Method for displaying a message in a dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal

Disclosed is a method for displaying a message in a folder-type mobile terminal including a main body, a sub-body foldably mounted to the main body, said sub-body having a first display mounted on an outer side and a second display mounted on an inner side thereof. Upon receipt of a message, while the sub-body is folded, the mobile terminal displays an indicator indicating receipt of the message on the first display. Upon receipt of a key input corresponding to a user's external display request, the mobile terminal determines whether the first display is set to a double-line display mode. If the first display is set to the double-line display mode, the mobile terminal slidingly displays the received message on a first line of the first display and fixedly displays a message received time and a caller's phone number on a second line of the first display. However, if the first display is not set to the double-line display mode, the mobile terminal then slidingly displays, in sequence, the received message, the message received time and the caller's phone number on the first display.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to an application entitled “Method for Displaying Message in a Folder-Type Mobile Terminal” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Jan. 17, 2001 and assigned Serial No. 2001-2536, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal, and in particular, to a method for displaying a message in a folder-type mobile terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a mobile terminal is classified as either a bar-type terminal or a foldable terminal. The bar-type terminal includes a keypad exposed to the outside environment and has become unpopular because of its large and awkward size. However, the foldable terminal has become popular for its compact size and is comprised of a main body and a sub-body foldably mounted to the main body, which protects the keypad mounted on the main body.

The foldable terminal can be divided into three categories: a flip-type terminal, a flip-up-type terminal and a folder-type terminal. The flip-type terminal has a flip cover, which serves two purposes: (1.) the flip-type terminal includes a sub-body to protect the keypad mounted on the main body; and (2.) it also forces the user to concentrate his voice onto a microphone mounted on the main body, because the microphone is placed close to the user's mouth. The flip-up-type terminal is featured by the flip cover, which is openable toward the upper side of the main body. The folder-type terminal has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) module mounted on the sub-body.

Recently, folder-type terminals tend to include two LCDs mounted on both sides of the sub-body. Such a folder-type terminal is called a “dual LCD folder-type terminal.” That is, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal includes an external front LCD mounted on the outer side of the sub-body and an internal LCD mounted on the inner side of the sub-body. The external front LCD is relatively smaller in window size than the internal LCD. In a suspended state (or stand-by state), the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal uses the external front LCD to display information such as received signal strength indicator (RSSI) bar, battery icon, date and time, so that the user can obtain such information without unfolding the sub-body. Upon receipt of an incoming call, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal displays a specific icon or message indicating receipt of the incoming call on the external front LCD. In this state, if the user unfolds the sub-body, the call is connected. Likewise, upon receipt of a character message, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal displays a specific icon or message indicating receipt of the character message on the external front LCD. In this state, if the user unfolds the sub-body, the received character message is displayed on the internal LCD. The icon indicating receipt of the character message will be continuously displayed on the external front LCD until the user unfolds the sub-body. That is, in order to check the received character message, the user must perform the annoying task of unfolding the sub-body and reading the character message displayed on the internal LCD.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a message display method for enabling a user to easily check a received message in a dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a message display method for enabling a user to check a received message without unfolding a sub-body in a dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal.

To achieve the above and other objects, there is provided a method for displaying a message in a folder-type mobile terminal including a main body, a sub-body foldably mounted to the main body, the sub-body having a first display mounted on an outer side and a second display mounted on an inner side. Upon receipt of a message, while the sub-body is folded to the main body, the mobile terminal displays an indicator indicating receipt of the message on the first display. Upon receipt of a key input corresponding to a user's external display request, the mobile terminal determines whether the first display is set to a double-line display mode. If the first display is set to the double-line display mode, the mobile terminal slidingly displays the received message on a first line of the first display and fixedly displays a message received time and a caller's phone number on a second line of the first display. However, if the first display is not set to the double-line display mode, the mobile terminal also slidingly displays, in sequence, the received message, the message received time and the caller's phone number on the first display.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1Aillustrates a dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal100to which the present invention is applied, wherein a sub-body120is folded to a main body110.FIG. 1Billustrates the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal100with the sub-body120unfolded from the main body110.

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal100includes a hinge device101, the main body110comprised of an upper casing frame111and a lower casing frame112, and the sub body120for protecting a keypad160mounted on the main body110. The hinge device101mechanically connects the main body110to the sub-body120. The main body110has a volume up/down function key180mounted on its side. Further, the antenna device130is mounted on a selected one side at an upper end of the main body110. As shown inFIG. 1B, the sub-body120coupled at a lower end to the main body110has the earpiece140mounted on its upper part, and the internal LCD150situated at the lower part of the earpiece140. Further, as illustrated inFIG. 1A, the sub-body120has the external front LCD190mounted on its outer side. The main body110also includes the keypad160and a microphone170mounted thereon.

FIG. 2illustrates a schematic block diagram of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal100. Referring toFIG. 2, a controller200controls the overall operation of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal100. RF (Radio Frequency) module202transmits and receives audio data and signaling data under the control of the controller200. Audio processor204, under the control of the controller200, converts digital audio data received from the RF module202to an analog audio signal and outputs the converted audio signal through a speaker SPK as an audible signal. Further, the audio processor204converts an audio signal received from a microphone MIC to digital audio data and provides the converted digital audio data to the RF module202. Key input unit206includes a plurality of alphanumeric keys and function keys, and provides the controller200with key input data corresponding to a key pressed by the user. LCD driver208displays various messages on the external front LCD190and/or the internal LCD150, under the control of the controller200. Memory210includes a program memory for storing program data used in controlling an operation of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal, and a data memory for storing data generated during the control operation or input by the user. Sensor212detects an unfolded state of the sub-body120of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal and provides a resulting sensing signal to the controller200.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, upon receipt of a character message or a broadcasting message, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal displays the received message on the external front LCD190, so that the user can check (or read) the received message without unfolding the sub-body to review the message on the internal LCD150. Considering the fact that the external front LCD190is relatively smaller in window size than the internal LCD150, the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal slides the message across the external front LCD190display.

