Apparatus and method of interacting with a mobile phone using a TV system

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for interacting with a mobile telephone are provided. A remote control unit receives a user command and transmits it to a TV system which recognizes the user command as a telephone function command and transmits the function command to the mobile telephone if the TV system is set to Telephone Mode. The TV system may also output data received from the mobile telephone in response to the transmitted function command. Thus, a user may interact with a mobile telephone using an interactive TV system by displaying text/image data received from the telephone and by inputting various telephone function commands using a remote control unit. Upon receiving a function command from the TV system, the mobile telephone generates output data in response to the function command and transmits itto the TV system. A display unit of the TV system displays the text/image data, and a speaker outputs the sound data. As a result, a user may conveniently interact with a mobile telephone using a display unit and a speaker of an interactive TV system with a remote control unit.

1. An apparatus for interacting with a mobile telephone, the apparatus comprising:
 a TV remote control unit configured to receive a command and to transmit said command, the TV remote control unit including one or more channel-changing keys and one or more volume-changing keys; and   a TV system coupled to a mobile telephone, wherein said TV system is configured to receive said command from said TV remote control unit, to recognize said command as a telephone function command, and to transmit said telephone function command to said mobile telephone if said TV system is set to a telephone mode,   wherein said telephone function command includes information related to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of said mobile telephone,   wherein said TV system is further configured to output an output data set transmitted to said TV system from said mobile telephone in response to said transmitted telephone function command, and   wherein the TV system displays a first on-screen display (OSD) guide containing an image of keys of the TV remote control unit, said first OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to one or more telephone functions when the TV system is set in said telephone mode, the telephone function command being generated based on the mapping in said first OSD of the one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to said one or more telephone functions, and   wherein the TV system further displays a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to one or more television functions when the TV system is set in a television mode, said TV remote control further including one or more keys for allowing a user to switch the TV system between said television mode and said telephone mode.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said TV system includes a display unit configured to display text or image data included in said output data set. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said TV system further comprises a speaker configured to output sound data included in said output data set. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said mobile telephone comprises:
 a TV interface unit configured to interface with said TV system so as to receive said function command from said TV system and to transmit said output data set to said TV system; and   a controller configured to generate a control signal including said output data set in response to said function command and to transmit said output data set to said TV system.   
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said TV system comprises:
 a remote-control interface circuit configured to receive said command from said remote control unit;   a telephone interface circuit configured to interface with said mobile telephone so as to transmit said function command to said mobile telephone and to receive said output data set from said mobile telephone;   a microcomputer configured to generate a control signal including said output data set received from said mobile telephone;   a video/audio signal processor configured to combine text and image data included in said output data set with original image data according to said control signal; and   a display unit configured to display said combined data.   
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output data set comprises data related to a web browsing capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output data set comprises data related to a text messaging capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output data set comprises data related to an electronic mail capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the output data set comprises data related to photographs provided by the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said TV system is directly connected to said mobile telephone so as to allow a user to receive incoming telephone calls and to place outgoing telephone calls. 
     
     
       11. A method for interacting with a mobile telephone using a TV system with a TV remote control unit, the method comprising:
 (a) displaying a first on-screen display (OSD) guide on a screen of said TV system if said TV system is set to a telephone mode, the first OSD guide mapping one or more keys of a TV remote control unit to one or more telephone functions when the TV system is set in said telephone mode;   (b) receiving a first command from said TV remote control unit by said TV system, said first command generated based on the mapping in said first OSD of the one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to said one or more telephone functions;   (c) recognizing said first user command as a telephone function command and transmitting said function command to said mobile telephone, wherein said telephone function command includes information related to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of said mobile telephone; and   (d) receiving an output data set generated by said mobile telephone in response to said transmitted function command and displaying image or text data included in said output data set on said TV display unit, said method further comprising:   (e) receiving signals from the TV remote control unit, resulting from activation of one or more keys of the TV remote control unit, to switch the TV system between a television mode and said telephone mode; and   (f) displaying a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to one or more television functions when the TV system is set in said television mode.   
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising outputting sound data included in said output data set through a speaker of said TV system. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein outputting sound data comprises outputting messages provided by a voice mail capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising repeating steps (b) through (d) until no further commands are received. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 receiving a second command from said TV remote control unit; and   recognizing said second user command as a TV function command and performing a corresponding TV function.   
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein displaying images or text data comprise displaying data related to a web browsing capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein displaying image or text data comprises displaying data related to a text messaging capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein displaying image or text data comprises displaying data related to an electronic mail capability of the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , wherein displaying image or text data comprises displaying data related to photographs provided by the mobile telephone. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising using said TV system and said mobile telephone connected directly thereto to connect incoming and outgoing telephone calls. 
     
