Abstract:
A slidable mobile terminal including a first body having a first surface and a second surface, a second body having a first surface and a second surface, the first body being movable with respect to the second body between a closed position where the first body substantially overlaps the second body and an open position where the first body partially overlaps the second body, is provided. The slidable mobile terminal also includes a slide module connecting the second surface of the first body to the first surface of the second body, thereby allowing the first body to move between the closed position and the open position in a sliding direction. A manipulation unit is located in the first surface of the second body and is exposed when the first body is in the open position. The manipulation unit does not overlap the slide module in the closed position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Korean Application No. 10-2007-0038058, filed Apr. 18, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a slidable mobile terminal having a pair of bodies that are slidably connected and includes at least one manipulation unit that is operable by user manipulation on one portion of the slidable mobile terminal that is selectively exposed by a sliding operation. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A mobile terminal is a device that can be carried around and has one or more functions, such as voice and video call communication, inputting and outputting information, storing data, and the like. As the functions of the mobile terminal have become more diversified, the mobile terminal has been implemented in the form of a multimedia player supporting more complicated functions, such as capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcast signals, and the like. 
     In order to implement various functions of such multimedia players or devices, numerous improvements to hardware or software have been implemented. For example, a user interface allowing users to easily and conveniently search for and select one or more functions is provided. While the development of such user interface environments is occurring, portability of the mobile terminal should not be degraded as consumers still prefer smaller players or devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to principles of the present invention, a slidable mobile terminal is provided that is configured to provide a thinner device by arranging the slide module and a manipulation unit to be substantially planar to each other such that the slide module and manipulation unit do not overlap each other. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a slidable mobile terminal including a first body having a first surface and a second surface, a second body having a first surface and a second surface, the first body being movable with respect to the second body between a closed position where the first body substantially overlaps the second body and an open position where the first body partially overlaps the second body, is provided. The slidable mobile terminal also includes a slide module connecting the second surface of the first body to the first surface of the second body, thereby allowing the first body to move between the closed position and the open position in a sliding direction. A manipulation unit is located in the first surface of the second body and is exposed when the first body is in the open position. The manipulation unit does not overlap the slide module in the closed position. 
     In accordance with the another aspect of the present invention, a slidable mobile terminal including a first body, a second body slidably connected to the first body, the first and second bodies having opposing surfaces that face each other, a keypad located on one of the opposing surfaces of first and second bodies, and a slide module that slidably connects the first and second bodies, is provided. The slide module is located such that the slide module does not overlap with the keypad in a state that the first and second bodies substantially overlap each other. 
     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, because 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 present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a slidable mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view showing a closed configuration of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view showing an open configuration of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of one end portion along a lengthwise direction of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial schematic sectional view of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The mobile terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same or like elements in different embodiments and a corresponding detailed explanation will be omitted merely for the sake of convenience. 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a slidable mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal according to the present invention includes a first body  10  and a second body  20  formed to be slidably moved along at least one direction on the first body  10 . The first and second bodes  10  and  20  may be referred to as a main body of the slidable mobile terminal. A state in which the first body  10  is disposed to overlap with the second body  20  may be called a closed configuration (see  FIG. 3 ), and as shown in  FIG. 1 , a state in which the first body  10  exposes at least a portion of the second body  20  may be called an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the mobile terminal may operate in a standby mode (idle mode), and the standby mode may be released according to a user manipulation. In this exemplary embodiment, the mobile terminal operates mainly in a calling mode or the like in the open configuration, and it can be changed to the standby mode according to a user manipulation or with the lapse of a certain time. 
     The case, which may also be referred to as a casing, a housing, a cover, or the like, forming the external appearance of the first body  10  includes a front case  11  and a rear case  12 . The front case  11  and rear case  12  define first and second surfaces, respectively, of the first body  10 . Various electronic components are installed in the space between the front case  11  and the rear case  12 . In addition, one or more intermediate cases may be disposed between the front case  11  and the rear case  12  to further define the space between the front case  11  and the rear case  12 . The cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may be made of a metallic material, e.g., stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti), or the like. 
