Abstract:
An Ultra Wideband (UWB) coupling mechanism and method for a mobile terminal are provided. The UWB coupling mechanism includes a main unit having a first short range communication unit, a memory for storing data received or to be transmitted through the first short range communication unit, a radio frequency unit for establishing a radio channel with a mobile communication system, and a control unit for controlling communication between the first short range communication unit, memory, and radio frequency unit; and a sub-unit having a second short range communication unit for establishing a wireless channel to the first short range communication unit, and a function unit for executing various functions of the mobile terminal.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to an application entitled “ULTRA WIDEBAND COUPLING MECHANISM AND METHOD FOR MOBILE TERMINAL” filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Oct. 12, 2006 and assigned Serial No. 2006-0099356, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1.0 Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and, in particular, to an Ultra Wideband (UWB) coupling mechanism and method for a mobile terminal. 
         [0004]    2.0 Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A clamshell-type mobile terminal usually includes a main unit having a main board, keypad, and microphone, a sub-unit containing a liquid crystal display module and a speaker, and a hinge mechanism pivotally coupling the lower and upper bodies. The hinge mechanism is provided with a cable or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) for electrically connecting the lower and upper bodies without obstructing folding and unfolding operations of the mobile terminal. The FPCB is provided in a round loop within the hinge mechanism such that it cannot be seen. However, the cable or FPCB is likely to be damaged due to the twisting and bending stresses caused by frequent pivoting motion of the lower and upper bodies. 
         [0006]    Also, since the cable or FPCB is made of a conductive material such as copper, the physical damage to the cable or FPCB causes noise and decreases the data rate between the lower and upper bodies. 
         [0007]    Further, the cable or FPCB is connected to the lower and upper bodies using connectors, hence the mobile terminal manufacturing process becomes complex, resulting in reduction of productivity. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention solves the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal equipped with aUltra Wideband (UWB) coupling mechanism and driving method thereof that are capable of coupling separate parts of a mobile terminal such as clamshell or slide type mobile terminal via a wireless UWB link. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal employing a UWB coupling mechanism and driving method thereof that are capable of simplifying the manufacturing process of the mobile terminal by connecting separate parts of the mobile terminal via the wireless UWB link. 
         [0010]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mobile terminal employing an intra wireless coupling mechanism accomplishes the above and other objects. The mobile terminal includes a main unit having a first short range communication unit, a memory for storing data received or to be transmitted through the first short range communication unit, a radio frequency unit for establishing a radio channel with a mobile communication system, and a control unit for controlling cooperation between the first short range communication unit, memory, and radio frequency unit; and a sub-unit having a second short range communication unit for establishing a wireless channel to the first short range communication unit, and a function unit for executing various functions of the mobile terminal. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the function unit includes at least one of a keypad, a display, a microphone, a speaker, and a camera. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an intra-wireless coupling method for a mobile terminal including a main unit having a first short range wireless communication unit, a memory unit, a radio frequency unit, and a control unit, and a sub-unit having a second short range wireless communication unit and a function unit for executing various functions under the control of the control unit is provided. The intra-wireless coupling method includes transmitting data signals received from outside and control signals input through the function unit of the sub-unit to the control unit of the main unit; distinguishing the data and control signals according to corresponding units; formatting the data and control signals; and transmitting the formatted data and control signals to the corresponding units through a wireless channel established between the first and second short range wireless communication units. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile terminal employing a UWB coupling mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates the frame format of a packet for use in a UWB coupling mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a message flow diagram illustrating the operation of a UWB coupling mechanism according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a message flow diagram illustrating an outgoing call-related procedure of a UWB coupling mechanism for a mobile terminal according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a message flow diagram illustrating an incoming call-related procedure of a UWB coupling mechanism for a mobile terminal according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a message flow diagram illustrating an outgoing text message-related procedure of a UWB coupling mechanism for a mobile terminal according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a message flow diagram illustrating an incoming text message-related procedure of a UWB coupling mechanism for a mobile terminal according to the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a message flow diagram illustrating a camera mode-related procedure of a UWB coupling mechanism for a mobile terminal according to present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail. The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and structures incorporated herein may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. 
