Patent Publication Number: US-2015061599-A1

Title: Portable electronic apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0102116, filed on Aug. 28, 2013, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Portable Electronic Apparatus,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a portable electronic apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As technologies are gradually developed, various kinds of electronic components are integrated and miniaturized. Accordingly, many compact portable electronic apparatuses which can be carried by a person have appeared. For example, the portable electronic apparatuses are a folder-type cellular phone, a bar-type cellular phone, a slide-type cellular phone, an MP3 player, a CD player, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a portable compact TV, a portable game machine, a notebook computer, an electronic dictionary, a navigation device, a GPS receiver, and the like. 
     Recently, a portable electronic apparatus, such as a smart phone or tablet PC, in which functions of various portable electronic apparatuses are put together, have appeared. Accordingly, the price of the portable electronic apparatus is increased. However, since the portable electronic apparatus uses a larger number of functions and integrated circuits, much power is required in the portable electronic apparatus, and the portable electronic apparatus should be manufactured to be smaller in size and thinner in thickness to enhance portability. In this case, the mounting space of a battery pack in the portable electronic apparatus should be sufficient in order to supply much power to the portable electronic apparatus. When a battery pack having large capacity is used, it is difficult to implement a portable electronic apparatus which is small in size and thin in thickness. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more embodiments are directed to a portable electronic apparatus, including: a terminal inside which a first battery unit is provided; a grip portion inside which a second battery unit electrically connected to the terminal is provided, the grip portion being positioned at an outside of the terminal; and a controller configured to control power to be supplied from the second battery unit to the terminal rather than power of the first battery unit. 
     The controller may be positioned inside the terminal. 
     The portable electronic apparatus may further include a sensing unit configured to sense a remaining capacity of the second battery unit; a first switching unit configured to electrically connect or disconnect between the first battery unit and the terminal; and a second switching unit configured to electrically connect or disconnect between the second battery unit and the terminal. The controller may operate the first and second switching units, based on the value of the remaining capacity of the second battery unit, measured by the sensing unit. 
     When the remaining capacity of the second battery unit does not exist, the controller may control the first switching unit to electrically connect between the first battery unit and the terminal, and control the second switching unit to electrically disconnect between the second battery unit and the terminal. 
     The grip portion may be rotatable with respect to the terminal. 
     The grip portion may be rotatable between a first position parallel to the terminal and a second position inclined from the terminal. 
     The grip portion may be provided with a pair of grip portions to be respectively positioned at both opposite sides of the terminal. 
     The grip portion may be provided with a button, and the terminal may be controlled by the button. 
     The first and second battery units may include battery packs having different shapes from each other. 
     The first battery unit may include a pouch-type battery pack, and the second battery unit may include a cylindrical battery pack. 
     The portable electronic apparatus may further include a connecting portion configured to connect between the grip portion and the terminal. 
     The second battery unit may be electrically connected to the terminal through the connecting portion. 
     One side of the connecting portion may be connected to the grip portion, and the other side of the connecting portion may be connected to the terminal. The grip portion may be rotatable with respect to the one side of the connecting portion, and the other side of the connecting portion may be rotatable with respect to the terminal. 
     The grip portion may be attachable/detachable to/from the terminal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features will become apparent to those of skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view illustrating an electrical connection relationship of the portable electronic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the portable electronic apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  in which a grip portion of the portable electronic apparatus is rotated. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus according to still another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate perspective views of the portable electronic apparatus shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating a state in which a grip portion of the portable electronic apparatus is rotated. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art. 
     In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Also, when a layer or element is referred to as being “between” another layer or substrate, it can be directly between the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Also, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it can be directly connected to the another element or be indirectly connected to the another element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus  100   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view illustrating an electrical connection relationship of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  may include a terminal  110   a  provided with a first battery unit  120 , a grip portion  130   a  provided with a second battery unit  140 , the grip portion  130   a  being positioned outside the terminal  110   a , and a controller  150  configured to control power of the first and second battery units  120  and  140 . The controller  150  may allow the terminal  110   a  to first use the power of the second battery unit  140  rather than the power of the first battery unit  120 . 
     The terminal  110   a  is a portion which becomes, for example, a main body of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a , e.g., a smart phone or tablet PC. 
