KR20110128473A - Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and control method thereof are provided to properly use a mobile communication network and an internet network as a hybrid type. CONSTITUTION: A mobile communication module(112) performs a first communication with an opponent terminal through a mobile communication network. A WiFI module performs an AP(Access Point) and a WiFi connection which is connected to the internet network. A control unit(180) performs a control operation to enable a second communication about the opponent terminal to be attempt through the internet network while maintaining the first communication while connecting the WiFI module with the AP. A first communication is a voice communication.

Description

Mobile terminal and its control method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a method of controlling the same so that user's convenience can be further considered to enable the use of the terminal.

The terminal can move And can be divided into a mobile / portable terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. 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.

Such a terminal has various functions, for example, in the form of a multimedia device having multiple functions such as photographing and photographing of a moving picture, reproduction of a music or video file, reception of a game and broadcasting, etc. .

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.

Recently, a wireless access point (hereinafter, abbreviated as "AP") capable of providing a wireless LAN service according to the IEEE 802.11 standard and a mobile terminal capable of accessing the Internet have been introduced. Wireless Local Area Network (hereinafter, abbreviated as "WLAN") means a LAN to a mobile terminal equipped with a WLAN card or a bus module using an AP device corresponding to a hub of a wired LAN. ) A network environment that provides services. In the field of mobile communication technology, IEEE 802.11 technology is often referred to as "Wi-Fi." The terms "Wireless LAN" and "Wi-Fi" used in the following description mean both technologies based on IEEE 802.11.

When the Wi-Fi function is activated in the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal can access the Internet network by Wi-Fi connection to a wireless AP connected to the Internet network.

Accordingly, the mobile terminal can communicate with the counterpart terminal through a mobile communication network such as a 3G network as well as with the counterpart terminal through the internet network through the Wi-Fi connection. Communication through the mobile communication network has the advantage that can be carried out regardless of the place relatively, but generally has the disadvantage of being paid. On the other hand, the communication through the Internet network by the Wi-Fi connection is generally free, but has the disadvantage of being relatively place-friendly. Accordingly, when the mobile terminal communicates with the counterpart terminal, the mobile communication network and the internet network are suitably used in a hybrid form so that the advantages of the mobile communication network and the internet network can compensate for each other's disadvantages. More research is needed on how to maximize it.

The present invention is proposed according to the above-described needs, and maximizes the convenience of the terminal user by appropriately using the mobile communication network and the internet network in a hybrid form so that the advantages of the mobile communication network and the internet network can compensate for the disadvantages of each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal and a control method thereof.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a mobile communication module for performing a first communication with a counterpart terminal through a mobile communication network, a Wi-Fi module for making a Wi-Fi connection with an access point connected to an Internet network, and a first communication. When the Wi-Fi module is a Wi-Fi connection with the access point during the communication, the mobile terminal including a control unit for controlling the second communication can be attempted through the Internet network to the other terminal while maintaining the first communication do.

In addition, to achieve the above object, the present invention, performing the first communication with the counterpart terminal through a mobile communication network, during the first communication, the step of connecting to an access point (Access Point) connected to the Internet network and the Wi-Fi connection, and When a Wi-Fi connection is established, a method of controlling a mobile terminal, comprising the step of attempting a second communication to the counterpart terminal through the internet network while maintaining a first communication.

The effects of the mobile terminal and its control method according to the present invention are as follows.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, the mobile terminal can use various types of communication with the counterpart terminal at low cost by appropriately using the mobile communication network and the Internet network in a hybrid form.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
4 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a mobile terminal accessing an AP according to the present invention.
6 is a graph showing an activation-deactivation mode transition of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
7 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
8 and 9 are graphs illustrating activation-deactivation mode transitions of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
10 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
11 is a graph illustrating an activation-deactivation mode transition of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
12 to 15 schematically show a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
16 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
17, 18 and 20 schematically illustrate a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
19 and 21 are state diagrams of a display screen on which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.
22 to 26 schematically illustrate a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.
27 and 28 are state diagrams of a display screen in which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

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.

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. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 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, and a location information module 115 .

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. 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 related information may mean 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).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only A digital broadcasting system such as DVB-CB, OMA-BCAST, or Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). 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), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), CDMA, WCDMA, Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like may be used.

Hereinafter, the wireless Internet module by Wi-Fi will be referred to as a "Wi-Fi module" in particular.

In view of the fact that the wireless Internet access by Wibro, HSDPA, GPRS, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, etc. is basically made through the mobile communication network, the wireless Internet module 113 which performs the wireless Internet access through the mobile communication network is the mobile terminal. It may be understood as a kind of communication module 112.

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 from three or more satellites, and then applies trigonometry to the calculated information to obtain a three-dimensional string of latitude, longitude, The location information can be accurately calculated. At present, a method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting an 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 can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. 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 key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

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. This will be described later with reference to the touch screen.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, which includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, a haptic module 154, and a projector module ( 155) may be included.

