KR20080057599A - Case and mobile communication terminal using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A case having an antenna and a mobile terminal employing the same are provided to improve speech quality by preventing degradation of a transmission/reception performance of a mobile terminal when a case is fastened to the mobile terminal and enhance the radiation performance of the antenna. A case(20) includes external antennas(102,104,106) and the first connectors(110) and detachably combined to a mobile terminal(10). The second connectors(200) come in contact with the first connectors when the case is fastened so as to be connected with the external antennas. RF transmission/reception units control the external antennas and internal antennas(212,214,216). Switches(232,234,236) selectively connect the second connectors or the internal antennas to the RF transmission/reception units. When the first and second connectors contact with each other, a controller(240) controls the switches such that the external antennas or the internal antennas are connected to the RF transmission/reception units.

Description

Case including an antenna and a mobile communication terminal employing the same {Case and Mobile Communication Terminal Using the Same}

1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating a mobile communication terminal employing a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view showing that the antenna is formed in the case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary view illustrating a second connector of a mobile communication terminal connected to a first connector of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of using an antenna of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an exemplary view for explaining the operation when combining the case and the mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7A and 7B are exemplary views for explaining an example of switching a switch to check whether the case is fastened.

8 is an exemplary view for explaining that the corresponding antenna operates by selecting a particular additional function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exemplary view showing that a fastening terminal is provided in a case and a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an exemplary view showing a pogo pin according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11A and 11B are exemplary views illustrating a first connector and a second connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: mobile communication terminal 20: case

100: external antenna 110: first connector

200: second connector portion 210: internal antenna

220: RF transceiver 230: switch unit

240: control unit

The present invention relates to a case including an antenna and a mobile communication terminal employing the same.

In general, an antenna is a means for receiving radio waves introduced from the outside and transmitting signals transmitted from other devices inside. The antenna is an essential component in a mobile communication terminal, which is a wireless communication device, and plays an important role as an important mediator when transmitting and receiving a signal with a base station.

In the mobile communication terminal, since the antennas are mostly provided to protrude to the outside, they are easily damaged by the external interferer and are inconvenient to carry.

Accordingly, an internal antenna in which an antenna is embedded in a mobile communication terminal has been developed.

In the state of adopting the built-in antenna, users are using a leather case or a plastic case to protect the housing of the mobile communication terminal.

However, when the case is connected to the mobile communication terminal, the frequency characteristics due to the dielectric and other metal materials constituting the case change. As a result, the resonant frequency shifted from several MHz to several tens of MHz in the performance of the built-in antenna.

In addition, this has a problem that the actual spinning performance is lowered.

The object of the present invention for solving the problems of the prior art is as follows.

First, the object of the present invention is to provide a case including an antenna for maintaining or improving the radiation performance of the antenna when the case is fastened and a mobile communication terminal employing the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a case for preventing transmission and reception performance degradation of a mobile communication terminal due to fastening of the case by forming an external antenna having a wide resonance band in the case and a mobile communication terminal employing the same.

The mobile communication terminal of the present invention for achieving the above object, at least one external antenna and at least one first connector connected to the case is formed to be detachably coupled, at least one internal antenna and the case when the case is fastened A second connector in contact with the first connector and connected to the external antenna, at least one RF transceiver for controlling the external antenna and the internal antenna, a switch unit selectively connecting the second connector or the internal antenna to the RF transceiver; And a control unit for controlling the switch unit so that the external antenna or the internal antenna is selectively connected to the RF transceiver.

In this case, when the case is fastened to contact the first connector, the second connector may output a fastening signal to the controller.

In addition, the control unit may check the connection to the external antenna by switching the switch unit to check the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the external antenna.

In addition, the controller may control the switch unit to connect the external antenna and the RF transceiver when the first connector and the second connector contact each other.

The controller may check the reception power of the external antenna and the internal antenna when the first connector and the second connector are in contact, and control the switch unit so that an antenna having a strong reception power is connected to the RF transceiver.

In this case, the first connector may be formed of a pogo pin.

In another aspect, a case including an antenna of the present invention includes a case part provided to protect and detach a housing of a mobile communication terminal, one or more antennas formed in the case part, and one or more antennas. It may include a connector for connecting to the mobile communication terminal.

Hereinafter, a case including an antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention and a mobile communication terminal employing the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A and 1B are perspective views illustrating a mobile communication terminal employing a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 1a and 1b, the case 20 is coupled to the outside of the mobile communication terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention detachably.

