WO2009046597A1

WO2009046597A1 - Termianl device and method for selectively accessing mobile network or wireless lan

Info

Publication number: WO2009046597A1
Application number: PCT/CN2007/003915
Authority: WO
Inventors: Weizhao Feng; Chen Lu; Jilan Tang
Original assignee: Zte Corporation
Priority date: 2007-10-11
Filing date: 2007-12-29
Publication date: 2009-04-16
Also published as: CN101141354A; CN101141354B

Abstract

A terminal device and a method for selectively accessing a mobile network or a wireless LAN are provided. The terminal device includes a computer (101), a Wlan network card (202) and a wireless data card (102). The computer (101) connects with the Wlan network card (202) and the wireless data card (102) at the same time. The wireless data card (102) comprises a smart card reader. The computer (101) has a management module (201), for managing both the Wlan network card (202) and the wireless data card (102). When it accesses to the Wlan using the Wlan network card (202), it can finish the authentication of accessing the Wlan, through an authentication data in the user identification module obtained by the smart card reader.

Description

Terminal and method for selectively accessing mobile network or wireless local area network

Technical field

The present invention relates to a mobile communication radio access technology and a wireless local area network access technology, and in particular to a terminal and method for selecting an access mobile network or a wireless local area network.

Background technique

With the development of third-generation mobile communication technologies, a large number of wireless data terminals have emerged on the market, including wireless data cards and wireless modems (modems). At present, these wireless data terminals support the Internet access rate of 3.6M/7.2Mbps, and users can access the 3G network through these wireless data terminals, thereby obtaining a large access bandwidth. Even in many remote locations, users can easily access the internet as long as they have wireless coverage. But in other places, such as airports and office locations, many of these places have wireless LAN (WLAN, Wireless LA) coverage, and users can access faster than 3G networks through wireless LAN access. The current mainstream notebooks all have Wlan NICs, which can be easily accessed into the Wlan network.

Many mobile operators have long seen this market, but they have not had a proper charging method. In order to get involved in the Wlan LAN, the mobile operator proposes an EAP-SIM authentication method, that is, the authentication of the Wlan access through the SIM card (or USIM card).

At present, the Wlan network card of the notebook does not have a SIM card socket, and the Wlan network card can only be associated with the terminal with the SIM card through other means. Currently, there is a smart card reader (SIM reader) device on the market. The smart card management software on the operating system (OS, Operating System) can use the smart card reader to perform EAP-SIM authentication for Wlan access. The Wlan network card is used as the access terminal; the SIM reader is used as the authentication terminal for carrying the SIM card; the Wlan management software on the OS is used as the Wlan network card management and SIM reader authentication management software.

Although mobile users use 3G wireless access technology in places where Wlan network coverage is not available, Wlan access is used in places with Wlan coverage to obtain larger access bandwidth, but users need to carry a SIM reader with them, which causes a lot of users. Great inconvenience. Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a terminal and method for selecting an access mobile network or a wireless local area network, and can select to access a mobile network or a Wlan network. The technical solution adopted by the present invention is a terminal that can selectively access a mobile network or a wireless local area network, and the terminal includes a computer, a wireless local area network Wlan network card, and a wireless data card, and the computer and the Wlan network card and the wireless data card. Simultaneously, the wireless data card includes a smart card reader, and the computer has a management module, configured to uniformly manage the Wlan network card and the wireless data card, and use the Wlan network card to access the wireless In the local area network, the authentication data in the user identification module is obtained by the smart card reader, and the authentication when the wireless local area network is accessed is completed.

Further, the Wlan network card is built in the computer or connected to an external interface of the computer; the wireless data card is built in the computer or connected to an external interface of the computer.

Further, the wireless data card is connected to the computer through a PCMCIA interface, and includes a host controller, a host hub connected to the host controller, a modem connected to the host hub, an external interface, and a host A smart card reader having a slot for a subscriber identity module. Further, the host controller is a USB host controller, the host hub is a USB host hub, the modem is a USB modem, the external interface is a USB serial port, and the smart card reader is a USB smart card reader. .

Further, the management module supports management of the modem, the external interface, the smart card reader, and the Wlan network card, and has a corresponding operation interface; wherein the modem is managed to implement dial-up Internet access and IP data transmission; The external interface is implemented to implement the modem configuration and initialization; the smart card reader is managed to implement EAP-SIM authentication and authentication through the Wlan network card access, and the authentication and authentication of the mobile network accessed through the wireless data card Manage the Wlan NIC to implement hotspot search, network selection, network connection and signal strength display of the Wlan network.

The present invention also provides a method for selectively accessing a mobile network or a wireless local area network on a terminal, comprising the following steps: (a) simultaneously connecting the computer with a Wlan network card for accessing the wireless local area network and a wireless data card for accessing the mobile network, the wireless data card having a smart card reader;

(b) after the terminal is started, acquiring and displaying network information of the wireless local area network and the mobile network;

(c) the terminal acquires authentication data in the user identification module through the smart card reader on the wireless data card when the user selects to access the Internet through the wireless local area network, and completes the wireless local area network access Authentication.

