KR20050014969A - Wireless Device of Network Gateway for Mobile Communication Terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A wireless network gateway device is provided to connect wirelessly to a network other than a mobile communication network by being mounted a mobile communication terminal. CONSTITUTION: A wireless network gateway device comprises a battery package portion(450), a main module(420), a USB wireless LAN module(440) and a cradle portion(410). The battery package portion supplies power. The main module performs a predetermined network gateway function that connects a mobile terminal to a wireless LAN by using the power supplied by the battery package portion. The USB wireless LAN module performs a Wi-Fi wireless LAN communication with the main module, having a built-in USB interface. The cradle portion supports mechanical compatibility among the mobile terminal, main module, USB wireless LAN module, and the battery package portion.

Description

Wireless Device Gateway for Mobile Communication Terminals {Wireless Device of Network Gateway for Mobile Communication Terminal}

The present invention relates to a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal, and in particular, a mobile communication terminal capable of wirelessly connecting to a network other than the mobile communication network normally used in the mobile communication terminal by connecting to or installing the mobile communication terminal. The present invention relates to a wireless network gateway device.

Since the 1960s, the Internet has been launched for special purposes, such as military communications, and these days it has become a means of communication that provides essential information and connects with each other in all fields such as finance, school, and industry. In addition, instead of expensive international calls, international phones are commercially available to Internet phones using the Internet, and many researches and developments are being conducted to solve the problem of improving transmission speeds for faster and more diverse services.

In general, the Internet access is assigned an Internet Protocol address (IP address) for each user, and is used to establish a local area network (LAN) or public switched network (PSTN). It is possible through.

1 is an overall schematic diagram of a portable terminal apparatus for accessing the Internet using a conventional wireless network.

As shown in FIG. 1, a command desired by a user is input (menu selection) using a key pad of the mobile terminal device 100, and converted into an RF (Radio Frequency) signal suitable for data service. After demodulating the RF signal transmitted from the mobile terminal apparatus 100 as a command through the base station 110, the RF signal is transmitted to a gateway for internet access through a wireless network.

Receives a signal based on a protocol for an Internet service from a mobile communication network through the gateway, converts and outputs a signal suitable for an Internet connection, and receives a command from the gateway to transmit an Internet-only wireless Internet server 130 through the mobile communication network 120. ) To provide contents and services according to commands (menu selection).

In the conventional portable terminal device 100 configured as described above, the performance of the portable terminal device such as digital camera, video, MMS, network game, music / music video, TV broadcasting is increased, whereas the communication fee is considerable and the effectiveness thereof is significant. Not only are they unable to reap the complaints about excessive data communication charges, and there is a problem that narrows the choice because only a dedicated network for each mobile communication provider used in the mobile terminal device can be connected.

In addition, not only the portable terminal apparatus but also the wireless LAN terminal is using the Internet connection using a wireless LAN, Figure 2 shows an overall schematic diagram of a wireless LAN terminal for Internet access using a conventional wireless LAN.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the wireless communication between the wireless LAN terminal 200 such as a laptop or a PDA, and the access point 210 through a wireless LAN connection, various Internet servers 240 connected to the Internet network 230 are provided. And an access point (AP) 40 for wireless communication through the WLAN terminal 200 and the LAN access network 220 by accessing the WLAN dedicated server 250 and the LAN (Local Area Network) access network 220. It is configured to include).

Internet access using the wireless LAN is connected to a local area network (LAN) to share information through a network connection to obtain the desired information regardless of time and place, while desktop computers are generally widely used. In order to use a wireless LAN in order to purchase additional notebook or PDA and wireless LAN module there was a problem that the economic burden is increased.

The present invention is to solve the above problems and to compensate for the shortcomings of the wired and wireless network for the current Internet service,

An object of the present invention is to wirelessly connect to a network and a device other than the corresponding mobile communication network that is normally used in the mobile communication terminal by connecting or mounting the mobile communication terminal, instead of purchasing a laptop or PDA separately to use a wireless LAN. The present invention is to provide a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal that can expand the range of network use selection.

Another object of the present invention is to use a mobile communication network that is normally used for a mobile communication terminal in a non-LAN-capable area, and to use a wireless LAN that does not incur a communication fee in a wireless LAN-capable area. In order to solve the problem and change the mobile communication terminal, it is possible to reduce the additional cost by replacing only the low-cost cradle and to increase the ease of use by connecting various external devices and external memory using USB. It is to provide a wireless network gateway device.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a battery pack unit for supplying power for a wireless LAN connection; A main module unit serving as a predetermined network gateway for connecting the mobile communication terminal to the wireless LAN through the power supplied from the battery pack unit; A USB wireless LAN module unit having a built-in USB interface for communication with the main module unit and performing wireless LAN communication using a Wi-Fi method; It is characterized in that it comprises a cradle unit for connecting or mounting the mobile communication terminal, the circuit and mechanical compatibility between the mobile communication terminal and the main module unit, the USB wireless LAN module unit, the battery pack unit.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the present invention.