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, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

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, the 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", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

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 tactile effects that the 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 an injection or inlet port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of an 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 projector module 155 is a component for performing an image project function using the mobile terminal 100 and is similar to the image displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with a control signal of the controller 180 Or at least partly display another image on an external screen or wall.

Specifically, the projector module 155 includes a light source (not shown) that generates light (for example, laser light) for outputting an image to the outside, a light source And a lens (not shown) for enlarging and outputting the image at a predetermined focal distance to the outside. Further, the projector module 155 may include a device (not shown) capable of mechanically moving the lens or the entire module to adjust the image projection direction.

The projector module 155 can be divided into a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) module, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module and a DLP (Digital Light Processing) module according to the type of the display means. In particular, the DLP module may be advantageous for miniaturization of the projector module 151 by enlarging and projecting an image generated by reflecting light generated from a light source on a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) chip.

Preferably, the projector module 155 may be provided longitudinally on the side, front or back side of the mobile terminal 100. It goes without saying that the projector module 155 may be provided at any position of the mobile terminal 100 as occasion demands.

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.

In addition, the memory unit 160 may store a database in which a location associated with an access point is registered. The database may be generated when the first Wi-Fi connection and disconnection is performed in the mobile terminal 100 and then updated according to the subsequent Wi-Fi connection and disconnection. Alternatively, the database may be downloaded from the outside via, for example, the Internet and then updated as subsequent Wi-Fi connections and disconnections occur.

The database stores location information associated with the access point. The location information may be a value measured by the location information module 115 at a location where the Wi-Fi module is Wi-Fi connected to an access point. Alternatively, the location information may be a cell ID of a base station with which the mobile communication module is communicating at a location where the Wi-Fi module is connected to an access point by Wi-Fi. That is, in the present invention, both the measured value and the cell ID of the location information module 115 may belong to location information associated with the access point. Only the location information related to the access points may be stored in the database, or at least one of a media access control address (MAC) and a service set ID (SSID) of the access point may be stored together with the location information.

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, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an 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. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit 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 may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated 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.

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 can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable 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 includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. 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. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area 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 operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may 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 manipulation unit 131 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second manipulation unit 132 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or displays 151. Command, such as activating / deactivating the touch recognition mode.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having the same or different pixels as the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

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

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

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. The touch pad 135 may be of a light transmission type for the display unit 151. [ In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information on both sides (i.e., in the direction of both the front and rear surfaces of the mobile terminal), the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. do. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135.

Meanwhile, since a display dedicated to the touch pad 135 is separately installed, the touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to a control method that can be implemented in the mobile terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of course, the embodiments described below may be used alone or in combination with each other.

An embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. 4 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a mobile terminal accessing an AP according to the present invention. 6 is a graph showing an activation-deactivation mode transition of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 100 accesses the wireless AP 200 within a predetermined distance (that is, an effective communication distance) to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 [S31]. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, an area within an effective communication distance from the wireless AP 200 will be referred to as "Wi-Fi area (A)". In addition, the wireless AP 200 assumes that the mobile terminal 100 has not previously connected to Wi-Fi.

The Wi-Fi access process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

The wireless AP 200 periodically transmits a beacon signal.

The Wi-Fi module 113 may be in one of an active mode and an inactive mode. The activation mode and the deactivation mode are described again later.

Among the two modes, when the Wi-Fi module 113 is in the active mode and the mobile terminal 100 is located within a certain distance from the wireless AP 200, the Wi-Fi module 113 is the wireless AP (200) The wireless AP 200 may be searched by receiving the beacon signal transmitted by the mobile station [S51].

When the discovery procedure is completed, the mobile terminal 100 sends an authentication request message to the wireless AP 200 and receives an authentication response message from the wireless AP 200 in response thereto. Perform authentication (S52, S53).

In most cases, since the open system authentication scheme is used, the wireless AP unconditionally authenticates the authentication request from the mobile terminal. Enhanced authentication methods include 802.1x-based EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, EAP-FAST, and PEAP.

When the authentication procedure is completed, the mobile terminal 100 sends an association request message to the wireless AP 200 and receives an association response message from the wireless AP 200 in response thereto. Association is performed [S54, S55]. The combining procedure is a procedure in which the mobile terminal 100 accesses the wireless AP 200 and participates in a wireless network provided by the wireless AP 200.

When the coupling procedure is completed, the mobile terminal 100 completes the Wi-Fi connection to the wireless AP 200 [S56].

Hereinafter, the activation mode and the deactivation mode of the Wi-Fi module 113 will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The activation mode refers to a state in which the Wi-Fi module 113 can establish a wireless connection with the wireless AP during normal operation, and the deactivation mode means that the Wi-Fi module 113 stops normal operation. It means a state of reducing power consumption. That is, the power consumption is high when the Wi-Fi module 113 is in the active mode, but no power consumption or significantly reduced when the Wi-Fi module 113 is in the inactive mode.

The definition of the activation mode and the deactivation mode may be applied to other modules (eg, the location information module).

The Wi-Fi module 113 continues to activate until the mobile terminal 100 enters the Wi-Fi area A (ie, until the Wi-Fi module 113 can access the wireless AP 200). When in the mode, the mobile terminal 100 increases power consumption.