     The terminal  110   a  may include, e.g., a display  111  provided with a touch screen, an outer case  112 , internal electronic components, and the like. The battery unit  120  may be provided inside the terminal  110   a . The first battery unit  120  may be implemented as a battery built in the terminal  110   a  to be attachable/detachable to/from the terminal  110   a  or not to be attachable/detachable to/from the terminal  110   a . The first battery unit  120  may include a pouch-type battery pack, allowing the first battery unit  120  and, hence, the terminal  110   a , to be smaller and thinner than if a prismatic or cylindrical battery pack was used as the first battery unit  120 . 
     The controller  150  may be positioned inside the terminal  110   a . The controller  150  is electrically connected to the first and second battery units  120  and  140 , to control the first and second battery units  120  and  140 . However, the controller  150  is not necessarily positioned inside the terminal  110   a . That is, the controller  150  may be positioned in the grip portion  130   a.    
     The grip portion  130   a  may be positioned outside of the terminal  110   a . The grip portion  130   a  is a member which is available for a handle, an external battery, a terminal stand, etc. 
     Here, the second battery unit  140  may be provided inside the grip portion  130   a . The second battery unit  140  is electrically connected to the terminal  110   a , to act as an external battery. In this case, the second battery unit  140  is relatively less influenced by a space, as compared with the first battery unit  120 . Hence, the second battery unit  140  may include, for example, a cylindrical battery pack having a shape different from that of the battery pack of the first battery unit  120 . Since the terminal  110   a  according to this embodiment further includes the second battery unit  140  in addition to the first battery unit  120 , the second battery unit  140  enables the terminal  110   a  to be used for a longer period of time than if only the first battery unit  120  was used without increasing the size of the terminal  110   a . Accordingly, it is possible to provide a user with convenience and portability. 
     In order to use the grip portion  130   a  as a handle of the terminal  110   a , the grip portion  130   a  may have, for example, a finger-shaped groove formed therein. Alternatively, the grip portion  130   a  may have an anti-slipping projection or pad attached thereto. Alternatively, the grip portion  130   a  may be made of a material such as rubber. Thus, a user can grip the portable electronic apparatus  100   a , using the grip portion  130   a , and can operate the terminal  110   a  in a state in which the user holds the grip portion  130   a . Particularly, in the terminal  110   a  such as a recent smart phone or tablet PC, the bezel area is decreased, and the display  111  is enlarged. Accordingly, the user has difficulty in gripping the terminal  110   a  without touching the display  111 . The portable electronic apparatus  100   a  according to this embodiment includes the grip portion  130   a  to be used as a handle, thereby solving such a problem. 
     The grip portion  130   a  may be implemented to be attachable/detachable, e.g., completely attached and detached, to/from the terminal  110   a , and accordingly, the user can use the terminal  110   a  by connecting the grip portion  130   a  to the terminal  110   a  or can operate only the terminal  110   a  by separating the grip portion  130  from the terminal  110   a , when necessary. 
     The controller  150  is electrically connected to the first and second battery units  120  and  140 , to control the first and second battery units  120  and  140 . 
     Specifically, the controller  150  may control a terminal driving unit  115  requiring power among the components of the terminal  110   a  to first use the power of the second battery unit  140  rather than the power of the first battery unit  120 . After the power of the second battery unit  140  is depleted, the controller  150  may allow the terminal driving unit  115  to use the power of the first battery unit  120 . Thus, after the power of the second battery unit  140  is depleted, the user can separate the grip portion  130   a  from the terminal  110   a  and then use the terminal  110   a  with the power of the first battery unit  120 . Accordingly, the portability of the terminal  110   a  can be further improved. 
     The portable electronic apparatus  100   a  according to this embodiment may further include a sensing unit  151  and first and second switching units  153  and  152 . The sensing unit  151  measures a remaining capacity of the second battery unit  140  and transmits the value of the remaining capacity to the controller  150 . The controller  150  receives the value transmitted from the sensing unit  151 , to operate the first and second switching units  153  and  152 . For example, when the remaining capacity of the second battery unit  140 , measured by the sensing unit  151 , is 0 or approaches 0, the controller  150  operates the second switching unit  152  to block the electrical connection between the second battery unit  140  and the terminal driving unit  115 , and operates the first switching unit  153  to electrically connect between the first battery unit  120  and the terminal driving unit  115 . Accordingly, the terminal  110   a  can be operated with the power of the first battery unit  120 . In a case where the remaining capacity of the second battery unit  140 , measured by the sensing unit  151 , exists and is larger than 0, the controller  150  continuously opens the second switching unit  152  to maintain the electrical connection, and continuously closes the first switching unit  153  to maintain the state in which the electrical connection is blocked. 