FIG. 3illustrates a procedure for displaying a message in the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The procedure ofFIG. 3is performed by the controller200.

FIG. 4illustrates a screen layout displayed on the external front LCD190of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Now, with reference toFIGS. 1A to 4, a detailed description will be made regarding an operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

Upon receipt of such messages as a character message and a broadcast message, the controller200recognizes the received message in step300and then proceeds to step302. In step302, the controller200displays an icon indicating receipt of the message on both the external front LCD190and the internal LCD150, and at the same time, a lamp (not shown) of mobile terminal100blinks indicating receipt of the message (or generates a buzzer tone). Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that any means presently utilized to alert a user that a message has been received at a mobile terminal may be utilized by this invention. Preferably, the icon indicating receipt of the message has a shape of a postal envelope displayed on a window W1of the external front LCD190, as shown inFIG. 4.

Thereafter, in step304, the controller200stores the received message in the memory210. Preferably, the received message is stored together with its received time and a caller's phone number. In step306, the controller200determines whether the sub-body120is unfolded. The controller200can recognize the unfolded state of the sub-body120depending on an output signal of the sensor212.

If the sub-body120is unfolded by the user, the controller200performs the existing message display method, in step308. That is, in step308, the controller200displays the received message together with the message received time and the caller's phone number on a single screen of the internal LCD150.

Otherwise, if the sub-body120is not unfolded by the user in step306, the controller200determines, in step310, whether an external display request is received from the user. The user will make the external display request when he or she desires to check the received message without unfolding the sub-body120. Preferably, the external display request is achieved by pressing one of the keys mounted on the outside of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal. Those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that any type of key input may be utilized for an external display request. For example, the controller200recognizes the external display request when the user presses the volume up/down function key180shown inFIG. 1Ain the folded state of the sub-body120.

Upon receipt of the external display request from the user, in step310, the controller200determines, in step312, whether the external front LCD190is set to a double-line display mode. As mentioned above, the external front LCD190is relatively smaller in window size than the internal LCD150. For example, the window size of the external front LCD190is small enough that a message must be displayed in a single line or a double line. Therefore, if the external front LCD190has a window size of a single line, it will be fixedly set to a single-line display mode. However, if the external front LCD190has a window size of a double line, it will be set to either a single-line display mode or a double-line display mode. If the external front LCD190is a color graphic LCD, it is possible to display the message in either a single line or a double line, according to the set display mode. Regardless of the window size of the external front LCD190the color graphic LCD supports a dot matrix display technique.

If the external front LCD190is set to the double-line display mode, in step312, the controller200reads, in step314, the received message together with the message received time and the caller's phone number from the memory210, fixedly displays the message received time and the caller's phone number on the external front LCD190, and slidingly displays the received message. In an example shown inFIG. 4, upon receipt of the external display request from the user, the controller200slides the received message displayed on a first line L1to the left of a window W2of the external front LCD190, and fixedly displays the associated message received time and caller's phone number, stored in the memory210, on a second line L2of the window W2of the external front LCD190. As another example, it is also possible to display only one or none of the message received time and the caller's phone number on the second line L2. Further, it is also possible to slide the message received time and the caller's phone number, displayed on the second line L2.

Meanwhile, if the external front LCD190is not set to the double-line display mode, in step312, the controller200reads, in step316, the received message together with the associated message received time and caller's phone number from the memory210and slidingly, in sequence, displays the received message, the message received time and the caller's phone number on the external front LCD190. In the example shown inFIG. 4, upon receipt of the external display request from the user, the controller200slides left the received message, the message received time and the caller's phone number, displayed on a window W2′ of the external front LCD190. As another example, it is also possible to display only one or none of the message received time and the caller's phone number.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the received message is slidingly displayed by the external front LCD190, because the external front LCD190is too small in size to display the received message on the same window (or screen). The method for sliding the received message on the external front LCD190is as follows. The controller200sets a 100 ms timer and then shifts the characters displayed to the left and continuously shifts the characters to be displayed to the left on the external front LCD190by one byte every 100 ms interrupt, thereby sliding the received message. In addition, the received message may not continue shifting left when the last character of the received message such as the caller's phone number has been displayed. For example, when the final digit of the caller's phone number, for example “0” of “123-456-7890”, has been displayed in external front LCD190, no more characters relative to the received message will be displayed on external front LCD190.

During the operation of step314or316, the user can check the received message being slid, no matter how long it is. In addition, the user can also check the message received time and the caller's phone number.

In this state, if the user makes an external display release request, the controller200detects the external display release request, in step318, and then proceeds to step320. Preferably, the external display release request is achieved by pressing one of the keys mounted on the outside of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal. For example, the controller200recognizes the external display release request when the user presses the volume up/down function key180, shown inFIG. 1A, while the received message is slidingly displayed on the external front LCD190.

Upon receipt of the external display release request, the controller200displays a normal screen on the external front LCD190, in step320. For example, the controller200displays the RSSI bar, battery icon, date, day and current time on the external front LCD190, as shown in a window W3ofFIG. 4.

As described above, the user can easily check such messages as the received message and the broadcast message, displayed on the external front LCD of the dual LCD folder-type mobile terminal, even without unfolding the sub-body.