JP2006203371A - Device and method for immediately connecting with network real-time communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for immediately connecting with a real-time communication network. <P>SOLUTION: Provided is a communication control device 1 which can be inserted into a signal reception device 2, the communication control device 1 includes a start button 10, a hot key 12, and an input unit 14 and inputs control commands and data to a computer through a radiation unit. With the start button 10, real-time communication system software installed in a control section to establish a network connection is started. With the hot key 12, the real-time communication system software can be switched to a dial mode. The input unit 14 includes a plurality of input buttons 141 and an ENTER key 142. The signal reception device 2 includes a holding groove 21 arranged on the signal reception device 2 to insert the communication control device 1 into the inside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for instant connection to a network real-time communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method capable of executing a dialing procedure for immediately logging on to a real-time communication system software on a computer by remote control and connecting to one or more communication partner terminals.

  The development of electronic and network technologies has been widely applied to message transmission. An example is the development of electronic mail (E-mail) systems. In addition to traditional telephony systems, as long as network communication is currently available, we can send and receive e-mail from almost any place at almost any time. However, when using an e-mail system, we cannot perform a real-time conversation using voice signals or sending and receiving text. Therefore, network telephones were developed.

  Network telephones have been developed to perform voice communications over the Internet. The basic operating principle of a network telephone is to convert a voice signal into digital information, send the digital information over the network to a network computer or receiver telephone, and based on the digital information received at the receiver terminal. It is to convert to voice. Such a communication model only requires payment for broadband or dial-up services. No matter how far the receiver is installed, there is no need to pay additional communication charges for long distance and international calls.

  However, before the network phone can be used, a series of installation procedures must be performed. In addition, both the transmitter and receiver are required to have the appropriate hardware and software installed. For many users, this technical entrance is one of the reasons why traditional network telephones are not as popular as expected. Accordingly, other real-time communication systems (or instant messenger systems) such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, SKYPE, and YahooBB have been developed. The above real-time communication system has become one of the most popular communication systems because it includes powerful functions such as real-time message transmission, voice chat room (conference call), file transmission, e-mail transmission, and video communication. . However, the real-time communication system described above is limited to operations in front of a computer. The connection to the real-time communication system cannot be activated by remote control or other means, nor can any operation be performed. This positional limitation is rather inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method capable of immediately starting real-time communication system software by remote processing.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  An apparatus for instantly connecting to a real-time communication system according to the present invention is a remote communication between a portable communication control device and a real-time communication system software located in the communication control device and controlled by communication. An activation button for activating and establishing a network connection; a hot key disposed on the communication control device, for switching the real-time communication system software to dial mode immediately by remote processing; and on the communication control device It has an input unit to be arranged, a signal receiving device, and a holding groove arranged on the signal receiving device for inserting the communication control device therein.

  The communication control device includes a symbol shortcut button for inputting a special symbol such as @, and the symbol shortcut button also functions as the hot key, forms one control button, and cooperates with software to The symbol shortcut button and the hot key can be switched, or the symbol shortcut button further functions as the start button and the hot key, forms one control button, and cooperates with software to A symbol shortcut button, the activation button, and the hot key can be switched, and the communication control device further includes a remote control button for performing a presentation function.

  The communication control device further includes a display unit for confirming that the input data is correct.

  The communication control device further includes a connection part for connecting the communication control device to a connection port in the holding groove of the signal receiving device, and one pin of the connection part has the connection in the holding groove It is set as a power supply pin for charging the communication control device via the output terminal of the port.

  The holding groove is an expansion slot such as a PCMCIA slot or a card reader slot, and a push rod for pushing out the communication control device is disposed below the holding groove.

  The input unit of the communication control device further includes a plurality of input buttons and an enter key.

  A method for instant connection to a real-time communication system of the present invention includes at least one control button for operating real-time communication system software and an input unit for inputting control commands and data. A communication control device that can be coupled to a real-time communication system, wherein the communication control device can be extracted from the signal receiving device and communicated with a signal receiving unit of the signal receiving device The real-time communication system software, a step of activating the real-time communication system software to form a communicable connection with the network, and dialing the real-time communication system software using a hot key arranged on the communication control device Switch to mode A step of switching, inputting dial information via the input unit of the communication control device, starting the dialing procedure after confirming that the dialing information is correct, and if the dialing procedure is successfully completed, A step of executing a real-time communication function; and a step of repeating or canceling the dialing procedure when the dialing procedure is not completed smoothly.

  The method further includes activating real-time communication system software of the signal receiving device using an activation button disposed on the communication control device and connected to the signal receiving device and the input unit.

