Patent Publication Number: US-2013242878-A1

Title: Router with storage device and control method thereof

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a router with a storage device and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a router which allows a terminal such as a computer to wirelessly access a network such as the Internet for performing communication and includes an internal storage device for storing predetermined data, and to a control method thereof. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A router typically includes a first communication unit for performing a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication with an external terminal such as a computer, a second communication unit for performing a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Broadband Internet (WiBro), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), or Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication with an external network, and a control unit for a communication between the first and second communication units. 
     Such a router serves to intermediate between a terminal such as a computer and a network so that the terminal accesses and communicates with the network. 
     However, the router is not provided with a storage device for storing data. Therefore, a user of the terminal cannot use the router as an external storage device when the user needs to use the router as the external storage device. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Embodiments provide a router which includes a storage device to be used as an external storage device by a user if necessary, and a control method thereof. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In one embodiment, a router with a storage device includes a first communication unit configured to communicate with a first terminal; a second communication unit configured to perform communication for accessing a network; an internal storage device capable of storing data; and a controller configured to link the first and second communication units so that the first terminal accesses the network, and control the internal storage device to store, read, or delete data in response to a command from the first terminal. 
     The controller may control the internal storage device to store, read, or delete data in response to a command from a second terminal when the second terminal communicates with the second communication unit through the network. 
     The first communication unit may perform a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication with the first terminal. 
     The second communication unit may access the network by using one of communication technologies including Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Broadband Internet (WiBro), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), and Long Term Evolution (LTE). 
     The router with the storage device may include a wired interface unit configured to interface with an external device for data access, and the controller may control the internal storage device to store, read, or delete data in response to a command from a third terminal when the external device connected to the wired interface unit is the third terminal. 
     The router with the storage device may include a wired interface unit configured to interface with an external device for data access; a key signal input unit configured to generate a key signal according to handling of a user, and output the generated signal to the controller; and a display unit configured to display an operation of the router according to a command from the controller, wherein the controller may upload data stored in an external storage device to store the uploaded data into the internal storage device, or back up data stored in the internal storage device to store the backed-up date into the external storage device in response to the key signal of the key signal input unit when the external device connected to the wired interface unit is the external storage device. 
     The internal storage device may be a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Disk (SSD). 
     In another embodiment, a method for controlling a router with a storage device includes: interpreting a command received from a first terminal when the first terminal is connected to and communicates with a first communication unit; operating a second communication unit for accessing a network, and linking the first and second communication units so that the first terminal accesses the network when the command received from the first terminal is a network access command; and controlling an internal storage device in response to a data management command from the first terminal when the command received from the first terminal is the data management command. 
     The method may include controlling the internal storage device in response to a command from a second terminal when the second terminal is connected to the second communication unit. 
     The method may include determining a type of an external device when the external device is connected to a wired interface unit; and selecting data among data stored in an external storage device in response to a key signal received from a key signal input unit, uploading the selected data, and storing the uploaded data into the internal storage device when the external device is determined as the external storage device. 
     The method may include selecting data among data stored in the internal storage device according to the key signal received from the key signal input unit, backing up the selected data, and storing the backed-up data into the external storage device. 
     The method may include deleting the backed-up data from the internal storage device when the key signal input unit inputs a data deletion command, after the backing up of the data. 
     The method may include controlling the internal storage device in response to a command from a third terminal when the external device connected to the wired interface unit is the third terminal. 
     The controlling of the internal storage device may include storing data into and reading and deleting data from the internal storage device. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     Embodiments provide a router which includes a storage device to be used as an external storage device by a user if necessary, and a control method thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a router with a storage device according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling the router with the storage device, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description just describes exemplary embodiments. The principle and concept of the embodiments are provided for effective and clear description. 
     Therefore, unnecessary detailed structures are not provided in order not to obscure the basic concept of the embodiments. Various forms of the embodiments are described with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art carry out the embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating a router with a storage device according to an embodiment. Herein, reference numeral  100  indicates a first communication unit. The first communication unit performs, e.g., a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication with a first terminal (not illustrated in the drawing) such as a computer. 