     
       21. A method which allows a mobile telephone to interact with a TV system including a TV remote control unit, the method comprising:
 checking whether said mobile telephone is connected to a TV system; 
 receiving signals from the TV remote control unit designating an operating mode of the television, wherein a first signal results from activation of a telephone mode key on the TV remote control unit to place the TV system is a telephone mode and a second signal results from activation of a television mode key on the TV remote control unit to place the TV system in a television mode, wherein the phone mode key and the television key are different keys on the TV remote control unit; 
 receiving a telephone function command generated by said TV system in response to a command received from said TV remote control unit while in said telephone mode, wherein said telephone function command includes information related to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of said mobile telephone; and 
 generating an output data set in response to said received function command and transmitting said output data set to said TV system, wherein said method further comprises: 
 displaying a first on-screen display (OSD) guide on a screen of said TV system if said TV system is set to a telephone mode, the first OSD guide mapping one or more keys of a TV remote control unit to one or more telephone functions when the TV system is set in said telephone mode, the telephone function command being generated based on the mapping in said first OSD of the one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to said one or more telephone functions; and 
 displaying a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to one or more television functions when the TV system is set in said television mode. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21 , wherein said output data set includes at least one of text, image, or sound data generated by said mobile telephone in response to said function command received from said TV system. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 checking whether any one of text, voice, or image messages is newly received; and 
 transmitting said newly received message to said TV system. 
 
     
     
       24. A digital television system for interacting with a mobile telephone connected to the digital television system, the digital television system comprising:
 a microcomputer for receiving a first key code, for generating a television key index according to a setting of a television mode and a telephone key index according to a setting of a telephone mode, and for determining whether the digital television system is set to the telephone mode, and 
 a TV remote control unit including one or more channel-changing keys and one or more volume-changing keys, at least one of the keys on the TV remote control unit causing the microcomputer to generate the television key index which includes an on-screen display (OSD) guide mapping keys on the remote control unit to corresponding television functions in a television mode, said microcomputer displaying another OSD guide mapping keys on the remote control unit to one or more corresponding telephone functions in a telephone mode in response to another key on the TV remote control unit; 
 wherein said microcomputer is configured to recognize the input first key code as a telephone function command according to the set mode, to transmit the recognized telephone function command from the digital television system to the mobile telephone if the digital television system is set to the telephone mode, the telephone function command including information related to at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of said mobile telephone, to receive from the mobile telephone a set of output data generated according to the telephone function command, and to output the generated output data, and wherein the telephone function command is generated based on the mapping in said another OSD of at least one key of the TV remote control unit to said one or more corresponding telephone functions. 
 
     
     
       25. A method for using a digital television system to interact with a mobile telephone connected to the digital television system, the method comprising:
 (a) assigning a television key index corresponding to a television mode and a telephone key index corresponding to a telephone mode, the television key index including a first on-screen display (OSD) guide mapping one or more keys of a TV remote control unit to one or more television functions when the digital television system is in said television mode, and the telephone key index including a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the TV remote control unit to one or more telephone functions when the digital television system is in said telephone mode; 
 (b) setting the digital television system to one of the television mode and the telephone mode, the digital television system set to said television mode when a first key of the TV remote control unit is activated and to a telephone mode when a second key of the TV remote control unit is activated; 
 (c) determining whether the digital television system is set to the telephone mode; 
 (d) displaying the telephone key index using the first OSD displayed on the digital televisions system, if the digital television system is set to the telephone mode; 
 (e) selecting a first key code using the first OSD displayed telephone key index, the selected first key code being recognized as a telephone function command according to the set mode, the telephone function command including data related to at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of said mobile telephone; 
 (f) transmitting the recognized telephone function command from the digital television system to the mobile telephone; 
 (g) generating, using the mobile telephone, a set of output data according to the telephone function command; 
 (h) transmitting the generated set of output data to the digital television system; and 
 (i) outputting the output data using the digital television system. 
 
