Abstract:
A wireless communication method and an image device thereof are provided. The wireless communication method includes determining whether a second, already connected, wireless device exists, if a need to establish a connection to a first wireless device exists; requesting whether to release the wireless connection to the second device, if the second wireless device, which is already connected, exists; and maintaining or releasing the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the requesting. The image device includes a communication module which is wirelessly connected with a first wireless device; and a controller which requests whether to release the connection to a second wireless device, if there is a need to establish a connection to the first wireless device and a second wireless device is already connected, and maintains or releases the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the request.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0018404, filed on Feb. 23, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to wireless communication, and more particularly, to wireless communication with peripheral wireless devices. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The recent development of wireless communication and networking technologies has led to the appearance of wireless networks, and wireless communication between wireless devices in the wireless network enables users to utilize various and convenient services. 
         [0006]    Wireless devices are connected to various other wireless devices in the wireless network, and may wirelessly communicate with various other wireless devices using time division multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM) or other techniques. 
         [0007]    However, the number of additional wireless devices which are wirelessly connected to wireless devices may be limited due to restrictions imposed by standards of the wireless network and the performance of the wireless devices. 
         [0008]    The limitation of the number of additional wireless devices which can be wirelessly connected to wireless devices may be addressed by a method in which wireless devices that are already connected are replaced with wireless devices which can be wirelessly connected. The replacement of wireless devices that are already connected with wireless devices that can be wirelessly connected may involve a process for releasing the wireless connection to wireless devices that are already connected. 
         [0009]    However, if the wireless connection to wireless devices that are already connected is unexpectedly released, users may become confused and experience inconvenience. Such confusion and inconvenience may occur particularly when a user is provided with services through a wireless device which becomes disconnected from the wireless network. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems described above. 
         [0011]    The present invention provides a wireless communication method for replacing a wireless device that is already connected with a new wireless device that a user intends to wirelessly connect after receiving confirmation from the user, and an image device thereof, in order to prevent release of the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device without the user being aware. 
         [0012]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication method comprising determining whether a second wireless device, which is already connected, exists, if there is a need to establish a wireless connection to a first wireless device; asking a user whether to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device, if it is determined that the second wireless device, which is already connected, exists; and maintaining or releasing the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the user&#39;s response. 
         [0013]    The asking may comprise providing a graphical user interface (GUI) which enables the user to selectively input one of a command to maintain the wireless connection to the second wireless device and a command to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0014]    The GUI may comprise one message from among a message to inform a user that the second wireless device is currently connected wirelessly, a message to inform a user that wireless data communication is currently being performed with the second wireless device, a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the second wireless device should be released in order to establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device, and a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the second wireless device should be released in order to perform a specific function selected by the user. 
         [0015]    A situation in which there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device may comprise one of a situation in which the connection to the first wireless device should be established in order to perform a specific function in response to a user command, a situation in which the user has requested to transmit data to the first wireless device, and a situation in which the user has requested to receive data from the first wireless device. 
         [0016]    The maintaining or releasing may comprise establishing a wireless connection to the first wireless device after releasing the wireless connection to the second wireless device, if the user opts to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0017]    The maintaining or releasing may comprise maintaining the wireless connection to the second wireless device without establishing the wireless connection to the first wireless device, if the user opts to maintain the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0018]    The wireless connection may be performed using a Bluetooth technique. The first wireless device may be one of a printing apparatus which prints video data received by wireless communication based on the Bluetooth technique and an audio output apparatus which outputs audio data received by wireless communication based on the Bluetooth technique, and the second wireless device may be the other of the printing apparatus and the audio output apparatus. 
         [0019]    The number of wireless devices which are wirelessly connected using the wireless communication method at one time may be one or fewer. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image device comprising a communication module which is wirelessly connected to enable wireless communication with a first wireless device; and a controller which asks a user whether to release the wireless connection to a second wireless device, if there is a need to establish a wireless connection to the first wireless device through the communication module and it is determined that a second wireless device is already connected through the communication module, and maintains or releases the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the user&#39;s response. 
