Patent Document

PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to an application entitled “METHOD OF CONTROLLING PRINTER USING BLUETOOTH FUNCTION OF MOBILE TERMINAL” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 12, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-0099103, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal, and, more particularly, to a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth® (“Bluetooth”) function of a mobile terminal that can output data of the mobile terminal to the printer by connecting a headset that can perform Bluetooth communication and having a Bluetooth dongle function to the printer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Nowadays, additional functions provided in a mobile terminal are being rapidly developed, such as an MP3 player, navigation using a Global Positioning System (GPS), and Bluetooth. A function that has been highly spotlighted among the additional functions is Bluetooth. It is possible to conveniently perform communication through a mobile terminal or listen to music stored in the mobile terminal using a headset without a wire connector or connection line of the headset by connecting the mobile terminal and headset using wireless Bluetooth protocol. 
         [0006]    Further, data communication between the mobile terminal and other appliances can be conveniently performed by providing a Bluetooth module in the other appliances, as well as in the headset. In the related art, in order to print data stored in the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal and printer are connected using a USB device, or using Bluetooth communication by providing the Bluetooth module in the printer. However, in the former case, the data of the mobile terminal cannot be printed without the USB device. In the latter case, if the Bluetooth module is not provided in the printer, the data cannot be printed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention solves the above problems, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a printer not having a Bluetooth module by a mobile terminal that can perform Bluetooth communication. 
         [0008]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of performing a Bluetooth dongle function by providing a USB device in a headset that can perform Bluetooth communication. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of enabling a mobile terminal and printer to perform Bluetooth communication by connecting a headset for performing a Bluetooth dongle function to the printer. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal, including forming a Bluetooth communication link between a mobile terminal having a Bluetooth communication function and a printer to which a headset for performing a dongle function is connected; selecting data to be printed; setting a print format for the selected data and transmitting the print format to the headset in order to transmit the print format to the printer; and transmitting the selected data to the headset in order to transmit the selected data to the printer. 
         [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal, including selecting data to be printed; forming a Bluetooth communication link between a mobile terminal having a Bluetooth communication function and a printer to which a headset for performing a dongle function is connected; setting a print format for the selected data and transmitting the print format to the headset in order to transmit the print format to the printer; and transmitting the selected data to the headset in order to transmit the selected data to the printer. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal, including forming, when printing is to be performed, a Bluetooth communication link between the mobile terminal and a headset and forming a communication link between the headset and the printer; selecting data to be printed, using the mobile terminal; setting a print format, using the mobile terminal, transmitting the print format to the headset, transmitting the print format from the headset to the printer, and setting the print format as a print format of the printer; and transmitting the selected data from the mobile terminal to the headset and printing the data received through the headset using the printer with the set format. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a system for controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a message flow diagram illustrating an operation of registering a printer connected to a headset performing a Bluetooth dongle function in a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a message flow diagram illustrating a method of controlling a printer using a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
         [0019]    While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, specific embodiments of the present invention are shown in drawings and are described herein in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
         [0020]    The mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be any information communication appliance that can perform Bluetooth communication, such as a mobile communication terminal, mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), smart phone, notebook computer, and multimedia appliances, and applications thereof. 
         [0021]    Further, in the present invention, a headset that has a Bluetooth function and can perform a dongle function is exemplified. 
         [0022]    The dongle function is used for assisting other appliances in which a Bluetooth function is not provided to perform a Bluetooth function. The headset may be any appliance that has a Bluetooth function, such as an ear set, headphone, or stereo headset, and can perform a dongle function and applications thereof. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the system includes a mobile terminal  100 , headset  200 , and printer  300 . 
         [0024]    The mobile terminal  100  establishes a Bluetooth communication link with the headset  200 , and the headset  200  establishes a USB communication link with the printer  300 . The headset  200  includes a Bluetooth module for forming a Bluetooth communication link with the mobile terminal  100 . Further, the headset  200  includes a USB connector for forming the USB communication link with the printer  300  and a USB control module for performing USB communication. 
