KR20050117423A - Hybrid mobile communication terminal and method for controlling the operation mode of the terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hybrid mobile communication terminal supporting both a voice service and a high speed packet data service, and a method of controlling an operation mode thereof.

The hybrid mobile communication terminal according to the present invention performs a call connection with a 1x dedicated system when the connection of the EV-DO session fails more than a predetermined number of times during the data call setup, but when the wireless environment is changed by monitoring the change in the wireless environment, the EV is again EV. Attempts to connect to a DO session, and additionally or selectively drives a timer, and attempts to connect to an EV-DO session again after a predetermined time elapses.

According to this aspect, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can quickly adapt to the change of the wireless environment during the movement and provide the best possible service.

Description

Hybrid mobile communication terminal and method for controlling the operation mode of the terminal}

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a method of controlling an operation mode of a hybrid terminal supporting both a voice service and a high speed packet data service.

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 1X service (hereinafter referred to as '1x only' service) uses the existing data communication speed of 14.4 Kbps using the IS-95C network evolved from the existing IS-95A and IS-95B networks. It is a service that enables wireless Internet up to 144 Kbps faster than 56 Kbps. Meanwhile, the 3rd Generation Partnership Projects (3GPP2), an international standardization organization for CDMA systems, is based on Qualcom's High Data Rate (HDR) as a method for high-speed packet transmission. "Data Optimized" and confirmed as an international standard (hereinafter referred to as "EV-DO"). This EV-DO method is an evolving method that transmits only data in 1X dedicated communication standard. It provides a bidirectional high speed data service having a transmission rate of Mbps.

The hybrid terminal is a mobile communication terminal that can use both the communication service provided by the EV-DO system and the 1x dedicated system. The hybrid terminal receives an overhead message on a paging channel, which is a control channel of the 1x system, performs an initial acquisition, and then performs an IS-2000 Only Slotted Operation Mode ( In step 10), the slot operation for monitoring the allocated slot of the paging channel is performed. Subsequently, when the 1xEV-DO system is acquired, the hybrid access terminal performs slot operation for both the 1x system and the EV-DO system. In this case, the composite access terminal is referred to as a hybrid operation mode. In the hybrid operation mode, the hybrid terminal first performs initialization acquisition on the 1x system, acquires a collocated EV-DO system, and attempts to connect to the obtained EV-DO system. If the acquisition of the EV-DO system fails to open a session, the acquisition of the EV-DO system cannot be attempted for 20 minutes.

In the hybrid operation mode, when the hybrid terminal receives a request for a packet call for data communication, the hybrid terminal first sets a priority in the EV-DO mode and attempts a session connection to the obtained EV-DO system. As a result, an HDR session negotiation is started. When the radio wave environment is poor or a system failure occurs, the base station system transmits a session close messae to notify the terminal that the call connection has failed. If such a call connection failure is repeated a predetermined number of times, the hybrid terminal abandons the connection to the EV-DO system and performs a call connection to the 1x system.

Meanwhile, handoff between cells of the EV-DO system is performed in units of a packet control function (PCF). The PCF hands over the data call received from the mobile station through the base station and the base station controller to the PDSN to interface with the wired network based on IP. However, when the terminal moves in the PCF boundary area, the call connection is frequently blocked due to the failure of the EV-DO connection due to the unstable wireless environment condition of the boundary area, which fails to open the session. At this time, the terminal repeats the reconnection process to continue the session. In the conventional hybrid terminal, if the connection failure process is repeated several times or more, the connection to the EV-DO is blocked.

As a result, although there is a high possibility that the terminal has moved directly from the area to a good service environment, access to the EV-DO was not possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide a hybrid terminal capable of quickly adapting to a change in a wireless environment when a terminal is moved and providing an optimal service as possible.

Hybrid mobile communication terminal according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is capable of communicating with both the first communication system and a second communication system that provides a relatively improved communication for the first communication system, When the wireless environment is changed by monitoring a change in the wireless environment during the data call connection with the first communication system, a session connection with the second communication system is attempted.

