KR101292155B1 - Mobile terminal and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having multiple RF paths and a control method thereof. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a plurality of antennas, a wireless communication unit performing wireless communication through a plurality of RF paths connected to the plurality of antennas, and setting information of applications interworking with the wireless communication unit. And a controller configured to control whether each of the plurality of RF paths is activated based on the configuration information when at least one of the applications is executed.

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF [0002]

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal having multiple RF paths and a control method thereof.

A terminal can be divided into a mobile or portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the terminal is movable or not. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

The mobile terminal is a multi-frequency band for providing a plurality of mobile communication services such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and Long Term Evolution (LTE). It can be configured to transmit and receive signals of.

As described above, in providing a plurality of mobile communication services, a plurality of antennas are generally used. In addition, as the performance of wireless communication is improved by using a technique such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO) or diversity (diversity), the number of antennas mounted in a mobile terminal is gradually increasing.

However, since each antenna is allocated a resource for processing a radio signal inside the mobile terminal, the consumption of processing resources also increases as the number of antennas increases. In order to solve this problem, in performing wireless communication in a mobile terminal having a plurality of antennas, that is, a plurality of RF paths, a technique for efficiently managing processing resources is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof capable of efficiently managing resources for processing radio signals transmitted and received through multiple RF paths.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a plurality of antennas, a wireless communication unit performing wireless communication through a plurality of RF paths connected to the plurality of antennas, and setting information of applications interworking with the wireless communication unit. And a controller configured to control whether each of the plurality of RF paths is activated based on the configuration information when at least one of the applications is executed.

In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit may include a plurality of RF blocks each allocated to the plurality of RF paths to process a radio signal. The controller may control power of each of the plurality of RF blocks based on the configuration information.

In an embodiment, the mobile terminal may further include a display unit for distinguishing and displaying state information of the plurality of RF paths.

In some embodiments, the configuration information may include a communication scheme and the number of antennas set in each of the applications.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal includes a plurality of antennas, a wireless communication unit performing wireless communication through a plurality of RF paths connected to the plurality of antennas, and a measurement for measuring data throughput of the wireless communication unit. And a controller configured to control whether each of the plurality of RF paths is activated based on the measured data throughput.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a control method of a mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication through a plurality of RF paths. Generating setting information of applications interworking with the wireless communication unit, and if at least one of the applications is executed, controlling whether to activate each of the plurality of RF paths based on the setting information. .

In an embodiment, in the controlling of the activation, the activation of the plurality of RF paths may be controlled based on the communication scheme set in the executed application and the number of antennas.

In an embodiment, the control method may further include distinguishing and displaying state information of the plurality of RF paths.

In an embodiment, the control method may further include measuring data throughput of the wireless communication unit. In the controlling of the activation, the activation of the plurality of RF paths may be controlled based on the measured data throughput.

According to the mobile terminal according to the present invention, in performing wireless communication, power consumption can be reduced by controlling processing resources related to wireless communication based on setting information and data throughput of an application.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
2A and 2B are perspective views showing an appearance of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface for establishing an RF path associated with an application according to the present invention.
7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface output when an application according to the present invention is executed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), a navigator, have. However, it should be understood that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may be applied to a fixed terminal such as a digital TV, a desktop computer, and the like, unless it is applicable only to a mobile terminal. It will be easy to see.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. 1, a mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, A controller 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. The components shown in Fig. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components can be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components 110 to 190 of the mobile terminal 100 will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short distance communication module 114, and a location information module 115.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. Here, the broadcast-related information means information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information can also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast-related information may be received by the mobile communication module 112. The broadcast signal and the broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Such wireless signals may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, a text message, or a multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be embedded in the mobile terminal 100 or externally. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used.

The position information module 115 is a module for acquiring the position of the mobile terminal 100, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal and a video signal, and may include a camera 121, a microphone 122, and the like. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images and moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The image frame processed by the camera 121 can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ The image frame may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ More than two cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 processes the sound signal input from the outside in the communication mode, the recording mode, the voice selection mode, and the like as electrical voice data. The voice data processed by the microphone 122 in the communication mode can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output. The microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated when an external sound signal is input.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 by a user. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure and static electricity), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as presence or absence of a user, the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, position, orientation, acceleration, deceleration, And generates a sensing signal. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, the sensing unit 140 may detect whether the slide phone is opened or closed. The sensing unit 140 may sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. The sensing unit 140 may include a touch sensor (not shown) for sensing a touch operation with respect to the display unit 151.

