KR101231496B1 - Wireless network device method for controlling operation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless network device comprising: an antenna configured to transmit and receive a radio signal in a first frequency band; A wireless network module for performing data communication using the antenna; A detector that detects whether the wireless network device has entered a network service area by using a wireless signal received through the antenna; And a control unit controlling power of the wireless network module according to a detection result of the detection unit.

Description

Wireless network device and its operation control method {WIRELESS NETWORK DEVICE METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION THEREOF}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless network device and a method for controlling its operation, and more particularly, to a wireless network device and a method for controlling its operation, which are capable of automatically changing an operating state of a wireless network function based on a received wireless network signal.

'WiFi' is an alias for 'wireless-LAN' and is a name that means wireless network can be used like hi-fi audio conveniently. 'Wireless LAN' is used for wireless terminals (eg, personal digital assistants, PDAs, notebook computers, etc.) located within a certain distance from the place where the access point (AP) is installed. Provides communication services such as the Internet. In the early days of this wireless LAN, the radio wave reaching distance was only 10 meters, but in the 2000s, the radio wave reaching distance from 50m to several hundred meters was greatly expanded. In addition, the transmission speed of 'wireless LAN' is 4 ~ 11Mbps, and it becomes possible to transmit / receive a large amount of multimedia using wireless LAN. Accordingly, the 'wireless LAN' is used to provide high-speed data services to subscribers located in specific buildings such as schools, airports, and hotels.

As the wireless-LAN service is commercialized as described above, a terminal having a complex type of a Wi-Fi terminal and a mobile communication terminal providing a wireless-LAN service is being developed. That is, a dual mode terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a dual mode terminal) that provides a Wi-Fi service and a mobile communication service has been developed.

The dual mode terminal includes a Wi-Fi module for a Wi-Fi service and a mobile communication module (for example, a CDMA module) for a mobile communication service. The dual-mode terminal enters a Wi-Fi service area. In the case of operating in the Wi-Fi service mode and the dual-mode terminal is out of the Wi-Fi (WiFi) service area is operated in the mobile communication service mode. To this end, when the user enters the Wi-Fi service area or leaves the Wi-Fi service area, the user must manually switch the operation mode of the terminal.

In addition, in the case of a dual mode terminal including a plurality of operation modes as described above, in order to automatically switch from one service area to another service area and switch operation modes, power must be applied to all devices related to each operation mode. This is a wasteful problem. For example, in the dual mode terminal supporting the Wi-Fi service and the mobile communication service as in the above example, power is wasted when both the mobile communication module and the Wi-Fi module are kept on.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when entering a network service area, operating power is applied to a module corresponding to the entered service area, and then, when it is out of the service area, the power applied to the module is cut off so that the network This increases the efficiency of the function while minimizing the wasted power loss.

The technical problems to be solved in the proposed embodiments are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems which are not mentioned are clearly described from the following description to those skilled in the art It can be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless network device comprising: an antenna configured to transmit and receive a radio signal in a first frequency band; A wireless network module for performing data communication using the antenna; A detector that detects whether the wireless network device has entered a network service area by using a wireless signal received through the antenna; And a control unit controlling power of the wireless network module according to a detection result of the detection unit.

Preferably, the detector is a multiplier for increasing the size of a wireless signal received through the antenna at a predetermined magnification, a limiter for limiting an output value of the magnifier, and a stabilization of an output value of the limiter. It includes a regulator.

More preferably, the controller controls the power supply to the wireless network module when the output value of the regulator is within a preset range, and when the output value of the regulator is out of a preset range, the wireless network module. Shut off the power supply.

More preferably, the preset range satisfies the range of 1.5V to 3V.

More preferably, the control unit further includes a switching unit for selectively outputting a radio signal received through the antenna, the control unit switching operation of the switching unit according to whether the output value of the regulator falls within a predetermined range To control.

More preferably, a matching unit for impedance matching is further included between the antenna and the detection unit.

More preferably, the network service area is a Wi-Fi service area and the wireless network module includes a Wi-Fi communication module.

More preferably, the network service area is a Bluetooth service area, and the wireless network module includes a Bluetooth communication module.

More preferably, the first frequency is 2.4 GHz.

In addition, the operation control method of a wireless network device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method of controlling the operation of a wireless network device, comprising the steps of: receiving a radio signal; Analyzing the received wireless signal to determine whether a current wireless network device is located within a network service area; Activating a wireless network module when the current wireless network device is located within a network service area according to the checking result; And deactivating the wireless network module when the current wireless network device is not located in a network service area according to the checking result.

Advantageously, the step of identifying comprises: increasing the value of the wireless signal, limiting a maximum value of the increased value, smoothing and stabilizing the restricted value, wherein the stabilized value is Determining whether it is within a preset range.

