Abstract:
A dual mode (dual standby) mobile terminal and a method for providing communication mode configuration interface for a dual mode mobile terminal that is capable of facilitating mode switching manipulation is provided. A method for providing a communication mode configuration interface for a multi-mode mobile terminal having at least two identity card slots, the mobile terminal operating multi-standby mode for at least two different communication networks, includes detecting a manual mode selection command; and displaying a mode selection screen presenting available communication modes with at least one identity card detected within the identity card slots in response to the manual mode selection command.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to an application entitled “DUAL MODE MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION MODE” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on May 29, 2007 and assigned Serial No. 2007-0051953, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and, in particular, to a dual mode (dual standby) mobile terminal and a method for providing communication mode configuration interface for a dual mode mobile terminal that is capable of facilitating mode switching manipulation. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Dual mode mobile terminal is a device that can operate on two different network standards. 
         [0004]    Typically, a dual mode mobile terminal is provided with two subscriber identity module (SIM) card slots such that the operation modes of the mobile phone are determined by the inserted SIM cards. 
         [0005]    In a case that a Code Division Multiple Access User Identity Module (CDMA UIM) is inserted into one slot while no SIM or UIM card is in the other slot, the dual mode mobile terminal is supposed to operate as a single mode mobile phone, i.e. the dedicated CDMA mobile phone. 
         [0006]    In another case that a global system for mobile communications (GSM) subscriber identity module (SIM) and CDMA UIM cards are inserted into respective card slots of the dual mode mobile terminal, it can operate in one of CDMA and GSM modes or both, i.e. in dual standby mode. 
         [0007]    However, such dual mode mobile terminal is limited in combination of operation modes due to the carriers&#39; requirements and technical restrictions as well as types of cards. For example, any dual mode mobile terminal is so configured such that two identity cards of the same communication standard are not allowed to be attached simultaneously and the GSM mode cannot be selected as the main operation mode. 
         [0008]    In the conventional dual mode mobile terminal, the operation mode is selected in an initial booting process or by user manually later. During the mode selection process, the mobile phone checks the identity cards inserted within the card slots and displays an identity card list on the screen such that the user can set a combination of the operation modes with main mode. Typically, when the combination of the operation modes is inappropriate, the mobile phone alerts the user to reset the combination of the operation modes. 
         [0009]    For example, if the CDMA mode is designated for both the card slots, the mobile phone may output an alarm message notifying that an identical operation mode cannot be designated for two card slots. 
         [0010]    However, such conventional mode selection procedure of a dual mode mobile terminal requires repeated reset manipulation for finding out an appropriate combination of operation modes, resulting in time consumption and user inconvenience. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present disclosure to provide a dual mode (dual standby) mobile terminal and a method for providing a communication mode configuration interface of a dual mode mobile terminal that is capable of facilitating mode configuration manipulation. 
         [0012]    Also, the present invention provides a dual mode mobile terminal and a method for providing a communication mode configuration interface of a dual mode mobile terminal that is capable of presenting available combinations of communication modes supported by at least one currently attached identity card. 
         [0013]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a communication mode configuration interface for a multi-mode mobile terminal having at least two identity card slots, the mobile terminal operating multi-standby mode for at least two different communication networks, includes detecting a manual mode selection command; displaying a mode selection screen presenting available communication modes with at least one identity card detected within the identity card slots in response to the manual mode selection command. 