In one embodiment, the first communication system is a 1x system, and the second communication system is an EV-DO system, but the present invention is not limited thereto, but two different communication systems, but control information for switching between each other in the system. If it is a hybrid system that provides a general application. In the case of the 1x system and the EV-DO system, access information of the EV-DO system disposed at the same time may be acquired through the paging channel of the 1x system.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the hybrid mobile communication terminal according to the present invention can quickly switch to a system with better performance immediately in a region where the wireless environment is improved even when the system is connected to a low performance system due to a poor wireless environment. There is an advantage.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a mobile communication terminal drives a timer when a call is established as a first communication system because a session connection to a second communication system fails when a data call is established, and again when a predetermined time has elapsed. Attempt to connect to the session.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the hybrid mobile communication terminal according to the present invention has an additional opportunity to access a system having better performance in accordance with the change of the wireless environment even when the system is connected to a low performance system due to a poor wireless environment. It is possible to acquire.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce.

1 schematically illustrates a configuration of a hybrid terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the mobile communication terminal according to the present embodiment includes a keypad 800, a display unit 600 for displaying a menu and an operation state, and a wireless communication unit for extracting voice and data signals from a wireless signal transmitted and received through an antenna ( 900 and a conventional mobile communication terminal such as a voice input / output circuit 700 for inputting / outputting a voice call signal from the wireless communication unit through a microphone and a speaker, and a control unit 100 and a memory 300 for controlling the entire system. It includes.

The display unit 270 may be, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display device. The wireless communication unit 230 includes an antenna and an RF circuit for communication with the base station. In the present specification, the wireless communication unit is interpreted to cover not only various versions of CDMA but also existing methods such as cellular, GSM, and W-CDMA, as well as mobile communication. The voice input and output circuit 210 processes the conversion of digital voice data into an analog voice signal or vice versa, and is a well-known configuration including an additional circuit such as an audio amplification circuit or a filter.

The baseband circuit of the wireless communication unit 230 and most of the circuits of the control unit 100 are commercially provided as a single integrated circuit. This integrated circuit, commonly referred to as an MSM chip, includes internally dedicated hardware for processing communications, a digital signal processor and a general purpose microprocessor. Each part constituting the control unit 100 may be configured by dedicated hardware or software or a mixture thereof, and the present invention is interpreted to cover such various VLSI implementation methods.

The control unit 100 includes a voice communication unit 130 for processing a voice call and a data communication unit 150 for processing data communication. The data communication unit 150 of the hybrid terminal itself includes a 1x communication unit 153 for processing a connection to a 1x system and an EV-DO communication unit 159 for processing an EV-DO connection.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the data communication unit 150 of the hybrid terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention processes the call connection with the 1x system when the connection of the EV-DO session fails for a predetermined number of times during the data call setup. The controller 151 may monitor the wireless environment and attempt to connect to the EV-DO session again when the wireless environment changes.

More specifically, the mode control unit 152 attempts to connect to the session through the EV-DO communication unit 159 and fails a predetermined number of times. Then, the mode control unit 152 calls the access control flag ADF stored in the memory 300 with the EV-DO system. And a mode setting unit 152 for setting the second value to block the connection attempt. Furthermore, according to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the mode controller 151 monitors the change in the wireless environment during the data call connection with the 1x system through the 1x communication unit 153 and stores the data in the memory 300 when the wireless environment is changed. The wireless environment monitoring unit 154 further sets the access control flag ADF to a first value to attempt a session connection with the EV-DO system.

In addition, the control unit 100 further includes a timer 155 for counting the elapse of a predetermined time, and the mode control unit 151 sets the access control flag ADF stored in the memory 300 upon expiration of the timer 155. The apparatus further includes a time checker 156 that sets the first value. The timer starts counting when the timer is disconnected because it fails to connect to the EV-DO system.

The radio environment monitoring unit 154 and the time check unit 156, which are components of the mode control unit 151, proceed in a concurrent process. As another method, when the timer 155 is set and expires, the timer 155 may interrupt the mode control unit 151 to cause the mode setting unit 152 to attempt to reconnect to the EV-DO system. The time check section 156 is interpreted to cover such an embodiment. Furthermore, the wireless environment monitoring unit 154 may be integrally implemented with the 1x communication unit 153 to operate periodically during the operation of the 1x communication unit 153. Since this is a obvious modification according to the diversification of the software implementation manner, the present invention is intended to cover such modification.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the mode controller 151 detects a change in the wireless environment from the change in the detailed identification information of the 1x system. Since the change of the wireless environment is detected by the information of the 1x system during the data call connection to the 1x system, it has an additional advantage that it is possible to know when to try a proper call connection to the EV-DO system without switching the system. Such detailed identification information may be, for example, system information included in an overhead message of a CDMA 2000 1x system. For example, since the base station identifier of the system parameter in the overhead message or the neighbor cell identifier of the neighbor list parameter in the overhead message is detailed information of the wireless system to which the mobile communication terminal is connected, the wireless environment caused by the movement of the terminal is changed. It may be the simplest detection means for detecting.