  Displaying the dial information on a monitor of the signal receiving device or a display unit arranged on the communication control device in order to confirm that the dial information input through the input unit of the communication control device is correct. Further included.

  A method for instant connection to a real-time communication system of the present invention includes at least one control button for operating real-time communication system software and an input unit for inputting control commands and data. A communication control device that can be coupled to a real-time communication system, wherein the communication control device can be extracted from the signal receiving device and communicated with a signal receiving unit of the signal receiving device The real-time communication system software, a step of activating the real-time communication system software to form a communicable connection with the network, and dialing the real-time communication system software using a hot key arranged on the communication control device Switch to mode A step of switching, inputting dial information via the input unit of the communication control device, starting the dialing procedure after confirming that the dialing information is correct, and if the dialing procedure is successfully completed, Performing the real-time communication function; if the dialing procedure is not successfully completed; repeating or canceling the dialing procedure; and if the real-time communication function is active, using the input unit and the symbol shortcut button And transmitting the transmission content.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the portable communication control device which can be attached or detached with respect to a signal receiving device is provided. The communication control device can immediately activate the real-time communication system software to form a communicable connection with the network by following only a few simple procedures. The user can use the communication control device for calling and data input of the communication partner terminal. As a result, the convenience of real-time communication and conversation is improved. Users can conveniently conduct conversations with other people and exchange emails or short messages.

  Further, the signal receiving device includes a holding groove disposed on the signal receiving device for inserting the communication control device therein. Therefore, the communication control device is very easy to use and is not misplaced.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings for better understanding of the features and technical contents of the present invention. However, the attached drawings are for convenience of illustration and description, and do not limit the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an apparatus for immediately connecting to a network real-time communication system (instant messenger system) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention includes a communication control device 1 having a signal control and input unit for transmitting a signal in one direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 1 is a portable device that can be used in front of a computer that is a communication-controlled device or at another place. The communication control device 1 can activate real-time communication system software (instant messenger client) for forming a communicable connection.

  The communication control device 1 can further use a connection port (for example, a general-purpose serial bus port) paired with the signal reception unit 20 (for example, a wireless access point or a signal receiver). The signal receiving unit 20 is a connection port of the signal receiving device 2 (for example, a computer and a server), receives a control command transmitted from the communication control device 1, and executes the control command in the signal receiving device 2. . As a result, the activation of the real-time communication system software is completed, and all the incorporated functions can be executed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 1 is a portable control device, and includes a main body 11 that is easily carried and held. On the surface of the main body 11, an activation button 10 and a hot key 12 for activating the real-time communication system software and connecting to the network and switching the real-time communication system software to the dial mode are arranged. Further, a symbol shortcut button 13 for promptly inputting an “@ (at mark)” symbol is arranged on the front surface of the main body 11 and an e-mail address can be input. Here, the dial mode is a state in which the dial number of the communication partner terminal can be dialed in the real-time communication system software, and the hot key is a button that executes a predetermined function when pressed. That is.

  An input unit 14 is further arranged on the surface of the main body 11. The input unit 14 includes a plurality of input buttons 141 and an ENTER key (enter key) 142. In another embodiment of the present invention, the input button 141 includes a plurality of buttons represented by numerals, and is used for inputting a sentence in combination with the numerals and the input unit. Alternatively, the input unit 141 may not be a button corresponding to a number, but may be a button corresponding to a character, for example, and can be used to input a sentence alone. Control commands and input contents from the buttons 10, 12, 13 and the input unit 14 are transmitted to the signal receiving device 2 via an emission unit (not shown) via an infrared or high-frequency wireless remote control signal.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the activation button 10, the hot key 12, and the symbol shortcut button 13 may be composed of a single control button. That is, the control button is determined to execute the function of the activation button 10 during the activation process for activating the real-time communication system software in the signal receiving device 2 by remote processing. Next, after the real-time communication system software is properly activated, the control button is automatically changed to perform the function of the hotkey 12. The hot key 12 can also be used to change the real-time communication system software to dial mode. Then, after switching to the dial mode, the control button is automatically changed to execute the function of the “@” symbol shortcut button. Therefore, a quick operation and input function similar to the case of being constituted by a plurality of buttons can be achieved by using a single control button.

  In yet another embodiment, the functions of the activation button 10 and the hot key 12 are set to a single control button. Alternatively, the functions of the start button 10 and the symbol shortcut button 13 may be configured by one control button. Similarly, the functions of the hot key 12 and the symbol shortcut button 13 may be configured by one control button. Further, the functions of the start button 10, the hot key 12, and the symbol shortcut button are not only executed by one control button, but the functions of buttons for executing other control functions may be added.