     The front case  11  of the mobile terminal includes a display  13 , an audio output unit  14 , a first image input unit  15 , and a first manipulating unit  16  located thereon. The display unit  13  may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) module or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) module, or other similar displays that visually displays information. The display unit  13  may further include a touch screen to allow inputting of information in a touch manner by the user. The audio output unit  14  may be implemented as a receiver or a speaker. The first image input unit  15  may be implemented in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or video of the user, and so on. The first manipulating unit  16  is configured to receive commands for controlling an operation of the mobile terminal by manipulation of the first manipulating unit  16 . 
     Similar to the first body  10 , the second body  20  also includes a front case  21  and a rear case  22 . The front case  21  and rear case  22  define first and second surfaces, respectively, of the second body  20 . A second manipulating unit  23  is disposed on the second body  20 , particularly, on a front face of the front case  21 . A third manipulation unit  24 , a first audio input unit  25 , and an interface  26  are disposed on at least one of the front case  21  and the rear case  22 . The first audio input unit  25  may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microphone to receive a voice of the user or other sounds, or the like. 
     The first to third manipulating units  16 ,  23  and  24  may be generally called a manipulation portion, and any means can be employed as the manipulating units so long as they can be operated in a tactile manner. For example, the manipulating units may be implemented as a dome switch, a wheel or jog type for rotating a key, a joystick, or a touch screen or a touch pad that can receive a command or information according to a pressing or a touch operation by the user in terms of function, the first manipulating unit  16  may be used to input a command such as start, end or scroll, or the like, and the second manipulating unit  23  may be used to input a number, a character, or a symbol. The third manipulating unit  24  may operated as a hot key for performing a special function such as activating the first image input unit  15 . 
     The interface  26  may be used as a passage, path, or link allowing the mobile terminal to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface  26  may be at least one of a connection port to be connected with an earphone, a port for short range communication (e.g., an IrDA port, a BLUETOOTH port, a wireless LAN port, or the like). The interface  26  may be a card socket for receiving/accommodating an external card such as a Subscriber Identification Module (SIM), a User Identity Module (UIM), a memory card for storing information, or the like. The interface may also be used as a power supply port for supplying power to the mobile terminal. 
     A power supply unit  27  may be mounted at the side of the rear case  22  in order to supply power to the mobile terminal. The power supply unit  27  may be, for example, a rechargeable battery which can be detachable to allow for charging of the battery independent of the mobile terminal. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a second image input unit  28  may be mounted on the rear surface of the rear case  22  of the second body  20 . In this exemplary embodiment, the second image input unit  28  has an image capture direction which is substantially the opposite to that of the first image input unit  15  (see  FIG. 1 ), and may have a different number of pixels (different resolution) from that of the first image input unit. For example, the first image input unit  15  may operate with a relatively lower resolution to capture the user face and transmit the same to the another party during video call communication or the like in which reverse link bandwidth capabilities may be limited, while the second image input unit  28  may operate with a relatively higher resolution to capture a general subject with a high picture quality. This high quality picture may not be immediately transmitted but may be later used for communicating to others. 
     A flash  29  and a mirror unit  30  are disposed adjacent to the second image input unit  28 . When an image of the subject is captured with the second image input unit  28 , the flash  29  illuminates the subject. The mirror unit  30  allows the user to see himself when he wants to capture his own image (self-image capturing) by using the second image input unit  28 . 
     A second audio output unit  31  may be additionally disposed on the rear case  22 . The second audio output unit  31  may implement a stereophonic function in conjunction with the first audio output unit ( 14  in  FIG. 1 ), and may be also used for a call in a speaker phone mode. 
     A broadcast signal reception antenna  32  may be disposed at one side of the rear case  22 , in addition to an antenna used for call communication. The antenna  32  may be installed such that it can be extended from the second body  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , one part of the slide module  33  that slidably connects the first body  10  to the second body  20  is located on the rear case  12  of the first body  10 . The other part of the slide module  33  is located on the front case  21  of the second body  20 , which is not be exposed, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     While the above description describes various components as being on either the first body  10  or the second body  20 , the present invention is not limited to just the configuration shown. For example, one or more of the elements  28  to  32 , which are disposed on the rear case  22  such as the second image input unit  28  in the above description, may be mounted on the first body  10 , mainly, on the rear case  12 . In this case, those elements disposed on the rear case  12  can be protected by the second body  20  in the closed configuration. In addition, even if the second image input unit  28  is not provided, the first image input unit  15  may be configured to rotate (or otherwise be moved) to allow image capturing in various directions. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view showing the closed configuration of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view showing the open configuration of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a circuitry supporting substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB)  37  is located in the second body  20 . Various components (not shown) for electronically controlling the mobile terminal may be mounted to the PCB  37 . Because the PCB  37  performs such control function, it can be also called a controller (see  40  in  FIG. 7 ). 
