KR20120054413A - Mobile terminal and method for searching access point - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal and access point searching method thereof are provided to randomly establish access point searching periods in a designated point by using the location information of a portable terminal. CONSTITUTION: A control unit(180) operates a wireless internet module(113). The control unit confirms the entry of the portable terminal in a specific location based on the location information. When the portable terminal enters into the specific location, the control unit connects the portable terminal with an access point corresponding to the specific location. The control unit searches the access points in an established search period through the wireless internet module.

Description

Mobile terminal and its access point search method {MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING ACCESS POINT}

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for searching for an access point using location information and a method for searching for the access point thereof.

Terminals such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, etc. have diversified functions, for example, multimedia devices having complex functions such as taking pictures or videos, playing music or video files, playing games, and receiving broadcasts. It is implemented in the form of (Multimedia player).

Terminals may be divided into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminal may be further classified into a handheld terminal and a vehicle mount terminal according to whether a user can directly carry it.

For functional support and enhancement of the terminal, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software part of the terminal.

In general, mobile terminals equipped with a Wi-Fi function frequently search for nearby access points. In particular, the mobile terminal periodically searches for an access point even after being connected to the access point. At this point, frequent access point searches consume significant current consumption. Accordingly, efforts are being made to reduce the access point search frequency.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and a method for searching for an access point thereof, which can provide an access point search period using location information.

The present invention also provides a mobile terminal and access thereof, when the terminal enters a specific specific location by using the location information of the terminal, establishes a connection with a specific access point connectable at the specific location, and searches for an access point at a predetermined search period. It is to provide a point search method.

The mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a wireless Internet module for wireless Internet access, a location information module for acquiring the location information of the terminal, and after driving the wireless Internet module, the acquisition The terminal determines whether the terminal enters a specific place based on the location information of a terminal, and when the terminal enters a specific place, establishes a connection with an access point corresponding to the specific place, and performs the access point search with a predetermined search period. It includes a control unit for controlling the Internet module.

In addition, the method for searching for an access point of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of acquiring the location information of the terminal in a wireless network function activation state, and confirming whether the terminal is in a specific place based on the acquired location information. And searching for and establishing an access point corresponding to the specific place when the terminal is located in a specific place; and performing an access point search according to a preset access point search period after completion of the access point connection. do.

The mobile terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may set an access point search period based on location information. That is, the present invention allows the user to arbitrarily set the period for performing the access point search in the place designated by the user.

In addition, when the terminal detects that the terminal enters a specific place by using the location information of the terminal, the present invention may establish a connection with the access point set in the specific place entered and perform the access point search in a predetermined search period.

In addition, the present invention can automatically search for an access point when the signal strength received from a connected access point at a predetermined place is smaller than a preset value.

Therefore, since the present invention does not perform unnecessary access point searching, it is possible to extend the use time by reducing the current consumption of the mobile terminal.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exemplary view showing a screen for setting an access point search function in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for searching for an access point of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 illustrate screens for outputting a notification message informing a mobile terminal of access and connection of an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for searching for an access point of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the 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. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, and the like, except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

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

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. 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 refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and 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 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

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 may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

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.

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 through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as 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 dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, the 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, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

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 shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or 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.

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

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 can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. 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.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of a 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. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. 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 (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). 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 by 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. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

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 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 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may be provided with two or more according to the configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data relating to various patterns of vibration and sound output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage 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 the 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 use authority of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identification 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. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

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

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

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

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied 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.

2 is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention viewed from the front.

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 additionally 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 152 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 manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and may include a plurality of manipulation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 ′ has a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 (see FIG. 2), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. 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 are further 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 '.

An acoustic output 152 'may be additionally 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. 2), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception 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 further include a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output time information on both sides, the time information can be recognized through the touch pad 135 as well. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

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, a mobile terminal according to the present invention performs an access point (AP) search using location information of a terminal in detail with reference to the drawings.

The mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention establishes a connection with an access point of any one or more of the one or more access points located in the vicinity, and provides a wireless Internet module 113 for performing wireless Internet through the connected access point. Include. Here, the access point may be a wireless router.

In addition, the controller 180 of the mobile terminal 100 controls the location information module 115 to obtain current location information of the terminal.

The controller 180 stores the network information set by the user in the memory 160. The network information includes information related to an access point such as a network name (Service Set IDentifier (SSID), security, location (place, area, region, etc.), search period, etc.) and wireless network on / off setting information. do.

In addition, the controller 180 drives the wireless Internet module 113 according to an external or internal input, and searches for an access point located around the wireless internet module 113.

The controller 180 searches for access points located around the terminal and drives the location information module 115 to obtain location information of the current terminal. Upon obtaining the current location information of the terminal, the controller 180 checks whether the terminal enters a specific place designated by the user using the obtained location information of the terminal. When the terminal enters the specific place, the controller 180 attempts to connect with the access point corresponding to the specific place. After the connection with the access point corresponding to the specific place is completed, the controller 180 searches for the access point on the basis of preset setting information at a period of executing the access point search at the specific place. In this case, the controller 180 searches for an access point at a predetermined search period and performs the process until the signal strength output from the connected access point is not smaller than a predetermined threshold.

If the signal strength from the connected access point is less than the threshold value, the controller 180 searches for an access point located nearby and displays the search result on the display screen. If any one of the search results is selected, the controller 180 establishes a connection with the selected access point.

The controller 180 may select an access point having the largest signal strength among the search results as an alternative access point and automatically establish a connection with the selected access point.

In the present embodiment, the controller 180 measures the signal strength of the connected access point, and if the measured signal strength is less than the threshold, the controller 180 executes the access point search. However, the present invention is not limited to the present exemplary embodiment, and the controller 180 may search for the access point immediately even when the connected access point is not searched or the terminal leaves the designated place when the access point is searched in the preset search period.

The controller 180 selects and connects an alternative access point among the searched access points, and performs the access point search with a default search period.

4 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a screen for setting an access point search function in a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

First, when a wireless LAN setting menu for setting and managing a wireless access point is selected from among submenus of the network setting menu according to sequential menu selection by the user, the setting screen is displayed on the display unit 151 (a).

As shown in FIG. 4A, the wireless LAN setting screen may set checkboxes for setting Wi / Fi on / off and network notification and a Wi-Fi network additional function. Here, the network notification and the Wi-Fi network addition function may be set only when the Wi-Fi is turned on.

The Wi-Fi on / off sets activation or deactivation of a wireless LAN (wireless network) function. In other words, according to the Wi-Fi on / off setting, the mobile terminal 100 accesses or disconnects wireless Internet through an access point.

The network notification function is for setting whether or not to output a message or sound effect so as to be recognized by a user when an open network is available. That is, the controller 180 may select and set whether or not to notify the network according to whether the checkbox of the network notification function is selected.

The Wi-Fi network add function enables to add a network by setting information related to an access point such as network name, security, location, and search period. In other words, the Wi-Fi network add function adds information on a wireless access point. If Add Wi-Fi network is selected on the wireless LAN setting screen, a network for inputting information on the Wi-Fi network to add is added. An information input window is displayed on the display screen (b).

The controller 180 inputs corresponding data in each field included in the network information input window according to a user input input through the user input unit 130. For example, a network name is entered in a network SSID field, a security method is selected and set, and location information and a search period are set. Here, there may be three methods for inputting location information. The first is to acquire and input location information of the current terminal using the GPS function. Secondly, if a desired location is designated on the map using the map function, information about the designated location is input. Third, the user enters the address of a desired location (place) directly. For example, the controller 180 adds a network as information about a wireless router (access point) used at home according to a user input.

