Patent Description:
Wi-Fi Hotspot network access technology, a short-range wireless access technology, will soon be commercialized. A typical example of this technology is Hotspot <NUM>, in which a terminal capable of Wi-Fi communication can more easily access a public Wi-Fi network without the separate user's input.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a Wi-Fi Hotspot network system, and more particularly, illustrates a system configuration for new Wi-Fi Hotspot network access according to the related art.

This system uses a separate network discovery method in which a terminal <NUM> can acquire external network information, and also has a separate information server <NUM> that manages and stores the external network information.

For example, a Hotspot <NUM> system, a typical example of the above system, has an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) for network discovery, and also has an ANQP server for the information server.

Conventionally, in order to access an Access Point (AP) in a Wi-Fi Hotspot network, a user must check a list of APs using a Scan list, and determine whether a certain AP is an accessible or connectable AP, using the list of APs; in order to access a desired AP, the user must perform a connection settings task. The related art connection settings task performed to select an AP using the Scan list and to access the selected AP includes dropping the usability or ease of use for users who are unfamiliar with the Wi-Fi features. To overcome these disadvantages, Hotspot <NUM> technology aims to provide the usability to terminals such as a cellular terminal.

The Hotspot <NUM> technology is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) <NUM>. 11u standard, and provides enhanced security by using Wi-Fi Protected Access II (WPA2)-Enterprise security. In addition, Hotspot <NUM> technology provides a variety of other functions, such as providing a Data Off-loading function of the cellular network.

In the Hotspot <NUM> system, a terminal supports enhanced network discovery using the <NUM>. 11u-based ANQP. The enhanced network discovery operation using ANQP is advantageous in that, before its access to an AP, the terminal can check a variety of following information, in addition to the information that is acquired in the conventional scan process. Although the following information is provided in the current standard, the information can be further extended as a variety of use cases are developed.

A Homogeneous Extended Service Set Identifier (HESSID) uses one Media Access Control (MAC) address among Base Station Subsystem Identifiers (BSSIDs) of APs of a public network formed by a Hotspot service provider, and the HESSID is a globally unique value. A terminal may identify a service provider using the HESSID. In other words, the service provider has a single unique HESSID value. The HESSID is included in an interworking element of a beacon or a probe response sent by an AP.

In the Wi-Fi Hotspot network system illustrated in <FIG>, each AP constituting a Base Station Subsystem (BSS) may provide BSS link information to the terminal. For example, the terminal <NUM> may check beacon or probe response information by a scan operation, and BSS link information is contained in the beacon or probe response. As the BSS link information includes information such as a network load of BSS, channel utilization, and the number of connected terminals, the terminal may determine the current utilization and load of the BSS based on the information.

In the Wi-Fi Hotspot network system, the terminal <NUM> may acquire link information of the external network from the information server <NUM> by performing network discovery. Based on the link information, the terminal <NUM> may acquire information (down link speed & load, uplink speed & load, and the like) about the external network connected to the AP.

In addition, the terminal <NUM> may perform automatic connection without user involvement by acquiring, from the information server <NUM>, information about a provider providing the Wi-Fi network, and connection information including a connection method for connecting with the Wi-Fi network.

<FIG> illustrates multiple Wi-Fi Hotspot network systems coexisting in the same area according to the related art.

Referring to <FIG>, multiple new Wi-Fi Network systems (or Hotspot <NUM> systems) A and B, each having an information server outside its network, may coexist in the same area.

In this case, an AP capable of automatically connecting with the terminal <NUM> and an AP incapable of automatically connecting with the terminal <NUM> may coexist in the same area.

In the new Wi-Fi network system in which the terminal acquires network information from the information server connected to the AP and automatically connects with the AP, there is no specific provision that indicates with which Wi-Fi network and AP the terminal should connect if the above situation occurs.

Hotspot <NUM>, a typical example of the above system, provides that the terminal <NUM> has different priorities for pre-configured networks. Further, the standard provides an option of allowing the user to adjust the priorities of the pre-configured networks.