     
     
       26. The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein selecting a first key code comprises inputting to the digital television system a plurality of key codes in a sequence, each key code corresponding to a telephone function command. 
     
     
       27. The method as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising:
 repeating steps (e) through (i) for each of the plurality of key codes. 
 
     
     
       28. The method as claimed in  claim 26 , further comprising:
 determining whether the key code sequence is completed; and 
 discontinuing said telephone key index displaying if the key code sequence is completed. 
 
     
     
       29. The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the displayed telephone key index includes at least one icon for selecting the mode of the digital television system. 
     
     
       30. The method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the displayed telephone key index includes at least one icon indicative of the set mode of the digital television system. 
     
     
       31. The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein one of the at least one icon indicates the set mode of the digital television system to be the television mode. 
     
     
       32. The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein one of the at least one icon indicates the set mode of the digital television system to be the telephone mode. 
     
     
       33. The method as claimed in  claim 25 , further comprising:
 (j) determining whether the digital television system is set to the television mode; 
 (k) displaying the television key index using the digital television system, if the digital television system is set to the television mode; 
 (l) selecting a second key code using the displayed television key index, the selected second key code being recognized as a television function command according to the set mode; and 
 (m) performing a television function corresponding to the television function command. 
 
     
     
       34. The method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein selecting a second key code comprises inputting to the digital television system a plurality of key codes in a sequence, each key code corresponding to a television function command. 
     
     
       35. The method as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising:
 repeating steps ( 1 ) and (in) for each of the plurality of key codes. 
 
     
     
       36. The method as claimed in  claim 34 , further comprising:
 determining whether the key code sequence is completed; and 
 discontinuing said television key index displaying, if the key code sequence is completed. 
 
     
     
       37. A method for controlling display of information on a display device based on a mobile phone, comprising:
 receiving, by the display device, broadcasting data;   displaying a first on-screen display (OSD) guide on a screen of the display device, the first OSD guide showing one or more items to switch the display device between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the one or more items are to be selected in response to activation of one or more keys of a remote controller;   receiving a first command from the remote controller to set the display device to the first mode where a key code is to be generated and transmitted to the mobile phone, wherein the first command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of said one or more keys of the remote controller;   recognizing the first command as a phone function command, wherein the phone function command relates to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of the mobile phone;   after a message is received at the mobile phone, receiving message information from the mobile phone corresponding to the message and displaying the message information on the screen of the display device;   receiving a second command from the remote controller to set the display device to the second mode, wherein the second command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of said one or more keys of the remote controller; and   displaying a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the remote controller to one or more display device functions when the display device is set in the second mode, wherein the first OSD guide is displayed to select either the first mode for displaying the received message information with the broadcasting data on the screen of the display device or the second mode for displaying the broadcasting data without displaying the message information on the screen of the display device.   
     
     
       38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
 establishing communication with the mobile phone.   
     
     
       39. The method of claim 37, wherein the message includes at least one of a text message, an image message, or a voice message. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 37, wherein the display device automatically receives the information corresponding to the message from the mobile phone after the message is received by the mobile phone and without transmitting any key code to the mobile phone to initiate reception of the message. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 37, further comprising:
 receiving a third command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the second mode; and   recognizing the third command as a display device function command and performing a corresponding display device function.   
     
     
       42. The method of claim 41, wherein the display device function is a TV function. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 37, wherein the information provides notification of the message. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 43, wherein the information provides notification of a type or content of the message. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 44, wherein the notification of the type or content of the message is based on display of the received message. 
     
     
       46. The method of claim 44, wherein the content of the message includes an attachment to the message or information included within the message. 
     
     
       47. The method of claim 46, wherein the attachment to the message includes image data. 
     
     
       48. The method of 46, wherein the information included within the message includes text. 
     
     
       49. The method of claim 37, wherein the information provides notification of a voice call or voice message received by the mobile phone. 
     
