WO2014104448A1

WO2014104448A1 - Method for being selectively connected to ap and mobile terminal by using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2014104448A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/011782
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seungwon Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2012-12-28
Filing date: 2012-12-28
Publication date: 2014-07-03

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for being selectively connected to an AP and mobile terminal by using the same. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, information of AP arranged on a moving path is tracked while the mobile terminal is moving, to block connection to a predetermined AP when information of pre-stored information on the AP is received.

Description

METHOD FOR BEING SELECTIVELY CONNECTED TO AP AND MOBILE TERMINAL BY USING THE SAME

The teachings in accordance with exemplary embodiments of this invention relate generally to a method for being selectively connected to an AP and a mobile terminal by using the same.

A wireless LAN (or WLAN, for wireless local area network, sometimes referred to as LAWN, for local area wireless network) is one in which a mobile user can connect to a local area network (LAN) through a wireless (radio) connection within a predetermined distance where an AP (Access Point) is installed, and is commonly referred to as Wi-Fi.

A recent explosive growth of smart devices including smart phones has increased use of trunked wireless LAN AP, leading a user to be often connected to an unwanted wireless LAN. By way of non-limiting example, in case of using transportation means, a user may be connected to an unwanted wireless LAN, disabling a user to be connected to an Internet using a mobile communication network.

That is, although a smart device including a smart phone may be connected to a wireless LAN, in a case a user enters a trunked wireless LAN AP coverage area while receiving a data through the mobile communication network, smart phone must be promptly switched to the mobile communication network to make it impossible to be served with a seamless communication due to the coverage of the wireless LAN not being broad.

Meanwhile, in case of entering an inoperable AP coverage, a user may be connected to a relevant AP, but in this case, it is impossible to receive data, leading to a disadvantage of receiving no seamless communication.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind with the above requirements or problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention is to provide a method for being selectively connected to an AP configured to determine whether to connect to a currently accessible wireless LAN AP by learning a user’s current situation and a wireless LAN access history, and a mobile terminal by using the same.

Furthermore, the present invention is to provide a method for being selectively connected to an AP configured to determine whether to connect to a currently operable wireless LAN AP by checking in advance whether an AP is an actually operable AP, and a mobile terminal by using the same.

Objects of the invention are to solve at least one or more of the above problems and/or disadvantages in whole or in part and to provide at least advantages described hereinafter.

In order to achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, and in one general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for being selectively connected to an AP (Access Point) by a mobile terminal, the method comprising: receiving and storing information of at least one or more first APs; tracking information of a second AP arranged on a moving path where the mobile terminal is moving; and blocking connection to a third AP when the mobile terminal receives information of the third AP which is one of the at least one or more first APs.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the method may further comprise determining whether the mobile terminal is moving.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving may comprise determining that the mobile terminal is moving by using a position of the mobile terminal obtained by a position information unit of the mobile terminal.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving may comprise determining that the mobile terminal is moving when an acceleration of the mobile terminal exceeds a predetermined acceleration.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving may comprise determining that the mobile terminal is moving when a connection-release time after connecting to the second AP is shorter than a predetermined time.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the method may further compries displaying a message inquiring a user whether to block connection when the mobile terminal is accessed to one of the at least one or more first APs while the mobile terminal is moving.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the at least one or more first APs may be arranged within a moving radius of the user.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the at least one or more first APs may be determined by a user selection.

In another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for being selectively connected to an AP by a mobile terminal, the method comprising: receiving information from a predetermined AP; transmitting a request asking connection to the AP; and blocking connection to the AP when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the method may further comprise allowing connection to the AP when a response to the request is received from the AP.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the method may further comprise transmitting the requests predetermined several repetitive times when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.

