(19)
(11)EP 3 206 342 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
20.07.2022 Bulletin 2022/29

(21)Application number: 16207168.2

(22)Date of filing:  18.04.2007
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H04L 51/04(2022.01)
(52)Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
H04L 51/04; H04M 7/0045; H04W 4/12; H04L 51/58

(54)

VOICE MESSAGING METHOD AND MOBILE TERMINAL SUPPORTING VOICE MESSAGING IN MOBILE MESSENGER SERVICE

SPRACHBENACHRICHTIGUNGSVERFAHREN UND MOBILES ENDGERÄT ZUR UNTERSTÜTZUNG VON SPRACHBENACHRICHTIGUNG IN EINEM MOBILEN NACHRICHTENDIENST

PROCÉDÉ DE MESSAGERIE VOCALE ET TERMINAL MOBILE PRENANT EN CHARGE LA MESSAGERIE VOCALE DANS UN SERVICE DE MESSAGERIE MOBILE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30)Priority: 24.04.2006 KR 20060036634

(43)Date of publication of application:
16.08.2017 Bulletin 2017/33

(62)Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC:
07007855.5 / 1850545

(73)Proprietor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Gyeonggi-do 16677 (KR)

(72)Inventor:
  • KIM, Eun Ju
    16677 Gyeonggi-do (KR)

(74)Representative: HGF 
HGF Limited 1 City Walk
Leeds LS11 9DX
Leeds LS11 9DX (GB)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 331 786
US-A1- 2004 001 480
US-A1- 2003 219 104
US-A1- 2006 034 340
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    1. Field of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and, in particular, to a voice messaging method and a mobile terminal supporting the voice messaging method in a mobile messenger service.

    2. Description of the Related Art



    [0002] With the advance of wireless technologies, mobile communication systems including Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system has been developed to provide multimedia communication services in addition to the basic service of voice communication service.

    [0003] Keeping pace with popularity of the multimedia communications, mobile terminals become closer to personal computers (PC) in their capabilities. For example, recent mobile terminals incorporate various supplementary functions such as messaging service, image transmission, contact list management, and scheduler functions. Accordingly, the mobile terminal must store various kinds of data such as residential addresses, internet mail addresses, avatars, and the like, as well as call numbers.

    [0004] Rapid growth of such multimedia services has led to the increase of utilization of mobile terminals and strong demands for various mobile services including messaging service.

    [0005] As one of such mobile services, mobile messenger services allow subscribers to exchange data in real time. The mobile messenger service enables the subscribers to exchange memos, files, and other data and to participate in a real time chatting and group telephony.

    [0006] Typically, the conventional mobile messenger services use text messages for communication between the subscribers and support a group chatting which allow several subscribers to take part in a chatting session.

    [0007] However, the conventional mobile messenger services have some drawbacks in that voice communication is not supported during a mobile messenger service session and a person-to-person messaging is not allowed in a group chatting.

    [0008] US 2004/001480 A1 (Tanigawa Keiko et al) describes an improved communication system in which an IM server manages presence information regarding each of IM clients and usable media and user information such that each of the IM clients can obtain these kinds of information. In order to perform text chatting, the IM server manages a connection between each of the IM clients participating in the chat. In order to perform voice chatting, an AP server manages a connection between each of the IM clients participating in the chat.

    [0009] US 2003/219104 A1 (Malik Dale W) describes a system and method for sending voice instant messages. The system includes a communications client of a user that is configured to generate a voice instant message and send a voice instant message to another user.

    SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0010] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a voice messaging method allowing a mobile terminal operating with the voice messaging method to transmit a voice message using a mobile messenger service.

    [0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a voice messaging method allowing a mobile terminal operating with the voice messaging method to transmit a voice message to one of members participated in a chatting session of a mobile messenger service.

    [0012] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a mobile terminal as claimed in claim 1.

    [0013] Preferably, the microphone captures a user voice as the sound wave and stores user voice in the form of the audio signal in the storage unit.

    [0014] Preferably, the audio data generation unit encodes the user voice into audio data, segments the audio data into transmission data units, and generates the audio data packets contained in the transmission data units together with source and destination Internet Protocol addresses.

    [0015] Preferably, the audio data generation unit performs encoding the user voice and segmentation of the audio data using an enhanced variable rate codec.