         [0021]    The controller may control such that a graphical user interface (GUI) may be provided which enables the user to selectively input one of a command to maintain the wireless connection to the second wireless device and a command to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0022]    The GUI may comprise one message from among a message to inform a user that the second wireless device is currently connected wirelessly, a message to inform a user that wireless data communication is currently being performed with the second wireless device, a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the second wireless device should be released in order to establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device, and a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the second wireless device should be released in order to perform a specific function selected by the user. 
         [0023]    A situation in which there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device may comprise one of a situation in which the connection to the first wireless device should be established in order to perform a specific function in response to a user command, a situation in which the user has requested to transmit data to the first wireless device, and a situation in which the user has requested to receive data from the first wireless device. 
         [0024]    The controller may establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device after releasing the wireless connection to the second wireless device, if the user opts to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0025]    The controller may maintain the wireless connection to the second wireless device without establishing the wireless connection to the first wireless device, if the user opts to maintain the wireless connection to the second wireless device. 
         [0026]    The wireless connection may be performed using a Bluetooth technique. The first wireless device may be one of a printing apparatus which prints video data received by wireless communication based on the Bluetooth technique and an audio output apparatus which outputs audio data received by wireless communication based on the Bluetooth technique, and the second wireless device may be the other of the printing apparatus and the audio output apparatus. 
         [0027]    The controller may maintain the number of wireless devices which are wirelessly connected through the communication module at one time at one or fewer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The above and/or other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a view of a Bluetooth network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a Bluetooth digital television (DTV) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart explaining a process by which the Bluetooth DTV shown in  FIG. 2  replaces an already connected Bluetooth wireless device with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after gaining confirmation from the user; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are views explaining in detail a wireless communication method shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are further views explaining in detail a wireless communication method shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an image device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart explaining a wireless communication method for replacing a wireless device which is already connected with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after gaining confirmation from the user, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0037]    In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention with unnecessary detail. 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a view of a Bluetooth network according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the Bluetooth network may be implemented by a Bluetooth DTV  100 , a Bluetooth printer  210 , a Bluetooth headset  220 , a Bluetooth mobile phone  230 , a Bluetooth Motion Pictures Experts Group layer 3 (MP3) player  240 , a Bluetooth personal computer (PC)  250 , a Bluetooth camcorder  260 , or other devices. 
         [0039]    The Bluetooth DTV  100  may transmit video data relating to a currently displayed image to the Bluetooth printer  210  that is contained in a wireless printing apparatus, so that the video data may be printed through the Bluetooth printer  210 . The Bluetooth DTV  100  may also transmit audio data provided from a currently tuned broadcast to the Bluetooth headset  220  that is contained in a wireless audio output apparatus so that the audio data may be output through the Bluetooth headset  220 . 
         [0040]    Additionally, the Bluetooth DTV  100  may receive video data or audio data from the Bluetooth mobile phone  230 , Bluetooth MP3 player  240 , Bluetooth PC  250  and Bluetooth camcorder  260 , and may output the received data via a display and speakers or may store the received data on a built-in storage medium. Furthermore, the Bluetooth DTV  100  may transmit the data stored in the built-in storage medium to the Bluetooth mobile phone  230  or other device. 
         [0041]    Bluetooth wireless devices other than the Bluetooth DTV  100  may transmit and receive data in order to provide various functions to a user. 
         [0042]    Hereinafter, the Bluetooth DTV  100  shown in  FIG. 1  will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a Bluetooth DTV according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0043]    The Bluetooth DTV  100  may provide a broadcast received from a broadcasting station to a user, and may also establish the wireless connection so as to wirelessly communicate with the Bluetooth wireless devices, such as the Bluetooth printer  210 , the Bluetooth headset  220 , the Bluetooth mobile phone  230 , Bluetooth MP3 player  240 , Bluetooth PC  250  and Bluetooth camcorder  260 , which are disposed peripherally around the Bluetooth DTV  100 . Accordingly, the Bluetooth DTV  100  may wirelessly transmit data to and receive data from the Bluetooth wireless devices. 
