Information sharing terminal, information sharing method

0001The present invention relates to a technique to share information with members performing PoC (Push to talk over Cellular) communications using mobile terminals.

0002Conventionally, in mobile terminals such as mobile phones, it is basically required to always check presence statuses of the members and to listen to the dialogues of the members during PoC communications.

0003In order to perform general operations of a mobile phone such as e-mail editing and site viewing while checking presence statuses of the members, it has been required to use a multitask function or the like to perform operation by switching one screen. For example, when a meeting was being held through PoC communications, it was impossible to edit an e-mail while constantly checking presence statuses of the member participating in the meeting.

0004A technique has been proposed to move a cursor to any desired position on a display screen with fewer and easy operations without any special hardware, by partitioning an LCD by a screen partitioning unit into a plurality of screens, and selecting one desired screen by a screen selection unit from the partitioned screens and narrowing the range to the target position in the LCD before performing movement in one dot unit (for example; see <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="JP2002014773A"><text>JP-2002-014773 A</text></patcit> (Patent Document 1)).

0005However, there has been a problem even though the above-described conventional example was applied to the screen of a terminal device.

0006As it has been impossible to share one of the partitioned screens of a terminal device with the members performing PoC communications, performing various communications among the members smoothly has been difficult.

0007The disclosure <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP1569473A"><text>EP-A-1 569 473</text></patcit> describes a Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) communication system wherein display items are displayed on a visual display. The display items indicate which PoC group session(s) is currently being processed. This document discloses the selection, via some switching means, of the display items corresponding to the PoC group session(s) which is to be processed, and the PoC group session currently being processed is highlighted. A portion of the screen being used for indicating any currently received PoC session invitation is also described.

0008The present invention has bee developed in view of the above-described problem. It is therefore an object of the present invention to share information in one of the partitioned screens of a terminal device with members performing PoC communications.

0009In order to solve the problem, the present invention provides a terminal device as defined in independ claim 1.

0010Another aspect of the invention is a method as defined in independent claim 4. Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the appended dependent claims. <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is an illustration showing presence statuses of the members performing PoC communications according to an exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a flowchart showing the operation of the first exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is an illustration showing the configuration of a mobile terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment ;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is an illustration showing an exemplary configuration of sharing a screen according to the first exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is a flowchart showing the operation of the second exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref> is an illustration showing the configuration of a mobile terminal according to the second exemplary embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Fig. 9</figref> is a flowchart showing the operation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and</li><li><figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref> is an illustration showing the configuration of a mobile terminal according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention.</li></ul>

0011Hereinafter, a first exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

0012Referring to <figref idref="f0002">Figs. 2</figref> and <figref idref="f0003">3</figref>, a terminal device in an information sharing system according to the exemplary embodiment includes: a mobile terminal 31, a key input object screen switching button 32, a PoC communicating screen 33 partitioned by a screen dual-partitioning device 22, an i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34, a rule setting device 21, and a key input object screen switching device 23.

0013In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device 22 and the rule setting device 21 configure a screen activating unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 31 into a plurality of screens and activates them, corresponding to PoC communications. The key input object screen switching device 23 configures a switching selector unit which switches between the plurality of activated screens and selects one. In this case, the rule setting device 21 sets rules for PoC communications beforehand, and as shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>, the screen dual-partitioning device 22 activates, according to the rules set by the rule setting device 21, the i-mode (registered trademark) screen when keys of the keyboard not to be used during PoC communications are manipulated, and an e-mail screen when one button (key) is pushed for a while, together with the PoC communicating screen. Note that rules to be set by the rule setting device 21 are not limited to those described above.

0014Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be described (active system: activate i-mode (registered trademark) during PoC communications).

0015First, it assumes that a user A who often uses PoC (Push to talk over Cellular) communications in business and private sets a rule by means of the rule setting device 21 such that i-mode (registered trademark) is activated by pushing the button of a numerical key "1" of the keyboard or the like during PoC communications. Here, PoC is a system in which a push to talk system capable of switching between a plurality of calls by operating buttons is realized on mobile terminals such as mobile phones. For keys of the keyboard or the like to be used for button operations to switch between the calls, those not to be used during PoC communications are used. Although the calls to be switched during PoC communications is limited to two in the exemplary embodiment, the number of calls is not limited to this example.

0016Now, the user A using the mobile terminal 31 is participating in a meeting over PoC communications. Although the user A is currently performing PoC communications, the user remembers that he/she has to make a bank transfer immediately via a web site of i-mode (registered trademark).

0017However, the user has to check the presence states of the members performing PoC communications in the meeting using the PoC communications. Further, in the meeting, the user has to make instructions to the members as required.

0018As such, the user A uses the screen dual-partitioning device 22 to partition the screen of the mobile phone into the PoC communicating screen 33 and the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34, and activates the partitioned screen 33 and 34 in parallel.

