Electronic device and method for changing network connection

An method of the electronic device for accessing different networks using at least two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards includes monitoring whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include a network which satisfies a handover condition; and when detecting the network satisfying the handover condition, switching SIM card connection to one SIM card accessible to the network satisfying the handover condition among the at least two SIM cards.

The present application is related to and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean patent application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 19, 2012, and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0104123, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic device and a method for changing network connection.

BACKGROUND

As information and communication technologies grow, functions of an electronic device also advance to satisfy user's various needs. For example, a dual Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) electronic device is developed to utilize two phone numbers in the single electronic device. The dual-SIM electronic device can allow two network services at the same time using the single electronic device and be used for business and private use with separate numbers.

However, the dual-SIM electronic device cannot accurately detect a communication status of the networks accessibly by the two SIMs. For example, when the electronic device is accessing a first network using a first SIM, the user cannot determine whether or not the communication status of a second network not being used provides better communication condition. As a result, the user cannot take advantage of the dual-SIM electronic device.

In this respect, what is needed is an apparatus for automatically accessing the network of better communication condition in the dual-SIM electronic device.

SUMMARY

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary aspect of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus and a method for accessing an optimal network by monitoring a network which can increase a packet service speed in real time.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and a method for automatically accessing a network with the second greatest signal strength when network speeds make little difference.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and a method for reflecting user's various situations when manually setting a network switch mode.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an operating method of an electronic device for accessing different networks using at least two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards includes monitoring whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include a network which satisfies a handover condition, and when detecting the network satisfying the handover condition, switching SIM card connection to one SIM card accessible to the network satisfying the handover condition among the at least two SIM cards.

The at least two SIM cards may be registered to access the networks supporting different packet services.

The network satisfying the handover condition may be a network with the fastest data rate among the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards.

The network satisfying the handover condition is a network with a greatest signal strength among the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards.

The network satisfying the handover condition is a network with a greatest signal strength if the data rate of the networks is substantially identical.

The network may support a packet service.

A processor unit is configured not to switch the SIM card connection when a current operation is under a sleep mode.

The method may further include determining whether a network automatic switch mode is set, and determining that the network automatic switch mode is set.

The method may further include, when determining that the network automatic switch mode is not set, connecting any one SIM card selected from the at least two SIM cards, determining whether connection status of the connected SIM card changes; and when determining the connection status change, confirming the access to the network accessible by the SIM card of the changed connection status.

The method may further include, when detecting no network satisfying the handover condition, determining whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include a network with the greatest signal strength; and when detecting the network with the greatest signal strength, switching the SIM card connection to the SIM card accessible to the network with the greatest signal strength among the at least two SIM cards.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device for accessing different networks using at least two SIM cards includes a communication module for monitoring whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include a network which satisfies a handover condition, and a processor unit for, when detecting the network satisfying the handover condition, switching SIM card connection to one SIM card accessible to the network satisfying the handover condition among the at least two SIM cards.

The at least two SIM cards may be registered to access the networks supporting different packet services.

The network satisfying the handover condition may be a network with the fastest data rate among the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards.

The network may support a packet service.

The processor unit may confirm that a current operation does not enter a sleep mode.

The processor unit may determine whether a network automatic switch mode is set, and determines that the network automatic switch mode is set.

The processor unit may connect any one SIM card selected from the at least two SIM cards, determine whether connection status of the connected SIM card changes, and when determining the connection status change, confirm the access to the network accessible by the SIM card of the changed connection status.

The communication module may monitor whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include a network with the greatest signal strength, and when detecting the network with the greatest signal strength, the processor unit switches the SIM card connection to one SIM card accessible to the network with the greatest signal strength among the at least two SIM cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 5, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged telecommunication technologies. The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely example. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

FIG. 1illustrates an electronic device for changing network connection according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device101can include at least two Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards. More specifically, the at least two SIM cards of the electronic device101can access their designated networks respectively. For example, it is assumed that the electronic device101includes two SIM cards. The first SIM card of the electronic device101can access a first network provided by a communication company A, and the second SIM card can access a second network provided by a communication company B. That is, advantageously, the electronic device including the multi-SIM card can designate different accessible networks per SIM card.

Referring toFIG. 1, it is assumed that the electronic device101includes two SIM cards102and103and can use a packet service by accessing the network A and the network B with the two SIM cards. More specifically, the electronic device101can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the first SIM card102and accessing the A network of the first communication company. The electronic device101can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the second SIM card103and accessing the B network of the second communication company.