         [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a multi-mode mobile terminal includes at least two identity card slots for receiving identity cards, respectively; a first communication unit for operating the mobile terminal in a first communication mode; a second communication unit for operating the mobile terminal in a second communication mode; a input unit for receiving user commands; a display unit for providing a communication mode configuration interface screen; a storage unit for storing information on available identity cards and available combinations of communication modes; and a control unit for generating available combinations of the communication modes supported by at least one identity card inserted within at least one of the identity card slots and displaying the available combinations on the communication mode configuration interface screen of the display unit. 
         [0015]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of the dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of a dual mode mobile terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of a dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a communication mode configuration method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      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 wireless communication system. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0024]    In  FIG. 1 , the dual mode mobile terminal  100  includes two card slots  110  and  120 , a first communication unit  130  to operate the mobile terminal in a first communication mode, a second communication unit  140  to operate the mobile terminal in a second communication mode, an input unit  150  to receive user commands, a display unit  160  to provide a communication mode configuration interface screen, a storage unit  170  to store information on available identify cards and available combination of communication modes, and a control unit  180 . 
         [0025]    Each of the first and second card slots  110  and  120  can receive an identity card (SIM or UIM) such as CDMA, GSM, Wireless Broadband (WiBro), high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) cards. 
         [0026]    A main communication mode of the mobile terminal is determined by the identity card inserted into the first card slot  110  such that the mobile terminal  100  can operate in the CDMA, GSM, WiBro, or HSDPA mode. A secondary communication mode of the mobile terminal can be one of the rest communication modes except for the main communication mode. That is, one communication mode cannot be designated for the first and secondary communication units  130  and  140  simultaneously. 
         [0027]    The control unit  180  includes a first controller  182  for controlling the first communication unit  130 , a second controller  184  for controlling the second communication unit  140 , and an intermediate communication processor  186  for processing intercommunication between the first and second controller  182  and  184 . 
         [0028]    One of the first and second control controllers  182  and  186  can be designated as a primary controller for controlling cooperation of the internal units and the other as a secondary controller for controlling the operation associated with the secondary operation mode. The roles of the primary and secondary controllers  182  and  184  can be interchanged according to the circumstance. 
         [0029]    When the a manual mode selection option is activated, the control unit  180  controls the display unit  160  to display an available mode combination list formatted in accordance with the identity cards seated within the first and second card slots  110  and  120  on its screen so as to prevent the user to select an unavailable mode combination. 
         [0030]    The manual mode selection option allows the user to select a mode combination from the available communication mode combination list provided by the mobile terminal. 
         [0031]    The control unit  180  can restrict the secondary communication mode of the mobile terminal  100  depending on the first communication mode. Ruling out the incompatible communication modes prevents the user from selecting unavailable secondary communication mode. 
         [0032]    In a case that an automatic mode selection option is enabled, the control unit  180  configures a preferred communication mode pairs on the basis of the identity card inserted into one of the first and second card slots  110  and  120 . That is, if an identity card is inserted into one of the first and second card slots  110  and  120 , the control unit  180  determines another communication mode available with the other card slot and displays the selected communication mode on the screen of the display unit  160 . 
         [0033]    Table 1 shows available communication mode combinations for a dual mode mobile terminal. Table 1 informs of compatibilities of identity cards and communication modes. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 SLOT 1 
                 SLOT 2 
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Index 
                 CARD 
                 MODE 
                 CARD 
                 MODE 
                 Availability 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Available 
               
