Patent Description:
Various electronic devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop PC, and a wearable device, are now widely used.

Various electronic devices may support short-range wireless communication modes, such as wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, or ZigBee.

Among short-range wireless communication technologies, Wi-Fi is a protocol supporting a wireless connection between an access point (AP) and an electronic device and can utilize various types of carrier frequencies to perform communication between the AP and the electronic device. For example, Wi-Fi includes a plurality of standards including IEEE <NUM>. 11a, IEEE <NUM>, and IEEE <NUM>.

Further, in performing wireless communication using Wi-Fi technology between an AP and an electronic device, wireless communication can be performed using a bandwidth corresponding to an allocated channel.

The user of an electronic device can select an AP for connection from among an AP list, including at least one AP connectable with the electronic device. The electronic device can establish a connection with the selected AP and perform data transmission and reception using a network service provided by the selected AP.

<CIT> discusses a method for connecting short-range wireless communication in a terminal. <CIT> discusses an electronic device which roams from one access point to another using access point detection based on location and learning. <CIT> discusses methods to present network capabilities available via wireless networks.

An electronic device may provide an AP list including at least one selectable AP for a user to select an AP to connect with the electronic device. The AP list may include identifier information (service set identifier: SSID) about APs, information about the strength of a signal transmitted by an AP (received signal strength indicator: RSSI), and information indicating whether security is enabled on an AP.

The AP list may be provided for the user by listing the APs according to the signal strength of APs or in alphabetical order of AP identifiers.

Since the AP list is arranged according to the signal strength of APs or in alphabetical order of AP identifiers without considering state information about the electronic device, an AP other than an AP actually required for the user may be listed before the actually required AP.

An electronic device and an operating method of an electronic device for providing an AP list according to certain embodiments may determine an arrangement criterion for an AP list on the basis of state information about the electronic device, thus providing an AP list arranged differently depending on the state information.

An electronic device for providing an AP list according to certain embodiments may provide an AP list suitable for the state of the electronic device on the basis of state information about the electronic device, thus efficiently providing information about an AP suitable for a situation encountered by a user.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to certain embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element implemented of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB).

<FIG> is a block diagram <NUM> illustrating the program <NUM> according to certain embodiments. According to an embodiment, the program <NUM> may include an operating system (OS) <NUM> to control one or more resources of the electronic device <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, or an application <NUM> executable in the OS <NUM>. The OS <NUM> may include, for example, AndroidTM, iOSTM, WindowsTM, SymbianTM, TizenTM, or BadaTM. At least part of the program <NUM>, for example, may be pre-loaded on the electronic device <NUM> during manufacture, or may be downloaded from or updated by an external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM>, or the server <NUM>) during use by a user.

The OS <NUM> may control management (e.g., allocating or deallocation) of one or more system resources (e.g., process, memory, or power source) of the electronic device <NUM>. The OS <NUM>, additionally or alternatively, may include one or more driver programs to drive other hardware devices of the electronic device <NUM>, for example, the input device <NUM>, the sound output device <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the audio module <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the interface <NUM>, the haptic module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, the power management module <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, the subscriber identification module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>.

The middleware <NUM> may provide various functions to the application <NUM> such that a function or information provided from one or more resources of the electronic device <NUM> may be used by the application <NUM>. The middleware <NUM> may include, for example, an application manager <NUM>, a window manager <NUM>, a multimedia manager <NUM>, a resource manager <NUM>, a power manager <NUM>, a database manager <NUM>, a package manager <NUM>, a connectivity manager <NUM>, a notification manager <NUM>, a location manager <NUM>, a graphic manager <NUM>, a security manager <NUM>, a telephony manager <NUM>, or a voice recognition manager <NUM>.

The application manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the life cycle of the application <NUM>. The window manager <NUM>, for example, may manage one or more graphical user interface (GUI) resources that are used on a screen. The multimedia manager <NUM>, for example, may identify one or more formats to be used to play media files, and may encode or decode a corresponding one of the media files using a codec appropriate for a corresponding format selected from the one or more formats. The resource manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the source code of the application <NUM> or a memory space of the memory <NUM>. The power manager <NUM>, for example, may manage the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery <NUM>, and determine or provide related information to be used for the operation of the electronic device <NUM> based at least in part on corresponding information of the capacity, temperature, or power of the battery <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the power manager <NUM> may interwork with a basic input/output system (BIOS) (not shown) of the electronic device <NUM>.

The database manager <NUM>, for example, may generate, search, or change a database to be used by the application <NUM>. The package manager <NUM>, for example, may manage installation or update of an application that is distributed in the form of a package file. The connectivity manager <NUM>, for example, may manage a wireless connection or a direct connection between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device. The notification manager <NUM>, for example, may provide a function to notify a user of an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., an incoming call, message, or alert). The location manager <NUM>, for example, may manage locational information on the electronic device <NUM>. The graphic manager <NUM>, for example, may manage one or more graphic effects to be offered to a user or a user interface related to the one or more graphic effects.

The security manager <NUM>, for example, may provide system security or user authentication. The telephony manager <NUM>, for example, may manage a voice call function or a video call function provided by the electronic device <NUM>. The voice recognition manager <NUM>, for example, may transmit a user's voice data to the server <NUM>, and receive, from the server <NUM>, a command corresponding to a function to be executed on the electronic device <NUM> based at least in part on the voice data, or text data converted based at least in part on the voice data. According to an embodiment, the middleware <NUM> may dynamically delete some existing components or add new components. According to an embodiment, at least part of the middleware <NUM> may be included as part of the OS <NUM> or may be implemented as another software separate from the OS <NUM>.