In order to reduce such power consumption, the Wi-Fi module 113 enters the activation mode for a short time at predetermined time intervals as shown in (6-1) of FIG. 6. Hereinafter, the time interval for the Wi-Fi module 113 to enter the activation mode before the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 will be referred to as a "basic time interval".

More specifically, the Wi-Fi module 113 may automatically enter the activation mode from the deactivation mode and attempt to search for a beacon signal at the basic time interval. If the Wi-Fi module 113 does not receive the beacon signal until a predetermined time elapses after the search attempt, the Wi-Fi module 113 returns to the deactivation mode again. However, when the mobile terminal 100 is within the Wi-Fi area A when the Wi-Fi module 113 attempts to search for the beacon signal, the Wi-Fi connection may be received within the predetermined time. The procedure remains in the activation mode for further processing.

On the other hand, the Wi-Fi module 113 is not necessarily configured to automatically enter the activation mode for the beacon signal search.

As shown in (6-2) of FIG. 6, when the terminal user arbitrarily desires to input a beacon signal search command manually through appropriate manipulation of the user input unit 130, the Wi-Fi module 113 The beacon signal search may be attempted by entering the activation mode from the deactivation mode. As described above, if the Wi-Fi module 113 does not receive the beacon signal until a predetermined time elapses after the search attempt, the Wi-Fi module 113 returns to the deactivation mode. In addition, as described above, if the Wi-Fi module 113 can receive the beacon signal within the predetermined time when the Wi-Fi module 113 attempts to search for the beacon signal, the Wi-Fi module 113 is kept in the activation mode to continue the Wi-Fi connection procedure.

When the Wi-Fi access procedure is completed, the controller 180 moves the location information module 115 (eg, a GPS module) when the mobile terminal 100 is Wi-Fi connected with the wireless AP 200. Obtain location information (ie, location information associated with the Wi-Fi area A) regarding the current location of the terminal 100 [S32].

If the acquired location information is not registered in the AP database, the controller 180 updates the AP database by registering it [S33]. In addition to the location information, at least one of the MAC address and SSID (Service Set ID) of the wireless AP 200 may be updated together.

The location information is to facilitate the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 when the mobile terminal 100 enters the Wi-Fi area A again after leaving the Wi-Fi area A. This will be explained later.

7 to 9, the activation-deactivation mode transition of the Wi-Fi module when the mobile terminal 100 releases the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 will be described.

7 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented. 8 and 9 are graphs illustrating activation-deactivation mode transitions of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 may release the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 [S34].

When the Wi-Fi connection is released, the controller 180 determines whether the mobile terminal 100 is out of the Wi-Fi area A as shown in FIG. 7 through the location information module 115 (ie, the Or more than a certain distance from the registered current position).

If it is determined that the Wi-Fi area (A) is out of the control unit 180, the Wi-Fi module 113, as shown in (8-1) of FIG. The control unit may switch to the deactivation mode and maintain the deactivation mode until entering the A region (or another Wi-Fi region) or manually inputting the beacon signal search command.

Alternatively, as illustrated in (8-2) of FIG. 8, the controller 180 switches the activation mode from the activation mode to the deactivation mode immediately after the Wi-Fi module 113 is released from the Wi-Fi connection. It may be controlled to enter the activation mode at a basic time interval.

However, if it is determined that it does not leave the Wi-Fi area A, the controller 180 determines that the Wi-Fi module 113 is at the time of disconnecting the Wi-Fi connection as shown in (9-1) of FIG. 9. The activation mode may be maintained until the waiting time Tw elapses to control the Wi-Fi reconnection with the wireless AP 200. If the Wi-Fi reconnection is still unsuccessful until the waiting time Tw has elapsed, the controller 180 switches the Wi-Fi module 200 to the inactive mode and moves to the area A (or another Wi-Fi area). It may be controlled to remain in the deactivation mode until the entry or the beacon signal search command is manually input.

Alternatively, as shown in (9-2) of FIG. 9, the controller 180 is the standby after the Wi-Fi module 113 is switched from the active mode to the inactive mode at the time of the Wi-Fi connection release time. It may be controlled to enter the activation mode at a first modified time interval shorter than the basic time interval until the time Tw elapses and attempt to reconnect with the wireless AP 200. If the Wi-Fi reconnection is still unsuccessful until the waiting time Tw has elapsed, the controller 180 can control the Wi-Fi module 113 to enter the activation mode once at the basic time interval.

In Fig. 9 (9-2), the first deformation time interval is shown to be fixed within the waiting time. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the first modification time interval may be variable within the waiting time. In (9-3) of FIG. 9, it is illustrated that the first modification time interval is a variable time interval that increases exponentially during the waiting time Tw after the disconnection time point as time passes.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, after the mobile terminal 100 releases the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP by leaving the Wi-Fi area A, the mobile terminal 100 enters the Wi-Fi area A again. Attempting to reconnect to Wi-Fi with a wireless AP will now be described.

