KR102019121B1 - Mobile terminal and method for controlling mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the type of the local area communication unit and the external device for the local area communication and the detection distance of the external device are specified, the local area communication unit transmits the first local area communication signal according to the specified detection distance, When the second short-range communication signal is received from the at least one external device, the control unit performs a short-range communication connection with an external device that matches the type of the specified external device among the at least one external device.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for short range communication with an external device.

Terminals may be divided into mobile / portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. 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.

As the terminal functions are diversified, for example, such a terminal is a multimedia player having a complex function such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast. Is being implemented.

In order to support and increase the function of such a terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural part and / or the software part of the terminal.

The mobile terminal may be connected to an external device such as a headset or a laptop by using near field communication. In this case, since a plurality of external devices may be located around the mobile terminal, it is difficult for a user to connect an external device to be connected to the mobile terminal.

The present invention has been proposed to meet the above-described needs, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same so that an external device to be connected by short-range communication among a plurality of external devices can be easily determined and connected.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof for simplifying a short-range communication connection procedure with an external device.

The technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

In order to achieve the above object, the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a short range communication unit for a short range communication and a type of an external device and a detection distance of the external device. The controller may include a controller configured to transmit a communication signal and to perform short-range communication connection with an external device corresponding to a type of the specified external device among the at least one external device when the second short range communication signal is received from the at least one external device.

The controller may calculate a separation distance from the at least one external device by the mobile terminal using the strength of the second short range communication signal, and perform a short range communication connection with an external device having the calculated separation distance less than or equal to the detection distance. .

The mobile terminal may further include a display unit, and the controller may display a direction in which the strength of the first short-range communication signal of the mobile terminal is strong.

In this case, the controller may display the direction of the external device with the strong strength of the second short range communication signal on the display unit.

The second short range communication signal may include a short range communication profile of the external device, and the controller may determine the type of the external device from the short range communication profile of the external device.

The controller may determine a short range communication pairing method from a short range communication profile of the external device.

The method for controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes specifying a type of an external device and a detection distance with an external device, and transmitting a first short range communication signal according to a detection distance specified through a short range communication unit to an external device. And receiving a second short range communication signal from at least one external device, and performing a short range communication connection with an external device that matches the type of the specified external device among the at least one external device.

The recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a command for specifying the type of the external device and the detection distance with the external device, a command for transmitting the first short-range communication signal according to the detection distance specified through the short-range communication unit to the external device, A program may be recorded that includes a command for receiving a second short range communication signal from at least one external device and a command for short range communication connection with an external device that matches a type of the specified external device among the at least one external device. .

The effects of the mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described below.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, there is an advantage that an external device to be connected through short-range communication among a plurality of external devices can be easily determined.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the short-range communication connection procedure with the external device can be simplified, so that the short-range communication connection with the external device can be easily performed.

The effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. will be.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 illustrates a mobile terminal and at least one external device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a screen for connecting a mobile terminal to an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen for setting a condition for connecting a mobile terminal to an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram illustrating a screen for connecting a mobile terminal to an external device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 are exemplary diagrams illustrating a screen in which a connection with an external device is performed according to a condition in which a mobile terminal is connected to an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

The 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 memory 160, and an interface unit. 170, the controller 180, and the power supply 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a 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 range communication module 114, a location information module 115, and the like. .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. Two or more broadcast receiving modules may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 for simultaneous broadcast reception or switching of broadcast channels for at least two broadcast channels.

The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information refers to information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). -Handheld), DVB-CBMS (Convergence of Broadcasting and Mobile Service), OMA-BCAST (Open Mobile Alliance-BroadCAST), CMMB (China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting), MBBMS (Mobile Broadcasting Business Management System), ISDB-T (Integrated Services) Digital broadcast signals may be received using a digital broadcast system such as Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 may include at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network such as but not limited to Gobal System for Mobile communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Wideband CDMA (WCDMA). Send and receive wireless signals with one. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution), but is not limited to such.

In view of the fact that the wireless Internet access by Wibro, HSDPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, etc. is made through the mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 for performing the wireless Internet access through the mobile communication network is a mobile communication module 112 It can be understood as a kind of).