     Although it has been illustrated in  FIG. 2  that the sensing unit  151  and the second switching unit  152  are positioned inside the terminal  110   a , the sensing unit  151  and the second switching unit  152  may be positioned in the grip portion  130   a.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a state in which the grip portion  130   a  of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  is rotated. Hereinafter, the rotation of the grip portion  130  will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
     The grip portion  130   a  of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  according to this embodiment may be rotatable with respect to the terminal  110   a . Specifically, the grip portion  130   a  may be rotatable with respect to the terminal  110   a  between a first position (position of  FIG. 1 ) positioned in parallel to the terminal  110   a , e.g., along a width of the terminal  110   a , and a second position (position of  FIG. 3 ) inclined from the terminal  110   a . In the particular embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , first and second ends  131   a ,  132   a  of the grip portion  130   a  may be releasably secured to an edge of opposite sides of the terminal  110   a  along a length of the terminal  110   a . Thus, the terminal  110   a  may be stably held as in  FIG. 1 , may be adjustably inclined by releasing either of the first or second ends as in  FIG. 3 , or may have the grip portions  130   a  completely removed therefrom by releasing both ends. Alternatively or additionally, the grip portion  130   a  could be affixed to an edge of opposite sides of the terminal  110   a  along a width of the terminal  110   a  such that the grip portion  130   a  extends parallel to a length of the terminal  110   a . The grip portion  130   a  may be used as a handle of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  at the first position shown in  FIG. 1 . If the user holds the grip portion  130   a  for a long period of time in a state in which the terminal  110   a  is continuously positioned inclined for the purpose of watching moving pictures, fatigue may be imposed on the user&#39;s hands. Therefore, the user may stand the terminal  110   a  on the ground or the like by rotating the grip portion  130   a  to the second position shown in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the user can conveniently use the terminal  110   a.    
     When the grip portion  130   a  is positioned only at one side of the terminal  110   a , it may be difficult to support the terminal  110   a  using only one grip portion  130   a . Therefore, the grip portion  130   a  may include a pair of grip portions to be respectively positioned at opposite sides of the terminal  110   a , thereby stably supporting the terminal  110   a  on the ground or the like. When the grip portion  130   a  includes the pair of grip portions, the second battery unit  140  may also include a pair of second battery units respectively provided in the pair of grip portions. Accordingly, the use time of the portable electronic apparatus  100   a  can be further increased. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus  100   b  according to another embodiment. Hereinafter, the portable electronic apparatus  100   b  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 4 . Here, components identical or corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the portable electronic apparatus  100   b  according to this embodiment includes a terminal  110   b , a grip portion  130   b , and the controller  150  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), and the grip portion  130   b  may be provided with a button  131 . In this case, the terminal  110   b  may be controlled by the button  131 , and the button  131  may be configured to have the configuration of a joypad, so that the grip portion  130   b  can be used as a joypad for games. Particularly, when the grip portion  130   b  is provided at both sides of the terminal  110   b , a user may enjoy games while operating the buttons  131  of the grip portions  130   b  in a state in which the user holds the grip portions  130   b  respectively with both hands. 
     Additionally, in recent smart phone or tablet PC, holding the terminal  110   b  may be difficult due to a small bezel area in the operation of a camera, and it is difficult to touch a camera photographing display portion displayed on the display  111 . However, the portable electronic apparatus  100   b  may be implemented so that the user can operate the camera through the button  131  while holding the grip portion  130   b . Accordingly, the user can conveniently use a camera function. 
