A mobile station and a method for controlling the mobile station in conferencing mode for use in mobile communication system

0001The present invention relates to a mobile communication system, and more particularly to a conference call service for use in the mobile communication system.

0002Presently, mobile communication systems have provided a conference call service or a multipoint communication service (hereinafter referred to as a "conference call"). In a case where a plurality of users desire to establish a call connection state with parties they called using their mobile terminals, the conference call service enables the users to enter a call ready state at the same time. Typically, a user transmits to the mobile communication system a predetermined code for requesting a conference call from a mobile communication system and a second conference party's phone number, such that he or she can establish a call connection state with the second conference party while establishing a call connection state with a first conference party. If the second conference party answers the user's request, then the user can communicate with the first and second conference parties at the same time. Provided that the user desires to further increase the number of conference parties in the above discussed conference call state established with the first and second conference parties, there is a need for the mobile communication system to transmit only the newly-desired party's phone number.

0003<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations of messages needed to provide the conventional mobile communication system with a conference call service. Referring to <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, in step 10 the mobile station (MS) A (2) transmits an origination request message associated with an MS B (6) to a core network 4. In step 12, the core network 4 transmits a channel allocation message to the MS A (2) so as to create a channel, and in step 14, transmits a paging message to the MS B (6). If the MS B (6) answers a termination message transmitted via the paging message, in step 16, the core network 4 transmits a call connection message to the MS A (2) and creates a traffic channel between the MS A (2) and the MS B (6) at step 18. If in step 20 the MS A (2) transmits an origination request message associated with the MS C (8) to provide a conference call service, in step 22 the core network 4 transmits an origination request message associated with the MS C (8). If the MS C (6) answers a termination message transmitted via the paging message, in step 24 the core network 4 transmits a call connection message to the MS A (2) and creates a traffic channel among the MS A (2), the MS B (6) and the MS C (8). If the conference call service is provided, the core network 4 switches the traffic channel among the MSs A (2), B (6) and C (8) so that it is possible to implement multiple access.

0004However, no additional message is defined between the core network 4 and the MSs 2, 6 and 8 in the conference call service, such that it is impossible for the MSs 2, 6 and 8 joining in multiple conversations to recognize current states of their counterpart MSs. Therefore, each MS receives a predetermined tone message from the core network 4 only when a call connection mode between the MS and its counterpart MS is broken, so that it informs a user of the broken call connection.

0005<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US20030073430A1"><text>US 2003/0073430 A1</text></patcit> refers to a user interface technique for managing an active call. In particular, this document relates to a method of managing a conference call on a handheld mobile telephone device. The described method includes the steps of displaying to a user a screen including a new call option initiating a first call at the request of a user, and the placing of a first call on hold at the request of a user and placing an indicator representative of the first call in a hold section of the display. The method further includes the steps of displaying to a user an available section of the display including a new call option, initiating a second call at the request of a user by selecting the new call option and placing an indicator representative of the second call in an active section of the display.

0006Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems.

0007It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved method for easily recognizing state information of at least one counterpart mobile station in a mobile communication system, and the mobile communication system for use with the method.

0008This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

0009Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

0010In accordance with the present invention, the above object can be accomplished by the provision of a mobile station (MS) for establishing a conference call mode with at least one counterpart mobile station, comprising: a controller for determining whether there is provided a predetermined state where the MS must unconditionally inform the counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call, and transmitting the specific state information to the counterpart MSs when the predetermined state has been provided; and a display for displaying a variety of messages upon receiving a control signal from the controller.

0011The above features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations providing a conventional mobile communication system with a conference call service;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal (also called a mobile station) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations for communicating between a core network and the MSs during a conference call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations of the MSs during a conference call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations of MSs during a conference call in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.</li></ul>

0012Now, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals even though they are depicted in different drawings. In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

0013<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a block diagram illustrating a mobile communication system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, mobile stations (MSs) 110, 120 and 130 are wirelessly connected to a BTS (Base Transmit Subsystem) 210. Upon receiving a termination call for the MSs 110, 120 and 130 contained in a corresponding service area from a BSC (Base Station Controller) 220, the BTS 210 transmits the received termination call to the MSs 110, 120 and 130. Upon receiving an origination call from the MSs, the BTS 210 transmits the received origination call to the BSC 220. The BSC 220 performs overall call processing operations, for example, a voice call, a circuit call, and packet call, etc. The BSC 220 performs signaling with an MSC (Mobile Station Center) 230 and also performs a handover operation.