In this case, an external antenna 100 is formed in the case 20 and connected to the mobile communication terminal 10 through the first connector 110.

Looking at the configuration of such a case 20 in more detail as shown in FIG.

2 is an exemplary view showing that an antenna is formed in a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figure 2, the case 20 for protecting the housing of the mobile communication terminal is formed of a leather (Leather) material. At this time, the inner antenna 100 which is at least one antenna is formed inside the case 20. At this time, the external antenna 100 is formed of a first external antenna 102, a second external antenna 104 and a third external antenna 106.

The external antenna 100 may operate in various frequency bands, respectively. For example, the first external antenna 102 operates in the Bluetooth frequency band and the second external antenna 104 operates in the CDMA or GSM frequency band. In addition, the third internal antenna 106 may operate at an FM radio frequency.

Such a pattern shape of the external antenna 100 may be designed according to the corresponding frequency band.

In addition, the external antenna 100 may be formed inside the case 20 and is connected to the first connector portion 110 which is a connector portion protruding from the outside of the case 20.

In this case, the first connector unit 110 is formed to correspond to the number of external antennas 100. That is, when the external antenna 100 is formed of three first, second and third external antennas 102, 104 and 106, the first connector unit 110 also has three terminals.

Here, the first connector unit 110 is a portion in contact with the mobile communication terminal 10 is formed with a contact portion protruding. Accordingly, when coupled to the mobile communication terminal 10 is coupled to the mobile communication terminal 10 more easily due to the elastic force corresponding to the pressure applied by the mobile communication terminal 10.

The mobile communication terminal 10 coupled to the first connector unit 110 is shown in FIG. 3.

3 is an exemplary view illustrating a second connector of a mobile communication terminal connected to a first connector of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector unit 110 of the case 20 described above with reference to FIG. 2 is connected to the second connector unit 200 formed at the lower end of the mobile communication terminal 10. The second connector part 200 may be formed as a terminal of a conductor in a position and a number corresponding to the first connector part 110.

That is, when the first connector portion 110 is formed of three protruding portions, the second connector portion 200 also includes three terminals. Therefore, when the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10, the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 are coupled and connected to each other.

Here, the internal structure of the mobile communication terminal 10 coupled to the case 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 with reference to FIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a second connector unit 200, an internal antenna 210, an RF transceiver 220, and a switch unit ( 230 and the control unit 240.

The second connector 200 is in contact with the first connector 110 when the case 20 is fastened.

The internal antenna 210 includes a main antenna that operates in a communication network of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). In addition, the internal antenna 210 includes a sub-antenna corresponding to the external antenna 100 operating in the Bluetooth, FM radio frequency formed in the case 20.

For example, the first internal antenna 212 operates in the Bluetooth frequency band and the second internal antenna 214 operates in the CDMA or GSM frequency band. In addition, the third internal antenna 216 operates at an FM radio frequency.

The inner antenna 210 may have the same or larger number of antennas than the outer antenna 100.

The RF transceiver 220 processes and transmits and receives an RF signal corresponding to the frequencies of the external antenna 100 and the internal antenna 210 under the control of the controller 240.

The switch unit 230 is provided between the second connector 200 and the RF transceiver 220 to connect the external antenna 100 or the internal antenna 210 to the RF transceiver 220.

The controller 240 includes a mobile station modem (MSM) to control general input / output of the mobile communication terminal 10. In addition, when the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 are in contact with each other, the controller 240 controls the switch unit 230 to connect the external antenna 100 or the internal antenna 210 with the RF transceiver 220. To control.

Looking at the operation of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

1. How to use external antenna and internal antenna according to received power

5 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of using an antenna of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an illustration for explaining an operation of combining a case and a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is also.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method of using an antenna of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention may include checking whether the case is fastened (S500), and selecting a antenna according to received power (S510 ˜ S530). ).

First, the control unit 240 alternates the switch unit 230 every predetermined time while operating in a CDMA communication network using the second internal antenna 214 to receive power of the external antenna 100 (Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI). Check.

Herein, the control unit 240 connects the switch unit 230 to the second connector unit 200 and checks whether power is received from the first connector unit 110 through the second connector unit 200. You can see the received power of).

In this case, when the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10, the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 are connected.

Accordingly, the controller 240 checks the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the second external antenna 104 to determine that the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10 (S500).

Thereafter, the control unit 240 switches the switch as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B to confirm the reception power of the second internal antenna 214 and the second external antenna 104.