The application <NUM> may include, for example, a home application <NUM>, dialer application <NUM>, short message service (SMS)/multimedia messaging service (MMS) <NUM>, instant message (IM) application <NUM>, browser application <NUM>, camera application <NUM>, alarm application <NUM>, contact application <NUM>, voice recognition application <NUM>, email application <NUM>, calendar application <NUM>, media player application <NUM>, album application <NUM>, watch application <NUM>, health application <NUM> (e.g., for measuring the degree of workout or biometric information, such as blood sugar), or environmental information application <NUM> (e.g., for measuring air pressure, humidity, or temperature information) application. According to an embodiment, the application <NUM> may further include an information exchanging application (not shown) that is capable of supporting information exchange between the electronic device <NUM> and the external electronic device. The information exchange application, for example, may include a notification relay application adapted to transfer designated information (e.g., a call, message, or alert) to the external electronic device or a device management application adapted to manage the external electronic device. The notification relay application may transfer notification information corresponding to an occurrence of a specified event (e.g., receipt of an email) at another application (e.g., the email application <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM> to the external electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the notification relay application may receive notification information from the external electronic device and provide the notification information to a user of the electronic device <NUM>.

The device management application may control the power (e.g., turn-on or turn-off) or the function (e.g., adjustment of brightness, resolution, or focus) of the external electronic device or some component thereof (e.g., a display device or a camera module of the external electronic device). The device management application, additionally or alternatively, may support installation, delete, or update of an application running on the external electronic device.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may include a communication module <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may transmit and receive data to and from an external electronic device (not shown). The communication module <NUM> may use a network provided by an access point (AP) in order to transmit and receive data to and from an external electronic device (not shown). The AP may provide a short-range communication network (local area network: LAN). For example, the AP may provide the electronic device <NUM> with various short-range communication networks, such as a Wi-Fi network and a ZigBee network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may receive AP information from the AP in order to connect with the AP. The AP may broadcast a beacon frame every preset period using a communication channel used by the AP. The beacon frame may include the AP information. The AP information may include various pieces of information about the AP including at least some of a service set identifier (SSID), a basic SSID (BSSID), a media access control (MAC) address, a frequency band, and channel bandwidth information of the AP, location information about the AP, and quality of service (QoS) control information. The communication module <NUM> may receive the beacon frame broadcast by the AP. The AP information received by the communication module <NUM> may be used for connection with the AP. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may transmit a signal for requesting AP information to a particular AP or may broadcast the signal to an unspecified AP under the control of the processor <NUM>. At least one AP located around the electronic device <NUM> may transmit a beacon frame including AP information to the electronic device <NUM> upon receiving the signal for requesting the AP information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may receive the AP information from an external server (e.g., the server <NUM> of <FIG>). The external server <NUM> may manage at least one piece of AP information. The external server <NUM> may collect the AP information from a plurality of electronic devices having accessed the AP. The external server <NUM> may generate and manage AP information using the collected information. The external server <NUM> may transmit additional information stored and processed by the external server <NUM> to the electronic device <NUM> in response to a request for AP information from the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may receive the AP information and the additional information transmitted by the external server <NUM>. The additional information stored and processed by the external server <NUM> may include at least one piece of information among network quality information about the AP, location information about the AP, or information indicating whether to set encryption of the AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may also receive information utilized for connection to the AP (e.g., a password or ID) from the external server <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the additional information received by the electronic device <NUM> from the external server <NUM> may include information about a location at which the AP is installed, information about a store in which the AP is installed, the average upload or download speed of the network provided by the AP, payment information about the network provided by the AP, quality information about the network provided by the AP, the presence of an authentication procedure for using the network provided by the AP, or network congestion information. The additional information received by the electronic device <NUM> from the external server <NUM> may include the time for which a connection between each of a plurality of electronic devices and the AP is maintained or various pieces of information (e.g., the congestion of a place where the AP is located or the popularity of a place where the AP is located) obtained from the time for which the connection is maintained.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may receive AP information from the external server <NUM> may include information including a network attack detection history of the AP. The network attack detection history means history of detecting a network attack(e. g, Karma attack, evil twin AP or Fake AP) on an electronic device connected to the AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the communication module <NUM> may receive AP information from an external electronic device. The external electronic device may be an external electronic device used by the same user of the electronic device <NUM> (or used with the same account). The communication module <NUM> may transmit a request for AP information stored by the external electronic device to the external electronic device used by the same user and may receive the AP information transmitted by the external electronic device. According to an embodiment, the AP information stored by the external electronic device may be shared with the electronic device <NUM> through the external server <NUM> (e.g., a cloud server or an account management server). The processor <NUM> may generate or change an AP list on the basis of the AP information transmitted from the external server <NUM> or the external electronic device.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP information received by the communication module <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>). The AP information stored in the memory <NUM> may include at least some of an SSID, a BSSID, and an MAC address of each AP, frequency information of the AP, frequency band information of the AP, information about a channel that the AP can provide, a password for access to the AP, information about whether the AP is encrypted, or the additional information received from the external server <NUM>. APs included in the AP information may refer to an AP having a history of connection to the electronic device <NUM> or having a history of retrieval by the electronic device <NUM>. The AP information stored in the memory <NUM> may be stored in various forms including a list type under the control of the processor <NUM> and may be updated under the control of the processor <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> can determine whether to attempt access to unauthorized information in the network associated with the AP. For example, an attacker may create a fake AP with the same SSID and BSSID as the network, and may perform a variety of attacks by using the created fake AP(e. g, Karma attack, Evil twin AP or Fake AP). For another example, the attacker can attack the network by transmitting fake ARP message (e. g ARP spoofing attack). The processor <NUM> can determine whether the connected AP is the AP provided by the attacker and store the AP information including the result of the determination in the memory <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may generate an AP list, which is a list of APs to which the electronic device <NUM> can connect, using the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display the generated AP list. When receiving a user input to select one AP from among one or more APs included in the AP, the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to connect to the selected AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the state of the electronic device <NUM> and may determine a criterion for arranging the AP list on the basis of state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include information indicating whether an AP to which the electronic device <NUM> can connect is located near the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may store information about APs having a history of connection in the memory <NUM>. The information about the APs may include at least some of the SSID of an AP, security type information about an AP (e.g. various security types including an open type indicating that an AP is available without authentication, a phase shift keying type, and a wired equivalent privacy (WEP) type), a password required to use an AP, information about a channel provided by an AP (e.g., the bandwidth of a channel), or information about a carrier network provided by a mobile network operator.

