Dmb terminal for enabling simultaneous dmb viewing and phone call and method therefor

Abstract

A DMB terminal and method for simultaneous DMB viewing and calling are provided. The DMB terminal includes a DMB module for providing a DMB service; a modem module for providing mobile communication functionality, the DMB module and the modem module being able to operate separately; a DMB-modem switch unit for switching an image output path for outputting image information, an audible sound output path for outputting audible sounds, and a key input path for receiving a key input signal from a user to the DMB module or the modem module; and a DMB-modem switch controller for, upon user selection of an operation mode, controlling the DMB-modem switch unit to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to a module corresponding to the selected operation mode

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) terminal for simultaneous DMB viewing and a call function, the DMB terminal comprising:
 a DMB module for providing a DMB service;   a modem module for providing mobile communication functionality, the DMB module and the modem module being able to operate separately;   a DMB-modem switch unit for switching an image output path for outputting image information, an audible sound output path for outputting audible sounds, and a key input path for receiving a key input signal from a user to the DMB module or the modem module; and   a DMB-modem switch controller for, upon user selection of an operation mode, controlling the DMB-modem switch unit to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to a module corresponding to the selected operation mode.   
     
     
         2 . The DMB terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the modem module includes the DMB-modem switch controller. 
     
     
         3 . The DMB terminal of  claim 1 , wherein, if the selected operation mode is a DMB reception mode, the DMB-modem switch controller controls the DMB-modem switch unit to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module. 
     
     
         4 . The DMB terminal of  claim 1 , wherein, if the selected operation mode is a mobile communication mode, the DMB-modem switch controller controls the DMB-modem switch unit to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module. 
     
     
         5 . The DMB terminal of  claim 4 , wherein the mobile communication mode comprises one of:
 a call mode for processing an incoming call or an outgoing call;   a short message service (SMS) mode for reading an SMS message or writing and sending an SMS message; and   a multimedia messaging service (MMS) mode for reading an MMS message or writing and sending an MMS message.   
     
     
         6 . The DMB terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the DMB module comprises:
 a send key input detector for detecting input of a send key for originating a call or writing and sending a short message service (SMS) or multimedia messaging service (MMS) message; and   a modem module interface for providing a send key input indication signal indicating the input of the send key to the DMB-modem switch controller.   
     
     
         7 . The DMB terminal of  claim 6 , wherein upon receipt of the send key input indication signal, the DMB-modem switch controller controls the DMB-modem switch unit to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module. 
     
     
         8 . The DMB module of  claim 1 , wherein when the modem module detects an incoming call, short message service (SMS) message, or multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, the DMB-modem switch controller controls the DMB-modem switch to switch the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module according to a user selection. 
     
     
         9 . The DMB terminal of  claim 1 , wherein the DMB-modem switch unit comprises:
 an audible sound switch for switching the audible sound output path to the modem module or the DMB module, the audible sound output path being connected to an amplifier;   an image output switch for switching the image output path to the modem module or the DMB module, the image output path being connected to a display; and   a key input switch for switching the key input path to the modem module or the DMB module, the key input path being connected to a keypad.   
     
     
         10 . The DMB terminal of  claim 9 , wherein the keypad comprises an output switching key for switching the image output path and the key input path to a module other than a current connected module during an incoming call process or an outgoing call process in the modem module. 
     
     
         11 . The DMB terminal of  claim 10 , wherein upon input of the output switching key, the DMB-modem switch controller controls the image output switch and the key input switch to switch the image output path and the key input path to the DMB module. 
     
     
         12 . A communication method for simultaneous digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) viewing and a call function in a DMB terminal, in which a DMB module provides a DMB service and a modem module provides mobile communication functionality, wherein the DMB module and the modem module are able to operate separately, and the modem module switches an image output path, an audible sound output path, and a key input path to one of the DMB module or the modem module, the communication method comprising the steps of:
 (1) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, upon user selection of a DMB reception mode;   (2) outputting, by the DMB module, DMB data through the audible sound output path and the image output path, and receiving a key input from a user through the key input path;   (3) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module, in response to acceptance of an incoming call;   (4) processing, by the modem module, the incoming call to allow the user to conduct a conversation; and   (5) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, after processing the incoming call.   
     
     
         13 . The communication method of  claim 12 , wherein step (3) comprises:
 identifying the incoming call;   asking the user whether the user will accept the incoming call; and   switching the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module, in response to the acceptance of the incoming call.   
     
     
         14 . The communication method of  claim 12 , wherein the DMB terminal includes an output switching key in a keypad, for indicating to the modem module to switch the image output path and the key input path to a module other than a current connected module, upon receipt of the incoming call. 
     
     
         15 . The communication method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 determining whether the incoming call has been terminated, after step (4);   determining whether the output switching key has been input, if the incoming call has not been terminated; and   switching the image output path and the key input path to the module other than the current connected module, if the output switching key has been input.   
     
     
         16 . A communication method for simultaneous digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) viewing and a call function in a DMB terminal, in which a DMB module provides a DMB service and a modem module provides mobile communication functionality, wherein the DMB module and the modem module are able to operate separately, and the modem module switches an image output path, an audible sound output path, and a key input path to one of the DMB module or the modem module, the communication method comprising the steps of:
 (a) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, upon user selection of DMB reception;   (b) outputting, by the DMB module, DMB data through the audible sound output path and the image output path and receiving a key input from a user through the key input path;   (c) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module, in response to acceptance of displaying a message;   (d) processing, by the modem module, the received message to allow the user to read the message; and   (e) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, after processing the received message.   
     
     
         17 . The communication method of  claim 16 , wherein the message includes one of a short message service (SMS) message and a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message. 
     
     
         18 . The communication method of  claim 16 , wherein step (c) comprises:
 identifying receipt of the message;   asking the user whether the user will accept the displaying of the received message; and   switching the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the modem module, in response to the acceptance of displaying the received message.   
     
     
         19 . A communication method for simultaneous digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) viewing and a call function in a DMB terminal, in which where a DMB module provides a DMB service and a modem module provides mobile communication functionality, wherein the DMB module and the modem module are able to operate separately, and the modem module switches an image output path, an audible sound output path, and a key input path to one of the DMB module or the modem module, the communication method comprising the steps of:
 (i) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, upon user selection of a DMB reception mode;   (ii) outputting, by the DMB module, DMB data through the audible sound output path and the image output path, and receiving a key input from a user through the key input path;   (iii) detecting, by the DMB module, input of a send key for originating a call or writing and sending a message, and notifying the modem module of the send key input;   (iv) performing a send key operation, upon key input from the user, when the send key input is detected by the modem module; and   (v) switching, by the modem module, the image output path, the audible sound output path, and the key input path to the DMB module, after performing the send key operation.   
     
     
         20 . The communication method of  claim 19 , wherein the send key operation includes one of call origination, and writing and sending a short message service (SMS) message or a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message according to the key input from the user. 
     
     
         21 . The communication method of  claim 20 , wherein the DMB terminal further includes an output switching key in a keypad, for indicating to the modem module to switch the image output path and the key input path to a module other than a current connected module while processing an outgoing call. 
     
     
         22 . The communication method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 processing the outgoing call for the user to conduct a conversation;   determining whether the outgoing call has been terminated;   determining whether the output switching key has been input, if the outgoing call has not been terminated; and   switching the image output path and the key input path to the module other than the current connected module, upon input of the output switching key.