Description

A BLUETOOTH DEVICE HAVING A MEMORY AND METHOD

THEREFOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a Bluetooth device, and more particularly, to a

Bluetooth device provided with a memory and a Bluetooth equipment capable of extracting an application stored in the memory. Background Art

[2] The Bluetooth technology is a communication standard enabling high speed transmission and reception of data between electrical equipments via a wireless frequency without the user of a cable. Generally, in order to connect to the Internet using a mobile communication terminal, a mobile communication terminal and a notebook computer both provided with data communication functions, and a separate cable for connecting the mobile communication terminal and the notebook computer are required.

[3] Among the Bluetooth standards, Bluetooth 1.0 is regulated to have a transmission rate of IMbps and a transmission range of 10 ~ 100 m. Therefore, when compared to an infrared data association (IrDA) using infrared light rays, the communication range of Bluetooth 1.0 is more extended, and by using a high wireless frequency of 2.4 Ghz Bluetooth 1.0 is capable of performing communication even in the presence of obstacles. Further, power consumption level of the Bluetooth is considerably lower than that of IrDA. Therefore, Bluetooth is most suitable for mobile equipments that require reduced power consumption levels due to the limitation in battery amount.

[4] Among the many electrical equipments adopting the Bluetooth technology, an example of the Bluetooth technology being applied in a mobile communication terminal is as follows. Recent mobile communication terminal is configured so that a user can use a Bluetooth-based wireless headset. Therefore, by using uses the wireless headset, the cable connecting the related art mobile communication terminal and the wireless headset is eliminated, thereby enabling the user to more conveniently carry out communication. Furthermore, since the recent mobile communication terminal is provided with function that can play-back (or reproduce) music files, such as MP3 files, the user may also be able to play-back MP3 files stored in the mobile communication terminal and listen to music or recorded documents, such as lectures, using the wireless headset.

[5] FIG. 1 illustrates a general view showing a mobile telecommunication terminal and a headset provided with Bluetooth modules. Referring to FIG. 1, a method for operating

a Bluetooth headset will now be described in detail.

[6] Each of a mobile communication terminal 11 and a Bluetooth headset 12 includes a

Bluetooth module 115 and 121. Herein, a wireless communication is performed between the Bluetooth module 115 provided inside of the mobile communication terminal 11 and the Bluetooth module 121 provided inside of the Bluetooth headset 12.

[7] As shown in FIG.l, the Bluetooth headset 12 includes an internal speaker 125, a user button 124, and a Bluetooth module 121, which is provided inside of the Bluetooth headset. The Bluetooth headset 12 also includes a microphone for converting a voice of a user into an electrical signal, a connection rod 126 for connecting the microphone and the main body, and a hook 127 for hooking the Bluetooth headset 12 on the user's ear.

[8] A method of using the Bluetooth headset 12 will now be described in detail. Firstly, when a call is received by the mobile communication terminal 11, a communication process is carried out between the Bluetooth module 115 provided inside of the mobile communication terminal 11 and the Bluetooth module 121 provided inside of the Bluetooth headset 12. The user may then use the user button 124 provided in the Bluetooth headset 12 so as to control call connection, call termination, and output of the internal speaker 125.

[9] Meanwhile, when playing-back (or reproducing) music files, such as MP3 files, using the mobile communication terminal 11, a communication process is carried out between the Bluetooth module 115 provided inside of the mobile communication terminal 11 and the Bluetooth module 121 provided inside of the Bluetooth headset 12. Thus, the ser may be able to listen to music using the internal speaker 125 provided in the Bluetooth headset 12. Meanwhile, the user may operate the user button 124 so that the Bluetooth headset 12 can be controlled to playback another file apart from the MP3 file, which is currently being reproduced. More specifically, since a control signal based upon the operation of the user button 124 is transmitted via a communication between the Bluetooth modules 115 and 121, the user may control the functions of the mobile communication terminal 11 using the user button 124 provided in the Bluetooth headset 12.

[10] However, the usage of a related art Bluetooth-based communication equipment, as described above, may have the following disadvantages.

[11] First of all, for example, in order to listen to music via the Bluetooth headset, a memory space for storing MP3 files must be provided in the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, the mobile communication terminal requires a large-sized memory unit for storing files, which eventually causes an increase in the price of the mobile communication terminal.