First, the electronic device101can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the networks accessible by its at least two SIM cards. More specifically, the electronic device101repeats the monitoring process until its current operation enters a sleep mode. For example, when determining that the current operation does not enter the sleep mode, the electronic device101can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the A network104and the B network105accessible by the first SIM card102and the second SIM card103. It is assumed that the electronic device101monitors the network with the fastest data rate and determines the fastest data rate when accessing the A network104. On this assumption, the electronic device101can switch the SIM card connection from the second SIM card103to the first SIM card102. Hence, the electronic device101can send and receive data to and from other electronic device by accessing the A network104, and communicate with the other electronic device with high communication quality.

When determining no network with the fastest data rate, the electronic device101can determine whether the networks accessible by the two SIM cards102and103include the network with the greatest signal strength. More specifically, when determining that there is little difference in the data rates of the A network104and the B network105accessible by the two SIM cards102and103, the electronic device101can determine which network exhibits the greater signal strength. Upon detecting the network with the greater signal strength, the electronic device101can switch the SIM card connection to one of the two SIM cards102and103, which can access the network with the greater signal strength. For example, when the signal strength of the first SIM card102is greater than the second SIM card103, the electronic device101can switch the SIM card connection from the second SIM card103to the first SIM card102.

FIG. 2depicts the access network switch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. While the electronic device can include at least two SIM cards, it is assumed here that the electronic device includes three SIM cards202,203, and204. Referring toFIG. 2, it is assumed that the electronic device201includes the three SIM cards202,203, and204, and the three SIM cards202,203, and204can access a network A, a network B, and a network C respectively. More specifically, the electronic device201can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the first SIM card202and accessing the A network of the first communication company. The electronic device201can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the second SIM card203and accessing the B network of the second communication company. The electronic device201can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the third SIM card204and accessing the C network of the third communication company.

The electronic device201can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the networks accessible by its three SIM cards202,203, and204. More specifically, the electronic device201repeats the monitoring process until its current operation enters the sleep mode. For example, when determining that the current operation does not enter the sleep mode, the electronic device201can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the A network205, the B network206, and the C network207accessible by the first SIM card202, the second SIM card203, and the third SIM card204. It is assumed that the electronic device201monitors the network with the fastest data rate and determines the fastest data rate when accessing the B network206. On this assumption, the electronic device201can switch the SIM card connection from the current SIM card, which is one of the three SIM cards202,203, and204, to the second SIM card203. Hence, the electronic device201can send and receive data to and from other electronic device by accessing the B network206, and communicate with the other electronic device with high communication quality.

When determining no network with the fastest data rate, the electronic device201can determine whether the networks accessible by the three SIM cards202,203, and204include the network with the greatest signal strength. More specifically, when determining that there is little difference in the data rates of the A network205, the B network206, and the C network207accessible by the three SIM cards202,203, and204, the electronic device201can determine which network exhibits the greatest signal strength. Upon detecting the network of the greatest signal strength, the electronic device201can switch the SIM card connection to one of the three SIM cards202,203, and204, which can access the network with the greater signal strength. For example, when the third SIM card204of the three SIM cards202,203, and204exhibits the greatest signal strength, the electronic device201can switch the SIM card connection from the current SIM card of the three SIM cards202,203, and204, to the third SIM card204.

A conventional electronic device cannot accurately detect the communication status of the networks accessible by the two SIM cards of the electronic device. More specifically, since the electronic device cannot monitor the communication status of the networks accessible by the SIM cards in real time, it cannot access the network of the better communication condition and send data. By contrast, the present electronic device can monitor the communication status of the networks accessible by the SIM cards in real time and automatically switch the SIM card connection to the corresponding SIM card so that the electronic device can access the network of the best communication.

FIG. 3is flowchart of the network connection change of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is assumed that the electronic device includes the three SIM cards, and the three SIM cards can access a first network, a second network, and a third network respectively. More specifically, the electronic device can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the first SIM card and accessing the first network of the first communication company. The electronic device can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the second SIM card and accessing the second network of the second communication company. The electronic device can use the packet service by switching the SIM card connection to the third SIM card and accessing the third network of the third communication company.

