Mobile terminal aware of external device and control method for the same

• US 20090100258A1
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Sung, Jung Pil
• Application Number:
  US12/287,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20090100258A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60

Abstract

A mobile terminal controlling an external device according to its type and a control method for the same are disclosed. The mobile terminal can automatically initiate battery charging or communication according to the type of an attached external device. The external device can be, for example, a charger or storage device. When a charger is attached, the mobile terminal automatically performs battery charging using the charger. When an external storage device is attached, the mobile terminal automatically performs serial communication with the external storage device.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a mobile terminal, comprising:

checking for an attachment of an external device;

sending, when an external device is attached, a dummy data to the external device;

checking for a presence of a response associated with the dummy data from the external device;

determining a type of the external device on a basis of the presence of a response; and

activating one of a charge mode and a communication mode according to the type of the external device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein checking for a presence of a response comprises determining a return of the dummy data as an absence of a response.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the type of the external device comprises identifying, when a response associated with the dummy data is present, the external device as a device supporting a communication mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the type of the external device comprises identifying, when a response associated with the dummy data is absent, the external device as a device supporting a charge mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein activating a charge mode comprises adjusting an amount of a charge current from a charger according to a charge level of a battery in the mobile terminal to charge the battery.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein activating a charge mode comprises:

charging, when the charge level of the battery is lower than or equal to a preset value, the battery with a maximum amount of charge current from the charger; and

charging, when the charge level of the battery is higher than the preset value, the battery with a preset amount of charge current from the charger.

7. A method of controlling a mobile terminal, comprising:

checking for an attachment of an external device;

sending, when an external device is attached, a signal of a first phase through one of a first signal line and second signal line connected to the external device;

sensing a second phase of a signal on the other signal line;

comparing the first phase with the second phase;

determining a type of the external device according to an equality between the first phase and second phase; and

activating one of a charge mode and a communication mode according to the type of the external device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining the type of the external device comprises:

identifying, when the first phase is different from the second phase, the external device as a device supporting a communication mode; and

identifying, when the first phase is equal to the second phase, the external device as a device supporting a charge mode.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein activating a charge mode comprises adjusting an amount of a charge current from a charger according to a charge level of a battery in the mobile terminal to charge the battery.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein activating a charge mode comprises:

charging, when the charge level of the battery is lower than or equal to a preset value, the battery with a maximum amount of charge current from the charger; and

charging, when the charge level of the battery is higher than the preset value, the battery with a preset amount of charge current from the charger.

11. A mobile terminal comprising:

a connector unit to which an external device is attached; and

a control unit sending a preset signal to the external device attached to the connector unit, determining a type of the external device on a basis of a change in the sent signal, and activating one of a charge mode and a communication mode according to the type of the external device.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the preset signal is a dummy data sent by the control unit to the external device.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the control unit identifies, when a response associated with the dummy data is present, the external device as a device supporting a communication mode, and identifies, when a response associated with the dummy data is absent or the dummy data is returned without change, the external device as a device supporting a charge mode.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 11, wherein the preset signal is a signal of a first phase sent through one of a first signal line and second signal line between the control unit and the external device.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 14, wherein the control unit senses a second phase of a signal on the other signal line, identifies, when the first phase is equal to the second phase, the external device as a device supporting a charge mode, and identifies, when the first phase is different from the second phase, the external device as a device supporting a communication mode.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 14, further comprising a logic gate between the connector unit and control unit to send to the control unit a signal identifying the type of the external device on a basis of output of the first signal line and second signal line.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 11, further comprising, when the external device is a device supporting a charge mode, at least one of:

a power control unit controlling an amount of a charge current;

a battery being charged with a charge current from the external device; and

an over-voltage protector preventing an over-voltage current from the external device.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 11, further comprising, when the external device is a device supporting a communication mode, a memory unit temporarily or semi-permanently storing signals sent to and received from the external device.