Abstract:
A mobile terminal includes a terminal body, a case defining an appearance of the terminal body, the case formed of a non-metal, and a metal frame formed of a metal, at least part of the metal frame extending through the case from inside to outside of the terminal body so as to be externally exposed, wherein the case and the metal frame are integrally formed with each other. Accordingly, a specific pattern can be realized at the appearance of the terminal body to arouse distinctive attraction to the appearance, thereby providing a terminal with such attractive appearance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2011-0073801, filed on Jul. 25, 2011, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This specification relates to a mobile terminal, and particularly, to configurations of a case and a frame capable of supporting components installed in a mobile terminal. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As it becomes multifunctional, a terminal can be allowed to capture still images or moving images, play music or video files, play games, receive broadcast and the like, so as to be implemented as an integrated multimedia player. 
     Such terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals according to their mobility. The mobile terminals can be easily carried and have one or more of functions such as supporting voice and video telephony calls, inputting and/or outputting information, storing data and the like. 
     Various new attempts have been made for the terminals by hardware or software in order to implement and enhance such complicated functions. Especially, in view of manufacturing the mobile terminal, several approaches may be considered to distinguish an outer face of a case or the like so as to make an appearance of the mobile terminal more attractive and increase stiffness (rigidity). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide a case for a mobile terminal having a more improved structure and combined functions by producing a case of the terminal using different materials. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a mobile terminal including a terminal body, a case defining an appearance of the terminal body, the case formed of a non-metal, and a metal frame formed of a metal, at least part of the metal frame extending through the case from inside to outside of the terminal body so as to be externally exposed, wherein the case and the metal frame may be integrally formed with each other. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the externally exposed portion of the metal frame may have a specific pattern to define the appearance of the terminal together with the case. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the specific pattern may be a plurality of stripe patterns formed along one surface of the terminal body, and the patterns may be connected to each other within the case. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the metal frame may support a display module disposed on one surface thereof, and a circuit board may be disposed on another surface of the metal frame. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the mobile terminal may further include a shielding member to cover electrical elements mounted on the circuit board. The metal frame may include a through hole at a central portion thereof, and be formed along side surfaces of the terminal body. The shielding member may be coupled to the metal frame to cover at least part of the through hole. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the metal frame may be ground-connected to at least one of the display module or the circuit board, and the metal frame may operate as a part of ground of one of the ground-connected display module or circuit board. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the case may include an opening opened toward an outside of the body, and the metal frame may be formed to surround the opening. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, a connector terminal may be located at the opening, so as to be electrically connected to a manipulation unit or an external interface. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, an antenna may be disposed adjacent to one side within the terminal body, and configured to transmit and receive radio signals based on a part of the terminal body as a main radiation direction. Here, the metal frame may be formed to obscure other directions except for the part so as not to interfere with radiation efficiency of the antenna. 
     In one aspect of the detailed description, the metal frame may include a plurality of metal members, and at least one metal member may operate as a part of a radiation member of an antenna configured to transmit and receive radio signals. 
     In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, a mobile terminal may include a terminal body configured to receive a display module and a circuit board, a case defining an appearance of the terminal body, and a metal frame extending through the case from inside to outside of the terminal body to be externally exposed, the metal frame being formed integrally with the case, wherein at least part of the metal frame may extend into the case to support at least one of the display module or the circuit board. 
     In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a mobile terminal can have an appearance with a specific pattern, which may arouse distinctive attraction from the appearance. 
     Also, a case and a frame of the terminal may be implemented using different types of materials, so as to increase stiffness of the case and provide a feeding or grounding structure to the frame to be used as a radiation member of an antenna. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with one exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal; 
         FIG. 3  is a disassembled perspective view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a part A of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 6A to 6C  are enlarged views of a part A of  FIG. 4  in accordance with variations of a case; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a coupled state among a frame, a shielding member and a circuit board in association with one exemplary variation of a frame; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a first exemplary variation of a case; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a second exemplary variation of the case. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Description will now be given in detail of a mobile terminal according to the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. This specification employs like/similar reference numerals for like/similar components irrespective of different embodiments, so they all will be understood by the first description. The expression in the singular form in this specification will cover the expression in the plural form unless otherwise indicated obviously from the context. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal  100  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment,  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 3  is a disassembled perspective view of the mobile terminal  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming an outer appearance of the first body  110  may be formed from a front case  111  and a rear case  112 . A space formed by the front case  111  and the rear case  112  may accommodate various components therein. At least one intermediate case may further be disposed between the front case  111  and the rear case  112 . Such cases may be formed by injection-molded synthetic resin, or may be formed using a metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti). A battery cover  113  can also be used to cover the rear case  112  and other components as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     The front case  111  is shown having a display unit  101 , a first audio output module  114 , a first image input unit  115 , a first manipulation unit  116 , an audio input unit  117  and the like. 