Further, after selecting to access through the wireless local area network, if the terminal moves to an area without wireless local area network coverage, it can automatically dial through the wireless data card and switch to the mobile network to access, thereby ensuring continuity of communication.

Further, the wireless data card includes a host controller, a host hub connected to the host controller, and a modem connected to the host hub, an external interface, and a smart card reader.

Further, a management module is disposed on the computer, and the following management is implemented through a corresponding operation interface: managing the modem to implement dial-up Internet access and transmission of IP data; managing the external interface to implement the modem configuration and initialization; Managing the smart card reader to implement EAP-SIM authentication and authentication through the Wlan network card, and authentication and authentication of the mobile network accessed through the wireless data card; managing the Wlan network card to implement the hotspot of the Wlan network Search, network selection, network connection and signal strength display.

In summary, the present invention utilizes a SIM card slot provided by a 3G wireless data card, eliminating an external smart card reader (SIM reader), and realizing the access and authentication of the 3G network card by using a 3G wireless data card. The right also realizes the authentication of the Wlan network, which makes the mobile users extremely convenient, and is also very beneficial for the mobile operators to expand the Wlan market.

BRIEF abstract

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flow chart of a method of an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of an operation interface of an embodiment of the present invention. Preferred embodiment of the invention

The technical solution of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

This embodiment provides a terminal that can selectively access a mobile network or a wireless local area network. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the terminal includes a computer 101, a Wlan network card 202, and a wireless data card 102. The computer 101 is provided with a management module 201, and the Wlan network card 202 can also be directly disposed in the computer 101 (see FIG. 2). The wireless data card 102 is connected to the computer 101 via a PCMCIA interface, and can also be built into the computer 101. The wireless data card 102 has a smart card reader 207 (see Figure 2) that, when in operation, can be connected to the mobile network over the air interface and then connected to the Internet via the gateway of the mobile network. The Wlan NIC 202 can be connected to an access point (AP) via an air interface and then connected to the Internet via ΑΡ.

The wireless data card 102 and the Wlan network card 202 are respectively used to provide access functions for the mobile network and the Wlan network. The Wlan network card 202 is used to provide Wlan access, and the EAP-SIM authentication is completed by the smart card reader 207 of the wireless data card 102, which does not require an additional SIM reader, which is simple and reduces the cost of the user, thereby facilitating the mobile operator. Business promotion. If the user uses the notebook computer, it will have a Wlan network card, which is easier to use.

The wireless data card 102 is connected to the computer 101 through the PCMCIA interface, and a USB host controller (PCMCIA usb host controller) 203 related interface can be presented on the operating system interface of the computer 101. In this embodiment, the USB host controller is a functional module that combines a standard general-purpose CPU (such as an ARM processor) and a USB bus controller, and the USB bus controller is an internal device such as a USB modem or a USB serial port on the card. The main controller waits for communication between devices, and at the same time, it is a slave USB device on the PC. A USB host hub 204 is connected under the USB host controller (PCMCIA usb host controller) 203, such as a USB bridge, for connecting the PCMCIA interface and the USB device. In this embodiment, a USB modem (usb modem) 205, a USB serial port 206, and a USB smart card reader 207 are connected to the USB host hub 204, which are USB devices. .

The USB modem 205 is used for dial-up connection to the mobile network and performs IP data transmission. The USB serial port 206 is used to configure and initialize the USB modem 205. In order for the wireless data card 102 to support the smart card reader function, a smart card reader 207 needs to be extended therein to provide a slot for a subscriber identity module such as a SIM card or a UIM card for reading the sim card and the uim card. User information. Three logical devices can be seen on the operation interface of the computer 101: the USB modem 205, the USB serial port 206, and the operation interface associated with the smart card reader 207. In this embodiment, the data link communication driver is a USB driver, but the present invention can also adopt other protocols and adopt corresponding interfaces and controllers, and the corresponding modem and smart card reader can be read without using a USB modem and a USB smart card. Card holder.

The wireless data card 102 can employ an existing network card such as a mobile 3G data card that accesses the Internet through a mobile communication network with a subscriber identity module such as a SIM card, a UIM card, or the like. The management module 201 on the computer 101 is implemented by the PC side software, and can interact with the wireless data card 102 via the USB serial port 206, and the modem 205 and the status of the modem 205 can be set by the AT command. For example, you can view network information through AT+COPS=?.

The management module 201 on the computer 101 supports management of four logical devices (modem 205, USB serial port 206, smart card reader 207, Wlan network card 202), including: management modem 205 for dial-up Internet access and data transmission; management USB serial port 206 to implement modem 205 configuration and initialization; management smart card reader 207 to implement EAP-SIM authentication when accessing through Wlan network card 202, and authentication of mobile network when accessed through wireless data card; management Wlan The network card 202 implements hotspot search, network selection, network connection, and signal strength display of the Wlan network.