     In this case, a control signal of the button  131  may be transmitted to the terminal  110   b  through the controller  150 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a portable electronic apparatus  100   c  according to still another embodiment. Hereinafter, the portable electronic apparatus  100   c  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Here, components identical or corresponding to those of the aforementioned embodiment are designated by like reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted to avoid redundancy. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the portable electronic apparatus  100   c  according to this embodiment may include a terminal  110   c , a grip portion  130   c , the controller  150  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), an outer case  112   a  including a groove portion  113  therein, and a connecting portion  160  configured to connect between the grip portion  130   c  and the terminal  110   c . Here, a first end of the connecting portion  160  may be releasably connected to the grip portion  130   c  and a second end of the connecting portion  160  may be connected to the terminal  110   c , e.g., an edge along the width of the terminal  110   c . Thus, the second battery unit  140  positioned in the grip portion  130   c  can be electrically connected to the terminal  110   c  through the connecting portion  160 , e.g., through a conducting wire provided inside the connecting portion  160   
       FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate perspective views of the portable electronic apparatus  100   c  shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrating a state in which a grip portion of the portable electronic apparatus  100   c  is rotated. Hereinafter, the rotation of the grip portion  130   c  and the connecting portion  160  according to this embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     In a case where the user stands the terminal  110   a  by rotating the grip portion  130   a  as described in the aforementioned embodiment, the grip portion  130   a  is provided with a pair of grip portions, thereby stably supporting the terminal  110   a . However, when much battery capacity is not required or when the portability is important, i.e., when the user desires a case where only one grip portion  130   a  exists, there may occur a case where the grip portion  130   a  is unnecessarily implemented with a pair of grip portions. 
     In this embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, the terminal  110   c  can be easily held even when only one grip portion  130   c  exists. Specifically, unlike the aforementioned embodiment, the portable electronic apparatus  100   c  further includes the connecting portion  160 . The connecting portion  160  may not be connected to a side of the terminal  110   c , but may be connected to the center of a rear side opposite to a front side at which the display  111  is positioned. In particular, the connecting portion  160  may be secured in the parallel position illustrated in  FIG. 5  by a fastener  114  securing the connecting portion  160  in the groove portion  113  in a side of the outer case  112   a  along the width of the terminal  110   c . In a case where the user desires to stand the terminal  110   c  while using the grip portion  130   c  as a handle at a first position (position of  FIG. 5 ) where the connecting portion  160  and the grip portion  130   c  are parallel to the terminal  110   c , the following procedure may be performed. 
     First, the second side of the connecting portion  160  may be rotated with respect to the terminal  110   c  as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this case, the connecting portion  160  may be rotated by separating the connecting portion  160  placed in the groove portion  113  of the terminal  110   c  at the position shown in  FIG. 5  from the fastener  114  of the terminal  110   c . Here, the position of the connecting portion  160  may form an almost right angle to the terminal  110   c.    
     Next, the grip portion  130   c  may be rotated from the first side of the connecting portion  160  as shown in  FIG. 7 . In this case, the rotational direction of the grip portion  130   c  may be almost vertical, as compared with that of the other side of the connecting portion  160 . The grip portion  130   c  may form a shape inclined with respect to the connecting portion  160  at a second position shown in  FIG. 7 . The user can easily stand the terminal  110   c  with only one grip portion  130   c  at the second position shown in  FIG. 7 , and accordingly, it is possible to provide a user with convenience and portability. Although it has been described in this embodiment that the user first rotates the connecting portion  160  and then rotates the grip portion  130   c , embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, the user may rotate the grip portion  130   c  and then rotate the connecting portion  160 . Alternatively, the user may simultaneously rotate the grip portion  130   c  and the connecting portion  160 . The second side of the connecting portion  160  may be implemented to be rotatable in a direction vertical to the terminal  110   c  as shown in  FIG. 6 , i.e., in a direction identical to the rotational direction of the grip portion  130   c . In this case, the user can stand the terminal  110   c  at various angles. 
     Alternatively, the outer case  112   a  may have a groove portion  113  for receiving the connecting portion  160  that is positioned along a length of the terminal such that the grip portion  130   c  extends along the length of the terminal. 
     Embodiments provide a portable electronic apparatus which can be implemented to be small and thin while allowing sufficient power to be supplied thereto. 
     According to the portable electronic apparatus of one or more embodiments, the controller first supplies the power of the second battery unit to the terminal rather than the power of the first battery unit, so that the terminal can be used for a long period of time. Further, use of such a second battery unit, the mounting space of a battery pack in the terminal is minimized, so that it is possible to implement the terminal to be small in size and thin in thickness. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.