     The slide module  33  includes a first slide member  34  mounted on the second surface of the first body, namely, on the surface of the rear case  12 , and a second slide member  35  mounted on a first surface of the second body  20 , namely, on the surface of the front case  21 . The first and second slide members  34  and  35  are slidably connected. A biasing unit (not shown) for allowing the first body  10  to be biased by virtue of an elastic force or a magnetic force when the first body  10  is slidably moved may be mounted between the first and second slide members  34  and  35 . The slide module  33  may have any suitable structure so long as it connects the first and second bodies  10  and  20  such that they are slidably moveable. 
     The slide module  33  is arranged so as not to overlap with the second manipulating unit  23 . In other words, even in the closed configuration (as shown in  FIG. 3 ), as well as in the open configuration, the slide module  33  does not overlap with the second manipulating unit  23 . This allows the mobile terminal to become thinner in overall thickness compared to conventional mobile terminals. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the second manipulating unit  23  may be located at a region (A) adjacent to one end portion of the mobile terminal along a lengthwise direction of the second body  20 , and the slide module  33  may be located at a region (B) adjacent to the other end portion of the mobile terminal along the lengthwise direction. With this configuration, the slide module  33  may be disposed on the same level with the second manipulating unit  23  so that the manipulating unit  23  extends from the first surface of the second body  20  to substantially the same extent as the slide module  33  extends between the first and second bodies  10  and  20 . As the second manipulating unit  23  extends from the second body  20 , it may be on the same level with the first slide member  34  of the slide module  33 . In addition, the second manipulating unit  23  is exposed in the open configuration to allow the user to manipulate it. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of one end portion along a lengthwise direction of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first body  10  may include a receiving part  17  to receive the second manipulating unit  23  therein in the closed configuration. The receiving part  17  formed on the first body  10  may have such a form that its central portion is recessed and limited by a side edge portion. As shown, the first surface of the second body  20  faces the receiving part  17  to limit the size of the receiving part  17 . In addition, the receiving part  17  is formed such that the receiving part  17  does not overlap the slide module  33 . 
       FIG. 6  is a partial schematic sectional view of the mobile terminal in  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , a gap maintaining unit  50  is provided at the first and second bodies  10  and  20  in order to maintain a gap in a certain range between the first and second bodies  10  and  20  when the first and second bodies  10  and  20  are slidably moved. The gap maintaining unit  50  serves to restrain widening of a gap between the first and second bodies  10  and  20  at the region (A), which would otherwise widen because the slide module  33  is mounted closer to one end of the mobile terminal in the region (B). 
     The gap maintaining unit  50  includes a guide rod  52  arranged to extend toward the second body  20  from the both side of the first body  10 , particularly, from the edge portions ( 18  in  FIG. 5 ), and a guide groove  51  formed in a lengthwise direction on the first surface of the second body  20  and allowing the guide rod  52  to be slidably moved therealong. A hook portion  53  is formed as a bent end portion of the guide rod  52  and is restrained by a stop portion  54  formed on an inner surface of the second body  20 . Because the first and second bodies  10  and  20  are slidably moved while the hook portion  53  is restrained by the stop portion  54 , the gap between the first and second bodies  10  and  20  is prevented from widening by more than a certain range. In this exemplary embodiment, the gap maintaining unit  50  is provided in the edge portions and does not overlap with the second manipulating unit  23 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 7 , the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module  41 , manipulating units  16 ,  23  and  24 , the image input units  15  and  28 , the audio input unit  25 , the display unit  13 , the audio output units  14  and  31 , a sensing unit  46 , the interface  26 , a broadcast receiving module  45 , a memory  44 , the power supply unit  27 , and a controller  40 . The controller  40  generally controls the general operation of the mobile terminal. For example, the controller  40  performs controlling and processing related to a voice call, data communication, a video call, or the like. In addition, the controller  40  may control other functions, such as those functions related to multimedia capabilities, of the mobile terminal. 
