Patent Publication Number: US-2012028581-A1

Title: Portable terminal for having detachable bluetooth headset

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Aug. 2, 2010 and assigned Serial No. 10-2010-0074674, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable terminal for having a detachable BLUETOOTH headset realized to make common use of a receiver module and a microphone module in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset is installed in the portable terminal. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Owing in large part to the development of various kinds of electronic and telecommunication industries and technologies, portable terminals are widely popular, and tend to be diversified in function so as to meet users&#39; needs and desires, while also becoming gradually smaller with miniaturization of electronics. 
     Accordingly, peripheral devices that are attachable or added to the terminals are also in development and use and, for example, may include a built-in digital camera, a smart card that is also an auxiliary memory, an ear microphone mounted on the terminal and installed to enable a phone call, a detachable broadcast antenna for receiving a sky wave broadcast, a BLUETOOTH headset for wirelessly communicating by means of a BLUETOOTH module installed in the terminal, and the like. 
     The terminals having the BLUETOOTH function mount a separate BLUETOOTH antenna module for operating at a 2.4 GHz band, apart from a main communication antenna module. A predetermined BLUETOOTH antenna module is mounted in a main board of the terminal and performs local area wireless communication with the BLUETOOTH headset. 
     The BLUETOOTH headset is used as part of a handsfree use of a portable terminal. Since the BLUETOOTH headset does not need a separate cable with the terminal, the BLUETOOTH headset has an advantage not only in that a convenience of terminal manipulation increases, but also in that carrying is simple and convenient in comparison with a general handsfree wired ear microphone. So, adoption of the BLUETOOTH headset has gradually become more generalized. 
     On the other hand, products improving the portability of the BLUETOOTH headset are recently entering the market. For example, in the case of when the BLUETOOTH headset is not being used, the BLUETOOTH headset is installed in the portable terminal and carried together with the portable terminal, so a danger of forgetting or losing the BLUETOOTH headset is less than when they are carried separately. 
     But, the above terminal detachable BLUETOOTH headset simply concerns only a carrying convenience, and is difficult to find additional efficiency. For instance, receiver and microphone modules for a portable terminal and receiver and microphone modules for BLUETOOTH should be provided individually, and this has resulted in a problem in that a corresponding cost has been high until now. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset, realized to make common use of a single receiver module and microphone module for both the portable terminal and the BLUETOOTH headset, thus increasing a convenience of use. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset, realized to make common use of a single receiver module and microphone module for both the portable terminal and the BLUETOOTH headset, thus saving a manufacturing cost. 
     A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset, realized to install a BLUETOOTH headset in a portable terminal and use the BLUETOOTH headset as a constituent element of the portable terminal when the BLUETOOTH headset is not in use, thus minimizing a danger of forgetting or losing the headset and thereby increasing a convenience of use. 
     Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset, realized to guarantee a mounting space for a BLUETOOTH headset and simultaneously contribute to a slimming of the terminal. 
     The above aspects are addressed by providing a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a portable terminal with a detachable BLUETOOTH headset is provided. The terminal includes the BLUETOOTH headset installed detachably in the portable terminal, a receiver module and microphone module installed in the BLUETOOTH headset and used for phone call, an electrical connection means for, when the BLUETOOTH headset is installed in the portable terminal, electrically connecting the BLUETOOTH headset with the portable terminal, and a controller for detecting an installation or non-installation of the BLUETOOTH headset and for performing a corresponding operation. In a case where the BLUETOOTH headset is installed in the portable terminal, the receiver module of the BLUETOOTH headset is used as a receiver module for the portable terminal. 
     Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal unequipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective diagrams illustrating an operation state of a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a key construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective diagram illustrating a construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram illustrating an operation state when a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram illustrating a combined state where a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram illustrating a combined state where a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 11A through 11C  are diagrams illustrating a construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
     The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. 
     By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
       FIGS. 1 through 11C , discussed below, and the various exemplary embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention. Terms first, second, and the like are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless where explicitly stated otherwise. A set is defined as a non-empty set including at least one element. 
       FIG. 1  is a rear perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a rear perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal unequipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a front perspective diagram illustrating a portable terminal equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a BLUETOOTH headset  10  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is installed detachably in a suitable place of a portable terminal  100 . In the drawings, the portable terminal  100  may have an installation part  103  of a groove shape in a suitable place of the portable terminal&#39;s rear surface  102 , and the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be installed detachably in the installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100 . 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is installed in the rear surface  102  of the portable terminal  100 . In detail, if a battery cover (not shown) detachably installed in the whole rear is uncovered, the installation part  103  may be exposed, and the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be installed detachably in the exposed installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100 . 