10 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented. 11 is a graph illustrating an activation-deactivation mode transition of the Wi-Fi module according to an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The controller 180 detects the current position of the mobile terminal continuously or from time to time through the position information module 115 [S35].

And, as shown in (11-1) of Figure 11, until the mobile terminal 100 re-enter the Wi-Fi area (A), the controller 180 is the Wi-Fi module 113 in the inactive mode Keep it.

The mobile terminal 100 may re-enter the Wi-Fi area A.

When the mobile terminal 100 re-enters the Wi-Fi area A, the controller 180 can keep track of the current position of the mobile terminal 100 through the location information module 115.

The controller 180 refers to the AP database in relation to the identified current position.

That is, the controller 180 compares the determined current location with the location of the Wi-Fi area A updated in the AP database.

When the identified current location becomes equal to the Wi-Fi area A location within a predetermined tolerance range, the controller 180 may determine that there is a wireless AP in the vicinity of the identified current location.

If the MAC address or the SSID of the wireless AP 200 is updated in the AP database, the controller 180 can check up to which wireless AP is the wireless AP 200.

When the identified current position becomes equal to the Wi-Fi area A within a certain tolerance range, the controller 180 controls the Wi-Fi module 113 to be switched from the inactive mode to the active mode and maintained.

In addition, the Wi-Fi module 113 switched to the activation mode attempts a Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 [S36].

Alternatively, as shown in (11-2) of FIG. 11, the Wi-Fi module 113 is in the deactivation mode at each basic time interval until the mobile terminal 100 re-enters the Wi-Fi area A. Enter the activation mode.

As described above, the mobile terminal 100 may re-enter the Wi-Fi area A.

Then, as described above, when the mobile terminal 100 re-enters the Wi-Fi area A, the controller 180 continues the current position of the mobile terminal 100 through the location information module 115. And may refer to the AP database in relation to the identified current location.

When the identified current location becomes equal to the Wi-Fi area A location within a predetermined tolerance range, the controller 180 may determine that there is a wireless AP in the vicinity of the identified current location.

When the determined current position becomes equal to the Wi-Fi area A within a predetermined tolerance range, the controller 180 causes the Wi-Fi module 113 to switch from the deactivation mode to the activation mode at every second modification time interval. To control. The second deformation time interval is shorter than the base time interval. The second strain time interval may be the same as or different from the first strain time interval.

In addition, the Wi-Fi module 113 enters into the activation mode at every basic time interval or at a second modified time interval, and attempts to establish a Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 [S36].

Since the Wi-Fi access attempt has already been described above, a detailed description will be omitted for simplicity of the present specification.

In the above description, the controller 180 determines the current position of the mobile terminal 100 through the location information module 115 and determines the switching to the activation mode of the Wi-Fi module 113. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and the controller 180 detects the current position of the mobile terminal 100 through the mobile communication module 112 instead of the location information module 115 and the Wi-Fi module. The transition to the activation mode of 113 can be determined. This will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

12 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.

When the Wi-Fi module 113 makes a Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 in the Wi-Fi area A, the controller 180 determines that the mobile communication module 112 has at least one base station C1 or C2 around the Wi-Fi module 113. And C3) to receive the corresponding cell ID from the base stations. Mobile communication with the base station may be in an idle mode. When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to the Internet through the base station, the cell ID may be an IP address provided by the base station to the mobile terminal 100.

The controller 180 updates the cell ID received from the base stations as the location information of the Wi-Fi area A in the AP database. The controller 180 may store all of the cell IDs C1, C2, and C3 from the base stations as location information corresponding to the region A, and provide a cell ID of the base station that provides the best reception strength among the base stations. Only (C1) can be stored.

In addition, when the Wi-Fi module 113 releases the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200, the controller 180 determines a current location that is determined using the cell ID of the base station received by the mobile communication module 112. Using the Wi-Fi module 113 determines whether to switch between the activation mode and the deactivation mode. Since the switching between the activation mode and the deactivation mode using the current location has already been described above, details thereof will be omitted for simplicity of the present specification.

The controller 180 may determine that the mobile terminal 100 has entered the Wi-Fi area A when all of the cell IDs are received, and receives the cell ID of the base station providing the best reception strength. When the mobile terminal 100 may be determined to enter the Wi-Fi area (A).

In the above description, the controller 180 determines the current location of the mobile terminal 100 using the cell ID received by the mobile communication module 112 from the base station, and activates the activation mode of the Wi-Fi module 113. Determining the transition between the inactive modes will be described.

However, the current location identified using the cell ID may be inaccurate than that obtained through the location information module. However, if you continue to activate the location information module to accurately determine the current location, since the active location information module continues to consume a certain power, this may be disadvantageous in terms of power consumption reduction of the mobile terminal (100). have.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the position measurement using the position information module described above and the position measurement using the base station cell ID described above are merged in a hybrid form to determine the current position of the mobile terminal 100. An advantageous method is also described in terms of power consumption reduction while ensuring accuracy.

13 to 15 schematically illustrate a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.

