Patent Application
20140310520
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 16, 2013, and assigned Serial No. 10-2013-0041615, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method for communicating data and an electronic device thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic device can send and receive serial data such as an AT command or OBject EXchange (OBEX), and a user file such as a multimedia service to and from another electronic device connected via a wired communication link. For example, the electronic device can send and receive the serial data to and from the other electronic device over a serial data channel, and send and receive the user file to and from the other electronic device over a file transfer channel separately from the serial data channel. Herein, the serial data can instruct the electronic device to operate with the other electronic device and to respond to a command.
To transmit and receive the serial data and the file to and from the other electronic device, the electronic device needs to retain a plurality of channels including the serial data channel and the file transfer channel. For doing so, the electronic device has to install a plurality of drivers for the channels and to maintain the channels.
The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and disadvantages, and to provide at least the advantages described below.
Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of an electronic device for reducing load of data transmission and reception with another electronic device.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of an electronic device for reducing load of data transmission and reception with another electronic device connected via a wired communication link.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of an electronic device for sending and receiving a file and user data to and from another electronic device over a single channel.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of an electronic device for sending and receiving control data to and from another electronic device over a file transfer channel.
A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method of an electronic device for sending and receiving control data to and from another electronic device connected via a wired communication link over a file transfer channel.
According to an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus of an electronic device includes a control data processor for generating control data; and a file processor for generating a control data file comprising the control data generated by the control data processor, and transmitting the control data file to another electronic device using a file transfer protocol.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus of an electronic device includes a file processor for receiving a control data file from another electronic device over a file transfer channel, and extracting control data from the control data file; and a control data processor for processing a control command of the control data extracted by the file processor.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for transmitting control data in an electronic device includes generating a control data file comprising control data; and transmitting the control data file to another electronic device using a file transfer protocol.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, a method for processing control data in an electronic device includes receiving a control data file from another electronic device over a file transfer channel, and extracting control data from the control data file and processing a control command of the control data.
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely examples. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a technique for transmitting and receiving control data in an electronic device.
Herein, the control data can include serial data such as AT command or OBject EXchange (OBEX). For example, the control data can include one or more of a control channel setting signal, a control channel release signal, a command to operate another electronic device, and a response to the command.
The electronic device can be a portable electronic device, a portable terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile pad, a media player, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a netbook computer, a television, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), an Ultra Mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), a tablet PC, a navigation system, a smart TV, a wrist watch, a digital camera, and an MP3 player. The electronic device may be an electronic device combining two or more functions of these devices.
As shown in
As shown in
The memory 210 includes a program storage for storing a program to control operations of the electronic device 200 and a data storage for storing data generated in the program execution. The memory 210 can include a volatile memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM)), a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory), or a combination of both.
The processor 220 controls the electronic device 200 to provide various multimedia services using at least one software program. For example, the processor 220 executes at least one program stored in the memory 210 and thus controls to provide the multimedia service corresponding to the program.
The processor 220 controls to transmit and receive the control data and the user file to and from the other electronic device connected via the external port 230, over the file transfer channel. For example, when the other electronic device is connected via the external port 230, the processor 220 controls to transmit the control data and the user file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. That is, the processor 220 controls to generate a control data file and sends the control data file to the other electronic device. For example, the processor 220 may control to execute a control command of the control data file received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
The external port 230 includes a connection interface for connecting the electronic device 2100 to the other electronic device directly or via a network. For example, the external port 230 can include one or more of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port.
The audio processor 240 provides an audio interface between a user and the electronic device 200 through a speaker and a microphone.
The display 250 displays status information of the electronic device 200, characters input by the user, a moving picture, or a still picture. For example, the display 250 can display multimedia service information of the processor 200.
The input device 260 provides the processor 220 with input data generated by a user's selection. For doing so, the input device 260 includes a keypad including at least one hardware button, and a touchpad for detecting touch. For example, the input device 260 can provide touch information of the touch pad to the processor unit 220.
The electronic device 200 may further include a communication system (not shown) for wirelessly supporting communication with the other electronic device using radio resources. In so doing, the communication system can be divided into a plurality of communication sub-modules for supporting different networks. For example, the communication network includes, but is not limited to, a Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) network, an Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a W-CDMA network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), a Bluetooth network, and Near Field Communication (NFC).
