Mobile Communication Device, Mobile Network Sharing Method and Electronic Device

(19) &

(11) EP 2 424 308 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication: (51) Int Cl.: 29.02.2012 Bulletin 2012/09 H04W 48/18 (2009.01)

(21) Application number: 11174794.5

(22) Date of filing: 21.07.2011

(84) Designated Contracting States: (72) Inventors: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB • Taylor, Matthew W. GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO Bellevue, WA Washington 98005 (US) PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR • Chueh, Hsin-Ti Designated Extension States: 330 Taoyuan City, Taoyuan County (TW) BA ME • Chen, Chia-Wei 330 Taoyuan City, Taoyuan County (TW) (30) Priority: 27.08.2010 US 377794 P 19.05.2011 US 111238 (74) Representative: 2K Patentanwälte Blasberg Kewitz & Reichel (71) Applicant: HTC Corporation Partnerschaft Taoyuan County 330 (TW) Corneliusstraße 18 60325 Frankfurt am Main (DE)

(54) Mobile communication device, mobile network sharing method and electronic device

(57) The invention discloses a mobile communica- mode. The control unit is coupled to the communication tion device, an electronic device and a mobile network module. When a trigger signal from an electronic device sharing method between these two devices. The mobile is received by the local communication unit under the communication device includes a communication mod- passive mode, the control unit switches the local com- ule and a control unit. The communication module in- munication unit into the active mode, so as to connect cludes a mobile communication unit and a local commu- the electronic device to the mobile communication net- nication unit. The mobile communication unit is used for work via the local communication unit and the mobile connectingto a mobile communication network. The local communication unit. communication unit has an active mode and a passive EP 2 424 308 A1

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR) 1 EP 2 424 308 A1 2

Description on network sharing function manually, such that the Wi- Fi function of the mobile communication device is RELATED APPLICATIONS switched to operate under an active wireless AP mode. Afterward, the user may need to manipulate on the inter- [0001] This application claims priority to US Provision- 5 face of the notebook computer for completing the network al Application Serial Number 61/377,794, filed August configuration. The whole setup procedure is complex, 27, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference. time-consuming and not friendly to a common user.

BACKGROUND SUMMARY 10 Field of Invention [0007] In order to solve the aforesaid problem, this disclosure discloses a mobile communication device, an [0002] The present disclosure relates to a mobile com- electronic device and a mobile network sharing method munication device. More particularly, the present disclo- in between. When user demands for wireless network sure relates to a mobile communication device, an elec- 15 access, the user may manipulate the electronic device, tronic device and a mobile network sharing method in e.g. a notebook computer, a handheld smart device or a between. tablet computer, for sending a specific trigger signal to the mobile communication device via a local communi- Description of Related Art cation network. When the mobile communication device 20 receives the trigger signal, the mobile communication de- [0003] Recently, the mobile communication device vice is switched into an active mode for sharing the band- has become a necessary in our daily life, e.g. cellar width of its mobile communication network with the elec- phone, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, inter- tronic device. Accordingly, the network sharing configu- net computer, notebookcomputer, etc.With therocketing ration can be switched easily. In an embodiment, all of development of the digital communication technology, 25 the configuration setting can be completed on the elec- users usually utilize mobile communication device to tronic device remotely without involving any manipulation browse websites, share files, or send multimedia mes- on the mobile electronic device. sages through a mobile network or a wireless communi- [0008] Therefore, an aspect of the invention is to pro- cation system. vide a mobile communication device, which includes a [0004] Besides, people usually utilize the mobile com- 30 communication module and a control unit. The commu- munication device to serve as a mobile network station. nication module includes a mobile communication unit The mobile network sharing function of the mobile com- and a local communication unit. The mobile communica- munication device is switched on, so as to share the mo- tion unit is usedfor connecting to a mobile communication bile network bandwidth of the mobile communication de- network. The local communication unit has a passive vice with other electronic devices. These electronic de- 35 mode and an active mode. The control unit is coupled vices may connect to the mobile communication device with the communication module. When a trigger signal via a local network connection (e.g. Wi-Fi connection) from an electronic device is received by the local com- and utilize the mobile communication device as a redi- munication unit under the passive mode, the control unit rect-gateway for connecting to the internet. The band- switches the local communication unit into the active width sharing technology enables the mobile communi- 40 mode, so as to connect the electronic device to the mobile cation device to serve as a portable wireless access point communication network through the local communica- (AP). The bandwidth sharing technology is popular tion unit and the mobile communication unit. among consumers because it is user friendly, affordable [0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, and free from carrying extra wireless network adaptor or the local communication unit under the passive mode router. 45 receives the trigger signal from the electronic device via [0005] However, the mobile communication device in a point- to-point connection. In the embodiment, the point- general does not stay in wireless AP mode over a long to-point connection includes an Ad Hoc connection. In time. Otherwise, the electricity of the mobile communi- addition, the mobile communication device may establish cation device would be consumed quickly, such that the the point-to-point connection to the electronic device ac- battery durability of the mobile communication device 50 cording to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the would be reduced. electronic device. [0006] In other words, the Wi- Fi function of the mobile [0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, communication device operates under a passive client the mobile communication network can be based on 2G mode in default. When user demands for wireless net- mobile communication technology, 3G mobile commu- work access (e.g. user wants to connect their notebook 55 nication technology, 3.5 mobile communication technol- computer to the internet through the mobile communica- ogy or 4G mobile communication technology. tion device), the user needs to enter the configuration [0011] According to an embodiment of the invention, interface on the mobile communication device and switch the local communication unit can be based on Wireless