    [0016] Preferably, the packet data communication network interface unit transmits the audio data packets to a target terminal participating in a mobile messenger service session with the mobile terminal through the packet data communication network.

    [0017] Preferably, the mobile terminal further includes an audio decoding unit for decoding the audio data packets; and a speaker to output the decoded audio data packets in the form of an audible sound wave, wherein the packet data communication network unit transfers the audio data packets received in the mobile messenger service session to an audio decoding unit.

    [0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects are accomplished by a voice messaging method for a mobile terminal in a mobile messenger service session as claimed in claim 7.

    [0019] Preferably, generating the audio data packets includes encoding the voice message; segmenting the encoded voice message into transmission data units of a predetermined size; and packing the data units with the audio data packets together with source and destination Internet Protocol addresses.

    [0020] Preferably, encoding the voice message includes compressing the voice message using an enhanced variable rate codec.

    [0021] Preferably, the voice messaging method further includes receiving audio data packets through the packet data communication network in the middle of the mobile messenger service session; decoding the audio data packets; and outputting the audio data decoded from the audio data packet in the form of an audible sound wave.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0022] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

    FIG. 1 is an overview of a mobile messenger service system according to the present invention;

    FIG. 2 is a message flow diagram illustrating message flows in the messenger service system of FIG. 1;

    FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a voice messaging method in a mobile messenger service according to the present invention; and

    FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal supporting a voice messaging during a mobile messenger service according to the present invention.


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS



    [0023] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

    [0024] Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile messenger service system includes a plurality of mobile terminals 100, 500, and 600, a short message service (SMS) server 200, a packet data core network 300, and a packet data serving node (PDSN) 400.

    [0025] The mobile terminals 100, 500, and 600 are provided with a mobile messenger application. In this embodiment, a host mobile terminal 100 transmits an invitation message and client mobile terminals 500 and 600 transmit acceptance message to host mobile terminal 100 in response to the invitation message.

    [0026] SMS server 200 provides short messaging service to a mobile communication network (for example, CDMA network). In this embodiment, SMS server 200 relays the invitation message transmitted by host mobile terminal 100 to client mobile terminals 500 and 600.

    [0027] Packet data core network 300 establishes communication channels between the mobile terminals using a point-to-point protocol (PPP) and supporting packet data communication. Packet data core network 300 also supports a mobile messenger service after a mobile messenger service session is initialized. That is, packet data core network 300 is configured to support the real time data exchanges between the host and client mobile terminals 100, 500, and 600. For example, the packet data core network bridges the information message transmitted by host mobile terminal 100 to client mobile terminal 500 and 600, bridges the information message transmitted by client mobile terminal 500 to host mobile terminal 100 and client mobile terminal 600, and bridges the information message transmitted by client mobile terminal 600 to host mobile terminal 100 and client mobile terminal 500.

    [0028] An operation of the above-structured messenger service system is described with reference to FIG. 2.

    [0029] Referring to FIG. 2, if a command input for the mobile messenger service is detected while operating in a normal mode, host mobile terminal 100 activates the messenger application in step S105. Next, host mobile terminal 100 generates a buddy list on the basis of a user command in step S110. After the buddy list is generated, host mobile terminal 100 transmits a connection request message to PDSN 400 in step S115 and assigned an Internet Protocol (IP) address at step S120 so as to establish a point-to-point channel.

    [0030] The buddy list provides a group of members registered for the mobile messenger service (so called, counterparty user lists). Preferably, the buddy list is created with the candidate participants selected from the subscribers stored in the mobile terminal. However, the participants can be selected in such a manner that the service subscribers are listed in a normal phonebook with a specific indicator and choosing the participants among the subscribers listed in a normal phonebook.

    [0031] After generating the buddy list, host mobile terminal 100 transmits an invitation message to the client mobile terminals of the candidate participants. In the embodiment, the invitation message is transmitted to client mobile terminal 500 as an example. That is, host mobile terminal 100 registers client mobile terminal 500 to the buddy list at step S110, transmits an invitation message to the SMS server in step S125. Upon receiving the invitation message, SMS server 200 forwards the invitation message to client mobile terminal 500 in step S130. The invitation message is transmitted with the IP address assigned to host mobile terminal 100 at step S115. The invitation message also contains information of identification number of host mobile terminal 100 and port number for a current session in addition to the IP address.