     The display unit  101  may include a display module  141  (see  FIG. 3 ), such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) module and the like to display visible information. The display unit  101  may be implemented as a touch screen so as to allow inputting of information by a user&#39;s touch. 
     The first audio output module  114  may include a receiver, a speaker or the like. 
     The first image input unit  115  may be a camera module for capturing images or video of the user and the like. 
     The first manipulation unit  116  may be manipulated to allow inputting of commands for controlling operations of the mobile terminal  100 . The first manipulation unit  116  may be a key region formed to be sensitive to a touch input by a user on a window. Alternatively, the first manipulation unit  116  may be implemented by including a dome switch below the window to be pushed for inputting information. 
     The audio input unit  117  may be implemented, for example, as a type of microphone for receiving voice or other sounds input by the user. 
     The front case  111  of the mobile terminal  100  may further be provided with a second manipulation unit  123 , an interface  124  and the like. 
     The second manipulation unit  123  may be installed at a side surface of the rear case  112 . The first and manipulation units  116  and  123  may be referred to as a manipulating portion. Such manipulating portion can employ any tactile manner that a user can touch or tap for manipulation. For instance, the manipulating portion may be implemented as a dome switch, a touchpad or the like by which a user can input commands or information in a pushing or touching manner. Alternatively, the manipulating portion may be implemented as a wheel or a jog which rotates keys or a joystick. 
     From the functional perspective, the first manipulation unit  116  is configured to input commands such as START, END or the like, and the second manipulation unit  123  can be worked as a hot key which performs a specific function, such as activating of the first image input unit  115 , as well as a scroll function. Upon employing at least the first and second manipulation units  116  and  123 , inputting of telephone numbers or text messages may be executed using a touch screen disposed on the display unit  101 . 
     The interface  124  may serve as a path for allowing data exchange between the mobile terminal and an external device. For example, the interface  124  may be at least one of wired/wireless earphone ports, ports for short-range communication (e.g., IrDA, Bluetooth, WLAN, etc.), power supply terminals for power supply to the mobile terminal and the like. The interface  124  may be a card socket for coupling to external cards, such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), a User Identity Module (UIM), a memory card for storage of information and the like. 
     The power supply unit  125  may be provided at the rear case  112  to supply power to at least one component of the mobile terminal  100 . The power supply unit  125 , for example, may include a rechargeable battery for power supply. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the rear case  112  is shown having a second image input unit  127 , a second audio output module  130 , a broadcast signal receiving antenna  131  and the like. An additional antenna  161  as shown in  FIG. 3  may also be included. 
     The second image input unit  127  faces a direction which is opposite to a direction faced by the first image input unit  115  (see  FIG. 1 ), and may have different pixels from those of the first image input unit  115 . 
     For example, the first image input unit  115  may operate with relatively lower pixels (lower resolution). Thus, the first image input unit  115  may be useful when a user can capture his face and send it to another party during a video call or the like. On the other hand, the second image input unit  127  may operate with relatively higher pixels (higher resolution) such that it can be useful for a user to obtain higher quality pictures for later use. 
     A flash  128  and a mirror  129  may additionally be disposed adjacent to the second image input unit  127 . The flash  129  operates in conjunction with the second image input unit  128  when taking a picture using the second image input unit  127 . The mirror  129  can cooperate with the second image input unit  127  to allow a user to photograph himself in a self-portrait mode. 
     The second audio output module  130  can cooperate with the first audio output module  114  (see  FIG. 1 ) to provide stereo output. Also, the audio output module  130  may be configured to operate as a speakerphone. 
     A broadcast signal receiving antenna  131  may be disposed at one side of the rear case  112  in addition to an antenna  161  for communications. The antenna  131  may be drawn out of the rear case  112 . 