     Reference numeral  110  indicates a second communication unit. The second communication unit  110  performs, e.g., a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wireless Broadband Internet (WiBro), High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA), or Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication with an external network such as the Internet. 
     Reference numeral  120  indicates an internal storage device. The internal storage device  120  stores predetermined data by using, e.g., a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Disk (SSD). 
     Reference numeral  130  indicates a controller. The controller  130  links the first communication unit  100  and the second communication unit  110  so that the first terminal accesses a network. The controller  130  also controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data. 
     Reference numeral  140  indicates a display unit. The display unit  140  is controlled by the controller  130  to display a current operation state of the router. 
     Reference numeral  150  indicates a key signal input unit. The key signal input unit  150  is provided with a plurality of keys and generates a signal corresponding to the keys selected by a user to output the generated signal to the controller  130 . 
     Reference numeral  160  indicates a wired interface unit. The wired interface unit  160  is provided with, e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, for interfacing with an external storage device connected to the USB port. 
     According to the above-described router, the controller  130  interprets an operation command inputted by the external first terminal (not illustrated in the drawing) when the first terminal communicates with and is connected to the first communication unit  100 . 
     When the operation command inputted by the first terminal is a network access command, the controller  130  operates the second communication unit  110  to access the network, and links the first and second communication units  100  and  110  to thereby allow the first terminal to communicate with the network through the router. 
     When the operation command is a command for managing the data stored in the internal storage device  120 , the controller  130  controls the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     That is, the controller  130  controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     Further, when a second terminal (not illustrated in the drawing) connected to the network is connected to the second communication unit  110  through the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (PCT/IP) or File Transfer Protocol (FTP), the controller  130  controls the internal storage device  120  in response to a command from the second terminal. 
     The controller  130  also determines whether an external device (not illustrated in the drawing) is connected to the wired interface unit  160 . 
     When the external device is connected to the wired interface unit  160 , the controller  130  determines whether the connected external device is an external storage device or third terminal. 
     When the external device connected to the wired interface unit  160  is determined as the external storage device, the controller  130  determines whether an upload command or backup command is inputted through the key signal input unit  150 . 
     When the upload command is inputted through the key signal input unit  150 , the controller  130  uploads data selected from the data of the external storage device to store the selected data into the internal storage device  120 . 
     When the backup command is inputted through the key signal input unit  150 , the controller  130  backs up data selected from the data of the internal storage device  120  to store the selected data into the external storage device. 
     When the external device connected to the wired interface unit  160  is the third terminal, the controller  130  controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to a command from the third terminal. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling the router with the storage device, according to an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 2A , the controller  130  determines whether the first terminal is connected to and communicates with the first communication unit  100  in operation S 200 . 
     When it is confirmed that the first terminal is connected to and communicates with the first communication unit  100  according to a result of the determination, the controller  130  interprets the operation command inputted through the first communication unit  100  from the first terminal in operation S 202 , and determines whether the operation command is for accessing network or managing the data stored in the internal storage device  120  in operations S 204  and S 206 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the operation command inputted by the first terminal is the network access command, the controller  130  operates the second communication unit  110  to access the network, and links the first and second communication units  100  and  110  to thereby allow the first terminal to communicate with the network through the router in operation S 208 . 
     Further, the controller  130  determines whether the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is blocked in operation S 210 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is not blocked, the controller  130  repeats operation S 208  so that the first terminal communicates with the network through the router. 
     When it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is blocked, the controller  130  terminates the operation for allowing the first terminal to communicate with the network through the router. 
     Meanwhile, when it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination of operation S 206 , that the operation command inputted by the first terminal is a command for managing the data stored in the internal storage device  120 , the controller  130  recognizes the router as an external storage device of the first terminal in operation S 212 , and controls the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     That is, the controller  130  controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     In this state, the controller  130  determines whether the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is blocked in operation S 216 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is not blocked, the controller  130  repeatedly controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     When it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the communication between the first terminal and the first communication unit  100  is blocked, the controller  130  terminates the operation for controlling the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the first terminal. 
     Meanwhile, when the first communication unit  100  is not connected in operation S 200 , the controller  130  determines whether the second terminal (not illustrated in the drawing) connected to the network is connected to the second communication unit  110  through the PCT/IP or FTP. 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the second terminal is connected to the second communication unit  110 , the controller  130  recognizes the router as an external storage device of the second terminal in operation S 220 , and controls the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the second terminal. 
