Communication connecting apparatus and method

• US 9,332,105 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2011
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Jihwan, Kim, Jungwoo
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): DU, HUNG K
• Application Number:
  US13/252,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20120244876A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 709/227, 709/228, 715/700, 715/701, 715/702, 715/716, 345/173, 345/1.1, 345/204, 455/414.1, 455/566, 455/569.1, 455/569.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces

Abstract

A communication connecting apparatus, a mobile terminal, and a method of communicating among the apparatus and the terminal are discussed. According to an embodiment, the apparatus includes a communication unit configured to receive key information relating to at least one key disposed on the mobile terminal, when the communication connecting apparatus is coupled with the mobile terminal; a display unit; and a controller configured to generate at least one key image corresponding to the at least one key based upon the received key information, and to display, on the display unit, at least one soft key having the generated at least one key image thereon.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured to communicate with a mobile terminal and disposed in a vehicle, the mobile terminal including a mobile terminal key configured to execute different functions according to key input methods, the apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive key information relating to the mobile terminal key from the mobile terminal when the apparatus is coupled with the mobile terminal, wherein the key information includes information of the key input methods and the different functions of the mobile terminal key;

a vehicle interface corresponding to a speed sensor for sensing a vehicle speed;

a display unit;

a hard key;

a screen formed on the hard key and displaying an original image; and

a controller configured to

generate a key image corresponding to a first function among the different functions of the mobile terminal key,

display, on the screen, the generated key image thereon when a first input based on a first key input method among the key input methods is applied to the screen to execute the first function among the different functions,

change the generated key image to another key image of the mobile terminal key corresponding to another function among the different functions of the mobile terminal key when a second input based on a second key input method among the key input methods is applied to the screen to execute a second function among the different function; and

change the generated key image or the another key image to the original image for performing a preset original function, when an emergency situation of the vehicle relating to a sudden change in the vehicle'"'"'s driving speed or a precipitate stop is detected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein upon a user'"'"'s selection of the hard key, an operation corresponding to the selected hard key is performed at the apparatus, at the mobile terminal, or at both the apparatus and the mobile terminal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key information includes icon information relating to an application installed in the mobile terminal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, when the apparatus is disconnected from the mobile terminal, the controller changes the displayed key image to a default image.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be installed in a vehicle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the key information includes a key image and a key function associated with the mobile terminal key.

7. A method of controlling an apparatus disposed in a vehicle, the apparatus having a display unit, a hard key and a screen formed on the hard key displaying an original image, and a vehicle interface corresponding to a speed sensor for sensing a vehicle speed, and communicating with a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including a mobile terminal key configured to execute different functions according to key input methods, the method comprising:

when the apparatus is coupled with the mobile terminal, receiving, by the apparatus, key information relating to the mobile terminal key from the mobile terminal, wherein the key information includes information of key input methods and different functions of the mobile terminal key;

generating a key image corresponding to a first function among the different functions of the mobile terminal key,

displaying, on the screen, the generated key image thereon when a first input based on a first key input method among the key input methods is applied to the screen to execute the first function among the different functions; and

changing the generated key image to another key image of the mobile terminal key corresponding to another function among the different functions of the mobile terminal key when a second input based on a second key input method among the key input methods is applied to the screen to execute a second function among the different function; and

changing the generated key image or the another key image to the original image for performing a preset original function, when an emergency situation of the vehicle relating to a sudden change in the vehicle'"'"'s driving speed or a precipitate stop is detected.