     As described above, it has been described that the first manipulation unit  116  or the like is disposed at the front case  111  and the second manipulation unit  123  or the like is disposed at the rear case  112 ; however, the present disclosure may not be limited to the configuration. For example, the second manipulation unit  123  may be disposed at the front case  111  in the vicinity of the first manipulation unit  116 . In addition, without the second image input unit  127 , the first image input unit  115  can be implemented to be rotatable so as to rotate up to a direction which the second image input unit  127  faces. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a window  140  may be coupled to obscure one surface of the front case  111 . The window  140  may obscure a display module  141  such that visible information output on the display module  141  can be recognized from the exterior. The display module  141  and the window  140  may configure the display unit  101  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The window  140  may be allowed for recognition of user&#39;s touch input and for inputting of information (commends, signals, etc.). 
     The window  140  may have an area corresponding to that of the display module  141 . The window  140  may be formed of a transparent material. The window  140  may have a completely opaque area or an area with extremely low light transmittance. For example, edges of the window  140  may be surface-processed such that light cannot be transmitted therethrough. 
     The front case  111  may be provided with a manipulation pad corresponding to the first manipulation unit  116  (see  FIG. 1 ). The manipulation pad is a target to be touched or pressed by a user. The manipulation pad may be formed as a manipulation area at a portion of the window  140 . 
     The front case  111  may include a sound hole, a window hole and an image window. 
     The sound hole may be formed to correspond to the audio output module  114 , such that sounds of the mobile terminal, for example, ringtone, music and the like can come therethrough. The window hole may be formed to correspond to the display unit  101 . The transparent image window may be formed to correspond to the first image input unit  115  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The rear case  112  is shown having a circuit board  170 , a speaker module, a camera module, a switch and the like. 
     The circuit board  170  may be implemented as one example of a controller for running various functions of the mobile terminal  100 . The circuit board  170  may detect an electrical change, which is generated due to a user&#39;s touch on the window  140 , for example, a change in capacitance or the quantity of electric charges. 
     An electrode may be installed within the window  140 . The electrode may be formed as a conductive pattern. The electrode may be charged with electric charges. When an electric conductor moves within a close distance, the quantity of electric charges being charged can change accordingly. When an electric conductor, for example, a user&#39;s finger touches the window, the quantity of electric charges being charged in the electrode may change, which is eventually the same as the change in capacitance between the finger and the electrode. 
     The electrode of the window  140  may be electrically connected to the controller, for example, the circuit board  170  for detecting changes in the quantity of electric charges. For the electrical connection, a flexible printed circuit board  150  may be connected to the circuit board  170  via a hole  152  (see  FIG. 3 ). As the change in the quantity of electric charges is detected, the circuit board  170  may change a state of at least one function relating to the mobile terminal  100 . 
     The flexible printed circuit board  150  may extend from one end of the window  140 . A connecting portion  151  may be formed at one end of the flexible printed circuit board  150  to be connected to the electrode. The other end of the flexible printed circuit board  150  may be connected to the circuit board  170  via a connector. The connecting portion  151  may be formed of a metal so as to maintain a preset stiffness and elasticity. 
     Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the front case  111  may be formed to cover most of side surfaces of the terminal body. The front case  111  (hereinafter, merely referred to as ‘case’ for convenience explanation) may have a frame  180 , which is formed of a metal and exposed into a specific pattern.  FIG. 3  shows a plurality of stripe patterns as the specific pattern. 
     The pattern may be formed by an insert injection, by which the metal frame  180  is fixed in a mold and synthetic resin is injected into the mold to fabricate the case  111 . The fabricated case  111  and metal frame  180  may experience a shape process such as a numerical control processing or a laser processing, so as to have curved surfaces as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The case  111  and the metal frame  180  may have an integrated structure, so as to be highly waterproof and have no concern about introduction of foreign materials into the terminal, as compared to a bonded structure of the case  111  and the metal frame  180 . 
     Also, a metal with a specific level of intensity is added to synthetic resin which is slightly less durable or rigid, thereby increasing entire stiffness (rigidity) of the case  111 . In addition, the case  111  is formed of an elastic member and the metal frame  180  is formed of a rigid metal, the case  111  capable of exhibiting a buffering effect and having a specific level of stiffness can be produced. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a part A of  FIG. 4 , and  FIGS. 6A to 6C  are enlarged views of a part A of  FIG. 4  in accordance with variations of a case. 