Operation of the above-described embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operation mode of a hybrid terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the terminal requests the system to set up the data call to initiate the data call, and sets the ADF (Access Deny Flag) provided according to the characteristic aspect of the present invention to 'FALSE' (step S111). As is well known, the initiation of a data call can also originate from a base station system, in which case the invention applies equally. This ADF flag is checked periodically or non-periodically at the beginning of every data call setup or in the middle of the data call (step S113). If this flag is set to TRUE, connection to the EV-DO system is established. Abandon and connect to 1x system (step S151).

If this flag is set to 'FALSE', F_CNT, which is a count that counts the number of connection failures, is initialized (step S114), and negotiation for opening an EV-DO session is started (step S115). EV-DO system information for opening a session is obtained from the paging channel of the 1x system. If the session start fails (step S117), the attempt to reconnect is repeated if the number of failures is not exceeded and the maximum value MAX is not exceeded (step S115). If the F_CNT value exceeds the set MAX value, the connection to the EV-DO system is abandoned, the ADF flag is set to 'TRUE', the internal timer is started (step S123), and the data call is made to the 1x system. It starts (step S151). During the data call through the 1x system, the mode controller 151 of the hybrid terminal monitors the change of the wireless environment through the control channel of the 1x communication unit 153 (step S153).

The hybrid terminal updates the overhead message to perform its location registration while staying in the 1x system. Overhead messages include system parameter messages, access parameter messages, extended system parameter messages, neighbor list parameter messages, and channel list parameter messages. Etc. are included. The system parameter message includes information such as a network ID (NID), a slot cycle index (SCI), a packet zone ID (Packet Zone_ID), and a base station ID (base station ID), which are essential for call reception. The access parameter message contains the information required for the hybrid terminal to access the 1X system from the EV-DO system, and the extended system parameter message contains the system parameters added as the evolution from the Interim Standard (IS) -95B system to the 1X system. Included.

In addition, the neighbor list parameter message includes information about a neighbor cell identifier, which is a cell ID of a neighboring cell adjacent to a cell where the hybrid terminal is located, and the channel list parameter message forms a call by the hybrid terminal. And information on frequency channels through which voice can be transmitted and received.

Since the base station identifier is an identifier of the base station to which the mobile communication terminal is currently connected, it changes when the mobile communication terminal moves the cell. The neighbor cell parameter is a set of candidate base stations that can be accessed by paging in addition to the currently connected base station, and thus varies when the terminal moves through the cell. By detecting such changes in the parameters, the mobile communication terminal can effectively determine the possibility of change in the wireless environment.

The wireless environment monitoring unit 154 of the mode control unit 151 according to the present invention detects such a change in the wireless environment (step S155), and if it is changed, sets the ADF flag to start the connection attempt again to the EV-DO system. Branching is made after setting to 'FALSE' (step S113).

On the other hand, even if the timer expires according to an additional aspect of the present invention (step S157), the ADF flag is set to 'FALSE' and then branches (step S113). Since the timer event is processed as a hardware interrupt, it actually proceeds in parallel with the operation of the mode controller 151. The mode control unit 151 sequentially activates the 1x communication unit 153, monitors the EV-DO channel by activating the EV-DO communication unit 159 in the middle, and responds to a timer event. Therefore, although steps S153, S155, S159, and S157 are shown in FIG. 2 as following S123, this is for convenience of illustration only, and the check of the timer event and the air environment is actually performed in parallel with the data communication. It is desirable to be implemented in a process. For example, the function of the time check unit 154 may be effectively implemented by an interrupt initiated by a timer event, and the wireless environment monitoring unit 152 may proceed in parallel with the 1x communication unit 153, or the 1x communication unit ( It is preferable to implement the operation periodically inserted during the progress of 153. Furthermore, when the ADF flag is set to FALSE, an interrupt is generated in response to this event, whereby the process of step S113 or below, which is a reconnection attempt routine to the EV-DO system, is preferably activated immediately.