3 is an overall schematic diagram of an Internet connection using a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention.

By connecting or installing the mobile communication terminal 30 to the wireless network gateway device 40 for the mobile communication terminal of the present invention, the mobile communication terminal 30 wirelessly connects to a network or a device other than the corresponding mobile communication network. As shown in FIG. 3, in the region where the wireless LAN AP 42 does not exist, the Internet access is performed through the mobile communication network 62 which is a wireless network according to the unique function of the mobile communication terminal 30. Using the contents and services according to the user's keypad operation (menu selection) from the communication terminal 30 dedicated wireless Internet server 64, the Internet network 46 through a high-speed wireless LAN in the area where the wireless LAN AP 42 is installed ) To access various Internet servers 48 and wireless LAN dedicated server 50 to use a variety of content and services.

The wireless network gateway device 40 for the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 5.

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a detailed configuration diagram of a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless network gateway device 40 of the present invention is a cradle unit 410 connected to or mounted with the mobile communication terminal 30, and inserted or mounted in the cradle unit 410. It is configured to include a main module unit 420, a USB wireless LAN module 440, and a battery pack unit 450 to be built.

The mobile communication terminal 30 is collectively referred to as a communication terminal for a mobile communication network, and the mobile communication network is collectively referred to as a wireless mobile communication network such as CDMA, GSM, IMT-2000, portable Internet, wireless LAN, and the like. It includes both image and data communication.

The cradle 410 may be configured to cover the mobile communication terminal 30, and may be configured in various ways as necessary. The mobile communication terminal 30 and the wireless network gateway device for mobile communication ( Each module of 40) is mechanically and circuit-connected to ensure compatibility.

That is, it is connected to an external interface connector (not shown) at the bottom of the mobile communication terminal 30 to communicate with each other via USB or UART.

The main module unit 420 inserted or mounted in the cradle unit 410 serves as a network gateway for connecting the mobile communication terminal 30 to a wireless LAN. The network gateway may be connected to heterogeneous networks. Means hardware and software.

The USB WLAN module unit 440 is not limited to the WLAN method according to the IEEE 802.11b standard and may accommodate the IEEE 802.11a or the IEEE 802.11g standard.

The battery pack 450 uses a dedicated independent power source separately from the power supply of the mobile communication terminal 30, and recommends a mobile phone input / output terminal connection standard established by the Korea Information and Communication Technology Association (hereinafter referred to as TTA) (standard). A charging connector conforming to the number TTAS.KO-06.0028, hereinafter referred to as the TTA standard) allows the use of a charger for a mobile phone battery that complies with the commercially available TTA standard.

The mobile phone input / output terminal refers to an external interface connector that the mobile communication terminal has built in to connect a signal or power such as communication and control with an external device.

5, the wireless network gateway device 40 for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention will be described in more detail.

The mobile communication terminal 30 performs a mobile station modem (MSM) 32 that performs core functions such as processing data of the mobile communication terminal 30 and the MSM 32 through the RS-232C interface. Performs a USB interface by transmitting and receiving serial data with the universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART) 34 or the MSM 32 and the main module 420 that can communicate with or transmit data with the main module 420. It comprises a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 36 for the purpose, any one or both of the UART 34 and the USB 36 can be configured.

The mobile communication terminal 30 is provided with an external interface (not shown) at a lower predetermined position, and can be connected to or mounted on the cradle 410.

The cradle unit 410 is provided with an interface connector 414 to an external predetermined position connected to an external interface connector of the mobile communication terminal 30 to enable communication with the mobile communication terminal 30, and an external predetermined position. Various function button unit 412 is mounted.

The main module unit 420, the USB wireless LAN module unit 440, and the battery pack unit 450 are embedded in or inserted into the cradle unit 410 to move the interface connector 414 of the cradle unit 410 and the movement. It is connected to the external interface connector of the communication terminal 30 and performs data communication with the mobile communication terminal 30 through a USB or RS-232C interface.

The main module unit 420 includes a serial-parallel communication unit 426 including a UART 428 port and an I / O 427 port, a USB host controller and a root hub unit 429 that provide a plurality of USB ports, and Connected to the serial-parallel communication unit 426 to control the input and output through the connection path of the data, control, input and output bus 430 to perform the overall operation, such as receiving and calculating data and storing the result and output the result. A processing unit (CPU) 422 and a memory unit 424 for storing a program necessary for the CPU 422 to perform various functions such as arithmetic processing and data communication, and storing temporary information for executing the program; And a power circuit unit 439 that receives power from the battery pack unit 424 and stably supplies the circuit, and monitors a power state (such as battery level) and informs the central processing unit 422.

