Abstract:
A portable multimedia device and a method of operating the same enables operation of a display device by direct manipulation of a bracket housing a display window of a portable communication device such as an MP3 player, a portable multimedia player, or a digital camera. The portable multimedia device includes: a display bracket housing the display window; a PCB bracket installed at a rear surface of the display bracket and is movable within a limited range in a thickness direction; a PCB fixed in the PCB bracket between the display bracket and the PCB bracket; and a plurality of tact switches installed around a periphery of the PCB capable of contacting the rear surface of the display bracket. Each of the tact switches controls one or more function of the portable multimedia device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-037997, filed on May 6, 2005, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch and a method of operating the same, and more particularly to a portable multimedia device that can be driven by manipulation of a bracket housing a display device for an MP3 (MPEG audio layer-3) player, a PMP (portable multimedia player), a digital camera, a mobile telecommunication device, etc., and a method of operating the same.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Recently, the performance of portable devices essential to modern living, such as an MP3 player and a mobile phone, has been remarkably improved due to development of audio and telecommunications technology.  
         [0004]     For example, the MP3 player is a device that can be used for recording and reproducing MP3 files containing music or other audio data downloaded from the Internet or converted from other media. The MP3 player may include an earphone jack thereby enabling a user to listen to reproduced files through earphones.  
         [0005]     In addition to reproducing MP3 data, the MP3 player may perform various other functions such as receiving FM radio for reproduction or recording, converting the output of an audio device into MP3 files, voice recording, dictionary applications, and games. The demand for more functions is continuously increasing.  
         [0006]     In addition to its various functions, the MP3 player has numerous controllable parameters such as volume, MP3 file, beat parameters, equalizer parameters, and various menu parameters. A large display window is required to visually represent the various menus and settings and numerous switches are required enabling a user to control the functions and parameters.  
         [0007]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional portable multimedia device  10  such as an MP3 player generally includes various switches  1  and  3  installed on its front and sides, and a display window  2  disposed on its front. Since the switches take up considerable space, it is difficult to increase the size of the display window  2  beyond a certain limit. In order to significantly increase the size of the display window  2 , the entire device must be enlarged.  
         [0008]     If the display window  2  is enlarged to span the entire surface of the device, the various switches  1  and  3  would then be installed on the sides thereby making operation inconvenient.  
         [0009]     As an example of technology intended to solve this problem, a touch screen has been proposed. The touch screen is used in combination with a general soft display such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), or an organic light emitting display (OLED), and is manufactured as a separate device mechanically engaged with a display screen.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a conventional touch screen. The touch screen  20  includes a transparent substrate  12 , which is generally formed of a rigid glass material but may alternatively be formed of a flexible material such as plastic. Various additional material layers for forming a contact detection device  14  of the touch screen  20  are formed on an upper surface of the substrate  12 . The contact detection device  14  includes a converter and a circuitry required to detect physical contact in a manner that can be used to calculate a contact position. A cable  16  is connected to the circuitry so that various signals can be transmitted to and received from the touch screen  20 . The cable  16  is connected to an external controller  18 . The external controller  18  controls application of various signals of the touch screen  20  and calculates (x, y) coordinates where contact occurs on a contact part.  
         [0011]     Conventional touch screen technology using the above basic structure may employ resistive, capacitive, ultrasonic, surface acoustic wave, or other contact detection techniques.  
         [0012]     A resistive touch screen generates a voltage in proportion to a relative resistance of a circuit located at a contact point, and measures the voltage to calculate (x, y) coordinates of the contact point.  
         [0013]     A capacitive touch screen uses current variations due to contact of a conductive material to calculate (x, y) coordinates of a contact point.  
         [0014]     An ultrasonic method applies a theory in which a sound wave field is disturbed when an object contacts the touch screen and measures the disturbance to calculate (x, y) coordinates.  
         [0015]     When the touch screen is adapted to a portable device such as a mobile phone or a remote controller, an input may be made by the press and touch of a stylus pen or by the touch of a user&#39;s fingertip. However, when the stylus pen is employed, more than a predetermined level of pressure should be applied, the touch screen is less durable, and it is troublesome for the user to carry the stylus pen in addition to the main body.  
         [0016]     Examples of proposed solutions to the above problems are disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1999-75892 entitled “ELECTRONIC BOOK FOR DISPLAYING DATA DOWNLOADED FROM TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK”, and Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-103562 entitled “KEY-PAD COMBINED WITH TOUCH SCREEN”.  