7A and 7B are exemplary views for explaining an example of switching a switch to check whether the case is fastened.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the second switch unit 234 is connected to the second internal antenna 214. In this state, the control unit 240 allows the second switch unit 234 to be connected to the second connector unit 204 every predetermined time as shown in FIG. 7B.

As such, the control unit 240 may switch the second switch unit 234 to know that the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10.

Subsequently, the control unit 240 alternates the second switch unit 234 as described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B to provide a greater reception power among the reception powers of the second internal antenna 214 and the second external antenna 104. Check (S510).

For example, the controller 240 checks whether the reception power of the second internal antenna 214 is greater than the reception power of the second external antenna 104. Here, when the reception power of the second internal antenna 214 is greater than the reception power of the second external antenna 104, the second switch unit 234 is connected to the second internal antenna 214. Accordingly, the controller 240 controls the second internal antenna of the mobile communication terminal 10 to be used by connecting to the second internal antenna 214 and the second RF transceiver 224 (S520).

However, when the received power of the second internal antenna 214 is smaller than the received power of the second external antenna 104, the second switch 234 is connected to the second connector 204. Therefore, the second switch unit 234 is connected to the second external antenna 104 formed in the case 20 so that the second external antenna 104 and the second RF transceiver 224 are connected to the second external antenna ( 104 is used (S530).

In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 240 alternates the second switch unit 234 to use an antenna having better reception power, but is not limited thereto.

That is, the controller 240 is transferred to the case 20 when it is confirmed that the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10 by switching the second switch 234 while using the second internal antenna 214. It may be controlled to use the formed second external antenna 104.

In addition, an example in which another antenna operates while using the second internal antenna 214 or the second external antenna 104 as the main antenna is as follows.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram for describing an operation of a corresponding antenna by selecting a specific additional function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, a user executes a “1. Bluetooth function” menu among additional functions provided by the mobile communication terminal 10.

Accordingly, the controller 240 may operate any one of the first internal antenna 212 and the first external antenna 102 operating at the Bluetooth frequency in the same principle as described above.

That is, according to the above-described principle, the controller 240 checks the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of the first external antenna 102 to determine whether the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10.

After that, when it is confirmed that the case 20 is fastened, the controller 240 compares the reception power of the first internal antenna 212 with the reception power of the first external antenna 102 to obtain an antenna having a better reception power. Control to use

As another example, in FIG. 8, the user executes the “2. FM radio function” menu among the additional functions provided by the mobile communication terminal 10.

Accordingly, the control unit 240 checks whether the case 20 is fastened in the same principle as above. Thereafter, the controller 240 executes an antenna having a better reception power among the third internal antenna 216 and the third external antenna 106.

In the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described in which the case 20 is concluded by checking the reception power of the external antenna 100 corresponding to the internal antenna 210, but is not limited thereto.

That is, the controller 240 can determine whether the case 20 is fastened to the mobile communication terminal 10 by switching any one of the switch 230 connected to the second connector 200.

At this time, the control unit 240 can determine whether the case 20 and the mobile communication terminal 10 is fastened by switching any one of the switch unit 230 connected to the second connector unit 200 and checking the received power. have.

In addition, when the case 20 and the mobile communication terminal 10 are fastened, a fastening signal may be output to the controller 240. An example thereof is as follows.

9 is an exemplary view illustrating a fastening terminal provided in a case and a mobile communication terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first fastening terminal 118 is provided at one side of the first connector unit 110 of the case 20. Also, a second connector unit of the mobile communication terminal 10 may be provided. One side of the 200 is provided with a second fastening terminal 208.

The first fastening terminal 118 and the second fastening terminal 208 are not connected to each of the external antenna 100 and the internal antenna 210. However, the second fastening terminal 208 is connected to the control unit 240.

In this configuration, when the mobile communication terminal 10 and the case 20 are fastened, the first fastening terminal 118 formed on the first connector unit 110 and the second fastening terminal formed on the second connector unit 200. 208 is contacted.

Accordingly, the second fastening terminal 208 outputs a fastening signal to the control unit 240 so that the control unit 240 can know that the case 20 is fastened.

In the above-described embodiments, the contact portion of the first connector portion 110 is formed to protrude to be in contact with the second connector portion 200. However, the first connector 110 may be formed of a pogo pin, but an example thereof is as follows.

10 is an exemplary view showing a pogo pin according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 10, the contact portion of the first connector 110 may use a pogo pin 300.

The pogo pin 300 includes a pin 1 and a receptacle 9 inserted thereto.