In accordance with the specifications of the new system, the terminal <NUM> may be pre-specified so that the Wi-Fi network provided by a specific provider may have priority for the terminal <NUM>. As to the way to give priority to a specific provider, the specific provider selected by the user may have priority, or the specific provider may be determined by a policy specified by the network operator.

Alternatively, the terminal <NUM> may select a network by calculating the highest quality at the connection time, and then automatically connect with the selected network. Therefore, in the situation of <FIG>, the terminal is automatically connected to the Wi-Fi network A having the higher priority.

All of the above methods share the characteristic that the terminal is automatically connected based on the pre-specified priority or by the algorithm predefined in the terminal, without user intervention.

These ways to automatically connect with the network without user intervention may significantly contribute to an increase in the usability of the Wi-Fi features.

However, these automatic connection methods have disadvantages. For example, compared to the network to which the terminal is connected based on the priority, adjacent networks may have higher quality, and in certain areas, the user may want to use a network other than the network to which the terminal is connected based on the pre-specified priority. Even though the terminal may have connected to the best available network at the time of the first connection, the best network may be subject to change over time due to the user's movements or external factors. Sometimes, the user may want to use free networks rather than pay networks to which the terminal would be connected based on the priority.

No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

<CIT> discloses methods and apparatus to present network capabilities available via wireless networks. A disclosed method involves discovering a first network that supports a network query protocol and retrieving at least one network service from the first network prior to joining the first network. The at least one retrieved network service is presented.

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a short-range wireless communication connection method and apparatus, by which a terminal can automatically provide information about other connectable external devices, after the terminal is connected to a specific external device by short-range wireless communication.

The scope of the present invention is determined based on the appended claims.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims. Accordingly, those of ordinary skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The terminal, to which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are applicable, may include a mobile terminal and a fixed terminal. The mobile terminal, an easy-to-carry mobile electronic device, may include a video phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, an International Mobile Telecommunication <NUM> (IMT-<NUM>) terminal, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) terminal, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) terminal, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) terminal, an E-book reader, a portable computer (for example, a laptop computer, a tablet computer and the like), a digital camera or the like. The fixed terminal may include a desktop Personal Computer (PC) and the like.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the short-range wireless communication includes a Wi-Fi communication network capable of supporting Hotspot <NUM> in which the network is automatically switched from the mobile communication network to the Wi-Fi communication network. The external device, to which a terminal is connected to over the Wi-Fi communication network, is an Access Pont (AP), and includes at least one of an AP supporting Hotspot <NUM> (or Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP), which is connected to an information server, and an AP not supporting Hotspot <NUM> (or Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP), which is not connected to the information server. The Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP unconnected to the information server is a general AP, which is connected to the terminal only if it is selected by the user, or which is automatically connected to the terminal according to connection information stored in the terminal in advance.

Therefore, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the external device will be referred to as an AP, the Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP connected to the information server will be referred to as a first AP, and the Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP unconnected to the information server will be referred to as a second AP.

<FIG> illustrates a structure of a terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a Radio Frequency (RF) unit <NUM> is responsible for wireless communication of the terminal <NUM>. The RF unit <NUM> may include an RF transmitter for up-converting a frequency of transmission signals and amplifying the up-converted signals, and an RF receiver for low-noise-amplifying (LNA) received signals and downconverting a frequency of the LNA-amplified signals. A data processor <NUM> may include a transmitter for coding and modulating the transmission signals and a receiver for demodulating and decoding the received signals. In other words, the data processor <NUM> may comprise a modulator/demodulator (modem) and a coder/decoder (codec). The codec may include a data codec for processing packet data and the like, and an audio codec for processing audio signals such as voice. An audio processor <NUM> plays received audio signals output from the audio codec in the data processor <NUM>, using a speaker SPK, and transfers audio transmission signals picked up by a microphone MIC to the audio codec in the data processor <NUM>.

A key input unit <NUM> includes character/numeric keys for entering character/numeric information, and function keys for setting a variety of functions. The keys may be physical hard keys or virtual soft keys such as may be provided by a touch interface.