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 may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 calculates distance information and accurate time information away from three or more satellites, and then applies trigonometric methods to the calculated information, thereby providing three-dimensional chords according to latitude, longitude, and altitude. The location information can be calculated accurately. Currently, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the error of the calculated position and time information using another satellite is widely used. In addition, the GPS module 115 may calculate speed information by continuously calculating the current position in real time.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output in the call mode. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a button 136 and a touch sensor (static pressure / capacitance) 137 positioned at the front, rear, or side of the mobile terminal 100, and although not shown, a keypad (key pad) ), A dome switch, a jog wheel, and a jog switch may be further included.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141. (The proximity sensor will be described later.)

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays photographed and / or received images, a UI, and a GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and the touch sensor 137 form a mutual layer structure or are integrally formed (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may also be used as an input device in addition to an output device. Can be. For example, when the touch sensor has a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, or a touch pad, the touch sensor may be stacked on the display unit 151 to form a layer structure, and may be included in the configuration of the display unit 151 to be integrated. Can be made.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to a touch controller (not shown). The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal surrounded by the touch screen or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch". The act of actually touching the pointer on the touch screen may be referred to as "contact touch". The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen may mean a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity touch.

The proximity sensor detects 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, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. Since the video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, in this case, the display unit 151 and the audio output module 152 are a kind of alarm unit 153. It may be classified as.

The haptic module 154 generates various haptic effects that a user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to configuration aspects of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory unit 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180, and temporarily stores input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, an audio, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also perform a function for. The memory unit 160 may store a frequency of use of each of the data (eg, a phone number, a message, and a frequency of use of each multimedia).

In addition, the memory unit 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (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), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path 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, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. A device equipped with an identification module (hereinafter referred to as an 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which 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 a user to the mobile terminal. It can be a passage to be delivered. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, 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 power supply unit 190 may include, for example, a battery, a connection port, a power supply control unit, and a charging monitoring unit.

The battery may be a built-in battery made to be chargeable, and may be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging. The connection port may be configured as an example of the interface 170 to which an external charger for supplying power for charging the battery is electrically connected.

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments 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 functions and operations described herein. Software code may be implemented in software applications written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

2 is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body of the mobile terminal 100 includes cases 101, 102, and 103 forming an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

Parts that need to be detached, such as a secondary storage medium 165 such as a USIM card and a memory card, may include an opening in the case to be inserted into the case from the outside. Slots may be formed on the side of the case such that the auxiliary storage medium 165 is inserted into and mounted on the side of the mobile terminal 100, and card slots 166 and 167 may be formed to be mounted on the surface of the rear case 102. It may be.

The cases 101, 102, and 103 may be formed by injecting synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The terminal cases 101 and 102 may include a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, a user input unit 130/131, 132, a microphone 122, an interface 170, and the like.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. The sound output unit 152 and the camera 121 are disposed in regions adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151, and the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are disposed in regions adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of manipulation units 131, 132, and 133. The manipulation units 131, 132, 133 may also be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 inputs a command such as adjusting the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 152. The third manipulation unit 133 may receive a command such as activating / deactivating the touch recognition mode of the display unit 151.

The operation units 131, 132, and 133 may have a button method for recognizing when a user applies pressure. In addition to the display unit 151, the operation units 131, 132, and 133 may include a touch sensor. The user's command may be input only by touching.

Mobile terminal 100 and external Between devices  Near field communication connection

An embodiment of the present invention proposes a mobile terminal 100 connected to an external device through short-range communication by using a short-range communication signal strength that varies according to a distance between the mobile terminal 100 and an external device.

3 illustrates a mobile terminal 100 and at least one external device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 may be connected to at least one external device through local area communication (eg, Bluetooth). The external device may be any one of a headset, another mobile terminal, a printer, and the like, which is capable of short-range communication.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external device, the mobile terminal 100 can determine a separation distance away from the external device. This will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first external device 200a is within a first distance (30 cm) from the mobile terminal 100, and the second external device 200b is a first distance (30 cm) from the mobile terminal 100. Within the second distance 2m or more, the third external device 200c is spaced apart from the second distance 2m or more by within the third distance 4m.