At this time, the body 7 of the pin 1 of the pogo pin 300 has a cylindrical shape, one side is opened, and a sliding groove 3 is formed therein. The groove 4 is formed to a certain depth.

The body 2 has a locking jaw (5) is formed to be caught in the locking groove 4, the end of the sliding groove having a probe (6) in contact with the second connector portion (200 in Figure 3) ( Move forward, backward or up and down along 3).

At this time, the body 7 is in contact with the rear surface of the locking jaw (4) and moves in the front, rear or up and down direction by the elastic force of the spring (2) inserted and installed in the sliding groove (3).

Such a pogo pin 300 is formed in the first connector unit 110 and coupled to the second connector unit 200. An example thereof is as follows.

11A and 11B are exemplary views illustrating a first connector and a second connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the first connector unit 110 may use the pogo pin 300 described above with reference to FIG. 10. Accordingly, a predetermined hole 310 is formed in the number and positions of the second connector portion 200 corresponding to the pogo pin 300.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the mobile communication terminal 10 and the case 20 are fastened, the first connector unit 110 and the mobile communication terminal 10 in the form of a pogo pin 300 formed on the case 20. The hole 310 formed in the second connector unit 200 of FIG. 7 may be coupled to perform the above-described operation.

At this time, it is possible to apply not only the pogo pin 300 but also various fastening structures.

In the above-described embodiment, three external and internal antennas 100 and 210 are formed, and accordingly, three contact portions of the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 are described.

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various antennas may be formed. Accordingly, the number of contact portions between the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 may vary.

That is, in the case of four external and internal antennas 100 and 210, four contact portions between the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 may be formed. Of course, even in this case, as described above in FIG. 9, one more fastening part may be formed.

In addition, the embodiment described so far has described that the case 20 is formed of a leather material, but is not limited thereto, and various materials such as plastic may be used.

In addition, the external antenna 100 formed in the case 20 may be formed on the surface as well as the inside of the case 20 and may be manufactured in the form of a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

In addition, the external antenna 100 formed on the case 20 may be formed on various surfaces of the case 20.

In addition, in the above embodiments, when the first connector 110 and the second connector 200 are in contact with each other, the external antenna 100 or the internal antenna 210 is selectively connected to the RF transceiver 220. However, it is not limited thereto.

That is, in the present invention, when the mobile communication terminal 10 and the case 20 are fastened, the external antenna 100 and the internal antenna 210 are extended together so that the external antenna 100 extends the length of the internal antenna 210. You may.

The present invention described above is capable of various substitutions, modifications, and changes without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention for those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited by the foregoing embodiments and the accompanying drawings, but should be interpreted in support of the claims.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect of maintaining and improving the radiation performance of the antenna when the case is fastened to improve reliability.

In addition, by forming an external antenna having a wide resonance band in the case, there is an effect of improving the call quality by preventing transmission and reception performance degradation of the mobile communication terminal due to the fastening of the case.

Claims (9)

A case having one or more external antennas and one or more first connectors connected thereto to be detachably coupled; One or more internal antennas; A second connector contacting the first connector and connected to the external antenna when the case is fastened; One or more RF transceivers for controlling the external antenna and the internal antenna; A switch unit selectively connecting the second connector or the internal antenna to the RF transceiver; And A controller configured to control the switch unit so that the external antenna or the internal antenna is connected to the RF transceiver, when the first connector and the second connector contact each other; Mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, The second connector, And a case in which the case is fastened and in contact with the first connector to output a fastening signal to the controller. The method of claim 1, The control unit, And switching the switch to check a received power strength (RSSI) of the external antenna to confirm connection with the external antenna. The method of claim 1, The control unit, And the switch unit controls the switch unit to connect the external antenna and the RF transceiver when the first connector and the second connector contact each other. The method of claim 1, The control unit, When the first connector and the second connector is in contact with the mobile communication terminal characterized in that to check the reception power of the external antenna and the internal antenna to control the switch unit so that the antenna having a strong reception power is connected to the RF transceiver. . The method of claim 1, The first connector portion is a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that formed by Pogo Pin (Pogo Pin). A case part provided to protect and detach the housing of the mobile communication terminal; One or more antennas formed in the case part; And A connector formed to correspond to the one or more antennas and connected to the mobile communication terminal; Case comprising an antenna comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The connector has a case comprising an antenna, characterized in that the contact portion in contact with the mobile communication terminal is formed protruding. The method of claim 7, wherein The connector is a case comprising an antenna, characterized in that formed by Pogo Pin (Pogo Pin).

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