The electronic device can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the first, second and third networks accessible by the three SIM cards in step301. More specifically, the electronic device repeats the monitoring process until its current operation enters the sleep mode. For example, when determining that the current operation does not enter the sleep mode, the electronic device can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the first network, the second network, and the third network accessible by the first SIM card, the second SIM card, and the third SIM card.

In step302, the electronic device can use the packet service by accessing the first network of the fastest data rate among the first, second and third networks. For example, when monitoring the network of the fastest data rate and determining the fastest data rate in the first network access, the electronic device can use the packet service by accessing the first network. More specifically, the electronic device can switch the SIM card connection from the current SIM card of the three SIM cards to the first SIM card. Accordingly, the electronic device can send and receive data to and from the other electronic device by accessing the first network, and communicate with the other electronic device with high communication quality.

The electronic device accessing the first network can confirm that the packet service status is changed in step303. More specifically, the electronic device can keep monitoring the network of the fastest data rate among the first, second, and third networks even after the first network access. That is, the electronic device continuously monitors the network condition varying in real time and thus detects an optimal network accessible. Namely, the electronic device confirms that the first network being accessed is not the network with the fastest data rate.

Next, the electronic device can determine that the second network exhibits the greater signal strength than the third network in step304. In detail, it is assumed that the electronic device confirms the packet service status change during the first network access and monitors the network with the fastest data rate among the first, second, and third networks, and the second and third networks exhibit the higher data rate than the first network. On this assumption, when the second network and the third network exhibit the similar data rates within a set range, the electronic device can determine which network exhibits the greater signal strength. Herein, the electronic device determines that the signal strength of the second network is greater than the signal strength of the third network.

In step305, the electronic device can use the packet service by accessing the second network. More specifically, after accessing the first network, when determining that the signal strength of the second network is greater than the signal strength of the third network, the electronic device can send and receive data to and from the other electronic device by accessing the second network, and communicate with the other electronic device with high communication quality.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of operations of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 4, the electronic device can determine whether its current operation enters the sleep mode in step401. More specifically, before the current operation of the electronic device enters the sleep mode, the network can be switched according to the operations of the present disclosure. That is, upon entering the sleep mode, the electronic device does not automatically switch the network in order to save battery consumption.

When the current operation of the electronic device does not enter the sleep mode, the electronic device can determine whether a network automatic switch mode is set in step402. More specifically, the electronic device can operate largely in the network automatic switch mode and a network manual switch mode. That is, when the network automatic switch mode is set, the electronic device can monitor the network with the best communication condition amongst the accessible networks in real time and automatically access the corresponding network. By contrast, when the network manual switch mode is set, the electronic device can access one of the accessible networks according to a user's selection. The electronic device of the present disclosure can receive not only the automatic switch mode but also the manual switch mode to thus allow user's various selections. For example, when the electronic device accesses an arbitrary network in the automatic switch mode, it can incur an unintended data charge to the user. In addition, the user can classify the at least two SIM cards of the electronic device into a call dedicated SIM card and a data dedicated SIM card.

When the network automatic switch mode is set, the electronic device can monitor the network with the fastest data rate among the networks supported by the at least two SIM cards in step403. For example, provided that the electronic device includes three SIM cards, the electronic device can monitor the network with the fastest data rate in real time among the first, second, and third networks accessible by the first, second and third SIM cards.

Upon determining the network with the fastest data rate among the accessible networks, the electronic device can access the network with the fastest data rate in step404. For example, when monitoring the network with the fastest data rate and determining the fastest data rate in the first network access, the electronic device can use the packet service by accessing the first network. More specifically, the electronic device can switch the SIM card connection from the current SIM card of the at least two SIM cards to the first SIM card. Accordingly, the electronic device can send and receive data to and from the other electronic device by accessing the first network, and communicate with the other electronic device with high communication quality.

In step405, the electronic device can determine whether the packet service status changes. More specifically, the electronic device can keep monitoring the network with the fastest data rate among the accessible networks even after the access to the network with the fastest data rate. That is, the electronic device monitors the network condition varying in real time and thus detects the optimal network to access.

When determining that the packet service status changes in step405, the electronic device returns to step403. When determining no packet service status change in step405, the electronic device finishes this process.

When the networks supported by the at least two SIM cards do not include the network with the fastest data rate, the electronic device can determine whether the networks supported by the at least two SIM cards include the network with the greatest signal strength in step406. More specifically, when there is little difference in the data rates of any access to one of the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards, the electronic device can determine which network exhibits the greater signal strength.