More preferably, the preset range satisfies the range of 1.5V to 3V, and if the stabilized value is within the range, it is determined that the current wireless network device is located in a network service area, and the stabilized value is within the range. If deviates, it is determined that the current wireless network device is not located in the network service area.

More preferably, the network service area comprises a Wi-Fi service area and the wireless network module comprises a Wi-Fi module.

More preferably, the network service area includes a Bluetooth service area, and the wireless network module includes a Bluetooth module.

More preferably, when the wireless network module is activated, the wireless signal is output to a first path including the wireless network module, and when the wireless network module is deactivated, the wireless signal does not include the wireless network module. It is output to the second path.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when entering a network service area by applying the operating power to the module corresponding to the service area, and after the departure from the service area to cut off the power applied to the module, Not only can solve the inconvenience of using the network function, but also increase the efficiency of the network function, there is an effect that can reduce the unnecessary power consumption wasted.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a service area according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the detector of FIG. 2.
4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the magnification part of FIG. 3.
5 is a diagram illustrating an output value of the magnification part of FIG. 3.
6 is a diagram for describing a method for detecting whether an entry into a service area is performed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method of operating a wireless network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments, but includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. And / or < / RTI > includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of a plurality of related listed items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be. On the other hand, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another element, it should be understood that there are no other elements in between.

The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art and are to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in the present application Do not.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for the same constituent elements in the drawings and redundant explanations for the same constituent elements are omitted.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless network apparatus 100 includes an antenna 110, a switching unit 120, a first wireless network module 130, a first matching unit 140, a second wireless network module 150, The second matching unit 160, the detector 170, the third matching unit 180, and the controller 190 are included.

The antenna 110 accesses an access node (AP) and performs data communication. The access node may include a first access node and a second access node. The first access node refers to an access node of a basic service set (BSS) to which a terminal currently belongs in a wireless network system. In addition, the second access node refers to an access node that the terminal wants to receive continuously after moving a service provided from the first access node. In this case, the second access node means an access node belonging to the same network as the first access node, that is, another BBS of the wireless network system. In particular, the second access node has the same service set identifier (SSID) as the first access node.

In this case, the antenna 110 transmits and receives a radio signal of a first frequency band, the first frequency band may be 2.4GHz.

In particular, the antenna 110 transmits or receives a radio signal in the 2.4 GHz band when moving into a service area (area capable of Wi-Fi communication or Bluetooth communication).

The switching unit 120 switches a path of a radio signal received through the antenna 110 or a path of radio signals transmitted through the antenna 110.

The first wireless network module 130 is a module for performing a first wireless network function in the first service area. Preferably, the first service area includes a Wi-Fi service area, and thus the first wireless network module 130 may be a Wi-Fi communication module.

The first matching unit 140 matches the first wireless network module 130 with an external impedance. The first matching unit 140 may include, for example, at least one capacitor and at least one inductor.

Preferably, the first matching unit 140 may include one inductor connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal, and a first variable capacitor and a second variable capacitor connected in parallel to the input terminal and the output terminal of the inductor. . The impedance matching may vary the capacitance of the first variable capacitor and the second variable capacitor, and perform impedance matching between the input terminal and the output terminal according to the variable pair of capacitance and the inductance of the inductor.

The second wireless network module 150 is a module for performing a second wireless network function in the second service area. Preferably, the second service area includes a Bluetooth service area, and accordingly, the second wireless network module 150 may include a Bluetooth communication module.

The second matching unit 160 matches the second wireless network module 150 with an external impedance. In this case, the second matching unit 160 may have the same configuration as the first matching unit 140 described above.

The detector 170 is a non-powered RF power detection circuit, and detects the magnitude of a radio signal received through the antenna 110, and accordingly detects whether the current wireless network device 100 is located within a service area.

2 is a diagram illustrating a service area according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in general, such a wireless network may be executed when there is an access node located around. In other words, when the wireless network device 100 is located within a certain radius of the access node, it means that the wireless network device 100 is located in the current service area, and the wireless network device 100 is connected to the access node. When the deviation is within a certain radius, it means that the wireless network device 100 is out of the current service area.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, when the wireless network apparatus 100 is located within a predetermined radius of an access node and receives a high signal or a low signal wireless signal, the wireless network device 100 This means that the network device 100 is located in the current service area. In addition, when the wireless network device 100 receives a no signal wireless signal by moving out of a predetermined radius of the access node, it means that the wireless network device 100 is out of the current service area. .

3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the detector of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the detector 170 includes a magnification unit 171, a limiting unit 172, and a regulator 173.

The magnification unit 171 increases the size of the radio signal received through the antenna 110.