     But, this does not limit the scope of the present invention, and the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be directly installed detachably in a rear surface  102  of the portable terminal  100  without doing damage to an appearance of the portable terminal  100 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a receiver module (‘R’ in  FIG. 5 ) and microphone module (‘M’ in  FIG. 5 ) of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  are used as a combined receiver module and microphone module of the portable terminal  100 . Thus, in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is uninstalled from the portable terminal  100  and is used as a handsfree device, the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is used as a general BLUETOOTH headset. But, in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is installed in the portable terminal  100 , the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may not function as the general BLUETOOTH headset but instead function as a receiver module and microphone module of the portable terminal  100 . So, desirably, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be installed in a vicinity of a speaker hole  107  and a microphone hole  106  that are formed in a front surface  101  of the portable terminal  100 . That is, the receiver module and microphone module of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be installed such that they respectively correspond to the speaker hole  107  and the microphone hole  106  of a case frame that is formed in the front surface  101  of the portable terminal  100 . More desirably, when the microphone module of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is used for the portable terminal  100 , the microphone module of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  may be used as a sub microphone module that may be used for audio feedback prevention, speaker phone call, and echo cancelation function realization. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective diagrams illustrating an operation state of a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a key construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B  and  5 , the BLUETOOTH headset  10  includes a body  11  shaped to correspond to the installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100 , an ear cap  13  having a receiver hole  131  and protrusion-formed in the body  11 , and a microphone hole  14  formed at a suitable place of the body  11 . The ear cap  13  may be installed to show up from a hollow-type bushing  12  that is protrusion-formed in the body  11 . In  FIG. 4A  the ear cap  13  is shown in an extended state, and in  FIG. 4B  the ear cap  13  is shown in a retracted state. 
     Desirably, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is installed in the portable terminal  100 , the ear cap  13  may move inside the bushing  12  and, when the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is uninstalled from the portable terminal  100 , the ear cap  13  may automatically protrude as much as a predetermined height by means of a predetermined elastic means. The elastic means may be a compression type coil spring  16 . 
     A receiver module (R) may be disposed within the body  11  at a location corresponding to the receiver hole  131  of the ear cap  13 , and a microphone module (M) may be disposed within the body  11  at a location corresponding to the microphone hole  14 . 
     A terminal part  15  is constructed in the body  11  of the BLUETOOTH headset  10 . When the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is installed in the installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100 , the terminal part  15  of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  electrically connects with the portable terminal  100  and allows the receiver module (R) and the microphone module (M) to be used for the portable terminal  100 . Thus, although not illustrated, a protruded connector part of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be formed in the installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100  to contact the terminal part  15  of the BLUETOOTH headset  10 . But, this does not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, if the connector part is formed in the BLUETOOTH headset  10 , the terminal part  15  may instead be formed within the installation part  103  of the portable terminal  100 . 
     More desirably, the BLUETOOTH headset  10  uses a general receiver module R used in the portable terminal  100 . When the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is used as a BLUETOOTH headset, the receiver module R may reduce an output. More desirably, if a controller of the portable terminal  100  senses through the terminal part  15  that the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is detached from the portable terminal  100 , the controller may perform an operation of automatically entering a pairing mode. Also, in a case where the controller of the BLUETOOTH headset  10  senses that the BLUETOOTH headset  10  is detached from the portable terminal  100 , the controller may automatically reduce an output of the receiver module R and convert into a BLUETOOTH mode. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective diagram illustrating a construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a perspective diagram illustrating an operation state when a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     The first exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrates and describes a bar-type BLUETOOTH headset  10 , but this exemplary embodiment illustrates a foldable BLUETOOTH headset  20 . The foldable BLUETOOTH headset  20  has an advantage of being capable of efficiently using an installation space of the portable terminal  100 . Also, although not illustrated, there is also provided a terminal part similar to terminal part  15  described above for electrically connecting the BLUETOOTH headset  20  with the portable terminal  100  when the BLUETOOTH headset  20  is installed in the portable terminal  100 . Other mode conversions upon installation/uninstallation and the like are substantially the same as those of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     The foldable BLUETOOTH headset  20  includes a first body  21 , and a second body  22  installed to rotate with respect to the first body  21 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the first body  21  and the second body  22  may be mutually folded to face each other. 