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Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication technology. In the em- mobile communication device according to a Media Ac- bodiment, the trigger signal is a Wi-Fi packet, and the cess Control (MAC) address of the mobile communica- Wi-Fi packet comprises a specific Service Set Identifier tion device. (SSID). [0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, [0012] According to an embodiment of the invention, 5 the trigger signal is a Wi-Fi packet, and the Wi-Fi packet the mobile communication device is equivalently served comprises a specific Service Set Identifier (SSID). as a wireless access point (AP) when the local communication unit is under the active mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a mobile network sharing method, which is suitable for a 10 [0020] The invention can be more fully understood by mobile communication device. The mobile network shar- reading the following detailed description of the embod- ing method includes steps of: activating a local commu- iment, with reference made to the accompanying draw- nication unit under a passive mode; judging whether a ings as follows: trigger signal from an electronic device is received through the local communication unit under the passive 15 Fig. 1 is a function block diagram illustrating a mobile mode; linking to a mobile communication network and communication device according to an embodiment switching the local communication unit into an active of the invention; modewhen the trigger signal isreceived; and, connecting Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a mobile network the electronic device to the mobile communication net- sharing method according to an embodiment of the work through the local communication unit. 20 invention; [0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 is a function block diagram illustrating an elec- in step of receiving the trigger signal through the local tronic device according to an embodiment of the in- communication unit, the mobile communication device vention; and receives the trigger signal via a point-to- point connection. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow chart In the embodiment, the point-to-point connection in- 25 applied on the electronic device in a practical appli- cludes an Ad Hoc connection. In addition, the point-to- cation. point connection to the electronic device is established according to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of DETAILED DESCRIPTION the electronic device. [0015] According to an embodiment of the invention, 30 [0021] In this disclosure, a mobile communication de- the mobile communication network is based on 2G mo- vice, an electronic device and a mobile network sharing bile communication technology, 3G mobile communica- method in between are disclosed. When user demands tion technology, 3.5 mobile communication technology for wireless network access, the user may manipulate or 4G mobile communication technology. the electronic device, e.g. a notebook computer, a hand- [0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, 35 held smart device or a tablet computer, for sending a the local communication unit is based on Wireless Fidel- specific trigger signal to the mobile communication de- ity (Wi-Fi) communication technology. In this embodi- vice via a local communication network. When the mobile ment, the trigger signal can be a Wi-Fi packet, and the communication device receives the trigger signal, the Wi-Fi packet comprises a specific Service Set Identifier mobile communication device is switched into an active (SSID). 40 mode for sharing the bandwidth of its mobile communi- [0017] Another aspect of the invention is to provide an cation network with the electronic device. Accordingly, electronic device, which includes a local communication the network sharing configuration can be switched easily. unit and a control unit. The control unit is coupled with In an embodiment, all of the configuration setting can be the local communication unit. The control unit utilizes the completed on the electronic device remotely without in- local communication unit to search and judge whether 45 volving any manipulation on the mobile electronic device. there is an accessible wireless access point. The control [0022] Please refer to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a function block unit utilizes the local communication unit to transmit a diagram illustrating a mobile communication device 100 trigger signal to a mobile communication device when according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown there is no accessible wireless access point, so as to in Fig. 1, the mobile communication device 100 includes enable the electronic device for connecting to a mobile 50 a communication module 120 and a control unit 140. In communication network through the mobile communica- practical applications, the mobile communication device tion device. 100 can be, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart [0018] According to an embodiment of the invention, phone, amobile internet device (MID)or a personaldigital the local communication unit receives the trigger signal assistant (PDA). The communication module 120 of the from the electronic device via a point- to-point connection. 55 mobile communication device 100 includes a local com- In the embodiment, the point-to-point connection in- munication unit 122 and a mobile communication unit cludes an Ad Hoc connection. In addition, the electronic 124. device establishes the point-to-point connection to the [0023] The mobile communication unit 124 can be con-