[12] Meanwhile, when using a Bluetooth-based communication equipment, as described

in the related art method, the applicability of the Bluetooth equipment may be limited. For example, the related Bluetooth headset was only capable of outputting sound played-back and transmitted by the mobile communication terminal. Therefore, other purposes for using the Bluetooth function were beyond consideration. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[13] An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on proposing a

Bluetooth device provided with a memory, and a Bluetooth equipment provided with an application, thereby being capable of executing files stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth device. Another object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on proposing the Bluetooth device having a memory and method therefor. Technical Solution

[14] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a Bluetooth device capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard, the Bluetooth device including a Bluetooth module performing wireless communication with an external Bluetooth module, a memory unit storing at least one file capable of being executed by an application, an output unit displaying an output signal in a form of at least one of sound, image, and text, and a control unit performing a control operation so that a file can be transmitted to a Bluetooth equipment, when a file transmission request is received from the Bluetooth equipment provided within an application capable of executing files, and performing a control operation so that a file result signal can be outputted by the output unit, when the file result signal is received.

[15] Another object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a Bluetooth equipment capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard, the Bluetooth equipment including a Bluetooth module performing wireless communication with an external Bluetooth module, an input unit performing user interface functions, an output unit displaying an output signal in a form of at least one of sound, image, and text, a buffer unit temporarily storing files received through the Bluetooth module, a memory unit storing and deleting data inputted from the buffer unit in a first input first output (FIFO) basis, a data processing unit operating an application respective of a file stored in the memory unit, thereby executing the file, and a control unit performing a control operation so that an entire or part of the executed file can be deleted from the memory unit, thereby transmitting an executed result signal to an external Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth module.

[16] Another object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a Bluetooth device capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard

and provided with a memory, a method for operating the Bluetooth device including receiving a transmission request for information associated with a file stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth device, transmitting the information associated with the file, based upon the information transmission request, receiving a transmission request of a specific file among a plurality files stored in the memory, transmitting the file requested for transmission, receiving an executed result signal of the file, and performing at least one of outputting a sound and displaying a screen, based upon the executed result signal, and wherein the transmission and reception of files is performed via a communication process based upon the Bluetooth standard.

[17] Another object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a Bluetooth device capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard and provided with a memory and a Bluetooth equipment performing communication using the Bluetooth standard, a method for operating the Bluetooth equipment including transmitting a transmission request for information associated with a file stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth device, receiving the information associated with the file, based upon the information transmission request, displaying the received file information, inputting file selected information for executing the received file information, transmitting a transmission request signal of the selected file, receiving the selected file, executing the received file and deleting an entire or part of the executed file, and transmitting an executed result signal.

[18] Another object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a Bluetooth equipment capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard, the Bluetooth equipment including a Bluetooth module performing wireless communication with an external Bluetooth module, an input unit performing user interface functions, an output unit displaying an output signal in a form of at least one of sound, image, and text, a buffer unit temporarily storing files received through the Bluetooth module, a memory unit storing and deleting data inputted from the buffer unit in a first input first output (FIFO) basis, a data processing unit operating an application respective of a first file format and a second file format stored in the memory unit, thereby simultaneously executing the first and second files, and a control unit performing a control operation so that an entire or part of the first executed file can be deleted from the memory unit, thereby transmitting an executed result signal to an external Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth module, and performing a control operation so that an executed result signal of the second executed file can be outputted to the output unit.

[19] A further object of the present invention can be achieved by providing, in a

Bluetooth device capable of performing close-range communication using a Bluetooth standard and provided with a memory and a Bluetooth equipment performing com-

munication using the Bluetooth standard, a method for operating the Bluetooth equipment including transmitting a transmission request for information associated with a file stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth equipment, receiving the information associated with the file, based upon the information transmission request, while executing the file, displaying the received file information, inputting file selected information for executing the received file information, transmitting a transmission request signal of the selected file, receiving the selected file, executing the received file and deleting an entire or part of the executed file, and transmitting an executed result signal. Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] FIG. 1 illustrates a general view showing a mobile telecommunication terminal and a headset provided with Bluetooth modules.

[21] FIG. 2 illustrates a block view showing a Bluetooth device provided with a memory.