  The real-time communication system software that is instantly activated via the activation button 10 and the hot key 12 is an instant messenger client selected from MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, SKYPE, YahooBB, and the like. One of the real-time communication system software is set to be switched to the dial mode by the start button 10 and the hot key 12. Note that the activation button 10 and the hot key 12 can activate one or more of the above-described real-time communication system software. Furthermore, the activation button 10 can be set to activate the most frequently activated real-time communication system software during a predetermined period. Furthermore, the main body 11 of the communication control device 1 can include a plurality of control groups, and each control group includes a start button 10 and a hot key 12 and can start specified real-time communication system software. .

  The communication control device 1 described above activates the real-time communication system software using the activation button 10 and the hot key 12, and switches the real-time communication system software to the dial mode. Alternatively, the dial operation can be started using the input button 141 and the ENTER key 142 of the input unit 14. In order to confirm that each dial information is correct, the input dial information is required to go through a confirmation procedure, so that a dial error is prevented. The dial information is, for example, a dial number of a communication partner terminal.

  The above confirmation procedure can be realized by further disposing the display unit 15 on the surface of the main body 11 of the communication control device 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The display unit 15 displays the information input via the input unit 14, and the user can confirm that the input content is correct. When it is confirmed that there is no mistake in the input content (dial information), the input content is transmitted by operating the ENTER key 142.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 1 according to still another embodiment of the present invention is of a card type that can be inserted into the signal receiving device 2. In other words, the communication control device 1 is detachable from the signal receiving device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication control device 1 is inserted into the holding groove 21 of the signal receiving device 2. By such a method, the communication control device 1 is easy to carry, hold and store. Further, the connection portion 16 is formed at one end of the main body portion 11 and is connected to a connection port disposed inside the holding groove 21. In addition, a power supply pin for charging the communication control device 1 via the output terminal of the connection port is formed in the connection portion 16.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the signal receiving device 2 is a portable computer. The signal receiving device 2 has at least one holding groove 21. The holding groove 21 can be an expansion port (expansion slot) of a computer, for example, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) port (PCMCIA slot) and a card reader port (card reader slot). The holding groove 21 has a connection port for connecting to the communication control device 1. Further, a push rod 22 for pushing out the communication control device 1 inserted into the holding groove 21 is formed below the holding groove 21.

  Further, the communication control device 1 can be integrated with a remote control device used for presentation. On the other hand, the main body 11 can have several function buttons that can remotely control the presentation software.

  In the apparatus for instant connection to the network real-time communication system described above, a method for instant connection to the network real-time communication system is disclosed below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing in a method for immediately connecting to a network real-time communication system. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for immediately connecting to the network real-time communication system includes the following steps.

  The removable communication control device 1 is taken out from the holding groove 21 of the signal receiving device 2 and operated by the user. The communication control device 1 establishes a connection for transmitting a one-way control signal to the signal receiving device 2 (ie, the computer) via the connection port (step 300). The connection port is, for example, a general-purpose serial bus (USB) port.

  By pressing the start button 10 of the communication control device 1, a start signal (first control signal) for starting the real-time communication system software is generated. The activation signal is transmitted via the radiation unit 10 to activate the designated real-time communication system software of the signal receiving device 2 (step 302). Note that the real-time communication system software can also be started directly from the input unit of the signal receiving device 2 (step 302 ').

  Next, by using the hot key 12 of the communication control device 1, a second control signal for switching the real-time communication system software to the dial mode is transmitted, and the real-time communication system software is switched to the dial mode (step 304). . Then, it is confirmed that the real-time communication system software has been switched to the dial mode (step 306). If the real-time communication system software has not been switched to dial mode, the activation procedure is repeated or canceled (step 306 ').

  By using the input unit 14 of the communication control device 1, stored dial information about the receiving terminal (communication partner terminal) can be input or selected (step 308). When the communication control device 1 does not have the display unit 15, the input data is displayed on the monitor of the signal receiving device 2. On the other hand, when the communication control device 1 has the display unit 15, the input data is displayed on the display unit 15.

  The signal receiving device 2 confirms that the received signal is from the signal receiving unit 20 paired with the communication control device 1. The signal receiving unit 20 receives dial information from the communication control device 1, and the dial information is converted into dial information that can be recognized by the real-time communication system software (step 310).

  After confirming that the dial information is correct, the ENTER key 142 is pressed to complete the dialing procedure (step 312).