3 5 EP 2 424 308 A1 6 figured for connecting to a mobile communication net- advance for acquiring the MAC address of each other. work. For example, the mobile communication unit 124 [0028] For example, the point- to-point connection can establishes a connection to a telecommunication station be an Ad Hoc connection under the Wi-Fi protocol. The for linking the mobile communication device 100 to the trigger signal in the embodiment can be a Wi-Fi packet. internet 200. The mobile communication network can be 5 Contents of the Wi-Fi packet include a specific Service based on 2G mobile communication technology, 3G mo- set identifier (SSID). For example, the SSID of the Wi- Fi bile communication technology, 3.5 mobile communica- packet may include a string of "Trigger Hotspot". tion technology or 4G mobile communication technology. [0029] When the local communication unit 122 of the For example, the mobile communication network can be mobile communication device 100 receives the specific based on General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code 10 trigger signal, the control unit 140 will switch the local Division Multiple Access (CDMA), High Speed Downlink communication unit 122 into the active mode automati- Packet Access (HSDPA) or other equivalent mobile net- cally. In other words, the local communication unit 122 work technology. In the embodiment, the mobile commu- is switched into a wireless network server mode. In this nication unit 124 is not limited to adopt a specific mobile case, the mobile communication device 100 is equiva- network technology. 15 lently served as a wireless access point (AP). Accord- [0024] On the other hand, the local communication unit ingly, the mobile communication device 100 may share 122 of the mobile communication device 100 is config- its mobile network bandwidth with the electronic device ured for establishing a local communication network. In 300 via the local communication network. In other words, the embodiment, the local communication network can the electronic device 300 is connected to the mobile com- based on Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication tech- 20 munication network through the local communication unit nology, but the invention is not limited to this. 122 and the mobile communication unit 124 of the mobile [0025] The local communication unit 122 (e.g. a Wi- Fi communication device 100. communication unit) of the mobile communication device [0030] In other words, when the mobile communication 100 hasa passivemode and an active mode.The passive device 100 receives the specific trigger signal, the control mode of the local communication unit 122 means that 25 unit 140 will switch the local communication unit 122 into the local communication unit 122 operates as a client the active mode, so as to complete the configuration pro- terminal, which may connects to the internet through oth- cedure for network sharing. For example, when the user er internet hub, router, or wireless network station. The is manipulating a notebook computer (i.e. the electronic active mode of the local communication unit 122 means device 300) in the living room, the user may send the that the local communication unit 122 operates as a serv- 30 trigger signal through the notebook compute, so as to er terminal, and in this case, the mobile communication activate the network sharing function of a mobile phone device 100 may serve as a wireless access point (AP) (i.e. the mobile communication device 100) in the bed equivalently. room directly. Afterward, the mobile communication de- [0026] The control unit 140 is coupled to the commu- vice 100 can be utilized as a wireless AP, such that the nication module 120. In practical applications, the local 35 electronic device 300 is connected through the mobile communication unit 122 of the mobile communication de- communication device 100 to the mobile communication vice 100 is normally configured to operate under a pas- network and further to the internet 200. sive client mode in default in order to prevent unneces- [0031] Please refer to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a flow chart il- sary power consumption. In the invention, when the local lustrating a mobile network sharing method according to communication unit 122 of the mobile communication de- 40 an embodiment of the invention. The mobile network vice 100 receives a specific trigger signal from the elec- sharing method is suitable for applying on the mobile tronic device 300 (e.g. a notebook computer manipulated communication device 100 in Fig. 1. by the user), the control unit 140 will switch the local [0032] As shown in Fig. 2, step S100 of the mobile communication unit 122 into the active mode automati- network sharing method is performed firstly for activating cally. 45 a local communication unit of the mobile communication [0027] In practical applications, the local communica- device 100 under a passive mode. tion unit 122 under the passive mode receives the trigger [0033] Afterward, step S102 is performed, such that signal from the electronic device 300 via a point- to-point the mobile communication device 100 judges whether a connection. With the point-to-point connection, the mo- trigger signal from an electronic device 300 is received bile communication device 100 and the electronic device 50 through the local communication unit under the passive 300 may refer to a fixed network hardware address for mode. The local communication unit can be a Wi- Fi mod- exchanging information. For example, the mobile com- ule based on Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communication munication device 100 in the embodiment may establish technology. the point-to-point connection (e.g. Ad Hoc connection) [0034] In practical applications, the local communica- to the electronic device 300 according to a Media Access 55 tion network in step S102 between the mobile commu- Control (MAC) address of the electronic device 300. In nication device 100 and the electronic device 300 is practical applications, the mobile communication device based on a point-to-point connection (e.g. Ad Hoc con- 100 and the electronic device 300 can be paired up in nection) between two devices. The trigger signal in the