Since the management module 201 simultaneously manages the Wlan network card 202 and the smart card reader (USB SIM reader) 207 provided by the wireless data card 102, by using the smart card management software, the smart card reader on the wireless data card can be used for Wlan access. EAP-SIM authentication. In this way, the interface of the computer 101 is very friendly to the user, and the user can see the signal coverage of the mobile network and the Wlan network through this interface, and independently select the network to be accessed by itself. Based on the above terminal, as shown in FIG. 3, the method for selecting an access mobile network or a wireless local area network on a terminal includes the following steps: Step rubber 110, after the terminal is started, first perform initialization of two wireless access devices, including initial configuration of the modem 205 and initial configuration of the Wlan network card 202;

This operation is performed by the management module 201 on the terminal, and its operation interface is as shown in FIG. In the configuration, the wireless data card 102 and the Wlan network card 202 can be configured separately, for example, an access point network (APN, Access Point Network), a user name, password information, and the like of the wireless data card 102.

Step 120: After the initialization is completed, the terminal performs unified management on the wireless data card 102 and the WLAN network card 202, and acquires and displays network information of the two networks, such as signal strength;

The wireless data card 102 and the WLAN network card 202 send information such as the currently registered carrier name, the current service network, the signal strength of the current network, and the signal strength of each network point to the computer 101 for display on the operation interface of the computer 101.

According to step 130, the user chooses to access the Internet through a WLAN or a mobile network.

Mobile users are free to choose which network to use to access the Internet based on the coverage and tariffs of the two networks. In particular, when the user chooses to use the WLAN network to access, the management module obtains the authentication data on the subscriber identity module through the smart card reader on the wireless data card, and completes the authentication used by the Wlan access, such as EAP-SIM authentication.

After selecting to access through the WLAN, if the terminal moves to an area without WLAN coverage, it can automatically dial through the wireless data card and switch to the mobile network to access, thus ensuring continuity of communication.

In summary, the present invention utilizes a SIM card or a UIM card slot provided by a 3G wireless data card, eliminating an external smart card reader, and realizing the authentication and access of the 3G network card with a 3G wireless data card. It also realizes the authentication and access of the Wlan network, which makes the mobile users extremely convenient, and is also very beneficial for the mobile operators to expand the Wlan market.

It is a matter of course that the invention may be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the terminal can use a computer, and other smart devices such as a PDA, a mobile phone, and the like can also be used. In addition, the wireless data card can also be built in a computer or the like.

Industrial Applicability The present invention is applicable to a universal mobile communication system (Universal Mobile Telecommunications) System) Any mobile network, including TD-SCDMA, WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM. The interconnection or secure bridging communication between the WLAN wireless local area network and the 3G mobile network is realized by a 3G wireless data card.

Claims

Claim

A terminal that can be selectively connected to a mobile network or a wireless local area network, wherein the terminal comprises a computer, a wireless local area network Wlan network card, and a wireless data card, wherein the computer is simultaneously connected with the Wlan network card and the wireless data card, The wireless data card includes a smart card reader, the computer has a management module, and is used for unified management of the lan network card and the wireless data card. When the Wlan network card is used to access the wireless local area network, The smart card reader obtains the authentication data in the user identification module and completes the authentication when the wireless local area network is accessed.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein:

The Wlan network card is built into the computer or connected to an external interface of the computer; the wireless data card is built into the computer or connected to an external interface of the computer.

3. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein:

The wireless data card is connected to the computer through a PCMCIA interface, and includes a host controller, a host hub connected to the host controller, a modem connected to the host hub, an external interface, and a smart card read A card reader, the smart card reader having a slot of a subscriber identity module.

4. The terminal according to claim 3, characterized in that:

The host controller is a USB host controller, the host hub is a USB host hub, the modem is a USB modem, the external interface is a USB serial port, and the smart card reader is a USB smart card reader.

5. The terminal of claim 3, wherein:

The management module supports management of the modem, an external interface, a smart card reader, and a Wlan network card, and has a corresponding operation interface; wherein the modem is managed to implement dial-up Internet access and data transmission; managing the external An interface to implement the modem configuration and initialization; managing the smart card reader to implement EAP-SIM authentication and authentication through Wlan network card access, and authentication and authentication of a mobile network accessed through a wireless data card; The Wlan network card implements hotspot search, network selection, network connection, and signal strength display of the Wlan network.

6. A method for selecting a mobile network or a wireless local area network on a terminal, comprising the steps of:

(a) simultaneously connecting the computer with a Wlan network card for accessing the wireless local area network and a wireless data card for accessing the mobile network, the wireless data card having a smart card reader;

7. The method of claim 6 wherein:

After selecting to access through the wireless LAN, if the terminal moves to an area without wireless LAN coverage, it can automatically dial through the wireless data card and switch to the mobile network to access, thus ensuring the continuity of communication.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that:

The wireless data card includes a host controller, a host hub coupled to the host controller, and a modem, an external interface, and a smart card reader connected to the host hub.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein:

A management module is disposed on the computer, and the following management is implemented through a corresponding interface: managing the modem to implement dial-up Internet access and transmission of IP data; managing the external interface to implement the modem configuration and initialization; The smart card reader is configured to implement EAP-SIM authentication and authentication through Wlan network card access, and authentication and authentication of the mobile network accessed through the wireless data card; managing the Wlan network card to implement hot spot search of the Wlan network , network selection, network connection and signal strength display.