     The wireless communication module  41  transmits/receives radio signals to/from a mobile communication base station via an antenna. For example, the wireless communication module  41  handles transmission/reception of audio data, text data, video data, and control data under the control of the controller  40 . The wireless communication module  41  also includes a transmitting unit  42  that modulates a signal to be transmitted and transmits the modulated signal and a receiving unit  43  that demodulates a received signal. 
     The manipulating units  16 ,  23  and  24  may be configured to provide key input data inputted by the user to the controller  40  to control the operation of the terminal. Each of the manipulating units  16 ,  23  and  24  may be formed as a dome switch, a touch pad (e.g., static pressure/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like as note above. 
     The image input units  15  and  28  process an image frame such as a still image or video obtained by an image sensor during a video calling mode or in an image capturing mode. The processed image frame may be converted into image data that can be displayed on the display unit  13  and then outputted to the display unit  13 . The image frame processed by the image input units  15  and  28  may be stored in the memory  44  or transmitted to the exterior via the wireless communication module  41  under the control of the controller  40 . 
     The audio input unit  25  receives by a microphone an external audio signal in a calling mode, recording mode, voice recognition mode, etc., and processes it into electrical voice data. In case of the calling mode, the processed voice data may be converted for output into a format that can be transmittable to the mobile communication base station via the wireless communication module  41 . In case of the recording mode, the processed voice data is outputted so as to be stored in the memory  44 . The audio input unit  25  may include assorted noise canceling algorithms to cancel noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal. 
     The display unit  13  displays and outputs information processed in the mobile terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a calling mode, the display unit  13  displays a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User Interface (GUI) related to a call under the control of the controller  40 . When the mobile terminal is in a video calling mode or an image capturing mode, the display unit  13  may display a captured/received image, UI, and/or a GUI under the control of the controller  40 . If the display unit  13  includes a touch screen, the display unit  13  may be also used as an input unit as well as the output unit. 
     The audio output units  14  and  31  output audio data which has been received from the wireless communication module  41  in a call signal reception mode, a calling mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, or the like, or output audio data which has been stored in the memory  44 . In addition, the audio output units  14  and  31  output an audio signal related to a function (e.g., a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, or the like.) performed by the mobile terminal. The audio output units  14  and  31  may include a speaker, a buzzer, or the like. 
     The sensing unit  46  senses a current state of the mobile terminal such as an opened or closed state of the mobile terminal, a location of the mobile terminal, or whether the mobile terminal is being touched or not by the user, and generates a sense signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is a slide phone, the sensing unit  46  may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed and output the sensing result to the controller  40  to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, the sensing unit  46  handles a sensing function as to whether or not the power supply unit  27  supplies power or whether or not the interface unit  26  is combined with an external device. 
     The interface  26  serves to interface with external devices to be connected with the mobile terminal. For example, the external devices may include a wired/wireless headset, an external charger, a wired/wireless data port, a card socket (e.g., for coupling a memory card, a SIM/UIM card), and the like. The interface  26  may receive data from the external device or be provided with power and transfer the received data or power to each element of the mobile terminal. The interface  26  may also transmit internal data of the mobile terminal to an external device. 
     The memory  44  may store a program for processing and controlling performed by the controller  40 , and may also perform a function for temporarily storing inputted or outputted data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, or video, or the like). In addition, the memory  45  may store a program for controlling an operation of the mobile terminal related to the present invention. The memory  44  may include a storage medium of at least one of a hard disk type memory, a card type memory (e.g., an SD or XD memory, or the like.), a flash memory, a RAM, or a ROM. 
     The broadcast receiving module  45  may receive a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial waves, convert it into a broadcast data format that can be outputted to the display unit  13 , and outputs the same to the controller  40 . In addition, the broadcast receiving module  45  receives supplementary data (e.g., Electric Program Guide (EPG), a channel list, or the like) associated with a broadcast. The broadcast data converted in the broadcast receiving module  45  and the supplementary data may be stored in the memory  44 . 
     The power supply unit  27  receives external or internal power and supplies power required for an operation of each element under the control of the controller  40 . 
     As the exemplary embodiment of the mobile terminal may be implemented 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. Therefore, various changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the claims, or equivalents of such scope are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.