The mobile terminal 100 transmits a call signal (eg, a beacon signal) of a first signal size for searching for an external device in the vicinity through the wireless communication unit 110, particularly the near field communication module 114. In order to search for an unspecified external device capable of short-range communication, it may transmit to the outside.

Assume that the call signal of the first signal magnitude can reach a second distance (eg, 2 m) away from the mobile terminal 100. The second distance is not a concept that means a constant distance which is never changed. This is because the distance that the call signal of the first signal size can make depends on the environment in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. That is, the second distance may vary according to the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal 100.

The first external device 200a and the second external device 200b exist within a second distance from the mobile terminal 100. Accordingly, the first external device 200a receives the call signal having the first signal magnitude, and then transmits a first response signal corresponding thereto to the mobile terminal 100. Then, the second external device 200b receives the call signal having the first signal magnitude, and then transmits a second response signal corresponding thereto to the mobile terminal 100.

The first response signal and the second response signal are respectively an address, name, clock, support service (support function), support RF type, information and / or size of the received call signal, size of the first response signal, respectively. It may include information on at least one of (but not limited to).

The mobile terminal 100 receives the first response signal and the second response signal from the first external device 200a and the second external device 200b. As a result, the first external device 200a and the second external device 200b are searched by the mobile terminal 100.

Since the mobile terminal 100 has received a response signal from the first external device 200a and the second external device 200b after transmitting a call signal having a second signal magnitude to the outside, the mobile terminal 100 includes the above-mentioned response signal included in the first response signal. Although the first external device 200a and the second external device 200b are located within a second distance from the mobile terminal 100 without analyzing the information (particularly, the signal magnitude information of the received call signal), Can be.

On the other hand, the call signal of the first signal size cannot reach the third external device 200c located outside the second distance. Therefore, the mobile terminal 100 cannot search the third external device 200c with the call signal of the first signal size.

Next, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a call signal of a second signal size for searching for an external device located in the vicinity of the mobile terminal 100 among the plurality of external devices searched through the wireless communication unit 110 to the outside. Release.

The second signal magnitude is smaller than the first signal magnitude. Thus, the call signal of the second signal magnitude may reach a first distance (eg, 30 cm) closer than the second distance from the mobile terminal 100. As a matter of course, the first distance may be changed according to the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal 100 as in the above-described second distance.

The first external device 200a exists within a first distance from the mobile terminal 100. Accordingly, the first external device 200a receives the call signal having the second signal magnitude, and then transmits a first response signal corresponding thereto to the mobile terminal 100.

The mobile terminal 100 receives a first response signal from the first external device 200a. That is, the mobile terminal 100 may recognize that the first external device 200a is located within the first distance.

Since the mobile terminal 100 does not receive the second response signal from the second external device 200b after transmitting the call signal having the second signal size to the outside, the second external device 200b receives the mobile terminal 100. It can be seen that located away from the first distance and within the second distance from the).

In this way, the mobile terminal 100 can determine the separation distance from the mobile terminal 100 of the searched external device when searching for an external device capable of short-range communication.

Meanwhile, separately from the mobile terminal 100, the first external device 200a and the second external device 200b and the mobile terminal may be separated from the strength of the first response signal and the second response signal according to the call signal having the first signal magnitude. The separation distance between 100 can be grasped.

How to connect external devices

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for connecting short-range communication between a mobile terminal 100 and an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the short range communication will be described assuming Bluetooth.

First, the controller 180 receives an input for specifying a detection distance of an external device (S410).

The detection distance is a threshold distance for searching for an external device from the mobile terminal 100, and the mobile terminal 100 may perform short-range communication connection with respect to an external device located within the detection distance. In addition, the external device located outside the threshold distance may not be searched by the mobile terminal 100 or may not be a target for performing short-range communication connection even when searched.

Next, the controller 180 receives an input for specifying the type of the external device (S420). Types of external devices include, but are not limited to, other mobile terminals, printers, laptops, laptops, headsets, speakers, automobiles, and the like.

In this case, the controller 180 may receive an input for specifying a plurality of types of external devices for short-range communication connection.

In addition, the controller 180 receives an input for selecting a Bluetooth version (S430). Bluetooth versions include 1.x, 2.x, 3.0, and 4.0, but are not limited thereto.

