WO2001071933A1

WO2001071933A1 - A mobile telecommunication device with a game machine installed therein

Info

Publication number: WO2001071933A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000377
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Sun Cho; Sun Ug Ahn
Original assignee: Cyberbank Co.
Priority date: 2000-03-18
Filing date: 2000-04-20
Publication date: 2001-09-27
Also published as: JP2001285419A; KR100729673B1; AU2000241499A1; KR20010091815A; KR20020084183A

Abstract

A mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine installed therein is disclosed, in which the apparatus not only can be used as a mobile telecommunication means, but also can be used as a game machine like an exclusive game machine. The mobile communication apparatus includes: an LCD panel (6), a telephone keyboard (7), a game keyboard (8), a speaker (4), and a mike (9). Further, a memory card (3) in which a program is stored is fitted. Further, the LCD panel (6) includes an independently functioning telephone status displaying part (5), and thus, even when the LCD panel is turned off to save the power, the telephone status displaying part (5) is in a turned-on status to indicate the telephone status. The mobile telephone apparatus is connected through a mobile telephone switching system (12) to a game network (11) to download a game program so as to store it into a memory.

Description

A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH A GAME MACHINE INSTALLED THEREIN

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine installed therein, in which the apparatus not only can be used as a mobile telecommunication means, but also can be used as a game machine like an exclusive game machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine installed therein, in which the carrying of the apparatus is convenient, the apparatus can be used as a mobile telecommunication means, and the apparatus can be used as a game machine, its function being attained to the order of an exclusive game machine.

Background of the Invention

The mobile telecommunication apparatus is amassing the popularity as the time elapses. It is capable of carrying out telephone talks in a wireless manner, and it is adding its function of the wireless data communication terminal by which information exchanges are carried out through the internet, and the individual information is efficiently managed. Further, it is adding the recreation functions such as game, chatting, animation, and music.

In the current mobile communication apparatus, the simple games such as tetrix are stored in the memory of the apparatus. However, this technique cannot be sufficiently utilized due to the limitation of the processor, the memory and the display device. Accordingly, there is demanded for a terminal in which telephone function and game function are simultaneously provided by selecting a proper LCD.

In such a terminal, a mobile communication apparatus and a game machine are integrated. That is, the required program can be stored in the memory card, or the mobile telephone apparatus can be connected to download a game program so as to store the program in the memory means. Most of portable game machines use the high speed processor and the graphic LCD, and therefore, many aspects such as power consumption, prices, function and the like have been optimized. Accordingly, therefore this technique can be utilized in developing a mobile communication apparatus in which a game machine is internally installed.

The internet technique is currently rapidly progressing, and thus it has attained to carry out the word processing, movie viewing and Java game, as well as chatting. However, in designing this terminal, the universality is emphasized, and therefore, although the functions are diversified, a particular function cannot be optimized. The age levels using this mobile telephone apparatus are being expanded from the middle age to juniors and to the elementary school boys and girls. Accordingly, a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game function integrated therein is definitely required.

Summary of the Invention

The present inventor came to invent the present invention to cater the above requirement. Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine integrated therein, in which the apparatus is convenient to carry with, and can be used as a game machine to make it possible to enjoy a game in a portable manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine integrated therein, in which a WEB or a WAP browser is internally installed to make it possible to use the internet. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine integrated therein, in which when carrying out a game, if a telephone call arrives, the game is not terminated but the telephone function and the game function are made alive,' so that the user can select the continuation of the game during the telephone talks or a temporary stop of the game.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mobile telecommunication apparatus with a game machine integrated therein, in which a large LCD panel is independently installed to display game, internet, telephone management, and letters, so that the telephone status can be known at normal times.

In achieving the above objects, the present invention provides every necessary technique which is described below.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic constitution of the mobile communication apparatus with a game machine installed therein according to the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a schematic circuital illustration of the mobile communication apparatus with a game machine installed therein according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The mobile telephone apparatus for the data communication is divided roughly into two parts.

One of them is a main body with a large display device attached thereon for carrying out visual information communications, while the other is a handset which is for carrying out a voice communication, and is excellent for its portability. The main body includes: a mobile communication antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from base stations; a rechargeable battery pack for accommodating a power source to drive the whole system; a speaker for hearing voices of the other party; a graphic LCD and touch screen for inputting and outputting picture data; a short distance antenna for carrying out short distance communications with the handset; a keyboard for making a telephone call to carry out a voice communication; a mike for inputting a voice data of a user in a voice communication; and a connecting socket for interfacing to an external. This main body of the mobile telephone apparatus is capable of searching the internet in the letter form (e.g., not WAP but WEB). This terminal is capable of using the internet with the WEB like a computer, and therefore, at any time, a mobile internet and commercial transaction can be carried out. Further, by providing additional functions, it can be used as a game machine, a word processor, an MP3 audio and MPEG reproducer.