4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the magnification part of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, the magnification unit 171 includes at least one diode D and at least one capacitor C. Referring to FIG.

At this time, the increase magnification of the magnification unit 171 is determined by the number of the diode (D) and the capacitor (C) configured.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the increase magnification of the magnification unit 171 is determined based on the magnitude of the radio signal generated when entering the service area. That is, when the size of the wireless signal received through the antenna 110 is minute, the wireless signal may not be detected by the detection unit 170, thereby increasing the wireless signal at a predetermined magnification, Ensure detection is efficient.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnification unit 171 increases the input voltage Vin = A of the radio signal (preferably an RF signal) received through the antenna 110 at a constant magnification. Accordingly, the voltage Vout = B increased at the predetermined magnification.

The limiting unit 172 limits the size of the output value output through the magnification unit 171. That is, the voltage value of the radio signal received through the antenna 110 depends on the strength of the signal, and accordingly, when a signal having a large intensity is received, the output value of the multiplier 171 may be excessively large. The limiter 172 limits the output value of the magnification unit 171.

The regulator 173 smoothes the output value output through the limiting unit 172 to output a stable voltage value.

The third matching unit 180 matches the detector 170 with an external impedance. In this case, the third matching unit 180 may have the same configuration as at least one of the first and second matching units 140 and 160 described above.

The controller 190 controls the overall operation of the wireless network device 100.

In particular, the controller 190 controls operations of the first wireless network module 130 and the second wireless network module 150 according to whether the wireless network device 100 enters a service area.

That is, when the wireless network device 100 is not located in the service area, the controller 190 cuts off the power supplied to the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150, and thus, the first and second wireless network modules. Turn off (130,150).

At this time, the controller 190 controls the switching operation of the switching unit 120, so that the wireless signal received through the antenna 110 is output to the detection unit 170.

In addition, the controller 190 checks the voltage value output through the detector 170 and checks whether the current wireless network device 100 has entered the service area by using the voltage value.

Specifically, the controller 190 checks whether the voltage value of the detector 170 is within a preset range, and accordingly, if the voltage value is within a preset range, the current wireless network device 100 is in the service area. If it is determined that the vehicle enters the inside, and the voltage value is out of the preset range, it is determined that the current wireless network device 100 is out of the service area.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the voltage value that appears when the wireless network device 100 enters the service area is in the range of 1.5V to 3V (O).

Therefore, when the voltage value is within the set range, the controller 190 allows the operating power to be supplied to at least one of the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150.

That is, when the voltage value is within a preset range while the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150 are turned off, the controller 190 wakes up to the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150. Outputs a wake-up signal to control the service function.

In this case, the controller 190 outputs a wake-up signal to the first wireless network module 130. In this case, when the first wireless network module 130 that receives the wake-up signal operates normally, the controller 190 maintains the current state. However, when the first wireless network module 130 that receives the wake-up signal is abnormally operated, the controller 190 outputs the wake-up signal to the second wireless network module 150, and accordingly, The first wireless network module 130 which previously output the wake-up signal is turned off again.

In addition, when the wireless network device 100 is located within a service area and any one of the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150 operates, the controller 190 may correspond to a path corresponding to the operating module. As a control so that the switching of the switching unit 120 is made.

As described above, according to the wireless network apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, when entering a network service area, the operation power is applied to a module corresponding to the service area, and then when it is out of the service area, it is applied to the module. By cutting off the power supply, not only can the inconvenience of using the network function can be solved, but the efficiency of the network function can be increased while reducing the unnecessary power consumption.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a step-by-step method of operating a wireless network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, a wireless signal is detected through the antenna 110 (operation 701). In this case, the wireless signal may have a voltage value when the wireless network device 100 enters the service area, and may not be detected when the wireless network device 100 does not enter the service area. Can be.

Thereafter, the wireless network apparatus 100 determines whether the wireless network apparatus 100 enters the service area by using the detected size of the wireless signal (step 702).

That is, when the wireless network device 100 enters the service area, the size of the wireless signal is within the range of 1.5V to 3.0V, so it is checked whether the size of the wireless signal is within the range.

Then, when the wireless network device 100 enters into the service area, power is supplied to a specific module to execute a function corresponding to the entered service area.

To this end, power is first supplied to the first wireless network module 130 so that the first wireless network module 130 operates (step 703).

In this case, if the size of the wireless signal is out of the set range, it is determined that the wireless network device 100 is out of the service area, and accordingly, power supplied to the first and second wireless network modules 130 and 150 is supplied. Block (step 704).

In operation 705, it is determined whether the first wireless network module 130 to which the power is supplied operates normally.

That is, it is determined whether the entered service area is the first service area corresponding to the first wireless network module 130.