Thus, the controller 180 can receive information about a distance between the external device to be connected to the mobile terminal 100, the type of the external device, and the Bluetooth version supported by the external device from the user.

Then, the controller 180 searches for the external device according to the detection distance specified by the user. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 100 may recognize a distance from an external device, and thus search for an external device existing within a specified detection distance.

For example, if the detection distance is specified as 1m, only the first external device 200a in FIG. 3 may be searched. Hereinafter, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 100 searches for the first external device 200a.

Meanwhile, when the external device located within the detection distance is not searched by the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 may receive an input for specifying the detection distance again.

Next, the information on the external device is collected from the detected response signal of the external device (S450). The received external device information includes Bluetooth profile, address, name, clock, support service (support function), supported RF type, information and / or size of the received call signal, response signal size of the external device, etc. There is this.

The controller 180 determines whether the external device corresponds to the device type specified by the user by using the type of the external device from the received external device information (S460).

In this case, when the external device does not match the device type specified by the user, the process returns to step S410, and the controller 180 may again receive an input for specifying the detection distance.

If the external device corresponds to the device type specified by the user, the controller 180 determines a method for connecting (pairing) with the external device through short-range communication from the information of the external device (S470).

For example, the controller 180 may determine a pairing method according to the Bluetooth version. When the Bluetooth version supported by the external device is 2.0 or less, the controller 180 can determine to perform legacy pairing with the external device, and when 2.1 or more, the controller 180 can determine to perform secure simple pairing with the external device. .

In addition, when a PIN code is required for short-range connection with an external device, the controller 180 may arbitrarily determine a predetermined PIN code to perform pairing.

For example, the controller 180 may perform pairing with an external device by using an arbitrary PIN code such as “0000”, “1111”, or “1234”.

In addition, the controller 180 may perform short range communication with the external device using the determined pairing method.

The external device connection method described above will be described with an example of the user.

First, a user specifies a detection distance (eg, 1 m) of an external device to the mobile terminal 100 in order to connect the mobile terminal 100 and the external device located 30 cm apart from each other by short-range communication. You can input.

In addition, the user may select a type of external device to be connected through the mobile terminal 100. For example, the user may receive an input for specifying a type of an external device for a short range communication connection to a headset or a vehicle.

Next, the user checks the Bluetooth version supported by the external device to be connected by short-range communication, and selects a Bluetooth version supported by the external device from a plurality of selectable Bluetooth versions displayed on the display unit 151 of the mobile terminal 100. Can be.

When the selection is completed, the mobile terminal 100 may detect the external device using the short range communication module 114 and display the detection result on the display unit 151.

The user may select the detected external device to connect the mobile terminal 100 and the external device through short-range communication.

Next, the mobile terminal 100 that connects to the external device through short-range communication will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a diagram illustrating a screen for connecting the mobile terminal 100 to an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, an indicator area may be displayed at the top of the display unit 151, and a screen 500 for connecting to an external device may be displayed in the remaining areas except for the indicator area.

Herein, the indicator area refers to an area briefly indicating various operating states of the mobile terminal 100 such as a wireless signal reception sensitivity, a new message reception, a Bluetooth module activation, a battery level, and the like.

An object 512 for activating / deactivating the short range communication module 114 and an indicator 513 indicating short range communication to be connected to the external device may be displayed at the top of the screen for connecting to the external device.

In addition, the controller 180 may display identification information 514 of the mobile terminal 100 in the short range communication. The identification information is identification information displayed by the mobile terminal 100 when another mobile terminal searches for a device that can be connected to the local area communication using the local area communication module 114.

When the identification information 514 displayed on the display unit 151 is selected by the user, the controller 180 can display a screen (not shown) for changing the identification information of the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 may display a short range communication setting menu 518 for selecting a detection distance from an external device, a type of the external device, and the like. The user may select the short range communication setting menu 518 to set a condition for connecting to an external device through short range communication. This will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 may display an area 520 on which the identification information of the external device connected to the mobile terminal 100 through short range communication is displayed on the screen 500.

In this case, the area 520 may display an object indicating the type of the external device, identification information of the external device, a Bluetooth version supported by the external device, and information on a separation distance from the external device.