         [0017]     Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1999-75892 discloses an electronic book for displaying content stored in a memory device, the electronic book includes: a liquid crystal display for displaying data stored in the electronic book; an input means such as a touch pen and a touch panel input device for inputting information and selecting from a menu displayed on a screen; a telecommunication network connection socket and a connection device for connecting to an external data telecommunication network; a computer connection socket and a computer telecommunication connection device for transmitting and receiving data stored in a computer; and keys for controlling various operations.  
         [0018]     Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-103562 discloses a key-pad combined with a touch input means integrally formed with or separately added to a display unit for displaying a key definition, the key-pad including: an upper layer having a predetermined number of keys to be pressed; and a lower layer having projections for transmitting pressure to the touch input means corresponding to each key of the upper layer, wherein the keys are disposed at key definition regions displayed on the display unit, the key definitions displayed on the display unit are formed in a visually recognizable manner, and the keys are spaced apart from the touch input means by a contactable gap.  
         [0019]     However, as described above, the conventional art forces a user to use both hands to precisely input data when the user&#39;s fingertip contacts the screen. In particular, when a portable multimedia device employing a conventional touch screen is operated with one hand, it is easy to accidentally touch more than one key active region in an overlapping manner so that a precise contact value cannot be selected.  
         [0020]     Also, it is troublesome for the user to have to look at the display window while operating the device to perform a desired function in a conventional portable multimedia device adopting the touch screen.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     The present invention provides a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch enabling enlargement of a display window and facilitating easy manipulation of the switch, and a method of operating the same.  
         [0022]     The present invention also provides a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch enabling easy operation of the device without viewing the display window, and a method of operating the same.  
         [0023]     The present invention also provides a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch enabling a user to instinctively select contents or menu items displayed on a screen, and a method of operating the same.  
         [0024]     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch having a case, a display window, and various switches. The portable multimedia device comprises a display bracket for fixing the display window, a PCB bracket installed at a rear surface of the display bracket to be movable within a limited range in a thickness direction, a PCB fixed to the PCB bracket between the display bracket and the PCB bracket, and a plurality of tact switches installed around the periphery of the PCB to contact the rear surface of the display bracket.  
         [0025]     In addition, the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch may further include a holder for regulating movement of the display bracket toward the PCB bracket.  
         [0026]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the display bracket may include an upper case, and a display cover fixed to the upper case.  
         [0027]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the holder, movably disposed between the PCB bracket and the PCB in a lateral direction, may have a groove or a hole formed at its periphery, and the display cover may have a projecting guide pin formed at its rear surface at a position corresponding to the groove or hole.  
         [0028]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the depth of the groove or hole of the holder may be greater than an operational displacement of the tact switches.  
         [0029]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the PCB bracket may have a guide pin formed at its upper surface, and the holder may have a notch or an elongated hole having a length corresponding to maximum displacement of the guide pin.  
         [0030]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the plurality of tact switches may be disposed at upper, lower, right, and left sides of the surface of the periphery of the PCB.  
         [0031]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the plurality of tact switches may be disposed at the center portion of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the upper surface of the periphery of the PCB.  
         [0032]     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch having a case, a display window, a PCB, and various switches. The portable multimedia device comprises a display bracket for fixing the display window, a plurality of tact switches installed around the periphery of the PCB to contact a rear surface of the display bracket, and a plurality of operation display parts disposed corresponding to the plurality of tact switches, respectively, and displayed on the display window.  
         [0033]     In addition, the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch may further include a status display part for displaying an operation status on the display window.  
         [0034]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, when each of the plurality of tact switches is operated, at least two functions may be sequentially displayed on the status display part.  
         [0035]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the plurality of operation display parts may be disposed at upper, lower, right, and left sides of the surface of the periphery of the display window.  
         [0036]     In addition, in the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, the plurality of operation display parts may be disposed at the center portion of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the upper surface of the periphery of the display window.  
         [0037]     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch having a case, a display window, a PCB, and various switches, the portable multimedia device including: a display bracket for fixing the display window; a plurality of tact switches installed around the periphery of the PCB to contact a rear surface of the display bracket; an operation sound generator for generating sound for each operation state of the plurality of tact switches; and a plurality of operation display parts disposed corresponding to the plurality of tact switches, respectively, and displayed on the display window.  
         [0038]     According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of operating a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch including a case, a display window, a PCB, a display bracket for fixing the display window, a plurality of tact switches installed around the periphery of the PCB to contact a rear surface of the display bracket, a plurality of operation display parts disposed corresponding to the plurality of tact switches, respectively, and a status display part for displaying an operation status on the display window. The method includes operating one of the plurality of tact switches, generating an operation sound corresponding to the operation of the tact switch, displaying an operation state corresponding to the operation of the tact switch on the operation display part and the status display part, and performing a function corresponding to the state displayed by the status display part.  