         [0044]    The Bluetooth DTV  100  allows a single Bluetooth wireless device to be wirelessly connected. Accordingly, if there is a need to establish a wireless connection to a new Bluetooth wireless device, the Bluetooth DTV  100  may release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth wireless device which is already connected. Before executing the release process described above, the Bluetooth DTV  100  may seek confirmation from the user on whether to release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth wireless device which is already connected. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the Bluetooth DTV  100  which performs the above-described functions comprises a broadcast receiver  110 , a broadcast processor  120 , a display information generator  130 , an output unit  140 , a Bluetooth communication module  150 , a storage unit  160 , a controller  170 , and an operator  180 . 
         [0046]    The broadcast receiver  110  tunes to one broadcast from among broadcasts received via a cable or via wireless communication, and demodulates the tuned broadcast. The broadcast processor  120  performs signal processing such as separating the broadcast output from the broadcast receiver  110  into a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal, and decoding the divided video and audio signals. 
         [0047]    The display information generator  130  generates display information to be displayed on a display. The generated display information is added to the video output from the broadcast processor  120 . This function is known as an on-screen display (OSD) function. The display information generated by the display information generator  130  may comprise a guide message for a user, and a graphical user interface (GUI). 
         [0048]    The output unit  140  displays the video combined with the display information output from the display information generator  130  on the display, and outputs the audio output from the broadcast processor  120  through a speaker. The output unit  140  may also output the video and audio to an external display (for example, an external TV) which is connected through an external output terminal. 
         [0049]    The Bluetooth communication module  150  wirelessly communicates with the Bluetooth wireless devices  210  to  260  which are disposed peripherally around the Bluetooth DTV  100 . The Bluetooth communication module  150  may transmit the audio/video (A/V) output from the output unit  140  to the Bluetooth wireless devices  210  to  260 . Additionally, the Bluetooth communication module  150  may transfer data received from the Bluetooth wireless devices  210  to  260  to the storage unit  160 , or may transfer the data stored in the storage unit  160  to the Bluetooth wireless devices. 
         [0050]    The storage unit  160  may store video data and audio data, and read the stored data to provide the data to the broadcast processor  120  or the Bluetooth communication module  150 . 
         [0051]    The controller  170  controls the operation of the Bluetooth DTV  100  according to the user operation commands input through the operator  180 . The operator  180  may be implemented with a remote controller, and a light receiving element for transmitting user operation commands received by the remote controller to the controller  170 . 
         [0052]    Additionally, the controller  170  maintains a number of Bluetooth wireless devices which are wirelessly connected through the Bluetooth communication module  150  at one or fewer. In other words, if there is a need to establish a wireless connection to a “new Bluetooth wireless device” (hereinafter, simply referred to as the “new wireless device”), the controller  170  may release the connection to a “Bluetooth wireless device which is already wirelessly connected” (hereinafter, simply referred to as the “already connected wireless device”), and may establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device. 
         [0053]    When releasing the connection to the already connected wireless device, the controller  170  may seek confirmation from a user on whether to release the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device, a detailed description of which will be given in detail with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a flowchart explaining a process by which the Bluetooth DTV shown in  FIG. 2  replaces an already connected Bluetooth wireless device with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after gaining confirmation from the user. 
         [0054]    In  FIG. 3 , it is determined if there is a need to establish wireless communication to a new wireless device (S 3   10 ). If there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device (S 310 -Y), the controller  170  may determine whether a wireless device is already connected through the Bluetooth communication module  150  (S 320 ). 
         [0055]    A situation in which there is a need to establish a wireless connection to the new wireless device in operation S 310  denotes a situation in which the wireless connection to the new wireless device should be established in order to perform a specific function in response to a user command. 
         [0056]    For example, if the user inputs a command to print an image currently displayed on the output unit  140  through the operator  180 , the new wireless device, namely the Bluetooth printer  210 , needs to be wirelessly connected. 
         [0057]    Alternatively, if the user inputs a command to output the audio data output from the output unit  140  to the Bluetooth headset  220  through the operator  180 , the new wireless device, that is, the Bluetooth headset  220  needs to be wirelessly connected. 