    [0032] Upon receiving the invitation message, client mobile terminal 500 checks that the invitation message is a mobile messenger service message, and activates the messenger application in step S135. Next, client mobile terminal 500 extracts the information on the host mobile terminal, i.e. the identification number and current session port number of host mobile terminal 100 in step S140.

    [0033] Next, client mobile terminal 500 is coupled with PDSN 400 through a PPP connection in step S145 and assigned an IP address from PSDN 400 in step S150. If an IP address is assigned, client mobile terminal 500 transmits an acceptance message to PDSN 400 in accordance with a user command in step S155. Upon receiving the acceptance message, PDSN 400 forwards the acceptance message to host mobile terminal 100 in step S160.

    [0034] Since client mobile terminal 500 knows the IP address of host mobile terminal 100 through the invitation message, client mobile terminal 500 transmits the acceptance message with the IP address of the host mobile terminal as a destination address and the IP address assigned from PSDN 400 as a source address. Preferably, the acceptance message also contains information on a protocol, port number, and authentication in addition to the IP address information.

    [0035] Upon receiving the acceptance message, host mobile terminal 100 updates its buddy list so as to maintain the client mobile terminal transmitting the acceptance message in the buddy list and removes other candidate mobile terminals that do not transmit an acceptance message in step S165. Next, host mobile terminal 100 transmits the updated buddy list to client mobile terminal 500 via the PDSN in steps S170 and S175. That is, host mobile terminal 100 transmits the updated buddy list to PSDN (S170), and the PDSN forwards the updated buddy list to client mobile terminal 500.

    [0036] If host and client mobile terminals 100 and 500 share the buddy list, the mobile messenger service starts based on the IP network in step S180. That is, the host and client mobile terminals are connected to PDSN 400 such that IP-based mobile messenger service is provided between the host and client mobile terminals.

    [0037] It is assumed that the mobile messenger service is initialized through the procedure of FIG. 2 such that the host and client mobile terminals 100 and 500 are in a mobile messenger service session. In this embodiment, the voice messaging method is described with an exemplary situation in which host mobile terminal 100 transmits a voice message to client mobile terminal 500.

    [0038] Referring to FIG. 3, after a messenger service session is established between the host and client mobile terminals 100 and 500 in step S205, and the host and client mobile terminals operate in a text exchange mode in steps S210 and S305.

    [0039] Host mobile terminal 100 detects if a command input for transmitting a voice message has been issued in step S215. If a voice message command input is detected, host mobile terminal 100 starts recording an audio (for example, voice) in step S220. For example, if a user inputs a voice messaging request command, host mobile terminal 100 records a voice input right after the voice messaging request command is received. For receiving and processing the voice, host mobile terminal 100 includes a microphone and audio storage unit such that the audio signal input through the microphone is stored in the audio storage unit.

    [0040] Host mobile terminal 100 detects whether a command for stopping the voice recording is issued in step S225 while the voice recording is progressing.

    [0041] If a voice record stop command is detected, the host mobile terminal stop recording the voice and generates an audio file with the audio recorded until the voice record stop command is detected in step S230. At this time, host mobile terminal 100 encodes the recorded voice within an audio file and then segments the audio file in available transmission size. In this embodiment, an Enhanced Variable Rate Codec (EVRC) is used for compressing the recorded voice. The compressed and segmented audio data are contained in data fields of audio data packets each having an IP header of which source and destination fields are set to the IP addresses of the host and client mobile terminals.

    [0042] Next, host mobile terminal 100 transmits the audio data packets to client mobile terminal 500 in step S235.

    [0043] If a reception of the audio data packet is detected, client mobile terminal 500 determines if all the audio data packets are successfully received in step S310. If all the audio data packets are successfully received, client mobile terminal 500 decodes the audio packets to restore the audio file in step S315. That is, client mobile terminal 500 designates a time duration for receiving the audio data packets and then decodes the audio data packets received in the time duration to restored the audio file. The decoding process is performed with reference to the audio data segmentation information implied within the headers of the audio data packets.

    [0044] After the audio data packets are successfully decoded and restored into the transmitted audio file, client mobile terminal 500 replays the audio file in step S320. It is preferred that the client mobile terminal determines if it is in an audio input state and start replays of the audio file when it is not in an audio input state.