         [0039]     In addition, in the method of operating a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch, when each of the plurality of tact switches is operated, at least two functions may be sequentially displayed on the status display part. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0040]     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional portable multimedia device;  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a conventional touch screen;  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portable multimedia device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is an exploded upper perspective view of a portable multimedia device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is an exploded lower perspective view of a portable multimedia device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a portable multimedia device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a combined structure of a PCB bracket and a holder bracket of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram representing operation processes of a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart representing operation processes of a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  illustrates examples of operation states of a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following description and the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components and descriptions of the same or similar components will not be repeated.  
         [0052]     First, the mechanical structure of a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in conjunction with FIGS.  3  to  7 .  
         [0053]     As shown in FIGS.  3  to  7 , a portable multimedia device  1000  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case  600 , a display window  700  installed on an entire upper surface, a PCB  300 , and various switches  900 . The display window  700  has a structure in which an LCD or OLED panel  710  is covered with a window  720 , and an earphone jack  800  and various switches  900  are installed at side surfaces.  
         [0054]     In addition, the portable multimedia device  1000  according to the exemplary embodiment further includes a display bracket  100  for fixing the display window  700 , and a PCB bracket  200  installed at a rear surface of the display bracket  100  through a medium of the PCB  300 .  
         [0055]     Stud bolts  50  connect the display bracket  100  and the PCB bracket  200  to each other. In this case, the PCB bracket  200  is engaged with the stub bolts  50  in a relatively movable manner. The stud bolt  50  has a body functioning to guide movement of the PCB bracket  200 , and a head functioning as a stopper. This arrangement permits the display bracket  100  to be moved toward the PCB bracket  200  within a limited range in a thickness direction.  
         [0056]     As described above, the PCB  300  is disposed between the display bracket  100  and the PCB bracket  200 , and is fixed to the PCB bracket  200 .  
         [0057]     While the display bracket  100  may be formed as an integral body, it preferably includes an upper case  140  formed of plastic, which is readily moldable, and a display cover  150  formed of metal, such as stainless steel, having high strength. The display cover  150  is shown affixed to the upper case  140 . Here, the upper case  140  and the display cover  150  can be engaged with each other by inserting screws through installation holes  141  and  152 . In addition, the display cover  150  may have flanges  153  to maintain alignment.  
         [0058]     Further, the PCB  300  has a plurality of tact switches  400  disposed on the upper surface of its periphery so that the display bracket  300  can be pushed to contact the PCB  300 . That is, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the plurality of tact switches  400  are disposed at center portions of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the upper surface of the periphery of the PCB  300 .  
         [0059]     As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, a portion of the periphery of the display bracket  100  is pushed toward the PCB  300  and the PCB bracket  200  to allow the tact switches  400  to be operated. Here, since the tact switches  400  are installed along the periphery of the PCB  300  at predetermined intervals, when the display bracket  100  is pushed at one portion, the display bracket  100  is slightly inclined toward the PCB bracket  200 .  
         [0060]     Meanwhile, a holder  500  is installed between the PCB bracket  200  and the PCB  300  in a laterally movable manner to regulate movement of the display bracket  100  toward the PCB bracket  200 , and thereby allow or prevent operation of the tact switches  400 .  
         [0061]     For this purpose, the holder  500  has grooves or holes  510  at its periphery, and the display cover  150  has pins  155  projecting from its rear surface. Here, preferably, the depth of the groove or hole  510  of the holder  500  is greater than the displacement of a depressed tact switch  400 , and less than the thickness of the holder  500 .  
         [0062]     Therefore, when the pins  155  of the display cover  150  pass through holes formed at the PCB  300  to conform to the grooves or holes  510  of the holder  500 , the pins  155  can pass through the holes  510  thereby allowing the movement of the display bracket  100  to operate each of the tact switches  400 , depending on the inclination in the display bracket  100  toward the PCB bracket  300 .  
         [0063]     On the other hand, when the holder  500  is moved laterally to make the grooves or holes  510  deviate from the pins  155  of the display cover  150 , movement of the display bracket  100  toward the PCB bracket  300  is blocked, since the pins  155  cannot pass through the holes  510 .  