[22] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart showing process steps of a method for controlling a

Bluetooth device provided with a memory.

[23] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart showing process steps for simultaneously executing a file stored in the memory 33 of a Bluetooth equipment and a file stored in the memory unit 23 of the Bluetooth device by using the Bluetooth equipment. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] Hereinafter, the Bluetooth device having a memory and method therefor according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[25] FIG. 2 illustrates a block view showing a Bluetooth device provided with a memory.

Referring to FIG. 2, the Bluetooth device 20 provided with a memory includes a Bluetooth module 21 for close-range (or short distance) communication, a control unit 22 for controlling the Bluetooth device, a memory unit 23, and an output unit 24 for outputting a sound and/or a display image.

[26] For simplicity, an example of the Bluetooth device 20, such as a Bluetooth headset, will now be described in detail.

[27] The Bluetooth module 21 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 is capable of performing close-range communication between a Bluetooth device 20 and an external Bluetooth equipment 30. The memory unit 23 may store files configured in various formats. And, based upon a control of the control unit 22, the files stored in the memory unit 23 are transmitted to a mobile communication terminal 30 provided with an application capable of executing files. At this point, it is preferable that the memory unit 23 is formed to be detachably fixed to the Bluetooth headset 20.

[28] The control unit 22 controls the Bluetooth module so that information on the format

of a file stored in the memory unit 23 or the file itself can be transmitted to an external body through the Bluetooth module 21. Also, the control unit 22 controls the Bluetooth module so that a signal received by the external body can be outputted by the output unit 24. Furthermore, when the file stored in the memory unit 23 is executed by the application of the Bluetooth equipment 30, and when a signal of the executed result is received, the control unit controls the Bluetooth module so that the received result signal can be outputted by the output unit 24.

[29] Meanwhile, the Bluetooth equipment 30 provided with an application capable of executing files stored in the memory unit 23 of the Bluetooth device includes a Bluetooth module 31 performing close-range communication, a control unit 34 controlling the Bluetooth equipment, a data processing unit 35 having the application mounted thereon, an input unit 37 receiving an input from the user, a buffer unit 32 temporarily storing the data received through the Bluetooth module 31, and a memory unit 33 storing the data inputted from the buffer unit.

[30] Examples of a Bluetooth equipment provided with an application capable of executing files may include mobile communication terminals, PDAs, MA3 readers, notebook computers, and so on.

[31] For simplicity, an example of the Bluetooth equipment 30 provided with an application, such as a mobile communication terminal, will now be described in detail.

[32] The output unit 36 of the mobile communication terminal 30 displays a screen inquiring whether to execute a file stored in the memory unit 23 of the Bluetooth device 20. Then, when the user inputs an execution command using the input unit 37, the control unit 34 transmits a file information request signal through the Bluetooth module 31. Also, when the file information is received through the Bluetooth module 31, information on the file format and/or file name is/are displayed on the output unit 36.

[33] When the user selects the file that is to be executed using the input unit 37, the control unit 34 transmits a file information request signal to the Bluetooth device 20 through the Bluetooth module 31. When the file selected by the user is being received through the Bluetooth module 31, the control unit 34 controls the Bluetooth equipment so that the data of the received file can be stored in the buffer unit 32 by order of reception, and so that the data can be inputted to the memory unit 33 in a first input first output (FIFO) basis.

[34] Meanwhile, the data processing unit 35 having the application mounted thereon operates the application corresponding to the received file format so as to execute the file. However, in this case, the data of the file stored in the memory unit 33 are executed in a first input first output (FIFO) basis. Additionally, the control unit 34 may control the data processing unit so that the data processing unit can delete executed

data portions of a specific file in real-time while the specific file is being executed. Meanwhile, the control unit 34 may also control the data processing unit so that, when an entire file is completely executed, the executed file is deleted from the memory unit 33. Furthermore, when the execution of a file is completed, the control unit 34 may control the data processing unit so that the executed file is stored in the memory unit 33 only until a new file is transmitted. Then, when the user selects the execute function of another file, the control unit 34 may control the data processing unit so that the executed file is deleted, once the reception of the new file begins. When the file is executed by the data processing unit 35, the control unit transmits an executed result signal to the Bluetooth device 20 through the Bluetooth module 31.