               
                 2 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 GSM 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 3 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 GSM 
                 GSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 4 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 5 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 6 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 7 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 8 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 9 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Available 
               
               
                 10 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 GSM 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 11 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 GSM 
                 GSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 12 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 13 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 14 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 15 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 16 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 17 
                 GSM 
                 * 
                 * 
                 * 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 18 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Available 
               
               
                 19 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 GSM 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 20 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 GSM 
                 GSM 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 21 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 CDMA 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 22 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Available 
               
               
                 23 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Dual 
                 Not 
                 Available 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Selected 
               
               
                 24 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                 25 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Available 
               
               
                 26 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 GSM 
                 CSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 27 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 CDMA 
                 CDMA 
                 Available 
               
               
                 28 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Dual 
                 GSM 
                 Available 
               
               
                 29 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Dual 
                 CDMA 
                 Available 
               
               
                 30 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Empty 
                 — 
                 Unavailable 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0034]    In Table 1, the GSM SIM card is unavailable for the first identity card slot  110  as indicated by index 17, and the two identity cards of the same communication standard are unavailable for simultaneous usage within two card slots as indicated by index 5, 8, 13, 16, 20, 24. 
         [0035]    Although the CDMA UIM and GSM SIM cards are compatible in Table 1, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the dual mode mobile terminal of the present invention can be configured such that the CDMA UIM card can be compatibly activated with a WiBro card but not with the GSM SIM card according to the policies of the carriers and standard organizations. 
         [0036]    In a case that two dual standard identity cards are inserted into the first and second card slots  110  and  120  respectively, the communication modes of the mobile terminal can be configured as in indexes  14  to  16  and  23  to  25 . In this case, the control unit  180  displays a mode configuration screen by means of the display unit  160  in order for the user to select the communication modes for respective identity cards. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of the dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a mode configuration screen presents available modes of the respective identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120 . The screen image  210  shows that both the identity cards inserted into the first and second card slots  110  and  120  are CDMA-GSM dual standard identity cards. 
         [0039]    The user can select a CDMA mode for the identity card of the first card slot  110  and designate the CDMA mode as the main communication mode as shown in the screen image  220 . If the CDMA mode of the dual standard identity card inserted into the first card slot  110  as indicated by the indexes  14  to  16  in Table 1, the CDMA mode is unavailable with the identity card of the second card slot  120 . Accordingly, the control unit  180  disables the CDMA option of the identity card inserted into the second card slot  120  as shown in the screen image  230 . 
         [0040]    Also, the control can automatically select the GSM mode of the identity card of the second card slot  120  as shown in the screen image  240  (see index 15 in Table 1). 
         [0041]    While the screen image  240  is displayed on the screen, the user can change the main communication mode by checking the “main” option of the identity card inserted into the second card slot  120  as shown in the screen image  250 . In this case the “main” option of the identity card of the first card slot  120  is automatically unchecked. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of a dual mode mobile terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a dual standard identity card is inserted into the first card slot  110 , and a CDMA UIM card is inserted into the second card slot  120  as shown in screen image  310  (see indexes  12 ,  13 ,  21 , and  22  in Table 1). 
         [0044]    In this case, the control unit  180  displays a mode configuration screen  310 . The screen image  310  presents available communication modes supported by the identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120  together with respective check boxes such that the user can selects one of the CDMA and GSM modes of the first identity card by checking its check box and CDMA mode of the second identity card as shown in the screen image  320 . 
         [0045]    If the CDMA mode is selected for the first identity card, the CDMA mode of the second identity card cannot be selected according to the constraints of Table 1 (see indexes  12  and  13 ), whereby the control unit  180  deactivates the CDMA mode option of the second identity card as shown in the screen image  330 . If a check box of the GSM mode of the first identity card is checked by the user while the screen image  330  is presented, the check box of the CDMA mode is unchecked and the CDMA mode of the second identity card is activated such that the user can configure the GSM mode for the first identity card as the main communication mode and the CDMA mode for the second identity card as shown in the screen image  340  (see index 22 in Table 1). 
