Abstract:
A mobile terminal having a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna is disclosed that eliminates the inconvenience of carrying a data cable for connecting of a mobile terminal to a computer and enabling easy connection of the mobile terminal to a computer whenever necessary. A local wireless communication module combined with an antenna for a mobile terminal Is provided that is usable as an RF communication antenna when joined to a USB socket of the mobile terminal or as a local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to an application entitled “LOCAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MODULE COMBINED WITH ANTENNA AND MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 2, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-96901, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, and, more particularly, to a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna and a mobile terminal having the same. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With rapid development in communication technology, mobile voice communication can be conducted, essentially without restriction of time and place. Additionally, with an increased memory capacity of mobile terminals, various functions, such as character data, image data, MP3 data, and games, are provided to a user. The mobile terminal may include a mobile communication terminal, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and Portable Multimedia Player (PMP). 
     The mobile terminal may be connected to a desktop computer or a notebook computer using a data cable, and data or programs may thereby be transmitted through the data cable. 
     For this, a conventional mobile terminal requires a data cable for connection to a computer. However, carrying a data cable all times is inconvenient. 
     If both the mobile terminal and the computer are digital devices supporting wireless communication, desired data or programs may be easily transmitted. However, in this case, an inconvenient authentication process is necessary for connection between the mobile terminal and the computer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate an inconvenience of carrying a data cable for connecting of a mobile terminal to a computer. 
     Another object of the present invention is to enable easy connection of a mobile terminal to a computer whenever necessary. 
     In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna for a mobile terminal, for use as an RF communication antenna when connected to a Universal Serial Bus (hereinafter USB) socket of the mobile terminal or as a local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when detached from the mobile terminal and connected to a USB socket of the computer. 
     A local wireless communication module combined with an antenna for a mobile terminal having a first local wireless communication module according to the present invention includes a USB connector; a Radio Frequency (hereinafter RF) antenna for transmitting and receiving an RF signal when the USB connecter is joined to a USB socket of the mobile terminal; a second local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when the USB connector is detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer; and a switch for connecting the USB connector to the RF antenna or to the second local wireless communication module according to whether the USB connector is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal or detached from the USB socket of the mobile terminal. 
     The local wireless communication module combined with an antenna preferably further includes a local wireless communication antenna connected to the second local wireless communication module. The switch, RF antenna, second local wireless communication module, and local wireless communication antenna are preferably protected by a module body. The USB connector preferably protrudes outside of the module body with a predetermined length. 
     A mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a USB socket; a terminal body installed with a first local wireless communication module; and a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna, having a USB connector able to be joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal body. The local wireless communication module combined with an antenna includes a USB connector; an RF antenna for transmitting and receiving an RF signal when the USB connecter is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal; a second local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when the USB connector is detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer; and a switch for connecting the USB connector to the RF antenna or to the second local wireless communication module according to whether the USB connector is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal or detached from the USB socket of the mobile terminal. 
     The terminal body preferably includes a first terminal body having the USB socket of the mobile terminal and the first local wireless communication module; and a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, and having a display unit. Alternatively, the terminal body includes the first terminal body having a first local wireless communication module; and a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, and having a display unit and the USB socket of the mobile terminal. As another alternative, the terminal body includes a first terminal body having the USB socket of the mobile terminal; and a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, and having a display unit and the first local wireless communication module. In another alternative, the terminal body includes a first terminal body; and a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, and having a display unit, the USB socket of the mobile terminal, and the first local wireless communication module. The USB socket may be formed on the outer surface of the terminal body. 
     The mobile terminal preferably further includes a cover for surrounding the USB socket of the terminal body. The mobile terminal can be either bar type terminal, flip type terminal, folder type terminal, slide type terminal, and swing type terminal. 
     The terminal body preferably generates an alarm if the local wireless communication module combined with an antenna is detached and displaced further than a predetermined distance from the terminal body. The terminal body generates an alarm if sensitivity of local wireless communication between the terminal body and the local wireless communication module combined with an antenna is less than a predetermined level. The predetermined distance may be one meter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a mobile terminal having a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing an assembled state of the mobile terminal shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the local wireless communication module combined with the antenna shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing an environment of a local wireless communication between a computer and the mobile terminal having a local wireless communication module combined with the antenna shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a mobile terminal  50  having a local wireless communication module  40  combined with an antenna according to the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing an assembled state of the mobile terminal  50  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the local wireless communication module  40  combined with the antenna shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the mobile terminal  50  is shown as a sliding type mobile terminal that includes terminal bodies  10  and  20  and the local wireless communication module  40  (hereinafter ‘module’) combined with an antenna. The module  40  is detachably installed onto the terminal bodies  10  and  20 . The mobile terminal has a USB socket  13  and a first local wireless communication module (not shown). A local wireless communication protocol enabling communication between the module  40  and the mobile terminal may be selected from Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), NFC (Near Field Communication), and Rubee. 
     The mobile terminal bodies are configured with a first terminal body  10 , with a second terminal body  20  joined to and slidably moving along the first terminal body  10 . 
     The first terminal body  10  includes a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) mounted with the first local wireless communication module and the USB socket  13  electrically connected to the PCB. A key input unit  15  ( FIG. 4 ) is formed at a surface of the first terminal body  10  facing towards the second terminal body  20 , and a battery pack  30  for supplying electric power to the mobile terminal  50  is installed at an opposite surface of the first terminal body  10 . 
     The second terminal body  20  includes a display unit  21  installed on a surface of the second terminal body  20  on a side opposite to another side that faces towards the first terminal body  10  and a navigation key  23  installed under the display unit  21 . The second terminal body  20  covers the key input unit  15  by sliding towards the first terminal body  10 , and uncovers the key input unit  15  by sliding away from the first terminal body  10 . 