4 7 EP 2 424 308 A1 8 embodiment can be a Wi-Fi packet. Contents of the Wi- communication network can be based on a Wi-Fi tech- Fi packet include a specific Service set identifier (SSID). nology, but the invention is not limited to this. In the embodiment, the mobile communication device [0043] As shown in figures, the user may power on the 100 may establish the point-to-point connection (e.g. Ad electronic device 300 in step S300. Hoc connection) to the electronic device 300 according 5 [0044] Afterward, in step S302, the control unit 340 of to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the elec- theelectronic device 300 utilizes the local communication tronic device 300. In practical applications, the mobile unit 320 to search for valid wireless access point in the communication device 100 and the electronic device 300 neighborhood, and further to judge whether the wireless can be paired up in advance for acquiring the MAC ad- access point in the neighborhood is accessible. dress of each other. 10 [0045] When the electronic device 300 determines that [0035] If not receiving the trigger signal, the mobile there is a valid wireless access point existed in the neigh- communication device 100 will return to perform step borhood, step S304 is performed for linking the electronic S100 and stay in the passive mode. On the other hand, device 300 to the wireless access point via the local com- if receiving the trigger signal, step S104 of the mobile munication network, and utilizing the wireless access network sharing method is performed for linking the mo- 15 point as a redirect-gateway for connecting to the internet. bile communication device 100 to the mobile communi- [0046] When the electronic device 300 determines that cation network and switching the local communication there is no valid wireless access point existed in the unit of the mobile communication device 100 into the ac- neighborhood in step S302, step S06 is performed to tive mode. inquire the user by displaying a confirmation notice on [0036] Afterward, step S106 is performed for judging 20 the interface of the electronic device 300 about whether whether the electronic device 300 requests for establish- to connect through a mobile communication device. If ing a local communication network with the mobile com- the user does not want to connect through the mobile munication device 100. communication device, the electronic device 300 is not [0037] If the electronic device 300 does not request for able to access the internet. establishing the local communication network with the 25 [0047] If the user accepts to connect through the mo- mobile communication device 100 within a specific period bile communication device, step S308 is performed, such of time, the mobile communication device 100 may per- that the control unit 340 of the electronic device 300 may form step S100 for switching the local communication utilize the local communication unit 320 to transmit a trig- unit back to the passive mode. ger signal to the mobile communication device (please [0038] If the electronic device 300 requests for estab- 30 refer to the mobile communication device 100 in Fig. 1). lishing a local communication network with the mobile The trigger signal is configured for triggering the mobile communication device 100, step S108 is performed for communication device to enableits networksharing func- connecting the electronic device 300 to the mobile com- tion, e.g. switching the local communication unit of the munication network through the local communication unit mobile communication device from a passive mode into of the mobile communication device 100. 35 an active mode. Please refer to aforesaid embodiment [0039] The internal structures and operational theory for detail descriptions of steps. of the mobile communication device 100 is disclosed in [0048] Afterward, step S31 0 is performed to enable aforesaid embodiment of the invention, not to be repeat- the electronic device 300 for connecting to the mobile ed again. Please refer to the detail descriptions and Fig. communication network through the mobile communica- 1. 40 tion device (please refer to the mobile communication [0040] On the other hand, please refer to Fig. 3 and device 100 in Fig. 1). In the embodiment, the electronic Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a function block diagram illustrating an device 300 is connected to the mobile communication electronic device 300 according to an embodiment of the device via the local communication network, such that invention. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a flow the electronic device 300 may share the bandwidth of chart applied on the electronic device 300 in a practical 45 the mobile communication network of the mobile com- application. In the embodiment, the electronic device 300 munication device, and further to access the internet. may cooperate with the mobile communication device [0049] Therefore, when user demands for wireless 100 in aforesaid embodiment. In practical applications, network access, the user may manipulate the electronic the electronic device 300 can be a notebook computer, device, e.g. a notebook computer, a handheld smart de- a handheld smart device, a tablet computer or any other 50 vice or a tablet computer, to search for a valid wireless equivalent computer/device. access point. If there is no valid wireless access point [0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the electronic device 300 around, the electronic may send a specific trigger signal includes a local communication unit 320 and a control to the mobile communication device via a local commu- unit 340. The control unit 340 of the electronic device 300 nication network. When the mobile communication de- is coupled with the local communication unit 320. 55 vice receives the trigger signal, the mobile communica- [0042] The local communication unit 320 of the elec- tion device is switched into an active mode for sharing tronic device 300 is configured for establishing a local the bandwidth of its mobile communication network with communication network. In the embodiment, the local the electronic device. Accordingly, the network sharing

