Mobile terminal capable of being connected to audio output device using short-range communication and method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal

• US 8,265,557 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2010
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Chung, Ji Hang
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan H
• Application Number:
  US12/752,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20110081859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/569.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection

Abstract

A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the operation of the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes receiving a first key signal for controlling a first profile and an audio playback operation from an audio output device, the first profile being a profile for playing audio data; connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the first profile; and suspending the processing of a command corresponding to the first key signal for a predetermined amount of time. Therefore, it is possible to suspend the processing of a command for a predetermined amount of time during the connection of the mobile terminal to the audio output device and thus to prevent an unwanted operation from being performed.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an operation of a mobile terminal configured to be connected to an audio output device via short-range communication, the method comprising:

receiving a command via a first key signal from the audio output device, the first key signal configured to control an audio playback operation and a first profile configured to play audio data;

determining if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using the first profile;

connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the first profile and initiating a timer upon the connecting of the mobile terminal to the audio output device when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the first profile; and

suspending processing of a command corresponding to the first key signal for a predetermined time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the first profile.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuing the processing of the command corresponding to the first key signal when it is determined that the mobile terminal is already connected to the audio output device using the first profile.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first profile comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) or an Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a command via a second key signal from the audio output device, the second key signal controlling a second profile configured to make or receive a voice call and a redial operation or a volume control operation;

determining if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using the second profile;

connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the second profile when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the second profile; and

suspending processing of a command corresponding to the second key signal for a time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the second profile.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising continuing the processing of the command corresponding to the second key signal when it is determined that the mobile terminal is already connected to the audio output device using the second profile.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second profile comprises a Headset Profile (HSP) and a Hands Free Profile (HFP).

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting an audio signal corresponding to an audio stream provided by the audio output device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an audio stream to the audio output device;

performing audio playback through the audio output device;

receiving a first command from the audio output device to suspend the audio playback;

suspending the transmission of the audio stream;

displaying a message indicating the suspension of the transmission of the audio stream on a display module of the mobile terminal; and

suspending all user inputs related to control of the audio playback except for those related to terminating the audio playback,

wherein the first profile is configured for distributing the audio stream.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the command to suspend the audio playback comprises an Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP) Suspend command.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a second command from the audio output device to resume the audio playback;

returning to a state that existed before the reception of the first command in order to suspend the audio playback; and

resuming the transmission of the audio stream.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first profile comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using a second profile; and

performing an operation corresponding to a command based on the second profile.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second profile comprises a Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP), an Object Push Profile (OPP), a File Transfer Profile (FTP), a Headset Profile (HSP) or a Hands Free Profile (HFP).

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a third command to terminate audio playback; and

terminating the transmission of the audio stream.

15. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a wireless communication unit configured to connect the mobile terminal to an audio output device via short-range communication; and

a controller configured to;

receive a command via a first key signal from the audio output device, the first key signal configured to control an audio playback operation from the audio output device and a first profile configured to play audio data;

determine if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using the first profile;

connect the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the first profile and initiate a timer upon the connecting of the mobile terminal to the audio output device when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the first profile; and

suspend processing of a command corresponding to the first key signal for a predetermined time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the first profile.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to continue to process the command corresponding to the first key signal when it is determined that the mobile terminal is already connected to the audio output device using the first profile.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the first profile comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and an Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive a command via a second key signal from the audio output device, the second key signal controlling a second profile configured to make or receive a voice call and a redial operation or a volume control operation;

determine if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using the second profile;

connect the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the second profile via the short-range communication when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the second profile; and

suspend processing of a command corresponding to the second key signal for a time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the second profile.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 18, wherein the second profile comprises a Headset Profile (HSP) and a Hands Free Profile (HFP).

20. The mobile terminal of claim 15, further comprising:

a display module,

wherein the controller is further configured to;

transmit an audio stream to the audio output device;

perform audio playback through the audio output device;

receive a first command from the audio output device to suspend the audio playback;

suspend the transmission of the audio stream; and

display a message on the display module indicating the suspension of the transmission of the audio stream, and

wherein the first profile is configured for distributing the audio stream.

21. The mobile terminal of claim 20, wherein the command to suspend the audio playback comprises an Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP) Suspend command.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 20, wherein the controller is further configured to suspend all user inputs related to the control of the audio playback except for those related to terminating the audio playback.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive a second command from the audio output device to resume the audio playback;

return to a state that existed before the reception of the command in order to suspend the audio playback; and

resume the transmission of the audio stream.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 22, wherein the first profile comprises an Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).

25. A system, comprising:

an audio output device comprising a first key configured to generate a command via a first key signal when the first key is activated, the first key signal configured to control an audio playback operation and a first profile configured to play audio data; and

a mobile terminal configured to;

receive the command via the first key signal from the audio output device;

determine if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using the first profile;

connect the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the first profile and initiate a timer upon the connecting of the mobile terminal to the audio output device when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the first profile; and

suspend processing of a command corresponding to the first key signal for a predetermined time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the first profile.

26. A method of controlling an operation of a mobile terminal configured to be connected to an audio output device via short-range communication, the method comprising:

receiving a command via a key signal from the audio output device, the key signal configured to control an operation of the mobile terminal;

determining if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using a predetermined profile;

connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the predetermined profile and initiating a timer upon the connecting of the mobile terminal to the audio output device when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the predetermined profile; and

suspending processing of a command corresponding to the key signal for a predetermined time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the predetermined profile.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein:

the key signal is configured to control a call operation, a redial operation or a volume adjustment operation; and

the predetermined profile is configured to make or receive a voice call.

28. A mobile terminal, comprising:

a wireless communication unit configured to connect the mobile terminal to an audio output device via short-range communication; and

a controller configured to;

receive a command via a key signal from the audio output device, the key signal configured to control an operation of the mobile terminal;

determine if the mobile terminal is connected to the audio output device using a predetermined profile;

connect the mobile terminal to the audio output device via the short-range communication using the predetermined profile and initiate a timer upon the connecting of the mobile terminal to the audio output device when it is determined that the mobile terminal is not connected to the audio output device using the predetermined profile; and

suspend processing of a command corresponding to the key signal for a predetermined time after connecting the mobile terminal to the audio output device using the predetermined profile.

29. The mobile terminal of claim 28, wherein:

the key signal is configured to control a call operation, a redial operation or a volume adjustment operation; and

the predetermined profile is configured to make or receive a voice call.