Device and method for communication status

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATION STATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a terminal for communication in a telecommunication system, and to functions for terminal users to monitor each other's communication status and interact in each other's communication sessions. More exactly is related to a communication terminal eguipped with an activable indicator device arranged to indicate communications in progress in which members from one in the terminal arranged communication address/mailing list are included.

BACKGROUND Mobile telephone systems like GSM (General System for Mobile Communications) and other variants of the second generation system are mainly developed for two-party calls, but by specific services also multi-party calls are made possible. Within the third generation mobile telephone system, for instance UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) , the possibility for terminal users to interact with each other will increase, at the same time as the terminals will be more and more advanced. There further are other types of communication systems, which need not necessarily be cellular, within which groups of persons need to get into contact with each other. Examples of such communication systems can be communication systems for turn-out units, transport, service staff or the like. Communication terminals according to known technology are usually arranged with a memory for storing of a communication address list over members within a given group, and the terminal user can from this memory search for one or more persons and initiate a communication without need to memorize their communication addresses. The American patent US 6032051 by Hall and others describes an arrangement for wireless mobile telephones designed to support communication within user groups. According to the suggested solution, the mobile telephone includes control logic for group updating, which receives different types of status information from other members from a group list, without this status updating needing to be initiated manually by the terminal users. Among other things the solution results in that current status for supervised/ monitored terminals in the group is shown on the mobile telephone display so that a user does not necessarily need to call another group member to get information about that he/she nevertheless cannot receive the call. A disadvantage with the shown solution is that the status information a terminal user gets acquainted with regarding other members within a given group only reveals whether the other group member can be expected to answer or not at a call. Showing and managing status updating by means of the on the mobile telephone existing display further results in limitations in that one has to navigate with mobile push-buttons to interpret to which group user a certain status code, for instance idle, busy or phone switched off, applies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consequently is, according to a first aspect, intended to provide a terminal for a telecommunication system which is adapted to allow increased possibilities for cooperation within groups of terminal users, and which preferably allows a simplified handling of such cooperation. More exactly, the invention relates to a terminal which includes a communication address list stored in a memory, and a display on which communication addresses from said list can be shown. A status registration device is arranged to sense communication status for said communication addresses, and an indicator device includes on one hand a status indicator arranged to visually indicate communication status for one of said communication addresses, and on the other can be activated to initiate interaction with one by the status indicator indicated communication address .

Preferably a control device is connected to said status registration device and said indicator device. Said control device is arranged to, at activation of the indicator device, execute a presentation on said display of a list over communication addresses which are included in a communication in progress with said indicated communication address.

The control device further preferably is arranged to, at activation of the indicator device, execute a presentation on the display of different interaction alternatives which are allowed for the terminal to interact with the indicated communication address. Such an interaction alternative includes in one embodiment transmission of a message to indicated communication address. One preferred embodiment further includes the interaction alternative transmission of an automatic "knocking at the door" (notification) at indicated communication address, for request of admittance to the communication in progress .

Said indicator device preferably includes means to indicate different communication status by light signals with different variations of light. Such different light signals preferably include a first signal with flashing light to indicate communication in progress within a predetermined period of time from the beginning of the communication, and a second signal with constant light to indicate communication in progress after said predetermined period of time.

In one preferred embodiment, the terminal preferably includes a plurality of separate indicator devices which are arranged to indicate communication status for one communication address each. Each such indicator device preferably includes means to indicate light signals with a plurality of different colors to separate different registered communications in progress from each other. Said plurality of indicator devices is in one embodiment arranged in a loop, at which the control device is arranged to indicate new registered communications on the first indicator devices from one side of the loop, and at that transfer the indication of earlier registered communications in progress towards the other side of the loop .

In one embodiment said communication address list includes a sub-group, for instance a VIP-group with predefined members, for which subgroup a predefined indicator color is defined. Said control device is at that arranged to, on said display, in text show one in a communication in progress registered communication address or subgroup by a color code which matches the color of the for the communication indicating indicator device. The control device is at that preferably arranged to maintain the indication of a registered communication which includes communication addresses belonging to said subgroup at the first indicator devices at said one side of the loop, and to arrange the indication of new registered communications after that towards the other side of the loop.

Said indicator device preferably includes a pushbutton or key to be pressed which is equipped with a plurality of differently colored light emitting diodes protected by a transparent cover. Said terminal is in one embodiment a mobile telephone adapted for wireless communication in a cellular radio communication system.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to provision of a computer program product for use in a computer system in a terminal for a telecommunication system, which computer program product is adapted to allow extended possibilities to cooperation within groups of terminal users, and which preferably allows a simplified handling of such a cooperation. The computer program product is arranged for registration and indication of communication status for addresses defined in a communication address list stored in a memory, and includes a data storing medium; and further means, stored on said data storing medium, to sense communication status for said communication addresses; means stored on said data storing medium, to visually indicate communication status for one of said communication addresses on an indicator device; means, stored on said data storing medium, to sense activation of said indicator device; and means stored on said data storing medium to initiate interaction with indicated communication address.