Upon detecting the network with the greatest signal strength in step406, the electronic device can access the network with the greatest signal strength in step407. For example, it is assumed that the electronic device includes first, second, and third SIM cards and the SIM cards can access first, second, and third networks respectively. It is also assumed that the electronic device monitors the network with the fastest data rate among the first, second, and third networks, and the second network and the third network exhibit the higher data rates than the first network. On these assumptions, provided that the second network and the third network exhibit the similar data rates within the set range, the electronic device can determine which network exhibits the greater signal strength. Provided that the second network exhibits the greater signal strength than the third network, the electronic device can access the second network.

The electronic device accessing the network with the greatest signal strength repeats the step405to determine whether the packet service status changes. When the network automatic switch mode is not set in step402, the electronic device can access the network selected from the networks supported by the at least two SIM cards in step408. More specifically, when the network manual switch mode is set, the electronic device can access any one network selected according to the user's selection.

In step409, the electronic device can determine whether the network access changes. In detail, the electronic device can determine whether the access of the network selected by the user changes. That is, the electronic device can determine whether the user changes the access to any one of the accessible networks.

Upon determining the network access change, the electronic device can access the changed network in step410. Next, the electronic device finishes this process. By contrast, when detecting no network access change, the electronic device repeats step409.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of the electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electronic device500can be a portable electronic device such as portable terminal, mobile phone, mobile pad, media player, tablet computer, handheld computer, or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The electronic device500can be a portable electronic device combining two or more functions of those devices.

The electronic device500includes a memory510, a processor unit520, a first wireless communication subsystem530, a second wireless communication subsystem531, an external port560, an audio subsystem550, a speaker551, a microphone552, an Input Output (IO) system570, a touch screen580, and other input or control devices590. A plurality of memories510and a plurality of external ports560can be used.

The processor unit520can include a memory interface521, one or more processors522, and a peripheral interface523. In some cases, the processor unit520can be referred to as the processor. When detecting, the network satisfying a handover condition, the processor unit520switches the SIM card connection to any one SIM card accessible to the network satisfying the handover condition among the at least two SIM cards. The processor unit520determines that the current operation is not in the sleep mode, determines whether the network automatic switch mode is set, and confirms that the network automatic switch mode is set. The processor unit520connects any one SIM card selected from the at least two SIM cards, determines whether the connection status of the connected SIM card changes, and confirms the access to the network accessible by the changed SIM card when determining the connection status change. When detecting the network with the greatest signal strength, the processor unit520switches the SIM card connection to any one SIM card accessible to the network with the greatest signal strength among the at least two SIM cards.

The processor522performs various functions for the electronic device500by running various software programs, and processes and controls voice communication and data communication. In addition to such typical functions, the processor522also executes particular software modules (instruction sets) stored in memory510and performs various particular functions corresponding to the modules. That is, the processor522carries out methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure in association with the software modules stored in the memory510.

The processor522can include one or more data processors, an image processor, or a CODEC. The data processor, the image processor, or the CODEC can be separately provided. Alternatively, the processor522can include a plurality of processors for performing different functions. The peripheral interface523connects the IO subsystem570and various peripherals of the electronic device500to the processor522and the memory510(through the memory interface).

The various components of the electronic device500can be coupled using one or more communication buses or one or more stream lines.

The external port560is used to connect the portable electronic device (not shown) to the other electronic device directly or indirectly via a network (e.g., Internet, intranet, and wireless LAN). The external port560can be, for example, but not limited to, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a FIREWIRE port.

A motion sensor591and an optical sensor592are coupled to the peripheral interface523to allow various functions. For example, the motion sensor591and the optical sensor592are coupled to the peripheral interface523to detect a motion of the electronic device and the light from the outside. Besides these, a positioning system and other sensors such as temperature sensor or bionic sensor can be coupled to the peripheral interface523to perform their functions.

A camera subsystem593can perform camera functions such as photo and video clip recording.

The optical sensor592can employ a Charged Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) device.

The communication function is conducted through the one or more wireless communication subsystems530and531. The wireless communication subsystems530and531can include radio frequency receiver and transmitter and/or optical (e.g., infrared light) receiver and transmitter. The first wireless communication subsystem530and the second wireless communication subsystem531can be distinguished based on a communication network of the electronic device500. For example, the communication network can include a communication subsystem designed to operate over, but not limited to, a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a W-CDMA network, a Long Term Evolution (LIE) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, a WiMax network and/or a Bluetooth network. The first wireless communication subsystem530and the second wireless communication subsystem531can be integrated into a single wireless communication subsystem.