    [0045] Next, client mobile terminal 500 determines if a command for terminating the messenger service session is issued in step S325. If a session termination command input is detected, the client mobile terminal ends the messenger service session in step S330. If no session termination command is detected, the client mobile terminal repeats steps 305 to 325.

    [0046] Meanwhile, after transmitting the audio data packets at step S235, host mobile terminal 100 determines if a session termination command input is detected in step S240. For example, if a session termination command is input by a user's key manipulation or received from client mobile terminal 500, the host mobile terminal ends the messenger service session in step S245.

    [0047] In this embodiment outlined in FIG. 3, host mobile terminal 100 starts recording a voice in response to an audio transmission request command, performs compression and segmentation on the recoded audio data, and directly transmits the audio in the form of audio data packets to client terminal 500. That is, the voice messaging is carried out between the host and client mobile terminals with engagement of any mobile communication system and server.

    [0048] Accordingly, it is possible to transmit a voice message to a specific counterparty mobile terminal among the participant terminals in a mobile messenger service while maintaining the mobile messenger service session.

    [0049] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary configuration of the host mobile terminal in the FIGs. 1 to 3. However, client mobile terminals 500 and 600 can be implemented with the same configuration. The configuration of the host mobile terminal is determined by a transmission of the invitation message.

    [0050] Referring to FIG. 4, host mobile terminal 100 includes a microphone 110, an audio storage unit 120, an audio data generation unit 130, a PDSN interface unit 140, an audio decoder 150, a user interface unit 160, a control unit 170, and a radio frequency interface 180, and a storage unit 190.

    [0051] Microphone 110 captures a sound wave (for example, a voice) and converts the sound wave into electrical signals. That is, microphone 110 receives a user voice in the mobile messenger service session and stores the user voice into audio storage unit 120 in the form of audio data, under the control of control unit 170.

    [0052] Audio storage unit 120 stores the audio signals input through microphone 110. That is, audio storage unit 120 starts and ends recording the voice in response to recording start and end commands generated by control unit 170.

    [0053] Audio data generation unit 130 converts the audio signal stored in audio storage unit 120 into a data format suitable for PSDN 400. For example, audio data generation unit 130 segments the audio data into transmission data units of predetermined size and compresses the transmission data units in a predetermined coding scheme. Preferably, the transmission data units are compressed using an Enhanced Variable Rate Codec (EVRC). The transmission data units are carried by the audio data packets each having a header contained the IP address of host mobile terminal 100 as a source address and the IP address of client mobile terminal 500 as a destination address.

    [0054] PDSN interface unit 140 is responsible for data communication with PDSN 400 (see FIG. 2). Particularly, PDSN interface unit 140 allows host mobile terminal 100 to communicate with other mobile terminals registered in the buddy list for the mobile messenger service. Particularly, PDSN interface unit 140 transfers the audio data packets generated by audio data generation unit 130 to the destination address, i.e. client mobile terminals 500 and 600 and receives an audio data packet transmitted by client mobile terminals 500 and 600 that are participated in a mobile messenger service session.

    [0055] Audio decoding unit 150 decodes the audio data packets received through PDSN interface unit 140. That is, audio decoding unit 150 decompresses the EVRC-coded audio data packets.

    [0056] User interface unit 160 provides a graphic interface in order for a user to control the operation of host mobile terminal 100. Particularly, user interface unit 160 receives input commands for transmitting the invitation message and audio data and transmits the commands to control unit 170.

    [0057] Control unit 170 controls the operation of host mobile terminal 100 on the basis of the user commands and predetermined events associated with the applications.

    [0058] If an audio message transmission request is entered, control unit 170 controls microphone 110, audio storage unit 120, audio data generation unit 130, and PDSN interface unit 140 for recording audio signal and transmitting the audio signal in the form of the audio data packet. The recoded audio signal is formatted into audio data packets and then transmitted to client terminal 500.

    [0059] Control unit 170 also controls audio decoder 150 to process the audio data packets received through PDSN interface 140 and output the audio data though a speaker (not shown) as an audible sound wave.

    [0060] Control unit 170 controls such that the text message exchange is stopped while the audio data packets are transmitted or received. That is, control unit 170 controls host mobile terminal 100 to operate in a text exchange mode and to switch the operation mode to the audio messaging mode in response to an audio data transmission request command input through PDSN interface unit 140 or when received an audio data packet from a client mobile terminal. In this case it is preferred to stop the text exchange. This is because host terminal 100 exchanges the text and audio data through a virtual port (for example, socket).

