Method and apparatus for performing communication function while performing multimedia function

• US 20050287995A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Yoon, Sang-Hyeon
• Application Number:
  US11/159,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20050287995A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for performing a communication function while performing a multimedia function. The apparatus having a speaker unit, a microphone unit, a key input unit, and a display unit, includes a first control unit for controlling the communication function of the apparatus in possession of a control authority over the apparatus, and a second control unit for controlling the multimedia function of the apparatus by receiving the control authority over the apparatus from the first control unit when the multimedia function is performed, wherein, in a concurrent service mode where both the multimedia function and the multimedia function are concurrently performed when the communication function is requested in process of performing the multimedia function, the second control unit delivers only a sound control authority over the apparatus to the first control unit and blocks output of multimedia audio data of the speaker unit, and the first control unit receives the sound control authority so as to control input/output of phone sound in the microphone unit and the speaker unit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing a communication function and a multimedia function, the apparatus including a speaker unit, a microphone unit, a key input unit, and a display unit, the apparatus comprising:

a first control unit for controlling the communication function of the apparatus while in possession of control authority over the apparatus; and

a second control unit for controlling the multimedia function of the apparatus by receiving the control authority over the apparatus from the first control unit when the multimedia function is performed,

wherein, in a concurrent service mode where both the communication function and the multimedia function are concurrently performed when the communication function is requested while performing the multimedia function, the second control unit delivers a sound control authority over the apparatus to the first control unit, and the first control unit receives the sound control authority so as to control the microphone unit and the speaker unit.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first control unit returns the sound control authority to the second control unit and allows the second control unit to resume controlling multimedia audio data when communication is terminated.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit recognize by press of a first preset specific key from among keys on the key input unit that the communication function is requested while performing the multimedia function.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first preset specific key is a key for communication.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit recognize by press of a preset specific key from among keys on the key input unit that one of the communication function and the multimedia function is terminated during simultaneous execution of the communication function and the multimedia function.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the preset specific key is a key for communication termination.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second control unit outputs multimedia video data on the display unit together with display contents relating to communication in the concurrent service mode.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second control unit displays the display contents relating to communication on a portion of the display unit through an on screen display (OSD) scheme.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit are realized in one chip.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobile communication terminal having a camera.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobile communication terminal enabling video communication.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobile communication terminal capable of processing multimedia data.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobile communication terminal capable of receiving digital broadcasting.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multimedia function includes a function of receiving and displaying digital multimedia broadcasting.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the concurrent service mode, a multimedia screen can be output on the display unit according to a key input without stopping the operation of the multimedia function.

16. A method for performing a communication function while performing a multimedia function by an apparatus including a first control unit and a second control unit, the first control unit controlling the communication function of the apparatus while having control authority over the apparatus, the second control unit controlling the multimedia function of the apparatus by receiving the control authority over the apparatus from the first control unit when the multimedia function is performed, the method comprising the steps of:

delivering by the second control unit only a sound control authority over the apparatus to the first control unit when the communication function is requested while performing the multimedia function of the apparatus;

controlling by the first control unit transmit/receive of phone sound using the sound control authority to concurrently perform the communication function and the multimedia function;

delivering by the first control unit the sound control authority to the second control unit when the communication function is terminated; and

re-obtaining by the second control unit the sound control authority.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step of displaying contents relating to communication and multimedia audio data on one display unit when the apparatus concurrently performs both the multimedia function and the communication function.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein, in the step of displaying contents relating to communication and multimedia audio data, contents relating to communication are displayed on a portion of the display unit through an on screen display (OSD) scheme.

19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein, in the step of delivering by the second control unit only the sound control authority, recognizing by press of a first preset specific key from among keys on a key input unit of the apparatus that the communication function is requested while performing the multimedia function.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the first preset specific key is a key for communication.

21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein, in the step of delivering by the first control unit the sound control authority, recognizing by press of a preset specific key from among keys on a key input unit of the apparatus that one of the communication function and the multimedia function is terminated during simultaneous execution of the communication function and the multimedia function.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the preset specific key is a key for communication termination.

23. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multimedia function includes a function of receiving and displaying digital multimedia broadcasting.

24. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein in a concurrent service mode, a multimedia screen can be output on a display unit according to a key input without stopping the operation of the multimedia function.