         [0046]    If a user command for requesting information on available communication mode combination is input, the control unit  180  checks the types of the identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120  and presents the communication modes and mode combinations available with the current identity cards on the screen of the display unit  160 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating steps of a communication mode selection procedure of a dual mode mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0048]    If the first identity card inserted within the first card slot  110  is a dual standard identity card and the second identity card is a dedicated GSM SIM card (refer to indexes  10 ,  11 ,  19 , and  20  in Table 1), the control unit  180  displays the mode configuration screen formatted as in the screen image  410  of  FIG. 4  in which the CDMA and GSM options of the first identity card and the CDMA. If a “show all” command is input while the mode configuration screen is displayed, the control unit  180  presents the available communication mode and mode combinations with the first and second identity cards in the form of a communication mode list as shown in the screen image  420 . Accordingly, the user can configure at least one communication mode of the mobile terminal  100  by selecting an item from the communication mode list. In a case that the communication mode list is too long to present on the screen, the screen is provided with a scroll bar such that the user can navigate all available communication modes. 
         [0049]    Although not shown in drawings, the dual mode mobile terminal  100  can be provided with at least one of a camera module, a broadcast receiver module, an audio output module such as speaker, an audio input module such as microphone, a data port for exchanging data with exterior device, a charger port, and a multimedia player module such as MP3 player. 
         [0050]    Although not all kinds of function modules that can be converged with the mobile terminal are listed, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the dual mode mobile terminal can integrate various function modules and their equivalents. 
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a communication mode configuration method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , if a manual mode configuration command is detected (S 510 ), the control unit  180  of the dual mode mobile terminal  100  displays a communication mode configuration screen by means of the display unit  160  (S 520 ). The communication mode configuration mode screen is provided with communication modes available with identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120 . 
         [0053]    For example, if two dual standard identity cards are detected within the respective first and second card slots  110  and  120 , the control unit  180  controls to display the mode configuration screen formatted as the screen image  210  of  FIG. 2 , whereas, if a dual standard identity card and a CDMA UIM card are detected within the respective first and second card slots  110  and  120 , the control unit  180  controls the display of the mode configuration screen formatted as the screen image  310  of  FIG. 3 . At this time, if a user command for requesting to show all available communication mode combinations is detected, the control unit  180  composes an available communication mode combination list on the basis of the communication modes supported by the identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120  and presents the available communication mode combination list by means of the display unit  160 . 
         [0054]    Next, the control unit  180  detects a mode command for selecting a specific communication mode of one of the two identity cards inserted within the first and second card slots  110  and  120  (S 530 ). If the mode selection command is detected, the control unit  180  configures the mobile terminal  100  with the selected communication mode and activates the communication mode of the identity card of the second card slot  120  that is compatible with the previously selected communication mode (S 540 ). 
         [0055]    In the case that dual standard identity cards are detected within both the card slots  110  and  120  and the CDMA mode of the first identity card is selected as shown in the screen image  220  of  FIG. 2 , the control unit  180  composes a screen image  230  of  FIG. 2  in which the first identity card is set as the main card and the CDMA mode of the second card is deactivated. 
         [0056]    In the case that a dual standard identity card and a CDMA UIM card are detected within the respective first and second card slot  110  and  120  (see screen image  310  of  FIG. 3 ) and CDMA mode of the dual standard identity card is selected as shown in the screen image  320  of  FIG. 3 , the control unit  180  sets the dual standard identity card as the main card and deactivates the CDMA mode of the CDMA UIM card as shown in the screen image  330  of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0057]    Next, the control unit  180  determines whether a user command for confirming the communication mode configuration is input (S 550 ). If a user confirmation command is detected, the control unit  180  configures the mobile terminal  100  with the communication modes such that the mobile terminal enters the standby mode for the corresponding communication networks (S 560 ). Preferably, the mobile terminal  100  operates in a dual standby mode so as to communicate with two different networks. 
         [0058]    If a rejection command is detected at step S 550 , the control unit  180  repeats steps S 530  to S 550  in order for the user to select another communication mode combination. 
         [0059]    As described above, the dual mode mobile terminal and communication mode configuration method thereof according to the present invention provide a user with a communication mode configuration screen listing available communication mode combinations obtained in consideration of the compatibilities of the communication modes supported by two identity cards, thereby facilitating configuration of the dual communication modes by selecting a mode combination item on the mode configuration screen. 
         [0060]    Also, the dual mode mobile terminal and communication mode configuration method thereof according to the present invention is advantageous in user convenience since the second communication mode is automatically selected by the mobile terminal in consideration of the compatibility with the first communication mode selected by the user. 
         [0061]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.