LOCAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION MODULE COMBINED WITH ANTENNA AND MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING THE SAME

• US 20080081614A1
• Filed: 09/12/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: LEE, Sang Tae, Lee, Jae Hyou
• Granted Patent: US 7,953,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/385 for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2213/3814 Wireless link with a computer system port

Abstract

A mobile terminal having a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna is disclosed that eliminates the inconvenience of carrying a data cable for connecting of a mobile terminal to a computer and enabling easy connection of the mobile terminal to a computer whenever necessary. A local wireless communication module combined with an antenna for a mobile terminal Is provided that is usable as an RF communication antenna when joined to a USB socket of the mobile terminal or as a local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer.

Claims

1. A local wireless communication module combined with an antenna for a mobile terminal having a first local wireless communication module, the local wireless communication module comprising:

a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector;

an RF (Radio Frequency) antenna for transmitting and receiving an RF signal when the USB connecter is joined to a USB socket of the mobile terminal;

a second local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when the USB connector is detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer; and

a switch for connecting the USB connector to the RF antenna or to the second local wireless communication module according to whether the USB connector is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal or detached from the USB socket of the mobile terminal.

2. The local wireless communication module combined with an antenna of claim 1, further comprising a local wireless communication antenna connected to the second local wireless communication module.

3. The local wireless communication module combined with an antenna of claim 2, further comprising a module body for protection of the switch, RF antenna, second local wireless communication module, and local wireless communication antenna.

4. The local wireless communication module combined with an antenna of claim 3, wherein the USB connector protrudes outside of the module body by a predetermined length.

5. A mobile terminal comprising:

a terminal body installed with a USB socket and a first local wireless communication module; and

a local wireless communication module combined with an antenna, having a USB connector able to be joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal;

wherein the local wireless communication module combined with the antenna comprises;

the USB connector;

an RF antenna for transmitting and receiving an RF signal when the USB connecter is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal;

a second local wireless communication module for executing local wireless communication between the mobile terminal and a computer when the USB connector is detached from the mobile terminal and joined to a USB socket of the computer; and

a switch for connecting the USB connector to the RF antenna or to the second local wireless communication module according to whether the USB connector is joined to the USB socket of the mobile terminal or detached from the USB socket of the mobile terminal.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the local wireless communication module combined with the antenna further comprises a local wireless communication antenna connected to the second local wireless communication module.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the local wireless communication module combined with the antenna further comprises a module body for protection of the switch, RF antenna, second local wireless communication module, and local wireless communication antenna.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the USB connector protrudes outside of the module body by a predetermined length.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal body comprises:

a first terminal body having the USB socket of the mobile terminal and the first local wireless communication module; and

a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, the second terminal body having a display unit.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal body comprises:

a first terminal body having the first local wireless communication module; and

a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, the second terminal body having a display unit and the USB socket of the mobile terminal.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal body comprises:

a first terminal body having the USB socket of the mobile terminal; and

a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, the second terminal body having a display unit and the first local wireless communication module.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal body comprises:

a first terminal body; and

a second terminal body joined to the first terminal body, the second terminal body having a display unit, the. USB socket of the mobile terminal, and the first local wireless communication module.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the USB socket is formed on an outer surface of the terminal body.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, further comprising a cover for surrounding the USB socket of the terminal body.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein the mobile terminal is one of a bar type terminal, flip type terminal, folder type terminal, slide type terminal, and swing type terminal.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the terminal body generates an alarm if the local wireless communication module is detached and moved more than a predetermined distance away from the terminal body.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the terminal body generates an alarm if sensitivity of local wireless communication between the terminal body and the local wireless communication module is less than a predetermined level.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 16, wherein the predetermined distance is one meter.