The touch sensor may have the form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like. The touch sensor may be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display portion 151 or a change in capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display portion 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect a touch pressure as well as a touched position and area.

When the touch sensor and the display unit 151 have a mutual layer structure, the display unit 151 can be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 151 may be referred to as a 'touch screen'.

If there is a touch input via the touch screen, signals corresponding thereto are sent to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signals transmitted from the touch sensor, and then transmits data corresponding to the processed signals to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

In the case where the touch screen is electrostatic, it can be configured to detect the proximity of the sensing object by a change of the electric field along the proximity of the sensing target. Such a touch screen may be classified as proximity sensor 141. [

The proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object to be sensed without mechanical contact using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. The proximity sensor 141 has a longer life than the contact type sensor and its utilization is also high. Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, a proximity action is referred to as " proximity touch " while an object to be sensed does not touch the touch screen, and an action of touching the sensing object on the touch screen is called & touch ".

The proximity sensor 141 detects the presence or absence of a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, The information corresponding to the presence / absence of proximity touch and the proximity touch pattern can be output to the touch screen.

The output unit 150 generates an output related to visual, auditory, tactile, and the like. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 153, an alarm unit 154, and a haptic module 155.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 operates in the call mode, the display unit 151 displays a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 operates in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the display unit 151 displays the photographed image, the received image, the UI, the GUI, and the like.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, a 3D display, and an e-ink display.

At least one display (or display element) included in the display unit 151 may be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that the display can see the outside through it. This can be referred to as a transparent display. A typical example of such a transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 in the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. [ For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from each other or positioned integrally with one another, and may be located on different surfaces.

The sound output module 153 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice selection mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 153 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The sound output module 153 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 154 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events generated in the mobile terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 154 may output a signal for informing occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The display unit 151 and the audio output module 153 may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 154 because the video signal or the audio signal can be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 153. [

The haptic module 155 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 155 is vibration. The intensity, pattern, and the like of the vibration generated by the tactile module 155 are controllable. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 155 may be configured to perform various functions such as a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or a suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, Various effects can be generated such as the effect of heat generation and the effect of reproducing the cold sensation using the heat absorbing or heatable element.

The haptic module 155 can be configured to not only transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sense of the finger or arm. At least two haptic modules 155 may be provided according to the configuration of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input and output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data related to vibrations and sounds of various patterns that are output upon touch input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM) And may include at least one storage medium. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs storage functions of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may include a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, Input / output ports, video I / O ports, earphone ports, and the like.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the usage right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM)). A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as "identification device") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit 170 may be a path through which the power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle or various command signals input from the cradle by the user, (Not shown). The various command signals or power supplied from the cradle may also act as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal 100 is correctly mounted in the cradle.

The controller 180 controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, control and processing related to voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [ The control unit 180 may perform pattern selection processing for selecting handwriting input and drawing input on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

The various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be applied to various types of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays Microprocessors, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. In some cases, the embodiments described herein may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code may be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. Such software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

Hereinafter, a method of processing user input to the mobile terminal 100 will be described.

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of operation units. The operating units may also be referred to as manipulating portions and may be employed in any manner as long as they are operated in a tactile manner by the user's tactile sense.

Various kinds of time information can be displayed on the display unit 151. [ Such visual information can be displayed in the form of letters, numbers, symbols, graphics, icons, and the like, and can be formed as a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. At least one of a character, a number, a symbol, a graphic, and an icon may be displayed in a predetermined arrangement for inputting time information, thereby being implemented as a keypad. Such a keypad may be referred to as a so-called " soft key ".

The display unit 151 may operate as an entire area or may be divided into a plurality of areas and operated. In the latter case, the plurality of areas can be configured to operate in association with one another. For example, an output window and an input window may be displayed on the upper and lower portions of the display unit 151, respectively. The output window and the input window are areas allocated for outputting or inputting information, respectively. In the input window, a soft key with a number for inputting a telephone number may be output. When the soft key is touched, the number corresponding to the touched soft key is displayed in the output window. When the operating unit is operated, a call connection to the telephone number displayed in the output window may be attempted, or the text displayed in the output window may be entered into the application.