When the input of each field is completed, the controller 180 stores the input network information in the memory 160 and searches for an access point based on the network information. In other words, when the mobile terminal 100 enters a preset specific place (location, area, space) after the network setting is completed, the controller 180 may select an access point corresponding to the specific place among the access points located in the vicinity. Navigate and try to connect. For example, when the terminal is located at a designated place, the controller 180 searches for access points located nearby and displays the searched result (c). The controller 180 displays the status of each of the searched results. The state indicates whether the entry, connection, security settings, signal strength, etc. within a predetermined specific place. The controller 180 establishes a connection with a specific access point corresponding to the designated place in the search result. That is, when the terminal is located at home, the controller 180 attempts to connect with 'Home' among the search results. When the connection with the 'Home' is completed, the controller 180 displays status information such as 'connected'.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for searching for an access point of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, an access point search function executed in a specific place is set in advance. For example, when the terminal enters the office, the access point 'Office' is used to access the wireless Internet, and the security method and the access point search period are set to 'WEP' and 'None', respectively. The mobile terminal 100 according to the present invention performs the access point search based on the preset network information.

Referring to FIG. 5, the controller 180 activates a wireless network function (S101). For example, the controller 180 drives the wireless internet module 113 when the user selects to turn on Wi-Fi. In this case, the controller 180 may control the wireless Internet module 113 to search for an access point (wireless router) located near the terminal.

When the wireless network function is activated, the controller 180 drives the location information module 115 to obtain location information of the current terminal (S102). In other words, the controller 180 determines the location of the current terminal using the GPS function.

The controller 180 checks whether the terminal has entered a predetermined specific place (space, area, area) based on the acquired location information (S103). In other words, the controller 180 checks whether the location of the terminal received from the location information module 115 is located within a predetermined radius (range) from a specific location (point) previously predetermined by the user.

When the terminal enters a specific place, the controller 180 searches for an access point assigned to the entered specific place (S104). In other words, the controller 180 searches for access points located near the terminal, and searches for the designated access point among the searched access points. For example, when the terminal enters a predetermined office, the controller 180 searches for an access point 'Office' corresponding to an entry point among neighboring access points based on preset setting information in relation to an access point search function.

If the access point specified in the entered specific place is found, the controller 180 attempts to connect with the found access point (S105). For example, the controller 180 controls the wireless Internet module 113 and attempts to connect with the found access point 'Office'. At this time, the controller 180 checks whether the signal strength (signal strength) of the found access point is less than a preset threshold. If the signal strength of the found access point is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, the controller 180 attempts to connect with the found access point. If the signal strength of the found access point is less than a preset threshold, the controller 180 immediately ( Search for nearby access points).

When the connection with the found access point is completed, the controller 180 measures the signal strength (signal strength) of the connected access point. The controller 180 checks whether the measured signal strength of the access point is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value (S106).

 If the signal strength of the connected access point is greater than or equal to a threshold value, the controller 180 performs an access point search according to a search period set as a period for performing access point search in the entered specific place (S107). In other words, when the terminal is located at a predetermined place, the controller 180 searches for the access point at a predetermined search period corresponding to the entered place until the signal strength of the connected access point is lowered below the threshold. For example, if the terminal is located in the office, the controller 180 does not perform the access point search until the signal strength of the connected access point becomes less than the threshold value after completing the connection with the access point 'Office'.

If the signal strength of the connected access point is less than the threshold in step S106, the controller 180 immediately searches for an access point located around the terminal (S108). The controller 180 establishes a connection with any one of the found access points (S109). After establishing a connection with the predetermined access point, the controller 180 performs an access point search at a default search period (S110).

In addition, if the terminal does not enter a specific place in step S103, the controller 180 searches for an access point located in the vicinity (S108). The controller 180 establishes a connection with a predetermined access point among the searched access points (S109). After connecting with the predetermined access point, the controller 180 searches for an access point at a search period set as a default (S110). At this time, if the signal strength of the connected access point is less than the threshold value, the controller 180 immediately searches for other access points in the vicinity.