As described above, the processor 220 controls to transmit and receive the control data and the user file to and from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel, inside a single module.
Alternatively, the processor 220 can include separate modules for controlling to transmit and receive the control data and the user file to and from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel as shown in
As shown in
The file processor 300 processes the file received from the other electronic device through the external interface 320. For doing so, the file processor 300 includes a path determiner 302 for determining a transfer path of the corresponding file by identifying the type of the file fed from the external interface 320. For example, the file processor 300 can include a file application layer and a file transfer framework. The file transfer framework can indicate a class and a library for implementing an application program standard architecture for a particular Operating System (OS).
The path determiner 302, which is located in the file transfer framework, determines the path for sending the corresponding file according to the type of the file fed from the external interface 320. For example, the path determiner 302 can identify the user file or the control data file using the file header fed from the external interface 320. When the file fed from the external interface 320 is the control data file, the path determiner 302 sends the control data file to the control data processor 310. In so doing, the path determiner 302 sends control data extracted from the control data file to the control data processor 310. When the control data file fed from the external interface 320 is encrypted, the path determiner 302 decrypts the control data file and sends the extracted control data to the control data processor 310. In addition, the path determiner 302 may establish the control channel with the control data processor 310 according to the control data file for control channel configuration, and release the control channel with the control data processor 310 according to the control data file for control channel release. When the other electronic device requests to encrypt the control data file, the path determiner 302 generates an encryption key for encrypting the control data file when the control channel is set, and deletes the corresponding encryption key when the control channel is released.
When the file fed from the external interface 320 is the user file, the path determiner 302 sends the user file to a file application program. The file application program, which is where the application for executing the user file among application programs stored in the memory 210 operates, executes the user file fed from the path determiner 302.
The file processor 300 controls to transmit the user file and the control data file to the other electronic device through the external interface 320. For example, the file transfer framework of the file processor 300 controls to transmit the user file fed from the file application program to the other electronic device through the external interface 320. For example, the file transfer framework of the file processor 300 controls to generate the control data fed from the control data processor 310 as the file and to transmit the file to the other electronic device through the external interface 320. To encrypt the control data file, the file processor 300 encrypts the control data file with the encryption key generated in the control channel setting and sends the encrypted control data file to the external interface 320.
The control data processor 310 processes the control data fed from the path determiner 302 of the file processor 300. For example, the control data processor 310 controls the control command of the control data from the file processor 300. In so doing, the control data processor 310 can send a response signal of the control data to the file processor 300.
The external interface 320 controls the file processor 300 to send and receive the file via the external port 230. For example, the external interface 320 controls to send and receive the file to and from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to a file transfer driver.
Referring to
In step 403, the electronic device transmits the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to the file transfer protocol. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 transmits the control data file to the other electronic device connected via the communication link, through the external interface 320.
As such, the electronic device can transmit the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. The electronic device may include a means for generating the control data file and a means for transmitting the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
Referring to
In step 503, the electronic device processes the control command of the control data according to the file transfer protocol. For example, the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 executes the control command of the control data fed from the file processor 300. In so doing, the control data processor 310 sends a response signal of the control data to the other electronic device through the file processor 300.
As shown in
When the communication link is connected to the other electronic device, the electronic device generates and transmits the file for the control channel setting to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 603. For example, when the communication link is set with the other electronic device through the external port 230, the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 sends a control channel setting signal to the file processor 300. In so doing, the file processor 300 generates the control channel setting signal as the file and transmits the control channel setting file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to the file transfer protocol.
In step 605, the electronic device determines whether a control channel setting response file is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
When the control channel setting response file is not received during a reference time in step 605, the electronic device may resend the control channel setting file to the other electronic device in step 603.
Upon receiving the control channel setting response file in step 605, the electronic device determines whether the control data to send to the other electronic device exists in step 611 of
When the control data to send to the other electronic device does not exist in step 611, the electronic device can continue to check the presence of the control data in step 611 or determine whether an end event occurs in step 621 of
Upon detecting that there is control data to send to the other electronic device in step 611, the electronic device generates and transmits the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 613. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 generates the control data file using the control data generated by the control data processor 310. In so doing, the file processor 300 may add the identification information of the control data file to the header of the control data file.