0014The MSC 230 performs a call connection switching function for processing termination/origination requests directed to the MSs 110, 120 and 130, and also performs a network interworking function associated with other MSCs. A SMS (Short Message Service) center 240 is a single independent node, it is connected to the MSC 230 for recognizing a current location of a receiver user and transmits a SMS message to a subscriber via a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network). Upon receiving the SMS message from the SMS center 240, the MSC 230 transmits the SMS message to be transmitted to the BSC 220 so that the BTS 210 can transmit the SMS message to a corresponding MS over a paging channel.

0015For the convenience of description, the core network 200 is comprised of the BTS 210, the NSC 220, the MSC 230, and the SMS center 240 to provide the MS with a mobile communication service. In other words, the core network 200 is the network for providing the MS with the mobile communication service.

0016If either one of MSs 110, 120 and 130 changes its current status to another status while performing a conference call among the MSs 110, 120 and 130, the changed status information is transmitted to counterpart MSs. In this case, it is preferable for individual MSs to inform their counterpart MSs of the status information during the conference call. The status information may be a call ready state, a call release state, a user's absence state, a call hold state, etc., and may also be applicable to other states. One source MS can communicate with counterpart MSs (also called "destination MSs") in the call ready state whereas it cannot communicate with the counterpart MSs in the call release state. In the case of the user's absence state, the user cannot answer signals of the counterpart MSs even though a traffic channel between the source MS and the counterpart MSs has been provided. In the case of the call hold state, the user cannot transmit his or her voice signal to the counterpart MSs even though it receives voice signals from the counterpart MSs.

0017In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned state information generated from the MSs 110, 120 and 130 may be transmitted to a desired destination using the SMS message. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the state information generated from the MSs 110, 120 and 130 may be partially loaded on a predetermine channel message and may be transmitted with the channel message.

0018In this way, the present invention can transmit state information of one MS to counterpart MSs during a conference call. The MS can determine whether there is a change in state information during the conference call, and can transmit the changed state information to the core network 200. The MS can transmit state information to the core network 200 upon receiving a state information transmission request from a user. The core network 200 transmits the received state information to the counterpart MSs joining in a current conference call mode.

0019<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is a block diagram illustrating the MS in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>, the MS includes a RF unit 30, a voice processor 32, a controller 34, a user interface 36, a display 38, and a memory 40. The controller 34 performs overall control operations of the MS. If there arises a predetermined state where the controller 34 must unconditionally inform the counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call, then the controller 34 transmits the specific state information to the core network 200. In this case, the controller 34 transmits the state information to the core network 200 along with a caller ID (i.e., a caller's phone number).

0020"State information" is information associated with a state to be detected by the controller 34. For example, the call hold state, where a user cannot transmit his or her voice signal to counterpart MSs whereas it receives voice signals from the counterpart MSs, can be detected by allowing the user to enter a specific key for blocking voice signal transmission directed to another party, for example, a mute key.

0021This state information, e.g., a call ready state, a call release state, a user's absence state, a call hold state, etc., may be partially loaded on a predetermined channel message using the SMS message and transmitted to counterpart MSs over the core network 200.

0022Upon receiving a state information transmission request from the user, the controller 34 transmits state information to the core network 200. In this case, the controller 34 allows the user to pre-register a variety of state information using predetermined menu functions, displays individual state information on the display 38 during the conference call, and transmits selected state information upon receiving the state information from the user. Upon receiving a state information message from the counterpart MSs over the core network 200, the controller 34 outputs the received state information message on the display 38. The controller 34 updates prestored or prerecognized state information of the counterpart MSs according to the received state information.

0023The controller 34 manages the display 38 used to display caller identifying ID information of conference participants and state information received via the RF unit 30 during the conference call. This enables the user to recognize the conference participants and their state information In the present example, the controller 34 may display information of conference participants, i.e., IDs of individual callers and their associated state information, in the form of a list. The state information may be displayed in the form of a state notification message or an icon. The controller 34 compares caller ID information of conference participants in caller ID information stored in a phone book directory. If the caller ID information is found in the phone book directory, the controller 34 may directs the display 38 to display specific data stored in a phone book directory and associated with the found caller ID.

0024The RF unit 30 wirelessly transmits or receives voice and text data and control data upon receiving a control signal from the controller 34. Upon receiving a control signal from the controller 34, the voice processor 32 converts audio data received in the RF unit 30 into an audible sound using a speaker, converts a user's voice signal into a digital signal using a microphone so that the digital voice signal is transmitted to the controller 34.