The audio subsystem550can be coupled to the speaker551and the microphone552to process audio stream input and output such as voice recognition, voice reproduction, digital recording, and telephone function. That is, the audio subsystem550communicates with the user through the speaker551and the microphone552. The audio subsystem550receives a data signal through the peripheral interface523of the processor unit520and converts the received data signal to an electric signal. The converted electric signal is fed to the speaker551. The speaker551converts the electric signal to a sound wave audible by the user and outputs the sound wave. The microphone552converts the sound wave from the user or other sound sources to an electric signal. The audio subsystem550receives the converted electric signal from the microphone552. The audio subsystem550converts the received electric signal to the audio data signal and sends the converted audio data signal to the peripheral interface523. The audio subsystem550can include an attachable and detachable ear phone, head phone, or head set.

The IO subsystem570can include a touch screen controller571and/or an other input controller572. The touch screen controller571can be coupled to the touch screen580. The touch screen580and the touch screen controller571can detect the contact and the motion or their abortion using, but not limited to, capacitive, resistive, infrared and surface sound wave techniques for determining one or more contact points with the touch screen580and a multi-touch detection technique including various proximity sensor arrays or other elements. The other input controller572can be coupled to the other input/control devices590. The other input/control devices590can employ one or buttons, a rocker switch, a thumb wheel, a dial, a stick, and/or a pointer such as stylus.

The touch screen580provides an I/O interface between the electronic device500and the user. That is, the touch screen580forwards the user's touch input to the electronic device500. The touch screen580is a medium for displaying the output of the electronic device500to the user. That is, the touch screen580represents a visual output to the user. Such a visual output can be represented as text, graphic, video, and their combination.

The touch screen580can employ various displays, examples of which include, but are not limited to, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED), Light emitting Polymer Display (LPD), Organic LED (OLED), Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) or Flexible LED (FLED).

The memory510can be coupled to the memory interface521. The memory510can include fast random access memory (RAM) such as one or more magnetic disc storage devices and/or non-volatile memory, one or more optical storage devices, and/or a flash memory (e.g., NAND and NOR).

The memory510stores software. Software components include an operating system module511, a communication module512, a graphic module513, a user interface module514, a MPEG module515, a camera module516, and one or more application modules517. The modules being the software components can be represented as a set of instructions, and thus the module can be referred to as an instruction set. Also, the module can be referred to as a program. The operating system software511(the embedded operating system such as WINDOWS, LINUX, Darwin, RTXC, UNIX, OS X, or VxWorks) includes various software components for controlling general system operations. These include, e.g., memory management and control, storage hardware (device) control and management, and power control and management. The operating system software511processes normal communication between various hardware (devices) and software components (modules).

The communication module512allows communication with the other electronic device such as computer, server, and/or portable terminal, through the wireless communication subsystems530and531or the external port560. The communication module512monitors whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include the network satisfying the handover condition, and monitors whether the networks accessible by the at least two SIM cards include the network with the greatest signal strength.

The graphic module513includes various software components for providing and displaying graphics on the touch screen580. The term ‘graphics’ encompasses text, web page, icon, digital image, video, and animation.

The user interface module514includes various software components relating to a user interface. The user interface module514is involved in the status change of the user interface and the condition of the user interface status change.

The CODEC module515can include software components relating to video file encoding and decoding. The CODEC module515can include a video stream module such as MPEG module and/or H204 module. The CODEC module515can include various audio file CODEC modules for AAA, AMR, and WMA. The CODEC module515includes instruction sets corresponding to the methods of the present disclosure as described herein.

The camera module516includes camera related software components allowing camera related processes and functions.

The application module517includes a browser, an e-mail, an instant message, a word processing, keyboard emulation, an address book, a touch list, a widget, Digital Right Management (DRM), voice recognition, voice reproduction, a position determining function, and a location based service.

The various functions of the electronic device500as stated above and to be explained, can be executed by hardware and/or software and/or their combination including one or more stream processing and/or Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).

As set forth above, the electronic device and method for changing the network connection can monitor the network for enhancing the packet service speed in real time and thus access the optimal network.