The processor <NUM> may receive AP information transmitted by at least one AP located nearby and may identify whether there is an AP having a history of connection using the AP information and information about an AP having a history of connection stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine that there is a connectable AP on the basis of whether there is an AP having a history of connection. When there is an AP having a history of connection, the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to connect to the AP having the history of connection using the information about the APs stored in the memory <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include location information about the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may compare the identified location information about the electronic device <NUM> with location information about the location of the APs included in the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify APs located within a preset distance from the current location of the electronic device <NUM>. When determining that there is an AP within the preset distance from the current location of the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that there is a connectable AP. When determining that there is no AP within the preset distance from the current location of the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that the electronic device <NUM> is in a new place where the electronic device <NUM> has never connected to a local area network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the location of the electronic device <NUM> using a position sensor (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> of <FIG>) included in the electronic device <NUM>. The position sensor may include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensor. The processor <NUM> may also identify the current location of the electronic device <NUM> using geofencing of zoning a location measured by the position sensor <NUM>. Geofencing may refer to a technique for identifying the current location of the electronic device <NUM> on the basis of the entry of the electronic device <NUM> to an area enclosed by a virtual fence. When determining that the electronic device <NUM> is not located in any area enclosed by a virtual fence stored in the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may determine that the electronic device <NUM> is in a new place where the electronic device <NUM> has never connected to a local area network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may also identify the location of the electronic device <NUM> using various communication methods (e.g., Bluetooth, W-Fi, Li-Fi, NFC, or RFID) supportable by the communication module <NUM> other than the position sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may identify the location measured using the communication module <NUM> and may determine that the electronic device <NUM> is in a new place where the electronic device <NUM> has never connected to a local area network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include roaming information about the electronic device <NUM>. Roaming of the electronic device <NUM> may indicate a state in which a network operator to which the electronic device <NUM> subscribes does not correspond to a network operator currently available to the electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may enter a state in which it is possible to use a network service provided by a different network operator in a state in which a network operator set in a subscriber identification module (e.g., the subscriber identification module <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> cannot provide a network service. A roaming state may indicate a state in which the electronic device <NUM> can use a network service provided by a network operator other than the network operator to which the electronic device <NUM> subscribes.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify identifier information about a network to which the electronic device <NUM> subscribes using a mobile country code (MCC) and a mobile network code (MNC) set in the subscriber identification module (e.g., the subscriber identification module <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may compare identifier information about a cellular network currently used with the identifier information about the network to which the electronic device <NUM> subscribes. The processor <NUM> may determine whether the electronic device <NUM> is in the roaming state on the result of comparing the identifier information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include a tariff plan of the cellular network to which the electronic device <NUM> subscribes. A cellular network operator may provide cellular networks having different characteristics including the total amount of data that the electronic device <NUM> can use via the cellular network, the remaining amount of data that the electronic device <NUM> can use via the cellular network, or the maximum speed limit of the cellular network depending on a fee paid by the user of the electronic device <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may receive the tariff plan of the cellular network from a server operated by the cellular network operator. The processor <NUM> may identify the state information including the remaining amount of data that the electronic device <NUM> can transmit and receive on the basis of the tariff plan.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include location information about the electronic device <NUM>, a tariff plan of the cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM>, or state information about the cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., information about whether the electronic device <NUM> is put on roaming). However, the aforementioned examples are provided for illustrative purposes, and the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include various pieces of information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may determine a criterion for arranging the AP list on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. The criterion for arranging the AP list may include various criteria including a criterion for listing AP names in alphabetical order, a criterion for listing APs in signal strength (RSSI) order, a criterion for first listing APs available to all users without entering a password, a criterion for first listing captive portal networks available after authentication, a criterion for excluding network where the attack detection history of AP exists, or a criterion for first listing APs available for free. The processor <NUM> may select at least one arrangement criterion from among criteria for arranging the AP list stored in the electronic device <NUM> on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display the AP list according to the selected arrangement criterion. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list using the selected arrangement criterion. The processor <NUM> may arrange at least one AP included in the AP list in order according to the selected arrangement criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify whether there is an AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM> among the APs included in the AP list. The AP list may include an AP having a history of connection with the electronic device <NUM>. The AP information stored in the memory <NUM> may include information about an AP having a history of connection with the electronic device <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is connected to an AP, the electronic device <NUM> may add information about the connected AP to the AP information. The processor <NUM> may identify whether a scanned AP is included in the AP information, and may determine the scanned AP as an AP having a history of connection when the scanned AP is included in the AP information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when identifying that the scanned AP is included in the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing the identified AP first. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the identified AP is listed first. Information about the identified AP is included in the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may establish a connection to the identified AP using the AP information. When identifying that there is no AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for first listing an open network, which is a network connectable without entering a password or performing an authentication process. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the open network is listed first.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, changing the AP list may mean changing positions where one or more APs included in the AP list are displayed. For example, the processor <NUM> may display the AP list via the display <NUM>, and may change the AP list such that an AP displayed at the bottom of the AP list is displayed at the top of the AP list.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may prioritize various criteria on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM> and may change the AP list on the basis of original priorities. For example, the processor <NUM> may assign a higher priority to an arrangement criterion for displaying an AP providing an open network first than other arrangement criteria (e.g., an arrangement criterion for displaying an AP having a higher RSSI first) on the basis of state information indicating that the electronic device <NUM> is in the roaming state. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list using an arrangement criterion having a higher priority.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may control the display <NUM> to display the AP list according to the selected arrangement criterion. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may select at least one arrangement criterion from among a plurality of arrangement criteria on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM> and may change the AP list according to the selected arrangement criterion. The disclosure enables the user to select an AP suitable for various states of the electronic device <NUM> through the AP list changed according to the selected arrangement criterion. Certain embodiments of the AP list will be illustrated below in the following drawings.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may detect a change in the state of the electronic device <NUM>. When detecting a change in the state of the electronic device <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may redetermine a criterion for arranging the AP list and may change the AP list on the basis of the redetermined arrangement criterion. For example, the processor <NUM> may detect that the remaining amount of data that the electronic device <NUM> can use via the cellular network has changed to be below a preset value. The processor <NUM> may change a criterion for arranging the AP list and may change the AP list on the basis of the changed arrangement criterion. In another example, the processor <NUM> may identify the state of a first network that the electronic device <NUM> is using. When identifying that the state of the first network does not satisfy a preset condition, the processor <NUM> may redetermine a criterion for arranging the AP list and may change the AP list on the basis of the redetermined arrangement criterion. In still another example, the processor <NUM> may monitor the location of the electronic device <NUM> measured by the position sensor <NUM> or the communication module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> and may identify that the location of the electronic device <NUM> has changed. When identifying that the location of the electronic device <NUM> has changed, the processor <NUM> may redetermine a criterion for arranging the AP list and may change the AP list on the basis of the redetermined arrangement criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may change the AP list on the basis of the QoS control information included in the AP information. QoS data may include QoS control information in order to provide QoS for wireless LAN data communication performed between an AP and the electronic device <NUM>, and the QoS data may be included in data transmitted by the AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP may specify an access category (AC) that the AP can provide in a QoS control field and may transmit the QoS control field to the electronic device <NUM>. The AP may manage packets put in different queues according to the AC and may preferentially process communication for a queue having a higher priority.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when a plurality of electronic devices transmits and receives data through one AP, a service of a packet transmitted and received by one electronic device <NUM> of the plurality of electronic devices to and from the AP may be a voice call service. The voice call service needs to be provided continuously with high quality. To this end, the electronic device <NUM> may assign a high service rating to the voice call service and may include information on the assigned service rating in the QoS data. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit the QoS data to the AP. The AP may preferentially process a packet having a high service rating according to the QoS control information included in the QoS data, thereby providing a seamless call service.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when a plurality of electronic devices using a service having a high service rating communicates with the same AP, communication of an electronic device using a service having a low service rating may not be properly performed. The AP may store and analyze the received QoS data, thus storing overload information due to a packet associated with a service having a high service rating.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, while the electronic device <NUM> is using a service having a low service rating through a Wi-Fi network, the communication speed may be lower than a certain level. The electronic device <NUM> may request, from the AP, QoS control information including information about the amount of packets of a service having a high service rating, which is included in QoS control data about packets transmitted and received by the AP for a preset period, and may change the AP list on the basis of the QoS control information of the AP among the received information.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an AP list in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example of an AP list in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