0025The user interface 36 includes a plurality of numerical keys and a plurality of function keys, it outputs entry data corresponding to the user-selected key signal to the controller 34. The user interface 36 may be configured in the form of a traditional key matrix or a touch screen. If the user interface 36 is implemented through the touch screen, the number keys, the function keys and directional keys contained in the touch screen are freely selected or entered by the user using a variety of entry tools such as a stylus pen, etc.

0026The display 38 displays a variety of messages upon receiving a control signal from the controller 34. The display 38 may be comprised of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a TFT (Thin Film Transistor), and an Organic EL (Electroluminescence), etc. The memory 40 includes a program memory for storing program data needed to control operations of MSs and a data memory for storing data generated during a control process or other data entered by the user.

0027If there arises a predetermined state where the controller 34 must unconditionally inform a counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call, then the MS transmits state information to the core network 200. Upon receiving a response message to the state information of the counterpart MS from the core network 200, the MS displays the received response message on the display 38.

0028Operations communicated between the core network and the MSs during a video communication time will hereinafter be described with reference to <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4. Fig. 4</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations communicated by messages sent between the core network and the MSs during a conference call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention Referring to <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>, a first MS 110 transmits an origination request message associated with a second MS 120 to the core network 200 at step 301. The core network 200 transmits a channel allocation message to the first MS 110 in step 303, so as to create a traffic channel and transmits a paging message to the second MS 120 at step 305. If the second MS 120 answers a termination message transmitted via a paging message, the core network 200 transmits a call connection message to the first MS 110 at step 307, the core network 200 creates a traffic channel between the first MS 110 and the second MS 120 at step 309. In step 311, if the first MS 110 transmits an origination request message associated with the third MS 130 to the core network 200 so as to provide a conference call service, in step 313, the core network 200 transmits a paging message to the third MS 130. If the third MS 130 answers a termination message transmitted via the paging message, on step 315, the core network 200 transmits a call connection message to the first MS 110 and creates a traffic channel among the first MS 110, the second MS 120, and the third MS 130 to provide a conference call service.

0029Subsequently, in step 317, the first MS 110 transmits conference participants' information to the second and third MSs 120 and 130 joining in the conference call state. In this case, the first MS 110 transmits information about the third MS 130 (e.g., caller ID and state information) to the second MS 120, and transmits information about the second MS 120 (e.g., caller ID and state information) to the third MS 130. The first MS 110 acts as a host MS beginning the conference call operation, such that it contains information of all the MSs joining in the conference call. Therefore, the first MS 110 can easily transmit its known conference participants' information to the other MSs 120 and 130 while forming a traffic channel used for the conference call service. The conference participants' information may be transmitted using the SMS message or may also be partially located on a predetermined channel message. Therefore, the core network 200 transmits the conference participants' information received from the first MS 110 to the second MS 120 and the third MS 130 at steps 319 and 321, respectively.

0030If there arises a predetermined state where the controller 34 must unconditionally inform the counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call, then the controller 34 transmits the specific state information to the core network 200. The core network 200 transmits the received state information of the first MS 110 to the counterpart MSs 120 and 130 at step 325. Upon receiving a state response message from the counterpart MSs 120 and 130 at step 327, the core network 200 transmits the received state response message to the first MS 110. The state information may be a call ready state, a call release state, a user's absence state, a call hold state, etc., and may also be applicable to other states.

0031<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a flow chart illustrating control operations 400 of an MS during a conference call in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, control operations of a specific MS acting as a host MS beginning the conference call operation are shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>. Referring to <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, the controller 34 of the MS transmits an origination request message to the first counterpart MS in step 401, and determines in step 403 whether a call connection state associated with the first counterpart MS is established. If it is determined that the call connection state associated with the first counterpart MS has been established, a call ready state associated with the first counterpart MS is also established at step 405. In step 407, the controller 34 transmits an origination request message to the second counterpart MS to provide a conference call service, and determines in step 409 whether a call connection state associated with the second counterpart MS is established. If it is determined that the call connection state associated with the second counterpart MS has been established. In step 412 the controller 34 transmits information of conference participants to individual MSs joining in the conference call service. In this case, the controller 34 transmits the second counterpart MS's information to the first counterpart MS, and transmits the first counterpart MS's information to the second counterpart MS.