         [0023]    Certain terminologies are used in the following description for convenience and reference only and are not limiting. In the following detailed description, only the exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by the inventor(s) of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
         [0024]    The UWB coupling mechanism of the present invention can be preferably adapted to a clamshell or sliding type mobile terminal, which is made up of two separate parts, i.e. a main unit having a keypad and a sub-unit having a display. In the following embodiments, the UWB coupling mechanism of the present invention is described with a slide type mobile terminal as an example. 
         [0025]    In the following embodiments, key input data generated by keypad manipulation, image data input through a camera, and other data generated during a wireless communication are expressed by the term “signal.” 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , mobile terminal  10  includes a main unit  100  and a sub-unit  300 . 
         [0027]    Main unit  100  includes a first UWB unit  110 , a radio frequency (RF) unit  140 , a power supply  150 , an audio processing unit  160 , a first keypad  170 , a memory unit  180 , and a control unit  190 . Sub-unit  300  includes a second UWB unit  310 , a display  340 , a camera  350 , a second keypad  360 , a speaker  370 , and a microphone  380 . 
         [0028]    First UWB unit  110  includes a first communication module  130  and a first data processing module  120 . 
         [0029]    First communication module  130  is provided with an antenna for transmitting and receiving data and control packets. First communication module  130  down-converts the signals received through the antenna and up-converts the signals output from first data processing module  120 . 
         [0030]    First data processing module  120  includes a modem and a codec for performing decompression and decoding on the signals output from first communication module  130  so as to output a packet. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a packet includes a header containing packet information, a payload containing data, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The header includes a type field indicating a type of the data, a source address field, a destination address field, and a length field for indicating the length of the data. The source and destination addresses are formed in a structure of “Input/Output Device_Main_Unit 1” (I/O_M 1 ) for control unit  190  of main unit  100 . In this manner, the addresses of display  340 , camera  350 , and second keypad  360  of the sub-unit are assigned I/O_S 1 , I/O_S 2 , and I/O_S 3 , respectively. For example, if a packet has a source address of I/O_S 2  and a destination address of I/O_M 1 , the packet is transmitted from camera  350  to control unit  190 . The first data processing module  120  performs compression and modulation on a packet to be transmitted from control unit  190  to sub-unit  300  and outputs the processed packet to first communication module  130 . 
         [0032]    RF unit  140  is responsible for processing cellular communication signals exchanging between the mobile terminal and a base station (not shown). RF unit  140  converts a baseband signal to be transmitted into a radio frequency signal and converts a received radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and includes an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the baseband signal to be transmitted and an RF receiver for low noise amplifying and down-converting the received radio frequency signal. 
         [0033]    Power supply  150  supplies power to the elements constituting the mobile terminal and can be implemented in a fixed or detachable form. Preferably, power supply  150  is implemented with a rechargeable battery such as a nickel battery, nickel-cadmium battery, hydrogen battery, and lithium battery, in consideration of environmental and economic problems. 
         [0034]    Audio processing unit  160  is electrically connected to speaker  370  and microphone  380  via a wired link and processes voice signals input through the microphone  380 , and from RF unit  140  for output through speaker  370 . 
         [0035]    First keypad  170  is provided with a plurality of alphanumeric input keys for inputting user data to control unit  190 . 
         [0036]    Memory unit  180  includes a program region and a data region. The program region stores an operation system for booting mobile terminal  100  and managing general operations of mobile terminal  100 , and application programs for executing various multimedia functions. Mobile terminal  100  activates the application programs in response to a user command under the control of control unit  190 . 
         [0037]    The data region stores application data generated while executing the application. The application data includes still and motion images taken by camera  350 , phonebook data, audio data, and other contents. 
         [0038]    Control unit  190  controls communication between first UWB unit  110 , RF unit  140 , power supply  150 , audio processing unit  160 , first keypad  170 , and sub-unit  300 . If a packet is received through first UWB unit  110 , control unit  190  checks the header of the packet to recognize the source and destination addresses of packet and then reformats the packet to send an element of the destination address. For example, if the source address of the packet is I/O_S 3  and the destination address is I/O_M 1 , control unit  190  recognizes that the packet is transmitted from second keypad  360  of the sub-unit  300 . In this case, control unit  190  extracts the data contained in the packet, attaches a new header and CRC, and then transmits the new packet to sub-unit  300 . The reformatting process is performed due to the changes of the source and destination address. If an event such as outgoing call or message request, incoming call or message reception, and camera mode button press occurs, control unit  190  activates an I/O device corresponding to the event. For example, if an incoming call is received, control unit  190  outputs a call request signal to display  340  through the UWB link established between first UWB unit  110  and second UWB unit  310  allowing the user to accept or reject receiving the incoming call with reference to the information on display  340 . If the incoming call is accepted, an incoming call accept signal is generated by second keypad  360  and transmitted from sub-unit  300  to main unit  100  through the UWB link between first UWB unit  110  and second UWB unit  310 , control unit  190  establishes a voice communication channel to a calling party terminal. After establishment of the voice communication channel, control unit  190  controls audio processing unit  160  to process the received voice signal to be output through the speaker as an audible sound and the voice input through microphone  380  to be transmitted to the calling party terminal. Since display  340  has no separate power supply, control unit  190  controls power supply  150  to supply power to sub-unit  300  through a wire link. 