<FIG> and <FIG> show AP lists displayed on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. For example, it is assumed that there are five APs (ABC <NUM>, A_private <NUM>, B_private <NUM>, C_private <NUM>, and OpenAP <NUM>) in communicative proximity to the electronic device <NUM>. It is assumed that, among the five APs, one AP (Open AP <NUM>) is available without requiring password input or user authentication, and four Aps (ABC <NUM>, A_private <NUM>, B_private <NUM>, and C_private <NUM>) require password input or user authentication.

Referring to <FIG>, the display <NUM> may display four APs (ABC <NUM>, A_private <NUM>, B_private <NUM>, and C_private <NUM>) of the five Aps, due to the limited size of the display area for displaying an AP list. <FIG> illustrates an example in which an AP list is displayed according to a criteria for arranging AP names in alphabetical order.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may identify state information about the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify that the electronic device <NUM> is in a roaming state. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the roaming state, it may be desirable to use a short-range communication network. Referring to <FIG>, all the APs displayed on the display <NUM> may require password input or user authentication. The AP <NUM> which does not require password input or user authentication may not be displayed due to the limited size of the display <NUM> or may be displayed at the bottom of the displayed AP list. Thus, the user of the electronic device <NUM> may encounter difficulty in selecting the AP <NUM>, which is an open network available without requiring user authentication.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may identify the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may identify that the electronic device <NUM> is in the roaming state. The processor <NUM> may determine a criterion for arranging the AP list on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may determine an arrangement criterion for first displaying an AP available without requiring password input or user authentication and may change the AP list on the basis of the arrangement criterion.

Referring to <FIG>, an AP (Open AP <NUM>) available without requiring password input or user authentication may be displayed on the top of the AP list before the APs (ABC <NUM>, A_private <NUM>, B_private <NUM>, and C_private <NUM>) requiring password input or user authentication. The user may select the AP (Open AP <NUM>) available without requiring password input or user authentication, and the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to establish a connection with the selected AP (Open AP <NUM>).

The electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may select a different arrangement criterion according to the state information about the electronic device <NUM> and may change an AP list on the basis of the selected arrangement criterion, thereby efficiently selecting and connecting a network suitable for a situation or enabling the user to select the network.