     
       50. The method of claim 37, wherein during the first mode, a television program is displayed on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
       51. The method of claim 37, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       52. A display device comprising:
 a tuner configured to receive broadcasting data;   a remote control interface configured to receive a command from a remote controller;   a mobile phone interface configured to transmit the command to the mobile phone and receive corresponding data from the mobile phone;   a display configured to display a graphic; and   a microcomputer configured to:   display an first on-screen display (OSD) guide on the display, the first OSD guide showing one or more items to switch the display device between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the one or more items are to be selected in response to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   receive a first command from the remote controller to set the display device to the first mode where a key code is to be generated and transmitted to the mobile phone, wherein the first command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   recognize the first command as a phone function command, wherein the phone function command relates to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of the mobile phone;   after a message is received at the mobile phone, receive message information corresponding to the message from the mobile phone and display the message information on the display;   receive a second command from the remote controller to set the display device to the second mode, wherein the second command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller; and   display a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the remote controller to one or more display device functions when the display device is set in the second mode;   wherein the first OSD guide is displayed to select either the first mode for displaying the received message information with the broadcasting data on the display device or the second mode for displaying the broadcasting data without displaying the message information on the display device.   
     
     
       53. The display device of claim 52, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to establish communication with the mobile phone via the mobile phone interface unit. 
     
     
       54. The display device of claim 52, wherein the message includes at least one of a text message, an image message, or a voice message. 
     
     
       55. The display device of claim 52, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to automatically receive the information corresponding to the message from the mobile phone after the message is received by the mobile phone, the message received without transmitting any key code to the mobile phone to confirm reception of the message. 
     
     
       56. The display device of claim 52, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to receive a third command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the second mode, recognize the third command as a display device function command, and perform a corresponding display device function. 
     
     
       57. The display device of claim 56, wherein the display device function is a TV function. 
     
     
       58. The display device of claim 52, wherein the information provides notification of the message. 
     
     
       59. The display device of claim 58, wherein the information provides notification of a type or content of the message. 
     
     
       60. The display device of claim 59, wherein the notification of the type or content of the message is based on display of the received message. 
     
     
       61. The display device of claim 56, wherein the content of the message includes an attachment to the message or information included within the message. 
     
     
       62. The display device of claim 61, wherein the attachment to the message includes image data. 
     
     
       63. The display device of 61, wherein the information included within the message includes text. 
     
     
       64. The display device of claim 52, wherein the information provides notification of a voice call or voice message received by the mobile phone. 
     
     
       65. The display device of claim 52, wherein during the first mode, a television program is displayed on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
       66. The display device of claim 52, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       67. The display device of claim 52, wherein the mobile phone interface is adapted to receive signals from a wire line coupled to the mobile phone. 
     
     
       68. A method for controlling display of information on a display device, comprising:
 receiving, by the display device, broadcasting data;   displaying a first on-screen display (OSD) guide on a screen of the display device, the first OSD guide showing one or more items to switch the display device between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the one or more items are to be selected in response to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   receiving a first command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the first mode where a key code is to be generated and transmitted to the mobile phone, wherein the first command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   recognizing the first command as a phone function command and transmitting the phone function command to the mobile phone, wherein the phone function command relates to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of the mobile phone; and   receiving an output data set generated by the mobile phone in response to the transmitted function command and displaying image or text data included in the output data set on the screen of the display device; and   displaying a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the remote controller to one or more display device functions when the display device is set in the second mode, wherein the first OSD guide is displayed to select either the first mode for displaying the received output data set with the broadcasting data on the screen of the display device or the second mode for displaying the broadcasting data without displaying the output data set on the screen of the display device.   
     
     
       69. The method of claim 68, further comprising receiving a mode setting command from the remote controller to set the display device to either the first mode or the second mode, wherein the mode setting command is generated by selecting the one or more items. 
     
     
       70. The method of claim 68, wherein the message includes at least one of a text message, an image message, or a voice message. 
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, further comprising:
 checking whether any one of the text, voice or image messages is newly received at the mobile phone; and   receiving the newly received message from the mobile phone.   
     