         [0039]    Second UWB unit  310  includes a second communication module  320  and a second data processing module  330 . 
         [0040]    Second communication module  320  is provided with an antenna for transmitting and receiving the data and control packets, and down-converting the signals received through the antenna and up-converting the signals received from second data processing module  330 . 
         [0041]    Second data processing module  330  includes a modem and a codec for decompressing and decoding the output signals of second communication module  320 . The packet has a destination address. For example, if the source address of the packet is I/O_M 1  for control unit  190  and the destination address is I/O_S 1  for display  340 , the packet is transmitted from control unit  190  to display  340 . Second data processing unit  330  performs compression and modulation on a signal received from one of display  340 , camera  350 , and second keypad  360 , and then delivers the packet to second communication module  320 . 
         [0042]    Display  340  presents the characters, numbers, and special symbols input by corresponding keys of the first and second keypads  170  and  360 , and displays the image input through camera  350  under the control of control unit  190 . Display  340  is connected to power supply  150  through a wire link. 
         [0043]    Camera  350  acquires an image and transmits image data representing the image to second data processing module  330 . Camera  350  operates in accordance with control signals received from control unit  190  through the UWB link established between first UWB  110  unit and second UWB unit  310 . 
         [0044]    Second keypad  360  can be provided with additional function keys such as a volume control key and navigation key, call request key, call termination key, etc. Second keypad  360  generates signals corresponding to the keys input by the user and transmits the signal to second data processing module  330  second keypad  360  operates under the control of control unit  190  speaker  370  outputs the voice data received from another terminal and input through microphone  380  as audible sound and is connected to audio processing unit  160  through a wire link. 
         [0045]    Microphone  380  converts the input sound into an electric signal and is connected to audio processing unit  160  through the wire link. 
         [0046]    Operations of the UWB coupling mechanism of the above-structured mobile terminal are described hereinafter with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 8 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , if a key is input through second keypad  360  of sub-unit  300  of mobile terminal  10 , second keypad  360  generates and transmits a signal corresponding to the key to control unit  190  of main unit  100  of mobile terminal  10  such that control unit  190  detects the key input in step S 101  and analyzes the signal in step S 102 . The key can be a camera mode key, a phonebook activation key, a menu selection key, or a message function key. Next, control unit  190  transmits a function activation signal for activating a function corresponding to the input key to sub-unit  300  so as to activate the corresponding function in step S 103 . For example, the camera mode key activates camera  350 , and the menu selection key presents a menu option on display  340 . If characters, numbers, and special symbols are input through second keypad  360 , the input data are transmitted to control unit  190 , such that control unit  190  recognizes the input data in step S 104 . Control unit  190  transmits the input data to display  340  for display. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , if a number key is input in step S 201  through first keypad  170 , control unit  190  generates a packet containing the number corresponding to the number key and transmits the packet to display  340  of sub-unit  300  through a UWB link established between the first and second UWB units  110  and  310  in step S 202  such that the number is presented on display  340 . If a call request key is input through second keypad  360  by the user, an outgoing call request signal is transmitted from sub-unit  300  to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 203 . Next, control unit  190  transmits a call request message to the called party terminal in step S 204 . If a voice communication channel is established with the called party terminal, control unit  190  transmits an incoming voice signal to speaker  370  through the wire link and transmits an input voice signal through the wire link from microphone  380  to the called party terminal in step S 205 . If an end key is input through second keypad  360 , an end key signal is transmitted to control unit  190  through the UWB link in step S 206 . Upon receiving the communication end signal, control unit  190  releases the voice communication channel in step S 207 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , if an incoming call is detected in step S 301 , control unit  190  of main unit  100  transmits an incoming call alert signal to sub-unit  300  through a UWB link established between first UWB unit  110  of main unit  100  and second UWB unit  310  of sub-unit  300  in step S 302 . Upon receiving the incoming call alert signal, sub-unit  300  presents the incoming call alert message to display  340  and proceeds to scan the key input of second keypad  360  detecting acceptance or rejection of reception of the incoming call in step S 303 . If an input key accepting the