[35] FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart showing process steps of a method for controlling a

Bluetooth device provided with a memory. Hereinafter, for simplicity of the description of the present invention the Bluetooth headset corresponds to the Bluetooth device, and the mobile communication terminal corresponds to the Bluetooth equipment for executing files will be described as examples according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication between the Bluetooth headset and the mobile communication terminal is performed by using the Bluetooth module.

[36] Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal 30 displays a control screen associated with whether or not a file stored in the memory of the Bluetooth headset 20 is to be executed. Then, when the user selects the function to execute the file stored in the memory of the Bluetooth headset (S31), the mobile communication terminal 30 requests for information associated with the files stored in the memory of the Bluetooth headset 20 (S32).

[37] The Bluetooth headset 20 transmits information associated with the files stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth headset to the mobile communication terminal 30 (S33). At this point, the transmitted file information includes at least one of file format information (e.g., MP3 file, PDF file, media file, text file, etc.), file name information, file size information, and so on.

[38] When the mobile communication terminal 30 displays the information associated with the files stored in the memory of the Bluetooth headset, the user selects a file among a selection of displayed files he or she wishes to execute (S34). Then, when the file that is to be executed is selected, the mobile communication terminal 30 transmits a selected file transmission request signal to the Bluetooth headset 20 (S35).

[39] When the Bluetooth headset 20 receives the file transmission request signal, the selected file is transmitted to the mobile communication terminal 30. Then, when the Bluetooth module of the mobile communication terminal 30 begins to receive a portion of the data of the selected file, the control unit of the mobile communication terminal

30 stores the received data in the buffer unit, and the data temporarily stored in the buffer unit are stored in the memory unit in a first input first output (FIFO) basis.

[40] The method of executing the file received by the mobile communication terminal 30 will now be described. First of all, part of the data included in the file stored in the memory unit in real-time is primarily executed in a first input first output (FIFO) basis. Then, the executed result signal is continuously transmitted to the Bluetooth headset 20, thereby enabling the file to be executed by using a method of deleting portions of the data that have been executed from the memory unit (S37). Therefore, the file may be execute even when the size (or capacity) of the memory unit provided in the mobile communication terminal 30 is too small, or when other files are already occupying a large portion of the memory unit.

[41] For example, when file A.mp3 is transmitted from the Bluetooth headset 30, the file is temporarily stored in the buffer. Then, the data continuously shift from the buffer to the memory unit. Thereafter, when the data are sequentially stored in the memory unit, the mobile communication terminal 20 executes the data and transmits a signal associated with the data execution to the Bluetooth headset. When a signal associated with the execution of file A.mp3 is transmitted to the Bluetooth headset, music is outputted through the speaker. Meanwhile, the mobile communication terminal 20 continuously deletes portions of the file A.mp3 that have already been executed and executes portions of the file A.mp3 that still remain unexecuted in the memory unit. Accordingly, corresponding execution signals are continuously transmitted to the Bluetooth headset. Therefore, the music corresponding to the file A.mp3 may be outputted through the speaker without intervals (or disconnection).

[42] Meanwhile, when a file is completely stored in the memory unit, the stored file is executed. And, when another file is transmitted, the already-executed file is deleted, and a new file is stored in the memory space which was occupied by the deleted file, thereby executing the newly stored file. Furthermore, once a file is executed, the executed file may be deleted regardless of whether or not a new file is received. Therefore, the file may be execute even when the size (or capacity) of the memory unit provided in the mobile communication terminal 30 is too small, or when other files are already occupying a large portion of the memory unit.

[43] For example, when file A.mp3 is transmitted from the Bluetooth headset 30, the file is temporarily stored in the buffer. Then, the data shift from the buffer to the memory unit. Thereafter, when the data are stored in the memory unit, the mobile communication terminal 20 executes the data file and transmits a signal associated with the data execution to the Bluetooth headset. When a signal associated with the execution of file A.mp3 is transmitted to the Bluetooth headset, music is outputted through the speaker. After the execution of file A.mp3 and the signal transmission are completed,

when a new file B.mp3 is transmitted from the Bluetooth headset 30, the already- executed file A.mp3 is deleted from the memory unit. Meanwhile, after the file A.mp3 is executed, the file A.mp3 may be deleted regardless of whether or not file B.mp3 is transmitted.

