Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2003-0045341, filed on Jul. 4, 2003, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to image transmission and more particularly to automatic control of image transmission in a mobile communication device. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   As schematically shown in  FIGS. 1A-1B , conventional image transmission by way of a mobile communication device requires manual intervention by the user. Specifically, the user is obliged to manually suspend an image transmission portion during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission using menu functions on the mobile communication device keypad, if so desired by the user. The user also has to manually resume a previously suspended image transmission portion during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission using menu functions on the mobile communication device keypad. Such manual intervention may cause inconvenience and/or irritation on part of the user. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a communication device is adapted to sense the relative light intensity around a first portion associated with reduced light intensity during communication conducted in proximity to a user&#39;s body. The communication device is also adapted to suspend or resume a previously suspended image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission based on the sensed relative light intensity. The communication device is further adapted to allow an image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission to proceed based on the sensed relative light intensity. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a communication device comprises means for detecting the relative light intensity in the vicinity of a first portion associated with reduced light intensity during communication conducted in proximity to a user&#39;s body, means for processing the detected relative light intensity, and at least one controller adapted to suspend or resume a previously suspended image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission based on the processed relative light intensity. The controller is also adapted to allow an image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission to proceed based on the processed relative light intensity. 
   The detecting means may include at least one light intensity detector receiving input from at least one optical sensor. The optical sensor may be disposed in the vicinity of at least one device speaker. The processing means may include at least one processor receiving input from the light intensity detector. The controller is operatively coupled to the processor. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a communication method comprises the steps of detecting the relative light intensity in the vicinity of a first communication device portion associated with reduced light intensity during communication conducted in proximity to a user&#39;s body, processing the detected relative light intensity, and suspending or resuming a previously suspended image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission based on the processed relative light intensity. The communication method also comprises the step of allowing an image transmission portion of an ongoing image/voice transmission to proceed based on the processed relative light intensity. 
   These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the present invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is generally shown by way of reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  schematically illustrate conventional manual control of image transmission in a mobile communication device. 
       FIG. 2A  is a front plan view of a mobile communication device configured in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a back plan view of a mobile communication device configured in accordance with the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a component block diagram of the mobile communication device of  FIGS. 2A-2B . 
       FIG. 4A  is a schematic view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4B  is a schematic view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an operational flow chart in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the related drawings of  FIGS. 1-5 . Additional embodiments, features and/or advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description or may be learned by practicing the invention. 
   In the figures, the drawings are not to scale with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the drawings and the description. 
   The following description includes the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. 
     FIGS. 2A-2B  generally illustrate a mobile communication device  6  comprising first and second optical sensors  10 ,  12  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. First optical sensor  10  is preferably disposed on a front portion  8  of mobile communication device  6  in the general proximity of a speaker  14  of mobile communication device  6 , as generally shown in  FIG. 2A . Second optical sensor  12  is preferably disposed on a back portion  9  of mobile communication device  6 , as generally shown in  FIG. 2B . Each of first and second optical sensors ( 10 ,  12 ) is adapted to sense light in the general vicinity of mobile communication device  6 . A person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the location of each optical sensor as well as the number of optical sensors used in accordance with the general principles of the present invention may be varied by the mobile communication device manufacturer. 
   As generally depicted in  FIG. 3 , mobile communication device  6  also comprises a light intensity detector (LID)  16  operatively coupled between first optical sensor  10 , second optical sensor  12 , and a processor  18 . LID  16  receives light input from first and second optical sensors  10 ,  12 . LID  16  detects the intensity of light sensed by first and second optical sensors  10 ,  12 , and generates corresponding light intensity output that is fed into processor  18 . Processor  18  compares the intensity of light (I F1 ) sensed by first optical sensor  10  with the intensity of light (I F2 ) sensed by second optical sensor  12 , i.e. determines the relative light intensity, and outputs a corresponding light intensity comparison signal ΔI, where ΔI=|I F2 −I F1 |, to a controller  20  ( FIG. 3 ). Based on the comparison signal, controller  20  may suspend an image stream or resume a suspended image stream during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission. 
   Specifically, if ΔI≧ΔI REF  during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission, where ΔI REF  is a pre-set value, controller  20  concludes that user  22  has brought mobile communication device  6  in proximity to his/her ear, i.e. does not wish to view images any more, as generally depicted in  FIG. 4A , and automatically suspends the image stream with the voice transmission portion going on uninterrupted. 
   Alternatively, if ΔI&lt;ΔI REF  during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission, controller  20  concludes that user  24  has pulled mobile communication device  6  away from his/her ear, i.e. may wish to view images again, as generally depicted in  FIG. 4B , and automatically resumes the suspended image stream with the voice transmission portion going on uninterrupted. 
   A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the user may manually suspend an image stream during an ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission by simply covering first optical sensor  10  with a finger or by bringing his/her finger in close proximity to first optical sensor  10 , e.g., by partially or fully obstructing the view of first optical sensor  10 , such as in the vicinity of device speaker  14  ( FIG. 2A ). The suspended image stream (image transmission portion) would automatically resume if the user were to remove his/her finger from first optical sensor  10  or move his his/her finger away from the vicinity of speaker  14 , i.e. if the user were to no longer block or interfere with the light-sensing field of first optical sensor  10 . 
   In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, mobile communication device  6  may operate as follows. After establishing connection with another communication device, as referenced by “Start” step  26  of  FIG. 5 , the user performs a simultaneous image/voice transmission, step  28 ,  FIG. 5 . LID  16  detects the intensity of light sensed by first and second optical sensors  10 ,  12  during the ongoing simultaneous image/voice transmission, step  30 ,  FIG. 5 . Processor  18  receives input from LID  16  representative of the detected light intensity and generates a light intensity comparison signal ΔI, step  32 ,  FIG. 5 . 
   Controller,  20  determines whether ΔI≧ΔI REF , where ΔI REF  is a pre-set value, step  34 ,  FIG. 5 . If the answer is in the affirmative, controller  20  suspends the image transmission portion of the ongoing image/voice transmission with the voice transmission portion going on uninterrupted, step  36 ,  FIG. 5 , and the cycle repeats, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 5 . If the answer is in the negative, controller  20  allows the image transmission portion of the ongoing image/voice transmission to proceed simultaneously with the voice transmission portion, or resumes a previously suspended image transmission portion with the voice transmission portion going on uninterrupted, step  38 ,  FIG. 5 , and the cycle repeats. 
   The above-described novel setup reduces mobile communication device user inconvenience during simultaneous image/voice transmission by automating the entire procedure. 
   All terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 
   While the present invention has been described in detail with regards to several embodiments, it should be appreciated that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In this regard it is important to note that practicing the invention is not limited to the applications described hereinabove. 
   Many other applications and/or alterations may be utilized provided that such other applications and/or alterations do not deviate from the intended purpose of the present invention. Also, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to provide yet another embodiment such that the features are not limited to the embodiments described above. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover all such embodiments and variations as long as such embodiments and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Technology Category: 5