<FIG> illustrates an example of an AP list for proposing a connection to a network other than a currently connected network in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may change an AP list on the basis of state information about the electronic device <NUM> and may output a message for proposing a connection to one AP among APs included in the changed AP list. A processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) may output, through the display <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, a message <NUM> about whether to connect to an AP to which the electronic device <NUM> can connect among the APs included in the AP list on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the message <NUM> may include at least one of identification information <NUM> about a recommended AP among connectable APs or the state information <NUM> about the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the state information <NUM> may include various pieces of information including information indicating the roaming state of the electronic device <NUM> or information indicating that it is impossible to connect to a cellular network.

Referring to <FIG>, the message <NUM> may include a tariff plan (e.g., information indicating that the remaining amount of data available via the cellular network is insufficient), which is the state information <NUM> about the electronic device <NUM>, and identification information <NUM> (e.g., SSID or MAC address) of the recommended AP. The electronic device <NUM> may receive user input to connect the recommended AP. When receiving the user input, the processor <NUM> may control a communication module (e.g., the communication module <NUM> of <FIG>) to perform a series of operations to connect the recommended AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may output a message for proposing a connectable AP in various forms on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the message may be output as a pop-up message. Alternatively, the message for proposing the connectable AP may be output through a speaker (not shown) of the electronic device <NUM>. In response to user input to select a connectable AP through a microphone (not shown), the electronic device <NUM> may perform a series of operations to connect with the selected AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to connect to a proposed AP in response to user input to connect to a connectable AP (e.g., user input to select a Connect <NUM> button).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to maintain a currently connected network, instead of connecting a proposed AP, in response to user input not to connect to a connectable AP (e.g., user input to select a Cancel <NUM> button).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to automatically connect to a recommended AP according to user settings to automatically connect to a recommended AP.

<FIG> illustrates various modes of displaying an AP list or a recommended AP in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates various modes of displaying an AP list or a recommended AP in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates various modes of displaying an AP list or a recommended AP in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates various modes of displaying an AP list or a recommended AP in an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

A processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may display an AP list changed on the basis of state information about the electronic device <NUM> in various forms. <FIG> show various modes of displaying the changed AP list.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may provide an access area <NUM> to activate or deactivate various functions (e.g., a short-range communication network activation function, a Bluetooth activation function, a sound output mode selection function, a screen switch function according to the position change of the electronic device <NUM>, or an airplane mode switch function) that the electronic device <NUM> can provide on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display an AP list <NUM> in response to user input to select an icon <NUM> for turning on or off the short-range communication network activation function on the access area <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may display the AP list <NUM> in response to user input to execute an option to configure a short-range communication network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display the AP list <NUM> changed according to an arrangement criterion determined on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP list <NUM> may display information about some APs <NUM> among APs included in the AP list changed according to the determined arrangement criterion. Some APs may include APs disposed at the top of the AP list changed according to the arrangement criterion determined on the basis of the state information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display information about all APs included in the AP list in response to user input to select a button <NUM> for displaying undisplayed APs.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display information <NUM> about a recommended AP in an information display area <NUM> communicative proximity to the state information <NUM> about the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the remaining battery capacity, the receiver sensitivity of a cellular network connected to the electronic device <NUM>, or time) displayed at the top of the display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may determine an AP having the highest priority among the APs included in the AP list as the recommended AP and may display information including at least part of the information <NUM> about the recommended AP in the information display area <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to perform a series of operations to connect with the selected AP in response to user input <NUM> to establish a connection to the displayed AP.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display the information including information <NUM> about an AP, recommended on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>, in a pop-up form <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display the pop-up form <NUM> including the information <NUM> about the AP having the highest priority among the APs included in the AP list. The processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to perform a series of operations to connect with the selected AP in response to user input <NUM> to establish a connection to the displayed AP.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display, in a pop-up form, an AP list <NUM> changed according to an arrangement criterion determined on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display information <NUM> about one or more APs included in the changed AP list <NUM> in a pop-up form. The processor <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to perform a series of operations to connect with a selected AP in response to user input to select one AP from the one or more APs.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which an electronic device displays an AP list generated on the basis of AP information received from an external server according to certain embodiments of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an example in which an electronic device displays an AP list generated on the basis of AP information received from an external server according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may transmit AP information collected by the electronic device <NUM> to an external server (e.g., the server <NUM> of <FIG>). The external server may manage at least one piece of AP information. The external server <NUM> may collect information about an AP from a plurality of electronic devices having accessed the AP. The external server <NUM> may generate and manage AP information using the collected information. The external server <NUM> may transmit, to the electronic device <NUM>, additional AP information corresponding to an AP identifier (e.g., the SSID of an AP or the MAC address of an AP) included in the AP information transmitted by the electronic device <NUM>. The additional information stored by the external server <NUM> may include at least one of network quality information about an AP, location information about an AP, or information indicating whether to set encryption of an AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM> may provide the additional AP information received from the external server along with an AP list.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display an AP list <NUM> on the display <NUM>. The AP list <NUM> may include one or more pieces of AP information. The AP information may include the RSSI <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-c, <NUM>-d, or <NUM>-e of each AP, the identifier <NUM>-a, <NUM>-b, <NUM>-c, <NUM>-d, or <NUM>-e of each AP (the name, SSID, or MAC address of each AP), or information <NUM> indicating whether user authentication is required. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display the additional AP information received from the external server <NUM> along with the AP information included in the AP list <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> may display information <NUM> indicating that a network provided by an AP is available after viewing the advertisement, which is additional information associated with the AP having an identifier of CommercialWiFi <NUM>-c from the external server <NUM>, near to AP information associated with the additional information. In another example, the processor <NUM> may display information <NUM> indicating that a network provided by an AP is available after web authentication, which is additional information associated with the AP having an identifier of SeoulWiFi_5G <NUM>-e from the external server <NUM>, near to AP information associated with the additional information.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display an AP list <NUM> on the display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may display the additional information (e.g., the information <NUM> indicating that a network provided by an AP is available after viewing the advertisement or the information <NUM> indicating that a network provided by an AP is available after web authentication) received from the external server (not shown) on the AP list <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may also display an indicator indicating that the additional information has been received from the external server (e.g., the server <NUM> of <FIG>). Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display indicators <NUM> and <NUM> indicating that the additional information has been received via the external server <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display the additional information received from the external server <NUM> on the AP list <NUM> or <NUM>, thereby assisting the user in selecting an AP to use.

Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display an AP list <NUM> on the display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may display the additional information (e.g., the information <NUM> indicating that the attack detection history of the network provided by the AP (<NUM>) is existed. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may also display an indicator indicating that the additional information has been received from the external server (e.g., the server <NUM> of <FIG>). Referring to <FIG>, the processor <NUM> may display indicators <NUM> indicating that the additional information has been received via the external server <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may display the attack detection history for the network on the AP list <NUM>, thereby assisting the user in selecting the AP to user.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which an electronic device displays an AP list on an external electronic device connected with the electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may transmit an AP list changed on the basis of state information about the electronic device <NUM> or information about a recommended AP to an external electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a wearable device) connected with the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may display the AP list or the information about the recommended AP, received from the electronic device <NUM>, on a display <NUM>. There is no limit to methods for displaying the received AP list or information about the recommended AP. For example, the external electronic device <NUM> may display a message <NUM> for identifying whether to connect with an AP having the highest priority among a plurality of APs included in the AP list. In another example, the external electronic device <NUM> may display information about the plurality of APs included in the AP list.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may display the message <NUM> for recommending an AP having the highest priority among the APs included in the AP list. The external electronic device <NUM> may transmit an indicator indicating a connection to an AP to the electronic device <NUM> in response to user input to establish a connection to the displayed AP. The electronic device <NUM> may control the communication module <NUM> to perform a series of operations to connect with the selected AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the AP list or the information about the recommended AP to a different external electronic device (not shown).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may receive the AP list or the information about the recommended AP from the electronic device <NUM> using various networks (e.g., a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth network) supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) method. The external electronic device <NUM> may perform network discovery, may establish a connection with the discovered electronic device <NUM> as a result of network discovery, and may receive the AP list from the electronic device <NUM>. The external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the received AP list or information about the recommended AP to a different external electronic device.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the external electronic device <NUM> may retrieve the electronic device <NUM> that shares network information using a neighbor awareness network (NAN) discovery procedure and may receive the AP list of the information about the recommended AP from the retrieved electronic device <NUM>. The external electronic device <NUM> may transmit the AP list or the information about the recommended AP to a different external electronic device (not shown) using a Wi-Fi direct or Bluetooth method. The different external electronic device may receive the AP list or the information about the recommended AP, and may request further information from the external electronic device <NUM> or an external server (not shown) if there is more information utilized to establish a connection with an AP.

An electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may include: at least one communication module (e.g., the communication module <NUM> of <FIG>); a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>); a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>); and a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to be operatively connected to the communication module <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>, such that the processor <NUM> may receive access point (AP) information from at least one AP through the communication module, may generate an AP list including an AP connectable with the electronic device <NUM> on the basis of the received AP information, may store the AP list in the memory <NUM>, may identify a state of the electronic device, may determine an arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of state information about the electronic device, and may control the display <NUM> to display the AP list according to the determined arrangement criterion.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to determine a priority of a plurality of arrangement criteria on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM> and to change the AP list on the basis of the determined priority.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to detect a change in the state information, to change the arrangement criterion for the AP list upon detecting the change in the state information, and to change the AP list on the basis of the changed arrangement criterion.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to receive the AP information from an external electronic device that stores the AP information.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to transmit the changed AP list to an external electronic device (e.g., the external electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) so that the changed AP list is displayed on the external electronic device <NUM> connected with the electronic device <NUM>.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include connection history information of the electronic device <NUM> about the at least one AP, and the processor <NUM> may be configured to determine the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the connection history information about the AP.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include a tariff plan of a network used by the electronic device <NUM>, and the processor <NUM> may be configured to determine the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the tariff plan.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include information indicating whether the electronic device <NUM> is put on roaming, and the processor <NUM> may be configured to determine the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the information indicating whether the electronic device is put on roaming.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to identify state information about a first network connected with the electronic device <NUM>, to change a priority of at least one AP capable of using another network on the basis of the state information about the first network, and to display the AP list changed according to the changed priority.

An electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may include: at least one communication module <NUM>; a display <NUM>; a memory <NUM>; and a processor <NUM> configured to be operatively connected to the communication module <NUM>, the display <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>, such that the processor <NUM> may receive AP information about at least one AP connectable with the electronic device <NUM> through the communication module, may display an AP list based on the received AP information, may detect a change in a state of the electronic device <NUM>, may determine an arrangement criterion for the AP list upon detecting the change in the state of the electronic device <NUM>, and may control the display <NUM> to display the AP list according to the determined arrangement criterion.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to receive the AP information from an external electronic device that stores the AP information, to generate the AP list on the basis of the AP information, and to store the AP list in the memory.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include information indicating whether the electronic device is put on roaming, and the processor <NUM> may configured to determine the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the information indicating whether the electronic device is put on roaming.