6 and 7 are exemplary diagrams illustrating a screen for outputting a notification message informing a mobile terminal of access and connection of an access point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the controller 180 receives a command to turn on Wi-Fi from the user input unit 130, the controller 180 drives the wireless Internet module 113 and searches for an access point located in the vicinity. If the place where the terminal is currently located is a specific place 'home' determined by the user, the controller 180 establishes a connection with an access point 'Home' corresponding to the predetermined specific place. When the connection with the access point 'Home' is completed, the controller 180 displays a message indicating that the Wi-Fi is available and connected with 'Home' on the display screen. The controller 180 displays the signal strength of the access point currently connected to the indicator display area displaying the status information.

Then, when the signal strength of the connected access point is less than the threshold value, the controller 180 releases the connection with the connected access point 'Home' and searches for other access points around the terminal. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 180 displays a message indicating that the connection with the previously connected access point is being performed and another access point search is performed. Also, the controller 180 does not display an indicator indicating the signal strength (Wi-Fi signal strength) of the access point displayed on the indicator display area until the other access point is searched and connected.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for searching for an access point of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. According to the present embodiment, the access point search period and location are executed in a predetermined state.

Referring to the drawing, the controller 180 activates a wireless network function (S201). For example, when the Wi-Fi function is turned on, the controller 180 drives the wireless internet module 113. In the state where the wireless network function is activated, network setting may be performed by a method as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the controller 180 sets an access point search period and a location according to a user input.

After driving the wireless internet module 113, the controller 180 controls the wireless internet module 113 to perform an access point search (S202). When the search for the access point is completed, the controller 180 can display the search result on the display screen.

The controller 180 establishes a connection with a predetermined access point among the found access points (S203). Herein, the controller 180 may select and establish a connection of a predetermined access point having the largest signal strength among the searched access points. Alternatively, the controller 180 may establish a connection with an access point selected by the user among the search results displayed on the display screen.

When the connection with the predetermined access point is completed, the controller 180 controls the location information module 115 to obtain current location information of the terminal (S204).

The controller 180 checks whether the terminal is within a predetermined specific location based on the obtained current location information of the terminal (S205). In other words, the controller 180 determines whether the terminal is located at a specific place included in the access point search function setting information.

If the terminal is located within a predetermined specific place, the controller 180 searches for an access point at a preset search period (S206). For example, when the terminal is located in the office, the controller 180 searches for an access point in an hour period based on a preset search period.

If the terminal leaves the preset specific place, the controller 180 searches for an access point in a default search period (S207). For example, if the terminal is not located in the office, the controller 180 searches for an access point every 10 minutes according to a default search period.

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

The above-described terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or a part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made have.

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

Claims (8)

A wireless internet module for wireless internet access;
A location information module for obtaining location information of the terminal;
After driving the wireless Internet module, the terminal determines whether the terminal enters a specific place based on the acquired location information of the terminal, and when the terminal enters a specific place, establishes a connection with an access point corresponding to the specific place, and then And a control unit for controlling the wireless internet module to perform an access point search at a set discovery period. The apparatus of claim 1,
And perform an access point search with the predetermined search period while the signal strength of the connected access point is equal to or greater than a threshold. The apparatus of claim 1,
And if the signal strength of the connected access point is less than a threshold, disconnects from the connected access point and immediately searches for other access points in the vicinity. The apparatus of claim 3,
And establishing an access point with a default discovery period after establishing a connection with another discovered access point. The apparatus of claim 3,
When the other access point is found, the mobile terminal, characterized in that to provide a notification service for notifying the connection with the other access point. Acquiring the location information of the terminal while the wireless network function is activated;
Checking whether the terminal is located in a specific place based on the acquired location information;
Searching for an access point corresponding to the specific place and establishing a connection when the terminal is located in a specific place;
And performing an access point search according to a preset access point search period after completion of the access point connection. The method of claim 6, wherein performing the access point discovery comprises:
And searching for an access point in the predetermined access point search period while the signal strength of the connected access point is greater than or equal to a threshold. The method of claim 6, wherein performing the access point discovery comprises:
And when the signal strength of the connected access point is less than a threshold, disconnects from the connected access point and immediately searches for another access point in the vicinity.

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