A memory <NUM> may be divided into a program memory and a data memory. The program memory may store control programs for controlling the general operation of the terminal. In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the program memory may store control programs for controlling to provide information about at least one other connectable AP, if the terminal is connected to a specific AP meeting the predetermined conditions upon request for connecting short-range wireless communication. The data memory may temporarily store data generated or received during execution of the control programs or other software.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the memory <NUM> stores connection information for detecting a connectable AP among a plurality of APs discovered by a scan operation, and the connection information may include at least one of a connection method and an authentication scheme.

The memory <NUM> stores information about an AP which is set on a priority connection basis for the information about the location where the terminal is located.

A controller <NUM> controls the overall operation of the terminal.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, upon request for Wi-Fi connection, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of APs by a scan operation, and sorts out first APs which are Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP, among the plurality of APs. The controller <NUM> connects with a specific first AP meeting predetermined conditions (for example, the predetermined priority, or the network quality at the point of connection) among the sorted first APs.

After the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> detects at least one other connectable first AP and provides information about the detected first AP.

In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if a 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected after the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> detects, as connectable first APs, the first APs having connection information matching with connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, among the plurality of first APs discovered by a scan operation, and provides a network list showing information about the detected first APs and connection status information for each of the detected first APs. The connection status information may be shown or displayed in at least one of a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), a data rate, a billing status (for example, a pay network or a free network), and a network provider type (for example, a home provider or a roaming partner).

If the 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected after the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of first APs by a scan operation, and receives network information for each of the plurality of first APs through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) procedure with the information server connected to each of the plurality of discovered first APs. The controller <NUM> determines whether connection information included in the network information matches with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, and detects the network information having the connection information matching with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> detects a first AP corresponding to the detected network information as the connectable first AP. The connection information may include at least one of a connection method and an authentication scheme.

In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, after the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> checks a connection status value of the connected specific first AP. If the connection status value of the connected specific first AP is less than or equal to a threshold, the controller <NUM> detects, as connectable first APs, first APs having connection information matching with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, among the plurality of first APs discovered by a scan operation. The controller <NUM> provides a network list showing information about the detected first APs and connection status information for each of the detected first APs. The connection status information may be shown or displayed in at least one of an RSSI, a data rate, a billing status (for example, a pay network or a free network), and a network provider type (for example, a home provider or a roaming partner).

If the connection status value of the specific first AP is less than or equal to a threshold after the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of first APs by a scan operation. The controller <NUM> receives network information for each of the plurality of first APs through an ANQP procedure with the information server connected to each of the plurality of discovered first APs. The controller <NUM> determines whether connection information included in the network information matches with connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, detects the network information having connection information matching with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, and detects a first AP corresponding to the detected network information as the connectable first AP. The connection information may include at least one of a connection method and an authentication scheme.

In accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if a 'View Other Connectable External Devices' option is selected after the terminal is connected to the specific first AP, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of APs by a scan operation, and sorts the plurality of plurality of discovered APs according to their type. The controller <NUM> sorts the plurality of discovered APs into first APs representing Hotspot <NUM>-supported APs and second APs representing Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported APs.

The controller <NUM> may sort the plurality of APs into first APs representing Hotspot <NUM>-supported APs and second APs representing Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported APs, based on the information included in a beacon or probe response received from each of the plurality of discovered APs.

The controller <NUM> receives network information for each of the sorted first APs through an ANQP procedure with the information server connected to each of the sorted first APs, and determines whether connection information included in the network information matches with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>. The controller <NUM> detects, as connectable first APs, the first APs corresponding to the network information having connection information matching with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>. The connection information may include at least one of a connection method and an authentication scheme.

The controller <NUM> detects, as connectable second APs, second APs whose previous connection information is stored in the memory <NUM>, among the sorted second APs.

The controller <NUM> provides a network list that shows the first and second APs detected as connectable APs, and connection status information for each of the detected first and second APs. The controller <NUM> may display the first and second APs shown in the network list in different ways. The connection status information may include at least one of an RSSI, a data rate, a billing status, and a network provider type.

In accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of first APs by a scan operation, upon request for connecting Wi-Fi communication. The controller <NUM> detects and connects with a specific first AP which is set in advance on a priority connection basis for the location information of the terminal, among the plurality of discovered first APs. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> may detect location information of the terminal through a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver <NUM>. However, the controller <NUM> may detect the location information of the terminal not only through the GPS receiver <NUM>, but also by applying a variety of known methods.