As shown in FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 100 is Wi-Fi connected with the wireless AP 200 in the Wi-Fi area A. FIG.

In this case, the controller 180 may obtain the location information of the mobile terminal 100 when the Wi-Fi connection is made through the location information module 115.

If the obtained location information is not registered in the AP database, the controller 180 updates it in the AP database.

The controller 180 registers the cell IDs C1, C2, and C3 of the at least one base station received by the mobile communication module 112 as location information associated with the Wi-Fi area A in the AP database. .

Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200 is released by the mobile terminal 100 leaving the Wi-Fi area A. FIG.

Then, the controller 180 controls both the Wi-Fi module 113 and the location information module 115 to enter a deactivation mode. When the Wi-Fi module 113 is connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi module 113 does not have to be completely in an inactive mode as shown in (8-1) of FIG. 8. As shown in (8-2) of FIG. 8, the activation mode may sometimes be entered at the basic time interval.

Even if the mobile terminal 100 leaves the Wi-Fi area A, the mobile communication module 112 may be in communication with the base station in an idle mode so that it can receive a telephone call signal at any time.

In FIG. 14, since the mobile communication module 112 receives cell IDs C2, C3, and C4 from a base station different from when the mobile communication module 112 is in the Wi-Fi area A, the controller 180 controls the Wi-Fi module 113. ) And the location information module 115 are still in an inactive mode.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the mobile terminal 100 approaches the Wi-Fi area A, the mobile communication module 112 receives a cell ID C1 from neighboring base stations of the Wi-Fi area A. FIG. , C2, C3).

Therefore, when the control unit 180 refers to the received cell IDs C1, C2, and C3 to the AP database, the controller 180 knows that the mobile terminal 100 has reached at least near the Wi-Fi area A. have.

Then, the controller 180 controls the position information module 115 to switch to the activation mode in order to determine the exact position of the mobile terminal 100.

In addition, the controller 180 determines the current position of the mobile terminal 100 through the activated position information module 115 and refers to the identified current position to the AP database.

However, as shown in FIG. 15, since the mobile terminal 100 is not yet within the Wi-Fi area A, the identified current location is related to the Wi-Fi area A registered in the AP database. The information may not match. If not matched, the controller 180 can control the Wi-Fi module 113 to remain in the deactivation mode.

The mobile terminal 100 in which the location information module 115 is activated may enter the Wi-Fi area A as shown in FIG. 13.

Then, the controller 180 determines the current location of the mobile terminal 100 through the activated location information module 115 and refers to the AP database with respect to the identified current location.

Since the mobile terminal 100 is still within the Wi-Fi area A, the identified current location may be matched with location information related to the Wi-Fi area A registered in the AP database.

Then, the controller 180 may control the Wi-Fi module 113 to enter the activation mode so as to attempt Wi-Fi connection with the wireless AP 200.

In the above, it has been described that the mobile terminal efficiently searches for a wireless AP and connects to Wi-Fi. Hereinafter, when the mobile terminal is connected to the wireless AP and the Wi-Fi connection will be described to implement the communication in various forms with the other terminal. The counterpart terminal is not limited as long as it has a mobile communication function and a Wi-Fi connection function. The counterpart terminal may have the same configuration as that of the mobile terminal.

Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the mobile terminal from the counterpart terminal, the mobile terminal will be referred to as 100A and the counterpart terminal will be referred to as 100B. The display screen of the mobile terminal 100A will be referred to by reference numeral 400.

16 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. 17, 18 and 20 schematically illustrate a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented. 19 and 21 are state diagrams of a display screen on which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.

As illustrated in FIG. 17, the mobile terminal 100A is in a first communication, that is, a voice call, with the counterpart terminal 100B through a mobile communication network using the mobile communication module [S161]. The process of establishing a call between the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B so as to make the voice call will be easily understood by those skilled in the art, and thus the detailed description is omitted for simplicity of the present specification. I'll do it.

The mobile terminal 100A is located outside the first Wi-Fi area A provided by the first wireless AP 200A. Thus, the mobile terminal 100A does not have a Wi-Fi connection with the first wireless AP 200A.

The counterpart terminal 100B is located outside the second Wi-Fi area B provided by the second wireless AP 200B. Thus, the counterpart terminal 100B also does not have a Wi-Fi connection with the second wireless AP 200B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the counterpart terminal 100B may be connected to the second wireless AP 200B by moving to the second Wi-Fi area B while continuing to execute the voice call. Accordingly, the counterpart terminal 100B may access the Internet network through the second wireless AP 200B. Hereinafter, in order to distinguish it from an internet network that can be accessed through the mobile communication network, an internet network that can be accessed through the first wireless AP 200A or the second wireless AP 200B will be referred to as a "Wi-Fi Internet network".

Since the Wi-Fi access process has already been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

Then, the counterpart terminal 100B may transmit a Wi-Fi access notification signal including the IP address allocated from the second wireless AP 200B to the mobile terminal 100A through the mobile communication network through which the voice call is made. The IP address is information for later identifying the counterpart terminal 100B by the mobile terminal 100A through the Wi-Fi Internet network. Therefore, if it is information that can identify the counterpart terminal 100B through the Wi-Fi Internet network, such as a MAC address, for example, the IP address may be substituted.