Thereafter, when the first wireless network module 130 operates normally, the power supplied to the first wireless network module 130 is maintained as it is, and accordingly, a function corresponding to the first wireless network module 130 is maintained. Run (step 706).

On the other hand, when the first wireless network module 130 to which the power is supplied abnormally operates, cut off the power supplied to the first wireless network module 130, and accordingly to the second wireless network module 150 In operation 707, the second wireless network module 150 is operated by supplying power.

Thereafter, a function corresponding to the operating second wireless network module 150 is executed (step 708).

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when entering a network service area, operating power is applied to a module corresponding to the service area, and thereafter, the power applied to the module is cut off when it is out of the service area. By doing so, it is possible not only to solve the inconvenience of using the network function, but also to increase the efficiency of the network function, thereby reducing the unnecessary power consumption that is wasted.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood that various modifications and applications other than those described above are possible. For example, each component shown in detail in the embodiment of the present invention may be modified. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

100: wireless network device
110: antenna
120: switching unit
130: first wireless network module
140: first matching unit
150: second wireless network module
160: the second matching unit
170: detector
180: third matching unit
190:

Claims (16)

In a wireless network device,
An antenna for transmitting and receiving a radio signal of a first frequency band;
A wireless network module for performing data communication using the antenna;
A detector detecting a voltage value of a wireless signal received through the antenna and outputting the detected voltage value; And
A control unit configured to receive a voltage value output through the detection unit, to cut off power supplied to the wireless network module using the received voltage value, or to supply power to the wireless network module,
When power is supplied to the wireless network module, the antenna is connected to the wireless network module,
When the power supply to the wireless network module is cut off, the antenna is connected to the detector. The method of claim 1,
The detection unit
A multiplier for increasing the size of a wireless signal received through the antenna at a preset magnification;
A limiting unit for limiting an output value of the magnification unit;
And a regulator for stabilizing an output value of the limiting unit. The method of claim 2,
The control unit controls to supply power to the wireless network module when the output value of the regulator falls within a preset range.
When the output value of the regulator is out of a predetermined range, the wireless network device to cut off the power supplied to the wireless network module. The method of claim 3,
The preset range is a wireless network device that satisfies the range of 1.5V ~ 3V. The method of claim 3,
Further comprising a switching unit for selectively outputting the radio signal received through the antenna,
And the controller controls the switching operation of the switching unit according to whether the output value of the regulator falls within a preset range. The method of claim 1,
And a matching unit for impedance matching between the antenna and the detection unit. The method of claim 1,
The network service area includes at least one of a Wi-Fi service area and a Bluetooth service area,
The wireless network module includes at least one of a Wi-Fi communication module and a Bluetooth communication module. The method of claim 1,
The wireless network module
A Wi-Fi communication module and a Bluetooth communication module,
The control unit,
And confirming a network service area to which the wireless network device has entered according to the voltage value, and supplying power only to a wireless network module corresponding to the checked network service area. The method of claim 1,
And said first frequency is 2.4 GHz. In the operation control method of a wireless network device,
Receiving a radio signal in a first frequency band via an antenna;
Detecting a voltage value of the received wireless signal through a detector;
If the detected voltage value is within a preset range, supplying power to and activating a wireless network module; And
If the detected voltage value is out of a predetermined range, the step of deactivating by cutting off the power supplied to the wireless network module,
When power is supplied to the wireless network module, the wireless signal is output through a first path including the antenna and the wireless network module.
When the power supply to the wireless network module is cut off, the wireless signal is output to the second path including the antenna and the detection unit output control method of the wireless network device. The method of claim 10,
Detecting the voltage value,
Increasing the value of the wireless signal at a preset magnification;
Limiting the maximum value of the increased value;
Smoothing and stabilizing the limited value;
And determining whether the stabilized value is within a preset range. 12. The method of claim 11,
The preset range satisfies the range of 1.5V to 3V,
If the stabilized value is within the range, it is determined that the current wireless network device is located within the network service area,
And if the stabilized value is out of the range, determining that the current wireless network device is not located in a network service area. The method of claim 10,
The network service area includes a Wi-Fi service area,
The wireless network module includes a Wi-Fi module. The method of claim 10,
The network service area includes a Bluetooth service area,
The wireless network module includes a Bluetooth module. The method of claim 10,
The wireless network module
Including first and second wireless network modules,
The activating step,
Activating the first wireless network module;
Determining whether the activated first wireless network module operates normally;
Maintaining activation of the first wireless network module if the first wireless network module is normally operated;
If the first wireless network module abnormally operates, stopping the activation of the first wireless network module and activating the second wireless network module. The method of claim 10,
And wherein the first frequency comprises 2.4 GHz.

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