At present, the portable game machine is provided mostly with a 160x160 reflection type color LCD, mostly with four direction keys and four operation buttons. In order to integrate the mobile telephone apparatus with a portable game machine, the conventional method has to be modified by properly adopting a picture display device, a keyboard, a speaker and a voice processing means.

In most mobile telephone modules, the processors are focused to the communication function, and therefore, there is limit to provide a game function. Further, most game machines generally use the ROM pack to prevent illegal copying. However, in the case where a game machine is installed within the mobile telephone apparatus, it can be embodied by using a ROM pack or memory card, or a game program can be downloaded through the mobile telephone network to store it in a memory means. If the latter is adopted, the expense for procuring the program can be saved, and at the same time, an illegal copying of the program is prevented. Of course, the game program can be downloaded by using a computer, but in this case, it has to be limited to the free programs, and in the case of the programs at charge, a measure for preventing illegal copying has to be devised.

The mobile communication apparatus uses the flash memory as the memory means. Therefore, the writing speed is slow, and therefore, the downloading of a program is also slow. However, after downloading the program, it can be used by transmitting it to the game memory means. Or even if the program is not transmitted through dual ports to the game memory means, it can be used by reading the game program by a game CPU. Or the game function can be carried out by the CPU by using the ROM pack or the memory card, but it can also be used by downloading the game program from an external communication means such as a computer or a game machine and by storing it into a RAM.

The voice processing circuit for processing the sounds of the game machine can be integrated or can be embodied separately. In most of the current digital mobile telephone apparatuses, the CODEC circuit is used in processing the voices.

Currently, most of the mobile telephone apparatuses use the graphic LCD to support the letter information or graphics. In the present invention in which the game function is integrated, if a telephone call arrives during playing a game, then either the game is automatically stopped to shift to a telephone screen, or the game is stopped by means of a separate switch to shift to a telephone screen.

In the present invention, if a telephone call arrives during a game, the game is automatically temporarily stopped to return to the telephone screen, and if a game related button is pressed, the game can be continued even during the telephone talks. Or without shifting to the telephone screen, the telephone talks are made by using an ear mike while carrying out the game at the same time. Or the telephone speaker phone function is activated, and the game sound is reduced, thereby carrying out the telephone talks. Or a telephone button is pressed to transmit the call signals, and then the game related button is pressed to carry out the game, thereby carrying out the telephone talks by means of an ear mike and a speaker phone.

The present invention will be described in detail referring to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic constitution and the operation status of the mobile communication apparatus with a game machine installed therein according to the present invention. The mobile communication apparatus 1 according to the present invention forms a wireless talk path to a switching system 12 of a base station to carry out a voice communication and a data communication. The mobile communication apparatus includes: an LCD panel 6, a telephone keyboard 7, a game keyboard 8, a speaker 4, and a mike 9. Further, a memory card 3 in which a program is stored is fitted. Thus it can be used as a mobile telephone apparatus, and at the same time as a portable game machine. The LCD panel 6 includes a telephone status displaying part 5, and thus, even when the LCD panel is turned off to save the power, the telephone status displaying part 5 is in a turned-on status to indicate the telephone status. The mobile communication apparatus 1 is connected through the switching system 12 of the base station to a game network 11 to download a game program so as to store it into the memory. Under this condition, the program procurement expense is added to the mobile telephone fee billing slip. FIG. 2 is a schematic circuital illustration of the mobile communication apparatus with a game machine installed therein according to the present invention. A central processing unit 16 which executes a game program is connected to: a memory means 20 with a game program stored therein; a large graphic LCD 21 for displaying the game picture; a voice processing means 23 and a speaker for outputting game sounds; and a keyboard 15 for commanding the game movements. In cooperation with a mobile telephone means 18, the game program shifts the display status of the graphic LCD from a game status to a telephone status, and vice versa.

On the mobile telephone means 18, there is installed a speaker/mike 19 independently from the game speaker 17, while a telephone keyboard 24 is also independently connected.

Additionally, an MP3 player circuit 25 and an MP3 control keyboard 26 are installed, and the MP3 player circuit 25 include an MP3 decoder, a processing unit and a peripheral circuit, for furnishing the MP3 music. The MP3 player circuit reads the MP3 data from the memory means 20 which is connected to the game central processing unit 16. Thus the read data is stored into a RAM of the MP3 player circuit 25 so as to make it possible to reproduce it. Or there is installed a memory means in which a separate memory card is fitted, so that the MP3 music can be listened even during the game. Further, a means is provided to hear the game sound and the MP3 music by switching them from the speaker or the earphone.