    [0061] Radio frequency interface unit 180 controls the voice communication of the host mobile terminal. Radio frequency interface unit 180 is responsible for transmitting and receiving an invitation message in the form of a short message via SMS server 200 (see FIG. 2).

    [0062] Storage unit 190 stores an operating system, application programs, and the information related to the operations of application programs. Particularly, storage unit 190 stores a phonebook 191, a messenger program, and a buddy list 195. Buddy list 195 provides the information of members of a group for communicating through the mobile messenger service.

    [0063] The voice messaging method of the present invention enables transmitting a voice message to a specific member participated in a mobile messenger service session without engagement of a mobile communication system or a server.

    [0064] As described above, the voice messaging method and mobile terminal supporting the voice messaging method according to the present invention enables a user participating in a mobile messenger service session to transmit a voice message to another participant of the session without engagement of a mobile communication system or a server. In the case where a single counterparty user is participating in the mobile messenger service session, the participants can communicate with each other using a voice messaging function in the mobile messenger service rather than through costly voice communication channel, resulting in cost effective voice communication.


    Claims

    1. A mobile terminal (100) comprising:

    a control unit (170) arranged to control the mobile terminal (100) to execute a mobile messenger service for exchanging text messages with another mobile terminal (500),

    in which the control unit (170) is arranged to:

    control the mobile terminal (100) to operate in a text exchange mode in which at least one text message is exchanged with the other mobile terminal (500);

    receive a voice message transmission request;

    in response to receiving the voice message transmission request, generate a recording start command controlling the mobile terminal (100) to start recording an audio signal and control the mobile terminal (100) to operate in an audio messaging mode of the mobile messenger service, in which transmission of text messages is stopped;

    upon detection of a command for stopping the voice recording, control the mobile terminal (100) to complete the recording of the audio signal, and to transmit audio data packets corresponding to the recorded audio signal to the other mobile terminal (500); and

    after transmitting the audio data packets, control the mobile terminal (100) to operate in the text exchange mode of the mobile messenger service.


     
    2. The mobile terminal (100) of claim 1, further comprising a microphone (110), wherein the microphone (110) is arranged to capture a user voice and store the user voice in the form of the audio signal in a storage unit (120).
     
    3. The mobile terminal (100) of claim 2, further comprising an audio data generation unit (130), wherein the audio data generation unit (130) is arranged to encode the user voice into audio data, segment the audio data into transmission data units, and generate the audio data packets containing the transmission data units together with source and destination Internet Protocol addresses.
     
    4. The mobile terminal (100) of claim 3, wherein the audio data generation unit (130) is arranged to perform encoding the user voice and segmentation of the audio data using an enhanced variable rate codec.
     
    5. The mobile terminal (100) of claim 1, further comprising a packet data communication network interface unit (140) arranged to perform, when the mobile terminal (100) is connected to the other mobile terminal (500) through a packet data communication network (300), the mobile messenger service, wherein the packet data communication network interface unit (140) is arranged to transmit the audio data packets to a target terminal (500, 600) participating in a mobile messenger service session with the mobile terminal (100) through the packet data communication network (300).
     
    6. The mobile terminal (100) of claim 1, further comprising:

    an audio decoding unit (150) for decoding audio data packets; and

    a speaker for outputting the decoded audio data packets in the form of an audible sound wave,

    wherein the packet data communication network unit (140) is arranged to transfer audio data packets received in the mobile messenger service session to the audio decoding unit (150).


     
    7. A voice messaging method for a mobile terminal (100) in a session of a mobile messenger service, comprising:
    performing, when the mobile terminal (100) is connected to another mobile terminal (500) through a packet data communication network (300), the mobile messenger service for exchanging text messages with the other mobile terminal (500),

    operating the mobile terminal (100) in a text exchange mode in which at least one text message is exchanged with the other mobile terminal (500) (S210);

    receiving a voice message transmission request (S215, YES);

    in response to receiving the voice message transmission request, generating a recording start command controlling the mobile terminal (100) to start recording an audio signal (S220) and controlling the mobile terminal (100) to operate in an audio messaging mode of the mobile messenger service, in which transmission of text messages is stopped;

    upon detection of a command for stopping the voice recording (S225, YES), controlling the mobile terminal (100) to complete the recording of the audio signal and to transmit audio data packets corresponding to the recorded audio signal to the other mobile terminal (500) (S235); and

    after transmitting the audio data packets (S235), operating the mobile terminal (100) in the text exchange mode of the mobile messenger service.