When a 2G voice call is made between the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B, the counterpart terminal 100B includes a message including the Wi-Fi connection notification signal (for example, a short message or a multimedia message). Or the like, but not limited thereto, may be transmitted to the mobile terminal 100A through the mobile communication network.

Alternatively, when a 3G voice call is made between the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B, in addition to the method of using the message, the Wi-Fi connection notification signal may be packetized to packetize the Wi-Fi connection notification signal. With a voice data packet can be transmitted to the mobile terminal (100A) through the mobile communication network.

Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100A may recognize that the counterpart terminal 100B is connected to Wi-Fi by receiving the Wi-Fi connection notification signal.

When the mobile terminal 100A starts a voice call with the counterpart terminal 100B, the display screen 400 of the mobile terminal 100A may be displayed as shown in (19-1) of FIG. 19. . An identifier (eg, “Judy”) of the counterpart terminal may be displayed on the display screen 400.

Thereafter, as the mobile terminal 100A receives the Wi-Fi connection notification signal from the counterpart terminal 100B, the Wi-Fi indicator 401 for notifying the counter as shown in (19-2) of FIG. 19 is displayed. It may be displayed near the identifier of the terminal. However, it is not necessary for the user of the mobile terminal 100A (hereinafter referred to as "terminal user") to know the reception of the Wi-Fi connection notification signal. Accordingly, the Wi-Fi indicator may not be displayed on the display screen 400.

Next, as shown in FIG. 20, the Wi-Fi module of the mobile terminal 100A moves to the first wireless AP by moving the mobile terminal 100A into the first Wi-Fi area A while continuing to execute the voice call. Wi-Fi connection can be made with the 200A [S162]. That is, the mobile terminal 100A may access the Wi-Fi internet network through the first wireless AP 200A.

The mobile terminal 100A connects to the Wi-Fi internet network while the counterpart terminal 100B has not yet connected to the Wi-Fi internet network, so that the mobile terminal 100A is still connected to the Wi-Fi internet network from the counterpart terminal 100B. In some cases, the access notification signal may not be received. In this case, the mobile terminal 100A may transmit a Wi-Fi connection notification signal to inform the counterpart terminal 100B that the mobile terminal 100A is inversely connected to the Wi-Fi Internet network.

As illustrated in (21-1) of FIG. 21, the mobile terminal 100A may display a selection window 410 asking the terminal user whether to make a Wi-Fi video call.

The selection window 410 may be displayed as soon as the mobile terminal 100A does not have a Wi-Fi connection to the first wireless AP 200A, or may be displayed after a predetermined time elapses after the Wi-Fi connection. The reason for waiting for the predetermined time elapses is to exclude the case in which the mobile terminal 100A accidentally passes through the first Wi-Fi area A and the Wi-Fi connection is soon released due to Wi-Fi connection regardless of the terminal user's intention. .

The terminal user may not want a Wi-Fi video call through the selection window 410. Then, the mobile terminal 100A only keeps the voice call with the counterpart terminal 100B, as shown in (19-1) or (19-2) of FIG. 19.

However, the terminal user may want to make a Wi-Fi video call through the selection window 410. Then, the mobile terminal 100A uses the IP address of the counterpart terminal 100B included in the received Wi-Fi access notification signal to perform a second communication with the counterpart terminal 100B through the Wi-Fi Internet network. That is, it may ask whether to start the video communication.

If the counterpart terminal 100B does not want the video communication, the mobile terminal 100A communicates with the counterpart terminal 100B as illustrated in (19-1) or (19-2) of FIG. 19. It just keeps the voice call.

However, if the counterpart terminal 100B wants the video communication, as shown in FIG. 20, the mobile terminal 100A displays an image of the terminal user while maintaining a voice call through the mobile communication network. It may transmit to the counterpart terminal 100B through the Internet network. The mobile terminal 100A may receive an image of the counterpart from the counterpart terminal 100B through the Wi-Fi internet network while maintaining a voice call through the mobile communication network.

That is, the mobile terminal 100 may initiate the video communication (second communication) through the Wi-Fi internet network while maintaining the voice call (first communication) with the counterpart terminal 100B and the mobile communication network. It may be [S163].

When the mobile terminal 100A simultaneously performs the voice call and the video communication, it can be seen as a video call service integrally to the terminal user, as shown in (21-2) of FIG.

Accordingly, the terminal user can make a video call with the counterpart using the Wi-Fi internet network.

In the above description, the mobile terminal 100A initiates the video communication with the counterpart terminal 100B using the Wi-Fi access notification signal received from the counterpart terminal 100B. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto. Even if the mobile terminal 100A does not receive the Wi-Fi connection notification signal from the counterpart terminal 100B, the mobile terminal 100A may initiate the video communication with the counterpart terminal 100B. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24.

22 to 24 schematically illustrate a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.