Generally, the game program is prevented from being copied by using a memory means 20 such as ROM pack. In the case where the program is stored in the mobile telephone apparatus, the program can be downloaded through the mobile telephone network to store it into the memory means. The mobile telephone means 18 uses the flash memory as the memory means. That is, the program is downloaded, and then, is transmitted to the game memory means 20. Or the dual port memory of the mobile telephone means 18 is used, and thus, even if the transmission is not made to the game memory means 20, the game central processing unit can be made to read the program to carry out the game. Further, it can be embodied by using a memory card such as ROM pack, so that the central processing unit 16 can carry out the game. However, in the case where a large scale RAM is used to download the game program through the mobile telephone network or an external communication supporting means 14, the program can be used by storing it into the RAM.

Or it can also be embodied by making the speaker 17 and the voice processing unit 23 (which processes the sounds of the game machine) commonly used with the mobile telephone means 18.

The mobile telephone means 18 supports the letter information and the graphics by using the graphic LCD 21. However, the graphic LCD 21 is used commonly for the game machine, and therefore, if a telephone call arrives during a game, then automatically the game is stopped. Then a shifting is made to the telephone picture. Or a separate picture shifting switch is provided, so that the game can be stopped, and the picture can be shifted to the telephone picture.

A back light of the graphic LCD 21 can be selectively lighted or unlighted. The picture of the graphic LCD 21 is visible during day times, and therefore, the back light is lighted only during night times. The mobile telephone apparatus includes a precise watch, and therefore, the back light can be made to be surely lighted during the nights. In a dark place during a day time, either the back light is manually lighted, or a brightness sensor is provided so that the back light would be lighted in a dark place at day and night times during a game.

The graphic LCD 21 is connected to the telephone means at normal times, but when the game machine is used, the graphic LCD 21 is connected to the game central processing unit 6 by the game selection function. The central processing unit of the mobile telephone means 18 and the central processing unit of the game machine can be integrated into a single unit. Or the graphic LCD can be connected to the game central processing unit, and if the telephone central processing unit transmits the display contents, then the display contents can be displayed on the display panel, or vice versa. Or if the central processing unit of the mobile telephone means 18 transmits the picture contents, then the game central processing unit 16 displays them. Or the central processing unit 16 of the game machine is made to transmit the display contents to the mobile telephone means 18, so that the graphic LCD 21 would display them. Within the LCD display device, there can be provided a small independent region, so that the status of the mobile telephone means 18 (such as battery residue, wave sensitivity, time, message) can be displayed, thereby reducing the power consumption.

In the present invention, if a telephone call arrives during a game, then the game is temporarily stopped, and a return is made to the telephone picture. If a game related button is pressed, the game can be continued even during the telephone talks. Or without shifting to the telephone picture, the telephone talks are made by means of an ear mike while carrying out the game simultaneously. Or a speaker phone function is activated, the game sound is automatically reduced, and the telephone talks are carried out. Or the telephone talk button is pressed during the game to be shifted to the telephone picture, and then a telephone call signals are transmitted. Then the game button is pressed, and then the game can be carried out while the telephone talks can be carried out through an ear mike or a speaker phone.

In the case of the program which is stored in the RAM or in the flash memory, it is made such that the user can selectively delete it. After the deletion, the memory is rearranged, so that the residual space can be optimized. If a WEB browser or an individual data management program is provided in the central processing unit 16 of the game machine or the mobile telephone means 18, then the relevant part controls the graphic LCD.

In the case of a foldable mobile telephone apparatus, the LCD and the speaker are installed on the upper part, while the lower part is made to contain the telephone keyboard and the game machine keyboard. Together with this, in order to furnish the MP3 function, a MP3 decoder and a control device are installed, and they are made to occupy the ROM pack or the memory card commonly. In the case of the ROM pack or the memory card, they are made to be connected to the game related circuits. The MP3 music list can be displayed on the picture, and editing can be made. The mobile communication apparatus of the present invention can carry out multi-lateral games by being connected to a plurality of parties of the game network.

The telephone initial picture is as follows. That is, graphic or animation file can be selected through the internet to download it so as to replace the already existing one. Thus the initial telephone picture can be easily changed suitably to one's taste. According to the present invention as described above, a game function is provided in the mobile communication apparatus catering to the expanding use ages, so that a separate game machine would not be needed. Further, the game program can be procured through the mobile telephone network or an external communication means by downloading it. Therefore, the most pleasant game program can be selected, and the payment for the procured program can be contained in the telephone fee billing slip. Additionally, the MP3 audio function is provided, and thus the game and audio functions are simultaneously furnished, thereby maximizing the usefulness of the portable apparatus.