Different preferred embodiments of this computer program product includes on said data storing medium stored means to achieve one or all of the functions which are described in the present patent application.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to provision of a computer program product including computer program code arranged to be executed in a computer system arranged in a terminal in a telecommunication system, for registration and indication of communication status for addresses defined in a communication address list stored in a memory, in order to at that: sense communication status for said communication addresses; visually indicate communication status for one of said communication addresses on an indicator device; sense activation of said indicator device; and initiate interaction with indicated communication address. Different preferred embodiments of this computer program product includes computer program code which at execution in said computer system effects one or all of the functions which have been described in the present patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention are made clear below with reference to enclosed drawings in which

Figure 1 schematically shows an example of an embodiment of a communication terminal according to the present invention; Figure 2 schematically shows a block diagram over included parts in, and associated to, the communication terminal according to the present invention; and

Figure 3 schematically shows an embodiment of an indicator device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Figure 1 an embodiment of a communication terminal according to the present invention is schematically shown. The terminal 1 is preferably a mobile telephone arranged for communication in a second or third generation mobile telephone system, but can also be designed for use in none- cellular networks, such as radio systems with direct communication between terminals or a terminal in a stationary communication system. For the sake of simplicity the invention henceforth will be described as applied in a cellular radio communication system. The terminal 1 is in known way arranged with a display 3 and some form of input unit, for instance a key set 2. If the communication terminal is adapted for voice calling, it further will include a loudspeaker 5 and a microphone 6. According to the present invention, the terminal 1 is adapted for a communication service which makes possible monitoring of, and interaction with, other subscribers to said communication service. Users who subscribe to the service can be described as belonging to a given subscriber group of users. These subscriber group members are preferably saved in a telephone list in a memory 21, see Figure 2, in the terminal 1. In order to see calls in progress, one starts/initiates the service. When the service is activated it will be possible to see calls in progress. To initiate/switch on the service means that one is visible to one's subscriber group members. When closing/ switching off the service their activity will not be seen and one' s activity will not be visible to other subscriber group members

To make it possible to see the telephone activity of other persons, subscriber group members, one makes a mutual agreement with each of the persons in the telephone list. One transmits an "agreement message" to a person. The person "signs" the message and returns it to the sender. The sender confirms the agreement and transmits the confirmation to the person.

When a subscriber group member agreement has been drawn up, persons have been members of the same subscriber group and can see each other's telephone activities. When the service is activated the members see each other when talking on the telephone and when they have the mobile telephones switched off. If two persons have subscriber group members in common, both can see when they are talking with a group member in common and with whom it is. A subscriber group can include two or more members .

In Figure 3 is schematically shown an embodiment of an indicator device 4, preferably in form of a diode button. In Figure 1 is schematically shown how these can be arranged in a loop on the terminal 1. Each indicator device includes a status indicator 31 which can include one or more diodes 33 of different colors. As can be found further down, different calls are distinguished preferably by the indicator devices providing light of different colors . The indicator device preferably also is a push button or key, and at that includes a device 30 which can be pushed down, for data input to the terminal 1. As is indicated in Figure 1 preferably a number of indicator devices 4 are arranged in a loop round the edge of the terminal 1. The diode buttons are preferably made of transparent rubber 32, and in the illustrated embodiment five diodes 33 of different colors are included behind. The expert, however, realizes that more or fewer diodes of different colors can be arranged, as long as the can shine individually or in combination to provide the indicator device with at least two different colors. In the illustrated embodiment, the diode buttons can shine with at least yellow, blue, red, green and white light by switching on and switching off the differently colored diodes. An embodiment with more diodes are of course also conceivable, or a use of two or more diodes in a diode button at the same time to generate an own color or nuance.

The loop of indicator devices, that is the diode buttons, is in one embodiment integrated in the terminal 1. In an alternative embodiment the loop of indicator devices is arranged in a telephone shell which can be bought separately and be mounted on the terminal 1. The latter embodiment, however, implies that the terminal from the beginning is compatible with the functionality of the indicator devices.

Each diode represents a person. When a person starts a call, a diode starts flashing in one color, for instance blue. If two persons are talking to each other two diodes are flashing. The diodes stop flashing after a few seconds and are shining until the call is finished. When a call starts, diodes preferably at the bottom to the left at the beginning of the diode loop are flashing. The diodes are flashing about 5 seconds and are then shining until it has been registered that the call has finished. When a new call begins, the indication of the call in progress since before is preferably moved as many steps to the right as is needed to indicate each person in the new call at the beginning of the loop. Exception can be made if the new call includes a member from a predefined subgroup, which is explained in more details below. The new call is preferably separated from the previous one by the diodes shining with a different color. When a call is finished, that number of diodes which represents the persons who are talking are turned-off. The indication of calls which are arranged after, that is to the right of, the finished call are at that moved back to the left as many steps as the finished call represents. Are there more calls in progress than the diodes can show, preferably the last diode is flashing.