0019When the screen of the mobile terminal 31 is partitioned into two and activated by the screen dual-partitioning device 22, the PoC communicating screen 33 which is a screen of the meeting and the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 are activated and displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal 31, as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> for example. On the PoC communicating screen 33, the presence statuses of the members performing PoC communications, which has been displayed, is currently displayed as shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> for example, and the user can also perform communications through i-mode (registered trademark) using the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34.

0020As a button for operating the key input object screen switching device 23, the button 32 of the mobile terminal 31 is set. The key input object screen switching device 23 is activated by operating this button 32, and a screen to which information is input by using keys of the keyboard is set to either one of the partitioned screens 33 and 34. More specifically, when the user A sets to switch to "up", that is, the PoC communicating screen 33, by the key input object screen switching button 32 for operating the key input object screen switching device 23, input of information using the key input device (keyboard, etc.) of the mobile terminal 31 will be performed to the PoC communicating screen 33.

0021If the user A sets to switch to "down", that is, i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34, by the key input object screen switching button 32, input of information using the key input device (keyboard, etc.) of the mobile terminal 31 will be performed to the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34. In this case, it is possible to input necessary information on a web site for bank transfer of i-mode (registered trademark), for example.

0022By separating objects of key input for the PoC communicating screen 33 and for the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 by means of the key input object screen switching button 32, the user A can process processing not related to the meeting in parallel while participating in the meeting.

0023Thereby, the embodiment is capable of satisfying the user's needs to perform i-mode (registered trademark) or e-mail editing while checking the presence statuses of the group members performing PoC communications. Further, in the case that the user himself/herself does not need to speak but has to wail for another member's comments during PoC communications, it is possible to avoid the screen of the mobile phone being occupied only for checking the presence statuses of the members. Instead, a plurality of calls can be processed in parallel. Further, for an effective key operation being required because of the number of keys being limited on a mobile phone, it is possible to effectively input information into a screen being switched in PoC communications by using keys not required for the PoC communications.

0024Further, as shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>, a plurality of users A, B, and C perform PoC communications one another, and the screen of the mobile terminal 31 is divided into the PoC communication screen 33 and the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34. Then, the user C is capable of easily notifying the users A and B performing the PoC communications of information on a site that the user C desires to share with all other members (users A and B) by sharing the site screen of page C of i-mode (registered trademark) displayed on the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 of the mobile terminal C of the user C.

0025Further, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, the screen dual-partitioning device 22 may be configured to activate a plurality of screens displayed on the mobile terminals 31 held by members performing PoC communications on one screen. More specifically, by simultaneously displaying, on the partitioned i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 of the terminal A of the user A, the site screen of a page C of i-mode (registered trademark) displayed on the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 of the mobile terminal C of the user C and the site screen of a page B of i-mode (registered trademark) displayed on the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 of the terminal B of the user B, the user A can easily acquire information of a plurality of members. Further, by giving operational authorization, the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 on the terminal C of the user C or on the terminal B of the user B may be operated from the terminal A of the user A.

0026Further, as shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>, the screen dual-partitioning device 22 may be configured to reflect the screen function settings, displayed on the mobile terminal 31 held by a communication counterpart, on the screen function settings of the mobile terminal of his/her own. More specifically, by displaying the setting screen of a machine answering function displayed on the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 of the terminal A, owned by the mother, on the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 on the terminal B owned by her son, the setting screen of the machine answering function may be shared with the members performing PoC communications so as to set the machine answering function of the i-mode (registered trademark) screen 34 on the mother's terminal A from the son's terminal B. If this function is realized as a service which can be used only between terminals made by the same manufacturer, this may promote selecting terminals made by the same manufacturer by all family members.

0027Next, a second exemplary embodiment will be described.

0028Referring to <figref idref="f0007">Figs. 7</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">8</figref>, a terminal device in an information sharing system of the exemplary embodiment includes a mobile terminal 51, a key input object screen switching button 43, a PoC communicating screen 52 which is partitioned by a screen dual-partitioning device 42, a new e-mail screen 53, and a rule setting device 41.

0029In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device 42 and the rule setting device 41 configure a screen activating unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 51 into a plurality of screens corresponding to PoC communications and activates them. The key input object screen switching device 43 configures a switching selector unit which switches between the plurality of activated screens and selects one. In this case, it assumes that the screen dual-partitioning device 42 and the rule setting device 41 are set such that the screen is partitioned into two screens when an e-mail is received and the new e-mail is opened, according to Rule 1. However, rules set by the screen dual-partitioning device 42 and the rule setting device 41 are not limited to Rule 1 mentioned above.

0030The screen activating units (41, 42) keeps one of the partitioned screens in an activated state, and when PoC communications begin, the remaining partitioned screen is activated by interrupting the one screen.

0031Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be described (passive system: receive e-mail during PoC communications).