     The module  40  includes a module body  41  and a USB connector  43  protruding from one surface of the module body  41  by a predetermined length. The module body  41  includes a switch  42 , RF antenna  44 , second local wireless communication module  46 , and local wireless communication antenna  48 . The module  40  provided with the mobile terminal  50  as a package may be supplied to a user after completing authentication for local wireless communication, or the user may execute the authentication after receiving the mobile terminal  50 . 
     The surface of the module  40  furthest from the first terminal body  10  when the module  40  is joined therewith is a module upper surface  45 , which may be formed such that the module upper surface  45  is located at the same level as a second terminal body upper surface  25  when the second terminal body  20  is fully slid towards and installed in the first terminal body  20 . If the module upper surface  45  is higher than the second terminal body upper surface  25  when the module  40  is joined to the first terminal body  10 , the USB connector  43  may be damaged by an external force applied from the second terminal body upper surface  25  to the module  40 . However, If sufficient connection strength between the first terminal body  10  and the module  40  is secured, the module  40  may be designed such that the module upper surface  45  is higher than the second terminal body upper surface  25 . 
     The USB connector  43  is formed such that the USB connector  43  conforms with and may easily be joined to the USB socket  13 . Although a USB connector is shown in the figure as an exposed connection, the USB connector  43  may be formed with a cover surrounding the connection part. The USB connector  43  shown with the exposed connection part minimizes the thickness of the mobile terminal  50 . 
     According to the connection state of the USB connector  43  with the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10 , the switch  42  connects the USB connector  43  to one of the RF antenna  44  and the second local wireless communication module  46 . That is, if the USB connector  43  is joined to the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10 , the switch  42  connects the USB connector  43  to the RF antenna  44 . If the USB connector  43  is detached from the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10 , the switch  42  connects the USB connector  43  to the second local wireless communication module  46 . 
     The RF antenna  44  is connected to the USB connector  43  through the switch  42 , and receives an RF signal when the USB connector  43  is joined to the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10 . 
     The second local wireless communication module  46  is connected to the USB connector  43  through the switch  42 , and performs local wireless communication between a computer and the mobile terminal  50  when the USB connector  43  is detached from the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10  and joined to a USB socket of the computer. 
     Transmission and reception of a signal for local wireless communication is performed through the local wireless communication antenna  48  connected to the second local wireless communication module  46 . The RF antenna  44  and the local wireless communication antenna  48  may be installed together or may be separately installed. 
     Accordingly, if the module  40  is joined to the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10 , the module  40  is used as an RF antenna, and if the module  40  is detached from the USB socket  13  of the first terminal body  10  and joined to a computer USB socket, the module  40  is used as a communication module for performing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal  50  and the computer. 
     In addition, an alarm is generated when the module  40  detached from the mobile terminal body  50  moves further than a predetermined distance away from the mobile terminal  50 . The distance between the mobile terminal  50  and the module  40  may be indirectly identified by checking sensitivity of radio reception, because the sensitivity of radio reception differs according to the distance between the mobile terminal  50  and the module  40 . Accordingly, the alarm is generated by the mobile terminal  50  when the sensitivity of radio reception is less than a predetermined limit value. The limit value of the sensitivity preferably corresponds to a distance of one meter between the mobile terminal  50  and the module  40 . The alarm may be generated by using a sound or vibration that can be output by the mobile terminal  50 . The purpose of generating an alarm is to prevent the detached module  40  from being lost. 
     Additionally, the mobile terminal  50  may further include a cover  17  for protecting the exposed USB socket  13  from contamination by dust or other contaminants when the module  40  is detached from the first terminal body  10 . The cover  17  may be formed on the first terminal body upper surface  11  such that the entrance of the USB socket  13  may be covered or uncovered. 
     In addition to the above-described embodiment, those of skill in art will recognize that the first local wireless communication module or the USB socket  13  may be installed in the second terminal body  20 , and that the USB socket  13  may be formed at another location of the first terminal body  10  and the second terminal body  20  where an installation space is available. However, the USB socket  13  is preferably formed on the first terminal body upper surface  11  or on the second terminal body upper surface  25 , allowing use of the module  40  as an RF antenna  44  when joined to the first terminal body  10  or the second terminal body  20 . 
     Those of skill in the art will recognize that the present invention may also be applied to a mobile terminal of a bar type terminal, flip type terminal, or swing type terminal. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing an environment of a local wireless communication between a computer  60  and the mobile terminal  50  having the local wireless communication module  40  combined with the antenna. The module  40  is normally joined to the first terminal body  10 , and the mobile terminal  50  is used as a mobile communication terminal for transmitting and receiving an RF signal through the RF antenna  44  of the module  40 . 
     When data transmission between the mobile terminal  50  and the computer  60  is required, a local wireless communication environment may be provided by using the module  40  of the mobile terminal  50 . For this, the module  40  is detached from the first terminal body  10  and the USB connector  43  of the detached module  40  is joined to a computer USB socket  61  of the computer  60 . Here, the distance between the mobile terminal  50  and the module  40  connected to the computer  60  must be in a serviceable range of the local wireless communication. 
     A local wireless communication environment between a mobile terminal and a computer is thereby provided by detaching a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna from the mobile terminal and assembling with a USB socket of the computer. 
     Accordingly, an inconvenience of carrying a data cable to connect a mobile terminal to a computer is eliminated, and an environment of data transmission between the mobile terminal and the computer is provided easily. 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.