As shown in FIG. 22, the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B are in a voice call through the mobile communication network. The mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B are located outside the first Wi-Fi area A and the second Wi-Fi area B, and are not yet connected to the Wi-Fi internet network.

Meanwhile, a presence server 300 may exist in the Wi-Fi internet network. The presence server 300 displays the presence information on whether each buddy of the buddy list registered in advance by the terminal user is connected to the presence server 300 by accessing the Wi-Fi Internet network. It may be provided to the mobile terminal (100A).

It is assumed that the other party is registered in the buddy list as a buddy ("Judy") in advance. In FIG. 22, since the counterpart terminal 100B has not yet connected to the Wi-Fi Internet network, the counterpart is displayed as "offline" in the buddy list 310.

Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the counterpart terminal 100B may access the second wireless AP 200B and the Wi-Fi Internet network by moving into the second Wi-Fi area B while continuing to execute the voice call. . After accessing the Wi-Fi Internet network, the counterpart terminal 100B may manually access the presence server 300 according to the command of the counterpart. Alternatively, when accessing the Wi-Fi Internet network, the counterpart terminal 100B may automatically access the presence server 300 even without a command of the counterpart.

In FIG. 23, when the counterpart terminal 100B accesses the presence server 300, the counterpart “Judy” is displayed as “online” in the buddy list 310.

Then, as shown in FIG. 24, the mobile terminal 100A performs Wi-Fi connection with the first wireless AP 200A by moving into the first Wi-Fi area A while continuing to execute the voice call. Access to the network.

Like the counterpart terminal 100B, the mobile terminal 100A may also be connected to the presence server 300 automatically when connecting to the Wi-Fi Internet network or manually through the user input unit 130. Then, the mobile terminal 100A receives the presence information from the presence server 300, and from the received presence information, the counterpart (“Judy”) can know that the presence server 300 is connected. have.

Then, the mobile terminal 100 may start the video communication with the counterpart terminal 100B through the Wi-Fi Internet network (ie, the presence server 300) while maintaining the voice call through the mobile communication network. Can be. Since this has already been described above, a detailed description will be omitted for simplicity of the present specification.

In the above, it has been described that the video communication (ie, the second communication) is initiated through the Wi-Fi Internet network while the voice call (ie, the first communication) is maintained through the mobile communication network. However, the voice call does not have to be maintained only through the mobile communication network when the video communication is started. This will be described with reference to FIG. 25.

25 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented.

As shown in FIG. 25, when the mobile terminal 100A starts the video communication with the counterpart terminal 100B via the Wi-Fi Internet network, the voice call through the mobile communication network is interrupted and the Wi-Fi Internet is stopped. Voice calls over the network may be initiated with the video communication. That is, the voice call may be transferred from the mobile communication network to the Wi-Fi internet network and maintained.

The voice call may be initiated through the presence server 300. Alternatively, the voice call may be initiated using the IP address of the counterpart terminal included in the Wi-Fi access notification signal even though the presence server 300 does not go through.

In the above, it has been described that the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B both initiate the second communication while maintaining the first communication by connecting to the Wi-Fi Internet network.

However, the Wi-Fi connection may be weakened by the mobile terminal 100A attempting to leave, for example, the first Wi-Fi area A after the second communication is started. Hereinafter, the processing method of the second communication when the Wi-Fi connection is weakened will be described.

26 schematically illustrates a wireless environment in which an embodiment of a mobile terminal and a control method thereof according to the present invention can be implemented. 27 is a state diagram of a display screen in which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.

As shown in FIG. 26, the mobile terminal 100A moves to the boundary of the first Wi-Fi area A, for example, so that the strength of the Wi-Fi connection signal between the mobile terminal 100A and the first wireless AP 200A is increased. May weaken. When the Wi-Fi access signal falls below a certain threshold strength, the second communication may not be smooth. Or, it may be expected that the second communication may not be smooth soon when the threshold strength is not lowered but maintained for a predetermined time in the vicinity.

In this case, as shown in (27-1) of FIG. 27, the mobile terminal 100A automatically stops the video communication through the Wi-Fi internet network and maintains the voice call through the mobile communication network. Can be. If the video communication was maintained through the Wi-Fi Internet network, it may be transferred to the mobile communication network and maintained.

In (27-1) of FIG. 27, a guide 420 indicating that the video call is converted to the voice call may be displayed by stopping the video communication.

Alternatively, the mobile terminal 100A may display a selection window 430 for selecting whether to convert the video call into the voice call or convert the video call into a video call using the mobile communication network. .

If it is selected to switch to the voice call, the mobile terminal 100A stops the video communication and continues the voice call through the mobile communication network.

However, if it is selected to switch to a video call using the mobile communication network, the mobile terminal 100A inquires of the counterpart terminal 100B about moving and maintaining the video communication from the Wi-Fi internet network to the mobile communication network. If the counterpart terminal 100B agrees, both the voice call and the video communication are performed through the mobile communication network.