In the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may be configured to identify state information about a first network connected with the electronic device, to change a priority of at least one AP capable of using another network on the basis of the state information about the first network, and to display the AP list changed according to the changed priority.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may receive AP information in operation <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP information may include various pieces of information about an AP, such as the SSID, BSSID, MAC address, a frequency band, channel bandwidth information, or location information of the AP. For example, the AP information may be included in a beacon frame broadcast by the AP. The beacon frame may be broadcasted by the AP every preset period, and the AP may transmit the beacon frame to the electronic device <NUM> in response to a request from the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP information may include additional information that is transmitted by an external server (e.g., the server <NUM> of <FIG>) connected with the electronic device <NUM>. The additional information transmitted by the external server <NUM> may include at least one of network quality information about the AP, location information about the AP, or information indicating whether to set encryption of the AP.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may generate an AP list including one or more communicatively connectable APs on the basis of the received AP information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify the state of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include location information about the electronic device <NUM>, a tariff plan of a cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM> or state information about the cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM> (information about whether the electronic device <NUM> is put on roaming). However, the aforementioned examples are provided for illustrative purposes, and the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include various pieces of information.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a criterion for arranging the AP list on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>. That is, a display order of APs included in the AP list may be changed or reordered according to the determined criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may store various criteria for arranging the AP list in the memory <NUM> and may select at least one arrangement criterion from among the various criteria on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the criterion for arranging the AP list may include various criteria including a criterion for listing AP names in alphabetical order, a criterion for listing APs in signal strength (RSSI) order, a criterion for first listing APs available to all users without entering a password, a criterion for first listing captive portal networks available after authentication, or a criterion for first listing APs available for free.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when identifying that there is an AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing the identified AP first. The AP list may include an AP having a history of connection with the electronic device <NUM>. The AP information stored in the memory <NUM> may include information about the AP having the history of connection with the electronic device <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the identified AP is listed first. When identifying that there is no AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing an AP corresponding to an open network, which is a network connectable without entering a password or performing an authentication process, listing APs in signal strength order, or listing AP names in alphabetical order. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the open network is listed first.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may change the AP list (e.g., changing a display order of APs included in the AP list) according to the determined arrangement criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may change the AP list using the selected arrangement criterion. The processor <NUM> may arrange at least one AP included in the AP list according to the selected arrangement criterion (or a plurality of APs included in the AP list, sorting them into a different arrangement).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may display the changed AP list on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates an example of displaying a network list for connecting a different network in an operating method of an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM> of an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may connect to a first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the first network may include various networks, such as a cellular network, a short-range communication network, and the like. The electronic device <NUM> may transmit and receive data through a connection with the first network. The electronic device <NUM> may establish a connection to the first network via user input to communicatively connect to the first network or without user input.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may connect to the first network when a particular application is executed. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may connect to the first network when a video streaming program is executed.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may identify state information about the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information about the first network may include information about cost that a user needs to pay to use the first network, the connection state of the first network, or quality information about the first network. The electronic device <NUM> may identify the state information about the first network on the basis of subscription information stored in the subscriber identification module <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, information about an operator of the first network, or various pieces of information received from a server operated by the operator of the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the state information about the first network satisfies a preset criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the information about the cost that the user needs to pay included in the state information about the first network is less than a preset amount of money.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether the quality information about the first network included in the state information about the first network satisfies a preset quality.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the first network may have security settings, such as a restriction on a connection using a particular site or a particular port, depending on settings by the operator of the first network. For example, settings to restrict a connection to a port used for various applications (e.g., a message transmission application) may be applied to an AP in a company's workplace in order to enhance network security. The electronic device <NUM> may identify whether it is possible to use a particular application using the first network included in the state information about the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may detect execution of the particular application or may periodically identify whether it is possible to use the particular application using the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, when determining that the state information about the first network does not satisfy the preset criterion, the electronic device <NUM> may retrieve a second network communicatively connectable with the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the state information about the first network does not satisfy the preset criterion and may retrieve the second network switchable from the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the second network may be a short-range communication network provided by an AP located within a preset distance from the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the second network may include various short-range communication networks, such as a Wi-Fi network or a ZigBee network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the cost that the user needs to pay included in the state information about the first network is not less than the preset amount of money and may retrieve the second network switchable from the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may determine that the quality information about the first network included in the state information about the first network does not satisfy the a preset quality and may retrieve the second network switchable from the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when determining that it is impossible to use the particular application using the first network included in the state information about the first network, the electronic device <NUM> may retrieve the second network switchable from the first network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may generate a list of the second network.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the list of the second network may refer to an AP list including APs to which the electronic device <NUM> is connectable. The list of the second network may be generated on the basis of AP information about each of the APs to which the electronic device <NUM> is connectable. The AP information may include various pieces of information about an AP including the SSID, BSSID, MAC address, frequency band, channel bandwidth information, or location information of the AP. The AP information may be included in a beacon signal broadcast by an AP connectable with the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may retrieve the second network connectable with the electronic device <NUM> and may request information about the retrieved second network from an external server <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may generate the list of the second network using the information about the second network transmitted by the external server <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine a criterion for arranging the list of the second network on the basis of state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may store various arrangement criteria for the list of the second network in the memory <NUM> and may select at least one of the various arrangement criteria on the basis of the state of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the arrangement criteria for the list of the second network may include various criteria, such as a criterion for listing AP names in alphabetical order, a criterion for listing APs in signal strength (RSSI) order, a criterion for first listing APs available to all users without entering a password, a criterion for first listing captive portal networks available after authentication, or a criterion for first listing APs available for free.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when identifying that there is an AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing the identified AP first. The processor <NUM> may change the list of the second network such that the identified AP is listed first. When identifying that there is no AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing an AP corresponding to an open network, which is a network connectable without entering a password or performing an authentication process, listing APs in signal strength order, or listing AP names in alphabetical order. For example, the processor <NUM> may change the list of the second network such that the open network is listed first.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may change the list of the second network on the basis of the determined arrangement criterion (e.g., changing an arrangement of elements included in the list of the second network).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may change the list of the second network using the selected arrangement criterion. The processor <NUM> may arrange at least one AP included in the list of the second network according to the selected arrangement criterion.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may display the changed list of the second network on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may retrieve the second network before establishing a communicative connection to the first network, in which case operation <NUM> may be omitted.