     
    8. The voice messaging method of claim 7, further comprising:

    encoding the audio signal;

    segmenting the encoded audio signal into transmission data units of a predetermined size; and

    packing the data units with audio data packets together with source and destination Internet Protocol addresses.


     
    9. The voice messaging method of claim 8, wherein encoding the audio signal comprises compressing the audio signal using an enhanced variable rate codec.
     
    10. The voice messaging method of claim 7, further comprising:

    receiving audio data packets through the packet data communication network (300) in the middle of the mobile messenger service session;

    decoding the audio data packets (S315); and

    outputting the audio data decoded from the audio data packet in the form of an audible sound wave (S320).


     


    Ansprüche

    1. Mobiles Endgerät (100), umfassend:

    eine Steuereinheit (170), die so angeordnet ist, dass sie das mobile Endgerät (100) steuert, um einen mobilen Messenger-Dienst zum Austauschen von Textnachrichten mit einem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500) auszuführen,

    in dem die Steuereinheit (170) angeordnet ist, um:

    das mobile Endgerät (100) so zu steuern, dass es in einem Textaustauschmodus arbeitet, in dem mindestens eine Textnachricht mit dem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500) ausgetauscht wird;

    eine Sprachnachricht-Übertragungsanforderung zu empfangen;

    als Reaktion auf das Empfangen der Sprachnachricht-Übertragungsanforderung einen Aufzeichnungsstartbefehl zu erzeugen, der das mobile Endgerät (100) so steuert, dass es mit der Aufzeichnung eines Audiosignals startet, und das mobile Endgerät (100) so zu steuern, dass es in einem Audionachrichtenmodus des mobilen Messenger-Dienstes arbeitet, in dem die Übertragung von Textnachrichten gestoppt ist;

    bei Erkennung eines Befehls zum Stoppen der Sprachaufzeichnung, das

    mobile Endgerät (100) so zu steuern, dass es die Aufzeichnung des Audiosignals abschließt und Audiodatenpakete, die dem aufgezeichneten Audiosignal entsprechen, an das andere mobile Endgerät (500) übertragt; und

    nach dem Übertragen der Audiodatenpakete das mobile Endgerät (100) so zu steuern, dass es im Textaustauschmodus des mobilen Messenger-Dienstes arbeitet.


     
    2. Mobiles Endgerät (100) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend ein Mikrofon (110), wobei das Mikrofon (110) so angeordnet ist, dass es eine Benutzerstimme erfasst und die Benutzerstimme in der Form des Audiosignals in einer Speichereinheit (120) speichert.
     
    3. Mobiles Endgerät (100) nach Anspruch 2, ferner umfassend eine Audiodatenerzeugungseinheit (130), wobei die Audiodatenerzeugungseinheit (130) so angeordnet ist, dass sie die Benutzerstimme in Audiodaten codiert, die Audiodaten in Übertragungsdateneinheiten segmentiert, und die Audiodatenpakete erzeugt, die die Übertragungsdateneinheiten zusammen mit Quell- und Ziel-Internetprotokolladressen enthalten.
     
    4. Mobiles Endgerät (100) nach Anspruch 3, wobei die Audiodatenerzeugungseinheit (130) so angeordnet ist, dass sie eine Codierung der Benutzerstimme und eine Segmentierung der Audiodaten unter Verwendung eines erweiterten Codecs mit variabler Rate durchführt.
     
    5. Mobiles Endgerät (100) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend eine Paketdatenkommunikationsnetzwerk-Schnittstelleneinheit (140), die so angeordnet ist, dass sie, wenn das mobile Endgerät (100) mit dem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500) durch ein Paketdatenkommunikationsnetzwerk (300) verbunden ist, den mobilen Messenger-Dienst ausführt, wobei die Paketdatenkommunikationsnetzwerk-Schnittstelleneinheit (140) so angeordnet ist, dass sie die Audiodatenpakete zu einem Zielendgerät (500, 600) überträgt, das an einer mobilen Messenger-Dienstsitzung mit dem mobilen Endgerät (100) durch das Paketdatenkommunikationsnetz (300) teilnimmt.
     