     As aforementioned, the metal frame  180  integrally fabricated with the case  111  may extend through the case  111  from inside to outside of the case  111 . That is, the metal frame  180  penetrates through the case  111  formed of synthetic resin as a non-metal. Accordingly, the frame  180  can be integrally formed with the case  111  with being partially exposed to the outside. The metal frame  180  extending into the case  111  may cross an inner space of the terminal or only a part of the metal frame  180  may extend toward the inside of the terminal. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are sectional views in a state that the metal frame  180  is formed to cross the inner space of the terminal. The metal frame  180  may support a display module  141  disposed thereon. A circuit board  170  may be disposed on a lower surface of the metal frame  180  with being obscured by the metal frame  180 . 
     A coupling portion  182  for allowing the metal frame  180  to be integrally coupled to the case  111  may be formed along edges of the body. An entire size of the coupling portion  182  may contribute to an increase in rigidity of the case  111 . 
     One end of the coupling portion  182  corresponds to an exposed portion  183  extending through the case  111  to be exposed to the outside of the case  111 . The exposed portion  183  is exposed outside the terminal, so it may be plated separately or coated with an oxide film to be distinctive from other parts. Besides, the exposed portion  183  may be made of a metal different from the coupling portion  182 . 
     Especially, coating with the oxide film may be implemented by anodizing. The anodizing refers to forming an oxide on a surface of a metal to prevent oxidation from being performed any more in the air. The anodizing may be applied when a frame is made of a metal other than aluminum, which is so frail to be well corrosive due to oxidation. 
     A principal surface  181  of the metal frame  180  may be recessed into one surface of the metal frame  180 . The display module  141  may be mounted on the recessed principal surface  181 . Here, the metal frame  180  may be spatially divided into an area where the display module  141  is disposed and an area where the circuit board  170  and the like are disposed. Accordingly, electric elements, which are located on the circuit board  170  and associated with driving of the terminal, can be protected. 
     The metal frame  180  may operate as a ground of the display module  141  or the circuit board  170 . Here, one end of the metal frame  180  may be ground-connected to one of the display module  141  or the circuit board  170 . 
     The metal frame  180  may alternatively be ground-connected both to the display module  141  and the circuit board  170 . Here, a frame body corresponding to the principal surface  181  of the metal frame  180  may be divided into a plurality, for example, first and second frame bodies  181   a  and  181   b , which are then connected to the display module  141  and the circuit board  170 , respectively. An insulating material  181   c  may be disposed between the first and second frame bodies  181   a  and  181   b , thus to block a flow of electric power between the first and second bodies  181   a  and  181   b , namely, block the flow of electric power transferred from the first frame body  181   a  to the second frame body  181   b.    
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A , the case  111  and the metal frame  180 ,  280  may be processed to have a streamlined appearance at side surfaces of the terminal or make the side surfaces of the terminal angular. That is, the side surfaces of the terminal formed with the case  111 ,  211  and the metal frame  180 ,  280  may have more various appearances according to a cutting method or cutting level. 
     Also, as shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6C , a case  611 ,  711  and a metal frame  680 ,  780  may be processed to be streamlined at side surfaces of the terminal, but unlike the structure shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6A , an internally extended portion of the metal frame  680 ,  780  may be formed without a principal surface. That is, according to the variations, the metal frame  680 ,  780  may be formed not to protrude into the inner space of the terminal. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , the metal frame  680  may penetrate through the case  611  from inside to outside of the case  611 . However, the metal frame  680  may not protrude into the inner space of the terminal, with merely supporting the side surfaces of the display module  641 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6C , the metal frame  780  may be formed integrally with a case  711  without extending into the case  711 . That is, the metal frame  780  may define a partition wall for limiting the inner space of the terminal together with the case  711 . Here, a partially protruded portion of the case  711  may support the display module  741 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a coupled state of a frame  380 , a shielding member  371  and a circuit board  370  in accordance with one exemplary variation. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the metal frame  380  integrally formed with a case  311  may extend through the case  311  from inside to outside of the case  311 . That is, the metal frame  380  penetrates through the case  311  made of synthetic resin as a non-metallic material, such that a part of the metal frame  380  may be exposed to the outside. The case  311  and the metal frame  380  may thusly be integrally formed. 
     The metal frame  380  extending into the case  311  may be formed to cross the inner space of the terminal or only a part of the metal frame  380  may extend to the inside of the terminal. 
     Unlike the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, the variation shows that a through hole  30 , other than a recessed principal surface, is formed at a central portion of the metal frame  380 . Also, the metal frame  380  may alternatively be formed such that the recessed principal surface is partially disposed and the through hole  30  is formed at another portion. When a shielding member  371  is coupled to the metal frame  380 , protruding surfaces  372  of the shielding member  371  may cover at least part of the through hole  30 . The shielding member  371  may cover and protect electrical elements disposed on one surface of a circuit board. 