         [0064]     Moreover, the PCB bracket  200  has guide pins  250  having head parts  251  formed at its upper surface, and the holder  500  has notches or elongated holes  550  of depth corresponding to maximum displacement of the guide pins  250 . Therefore, when the holder  500  is laterally moved along the PCB bracket  200 , the guide pins  250  are smoothly guided along the notches or elongated holes  550  without separating from them. The holder  500  can be moved using a holder lever  540  formed at its side surface. Meanwhile, the case  600  is secured to the PCB bracket  200  by screws.  
         [0065]     Next, operation of a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in conjunction with FIGS.  8  to  10 .  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , an operation sound generator  70  generates sound corresponding to operation states of each of four tact switches  400  disposed at center portions of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the upper surface of the periphery of the PCB  300 . The operation sound generator  70  is a mechanism for mechanically generating sound due to operation of the tact switches  400  depending on movement of the display bracket  100  toward the PCB bracket  200 .  
         [0067]     In addition, a controller  71  controls the portable multimedia device  1000  with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention corresponding to operations of the switches, and a memory part  72  stores data applicable to the portable multimedia device  1000  and program files previously prepared for control of the controller  71 .  
         [0068]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a plurality of operation display parts  73  are disposed corresponding to the plurality of tact switches  400 , and a status display part  74  displays operation states according to each operation of the plurality of operation display parts  73  on the display window  700 .  FIG. 10  shows one example of the plurality of operation display parts  73  and status display parts  74  disposed on the display window  700 . The plurality of operation display parts  73  are disposed at the center portion of upper, lower, right, and left sides of the upper surface of the periphery of the display window  700 .  
         [0069]     In addition, the status display parts  74  have a structure in which at least two functions are sequentially displayed according to each operation of the tact switches  400 .  
         [0070]     Also shown in  FIG. 8 , a power source  75  supplies power required to each component of the portable multimedia device  1000  with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The power source  75  may be a conventional rechargeable battery.  
         [0071]     Next, operation of the portable multimedia device  1000  with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.  
         [0072]     When a user turns a power switch of the portable multimedia device  1000  with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention ON, an initial state of the portable multimedia device  1000  is displayed on the status display part  74  of the display window  700  (S 10 ).  
         [0073]     Then, when the user operates one of tact switches  400  (S 20 ), an operation sound is generated corresponding to the operation of the tact switch  400  (S 30 ), and an image corresponding to the operation state of the operation display part  73  is displayed on the status display part  74  (S 40 ).  
         [0074]     For example, as shown in  FIG. 10 ( a ), when a user records voice using the portable multimedia device  1000 , the user pushes the right side tact switch  400 , and its operation state is displayed as a circle on the operation display part  73  of the display window  700 . At the same time, “STANDBY . . . READY TO RECORD” is displayed on the status display part  74 .  
         [0075]     The user then determines whether the push operation of the tact switch  400  is a desired operation or not (S 50 ), and when it is the required operation, the portable multimedia device  1000  operates normally.  
         [0076]     However, when the desired operation is not completed in S 50 , that is, when voice recording is required in the state of  FIG. 10 ( a ), processing returns to S 10 . At this point the user directly pushes the tact switch  400  on the right side of the operation display part  73  to perform a recording operation.  
         [0077]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 10 ( b ), “RECORDING” representing a voice recording operation is displayed on the status display part  74 , and at the same time, the right side operation display part  73  changes from a circle to a rectangular shape.  
         [0078]     After performing the recording operation, the user pushes the tact switch  400  on the right side of the display part  73  shown in  FIG. 10  to stop the recording operation.  
         [0079]     For example, the exemplary embodiment includes the operation sound generator  70  to mechanically generates sound when the tact switches  400  are operated, in an alternative embodiment, depending on movement of the display bracket  100  toward the PCB bracket  200 , a sound previously input and stored in the memory part  72  may be output through a separated output means such as a speaker or earphones.  
         [0080]     In the portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch and the method of operating the same according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the entire display bracket can be moved toward the PCB bracket to operate the switches, separate switches need not be installed on the upper surface, and thus it is possible to enlarge the display window.  
         [0081]     In addition, since it is not necessary for the user to look at the display window while manipulating the switches, the portable multimedia device is very convenient to operate.  
         [0082]     Further, the user can instinctively manipulate switches on the basis of content or menus displayed on a user&#39;s interface without having to search for the right switch. Accordingly, the portable multimedia device is very convenient to operate.  
         [0083]     While a portable multimedia device with a display bracket switch according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described above, the invention is not limited to this embodiment and various modifications can be made thereto within the spirit and scope of the present invention.