Although it is not illustrated here, the electronic device may determine whether the response file of the control data is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. When the response file of the control data is not received within the reference time, the electronic device may resend the control data to the other electronic device.
When the control channel setting response file is received in step 605 of
When the end event does not occur in step 621, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the end event occurs in step 621 or return to step 611 of
When the end event takes place in step 621, the electronic device generates and transmits the control channel release file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 623. For example, for the end event, the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 sends the control channel release signal to the file processor 300. The file processor 300 then generates and transmits the control channel release file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to the file transfer protocol.
In step 625, the electronic device determines whether the control channel release response file is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
When the control channel release response file is not received within the reference time in step 625, the electronic device may resend the control channel release file to the other electronic device in step 623.
When the control channel release response file is received in step 625, the electronic device releases the communication link with the other electronic device and ends the process.
As described above, the electronic device can transmit the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. In so doing, the electronic device may transmit the user file over the file transfer channel.
As shown in
Upon receiving the control channel setting file in step 701, the electronic device sets the control channel in step 703. For example, when the control channel setting file is received over the file transfer channel, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 sets the control channel with the control data processor 310.
In step 705, the electronic device transmits the response file of the control channel setting file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. For example, when the control channel is established with the control data processor 310, the file processor 300 generates the response signal fed from the control data processor 310 as the file and transmit the response file to the other electronic device.
Next, the electronic device determines whether the control data file is received from the other electronic device in step 711 of
When the control data file is not received from the other electronic device in step 711, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the control data file is received in step 711 or determine whether the control channel release data is received in step 721 of
When the control data file is received from the other electronic device in step 711, the electronic device processes the control command of the control data in step 713. For example, when the path determiner 302 identifies the control data file, the file processor 300 sends the control data including the control data file to the control data processor 310. The control data processor 310 executes the control command of the control data fed from the file processor 300. In so doing, the control data processor 310 transmits the response signal of the control data to the other electronic device through the file processor 300.
When sending the response file of the control channel setting in step 705 of
When the control channel release file is not received in step 721, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the control channel release file is received in step 721 or determine whether the control data file is received in step 711 of
Upon receiving the control channel release file in step 721, the electronic device releases the control channel in step 723. For example, when receiving the control channel release file over the file transfer channel, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 releases the control channel with the control data processor 310.
In step 725, the electronic device transmits the response file of the control channel release file to the electronic device over the file transfer channel. For example, when the control channel is established with the control data processor 310, the file processor 300 generates and transmits the control channel release file to the other electronic device.
As above, the file processor 300 of the electronic device sends the control data to the control data processor 310 over the control channel of the control data processor 310. When the control data file is received from the other electronic device before the control channel is established with the control data processor 310, the file processor 300 may transmit control data process error information to the other electronic device.
As shown in
When the communication link is connected to the other electronic device in step 801, the electronic device generates and transmits the control channel setting file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 803. For example, when the communication link is established with the other electronic device through the external port 230, the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 sends the control channel setting signal to the file processor 300. In so doing, the file processor 300 generates the control channel setting signal as the file and transmits the control channel setting file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
In step 805, the electronic device determines whether the control channel setting response file is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
When the control channel setting response file is not received during the reference time in step 805, the electronic device may resend the control channel setting file to the other electronic device in step 803.
Upon receiving the control channel setting response file in step 805, the electronic device identifies the encryption key of the control channel setting response file in step 807.
In step 811 of
When the control data to send to the other electronic device does not exist in step 811, the electronic device can continue to check the presence of the control data in step 811 or determine whether the end event occurs in step 821 of
Upon detecting the control data to send to the other electronic device exists in step 811, the electronic device encrypts the control data file with the encryption key in step 813. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 generates the control data file using the control data generated by the control data processor 310. In so doing, the file processor 300 may add the identification information of the control data file to the header of the control data file. Next, the file processor 300 encrypts the control data file with the encryption key received from the other electronic device.