In the above, the present invention was described based on the specific preferred embodiments and the attached drawings, but it should be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be added without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention which will be defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A mobile communication system with a game function integrated therein, comprising: a mobile telephone switch board system for forming a wireless communication network to make it possible to carry out voice communications and data communications; a mobile telephone means consisting of an LCD panel, a telephone keyboard, a game keyboard, a speaker and a mike; and a memory card containing a game program.

2. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said LCD panel contains a telephone status displaying LCD part, said telephone status displaying LCD part operating independently of said LCD panel.

3. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile telephone means is capable of downloading a game program by being connected through said mobile telephone switch board system to a game network to store the program into said memory card.

4. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said mobile telephone means is capable of downloading a game program by being connected through said mobile telephone switch board system to said game network to store the program into a memory under an absence of said memory card.

5. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile telephone means is capable of carrying out a multi-lateral game by being connected to said game network together with other parties.

6. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a game CPU executes the game program, and shifts said LCD panel from a game status to a telephone status in cooperation with said mobile telephone means, and vice versa.

7. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mobile telephone means comprises a separate game speaker separately from a speaker and a mike for telephone, and an independent telephone keyboard is independently provided.

8. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said CPU comprises: an MP3 audio player circuit consisting of an MP3 audio decoder, a processing unit and a peripheral device to provide music; and an MP3 control keyboard.

9. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said MP3 audio player circuit reads an MP data from a memory means (connected to said game CPU) to store it into a RAM of said MP3 audio player circuit so as to reproduce it; or a memory means for fitting said memory card is installed to make it possible to hear an MP3 music during a game.

10. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a means for hearing game sounds, telephone voices or MP music sounds by switching them from said speaker to an earphone, or vice versa.

11. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the game program can be downloaded through said mobile telephone network to store it into said memory means.

12. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the game program can be downloaded through said mobile telephone means to transmit it to a game memory means.

13. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the game program is not transmitted to said game memory, but a dual-port memory makes it possible for said game CPU to read the game program.

14. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the game program is downloaded through said mobile telephone network or a communication supporting means by using a large scale RAM to store the program into said RAM.

15. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said speaker and said voice processing means for processing the game sounds are used commonly with said mobile telephone means.

16. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said mobile telephone means supports letter information and graphics by using said LCD panel; and if a telephone call arrives during a game, the game is automatically temporarily stopped to shift to a telephone picture.

17. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said mobile telephone means supports letter information and graphics by using said LCD panel; and if a telephone call arrives during a game, the game is temporarily stopped to shift to a telephone picture by manipulating a separate switch.

18. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said LCD panel can be selectively lighted and unlighted by a back light; and said back light is automatically lighted during night times owing to a time data of said mobile telephone means.

19. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 18, further comprising an illumination sensor for sensing an illumination to light said back light regardless of night or day times.

20. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said LCD panel is used for telephone at normal times, and if a game is to be carried out, said LCD panel is connected to said game CPU owing to a game selection function.

21. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said game CPU is integrated into a CPU of said mobile telephone means into a single unit.

22. The mobile communication -system as claimed in claim 6, wherein when picture contents are transmitted by said CPU of said mobile telephone means, said game CPU displays them onto said LCD panel; or the picture contents are transmitted by said game CPU to said mobile telephone means so as to be displayed onto said LCD panel.

23. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein if a telephone call arrives during a game, the game is automatically temporarily stopped to return to a telephone picture; and if a game related button is pressed, telephone talks can be carried out even during the game; or the telephone talks can be carried out through an ear mike without returning to the telephone picture while playing the game.

24. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein when a telephone call is to be made during a game, a speaker phone function is activated, and game sounds are reduced so as to carry out the telephone talks.

25. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein if a telephone button is pressed during a game, then the picture is shifted to the telephone picture, and if a game button is pressed after transmitting call signals, then the game can be carried out while making telephone talks through said ear mike or said speaker phone.

26. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the game programs stored in said RAM or in a flash memory can be selectively deleted by a user, and after deletion, said memory is re-arranged to optimize a memory space.

27. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein if said mobile telephone means or said game CPU provides a WEB browser or an individual data management program, a relevant one of them (in charge of the task) controls said LCD panel.

28. The mobile communication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein if said mobile telephone means is foldable, an upper part contains said LCD panel and said speaker; and a lower part contains said telephone keyboard and said game keyboard.

29. The mobile communication -system as claimed in claim 8, wherein if said MP3 audio decoder and said control device are provided for an MP3 audio function, and if said memory means is commonly used, said memory means is connected to an MP3 audio related circuit in a case of an MP3 audio file, and said memory means is connected to a game related circuit in a case of a game related file.