    6. Mobiles Endgerät (100) nach Anspruch 1, ferner umfassend:

    eine Audiodekodiereinheit (150) zum Dekodieren von Audiodatenpaketen; und

    einen Lautsprecher zum Ausgeben der decodierten Audiodatenpakete in der Form einer hörbaren Schallwelle, wobei die Paketdatenkommunikationsnetzwerkeinheit (140) so angeordnet ist, dass sie Audiodatenpakete, die in der mobilen Messenger-Dienstsitzung empfangen wurden, an die Audiodecodiereinheit (150) übermittelt.


     
    7. Sprachnachrichtenverfahren für ein mobiles Endgerät (100) in einer Sitzung eines mobilen Messenger-Dienstes, umfassend:

    Durchführen, wenn das mobile Endgerät (100) mit einem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500) über ein Paketdatenkommunikationsnetz (300) verbunden ist, des mobilen Messenger-Dienstes zum Austauschen von Textnachrichten mit dem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500),

    Betreiben des mobilen Endgeräts (100) in einem Textaustauschmodus, in dem mindestens eine Textnachricht mit dem anderen mobilen Endgerät (500) ausgetauscht wird (S210);

    Empfangen einer Sprachnachricht-Übertragungsanforderung (S215, JA);

    als Reaktion auf das Empfangen der Sprachnachricht-Übertragungsanforderung, Erzeugen eines Aufzeichnungsstartbefehls, der das mobile Endgerät (100) so steuert, dass es mit der Aufzeichnung eines Audiosignals (S220) startet, und Steuern des mobilen Endgeräts (100), um in einem Audionachrichtenmodus des mobilen Messenger-Dienstes zu arbeiten, in dem die Übertragung von Textnachrichten gestoppt ist;

    bei Erkennung eines Befehls zum Stoppen der Sprachaufzeichnung (S225, JA), Steuern des mobilen Endgeräts (100), um die Aufzeichnung des Audiosignals abzuschließen und Audiodatenpakete entsprechend dem aufgezeichneten Audiosignal an das andere mobile Endgerät (500) zu übertragen (S235); und

    nach dem Übertragen der Audiodatenpakete (S235), Betreiben des mobilen Endgeräts (100) im Textaustauschmodus des mobilen Messenger-Dienstes.


     
    8. Sprachnachrichtenverfahren nach Anspruch 7, ferner umfassend:

    Codieren des Audiosignals;

    Segmentieren des codierten Audiosignals in Übertragungsdateneinheiten einer vorbestimmten Größe; und Packen der Dateneinheiten mit Audiodatenpaketen zusammen mit Quell- und Ziel-Internetprotokolladressen.


     
    9. Sprachnachrichtenverfahren nach Anspruch 8, wobei das Codieren des Audiosignals das Komprimieren des Audiosignals unter Verwendung eines erweiterten Codecs mit variabler Rate umfasst.
     
    10. Sprachnachrichtenverfahren nach Anspruch 7, ferner umfassend:

    Empfangen von Audiodatenpaketen über das Paketdatenkommunikationsnetz (300) mitten in der mobilen Messenger-Dienstsitzung;

    Decodieren der Audiodatenpakete (S315); und

    Ausgeben der aus dem Audiodatenpaket decodierten Audiodaten in der Form einer hörbaren Schallwelle (S320).


     


    Revendications

    1. Terminal mobile (100) comprenant :

    une unité de commande (170) agencée pour commander le terminal mobile (100) afin d'exécuter un service de messagerie mobile pour échanger des messages textuels avec un autre terminal mobile (500),

    dans lequel l'unité de commande (170) est agencée pour :

    commander au terminal mobile (100) de fonctionner dans un mode d'échange de texte dans lequel au moins un message textuel est échangé avec l'autre terminal mobile (500) ;

    recevoir une demande de transmission de message vocal ;

    en réponse à la réception de la demande de transmission de message vocal, générer une commande de démarrage d'enregistrement commandant au terminal mobile (100) de démarrer l'enregistrement d'un signal audio et commander au terminal mobile (100) de fonctionner dans un mode de messagerie audio du service de messagerie mobile, dans lequel la transmission de messages textuels est arrêtée ;

    lors de la détection d'une commande d'arrêt de l'enregistrement vocal, commander au

    terminal mobile (100) de terminer l'enregistrement du signal audio, et de transmettre des paquets de données audio correspondant au signal audio enregistré à l'autre terminal mobile (500) ; et

    après la transmission des paquets de données audio, commander au terminal mobile (100) de fonctionner dans le mode d'échange de texte du service de messagerie mobile.