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, when a hybrid terminal moves in an unstable wireless environment such as a PCF boundary area, it is possible to switch to a newly obtainable EV-DO system as soon as possible to provide high-speed data service.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but is not limited thereto, and is interpreted by the appended claims, which are intended to cover many variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Should be done.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a hybrid terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an operation mode of a hybrid terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of Symbols for Major Parts of Drawings>

100 control unit 130 voice communication unit

150: data communication unit 151: mode control unit

152: mode setting unit 153: 1x communication unit

154: wireless environment monitoring unit 155: timer

156: time check unit 159: EV-DO communication unit

300: memory 600: display unit

700: voice input and output circuit 800: keypad

900: wireless communication unit

Claims (23)

A first communication unit for transmitting and receiving data with a first communication system, a second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data with a second communication system providing a relatively improved communication with respect to the first communication system, and the first communication unit and a second communication unit. A hybrid mobile communication terminal comprising a mode control unit for controlling switching between communication units, The mode controller monitors a change in a wireless environment while the call connection with the first communication system is performed through the first communication unit. When the wireless environment is changed, the wireless environment monitoring unit attempts to connect a session with the second communication system. Mobile communication terminal comprising a. The mobile communication terminal of claim 1, further comprising a timer for counting the elapse of a predetermined time, wherein the mode control unit further includes a time checker for attempting to connect with the second communication system when the timer expires. Mobile communication terminal comprising a. The mobile communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the mode control unit detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in detailed identification information of the first communication system. The mobile communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the first communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x system and the second communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO system. The mobile communication terminal of claim 4, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in an overhead message of a CDMA 2000 1x system. The mobile communication terminal of claim 5, wherein the mode control unit detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in a base station identifier of a system parameter in the overhead message. 6. The mobile communication terminal of claim 5, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change of neighbor cell identifiers of a neighbor list parameter of the overhead message. A first communication unit for transmitting and receiving data with the first communication system; A second communication unit for transmitting and receiving data to and from a second communication system providing relatively improved communication with respect to the first communication system; A memory in which an access control flag is stored; Controlling switching between the first communication unit and the second communication unit according to the setting value of the access control flag stored in the memory, giving priority to the call connection to the second communication system, During a call connection with the first communication system through the first communication unit, if the wireless environment changes by monitoring a change in the wireless environment, attempting to connect a session with the second communication system using the access control flag stored in the memory. Wireless environment monitoring unit set to the first value A mode control unit including a; Mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein the mode controller blocks the call connection attempt with the second communication system when the access control flag stored in the memory is unsuccessful for a predetermined number of times by attempting a session connection through the second communication unit. The mobile communication terminal further comprises a mode setting unit for setting to the second value. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mobile communication terminal further comprises a timer for counting a lapse of a predetermined time, wherein the mode controller checks a time for setting an access control flag stored in a memory as the first value when the timer expires. A mobile communication terminal further comprising a unit. The mobile communication terminal of claim 9, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in detailed identification information of the first communication system. 10. The mobile communication terminal of claim 9, wherein the first communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x system and the second communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO system. The mobile communication terminal of claim 12, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in an overhead message of a CDMA 2000 1x system. The mobile communication terminal of claim 13, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in a base station identifier of a system parameter in the overhead message. The mobile communication terminal of claim 13, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change of neighbor cell identifiers of a neighbor list parameter of the overhead message. A method of controlling an operation mode of a hybrid mobile communication terminal capable of transmitting and receiving data with both a first communication system and a second communication system that provides relatively improved communication with respect to the first communication system, wherein the second call is established. If priority is given to the communication system and the session connection with the second communication unit fails for a predetermined number of times, the first communication system processes the call connection, but if the wireless environment is changed by monitoring the change in the wireless environment, the second communication is performed. A method of controlling an operation mode of a hybrid mobile communication terminal, characterized by retrying a session connection with a system. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the change of the communication mode between the first communication system and the second communication system is controlled by a setting value of an internal flag. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the change of the wireless environment is detected from a change of detailed identification information of the first communication system. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein if the method fails to establish a session connection with the second communication system, the second communication is again performed when a predetermined time elapses by additionally driving a timer while processing a call connection to the first communication system. Method of controlling the operation mode of a hybrid mobile communication terminal, characterized in that attempting to connect to the system session. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x system and the second communication system is a CDMA 2000 1x EV-DO system. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in an overhead message of a CDMA 2000 1x system. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change in a base station identifier of a system parameter in the overhead message. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the mode controller detects a change in a wireless environment from a change of neighbor cell identifiers of a neighbor list parameter of the overhead message.