         [0025]    The printer  300  includes a USB port for forming the USB communication link with the headset  200 . 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the mobile terminal  100  includes a Radio Frequency (RF) unit  101 , Bluetooth module  103 , controller  105 , display unit  107 , input unit  109 , memory unit  111 , and audio unit  113 . 
         [0027]    The RF unit  101  performs general wireless communication between the mobile terminal  100  and a mobile communication network. For example, the RF unit  101  transmits and receives voice data, transmission and reception of a character messages, and multi media messages through the mobile communication network. 
         [0028]    The Bluetooth module  103  performs Bluetooth communication with other Bluetooth devices through a Bluetooth antenna according to Bluetooth protocol. Particularly, the Bluetooth module  103  stores a host stack necessary for Bluetooth communication, a Bluetooth profile that can be selected according to a function or condition of an external Bluetooth device to be a communication target, an application program, etc. Further, an Object Push Profile (OPP) and Basic Printer Profile (BPP) are stored in the Bluetooth profile. The OPP is a profile necessary for performing object exchange or file transfer, and the BPP is a profile necessary for controlling a printer. 
         [0029]    The controller  105  controls the general operation of the mobile terminal  100 . Particularly, the controller  105  includes a modem and codec having a transmitter for encoding and modulating a signal for transmission from the RF unit  101  and a receiver for demodulating and decoding a received signal. 
         [0030]    The controller  105  determines whether an intrinsic number of the printer  300  received from the Bluetooth module of the headset  200  is identical to an intrinsic number stored in the memory unit  111 , and if an intrinsic number of the printer  300  received from the Bluetooth module of the headset  200  is not identical to an intrinsic number stored in the memory unit  111 , the controller  105  stores the intrinsic number in the memory unit  111 . The controller  105  can recognize that a device connected to the headset  200  is the printer  300  by utilizing the intrinsic number. 
         [0031]    Further, the controller  105  controls the Bluetooth module  103  to transmit data to print and a set print format to the headset  200 . The controller  105  determines whether transmission of the data to print is completed through the Bluetooth module  103 . The print format includes a size of a paper for performing the print, a print resolution, and the number of copies. 
         [0032]    The display unit  107  displays a series of operation states, an operation result, and information performed in the mobile terminal  100  by the control of the controller  105 . The display unit  107  is composed of a display device such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED), and Plasma Display Panel (PDP). Particularly, the display unit  107  displays, if data to print of the mobile terminal  100  are transmitted to the headset  200  by the control of the controller  105 , a message of data transmission completion. 
         [0033]    The input unit  109  includes a general keypad, for example, a touch screen, touch pad, or scroll wheel. The input unit  109  receives a manipulation signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal  100  and provides the manipulation signal to the controller  105 . 
         [0034]    The memory unit  111  stores information (e.g. information about a setting state and menu) related to the operation of the mobile terminal  100  by the control of the controller  105 . Particularly, the memory unit  111  stores an intrinsic number of the printer  300  received from the Bluetooth module of the headset  200  as controlled by the controller  105 . Further, the memory unit  111  stores a set print format, a size of a paper for performing the print, a print resolution, and the number of copies. 
         [0035]    The audio unit  113  converts an analog audio signal input through a microphone (MIC) to a digital audio signal and plays a converted digital audio signal output from the controller  105  through a speaker (SPK). 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a Bluetooth communication link is formed between the mobile terminal  100  and headset  200  in Step  301 , and a USB communication link is formed between the headset  200  and the printer  300  in Step  303 ). The connection order of Steps  301  and  303  may be reversed without any difficulty in executing the present invention. The USB communication link between the headset  200  and the printer  300  is composed of a wired or wireless USB device. 
         [0037]    After connecting the mobile terminal  100  and headset  200  with Bluetooth communication at Step  301  and the headset  200  and printer  300  with USB communication at Step  303 , the mobile terminal  100  receives a registration request initiated by the headset  200  for registration of the printer  300  in Step  305 . 