         [0058]    If it is determined that a wireless device is already connected in operation S 320  (S 330 -Y), the controller  170  may control the display information generator  130  to display on a screen a GUI asking a user whether to release the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device (S 340 ). 
         [0059]    The GUI displayed on the screen in operation S 340  comprises a GUI which enables the user to selectively input a “command to release the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device” or a “command to maintain the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device”. 
         [0060]    Additionally, the GUI displayed on the screen in operation S 340  may comprise a user guide message. The guide message may be a message to inform a user that a wireless device is already connected, a message to inform a user that wireless data communication is currently being performed with the already connected wireless device, a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device should be released in order to establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device, and a message to inform a user that the wireless connection to the already connected wireless device should be released in order to perform a specific function selected by the user. 
         [0061]    If the user selects “Release connection” through the GUI displayed in operation S 340  (S 350 -Y), the controller  170  may release the wireless connection to the wireless device which is already connected through the Bluetooth communication module  150  (S 360 ). Additionally, the controller  170  may establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device through the Bluetooth communication module  150  (S 370 ). Accordingly, wireless data communication may be performed between the Bluetooth DTV  100  and the new wireless device. 
         [0062]    If the user selects “Maintain connection” through the GUI displayed in operation S 340  (S 350 -N), the controller  170  may maintain the current state of the wireless connection to the wireless device already connected through the Bluetooth communication module  150  (S 380 ). In other words, the controller  170  does not establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device through the Bluetooth communication module  150 . Accordingly, wireless data communication may continue between the Bluetooth DTV  100  and the already connected wireless device. 
         [0063]    If it is determined that there is no wireless device that is already connected in operation S 320  (S 330 -N), the controller  170  may establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device through the Bluetooth communication module  150  (S 370 ). 
         [0064]    Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , a detailed description will be given in detail of the process by which the Bluetooth DTV shown in  FIG. 2  replaces an already connected Bluetooth wireless device with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after receiving confirmation from the user, as described above. 
         [0065]    If the user inputs a command to pause the currently displayed image, the image may be paused as shown in  FIG. 4A . Additionally, a “Pause” message  410  to inform the user that the image has been paused, and a “Print” icon  420  to print the paused image in response to a print command may be displayed on the display of the Bluetooth DTV  100 . 
         [0066]    In this example, a situation in which the user selects the “Print” icon  420  corresponds to a situation in which there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device, that is, the Bluetooth printer  210 . 
         [0067]    Assuming that the Bluetooth DTV  100  is currently connected to the Bluetooth headset  220 , a GUI  430  which contains a message asking the user whether to release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth headset  220  (“Do you wish to disconnect the headset?”) may be displayed on the display of the Bluetooth DTV  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
         [0068]    Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 4B , items displayed on the GUI  430  comprise “YES” which enables the user to input a command to release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth headset  220 , and “NO” which enables the user to input a command to maintain the wireless connection to the Bluetooth headset  220 . The GUI  430  may also contain a message to inform a user that a wireless device is already connected, that is, “Headset is currently connected.” 
         [0069]    If the user selects “YES” through the GUI  430  shown in  FIG. 4B , the wireless connection to the Bluetooth headset  220  (that is, the already connected wireless device) is released, and the wireless connection to the Bluetooth printer  210  (that is, the new wireless device) is established. 
         [0070]    As another example, a situation in which the user selects a “Headset connection” item through a GUI  510  displayed on the display of the Bluetooth DTV  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5A , also corresponds to the situation in which there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device, that is, the Bluetooth headset  220 . 
         [0071]    Assuming the Bluetooth DTV  100  is currently connected to the Bluetooth printer  210 , a GUI  520  which contains a message asking the user whether to release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth printer  210  (“Do you wish to disconnect the printer?”) is displayed on the display of the Bluetooth DTV  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0072]    As shown in  FIG. 5B , items displayed on the GUI  520  comprise “YES” which enables the user to input a command to release the wireless connection to the Bluetooth printer  210 , and “NO” which enables the user to input a command to maintain the wireless connection to the Bluetooth printer  210 . The GUI  520  may also contain a message to inform a user that wireless data communication is currently being performed with the already connected wireless device, that is, “Data is currently being transmitted to the printer.” 