     In the first body  21 , a bushing  211  may be integrally formed to house an ear cap  212  shown here in an up or extended state, and a receiver hole  213  may be realized in the ear cap  212 . In the second body  22 , a microphone hole  221  is formed. A receiver module and a microphone module may be disposed in the bodies  21  and  22 , respectively. An operation of extending and retracting the ear cap  212  may be realized in the same manner as that of the ear cap  13  of the first exemplary embodiment. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of side hinge arms  214  may be formed in the first body  21 , and a center hinge arm  222  may be formed in the second body  22  to rotate interposed between the side hinge arms. But, this does not limit the scope of the present invention, and various schemes such as a foldable link, a multiple-joint structure, and the like as well known in the art are applicable. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  20  is installed and used in a portable terminal  100 , in the configuration of  FIG. 7 , the first body  21  and the second body  22  are folded to be in a more compact shape. In this state, if the BLUETOOTH headset  20  is installed in the portable terminal  100 , a receiver module of the BLUETOOTH headset  20  may be used for a receiver module of the portable terminal  100 , and a microphone module of the BLUETOOTH headset  20  may be used for a sub microphone module of the portable terminal  100 . 
     In a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  20  is uninstalled from the portable terminal  100  and is used for handsfree use of a privacy call and the like, the first body  21  and the second body  22  may be arranged unfolded and used in a straight line as in  FIG. 6 . 
     In the described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the BLUETOOTH headsets  10  and  20  are described by way of exemplary embodiments of the bar type, the foldable type, and the like, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention. For example, BLUETOOTH headsets of various forms such as a show-up type BLUETOOTH headset in which bodies are shown up in sequence, a type in which a first body itself may be inserted into a user&#39;s ear, and the like may be applied according to a mounting space of a portable terminal with which they are to be used. But, all the aforementioned BLUETOOTH headsets make common use of a receiver module and a microphone module for a portable terminal. 
     In the described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the BLUETOOTH headset  10  or  20  is installed in the rear surface of the portable terminal  100 , but this does not limit the scope of the present invention. Also, various installation schemes may be applied according to a shape of a portable terminal and a shape of a BLUETOOTH headset applied to the portable terminal. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective diagram illustrating a combined state where a portable terminal  200  is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset  20  according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal  200  includes a sliding cover  201  at its top. The cover  201  is installed in a slide scheme. That is, the cover  201  may be opened and closed in an arrow direction of  FIG. 9 . When the cover  201  is opened, an installation part  203  of the portable terminal  200  may be exposed to install the BLUETOOTH headset  20 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective diagram illustrating a combined state where a portable terminal is equipped with a BLUETOOTH headset according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The portable terminal  300  includes a lift-up cover  301  at its top. The cover  301  is opened and closed in a scheme of rotating with respect to axis ‘X’ at one end of the cover  301 . After the cover  301  is opened, the installation part  303  of the portable terminal  300  may be exposed to install the BLUETOOTH headset  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  20  is installed in the installation part  203  or  303  of the portable terminal  200  or  300 , a receiver module and microphone module of the BLUETOOTH headset  20  may be used for a receiver module and sub microphone module of the portable terminal  200  or  300 . That is, two receiver modules or microphone modules used for a portable terminal and a BLUETOOTH headset of the related art may be reduced to a single receiver module or microphone module. 
       FIGS. 11A through 11C  are diagrams illustrating a construction of a BLUETOOTH headset according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The BLUETOOTH headset  30  includes a first body  31  including a speaker module  311 , and a second body  32  performing a rotation operation with respect to the first body  31 . The first body  31  includes the speaker module  311 , and includes two receiver holes  312  and  313 . That is, the first body  31  includes the terminal receiver hole  312  used when the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is installed in a portable terminal, and the headset receiver hole  313  used when the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is used as a BLUETOOTH headset. Although not illustrated, a microphone hole including a microphone module may be provided in the second body  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11A , when the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is installed in a portable terminal, the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is in a state where the first body  31  and the second body  32  are arranged in accordance with a shape of an installation part of the portable terminal. In this case, voice, sound and the like may be sent through the terminal receiver hole  312 . The installation part of the portable terminal may be configured to cover the headset receiving hold  313  when the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is installed in the portable terminal. However, in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is to be used as a BLUETOOTH headset, the first body  31  and the second body  32  are, for example, used in a state where they are bent to an angle, desirably, an angle of about 90 degrees, as shown in  FIG. 11B . In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 11C , in a case where the BLUETOOTH headset  30  is inserted in a user&#39;s ear, the terminal receiver hole  312  of the first body  31  is sealed by the outer ear canal of the user&#39;s ear. Therefore, a corresponding sound may be sent using the uncovered headset receiver hole  313  formed at a side end of the first body  31 . 
     Accordingly, a portable terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention has an effect of, because common use of a receiver module and microphone module of a detachable BLUETOOTH headset for a portable terminal are enabled, being capable of reducing a number of parts required and saving a manufacturing cost, minimizing a terminal volume dependent on a mounting space of the BLUETOOTH headset, reducing a danger of forgetting or losing the BLUETOOTH headset, and increasing a user&#39;s convenience. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.