If the location information of the terminal is changed, the controller <NUM> discovers a plurality of first APs by a scan operation, and detects and connects with a specific first AP which is set in advance on a priority connection basis for the changed location information of the terminal, among the plurality of discovered first APs.

If short-range wireless communication is performed for a predetermined time or more after the terminal is connected a specific first AP by short-range wireless communication, the controller <NUM> sets the specific first AP on a priority connection basis for the current location information of the terminal.

A camera unit <NUM> includes a camera sensor for capturing image or video data and converting the captured optical image signals into electrical image signals, and a signal processor for converting the analog image signals captured by the camera sensor into digital image data. The camera sensor may be a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) or Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, and the signal processor may be implemented with a Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The camera sensor and the signal processor may be implemented either integrally or separately.

An image processor <NUM> performs Image Signal Processing (ISP) to display the image signals output from the camera unit <NUM>, on a display <NUM>. The ISP may include gamma correction, interpolation, spatial variation, image effects, image scaling, Auto White Balance (AWB), Auto Exposure (AE), Auto Focus (AF), and the like. The image processor <NUM> processes image signals output from the camera unit <NUM> on a frame basis, and outputs frame image data according to the characteristics and size of the display <NUM>. The image processor <NUM>, which includes a video codec, compresses frame image data displayed on the display <NUM> and decompresses the compressed frame image data into its original frame image data, using a predetermined coding/decoding scheme. The video codec may be a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) codec, a Moving Picture Experts Group <NUM> (MPEG4) codec, a Wavelet codec, and the like. The image processor <NUM> may have an On Screen Display (OSD) function. Under control of the controller <NUM>, the image processor <NUM> may output OSD data depending on the size of the displayed screen.

The display <NUM> displays, on its screen, the image signals output from the image processor <NUM> and the user data output from the controller <NUM>. A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) may be used as the display <NUM>. In this case, the display <NUM> may include an LCD controller, a video memory capable of storing image data, and an LCD panel. When implemented as a touch screen, the LCD may operate as an input unit. In this case, the same keys as those on the key input unit <NUM> may be displayed on the display <NUM>.

If the display <NUM> is used as a touch screen unit as it is implemented in a touch screen fashion, the touch screen unit is comprised of a Touch Screen Panel (TSP) including a plurality of sensor panels, and the sensor panels may include a capacitive sensor panel capable of detecting touches by a fingertip and an electromagnetic induction sensor panel capable of detecting fine touches by a touch pen such as a stylus pen.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, after the terminal is connected to a specific first AP upon request for Wi-Fi connection, the display <NUM> may display a network list that includes information about other connectable first APs and connection status information for each of the connectable APs.

A Wi-Fi communication unit <NUM> is a short-range wireless communication unit, and can be connected to a first AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP, and a second AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP.

The GPS receiver <NUM> can detect the current location information of the terminal.

A short-range wireless communication connection operation in the above-described terminal will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a process of connecting short-range wireless communication in a terminal according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, if a 'Wi-Fi On' option is selected on the terminal in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs a scan operation to discover nearby APs in operation <NUM>.

If a plurality of APs are discovered by the scan operation, the controller <NUM> may determine whether each of the APs is a first AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP, or a second AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP, based on information included in a beacon or probe response received from each of the plurality of discovered APs.

The beacon or probe response includes information about a service provider providing the APs, and Base Station Subsystem (BSS) link information (for example, network load, channel utilization, a number of connected terminals, and the like).

In the case of a first AP among the plurality of APs, the controller <NUM> may perform an ANQP procedure of sending a query message to an information server connected to the first AP, and receiving network information for the first AP from the information server in response to the query message.

The network information received through the ANQP procedure may include the information (for example, operator information, a connection scheme, a credential type used for connection, an authentication scheme, and the like) that the terminal uses to connect with the first AP, and data speed information of the network.