In addition, when connected to a plurality of external devices, identification information of the external device may be displayed in a list form in the area 520.

In addition, the controller 180 may display an object 522 for initiating connection with the external device through short-range communication. When the connection initiation object 522 is selected by the user, the controller 180 can search for an external device.

The controller 180 may search for an external device that matches the specified detection distance, the type of the external device, and the Bluetooth version.

When the controller 180 starts searching for the external device, as shown in FIG. 5B, a notification window 524 indicating that the external device is searched for may be displayed.

Next, when the first external device 200a that matches the specified detection distance, the type of the external device, and the Bluetooth version is found, the controller 180 determines whether to connect with the first external device 200a by short-range communication. A window 526 may be displayed. In this case, information about the first external device 200a according to the response signal received from the first external device 200a may also be displayed.

When the user selects to connect with the first external device 200a, the controller 180 may connect with the first external device 200a through short-range communication using the short-range communication module 114.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), the controller 180 of the external device (here, the first external device 200a) currently connected to the area 520 in which the identification information of the external device connected through short-range communication is displayed. Identification information 528 may be displayed.

When the second external device 200b located outside the specified detection distance range is found, the controller 180 may indicate that the second external device 200b has been found.

For example, when the controller 180 is searched by the short range communication module 114 but located outside the detection distance range, the controller 180 may display the area 530 on which the identification information of the external device is displayed on the screen 500. Can be. In addition, the controller 180 may display identification information 532 of the external device (here, the second external device 200b) in the area 530.

Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 can select an object that connects to the external device through short-range communication, and can easily connect to the external device that meets the specified detection distance, external device type, and Bluetooth version by short-range communication.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 100 that selects the short range communication setting menu 518 to select a detection distance, an external device type, and a Bluetooth version will be described in detail.

6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen for setting a condition for connecting the mobile terminal 100 to an external device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the controller 180 can display a screen 600 for setting a condition for short-range communication connection.

The screen 600 may display a menu for setting a detection distance, an external device type, and a Bluetooth.

First, as a menu for setting the detection distance, an object 610 indicating the currently set detection distance, a bar indicating the range of the settable detection distance (bar, 612), and an object 614 setting the detection distance may be displayed. have.

For example, the user may drag the detection distance specific object 614 from side to side within the separation distance bar 612 while touching the object 614 for setting the detection distance. When the detection distance specific object 614 is dragged to the left, the detection distance may be set by searching for an external device that is close to the mobile terminal 100. When the detection distance specific object 614 is dragged to the right, the detection distance may be set by searching for an external device that is far from the mobile terminal 100.

Then, as the detection distance specific object 614 is dragged, the object 610 indicating the set detection distance is displayed.

For example, while the detection distance specific object 614 is dragged to the right in the detection distance bar 612, the detection distance displayed on the object 610 indicating the detection distance may be large.

In detail, the detection distance may be displayed as 30 cm before the detection distance specific object 614 is dragged. Thereafter, as the detection distance specific object 614 is touch-draged to the right, the detection distance 610 may be increased and displayed according to the distance to which the object 614 is dragged.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first point and the second point located in the detection distance specific object 614 are touched, and the first point 616a and the second point 616b are touched. ) May be dragged to be spaced left and right within the detection distance bar 612.

Then, the detection distance specific object 614 may be displayed in a form in which the detection distance specific object 614 is extended from side to side to correspond to the dragged distance 618 spaced from side to side. A range of detection distance for searching for an external device is specified to correspond to the separation distance specific object 614 extended to the left and right, and the controller 180 may display the specified range of detection distance 610.

For example, the left end of the detection distance specific object 614 is displayed at a position corresponding to 30 cm in the detection distance bar 612, and the right end of the detection distance specific object 614 is in the detection distance bar 612. When displayed at a position corresponding to 1m in, the controller 180 may specify a range of a detection distance for searching for an external device as 30cm to 1m.

Next, as a menu for specifying the type of external device, an object 620 indicating the type of the external device currently specified and a plurality of objects 622 indicating different types of external devices may be displayed.

When an input for selecting at least one object among the objects 622 indicating the type of the external device is received from the user, the controller 180 may display the indicator 624 indicating that the selected object is specified to correspond to the selected object. .