It will be possible to observe certain persons who are more interesting to supervise/control. By providing these persons with a VIP-status, their activities will have a priority among the diodes. There preferably are room for two VIP-lists which one can provide name for oneself, for instance "family" and "friends". The VIP-lists each has a color of its own. Each VIP-list constitute a so called sub- group. When a person in the family talks in his/her mobile telephone a red diode is shining, and when a person from the VIP-list for friends is talking a green diode is shining. The green and red diodes preferably have two different nuances to distinguish between the calls. This is solved by letting a diode with another color shine at the same time as the green or red diode. In one embodiment the communication address list with subscriber group members is divided into three groups: "VIP-list 1", "VIP-list 2" and "other subscribers" to the communication service. From the name can be realized that the VIP-lists have higher priority than other subscribers. The principle of indication with diodes moving to the right to give room for a new call consequently applies to said other subscribers. Calls which include members from VIP- list, however, are preferably retained at the beginning of the loop, to prevent the risk of these calls being forced out from the loop if the number of diode buttons is not sufficient for the total number of registered communication addresses which at the same time are involved in different calls. If a new call is registered with somebody from a VIP-list included, however, preferably also previous calls with VIP-members are moved to the right in the loop. In one embodiment also different VIP-lists have different priority. Consequently can, for instance, a new registered call which includes someone from VIP-list 1 be indicated on the first diodes and at that force a previously registered call out which includes members from VIP-list 2 but not from VIP-list 1, whereas the opposite does not apply.

In order to see all calls in progress, one preferably enters the telephone list. The telephone list is sorted according to session groups depending on who are talking to each other, that is each session group includes the parties of a call. The session groups are marked by colors which correspond to the colors of the diodes. After the session groups of calls, the rest of the telephone list is shown.

By pushing one time on a specific diode button 4, the names of the persons who are parties of the call can be seen. The list of names is shown on the upper part 7 of the display. On the lower part 8 a list with different messages which can be sent to the persons who are talking is shown. At seeing a call in progress one can enter and make a request for joining the call. The persons in the call are shown on the upper part 7 of the display. One selects if one wants to send a message to all persons or a specific person. Default is to send message to all persons of the call. On the lower part 8 there is list over different alternatives .

From the message list one selects which message one wants to send. It will be possible to record a voice message or write a text message. Another alternative is to send a text or voice message which one has saved since before. It also will be possible to select to send an automatic "knock at the door" (notification) with information about who one is and that one wants to participate in the call. At transmission of an automatic "knock at the door" (notification), the sender's name or communication address is shown on the terminal belonging to that subscriber group member who is involved in a call the sender wants to participate in. The engaged subscriber group member at that can invite the sender of the call by calling him/her, which preferably is shown on the lower part of the display as a predefined alternative that can be selected.

During a call in progress one also can invite one more person without him/her having "knocked at the door". This is done by entering into the telephone list and select the person to whom one wants to send a message. The person's name is shown on the upper part of the display and alternatives of messages which one can transmit/send are shown on the lower part of the display. If the other person is not engaged in a call, one calls him or her. If the person is engaged in a call, one selects type of message as above . In Figure 2 is schematically in a block diagram shown different function elements in the terminal 1 according to the present invention. A telephone list over subscribers to the communication service, so called subscriber group members, is arranged in a memory 21. Communication addresses from this list can be shown on the display 3, preferably on its upper part 7. A control device 20 arranged for control of the functions of the terminal constitutes a computer system including a microprocessor with associated data storing memory and operative system, and is connected both to the memory 21 and the display 3. A status registration device 22 is further connected to the control device 20, and is arranged to sense and to in the memory 21 store information about current status for the group members in the communication address list. The status registration device 22 is preferably arranged for communication with a base station 23 in the fixed part of the communication network 24. In one embodiment with stationary terminals 1 the communication between 22 and 23 is preferably wire-based, whereas it for a wireless application is done via the air interface. The indicator devices 4 on the terminal 1 are connected to the control device 20, which control device indicates on one indicator device 4 each, status for the subscriber group members from the communication address list which fore the time being are engaged in a communication. According to what has been described above, the light emitting diodes in the indicator devices 4 are preferably flashing during the beginning of a registered communication for a subscriber group member to, after a few seconds, change to constant light. The indicator device 4 includes, as has previously been mentioned, a push button function 30, which at activation results in that the control device 20 on the display 3 shows a list over interaction alternatives 8 on the display 3. Different interaction alternatives are selected preferably via some type of navigation buttons on the terminal l,or by direct activation in a touch screen display 3.

The control device is preferably arranged to execute a program software which controls the connection between registration and indication of communication sessions according to the present patent application. A computer program product is at that arranged, including a data storing medium on which means are stored to achieve the processes according to this description. Said data storing medium can be a diskette, a CD-ROM or a hard disk, or any other device intended for storing of data.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above mainly adapted for the application cellular mobile telephone systems. The expert in the field, however, realizes that the invention is applicable to a plurality of different communication systems, with both mobile and stationary terminals. The scope of protection is only limited by the enclosed patent claims.