US 2006/0148486 A1 · Communication device having function for searching access point of wireless local area network and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication device that automatically searches for wireless local area network (WLAN) access points, and to a method thereof. The communication device includes a GPS receiving module (12) for receiving position information of the connection device from a GPS satellite; a WLAN module (11) for connecting with the WLAN access point; a storage unit (13) for storing position information of the WLAN access point; and a controller (14) for selectively operating the WLAN module based on the position information of the communication device output from the GPS receiving module (12) and the position information of the WLAN access point stored in the storage unit (13). According to the present invention, a user terminal receiving data services through WLAN efficiently utilizes power. Also, the searching of the WLAN access points is performed automatically without the need for user manipulation.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A communication device that connects with a network through a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point to receive data, the communication device comprising:

a GPS receiving module for receiving position information of the connection device from a GPS satellite;
a WLAN module for connecting with the WLAN access point;
a storage unit for storing position information of the WLAN access point;
and
a controller for selectively operating the WLAN module based on the position information of the communication device output from the GPS receiving module and the position information of the WLAN access point stored in the storage unit.

2 more elements

A method for connecting to a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, which is connected to a network, for a communication device that includes a WLAN module and a GPS receiving module, the method comprising:

a) continuously checking a present position of the communication device through the GPS receiving module;
b) determining an operating point of the WLAN module based on stored position information of the WLAN access point and the position information of the communication device;
and
c) driving the WLAN module to detect a beacon signal periodically transmitted by the WLAN access point, and connecting to the WLAN access point with the detected beacon signal.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Communication device having function for searching access point of wireless local area network and method thereof

Life of this patent

Communication device having function for searching access point of wireless local area network and method thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10