In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the controller 180 may display a plurality of objects 622 including images representing a headset, a mobile terminal 100, a laptop, a car, and a TV. When an input for selecting a headset among the plurality of objects 622 is received by the user, the controller 180 may display a box 624 around the headset object indicating that the headset is specified as a type of external device.

In addition, when there are more types of external devices in addition to the plurality of objects 622, the controller 180 may display an object 626 displaying them.

Next, as a menu for specifying a Bluetooth version, a plurality of objects 630 each representing a different Bluetooth version and an object 632 indicating a currently specified Bluetooth version may be displayed.

When an input for selecting at least one object from among the plurality of objects 630 indicating different Bluetooth versions is received from the user, the controller 180 displays an indicator 632 indicating that the selected Bluetooth version is specified to correspond to the selected object. can do.

As a result, the user may specify the separation distance, the external device type, and the Bluetooth version of the external device to be connected to the mobile terminal 100.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, the mobile terminal 100 displaying the direction of a call signal for short-range communication with an external device will be described.

7 is a diagram illustrating a screen for connecting a mobile terminal 100 to an external device according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the object 522 for initiating connection in short-range communication with the external device displayed on the display unit 151 is selected, the controller 180 determines that the short-range communication module 114 is connected to the external device. It can indicate the direction in which the call signal for searching for is mainly emitted.

In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the controller 180 may display an image 710 of the mobile terminal 100 itself on the display unit 151. In addition, the controller 180 may display an indicator 712 indicating a direction in which a call signal for searching for an external device is mainly emitted on the image 710 of the mobile terminal 100.

When the short range communication module 114 is located on the right side in the body of the mobile terminal 100 and the call signal is mainly emitted from the right side of the body of the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180 displays the displayed mobile terminal 100 image 710. The indicator 712 may be displayed on the right side of the.

In addition, the controller 180 may further display a guide phrase 714 for guiding the right side of the mobile terminal 100 toward an external device to be connected by short-range communication.

Therefore, the mobile terminal 100 displays the direction in which the call signal is emitted, so that the mobile terminal 100 can easily connect with the external device through short-range communication.

As illustrated in FIG. 7C, the display unit 151 includes a first external device object 722a, a second external device object 722b, and a third external device object 722c retrieved by a call signal. May be displayed according to a separation distance of the external devices (first to third external devices) from the mobile terminal 100.

In this case, the display unit 151 may display the directions of the external devices and the intensity of the response signal of each of the external devices when the mobile terminal 100 is used as a reference. In addition, the direction of the external device having the strongest response signal may be displayed to be identified.

In particular, as described above, the first external device 200a is within a first distance, the second external device 200b is within a range of a first distance to a second distance, and the third external device 200c is a second distance. Since the objects 722a, 722b, and 722c representing the respective external devices are separated from the mobile terminal 100 within a range within a third distance, the distance range from the mobile terminal 100 displayed on the display unit 151. It may be displayed on the display unit 151 to correspond to.

Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, an operation of the mobile terminal 100 performed after the short range communication is connected to the external device will be described.

8 and 9 are exemplary diagrams illustrating a screen in which a connection with an external device is performed according to a condition set by the mobile terminal 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to connect with an external device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 9A, the controller 180 may display a screen 600 for setting a condition for short-range communication connection. When the user receives an input for selecting at least one object among the objects 622 indicating the type of external device, the controller 180 displays the indicator 624 indicating that the selected object is specified to correspond to the selected object. As illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 9B, control lists 810 and 910 related to the selected external device may be displayed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the headset is selected, when the headset 180 is connected to the headset through short-range communication, 1) the mobile terminal 100 displays a screen for transmitting a call signal. Object 812 to display, 2) object 814 to display a music player, 3) object 816 to display a video player, or 4) object 812, 814, 816 to be displayed in a control list 810 Display a control list 810 including an object 818 for editing or changing).

When the user receives an input for selecting one of the objects 812, 814, and 816, the controller 180 may perform an operation corresponding to the selected object when the external device is connected.

Meanwhile, when an object 818 for editing the playlist 810 is selected by the user, an object to be displayed in the control list 810 may be added or an existing object may be changed to another object. For example, when the playlist editing object 818 is selected by the user, the controller 180 may display a playlist editing screen (not shown).