In step 815, the electronic device transmits the encrypted control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 transmits the encrypted control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to the file transfer protocol.
Although it is not illustrated here, the electronic device may determine whether the response file of the control data is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. When the response file of the control data is not received within the reference time, the electronic device may resend the control data to the other electronic device.
When checking the encryption key for the communication with the other electronic device in step 807 of
When end event does not occur in step 821, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the end event occurs in step 821 or determine whether the control data to send to the other electronic device exists in step 811 of
When the end event takes place in step 821, the electronic device generates and transmits the control channel release file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 823. For example, for the end event, the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 sends the control channel release signal to the file processor 300. The file processor 300 generates the control channel release signal as the file and encrypts the file with the encryption key. Next, the file processor 300 transmits the encrypted control channel release file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel according to the file transfer protocol.
In step 825, the electronic device determines whether the control channel release response file is received from the other electronic device over the file transfer channel.
When the control channel release response file is not received within the reference time in step 825, the electronic device may resend the control channel release file to the other electronic device in step 823.
When receiving the control channel release response file in step 825, the electronic device releases the communication link to the other electronic device and ends the process.
As such, the electronic device can transmit the control data file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. In so doing, the electronic device may transmit the user file over the file transfer channel.
As shown in
Upon receiving the control channel setting file in step 901, the electronic device sets the control channel in step 903. For example, when the control channel setting file is received over the file transfer channel, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 sets the control channel with the control data processor 310.
In step 905, the electronic device determines whether the other electronic device requests to encrypt the control data file using the control channel setting file.
When the other electronic device does not request the encryption in step 905, the electronic device transmits the response file of the control channel setting file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel in step 910. For example, when the control channel is established with the control data processor 310, the file processor 300 generates the response signal fed from the control data processor 310 as the file and transmits the response file to the other electronic device.
When the other electronic device requests the encryption in step 905, the electronic device generates the encryption key for encrypting the control data file in step 907. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 can generate the encryption key for encrypting the control data file, or the control data processor 310 of the electronic device 200 may generate the encryption key for encrypting the control data file.
In step 909, the electronic device transmits the response file of the control channel setting file including the encryption key to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. For example, the electronic device generates the control channel setting response file including the response signal and the encryption key fed from the control data processor 310. Next, the file processor 300 adds the encryption key to the control channel setting response file and transmits the response file to the other electronic device.
Next, the electronic device determines whether the control data file is received from the other electronic device in step 911 of
When the control data file is not received from the other electronic device, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the control data file is received in step 911 of
When the control data file is received from the other electronic device in step 911, the electronic device decrypts the control data file in step 913. For example, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 decrypts the control data file with the encryption key generated in step 907 of
In step 915, the electronic device processes the control command of the control data. For example, the control data processor 310 executes the control command of the control data fed from the file processor 300. In so doing, the control data processor 310 may transmit the response signal of the control data to the other electronic device through the file processor 300.
When sending the response file for the control channel setting in step 909 or step 910 of
When the control channel release file is not received in step 921, the electronic device can continue to determine whether the control channel release file is received in step 921 or determine whether the control data file is received in step 911 of
Upon receiving the control channel release file in step 921, the electronic device releases the control channel in step 923. For example, when receiving the control channel release file over the file transfer channel, the file processor 300 of the electronic device 200 decrypts the control channel release file with the encryption key generated in step 907 of
In step 925, the electronic device deletes the encryption key for encrypting the control data file.
In step 927, the electronic device transmits the response file of the control channel release file to the other electronic device over the file transfer channel. For example, when the control channel is established with the control data processor 310, the file processor 300 generates and transmits the control channel release file to the other electronic device.
As described above, the file processor 300 of the electronic device can decrypt the control data file received over the file transfer channel and send the decrypted control data file to the control data processor 310. When the control data file cannot be decrypted, the file processor 300 may transmit a control data process error information to the other electronic device.
As set forth above, the electronic device transmits and receives the control data to and from the other electronic device connected via the communication link, over the file transfer channel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of installing drivers for the file transmission and the control data transmission and the cost of maintaining the channel, and there is no need to retain a separate encryption module for the control data.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2013-0041615 | Apr 2013 | KR | national |
