Apparatus and method for controlling a portable home theater with multiple functions using a wireless terminal

• US 20050266862A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Do-Hwan, Lee, Jae-Ho, Kim, Hark-Sang, Ryu, Yeong-Moo
• Application Number:
  US11/073,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20050266862A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/462
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling a portable home theater (PHT) with multiple functions using a wireless terminal are provided. When the PHT is selected in the wireless terminal, a determination is made as to whether the PHT is connected. When the PHT is connected, an operating mode is switched to a PHT control mode. In the PHT control mode, a function provided in the PHT is selected. The wireless terminal then controls the selected function provided in the PHT.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a portable home theater (PHT) with multiple functions using a wireless terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) determining whether the PHT is connected when the PHT is selected in the wireless terminal;

(b) switching an operating mode to a PHT control mode when the PHT is connected;

(c) selecting a function provided in the PHT if the wireless terminal is in the PHT control mode; and

(d) controlling, by the wireless terminal, the selected function provided in the PHT.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step (d) comprises the steps of:

performing the MP3 function provided from the PHT when an MPEG audio layer-III (MP3) function is selected from among the functions of the PHT;

performing the camera function provided from the PHT when a camera function is selected from among the functions of the PHT; and

performing the TV reception function provided from the PHT when a television (TV) reception function is selected from among the functions of the PHT.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating a warning message and a warning sound when the PHT is not connected.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the operating mode is automatically switched to the PHT control mode when the PHT is connected to the wireless terminal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

switching from the operating mode to a call mode when an incoming call is received in the PHT control mode; and

switching from the operating mode to the PHT control mode when the call is terminated in the call mode.

6. An apparatus for controlling a portable home theater (PHT) with multiple functions using a wireless terminal, comprising:

input keys adapted to enter commands for controlling the PHT;

a memory adapted to store user commands;

a controller adapted to determine whether the PHT is connected when the PHT is selected via the wireless terminal, switch from an operating mode to a PHT control mode when the PHT is connected to the wireless terminal, select a function provided in the PHT if the wireless terminal is in the PHT control mode, and control the selected function provided in the PHT.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is further adapted to perform the MP3 function provided from the PHT when a Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) audio layer-III (MP3) function is selected from among the functions of the PHT, control a camera function provided from the PHT when a camera function is selected from among the functions of the PHT, and controlling a television (TV) reception function provided from the PHT when a TV reception function is selected from among the functions of the PHT.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is further adapted to generate a warning message and a warning sound when the PHT is not connected.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the operating mode is automatically switched to the PHT control mode when the PHT is connected to the wireless terminal.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is further adapted to switch the operating mode to a call mode when an incoming call is received when the wireless terminal is in the PHT control mode, and switch from the operating mode to the PHT control mode when the call is terminated in the call mode.