The display unit 151 or the touch pad may be configured to detect touch scrolling. The user can move the cursor or the pointer positioned on the displayed object, for example, the icon, on the display unit 151 by scrolling the display unit 151 or the touch pad. Further, when the finger is moved on the display unit 151 or the touch pad, the path along which the finger moves may be visually displayed on the display unit 151. [ This will be useful for editing the image displayed on the display unit 151. [

One function of the mobile terminal 100 may be executed in response to a case where the display unit 151 and the touch pad are touched together within a predetermined time range. In the case of being touched together, there may be a case where the user clamps the main body of the mobile terminal 100 using the thumb and index finger. At this time, one function of the mobile terminal 100 to be executed may be activation or deactivation for the display unit 151 or the touch pad, for example.

2A and 2B are perspective views showing an appearance of a mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a front side and one side of the mobile terminal 100, and FIG. 2B shows a rear side and the other side of the mobile terminal 100. FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the mobile terminal 100 includes a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the mobile terminal 100 is not limited thereto, and may be realized in various forms such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are movably coupled to each other.

The terminal body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) that forms an appearance. In the embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like.

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input unit 130 (see FIG. 1), the microphone 122, the interface 170, can do.

The display unit 151 occupies a main portion of the front case 101. [ The audio output unit 152 and the camera 121 are located in a region adjacent to one end of the display unit 151 and the first user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are located in a region adjacent to the other end. The second user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be located on the sides of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. [ The user input unit 130 may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132.

The first or second operating units 131 and 132 can receive various commands. For example, the first operation unit 131 can receive commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like. The second operation unit 132 can receive commands such as adjusting the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152, switching to the touch selection mode of the display unit 151, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a rear camera 121 'may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The rear camera 121 'has a photographing direction opposite to that of the front camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be configured to have pixels different from those of the front camera 121.

For example, the front camera 121 may be configured to have a low pixel, and the rear camera 121 'may be configured to have a high pixel. Accordingly, when the front camera 121 is used during a video call, the size of the transmission data may be reduced when the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in real time. On the other hand, the rear camera 121 'can be used for the purpose of storing a high-quality image.

Meanwhile, the cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotated or popped up.

The flash 123 and the mirror 124 may be further positioned adjacent to the rear camera 121 '. The flash 123 emits light toward the subject when the user photographs the subject with the rear camera 121 '. The mirror 124 illuminates the user's face when the user photographs himself (self-photographing) using the rear camera 121 '.

A rear sound output unit 152 'may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The rear sound output unit 152 ′ may perform a stereo function together with the front sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may perform a speakerphone function during a call.

In addition to the antenna for communication, an antenna 116 for receiving broadcast signals may be additionally provided on the side surface of the terminal body. The antenna 116 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the main body of the terminal or may be detachable from the outside of the main body of the terminal.

The rear case 102 may further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may be of a light transmission type like the display unit 151 (see FIG. 2A). Further, a back display unit for outputting time information can be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135. [ At this time, information output from both sides of the front display unit 151 and the rear display unit can be controlled by the touch pad 135. [

The touch pad 135 operates in correlation with the display unit 151. [ The touch pad 135 may be positioned parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have a size equal to or smaller than that of the display unit 151.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention can integrate and provide 2G (2G), 3G (3G) and 4G (4G) mobile communication services. For example, the mobile terminal is a multi-frequency used for mobile communication schemes such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), and Long Term Evolution (LTE). It can be configured to process signals in the band simultaneously.

In addition, the mobile terminal may perform a function such as multiple input multiple output (MIMO) or diversity using multiple antennas or multiple RF paths. Hereinafter, a mechanism for managing resources for processing radio signals transmitted and received through multiple RF paths of a mobile terminal will be described.

3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an embodiment of a mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention. Here, the contents already described with reference to FIG. 1 will be omitted. Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 200 includes a plurality of antennas ANT1 to ANT4, a wireless communication unit 210, a measurement unit 220, a control unit 230, a display unit 240, and a memory 250. Include.