     In general, the circuit board  370  of the mobile terminal may include electronic circuits mounted. The circuits may be sensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI), and radio frequency interference (RFI). Especially, the RFI is generated from an interference source within the terminal or an external interference source. Hence, a shielding structure for blocking such interference and protecting electrical elements  374  is required. As one of the shielding structure, the shielding member  371  may be considered. The shielding member  371  may be made of stainless titanium for which plating is not needed. The shielding member  371  may be processed by a stage-based molding work using a pressing method. 
     Also, the shielding member  371  may cover the electrical elements  374  so as to improve a specific absorption rate (SAR). Antennas  361  and  331 , manipulation portion  323 , interface  324 , audio input unit  317  and front case  311  are also shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a first exemplary variation of a case. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a metal frame  480  integrally fabricated with a case  411  may extend through the case  411  from inside to outside of the case  411 . That is, the metal frame  480  penetrates through the case  411  made of synthetic resin as a non-metallic material such that a part of the metal frame  480  may be exposed to the outside. The case  411  and the metal frame  480  may thusly be integrally formed. 
     The metal frame  480  extending into the case  411  may be formed to cross the inner space of the terminal or only a part of the metal frame  480  may extend to the inside of the terminal. 
     An antenna  461  for transmission and reception of radio signals of the terminal may be formed adjacent to an upper end or lower end of the terminal. However, when electrical elements are adjacent to the antenna  461  or a metallic member is located in a radiation direction of the antenna, radiation efficiency of the antenna may be lowered. 
     Hence, the metal frame  480  may not be disposed at the case  411  adjacent to the radiation direction of the antenna  461 . That is, the metal frame  480  may preferably be disposed in another direction other than a main radiation direction B of the antenna  461 . 
     In accordance with the exemplary variation, the metal frame  480  may be formed at both side surfaces and an upper end except for a lower end where the antenna  461  is located. Accordingly, the appearance of the terminal can be distinctive, namely, the terminal can have a specific pattern without affecting the performance of the antenna. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the case  411  formed at side surfaces of the terminal body may include an opening  40  open toward the outside of the body. An exposed portion  483  of the metal frame  480  may surround the opening  40 . A manipulation unit  423  or an interface  424  may be located at the opening  40 . Accordingly, the terminal can have unique appearance. An audio input unit  417  is also shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a second exemplary variation of a case. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a metal frame  580  integrally formed with a case  511  may extend through the case  411  from inside to outside of the case  511 . That is, the metal frame  580  penetrates through the case  511  made of synthetic resin as a non-metallic material such that a part of the metal frame  580  may be exposed to the outside. The case  511  and the metal frame  580  may thusly be integrally formed. 
     The metal frame  580  extending into the case  511  may be formed to cross the inner space of the terminal or only a part of the metal frame  580  may extend to the inside of the terminal. 
     Unlike the first exemplary variation, another metal frame  590  may be formed at the case  511  adjacent to an antenna  561 . The metal frame  590  may be electrically connected to the antenna  561  so as to work as a part of radiation member of the antenna  561 . 
     In general, electrical elements are not mounted within a space where radiation efficiency of an antenna is interfered. However, when the metal frame  590  is formed at the case  511 , which is formed along side surfaces of a terminal body, and the metal frame  590  is used as a part of a radiation member of the antenna, the electrical elements may be mounted adjacent to the antenna so as to reduce lowering of operation efficiency, which results in efficient use of the inner space of the terminal. 
     According to the exemplary variation, the metal frames  580  and  590  may be formed in plurality and one (e.g.,  590 ) of the metal frames  580  and  590  can be used as a radiation member of the antenna. Hence, the metal frames  580  and  590  may provide unique attraction to the outer appearance and improve performance of the terminal. In addition, the case  511  formed at the side surface of the terminal body may include an opening opened to the outside of the terminal body. The metal frame  580 , namely, an exposed portion  583  of the metal frame  580  may surround the opening. A manipulation unit  532  or an interface  524  may be located at the opening. 
     Unlike the aforementioned exemplary embodiments, the metal frame  180 ,  280 ,  380 ,  480 ,  580 ,  680 ,  780  may be partially or entirely formed inside the case without being externally exposed. In this structure, the metal frame may increase stiffness of the case and implement a unique pattern on an appearance of the terminal. An audio input unit  517  is also shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. 
     As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.