<FIG> illustrates an example in which an AP list is changed depending on a change in the state of an electronic device in an operating method of an electronic device according to certain embodiments of the disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM> of an operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may display an AP list including at least one AP communicatively connectable with the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the AP list displayed in operation <NUM> may be an AP list which is completely arranged on the basis of at least one arrangement criterion among various arrangement criteria stored in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>) of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a change in the state of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include location information about the electronic device <NUM>, a tariff plan of a cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM>, state information about the cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM> (e.g., whether the electronic device <NUM> is put on roaming), information about an application being used in the electronic device <NUM>, or motion information about the electronic device <NUM>. However, the aforementioned examples are provided for illustrative purposes, and the state information about the electronic device <NUM> may include various pieces of information.

For example, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a switch to a roaming state in which the operator of a cellular network used by the electronic device <NUM> is changed. In another example, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a switch to a state in which the remaining amount of transmittable and receivable data provided by the operator of the cellular network is reduced to a preset value or less. In still another example, the electronic device <NUM> may detect that the electronic device <NUM> moves from an existing location to a different location.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may determine an arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the changed state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device <NUM> may store various arrangement criteria for the AP list in the memory <NUM> and may select at least one arrangement criterion from among the various arrangement criteria on the basis of the changed state information about the electronic device <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the arrangement criteria of the AP list may include various criteria, such as a criterion for listing AP names in alphabetical order, a criterion for listing APs in signal strength (RSSI) order, a criterion for first listing APs available to all users without entering a password, a criterion for first listing captive portal networks available after authentication, or a criterion for first listing APs available for free. There may be a plurality of arrangement criteria for the AP list, each of which may have a weight. The electronic device <NUM> may change the AP list using a weight that is set for each of the plurality of arrangement criteria or by applying a different weight on the basis of the state of the electronic device.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, when identifying that there is an AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing the identified AP first. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the identified AP is listed first. When identifying that there is no AP corresponding to the AP information stored in the memory <NUM>, the processor <NUM> may select an arrangement criterion for listing an AP corresponding to an open network, which is a network connectable without entering a password or performing an authentication process, listing APs in signal strength order, or listing AP names in alphabetical order. The processor <NUM> may change the AP list such that the open network is listed first.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may change the AP list on the basis of the determined arrangement criterion (e.g., changing a display order or arrangement of APs listed within the AP list based on the arrangement criterion).

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the processor <NUM> may change the AP list using the selected arrangement criterion. The processor <NUM> may arrange at least one AP included in the AP list according to the selected arrangement criterion and/or multiple arrangement criterions, if selected for use.

An operating method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may include: receiving access point (AP) information about at least one AP connectable with the electronic device <NUM> through a wireless communication module (e.g., the communication module <NUM> of <FIG>); generating an AP list including the AP connectable with the electronic device <NUM> on the basis of the received AP information and storing the AP list in a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> of <FIG>); identifying state information about the electronic device <NUM>; determining an arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the identified state information; changing the AP list on the basis of the determined arrangement criterion; and displaying the changed AP list on a display (e.g., the display <NUM> of <FIG>).

The operating method of the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may further include: detecting a change in the state information; changing the arrangement criterion for the AP list upon detecting the change in the state information; and changing the AP list on the basis of the changed arrangement criterion.

The operating method of the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may further include: determining a priority of a plurality of arrangement criteria on the basis of the state information about the electronic device <NUM>; and changing the AP list on the basis of the determined priority.

In the operating method of the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include a tariff plan of a network used by the electronic device <NUM>, and the determining of the arrangement criterion for the AP list includes determining the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the tariff plan.

In the operating method of the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the state information may include information indicating whether the electronic device <NUM> is put on roaming, and the determining of the arrangement criterion for the AP list includes determining the arrangement criterion for the AP list on the basis of the information indicating whether the electronic device is put on roaming.

The operating method of the electronic device <NUM> according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may further include: identifying state information about a first network connected with the electronic device <NUM>; changing a priority of at least one AP (and/or respective priorities for each of multiple APs) capable of using another network on the basis of the state information about the first network; and displaying the AP list changed according to the changed priority.

The electronic device according to certain embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices.

It should be appreciated that certain embodiments of the present disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or replacements for a corresponding embodiment.

Certain embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program <NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory <NUM> or external memory <NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>).

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
at least one communication module (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a display (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>, <NUM>) operatively coupled to the communication module, the display, and the memory, the processor configured to:
receive access point, AP, information from at least one AP through the communication module,
generate an AP list including an AP communicatively connectable with the electronic device based on the received AP information,
store the AP list in the memory,
identify a state information of the electronic device, the state information including connection history information for the electronic device corresponding to the at least one AP and roaming information of the electronic device indicating whether the electronic device is in a roaming state,
select an arrangement criterion based on the state information of the electronic device, the arrangement criterion being selected from a plurality of candidate arrangement criterions including a first arrangement criterion and a second arrangement criterion, the first arrangement criterion related to connection history between the electronic device and the at least one AP, and the second arrangement criterion related to first listing APs available to all users without entering a password,
determine a display order of the at least one AP included in the AP list based on the selected arrangement criterion, and
control the display to display the AP list based on the display order to enable a user of the electronic device to select an AP suitable for a state of the electronic device,
wherein the processor is further configured to:
select the second arrangement criterion when the electronic device identifies that the electronic device is in the roaming state based on the state information.