  After the dialing procedure is executed by the real-time communication system software and the connection with the communication partner terminal is completed (step 314), a conversation between the communication terminals can be performed using a voice call unit (not shown). The voice call unit is, for example, an earphone and a microphone, and can be connected to the communication control device 1, for example. That is, by using the portable communication control device 1, a conversation with the communication partner can be executed even at a place away from the signal receiving device 2. Also, other functions can be selected and executed during the conversation (step 316).

  When executing a dial procedure via the real-time communication system software, if the connection to the communication partner terminal fails, the dial procedure must be repeated (step 318) or the dial procedure must be stopped (step 320).

  Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily find various equivalent changes or modifications in light of the above-described features, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims. That is fully understood. Accordingly, all such equivalent changes or modifications are considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention without departing from the claimed subject matter.

It is a figure for showing the apparatus for connecting immediately to the network real-time communication system in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for showing the state where the communication control device and signal receiving unit of FIG. 1 were connected to the signal receiver. It is a figure for showing the state by which the apparatus of FIG. 1 is operated. It is a flowchart which shows the process for connecting immediately to the network real-time communication system in one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 communication control device,
2 signal receiving device,
10, 12, 13, 141, 142 buttons,
Body part 11,
14 input units,
15 display unit,
20 signal receiving unit,
21 retaining groove,
22 Pushlot.

Claims (10)

A portable communication control device;
An activation button disposed on the communication control device and immediately activating real-time communication system software in the communication-controlled device by remote processing to achieve network connection;
A hot key disposed on the communication control device for switching the real-time communication system software to dial mode immediately by remote processing;
An input unit disposed on the communication control device;
A signal receiving device;
A holding groove disposed on the signal receiving device for inserting the communication control device therein;
A device for instant connection to a real-time communication system, characterized in that it comprises: The communication control device includes a symbol shortcut button for inputting a special symbol such as @,
The symbol shortcut button also functions as the hot key, forms a single control button, can be switched between the symbol shortcut button and the hot key in cooperation with software, or the symbol shortcut button Further functions as the start button and the hot key, and forms a single control button. The symbol shortcut button, the start button, and the hot key can be switched in cooperation with software.
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication control device can further include a remote control button for performing a presentation function.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device further includes a display unit for confirming that the input data is correct. The communication control device further includes a connection unit for connecting the communication control device to a connection port in the holding groove of the signal receiving device,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one pin of the connection unit is set as a power supply pin for charging the communication control device via an output terminal of the connection port in the holding groove. . The holding groove is an expansion slot such as a PCMCIA slot or a card reader slot,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a push rod for pushing out the communication control device is disposed under the holding groove.   The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input unit of the communication control device further includes a plurality of input buttons and an enter key. Immediately in a real-time communication system having at least one control button for operating real-time communication system software, an input unit for inputting control commands and data, and a communication control device that can be coupled with a signal receiving device A method for connecting,
Removing the communication control device from the signal receiving device and connecting to communicate with a signal receiving unit of the signal receiving device;
Activating the real-time communication system software to form a communicable connection with the network;
Using the hot key located on the communication control device to switch the real-time communication system software to dial mode;
Entering dial information via the input unit of the communication control device, and starting the dialing procedure after confirming that the dial information is correct;
If the dialing procedure is successfully completed, executing a real-time communication function;
If the dialing procedure is not completed successfully, repeating or canceling the dialing procedure;
A method for instantly connecting to a real-time communication system.   The method further comprises activating real-time communication system software of the signal receiving device using an activation button and the input unit disposed on the communication control device and connected to the signal receiving device. 8. The method according to 7.   Displaying the dial information on a monitor of the signal receiving device or a display unit arranged on the communication control device in order to confirm that the dial information input through the input unit of the communication control device is correct. The method of claim 7 further comprising: Immediately in a real-time communication system having at least one control button for operating real-time communication system software, an input unit for inputting control commands and data, and a communication control device that can be coupled with a signal receiving device A method for connecting,
Removing the communication control device from the signal receiving device and connecting to communicate with a signal receiving unit of the signal receiving device;
Activating the real-time communication system software to form a communicable connection with the network;
Using the hot key located on the communication control device to switch the real-time communication system software to dial mode;
Entering dial information via the input unit of the communication control device, and starting the dialing procedure after confirming that the dial information is correct;
If the dialing procedure is successfully completed, executing a real-time communication function;
If the dialing procedure is not completed successfully, repeating or canceling the dialing procedure;
If the real-time communication function is active, using the input unit and symbol shortcut button, transmitting the transmission content;
A method for instantly connecting to a real-time communication system.

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