     
    2. Terminal mobile (100) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre un microphone (110), ledit microphone (110) étant agencé pour capturer une voix d'utilisateur et stocker la voix d'utilisateur sous la forme du signal audio dans une unité de stockage (120).
     
    3. Terminal mobile (100) selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre une unité de génération de données audio (130), ladite unité de génération de données audio (130) étant agencée pour coder la voix d'utilisateur en données audio, segmenter les données audio en unités de données de transmission, et générer les paquets de données audio contenant les unités de données de transmission ainsi que les adresses de protocole internet de source et de destination.
     
    4. Terminal mobile (100) selon la revendication 3, ladite unité de génération de données audio (130) étant agencée pour réaliser le codage de la voix d'utilisateur et la segmentation des données audio à l'aide d'un codec à débit variable amélioré.
     
    5. Terminal mobile (100) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre une unité d'interface de réseau de communication de données par paquets
    (140) agencée pour réaliser, lorsque le terminal mobile (100) est connecté à l'autre terminal mobile (500) par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de communication de données par paquets (300), le service de messagerie mobile, ladite unité d'interface de réseau de communication de données par paquets (140) étant agencée pour transmettre les paquets de données audio à un terminal cible (500, 600) participant à une session de service de messagerie mobile avec le terminal mobile (100) par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication de données par paquets (300).
     
    6. Terminal mobile (100) selon la revendication 1, comprenant en outre :

    une unité de décodage audio (150) destinée à décoder des paquets de données audio ; et

    un haut-parleur destiné à délivrer en sortie les paquets de données audio décodés sous la forme d'une onde sonore audible, ladite unité de réseau de communication de données par paquets (140) étant agencée pour transférer les paquets de données audio reçus dans la session de service de messagerie mobile vers l'unité de décodage audio (150).


     
    7. Procédé de messagerie vocale pour un terminal mobile (100) dans une session d'un service de messagerie mobile, comprenant :

    la réalisation, lorsque le terminal mobile (100) est connecté à un autre terminal mobile (500) par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de communication de données par paquets (300), du service de messagerie mobile pour échanger des messages textuels avec l'autre terminal mobile (500),

    le fonctionnement du terminal mobile (100) dans un mode d'échange de texte dans lequel au moins un message textuel est échangé avec l'autre terminal mobile (500) (S210) ;

    la réception d'une demande de transmission de message vocal (S215, OUI) ;

    en réponse à la réception de la demande de transmission de message vocal, la génération d'une commande de démarrage d'enregistrement commandant le terminal mobile (100) pour démarrer l'enregistrement d'un signal audio (S220) et commandant le terminal mobile (100) pour fonctionner dans un mode de messagerie audio du service de messagerie mobile, dans lequel la transmission de messages textuels est arrêtée ;

    lors de la détection d'une commande pour arrêter l'enregistrement vocal (S225, OUI), la commande au terminal mobile (100) de terminer l'enregistrement du signal audio et de transmettre des paquets de données audio correspondant au signal audio enregistré à l'autre terminal mobile (500) (S235) ; et

    après la transmission de paquets de données audio (S235), le fonctionnement du terminal mobile (100) dans le mode d'échange de texte du service de messagerie mobile.


     
    8. Procédé de messagerie vocale selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre :

    le codage du signal audio ;

    la segmentation du signal audio codé en unités de données de transmission d'une taille prédéfinie ; et l'empaquetage des unités de données avec des paquets de données audio ainsi que des adresses de protocole internet de source et de destination.


     
    9. Procédé de messagerie vocale selon la revendication 8, ledit codage du signal audio comprenant la compression du signal audio à l'aide d'un codec à débit variable amélioré.
     
    10. Procédé de messagerie vocale selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre :

    la réception des paquets de données audio par l'intermédiaire du réseau de communication de données par paquets (300) au milieu de la session de service de messagerie mobile ;

    le décodage des paquets de données audio (S315) ; et

    l'émission en sortie des données audio décodées à partir du paquet de données audio sous la forme d'une onde sonore audible (S320).


     




    Drawing

















    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description