Since the selection may be made through appropriate manipulation of the user input unit 130, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the above description, when the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B become accessible to the Wi-Fi Internet network, a first communication is performed between the mobile terminal 100A and the second communication network through the Wi-Fi internet network. It has been described that the first communication and the second communication may be the voice call and the video communication, respectively.

However, at least a second communication among the first communication and the second communication does not necessarily need to be limited to the video call. This will be described with reference to FIG. 28 further.

28 is a state diagram of a display screen in which an embodiment of a control method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention is implemented.

When the mobile terminal 100A and the counterpart terminal 100B become accessible to the Wi-Fi Internet network, the mobile terminal 100A selects a window for selecting a second communication, as shown in FIG. 28. 440 may be displayed.

The selection window 440 includes "video call", "internet call", "blog connection", "chat", "email", "file transfer", and "sharing" as the second communication (limited thereto). Not selected). Hereinafter, each of them will be briefly described.

In the case of the "video telephone", as described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the "Internet call" is selected, the voice call (first communication) through the mobile communication network is interrupted and the voice call (second communication) through the Wi-Fi internet network is started. This may mean that the voice call (first communication) is transferred from the mobile communication network to the Wi-Fi Internet network and maintained. However, the first communication is transferred from the mobile communication network to the Wi-Fi Internet network and maintained according to the viewing time. It may be understood that the second communication) is disclosed.

When the "blog connection" is selected, a social network system (SNS), which is pre-registered for the counterpart, may be connected through the Wi-Fi Internet network while maintaining the voice call.

When the "chat" is selected, the IM (Instant Message) communication with the counterpart via the Wi-Fi Internet network can be maintained while maintaining the voice call.

If the "e-mail" is selected, it is possible to create and send an e-mail to the other party through the Wi-Fi Internet network while maintaining the voice call.

When the "file transfer" is selected, it is possible to transmit a file from the mobile terminal (100A) to the counterpart terminal (100B) via the Wi-Fi Internet network while maintaining the voice call.

When the "video sharing" is selected, a video executed by the mobile terminal 100A and displayed while maintaining the voice call may be transmitted to the counterpart terminal 100B by streaming.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof.

The present invention described above can be embodied as computer-readable codes on a medium on 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. Also, the computer may include a control unit 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 (15)

A mobile communication module for performing first communication with a counterpart terminal through a mobile communication network;
A Wi-Fi module for performing Wi-Fi connection with an Access Point connected to the Internet network; And
And a controller configured to control a second communication to the counterpart terminal through the internet network while maintaining the first communication when the Wi-Fi module is connected to the Wi-Fi connection with the access point during the first communication. terminal. The method of claim 1,
The first communication is a mobile terminal, characterized in that the voice communication. The method of claim 2,
And the second communication is at least one of a video communication, a social network system (SNS) connection communication, an IM communication, an email communication, a file transfer communication, and a video streaming communication. The apparatus of claim 3,
And when the Wi-Fi connection is established, controlling to maintain the first communication through the mobile communication network. The apparatus of claim 3,
When the Wi-Fi connection is established, stopping the first communication through the mobile communication network and initiating the first communication through the Internet network, thereby controlling to move and maintain the first communication from the mobile communication network to the Internet network. Mobile terminal. The apparatus of claim 3,
And when the Wi-Fi connection is established, control to display a communication list for a second communication, and control to select one communication as a second communication in the communication list. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit,
And a second communication is attempted when a predetermined time elapses from a Wi-Fi connection point with the access point. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit,
And receiving a first notification signal from the counterpart terminal indicating that the counterpart terminal is connected to the Wi-Fi connection during the first communication through the mobile communication network. The method of claim 8, wherein the control unit,
When the Wi-Fi module is able to access the Wi-Fi connection with the access point during the first communication, the mobile terminal is characterized in that the control to transmit a second notification signal indicating that the Wi-Fi connection to the counterpart terminal through the mobile communication network terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal,
A location information module for identifying a current location; And
The apparatus may further include a memory unit configured to store an access point database relating to a location associated with the access point.
And control the Wi-Fi module to perform a search for a neighboring access point based on the current location and the access point database. The method of claim 10, wherein the control unit,
And perform the search by initiating the access point search or by changing an existing first time interval for the access point search to a second time interval. The method of claim 10, wherein the control unit,
And when the base station information received from the base station of the mobile communication network is pre-registered in the access point database, activating the location information module to control the current location. The method of claim 12,
The base station information is a cell ID (cell ID) of two or more base stations, and the control unit,
And controlling the location information module to be activated when there is an access point corresponding to all of the cell IDs of the base station in the access point database. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11,
When an access point is discovered, the Wi-Fi module is controlled to connect to the discovered access point,
And when the connection to the access point is released, the Wi-Fi module controls to perform the access point search again for a predetermined time regardless of the current location. Performing a first communication with a counterpart terminal through a mobile communication network;
During the first communication, Wi-Fi connection with the Access Point (Access Point) connected to the Internet network; And
And when the Wi-Fi connection is established, attempting a second communication through the Internet network to the counterpart terminal while maintaining a first communication.

Images