In still another general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal using a method for being selectively connected to an AP, the mobile terminal comprising: a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data; storage configured to store information of at least one or more first APs; and a controller configured to: track information of a second AP arranged on a moving path where the mobile terminal is moving by determining movement of the mobile terminal, and control the communication unit to block connection to a third AP when the communication unit receives information of the third AP which is one of the at least one or more first APs.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the mobile terminal may further comprise a position information unit obtaining position information of the mobile terminal, wherein the controller may determine that the mobile terminal is moving using a position of the mobile terminal obtained by the position information unit.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the mobile terminal may further comprise an acceleration sensor measuring an acceleration of the mobile terminal, wherein the controller may determine that the mobile terminal is moving when the acceleration of the mobile terminal measured by the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined acceleration.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the controller may determine that the mobile terminal is moving when a connection-release time after connecting to the second AP by the communication unit is shorter than a predetermined time.

In still further general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal using a method for being selectively connected to an AP, the mobile terminal comprising: a communication unit configured to receive information from a predetermined AP, and access to the AP; and a controller configured to control the communication unit to transmit a request asking connection to the AP, and control the communication unit to block connection to the AP when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the controller may control the communication unit to connect to the AP when response to the request is received from the AP.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the controller may control the communication unit to transmit the request predetermined several repetitive times when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.

The method for being selectively connected to an AP and a mobile terminal by using the same according to the present invention has an advantageous effect in that a user is prevented from being unnecessarily connected to an AP by blocking an access to an AP arranged within a moving radius in a case the user is moving.

Another advantageous effect is that a section, where data is not received by accessing to an inoperable AP, is prevented in advance from being generated, by monitoring a response to a request and accessing to only an actually operable AP by determining whether an AP is actually operable.

The teachings of the present invention can be readily understood by considering the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.2 is a schematic view illustrating a mobile terminal passing AP coverage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for being selectively connected to an AP according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for being selectively connected to an AP according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Various exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exemplary embodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this description will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

Now, a method for being selectively connected to an AP and a mobile terminal by using the same according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention may be applicable to various types of portable terminals. Examples of such terminals may comprise mobile terminals such as mobile phones, smart phones, smart pad, notebook computers, digital broadcast terminals, PDAs (personal digital assistants), portable multimedia players (PMP) and/or navigators.

Referring to FIG.1, the mobile terminal (1) according to the present invention comprises a controller (10), a mobile communication unit (11), a wireless LAN connection unit (12), a position information unit (13), an acceleration sensor (14), a display unit (15), a user input unit (16), storage (17) and a Bluetooth® connection unit (18). It should be apparent to the skilled in the art that all the constituent elements illustrated in FIG.1 are not essential and a mobile terminal comprising more constituent elements than what is illustrated in FIG.1 may be realized.

The mobile communication unit (11) transmits a wireless signal to and receives a wireless signal from at least any one of a base station, an external terminal and a server via a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may comprise various data including a voice call signal, an image call signal or a signal for data communication. The wireless LAN connection unit (13) transmits and receives data for wireless Internet by being connected to a wireless AP (Access Point). The wireless LAN technology may comprise Wi-Fi, Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) and Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access).

In the description of the present invention, it is assumed that the mobile communication unit (11) transmits and receives data, in a case the mobile terminal (1) receives data via a mobile communication network, and the wireless LAN connection unit (12) transmits and receives a data, in a case the data is received via a wireless LAN by being connected to a wireless AP.

The position information unit (13) serves to obtain a position of the mobile terminal (1). By way of non-limiting example, the position information unit (13) may include a GPS (Global Positioning System). The acceleration sensor (14) measures a speed of the mobile terminal (1) and transmits the speed to the controller (10).

The display unit (15) outputs information processed by the mobile terminal (1). By way of non-limiting example, in a case the mobile terminal (1) is under a call mode, the display unit (15) may output UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to the call, and in a case the mobile terminal (1) is under a data communication mode, the display unit (15) may output a relevant UI or a relevant GUI. The display unit (15) may comprise at least one of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), a flexible display and a three dimensional (3D) display.

The user input unit (16) generates an input data for operational control, by a user, of the mobile terminal (1). The display unit (15) may be also realized by the user input unit (16), in a case a sensor detecting a touch operation (touch sensor) along with the display unit (15) is configured in a mutually layered structure. The storage (17) may store AP information blocking an access in response to control of the controller.

