key information is always up to date in the client  112 . 
     A user of a second user terminal  110  can make a telephone call to the user of the user terminal  102  across the network  104 . To initiate the call, the second user  108  can click on the contact listed for the user  106  displayed in a client running on the second user terminal similar to the client running on the user terminal  102 . Alternatively the user  108  can type in a telephone number or username for the user  106 . The client then sets up the call to the user  106 . The telephone call may be made using VoIP, in accordance with methods known in the art, such as disclosed in WO 2005/009019. The telephone call may comprise voice, video, instant messaging (“IM”), short message service (SMS) or a combination thereof. 
     In an alternative embodiment the second user terminal  110  may be connected to a different network such as the public switched telephone network (“PSTN”) or a mobile network (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). If connected to the PSTN, the second user terminal may be a fixed line telephone, and if connected to a mobile network, the second user terminal may be a mobile telephone. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic representation of a user device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When the client software is run on the user device as a dedicated application the main user interface of the device, such as the screen  201  may be controlled by the client engine  404  via the client user interface layer  406 . 
     When a communication event such as an incoming call is signalled via the network to the user device, the client protocol layer  402  is arranged to receive the notification from the network and to control the client engine  404  accordingly. If the main user interface of the device is available, the client engine may be arranged to control the main user interface, for example the screen  201 , via the client user interface layer to notify the user of the incoming call. The user may then accept the incoming call by using the function buttons  202  provided on the user device  102 . 
     Accordingly when the main user interface is available, the client application may be run as a dedicated application. In this case the client engine is arranged to control the user interface layer  406  to execute the software for controlling the main user interface. 
     However, it is possible that the user device  102  may be running an alternative application  140  such as a games application at the time of receiving an incoming call. Accordingly the display  201  and function keys  202  of the user device may be dedicated to the operation of the games application. This may be due to the capacity of the system or that either the user or the manufacturer has chosen that the games application  140  should not be interrupted. 
     When the user device is running the alternative application  140  and the protocol layer is notified by the network of an incoming call, the protocol layer notifies a client application engine installed in the device  102  that there is an incoming call. The client engine is also notified that the main user interface is unavailable. The client engine is configured to control an alternative interface means via the client user interface upon notification that the main user interface is unavailable, or upon notification that the alternative application  140  is running. In one embodiment of the invention the client engine is dynamically configured to control the alternative user interface upon receiving notification from the operating system that the main user interface is unavailable after the client engine has attempted to control the main interface. 
     Accordingly when the main user interface is unavailable, the client application may not be run as a dedicated application. In this case the client engine is arranged to control the user interface layer  406  to execute the software for controlling the alternative user interface. 
     The alternative interface may comprise outputting a signal to an LED  204  provided on the device. Accordingly when the LED lights up the user of device  102  knows that an incoming call has been received. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention the client engine may output a signal to a buzzer or a speaker  208  to indicate that the user has received a call. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention the network may notify the client protocol layer of an incoming voicemail or SMS. The protocol layer may then notify the client engine that a voicemail has been received. 
     In an alternative embodiment, of the invention a separate alternative interface may be used to indicate an incoming call, a voicemail and an SMS. For example the incoming call may be indicated by an LED and a voicemail may be indicated by a buzzer. 
     In one embodiment of the invention the user may immediately close the alternative application  140  and run the client as a dedicated application to receive the call. Interruption of the alternative application  140  may be achieved using the function keys  202  or alternative interface function keys  206 . A voice call may then be conducted using the speaker  208  and microphone  209 . 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the interface dedicated to the alternative application  140 , (i.e. the display  201  and function keys  202 ) does not respond to the client  122  until after the alternative application  140  is closed. 
     In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the notification of a communication event to the client protocol layer may cause the device to immediately close the alternative application  140  and to run the client as a dedicated application using the main user interface. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  which shows a user device  102  with a detachable alternative interface  301 . The detachable alternative interface comprises function keys  302 , LED  304 , head phones  306  and microphone  308 . 
     The detachable interface  301  may be attached via a USB connection and/or by an audio jack connection (not shown). In an alternative embodiment the detachable interface may be connected to the user device via a blue tooth connection. It is possible to connect the detachable device via any wired or wireless means capable of transmitting digital information. 
     According to this embodiment of the invention the client engine is arranged to output a signal to the LED  304  or the headphones  306  to indicate an incoming call, or a voicemail. The user may then close the alternative application  140  running on the device  102  and launch a dedicated client application controlling the main interface using function keys  302 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the device may contain two display screens: a main display screen and an alternative display screen. When the client receives notification that the main screen is unavailable when receiving an incoming call, the client engine is arranged to control the user interface layer to operate the alternative display screen to indicate an incoming call or other communication event to the user. The use of a screen allows information such as caller identity to be displayed. 
     In this embodiment the alternative application and the client may both be fully operational on the device and use two separate display screens. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the device may comprise a television  501  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The detachable interface is provided on the remote control  502  of the television. 
     The client is installed at the television. When the network notifies the client of the incoming call and the client engine is notified that the television screen is unavailable due to the television  501  displaying television broadcasts, the client engine communicates via the user interface layer on a wireless link to control the detachable interface provided on the remote control  502 . The detachable interface may include an LED  503  which is used to signal an incoming call. The user may accept the incoming call by using the function buttons  504  on the remote control  502  to exit the television broadcast and use the instructions displayed on the television screen to accept the incoming call. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention the user may accept the call without using the main interface on the television screen. In this embodiment the user may accept the call using the function buttons  504  on the remote control and conduct the call using a microphone  506  and speaker  505  included on the remote control. 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention it is possible to have the alternative application and the client running fully on the device  102 . According to this embodiment the user may conduct a call whilst using the alternative application  140 , the call and the alternative application using two separate interfaces. 
     While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Technology Category: 5