The controller 180 is a new operation performed when the headset is connected. The controller 180 may add an operation of reducing the backlight brightness of the display unit 151 to the control list 810. Then, the backlight brightness reduction object may be added to the control list 810 and displayed.

In addition, an operation of displaying a screen for transmitting a call signal by the mobile terminal 100 may be deleted from the control list 810 and an operation of reducing the backlight brightness of the display unit 151 may be added to the control list 810. Can be. Then, the object 812 displaying the screen for the mobile terminal 100 to send the call signal to the control list 810 may be deleted and the backlight brightness reducing object may be added and displayed.

In FIG. 8B, it is assumed that an object 814 for displaying a music player and playing a music file is selected by the user.

Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the selection of an operation to be performed when the external device is connected is completed, the controller 180 searches for the external device using the short range communication module 114 and searches for the detected external device. Connect with local area communication. In this case, the display unit 151 may display a notification window indicating that the external device is connected.

As illustrated in FIG. 8D, when the connection with the external device is completed in short-range communication, the controller 180 may display a music player and play a music file.

As another example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a type of external device to be connected by short-range communication by a user may be selected as another mobile terminal and a laptop. When the mobile terminal 100 and the laptop are selected, the controller 180 is connected to the other mobile terminal and the laptop by short-range communication. 1) The mobile terminal 100 displays a screen for data transmission to the other mobile terminal and the laptop. Object 912, 2) another mobile terminal and the laptop and the object to perform synchronization with the mobile terminal 100, 914, 3) to control the mobile terminal 100 to operate as a wireless communication hotspot of the other mobile terminal and laptop The control list 910 including the object 916 or the object 918 for editing or changing the objects 912, 914, and 916 to be displayed on the control list 910 may be displayed.

When the user receives an input for selecting one of the objects 912, 914, and 916, the controller 180 may perform an operation corresponding to the selected object when the external device is connected.

Meanwhile, when an object 918 for editing the playlist 910 is selected by the user, an object to be displayed in the control list 910 may be added or an existing object may be changed to another object. This has been described with reference to FIG. 8 and will not be described.

In FIG. 9B, it is assumed that an object 916 is selected by a user to control the mobile terminal 100 to operate as a wireless communication hotspot of another mobile terminal and a laptop.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the selection of an operation to be performed when the external device is connected is completed, the controller 180 searches for the external device using the short range communication module 114 and searches for the detected external device. Connect with local area communication. In this case, the display unit 151 may display a notification window indicating that the external device is connected.

As shown in FIG. 9 (d), when the connection with the external device is completed in short-range communication, the controller 180 may be connected to another mobile terminal or a laptop to operate as a wireless communication hotspot and display the same.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the present invention.

The present invention described above can be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium in which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which are also implemented in the form of carrier waves (eg, transmission over the Internet). It also includes. In addition, the computer may include the controller 180 of the terminal.

Accordingly, the above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in all aspects and should be considered as illustrative. The scope of the invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the invention are included in the scope of the invention.

100: mobile terminal 110: wireless communication unit
120: A / V input / output unit 130: user input unit
140: sensing unit 150: output unit
160: memory 170: interface unit
180: control unit 190: power supply unit

Claims (8)

A display unit;
A local area communication unit for local area communication; And
When the type of the external device and the detection distance of the external device are specified, the first local area communication signal according to the specified detection distance is transmitted through the local area communication unit, and the second local area from the at least one external device through the local area communication unit. And a controller configured to control short-range communication connection with an external device corresponding to the specified type of the external device among the at least one external device when the communication signal is received.
The control unit,
Calculating a separation distance from the at least one external device by using the strength of the second short range communication signal, and controlling to perform a short range communication connection with an external device having the calculated separation distance less than or equal to the detection distance;
And a direction of an external device having a strong strength of the first short range communication signal and a direction of an external device having a strong strength of the second short range communication signal. delete delete According to claim 1,
The second short range communication signal includes a short range communication profile of the external device,
The controller determines the type of the external device from the short range communication profile of the external device. The method of claim 4, wherein
The controller determines a short range communication pairing method based on a short range communication profile of the external device. delete delete delete

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