If there is a plurality of first APs among the plurality of discovered APs in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> connects with a specific first AP (for example, a top-priority first AP) meeting predetermined conditions among the plurality of first APs, in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> informs the user of the presence of other connectable first APs except for the specific first AP to which the terminal is connected in operation <NUM>, among the plurality of first APs which are discovered by the scan operation in operation <NUM>. Informing the user of the presence of other connectable first APs may be automatically displayed, or may be displayed if a specific menu option (for example, 'Display Wi-Fi Connection Status Information') is selected by the user.

If a 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs the scan operation again in operation <NUM>. The scan operation in operation <NUM> is performed taking into account the movement of the terminal and/or the change in the network environment.

The scan operation in operation <NUM> is performed in the same way as the scan operation in operation <NUM>. In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> sorts a plurality of APs, which are discovered by the scan operation in operation <NUM>, into first APs and second APs.

Although it is assumed in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention that the controller <NUM> performs the scan operation again in operation <NUM> if the 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user, the controller <NUM> may optionally perform operation <NUM> where it can sort the plurality of APs which have been discovered in operation <NUM> by the initial scan operation into the first APs and the second APs, without the re-scan operation of operation <NUM>, if the 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs an ANQP procedure of sending a query message to the information server connected to each of the plurality of sorted first APs, and receiving network information for each of the first APs from the information server connected to each of the plurality of first APs in response to the query message.

The controller <NUM> may optionally omit the ANQP procedure of operation <NUM>, for the first AP having the network information which was received at and stored in the terminal through the previous ANQP procedure, among the plurality of first APs which were sorted in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> compares connection information included in the network information received through the ANQP procedure with the connection information stored in advance in the memory <NUM>. The connection information may include at least one of a connection method and an authentication scheme.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> detects network information having connection information matching with the connection information stored in the memory <NUM>, through the comparison process, and detects the first APs corresponding to the detected network information as other connectable first APs.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> provides a network list that shows information about the detected other connectable first APs and connection status information for each of the other connectable first APs.

If the user selects his/her desired first AP from the network list provided in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs connection to the selected first AP.

The connection status information shown in the network list may be displayed in at least one of an RSSI, a data rate, a billing status (for example, a pay network or a free network), and a network provider type (for example, a home provider or a roaming partner). The information about other connectable first APs, which is shown in the network list, may be displayed in the order of priority depending on the connection status information. For example, if the connection status information is shown in an RSSI, the information about other connectable first APs may be displayed in the order of a high-RSSI AP.

Although it is assumed in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention that a plurality of first APs are discovered, the controller <NUM> may perform connection to one first AP regardless of the predetermined conditions (for example, priority), if only one first AP is discovered in operation <NUM>.

If there is only one other connectable first AP, one other connectable first AP is shown in the network list, and if there is no other connectable first AP, the controller <NUM> may inform the user of the absence of other connectable first APs.

<FIG> illustrates a process of connecting short-range wireless communication in a terminal according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

If a plurality of APs are discovered by the scan operation, the controller <NUM> may determine whether each of the APs is a first AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-supported AP, or a second AP which is a Hotspot <NUM>-unsupported AP, based on the information included in a beacon or probe response received from each of the plurality of discovered APs.

The beacon or probe response includes information about a service provider providing the APs, and BSS link information (for example, network load, channel utilization, the number of connected terminals, and the like).

The network information received through the ANQP procedure may include information (for example, operator information, a connection scheme, a credential type used for connection, an authentication scheme, and the like) that the terminal uses to connect with the first AP, and data speed information of the network.

If there is a plurality of first APs among the plurality of discovered APs in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> automatically connects with a specific first AP (for example, a top-priority first AP) meeting predetermined conditions among the plurality of first APs, in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> checks a connection status value of the specific first AP, to which the terminal is connected. The connection status value may include at least one of an RSSI and a data rate.

If a connection status value of the specific first AP is less than or equal to a threshold in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs a scan operation again in operation <NUM>. The scan operation in operation <NUM> is performed taking into account the movement of the terminal and/or the change in the network environment.

Although it is assumed in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention that the controller <NUM> performs the scan operation again in operation <NUM> if the connection status value of the specific first AP is less than or equal to a threshold, the controller <NUM> may optionally perform operation <NUM> where it can sort the plurality of APs which have been discovered in operation <NUM> by the initial scan operation into the first APs and the second APs, without the re-scan operation of operation <NUM>, if the connection status value of the specific first AP is less than or equal to the threshold.