0032The controller 34 contains information of all the MSs joining in the conference call service in that it has called the first and second counterpart MSs. The first and second counterpart MSs receive information of the host MS at a termination call reception time for the first conference call. Therefore, the controller 34 need not transmit its own information to the counterpart MSs when transmitting conference participants' information to the counterpart MSs, so that individual MSs joining in the conference call service can recognize the conference participants' information. The controller 34 may display information of conference participants, i.e., IDs of individual callers and their associated state information, in the form of a list. The controller 34 searches caller ID information of conference participants in the caller ID information stored in a phone book directory. If the caller ID information is found in the phone book directory, the controller 34 displays not the caller ID but a specific data stored to be associated with the found caller ID.

0033Although the present invention assumes that the host MS transmits conference participants' information to individual MSs, it should be noted that the core network 200 may transmit the conference participants' information to the MSs at a conference call initiation time.

0034Referring to <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, the controller 34 enters a call ready state associated with the counterpart MSs to perform a communication function at step 413. The controller 34 determines in step 415 whether there is provided a predetermined state where the controller must unconditionally inform the counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call. If it is determined that the predetermined state has been provided, the controller 34 transmits its own caller ID and state information to the core network 200 at step 417. The controller 34 transmits the state information to the counterpart MSs using an SMS message. Otherwise, the controller 34 loads the state information on a predetermined channel message, and transmits it to the counterpart MSs over the core network 200. The controller 34 determines in step 419 whether the state information message is received from the counterpart MSs. If it is determined that the caller ID and state information messages have been received from the counterpart MSs, the controller 34 updates the counterpart MSs' state information according to reception state information and enables a user to recognize the updated state information of the counterpart MSs at step 421. The controller 34 determines in step 423whether a call release state is established, and repeats steps 415 to 421 until reaching a call release time.

0035In this way, the host MS acting as a conference initiator MS, forms a conference call mode and transmits conference participants' information to the counterpart MSs. If there is a need for the host MS to transmit the state information, the host MS transmits its own caller ID and state information to individual MSs joining in the conference call mode.

0036Operations of MSs which answer a conference call request message generated from the host MS so as to provide a conference call service will hereinafter be described with reference to <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6. Fig. 6</figref> is a flow chart illustrating operations of mobile stations during a conference call in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In more detail, control operations of the MSs having received the conference call request message from the host computer are shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>.

0037Referring to <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>, in step 501 the controller 34 of the MS transmits a termination message from the host MS in the conference call mode. In step 503 the controller 34 determines whether the user answers the termination message. If it is determined that the user has pressed a call button to answer the termination message, the controller 34 enters a call ready or connection state at step 505. In step 507 the controller 34 determines whether conference participants' information is received from the host MS. The conference participants' information configured in the form of an SMS message is loaded on a predetermined channel message, and is then received from the core network 200. Upon receiving the conference participants' information from the core network 200, the controller 34 stores the conference participants' information at step 509, and displays the conference participants' information, i.e., IDs of individual callers and their associated state information, in the form of a list. Alternatively, the controller 34 searches caller ID information of the conference participants in caller ID information stored in a phone book directory. If the caller ID information is found in the phone book directory, the controller 34 may direct the display 38 to display specific data stored to be associated with the found caller ID. In this case, the controller 34 displays the host MS's information acquired at a termination call reception time for initiating the conference call service. Needless to say, the controller 34 can identify general information and the conference participants' information.

0038In step 511 the controller 34 determines whether there is provided a predetermined state where the controller must unconditionally inform the counterpart MS about specific state information during a conference call. If it is determined that the predetermined state has been provided, the controller 34 transmits its own caller ID and state information to the core network 200 at step 513. The controller 34 determines whether the state information message is received from the counterpart MSs at step 515. If it is determined that the caller ID and state information messages have been received from the counterpart MSs, the controller 34 updates the counterpart MSs' state information according to reception state information, and enables a user to recognize the updated state information of the counterpart MSs at step 517. In step 519, the controller 34 determines whether a call release state is established and repeats steps 507 to 517 until reaching a call release time.

0039As is apparent from the above description, if there arises a predetermined state where the host MS must unconditionally inform the counterpart MSs of specific state information during a conference call, then the host MS transmits caller ID and state information to the counterpart MSs. Upon receiving the caller ID and state information from the counterpart MSs, the host MS displays the received information on its own display so that the user can easily recognize state information of at least one counterpart MS contained in a mobile communication system during a conference call.

0040For example, although the present invention enables three MSs to join in the conference call service, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can design other application systems to enable more than three MSs to join in the conference call service.

0041Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.