The wireless communication unit 210 includes a plurality of RF modules 211 and 212. Although two RF modules are shown in the figure, the number of RF modules is not limited thereto and may be variously implemented. The RF modules 211 and 212 may be distinguished from each other according to a communication method used. For example, the first RF module 211 performs wireless communication according to a third generation (3G) data communication method (eg, CDMA, GSM, etc.), and the second RF module 212 uses a wireless Internet communication method (eg Wireless communication can be performed according to WiFi, etc.).

In addition, at least one of the first and second RF modules 211 and 212 performs wireless communication according to a fourth generation (4G) data communication scheme (for example, LTE) or the fourth generation (4G) to the wireless communication unit 210. A third RF module (not shown) for performing wireless communication according to a data communication method may be further provided.

Each of the RF modules 211 and 212 includes a plurality of RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2. For example, as shown, the first RF module 211 includes first and second RF blocks 211_1 and 211_2, and the second RF module 212 includes third and fourth RF blocks 212_1. , 212_2). The first to fourth RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2 may be connected to the first to fourth antennas ANT1 to ANT4, respectively. This means that respective corresponding RF paths are formed between the RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2 and the antennas ANT1 to ANT4.

The RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2 process radio signals transmitted and received through the RF paths assigned thereto, respectively. Accordingly, such RF blocks may also be referred to as processing resources for processing radio signals.

The measurement unit 220 measures the data throughput of the wireless communication unit 210 and provides the measured data throughput information to the controller 230. In this case, the data throughput of the wireless communication unit 210 may correspond to the data throughput of the application being executed by the controller 230. The measurement unit 220 may divide and measure data throughput in units of RF blocks and units of RF modules.

The controller 230 may execute at least one of applications interworking with the wireless communication unit 210. The application interworking with the wireless communication unit 210 means that data processed when the application is executed involves wireless communication.

When at least one of these applications is executed, the controller 230 may control whether each of the RF paths is activated based on configuration information of the applications. Here, the configuration information may include a communication scheme, the number of antennas, etc. set in each of the applications. The setting information may be stored and managed in the memory 250.

In more detail, the controller 230 may control power of each of the RF modules 211 and 212 or control power of each of the RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2 based on configuration information of the applications. . For example, when an application configured to perform wireless communication through a 3G data communication scheme and one antenna (RF path) is executed, the controller 230 may include any one of the first and second RF blocks 211_1 and 211_2. The power of only the power and the other RF blocks, that is, the other one of the first and second RF block (211_1, 211_2), the third and fourth RF block (212_1, 212_2) of the power can be turned off. As a result, the data of a running application can only be processed by one RF block that is powered on.

The controller 230 may control whether each of the RF paths is activated based on the data throughput measured by the measurement unit 220. More specifically, the controller 230 controls the power of each of the RF modules 211 and 212 or the RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2 so that the number of RF paths that are activated increases as the measured data throughput increases. Each power source can be controlled.

When the wireless communication is performed according to the execution of the application, the display 240 may classify and display state information of the RF paths. In other words, the display unit 240 may display state information of the RF blocks 211_1, 211_2, 212_1, and 212_2, and strength information of wireless signals transmitted and received through the antennas ANT1 to ANT4.

As described above, according to the mobile terminal 200 according to the present invention, in performing wireless communication, power consumption can be reduced by controlling processing resources related to wireless communication based on setting information and data throughput of an application. .

4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the control method according to the first embodiment includes generating setting information of applications interoperating with a wireless communication unit (S110). This means that, as described above, the communication method and the number of antennas to be applied in the wireless communication are set in each of the applications. The generated information may be stored and managed in a memory.

Next, when at least one of the applications interworking with the wireless communication unit is executed, a step (S120) of controlling whether to activate each of the RF paths is performed based on the setting information. Thereafter, in operation S130, the state information of each of the RF paths is classified and displayed on the execution screen of the application.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the control method according to the second embodiment includes measuring data throughput of the wireless communication unit (S210). As described above, the data throughput may correspond to the data throughput of the currently running application. Therefore, the data throughput of the application may be measured according to the set option. In addition, the measurement unit may periodically measure the data throughput.

Next, a step (S120) of controlling whether to activate each of the RF paths is performed based on the measured data throughput. For example, when an application that processes a small amount of data such as a chat or text message function is executed, only one RF block provided in the WiFi module or the 3G data communication module may be activated to perform wireless communication. As another example, when an application that processes a large amount of data, such as a download function of multimedia content, is executed, wireless communication may be performed by using all RF blocks of the WiFi module and the LTE module.