5 9 EP 2 424 308 A1 10 configuration can be switched easily. Even when the communication technology. electronic device and the mobile communication device are located in different places, the configuration setting 6. The mobile communication device of one or more of can be completed on the electronic device remotely with- the claims 1 to 5, wherein the local communication out involving any manipulation on the mobile electronic 5 unit is based on Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) communi- device. cation technology. [0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the 7. The mobile communication device of claim 6, where- structure of the present invention without departing from in the trigger signal is a Wi-Fi packet, and the Wi-Fi the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the forego- 10 packet comprises a specific Service Set Identifier ing, it is intended that the present invention cover modi- (SSID). fications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims. 8. The mobile communication device of one or more of the claims 1 to 7, wherein the mobile communication 15 device is equivalently served as a wireless access Claims point (AP) when the local communication unit is under the active mode. 1. A mobile communication device (100), comprising: 9. A mobile network sharing method, suitable for a mo- a communication module (120) comprising: 20 bile communication device, the mobile network sharing method comprising: a mobile communication unit (124) for connecting to a mobile communicationnetwork; Activating (S100) a local communication unit un- and der a passive mode; a local communication unit (122), the local 25 Judging (S102) whether a trigger signal from an communication unit having a passive mode electronic device is received through the local and an active mode; and communication unit under the passive mode; Linking (104) to a mobile communication net- a control unit (140) coupled with the communi- work and switching the local communication unit cation module, when a trigger signal from an 30 into an active mode when the trigger signal is electronic device (300) is received by the local received; and communication unit (122) under the passive connecting (S108) the electronic device to the mode, the control unit switching the local com- mobile communication network through the lo- munication unit into the active mode, so as to cal communication unit. connect the electronic device to the mobile com- 35 munication network through the local communi- 10. The mobile network sharing method of claim 9, cation unit and the mobile communication unit. wherein in step of receiving the trigger signal through the local communication unit, the mobile communi- 2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, where- cation device receives the trigger signal via a point- in the local communication unit under the passive 40 to-point connection. mode receives the trigger signal from the electronic device (300) via a point-to-point connection. 11. An electronic device (300), comprising:

3. The mobile communication device of claim 2, where- a local communication unit (320); and in the point- to-point connection comprises an Ad Hoc 45 a control unit (300) coupled with the local com- connection. munication unit, the control unit utilizing the local communication unit to search and judge wheth- 4. The mobile communication device of claim 2 or 3, er there is an accessible wireless access point, wherein the mobile communication device establish- the control unit utilizing the local communication es the point-to-point connection to the electronic de- 50 unit to transmit a trigger signal to a mobile com- vice according to a Media Access Control (MAC) ad- munication device when there is no accessible dress of the electronic device. wireless access point, so as to enable the electronic device for connecting to a mobile commu- 5. The mobile communication device of one or more of nication network through the mobile communi- the claims 1 to 4, wherein the mobile communication 55 cation device. network is based on 2G mobile communication technology, 3G mobile communication technology, 3.5 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the local mobile communication technology or 4G mobile communication unit receives the trigger signal from

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the electronic device via a point- to-point connection.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the point- to-point connection comprises an Ad Hoc connection. 5

14. The electronic device of claim 12 or 13, wherein the electronic device establishes the point-to-point connection to the mobile communication device according to a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the 10 mobile communication device.

15. The electronic device of one or more of the claims 11 to 14, wherein the trigger signal is a Wi- Fi packet, and the Wi-Fi packet comprises a specific Service 15 Set Identifier (SSID).

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REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 61377794 A [0001]