         [0038]    Thereafter, the mobile terminal  100  transmits a request instruction of an intrinsic number of the printer  300  connected to the headset  200  to the headset  200  in Step  307 , and the headset  200  forwards the intrinsic number request instruction of the printer  300  received from the mobile terminal  100  to the printer  300  in Step  309 . The printer  300  then transmits an intrinsic number to the headset  200  according to the intrinsic number request instruction transmitted from the headset  200  in Step  311 , and the headset  200  forwards the intrinsic number received from the printer  300  to the mobile terminal  100  in Step  313 . 
         [0039]    The mobile terminal  100  stores the received intrinsic number of the printer  300  in the memory unit  111  and registers the printer  300  connected to the headset  200  in order to control the printer  300  connected with a USB connector to the headset  200  in Step  315 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described using the mobile terminal  100 , headset  200 , and printer  300 . 
         [0041]    The mobile terminal  100  enters a Bluetooth mode in Step  401 , and the controller  105  searches for the printer  300  for performing the printing using an intrinsic number of the printer  300  stored in the memory unit  111  in Step  403 . 
         [0042]    Upon finding the printer  300  for performing the printing, the controller  105  transmits a request for the intrinsic number of the printer  300  to the headset  200 , which forwards the request for the intrinsic number to the printer  300  in Step  405 . The printer  300  transmits the intrinsic number to the headset  200  according to the request for the intrinsic number, and the headset  200  transmits the intrinsic number received from the printer  300  to the mobile terminal  100  in Step  407 . 
         [0043]    Thereafter, the controller  105  determines whether the intrinsic number is the registered number of the printer  300  as described in  FIG. 3 , and if the intrinsic number is stored in the memory unit  111  as the registered number of the printer  300 , the controller  105  connects the mobile terminal  100  to the printer  300  in Step S 409 . If the intrinsic number is not stored in the memory unit  111  as the registered number of the printer  300 , the memory unit  111  stores the received intrinsic number of the printer  300 , according to Step  315 , and the controller  105  then performs Step  409 . 
         [0044]    Next, the mobile terminal  100  selects data to print in Step  411 . Although in this exemplary embodiment Step  411  is performed after Steps  401  to  409 , in another embodiment, the order of the steps may be changed by performing first Step  411  and then performing Steps  401  to  409  without any difficulty in executing the present invention. 
         [0045]    The mobile terminal  100  sets a print format for data to print in Step  413 ), and the mobile terminal  100  transmits the print format to the headset  200 , which forwards the transmitted print format to the printer  300  in Step  415 . The printer  300  sets the print format to the print format received from the headset  200 . The print format includes a size of a paper for performing the printing, a print resolution and the number of copies. 
         [0046]    The controller  105  then transmits the data selected at Step  411  through the Bluetooth module  103  to the headset  200 , which forwards the transmitted data to the printer  300  in Step  417 . 
         [0047]    The controller  105  determines whether transmission of the data selected at Step  411  is complete in Step  419  and, if transmission of the data selected at Step  411  is complete, the controller  105  controls the display unit  107  to display a data transmission completion message in Step  421 . 
         [0048]    Upon receiving the data transmission, at Step  423  the printer  300  prints the data transmitted at Step  417  with the print format set at Step  415 , and, if the printing is complete in Step  425 , a USB communication link formed between the headset  200  and printer  300  is ended in Step  427 . 
         [0049]    Thereafter, the controller  105  ends a Bluetooth communication link formed between the mobile terminal  100  and headset  200  in Step  429 . Although in this exemplary embodiment Step  429  is performed after Step  427 , the order of Steps  427  and  429  may be reversed, without any difficulty in executing the present invention. 
         [0050]    As described above, according to the present invention, a Bluetooth function of a mobile terminal can be extended by enabling a mobile terminal for performing Bluetooth communication to control a printer in which a Bluetooth module is not provided. 
         [0051]    Further, a function of a headset can be extended by enabling the headset to perform a Bluetooth dongle function through providing a USB connector in the headset that can perform Bluetooth communication. 
         [0052]    Further, the mobile terminal can control the printer by enabling the mobile terminal and the printer to perform Bluetooth communication through connecting the headset for performing a Bluetooth dongle function to the printer. 
         [0053]    Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught that may appear to those skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Category: h