In addition, the main module unit 420 has a built-in TCP / IP standard protocol stack for Ethernet-based wireless LAN access and communication.

The UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter) 428 handles asynchronous serial communication, and communicates or exchanges data by providing an RS-232C interface.

The main module unit 420 is a plug and end required for data exchange through a USB interface with each of the USB devices 30, 440, 460, and 470 to be connected to the respective USB ports of the USB host controller and the root hub unit 429. It has a built-in connection program that supports play so that it runs automatically when connecting each device.

The power circuit unit 439 is embedded in the main module unit 420, and is provided by the DC power source 452 supplied to the battery pack unit 450 having a dedicated independent power source separate from the power source of the mobile communication terminal 30. 439 is operated to operate the wireless network gateway device for mobile communication.

In addition, the power circuit unit 439 also monitors the power state and performs a function of notifying the central processing unit 422.

The battery pack unit 450 has a built-in TTA standard charging connector, it is possible to use a general TTA standard charger and a mobile terminal battery charger as it is.

The USB WLAN module unit 440 transmits and receives data to the air without using a cable by using a radio frequency (RF) technology 446. Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi) 444 That is, data communication is performed through the USB 442 at a high speed with an access point (AP) through IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11a, and IEEE 802.11g wireless LAN access methods.

 The USB wireless LAN module unit 440 may be used as a wireless LAN card by connecting to a notebook, a desktop computer, a PDA, etc. through the USB 442, and if the USB wireless LAN card is already used, the holding module is intact. It can also be used by connecting to a USB port of a wireless network gate device for a mobile communication terminal.

The USB host controller and root hub unit 429 is composed of four USB (432, 434, 436, 438) ports, one of which USB 0 (432) is a circuit dedicated to communication with the mobile communication terminal (30). The main module unit 420 and the mobile communication terminal 30 through the interface connector 414 of the cradle unit 410 fixedly mounted inside the main module unit 440 and connected or mounted with the mobile communication terminal 30. To communicate.

The other USB 1 434 is connected to the USB 442 of the USB wireless LAN module 440 to perform a wireless LAN connection.

Another USB 2 436 is for connecting to a computer-compatible USB external memory unit 460 that includes a memory module unit 464 and a USB 462, the USB external memory unit 460 Is a portable data storage media that can be used to store files, still images such as photos, videos, and voices.It is a portable data storage medium with quick access and retrieval, and uses a USB interface such as a USB memory stick. The present invention is not limited thereto.

That is, the memory module unit 464 is connected to the USB 2 436 of the main module unit 420 and the USB 462 of the USB external memory unit 460 without being connected to a network (wireless LAN or a mobile communication network). Contents and files such as music, still images, and the like stored in the system can be used, thereby reducing communication charges and information usage fees such as contents.

Another USB 3 (438) is for connecting to the USB external device unit 470 configured to include a USB 472 and the external device module unit 474, the USB external device unit 470 is for personal use A terminal having a USB interface 472 that can exchange data using a USB interface such as a computer, a notebook computer, a personal data terminal, or the like may be a digital camera or a camcorder.

Here, the number of USB ports provided by the USB host controller and the root hub unit 429 may be added or reduced as needed, and the number is not limited.

In addition, there is no problem in operation even when the connected devices are interchanged except for USB 0 432 among the USB ports 432, 434, 436, and 438.

The wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention configured as described above will be described through an embodiment of the Internet access process shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D.

First, a mobile communication terminal is installed or connected to a wireless network gateway device for mobile communication to download a wireless LAN access package using a virtual machine (VM) based application software as shown in FIG. 6A. It is downloaded only once for the first use and the WLAN connection package is also a virtual machine (VM) based application software.

After downloading the WLAN access package and executing it in the mobile communication terminal as shown in FIG. 6B, a message such as 'starting the wireless LAN' is displayed from the window of the mobile communication terminal.

When the WLAN access package is executed, as shown in FIG. 6C, a searchable wireless LAN according to a WLAN menu is searched for, selected, and connected.

As illustrated in FIG. 6D, the favorite software package is downloaded to a mobile communication terminal through a mobile communication network, and the downloaded software package is executed to execute contents and services such as various Internet and mobile communication wireless Internet sites. In addition, the software package is also a virtual machine (VM) based application software.

However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiment. In addition to the method of using a virtual machine (VM) -based application software in the mobile communication terminal software implementation method, the mobile communication terminal may be implemented through embedded software dedicated to the mobile communication terminal.