The Bluetooth® connection unit (18) is connected to a predetermined device (e.g., headset, speaker, etc.) via Bluetooth in response to a user selection to allow sound outputted from the mobile terminal (1) to be outputted to the predetermined device. The controller (10) generally controls an entire operation of the mobile terminal (1), and controls a selective AP connection according to the present invention. The operation of the controller (10) will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention explained herein may be realized in hardware or as software or computer code that can be stored in a machine readable recording medium, or combination thereof.

The hardware described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed by any one of or with ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), DSPDs (Digital Signal Processing Devices), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPGSs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electrical units for performing the functions described herein. Some of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by the controller (10) itself.

According to the software described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein, various exemplary embodiments of the present invention explained herein such as processes and functions may be realized by separate software modules. Each of the software modules may implement one or more functions or operations described herein. The software code may be implemented using software application using any adequate programmable language. The software code may be stored in the storage (17), and may be carried out by the controller (10).

FIG.2 is a schematic view illustrating a mobile terminal passing AP coverage according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Generally, a user holding a mobile terminal (1) moves within a predetermined moving radius. By way of non-limiting example, an office worker has a moving route predetermined for reporting to work or discharging from work, and a student has a moving route predetermined for going to school or coming home from school, where they generally use these routes. That is, a user using a predetermined route may pass a predetermined AP coverage positioned at a relevant route.

Referring to FIG.2, in a case that is exemplified where a user holding a mobile terminal (1) regularly moves within a coverage (A) provided with a wireless LAN service by a predetermined AP (21), the mobile terminal (1) enters the coverage (A) of the AP (21) at B and exits at C, where the mobile terminal (1) receives data via the mobile communication unit (11), connects to the AP (21) at B via the wireless LAN connection unit (12), and releases connection to the AP (21) at C.

Because the user holding the mobile terminal (1) is in a moving state, the connection at B and connection release at C are implemented at a very short period of time, which ill affects reception of data.

The controller (10) according to the present invention stores information of the AP (21) arranged on a moving route generally used by a user, checks the information of AP to be connected, and blocks the connection to a relevant AP (21), in a case the user enters the coverage (A) of the relevant AP (21) while the user is moving.

Now, the method for being selectively connected to an AP according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

FIG.3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for being selectively connected to an AP according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG.3, the controller (10) according to the present invention may receive information of an AP within a moving radius frequented by a user, and store the information in the storage (17) (S31). Generally, an AP continuously transmits its own information, such that the mobile terminal (1) can receive information on the AP via the mobile communication unit (11), where the controller (10) can store the information in the storage (17).

The controller (10) may guide information of an AP frequently connected by the wireless LAN connection unit (12) of the mobile terminal (1) on a configuration menu to a user via the display unit (15), display (not shown) a message inquiring the user whether to block the connection in case of being connected to a relevant AP while the user is moving, and store the information of the AP in the storage (17) according to user selection.

Although the present invention has illustrated and exemplified a case where information on AP within a moving radius is stored, the present invention is not limited thereto. By way of non-limiting example, relevant AP information may be stored in the storage (17) out of the moving radius according to user selection to block connection to a predetermined AP.

Successively, the controller (10) determines whether the mobile terminal (1) held by the user is moving (S32). By way of non-limiting example, the controller (10) may determine whether the user is moving using a position of the mobile terminal (1) received from the position information unit (13), or may determine whether the user is moving using acceleration of the mobile terminal (1) received from the acceleration sensor (14) in a case the acceleration exceeds a predetermined acceleration.

Furthermore, the controller (10) may determine whether the user is moving in a case the Bluetooth® connection unit (18) is connected to a speaker mounted at a vehicle. In addition, the controller (10) may determine whether the user is moving, using a time when the wireless LAN connection unit (12) of the mobile terminal (1) is connected to and released from a predetermined AP. That is, the controller (10) may determine whether the user is moving, if a time connected to and released from a predetermined AP is shorter than a predetermined time, because the time connected to and released from a predetermined AP may be a short time in a case the user is moving. In addition, various methods of determining, by the controller, whether the user holding a mobile terminal (1) is moving, may be provided.

As a result of determination as S32, if it is determined that the user holding a mobile terminal (1) is moving, the controller (10) may receive and track information of AP within a moving radius using the mobile communication unit (11) (S33).