The controller <NUM> may optionally omit the ANQP procedure of operation <NUM>, for the first AP having the network information which was received at and stored in the terminal through the previous ANQP procedure, among the plurality of first APs which are sorted in operation <NUM>.

Although it is assumed in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention that a plurality of first APs are discovered, the controller <NUM> may perform connection to one first AP regardless of the predetermined conditions (for example, priority), if only one first AP is discovered in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a process of connecting short-range wireless communication in a terminal according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, if a 'Wi-Fi On' option is selected on the terminal in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs a scan operation to discover nearby APs in operation <NUM>.

The beacon or probe response includes information about a service provider providing the APs, and BSS link information (for example, network load, channel utilization, a number of connected terminals, and the like).

If a 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs a scan operation again in operation <NUM>. The scan operation in operation <NUM> is performed taking into account the movement of the terminal and/or the change in the network environment.

Although it is assumed in the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention that the controller <NUM> performs the scan operation again in operation <NUM> if the 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user, the controller <NUM> may optionally perform operation <NUM> where it can sort the plurality of APs which have been discovered in operation <NUM> by the initial scan operation into the first APs and the second APs, without the re-scan operation of operation <NUM>, if the 'View Other Connectable First APs' option is selected by the user.

If the type of the sorted AP is a first AP in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs in operation <NUM> an ANQP procedure of sending a query message to the information server connected to each of the plurality of first APs, and receiving network information for each of the first APs from the information server connected to each of the plurality of first APs in response to the query message.

If the type of the sorted AP is a second AP in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> detects in operation <NUM> as other connectable second APs the second APs whose connection information is stored as their previous connection history, among the plurality of second APs.

In operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> provides a network list that shows information about the detected first APs and the detected second APs separately, and shows connection status information for each of the detected first and second APs.

If the user selects his/her desired first AP or second AP using the network list provided in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may perform connection to the selected first AP based on the already stored network information, and perform connection to the selected second AP based on the already stored connection information.

Although it is assumed in the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention that a plurality of first APs are discovered, the controller <NUM> may perform connection to one first AP regardless of the predetermined conditions (for example, priority), if only one first AP is discovered in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate examples of providing a network list according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the example of <FIG>, if a 'View Wi-Fi Connection Status Information' option selected by the user after the terminal is connected to a high-priority first AP upon request for Wi-Fi connection, the terminal may display an information screen <NUM> showing connection status information of the currently connected Wi-Fi. Referring to <FIG>, in a specific area <NUM> of the information screen <NUM>, the terminal shows the presence of other connectable first APs while it is connected to the high-priority first AP. In accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if an icon "Tab" placed in the specific area <NUM> is selected by the user, the terminal may detect other connectable first APs, and then provide a network list <NUM> that shows information <NUM> about the other connectable first APs and connection status information (for example, RSSI) <NUM> for each of the other connectable first APs, as illustrated in <FIG>.

In accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if a connection status value of the first AP to which the terminal is connected is less than or equal to a threshold, while the terminal is connected to the high-priority first AP upon request for Wi-Fi connection, then the terminal may display the network list as illustrated in <FIG>.

In accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if the icon "Tab" placed in the specific area <NUM> of the information screen <NUM> is selected by the user as in <FIG>, the terminal may detect other connectable first and second APs, and then provide the network list <NUM> that shows information 721a and 721c about other connectable first APs and information 721b about other connectable second APs separately, and shows connection status information (for example, RSSI) <NUM> for each of the other connectable first and second APs, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The network information received through the ANQP procedure may include information about a variety of services provided by the service provider. Therefore, when providing the network list <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the terminal may also display information about the services provided by the service provider of the first AP. For example, if "Another connectable Hotspot <NUM> AP <NUM>" in the network list <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> indicates a first AP that is installed at a point of "Coffee Shop A", not only connection status information <NUM> (for example, an RSSI), but also service information (for example, a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address at which the terminal can access "Coffee Shop A", an icon indicating a downloadable coupon, and a phone number, which can be saved or to which a call can be sent) may be displayed in the area where "Another connectable Hotspot <NUM> AP <NUM>" is shown in the network list <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a process of connecting short-range wireless communication in a terminal according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The network information received through the ANQP procedure may include the information (for example, operator information, a connection scheme, a credential type used for connection, an authentication scheme, and the like) that the terminal uses to connect with the first AP, and the data speed information of the network.