The above embodiments are only for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and may be modified or modified by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims. . For example, the shape and structure of each component specifically shown in the embodiment of the present invention can be modified and implemented, the network can also be applied to the network other than the current mobile communication network and WLAN.

According to the present invention, by using the existing mobile communication terminal to connect to the wireless LAN without purchasing a separate laptop or PDA to use the wireless LAN, the stability of the network connection and communication speed is improved and the range of service selection It can be extended and utilized in various ways. In addition to the current mobile communication network or wireless LAN, there are free interworking and expansion effects with various heterogeneous networks and devices.

In addition, in the related art, as the performance of the mobile communication terminal becomes stronger, the communication fee for the provided service is excessively applied, so that the effectiveness of the function of the mobile communication terminal has not been achieved. Uses the service through the corresponding network of the mobile communication terminal, uses the wireless LAN in the wireless LAN-capable area, and connects to external memory through USB to access contents or files stored in the memory without connecting to the network. It can reduce the communication fee and information usage fee, and can connect to external devices such as digital cameras and camcorders via USB to check or save images or videos to mobile communication terminals, send them via e-mail, and make video calls. It is effective to maximize the use of the mobile communication terminal.

In addition, it uses an independent power supply exclusively for the wireless network gateway device for the mobile communication terminal separate from the power of the mobile communication terminal, and can use the general mobile terminal battery charger as it is through the battery pack that can use the TTA standard charger. There is no concern about battery consumption of the mobile communication terminal according to the use of the LAN, and the additional burden is reduced by replacing only the low-cost cradle unit when changing the mobile communication terminal, and the USB wireless LAN module unit according to the present invention is used as a laptop or desk. Not only can be used as a wireless LAN card by connecting to a top computer and PDA, but also has a USB wireless LAN card, so that the user can connect or install a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention to increase convenience of use. This can reduce the cost burden.

1 is an overall schematic diagram of a portable terminal device for wireless Internet access using a conventional wireless network;

2 is an overall schematic diagram of a WLAN terminal for accessing the Internet using a conventional WLAN;

3 is an overall schematic diagram for an Internet connection using a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention;

4 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

5 is a detailed block diagram of a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention;

6A to 6D are exemplary embodiments illustrating Internet access using a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal of the present invention.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

30: mobile communication terminal

40: wireless network gateway device for mobile communication terminal

410: cradle portion 420: main module portion

440: USB wireless LAN module unit 450: Battery pack unit

460: USB external memory unit 470: USB external device unit

Claims (8)

A battery pack unit supplying power for a wireless LAN connection; A main module unit serving as a predetermined network gateway for connecting a mobile communication terminal to a wireless LAN by using the power supplied from the battery pack unit; A USB wireless LAN module unit having a built-in USB interface for communication with the main module unit and performing wireless LAN communication using a Wi-Fi method; And a cradle unit for circuitry and mechanical compatibility between the mobile communication terminal, the main module unit, the USB wireless LAN module unit, and the battery pack unit. The method of claim 1, The main module unit, A serial and parallel communication unit including a UART port and an I / O port, a USB host controller having a plurality of USB ports, and a root hub for communication with the mobile communication terminal, wireless LAN connection, and communication; A central processing unit (CPU) connected to the serial / parallel communication unit to control an input / output through a connection path of a data bus, a control bus, and an input / output bus to perform an overall operation of receiving, storing and storing data and outputting a result; A memory unit for storing a program necessary for the CPU to perform various functions for arithmetic processing and data communication, and for storing temporary information for executing the program; And a power supply circuit unit receiving power from the battery pack unit and stably supplying the circuit and monitoring the power state to inform the central processing unit. The method of claim 1, The cradle portion, A built-in interface connector for connecting and mounting the mobile communication terminal; And a predetermined button unit for operating a wireless LAN connection with the mobile communication terminal. The battery pack unit, the main module unit, the USB wireless LAN module unit, the USB external memory unit, the USB external device unit is inserted or mounted in various ways according to various models of the mobile communication terminal. Wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 1, The wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the mobile communication terminal is connected to or mounted on the cradle unit and wirelessly connects to a network other than the mobile communication network which is normally used. The method of claim 2, The plurality of USB ports, A connection port with a plurality of USB external device units, a connection port with the USB wireless LAN module unit, a connection port with a USB external memory unit connected with the main module unit to store contents or files such as music and images, or And a dedicated port for communication with the mobile communication terminal. The method according to claim 3 or 5, And the USB external memory unit is a secondary storage device for a computer. The method according to claim 3 or 5, The USB external device unit is a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the data terminal that can send and receive data using a USB port, such as a personal computer, a notebook computer, a personal data terminal. The method of claim 6, The auxiliary storage device for a computer is a wireless network gateway device for a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the USB memory stick.