     In this state, the controller  130  determines whether the communication between the second terminal and the second communication unit  110  is blocked in operation S 224 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the communication between the second terminal and the second communication unit  110  is not blocked, the controller  130  repeatedly controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to the command from the second terminal. 
     When it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the communication between the second terminal and the second communication unit  110  is blocked, the controller  130  terminates the operation for controlling the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the second terminal. 
     Meanwhile, when the second terminal is not connected to the second communication unit  110  in operation S 218 , the controller  130  determines whether the external device (not illustrated in the drawing) is connected to the wired interface unit  160  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B  in operation S 226 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the external device is connected to the wired interface unit  160 , the controller  130  determines a type of the external device in operation S 228 , and determines whether the external device is an external storage device such as a USB memory or external hard disk in operation S 230 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the external device connected to the wired interface unit  160  is the external storage device, the controller  130  determines whether the upload or backup command is inputted through the key signal input unit  150  in operations S 232  and S 234 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the upload command is inputted through the key signal input unit  150 , the controller  130  sequentially displays the data stored in the external storage device connected to the wired interface unit  160  on the display unit  140  in response to a signal of a direction key of the key signal input unit  150  in operation S 236 , and determines whether data to be uploaded are selected in operation S 238 . 
     In this state, when the data to be uploaded are not selected, the controller  130  goes back to operation S 236  to repeatedly display the data stored in the external storage device on the display unit  140  in response to the signal of the direction key of the key signal input unit  150 , and determine whether the data to be uploaded are selected. 
     Herein, one piece or a plurality of pieces of the data may be selected to be uploaded. 
     When it is completed to select the data to be uploaded, the controller  130  uploads the corresponding data stored in the external storage device, stores the uploaded data into the internal storage device  120 , and terminates the uploading operation. 
     Further, when the upload command in not inputted in operation S 232  and the backup command is inputted in operation S 234 , the controller  130  sequentially displays the data stored in the internal storage device  120  on the display unit  140  in response to the signal of the direction key of the key signal input unit  150  in operation S 242 , and determines whether data to be backed up are selected in operation S 244 . 
     Herein, one piece or a plurality of pieces of the data may be selected to be backed up. 
     When it is completed to select the data to be backed up, the controller  130  backs up the corresponding data stored in the internal storage device  120  to store the backed-up data into the external storage device connected to the wired interface unit  160  in operation S 246 . 
     In this state, when the backup operation is completed, the controller  130  determines whether a command for deleting the backed-up data from the internal storage device  120  is inputted through the key signal input unit  150  in operation S 248 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the deletion command is inputted, the controller  130  deletes the backed-up data from the internal storage device  120  in operation S 250  and terminates the backup operation. 
     On the contrary, when it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the deletion command is not inputted, the controller  130  terminates the backup operation without deleting the backed-up data from the internal storage device  120 . 
     Meanwhile, when the external device connected to the wired interface unit  160  is not a storage device, the controller  130  determines whether the connected external device is a third terminal such as a computer in operation S 252 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the third terminal is connected to the wired interface unit  160 , the controller  130  recognizes the router as an external storage device of the third terminal in operation S 254 , and controls the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the third terminal in operation S 256 . 
     In this state, the controller  130  determines whether the third terminal is cut off from the wired interface unit  160  in operation S 258 . 
     When it is confirmed, according to a result of the determination, that the communication between the third terminal and the second communication unit  110  is not blocked, the controller  130  repeatedly controls the internal storage device  120  to store, read, or delete predetermined data in response to the command from the third terminal. 
     When it is confirmed, according to the result of the determination, that the communication between the third terminal and the second communication unit  110  is blocked, the controller  130  terminates the operation for controlling the internal storage device  120  in response to the command from the third terminal. 
     According to the router with the storage device and the control method thereof, according to the embodiments, the wired interface unit for wired communication with the external device is provided so that a terminal connected to the router may store predetermined data into the storage device, and read and delete the stored data. 
     Therefore, terminals may use the router as an external storage device. 
     Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.