0032First, a user B uses the rule setting device 41 to partition the screen into two screens when receiving an e-mail during PoC communications so as to enable the user to view and edit the new e-mail while displaying the PoC communication screen, and sets Rule 1 from those shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> for example.

0033It assumes that the user B using the mobile terminal 51 is now in a meeting using PoC communications, and is receiving an e-mail.

0034As set by the rule setting device 41, the screen of the mobile terminal 51 is automatically partitioned into a PoC communicating screen 52 and a new e-mail screen 53 by means of a screen dual-partitioning device 42.

0035The PoC communicating screen 52 displays the presence statuses of the members performing the PoC communications which have been displayed. The new e-mail screen 53 is displayed on a part of the PoC communicating screen by interrupting the PoC communicating screen 52, and the content of a new e-mail is displayed on the new e-mail screen 53.

0036In this case, it assumes that the content of the e-mail requires an immediate response and also, it is required to carefully monitor the PoC communicating screen 52 so as to keep checking the presence statuses of the members performing the PoC communications. Further, it also assumes that an instruction must be given to the members as required.

0037The user B switches the key input object screen from the PoC communicating screen 52 to the new e-mail screen 53 by means of the key input object screen switching button 43, and replies to the e-mail using the new e-mail screen 53.

0038Next, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described.

0039Referring to <figref idref="f0009">Figs. 9</figref> and <figref idref="f0010">10</figref>, a terminal device of an information sharing system according to the exemplary embodiment includes a mobile terminal 71, a PoC communicating screen 72 and an incoming call display screen 73 which are partitioned by a screen dual-partitioning device 62, and a rule setting device 61.

0040In this configuration, the screen dual-partitioning device 62 and the rule setting device 61 configure a screen activation unit which partitions the screen of the mobile terminal 71 into a plurality of screens and activates them corresponding to PoC communications. In this case, the rule setting device 61 sets rules for PoC communications beforehand. More specifically, the rule setting device sets, as Rule 1, whether or not to notify an incoming call (sets "YES" or "NO"), and as Rule 2, voice settings during PoC communications when a talk button is pushed, for example. The rule setting device 61 sets the voice during PoC communications to mute as Rule 2-1, sets to reduce (halve for example) the volume of the voice during PoC communications as Rule 2-2, and sets to record the voice during PoC communications as Rule 2-3. However, the rules to be set by the rule setting device 21 are not limited to those described above. Note that in the exemplary embodiment, the push button for calling of the mobile terminal 71 configures a switch selector unit for switching between a plurality of activated screens and selecting one.

0041Next, operation of the exemplary embodiment will be described (passive system: call incoming during PoC communications).

0042First, a user C sets "YES" to Rule 1, that is, notifying an incoming call when a call is incoming during PoC communications, and sets Rule 2-3 of the voice setting rule 2 during PoC communications when a talk button is pushed so as to be in a state of recording voices during PoC communications, by means of the rule setting device 61.

0043Now, the user C using the mobile terminal 71 is in a meeting using PoC communications. In this situation, it assumes that a call is incoming.

0044As set by the rule setting device 61, the screen of the mobile terminal 71 is automatically partitioned into a PoC communicating screen 72 and an incoming call display screen 73 by means of the screen dual-partitioning device 62, and activated.

0045The PoC communicating screen 72 displays presence statuses, which have been displayed, of the members performing PoC communications, and the incoming call display screen 73 displays that a call is incoming.

0046In this state, it assumes that when the user looks at the incoming call display screen 73, a call from an important business partner is incoming, whereas the user is in a meeting using PoC communications, and is required to take minutes of the meeting held through the PoC communications.

0047The user C answers the phone by pushing the talk button. As the user C has set to record the voices during the PoC communications according to Rule 2, the voices during the PoC communications are being recorded. As such, the user C is capable of preparing the minutes by playing back the recorded contents of the meeting during the PoC communications after the call that the user answered by pushing the talk button ends.

0048Note that a screen may be partitioned into not only upper and lower parts but also right and left parts. Although the screen is partitioned into two parts in the exemplary embodiment, the screen may be partitioned into three or more parts.

0049As a trigger to switch the multi-screen, not only a touch to a hinge portion of a mobile terminal, but also a touch to a liquid crystal panel part having a touch sensor, a command input through an external cable having a remote control function, and a voice input to a microphone (including keyword voices and sound input other than voice) in a waiting state of a voice recognizing function may be used.

0050The exemplary embodiments described above are preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention, which can be modified in various ways within the scope of the subject matter of the present invention. For instance, processing to realize functions of the mobile terminal 31, the mobile terminal 51 and the mobile terminal 71 may be performed by installing a program to realize the functions of the respective terminals so as to execute the functions. Further, the program may be transmitted to another computer system via computer readable recording media such as CD-ROM and optical magnetic discs or by transmission waves via transmitting media such as the Internet and telephone networks.