MESSAGE SERVICE METHOD SUPPORTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE ON MOBILE PHONE, AND MOBILE PHONE THEREFOR

• US 20090096782A1
• Filed: 09/09/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: LEE, Sang-Hyun
• Application Number:
  US12/207,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20090096782A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging

Abstract

A message service method supporting a three-dimensional (3D) image on a mobile phone, and a mobile phone therefor, are provided. A memory stores at least one 3D image code and a 3D image mapped to each 3D image code. When a text-based message is created, a controller inserts a 3D image code mapped to a 3D image selected by a user into the text-based message and sends the message. When the 3D image is dynamically displayed along with text of the message, a sender can better express his or her emotions. A 3D moving image is a more effective means of expression than a still image or text.

Claims

1. A mobile phone for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) image, comprising:

a memory for storing at least one 3D image code and a 3D image mapped to each 3D image code; and

a controller for, when a text-based message is created, inserting a 3D image code mapped to a 3D image selected by a user into the text-based message, and sending the message.

2. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the 3D image code stored in the memory includes at least one of a 3D face code, a body code, and a background code.

3. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the 3D image code includes at least one of a character string and an emoticon.

4. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the message is at least one of a short message and a multimedia message.

5. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the controller includes:

a code acquirer for, when the at least one stored 3D image is displayed, acquiring a 3D image code mapped to a selected 3D image; and

a message creator for creating the text-based message, inserting the 3D image code acquired by the code acquirer into the created message, and sending the message.

6. The mobile phone of claim 5, wherein, when a plurality of 3D images downloaded from the server are displayed, the code acquirer acquires the 3D image code mapped to the selected 3D image from a preset external server.

7. The mobile phone of claim 5, wherein the message creator sends the created message by performing at least one of an operation for inserting the acquired 3D image code into text of the created message and an operation for setting the acquired 3D image code in a specific message field.

8. The mobile phone of claim 3, wherein the controller sends the message into which at least one of an emoticon and text input by the user is inserted into the 3D image code.

9. A mobile phone for displaying a 3D image, comprising:

a determiner for determining whether a 3D image code is inserted into a message received from an external transmission;

a code extractor for, when the determiner determines that the 3D image code is inserted into the message, extracting the 3D image code inserted into the message; and

a message display for displaying a read 3D image and message content by reading the 3D image mapped to the 3D image code extracted by the code extractor.

10. The mobile phone of claim 9, wherein the message display displays the downloaded image and the message content by downloading the 3D image mapped to the 3D image code from a preset external server.

11. A message service method supporting a 3D image on a mobile phone, comprising the steps of:

acquiring a 3D image code;

creating a text-based message;

inserting the acquired 3D image code into the created message; and

sending the message.

12. The message service method of claim 11, wherein the acquiring step includes:

displaying at least one 3D image on a screen; and

when the 3D image is selected from the screen, acquiring a 3D image code mapped to a selected 3D image from a memory.

13. The message service method of claim 11, wherein acquiring the 3D image includes:

downloading at least one 3D image code and a 3D image mapped to each 3D image code from a preset external server.

14. The message service method of claim 11, wherein acquiring the 3D image includes:

receiving a text-based 3D image code from a user.

15. The message service method of claim 11, wherein the message is at least one of a short message and a multimedia message.

16. The message service method of claim 11, wherein sending the message includes:

inserting the acquired 3D image code into content of the created message and sending the message.

17. The message service method of claim 11, wherein sending the message includes:

sending the created message by performing at least one of an operation for inserting the acquired 3D image code into the created message and an operation for setting the acquired 3D image code in a specific message field.

18. A message service method supporting a 3D image on a mobile phone, comprising the steps of:

determining whether a 3D image code is inserted into a message received from an external transmission;

upon determining that the 3D image code is inserted, reading a 3D image mapped to the inserted 3D image code; and

displaying the read 3D image and message content.

19. The message service method of claim 18, wherein the message is at least one of a short message and a multimedia message.

20. The message service method of claim 18, wherein reading the 3D image includes:

downloading and reading the 3D image mapped to the 3D image code from a preset external server.