Thereafter, similarly to the control method of FIG. 4, the step S130 of classifying and displaying the state information of each of the RF paths on the execution screen of the application is performed.

6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface for establishing an RF path associated with an application according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the display unit 240 may display a list of mounted applications (hereinafter, referred to as an “application list”). The application list may include a summary description of each application and an execution button 241 for executing a setting mode.

The execution button 241 may display setting information of the corresponding application (for example, the communication method and the number of antennas applied to the current application). When the selection of the execution button 241 is detected, the controller (not shown) executes the setting mode for the application corresponding to the execution button 241. When the setting mode is executed, the display unit 240 may display a setting screen of the corresponding application.

On the setting screen, check boxes may be displayed to select a communication method and the number of antennas together with a detailed description of the corresponding application. For example, as shown, check boxes may be used to select at least one of LTE, 3G data communication, and WiFi. In addition, the number of antennas can be selected within the maximum allowable range by using check boxes.

7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a user interface output when an application according to the present invention is executed. Referring to FIG. 7, when a selection of any one of the icons is detected while the display unit 240 displays a home screen including a plurality of icons, the controller executes an application corresponding to the selected icon. Can be. In addition, the display unit 240 may display an execution screen of the application.

In this case, the execution information of the application may display the state information 242 of the RF paths separately. For example, a communication scheme applied to a running application, a strength of a wireless signal transmitted and received through each antenna, and the like may be displayed in some regions of the execution screen of the application. For example, as shown, when an application implementing the chat function is executed, it may be displayed on the execution screen that one RF path corresponding to the WiFi module and the first antenna ANT1 is activated.

According to the embodiment disclosed herein, the above-described method can be implemented by a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of the medium that can be read by the processor include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, etc., and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (e.g., transmission over the Internet) .

In the mobile terminal disclosed in this specification, the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments are not limitedly applied, but all or some of the embodiments may be selectively combined so that various modifications can be made.

Claims (12)

A plurality of antennas;
A wireless communication unit for performing wireless communication using a plurality of RF paths respectively connected to the plurality of antennas;
A memory for storing available communication schemes and the maximum number of antennas allowed to be used as setting information of each of the applications interworking with the wireless communication unit; And
When at least one of the applications is executed, the communication scheme to be used and the number of antennas are determined based on the at least one configuration information, and the RF corresponding to the communication scheme to be used among the plurality of RF paths is determined. And a control unit for activating a path as many as the number of antennas and deactivating the remaining RF paths. The method of claim 1,
The wireless communication unit includes:
A plurality of RF blocks each assigned to the plurality of RF paths to process a wireless signal,
The control unit,
And controlling power of each of the plurality of RF blocks based on the configuration information. The method of claim 1,
The mobile terminal further comprises a display unit for distinguishing and displaying state information of the plurality of RF paths. delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a measuring unit for measuring the data throughput of the wireless communication unit,
And a controller configured to control whether each of the plurality of RF paths is activated based on the configuration information and the measured data throughput. The method of claim 5, wherein
The control unit,
And determining the number of antennas within the maximum number of antennas based on the measured data throughput. The method of claim 5, wherein
The data throughput of the wireless communication unit corresponds to the data throughput of the application being executed by the control unit. In the control method of a mobile terminal comprising a wireless communication unit for performing a wireless communication through a plurality of RF paths:
Generating available communication schemes and a maximum number of antennas that are allowed to be used as setting information of each of the applications interworking with the wireless communication unit;
When at least one of the applications is executed, determining a communication scheme and the number of antennas to be used based on the at least one configuration information; And
And activating an RF path corresponding to the communication scheme to be used among the plurality of RF paths by the number of antennas, and deactivating the remaining RF paths. delete The method of claim 8,
And classifying and displaying status information of the plurality of RF paths. The method of claim 8,
Measuring data throughput of the wireless communication unit;
In controlling the activation or not,
The control method of the mobile terminal, characterized in that the activation of the plurality of RF paths is controlled based on the measured data throughput. The method of claim 11,
The data throughput of the wireless communication unit corresponds to the data throughput of the executed application.

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