If there is a plurality of first APs among the plurality of discovered APs in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> detects information about the current location where the terminal is located, using the GPS receiver <NUM>, in operation <NUM>.

After detecting the location information of the terminal, the controller <NUM> detects information about a specific first AP which is set on a priority connection basis in the current location of the terminal, among the APs which are set depending on the location information of the terminal, and information about which is stored in the memory <NUM>. If there is information about a specific first AP which is set on a priority connection basis, among the plurality of discovered first APs, the controller <NUM> automatically performs connection to the specific first AP based on the network information of the specific first AP in operation <NUM>.

If there is no information about the specific first AP which is set on a priority connection basis, among the plurality of discovered first APs, the controller <NUM> automatically performs connection to a first AP meeting the predetermined condition (for example, the priority, or the network quality in the connected state), among the plurality of discovered first APs.

Thereafter, if there is a change in the location information of the terminal in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> performs a scan operation in operation <NUM>.

The scan operation in operation <NUM> is the same as the scan operation in operation <NUM>. Therefore, if a plurality of first APs are discovered by the scan operation in operation <NUM>, the controller <NUM> detects information about a specific first AP which is set on a priority connection basis depending on the changed location information of the terminal, among the APs which are set depending on the location information of the terminal, and information about which are stored in the memory <NUM>. If there is information about the specific first AP which is set on a priority connection basis, among the plurality of discovered first APs, the controller <NUM> automatically performs connection to the specific first AP based on the network information of the specific first AP, in operation <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in order to set a specific first AP on a priority connection basis depending on the location information of the terminal, if communication is performed for a predetermined time or more after the terminal is connected to a specific first AP by Wi-Fi communication, the controller <NUM> may store the specific first AP in the memory <NUM> as a first AP which is set on a priority connection basis for the current location information of the terminal.

At least one specific first AP, which can be set on a priority connection basis for each location by the user, may be selected and stored.

The short-range wireless communication connection method proposed by the present invention may be implemented as computer-readable codes in non-transient computer-readable recording media. The non-transient computer-readable recording media may include all kinds of recording devices storing computer-readable data. Examples of the recording media may include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), optical disks, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, hard disks, nonvolatile memories and the like. The non-transient computer-readable recording media may be distributed over the networked computer systems, so the computer-readable codes may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

As is apparent from the foregoing description, in the short-range wireless communication connection method and apparatus provided by the present invention, if a terminal is connected to a specific external device meeting predetermined conditions, the user may select and access his/her desired external device among other external devices connectable in the current location. The user may easily switch to the desired network as he/she receives information about other external devices connectable in the current location, making it possible to maximize the usability.

Claim 1:
A terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a Wi-Fi communication unit (<NUM>);
a display (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>) configured to:
establish, using the Wi-Fi communication unit (<NUM>) , a first communication connection with a first access point, AP;
after the first communication connection is established, receive, using the Wi-Fi communication unit (<NUM>), beacon or probe response from one or more APs external to the terminal (<NUM>, <NUM>),
determine, based on information included in the beacon or the probe response, whether at least one AP of the one or more APs supports Hotspot <NUM>,
based on a determination that the at least one AP supports Hotspot <NUM>, receive, using the Wi-Fi communication unit (<NUM>), network information for the at least one AP supporting Hotspot <NUM> through an Access Network Query Protocol, ANQP, procedure with an information server connected to the at least one AP,
control the display (<NUM>) to display information corresponding to one or more APs of the at least one AP supporting Hotspot <NUM> based on a determination that connection information included in the network information corresponding to the one or more APs matches connection information stored in a memory of the terminal, and
perform, using the Wi-Fi communication unit (<NUM>), connection with an AP among the one or more APs connectable with the terminal.