         [0073]    If the user selects “NO” through the GUI  520  shown in  FIG. 5B , the wireless connection to the Bluetooth printer  210  (that is, the already connected wireless device) is maintained. In other words, there is no need to establish the wireless connection to the Bluetooth headset  220  (that is, the new wireless device). 
         [0074]    Accordingly, wireless data communication continues between the Bluetooth DTV  100  and the Bluetooth printer  210 . As shown in  FIG. 5C , a guide window  530  to inform a user of the current data transmission state using a progress bar is displayed on the display of the Bluetooth DTV  100 . 
         [0075]    The wireless communication method based on the process by which the Bluetooth DTV replaces the already connected Bluetooth wireless device with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after receiving confirmation from the user was explained in detail above with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0076]    In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as a situation in which there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the new wireless device, the situation in which the wireless connection to the new wireless device should be established in order to perform a specific function in response to the user command is merely exemplary for convenience of description. Accordingly, the wireless connection to the new wireless device may need to be established in other situations, for example, a situation in which a user has requested to transmit data to the new wireless device, a situation in which a user has requested to receive data from the new wireless device or the like. 
         [0077]    Additionally, for convenience of description, the number of Bluetooth wireless devices which are wirelessly connected is limited to one in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, the technical aspect of the present invention may be applied to a situation in which two, three or more Bluetooth wireless devices may be wirelessly connected. 
         [0078]    If two or more Bluetooth wireless devices are wirelessly connected, the wireless connection to a Bluetooth wireless device from among the already connected Bluetooth wireless devices may be released by user selection or a preset priority order. However, if a Bluetooth wireless device to be disconnected from the wireless connection is determined by the preset priority order, confirmation from the user on whether to release the wireless connection should be received before releasing the wireless connection. 
         [0079]    According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the DTV may wirelessly communicate with the wireless devices by a Bluetooth communication technique, but wireless communication may be performed using wireless communication techniques other than the Bluetooth communication technique. Wireless communication techniques may include a wireless personal area network (WPAN) communication technique, a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication technique or other wireless communication techniques. 
         [0080]    A DTV is used as a broadcast receiving apparatus to implement the wireless communication method according to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, but the technical aspect of the present invention may also be applied to other broadcast receiving apparatuses (for example, a set-top box or a personal computer) in addition to the DTV. Additionally, an image device other than a broadcast receiving apparatus may also be employed in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0081]    Additionally, wireless devices other than the wireless devices shown in  FIG. 1  may be used as wireless devices connected to the DTV. 
         [0082]    Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , an image device  600  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a communication module  610  and a controller  620 . 
         [0083]    The communication module  610  is wirelessly connected to enable wireless communication with a wireless device. If there is a need to establish the wireless connection to a first wireless device through the communication module  610  and it is determined that a second wireless device is already connected through the communication module  610 , the controller  620  may ask a user whether to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device. The controller  620  may then maintain or release the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the user&#39;s response. 
         [0084]    According to the wireless communication method of  FIG. 7 , if there is a need to establish the wireless connection to the first wireless device, the DTV determines whether a second wireless device is already connected (S 710 ). If it is determined that a second wireless device is already connected, the DTV asks the user whether to release the wireless connection to the second wireless device (S 720 ). The DTV may then maintain or release the wireless connection to the second wireless device according to the user&#39;s response (S 730 ). 
         [0085]    Accordingly, the wireless device performing wireless communication may be replaced after receiving confirmation from the user. 
         [0086]    As described above, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to replace an already connected wireless device with a new wireless device to perform wireless communication after receiving confirmation from the user, so there is no situation in which the wireless connection to the wireless device which is already connected is unexpectedly released without the user&#39;s awareness. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent confusion and inconvenience caused by unexpectedly terminating a service being provided to the user without user&#39;s approval. 
         [0087]    The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.