[44] When file execution and signal transmission in accordance with the file execution processes are completed, the mobile communication terminal transmits a transmission completion signal to the Bluetooth headset 20.

[45] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, when a file is stored in the memory of the Bluetooth device 30, either executes any one of the file stored in the memory of the Bluetooth equipment 30 and the file stored in the memory of the Bluetooth device 20, or execute both files simultaneously. At this point, the memory of the Bluetooth equipment 30 not only includes a memory provided in the Bluetooth equipment itself, but also includes a memory detachably fixed to the Bluetooth equipment.

[46] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart showing process steps for simultaneously executing a file stored in the memory 33 of a Bluetooth equipment and a file stored in the memory unit 23 of the Bluetooth device by using the Bluetooth equipment. Hereinafter, for simplicity of the description of the present invention the Bluetooth headset corresponds to the Bluetooth device, and the mobile communication terminal corresponds to the Bluetooth equipment for executing files will be described as examples according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[47] Referring to FIG. 4, when the user inputs a command for executing a file (S41), the mobile communication terminal 30 displays a display screen indicating whether a file stored in the memory of the mobile communication terminal 30 will be executed, or whether a file stored in the memory of the Bluetooth headset 20, or whether the files stored in both memories will be executed simultaneously on a screen of the output unit 36 (S42).

[48] When the user chooses to execute the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal 30 (S43), the data processing unit 35 executes the selected file in accordance with the control of the control unit 34 (S44), thereby outputting an executed result signal through the output unit 36 (S45). For example, when an mp3 file is stored in the memory 33, a sound is outputted to the speaker corresponding to the signal output unit 36 in accordance with the executed result of the mp3 file.

[49] While the result signal of executing the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal is being outputted to the output unit 36, the transmission of the executed result signal is paused, so that a file stored in the memory provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 can be executed. More specifically, when the user selects a function for executing a file stored in the memory 33 of a Bluetooth headset 30 from the display screen, while the result signal of executing the file stored in the memory 33

of the mobile communication terminal is being outputted to the output unit 36, the execution process of the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal is paused, and the step for executing the file stored in the memory unit 33 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 is processed. The method for executing the file stored in the memory unit 33 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 is described above in FIG. 3.

[50] Meanwhile, while the result signal of executing the file stored in the memory 33 is being outputted to the output unit 36, a file stored in the memory unit 23 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 may be simultaneously executed, without having to pause the execution of the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal. For example, when the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal corresponds to file A.mp3, and when the file stored in the memory unit provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 corresponds to file B.mp3, file A.mp3 is executed, and the respective result signal is outputted to the speaker, which corresponds to the speaker (or earphones). Then, file B.mp3 may be simultaneously executed, thereby transmitting the respective result signal to the Bluetooth headset 20.

[51] More specifically, while the result signal of executing the file stored in the memory

33 is being outputted to the output unit 36, when the user selects a function for executing the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal and the file stored in the memory 33 of the Bluetooth headset 30 from the display screen (S46), a step for executing the file stored in the memory unit 23 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 may be processed while the file stored in the memory 33 of the mobile communication terminal (S47). The method for executing the file stored in the memory unit 33 provided in the Bluetooth headset 20 is described above in FIG. 3.

[52] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the process of executing a file stored in the memory 23 provided in the Bluetooth device 20 while executing a file stored in the memory 33 provided in the Bluetooth equipment 30 has been described. However, a file stored in the memory 33 provided in the Bluetooth equipment 30 may also be executed while executing a file stored in the memory 23 provided in the Bluetooth device 20.

[53] Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the memory 33 provided in the Bluetooth equipment 30 and the memory 23 provided in the Bluetooth device 20 may be respectively fixed inside of or detachably fixed to the Bluetooth equipment 30 and the Bluetooth device 20.

[54] By providing a memory in a Bluetooth device, a Bluetooth equipment of the present invention is no longer required to be provided with a separate high capacity memory. Also, in the present invention, a file stored in a memory provided in the Bluetooth device may be executed in a Bluetooth equipment provided with an application.

Furthermore, the file stored in the Bluetooth equipment and the file stored in the Bluetooth device may be executed simultaneously.

[55] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[56] The present invention may be used in electrical equipments using a Bluetooth communication module.