If it is determined by the controller (10) that the stored information on AP at S31 has been received (S34), the controller (10) may block connection to the AP by the wireless LAN connection unit (12) (S35).

According to the present invention, the connection to an AP arranged within a moving radius is blocked to relieve a user from manually turning on/off the mobile terminal (1) by preventing the wireless LAN connection unit (12) from being unnecessarily connected to the wireless LAN.

Meanwhile, connection to actually inoperable AP can be prevented by a method for being selectively connected to an AP according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the controller (10) according to the present invention may transmit (S42) a signal requesting connection to an AP, in a case the mobile terminal enters coverage of the AP and receives information of the AP (S41).

Successively, the controller (10) may determine whether there is a response from the AP (S43). If there is no response, the controller (10) may block the connection by the wireless LAN connection unit (12) (S44). Although the present invention has described the blocking to the connection if there is no response one time, the request may be re-transmitted to determine whether there is a response if reception of the response fails, and the controller (10) may block the connection to the AP, in a case the response to the request is not received more than predetermined times (threshold).

If there is a response from the AP in S43, the controller (10) may allow connection to the AP by the wireless LAN connection unit (12) (S45).

According to the present invention, a section, where data is not received by accessing to an inoperable AP, is prevented in advance from being generated, by monitoring a response to a request and accessing to only an actually operable AP by determining whether an AP is actually operable.

The previous description of the present invention is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to limit the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A method for being selectively connected to an AP (Access Point) by a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

receiving and storing information of at least one or more first APs;

tracking information of a second AP arranged on a moving path where the mobile terminal is moving; and

blocking connection to a third AP when the mobile terminal receives information of the third AP which is one of the at least one or more first APs.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the mobile terminal is moving.
The method of claim 2, wherein the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving comprises determining that the mobile terminal is moving by using a position of the mobile terminal obtained by a position information unit of the mobile terminal.
The method of claim 2, wherein the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving comprises determining that the mobile terminal is moving when an acceleration of the mobile terminal exceeds a predetermined acceleration.
The method of claim 2, wherein the determining whether the mobile terminal is moving comprises determining that the mobile terminal is moving when a connection-release time after connecting to the second AP is shorter than a predetermined time.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a message inquiring a user whether to block connection when the mobile terminal is accessed to one of the at least one or more first APs while the mobile terminal is moving.
The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one or more first APs are arranged within a moving radius of the user.
The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one or more first APs are determined by a user selection.
A method for being selectively connected to an AP by a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

receiving information from a predetermined AP;

transmitting a request asking connection to the AP; and

blocking connection to the AP when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.
The method of claim 9, further comprising:

allowing connection to the AP when a response to the request is received from the AP.
The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting the requests predetermined several repetitive times when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.
A mobile terminal using a method for being selectively connected to an AP, the mobile terminal comprising:

a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data;

storage configured to store information of at least one or more first APs; and

a controller configured to:

track information of a second AP arranged on a moving path where the mobile terminal is moving by determining movement of the mobile terminal, and

control the communication unit to block connection to a third AP when the communication unit receives information of the third AP which is one of the at least one or more first APs.
The mobile terminal of claim 12, further comprising:

a position information unit obtaining position information of the mobile terminal, wherein the controller determines that the mobile terminal is moving using a position of the mobile terminal obtained by the position information unit.
The mobile terminal of claim 12, further comprising:

an acceleration sensor measuring an acceleration of the mobile terminal, wherein the controller determines that the mobile terminal is moving when the acceleration of the mobile terminal measured by the acceleration sensor exceeds a predetermined acceleration.
The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the controller determines that the mobile terminal is moving when a connection-release time after connecting to the second AP by the communication unit is shorter than a predetermined time.
A mobile terminal using a method for being selectively connected to an AP, the mobile terminal comprising:

a communication unit configured to

receive information from a predetermined AP, and

access to the AP; and

a controller configured to

control the communication unit to transmit a request asking connection to the AP, and

control the communication unit to block connection to the AP when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.
The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the controller controls the communication unit to connect to the AP when response to the request is received from the AP.
The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the controller controls the communication unit to transmit the request predetermined several repetitive times when receipt of response to the request from the AP fails.