     
       72. The method of claim 68, further comprising:
 receiving a second command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the second mode; and   recognizing the second command as a display device function command and performing a corresponding display device function.   
     
     
       73. The method of claim 72, wherein the display device function is a TV function. 
     
     
       74. The method of claim 68, further comprising:
 receiving information providing notification of the output data; and   displaying said information on the screen of the display device.   
     
     
       75. The method of claim 74, wherein the information providing notification of the output data includes the output data. 
     
     
       76. The method of claim 74, wherein the notification information provides notification of a type or content of the output data. 
     
     
       77. The method of claim 76, wherein the notification of the type or content of the message is based on display of the output data. 
     
     
       78. The method of claim 76, wherein the content of the output data includes an attachment to a message corresponding to the output data or information included within a message corresponding to the output data. 
     
     
       79. The method of claim 78, wherein the attachment to the message includes image data. 
     
     
       80. The method of 78, wherein the information included within the message includes text. 
     
     
       81. The method of claim 68, wherein during the first mode, a television program is displayed on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
       82. The method of claim 68, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       83. A display device comprising:
 a tuner configured to receive broadcasting data;   a remote control interface configured to receive the command from a remote controller;   a mobile phone interface configured to transmit the command to the mobile phone and receive corresponding data from the mobile phone;   a display configured to display a graphic; and   a microcomputer configured to:   display a first on-screen display (OSD) guide, the first OSD guide showing one or more items to switch the display device between a first mode and a second mode, wherein the one or more items are to be selected in response to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   receive a first command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the first mode where a key code is to be generated and transmitted to the mobile phone, wherein the first command is generated based on mapping the one or more items in the first OSD guide to activation of one or more keys of the remote controller;   recognize the first command as a phone function command and transmit the phone function command to the mobile phone, wherein the phone function command relates to a voice call processing capability or at least one of an electronic mail capability or a text message capability of the mobile phone;   receive an output data set generated by the mobile phone in response to the transmitted function command and display image or text data included in the output data set on the display; and   display a second OSD guide mapping one or more keys of the remote controller to one or more display device functions when the display device is set in the second mode,   wherein the first OSD guide is displayed to select either the first mode for displaying the received output data set with the broadcasting data on the display device or the second mode for displaying the broadcasting data without displaying the output data set on the display device.   
     
     
       84. The display device of claim 83, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to receive a mode setting command from the remote controller to set the display device to either the first mode or the second mode, wherein the mode setting command is generated by selecting the one or more items. 
     
     
       85. The display device of claim 83, wherein the message includes at least one of a text message, an image message, or a voice message. 
     
     
       86. The display device of claim 85, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to:
 check whether any one of the text, voice or image messages is newly received at the mobile phone; and receive the newly received message from the mobile phone.   
     
     
       87. The display device of claim 83, wherein the microcomputer is further configured to:
 receive a second command from the remote controller when the display device is set to the second mode; and   recognize the second command as a display device function command and performing a corresponding display device function.   
     
     
       88. The display device of claim 87, wherein the display device function is a TV function. 
     
     
       89. The display device of claim 83, wherein the microcomputer:
 receives information providing notification of the output data; and   displays said information on the screen of the display device.   
     
     
       90. The display device of claim 89, wherein the information providing notification of the output data includes the output data. 
     
     
       91. The display device of claim 89, wherein the notification information provides notification of a type or content of the output data. 
     
     
       92. The display device of claim 91, wherein the notification of the type or content of the message is based on display of the output data. 
     
     
       93. The display device of claim 91, wherein the content of the output data includes an attachment to a message corresponding to the output data or information included within a message corresponding to the output data. 
     
     
       94. The display device of claim 93, wherein the attachment to the message includes image data. 
     
     
       95. The display device of 93, wherein the information included within the message includes text. 
     
     
       96. The display device of claim 83, wherein during the first mode, a television program is displayed on the screen of the display device. 
     
     
       97. The display device of claim 83, wherein the display device is a television. 
     
     
       98. The display device of claim 83, wherein the mobile phone interface is adapted to receive signals from a wire line coupled to the mobile phone.