incoming call is detected, an incoming call accept signal is transmitted to main unit  100  in step S 304 . Upon receiving the incoming call accept signal, control unit  190  establishes a voice communication channel with the called party terminal in step S 305 . After the voice communication channel is established, control unit  190  transmits a voice signal received from the called party terminal to speaker  370  through the wire link and transmits a voice signal input through the wire link from microphone  380  to the called party terminal in step S 306 . If an end key is input by the user through second keypad  360  during the voice communication, a channel release signal is transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 307 . Upon receiving the channel release signal, control unit  190  of main unit  100  controls release of the voice communication channel in step S 308 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a message function key is input through second keypad  360  of sub-unit  300  in step S 401  such that a message function activation request signal is transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link established between first UWB unit  110  and second UWB unit  310  in step S 402 . In response to the message function activation request signal, control unit  190  transmits a message function activation enable signal to sub-unit  300  through the UWB link in step S 403  such that a message function mode screen is activated on display  340  of sub-unit  300  in step S 404 . If at least one character, number, or special symbol key is input through first keypad  170  in step S 405  while the message function mode screen is activated, control unit  190  generates a packet containing a string of the input keys and a destination address I/O_S 1  indicating display  340  and transmits the packet to sub-unit  300  through the UWB link in step S 406 , whereupon sub-unit  300  displays the string of the input keys on display  340  and detects a send key input through second keypad  360  in step S 407 . If the send key is detected, a transmission request signal is sent to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 408 . Upon receiving the transmission request signal, control unit  190  of main unit  100  transmits the string of keys to a called party terminal in step S 409 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , if an incoming message is received from a calling party terminal through a cellular communication channel in step S 501 , control unit  190  of main unit  100  transmits an incoming message alert signal to sub-unit  300  through the UWB link established between first UWB unit  110  of main unit  100  and second UWB unit  310  of sub-unit  300  in step S 502  such that an incoming message alert is presented on display  340 . Using second keypad  360  in step S 503 , if the user activates a key for opening the incoming message ( ) while the incoming message alert is e displayed, an incoming message open signal is transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 504 . Upon receiving the incoming message open signal, control unit  190  of main unit  100  transmits the incoming message to sub-unit  300  through the UWB link in step S 505  and the sub-unit  300  presents the incoming message on display  340  in step S 506 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , if a camera mode key is input through second keypad  360  of sub-unit  300  in step S 601 , a camera mode activation signal is transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link established between first UWB unit  110  of main unit  100  and second UWB unit  310  of sub-unit  300  in step S 602 . Upon receiving the camera mode activation signal, control unit  190  controls to supply power to camera  350  in step S 603  such that the camera is activated in step S 604 . When camera  350  is activated, the image data taken by camera  350  is transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 605 . Control unit  190  of main unit  100  forwards the image data to display  340  through the UWB link in step S 606  and the image data are displayed on display  340 . If a capture key is input while displaying the image data, an image is captured at the time that the capture key is input and then transmitted to main unit  100  through the UWB link in step S 607 . Control unit  190  controls such that the captured image is presented on display  340  together with a storage alert for allowing the user to save or discard the captured image. If a save key is input by the user for storing the captured image, a storage accept signal is transmitted to the main unit through the UWB link in step S 608 . Upon receiving the storage accept signal, control unit  190  stores the captured image within memory unit  180  in step S 609 . 
         [0053]    As described above, a UWB coupling mechanism enables two parts of the mobile terminal to exchange signals through a wireless UWB link, thereby avoiding physical damage of the inner signaling channel of the mobile terminal, which would prevent the mobile phone from functioning properly due to unreliable signaling. 
         [0054]    Also, since the UWB coupling mechanism connects separate parts of the mobile terminal through the wireless channel rather than through a conventional FPCB or cable, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of the mobile terminal. 
         [0055]    Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concepts herein taught may be made that still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as further defined by the appended claims.