Source: http://patents.com/us-8355755.html
Timestamp: 2019-02-18 12:16:39
Document Index: 273804126

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 500', 'art 510', 'art 500', 'art 510', 'art 510', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 510', 'art 500', 'art 510']

US Patent # 8,355,755. Mobile terminal - Patents.com
United States Patent 8,355,755
Kim , et al. January 15, 2013
Kim; Ha-Yong (Chungcheongbuk-Do, KR), Cha; Yong-Duck (Gyeonggi-Do, KR), Kim; Jong-Hwan (Gyeonggi-Do, KR), Kim; Tae-Wan (Gyeonggi-Do, KR)
12/716,227
Mar 03, 2009 [KR] 10-2009-0017911
Jul 02, 2009 [KR] 10-2009-0060347
Field of Search: 455/566,425,575.1-575.4,575.8,90.3,95,100
8005518 August 2011 Birsel et al.
2002/0016191 February 2002 Ijas et al.
2004/0202316 October 2004 Abe et al.
2005/0143137 June 2005 Matsunaga et al.
2010/0157518 June 2010 Ladouceur et al.
1. A mobile terminal, comprising: a first body portion having a first end of the first body portion, a second end of the first body portion, a first side of the first body portion, a second side of the first body portion and a first face of the first body portion; a second body portion having a first end of the second body portion, a second end of the second body portion, a first side of the second body portion, a second side of the second body portion and a first face of the second body portion; and a unit configured to rotatably couple the first end of the first body portion to the first end of the second body portion, in order to enable the mobile terminal to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the first face of the first body portion and the first face of the second body portion face each other when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration with the first side of the first body portion positioned proximate the first side of the second body portion and the second side of the first body portion positioned proximate the second side of the second body portion, wherein the first face of the first body portion and the first face of the second body portion are rotated away from each other when the mobile terminal is in the open configuration, wherein the unit comprises: a first rotation motion unit coupled to each of the first and second body portions proximate the first side of each of the first and second body portions; a second rotation motion unit coupled to each of the first and second body portions proximate the second side of each of the first and second body portions; a first slide motion unit configured to cooperatively operate with the first rotation motion unit; a second slide motion unit configured to cooperatively operate with the second rotation motion unit; a first end cap configured to cover end portions of the first sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions; a second end cap configured to cover end portions of the second sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions; and a case member configured to link the first end cap and the second end cap and having a surface positioned parallel to and facing the first ends of the first and second body portion when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration, wherein the first and second rotation motion units are configured to enable rotational movement between the first and second body portions during transitioning between the closed configuration and the open configuration, wherein the first and second slide motion units are configured to slide the first and second body portions with respect to the unit during transitioning between the closed configuration and the open configuration, wherein the first rotation motion unit comprises: a first guide slot unit formed in the first end cap; a first link member having a first end portion of the first link member movable along the first guide slot unit and a second end portion of the first link member coupled to the first body portion; and a second link member having a first end portion of the second link portion movable along the first guide slot unit and a second end portion of the second link member coupled to the second body portion, and wherein the second rotation motion unit comprises: a second guide slot unit formed in the second end cap; a third link member having a first end portion of the third link member movable along the second guide slot unit and a second end portion of the third link member coupled to the first body portion; and a fourth link member having a first end portion of the fourth link member movable along the second guide slot unit and a second end portion of the fourth link member coupled to the second body portion.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein: each of the first, second, third and fourth link members comprises a rotation protrusion and a linear motion protrusion formed at the first end portion of the corresponding link member; the first guide slot unit comprises: a first rotation slot coupled to the rotation protrusion of the first link member, the first rotation slot having an arcuate shape; a second rotation slot coupled to the rotation protrusion of the second link member, the second rotation slot having an arcuate shape; a first linear motion slot coupled to the linear motion protrusion of the first link member and formed in a radial direction of the first rotation slot; and a second linear motion slot coupled to the linear motion protrusion of the second link member and formed in a radial direction of the second rotation slot; and the second guide slot unit comprises: a third rotation slot coupled to the rotation protrusion of the third link member, the third rotation slot having an arcuate shape; a fourth rotation slot coupled to the rotation protrusion of the fourth link member, the fourth rotation slot having an arcuate shape; a third linear motion slot coupled to the linear motion protrusion of the third link member and formed in a radial direction of the third rotation slot; and a fourth linear motion slot coupled to the linear motion protrusion of the fourth link member and formed linearly in a radial direction of the fourth rotation slot.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein: the first rotation motion unit comprises: a first connection link coupled to the rotation protrusion and the linear motion protrusion of the first link member; and a second connection link coupled to the rotation protrusion and the linear motion protrusion of the second link member, the second connection link having a same shape as the first connection link; and the second rotation motion unit comprises: a third connection link coupled to the rotation protrusion and the linear motion protrusion of the third link member; and a fourth connection link coupled to the rotation protrusion and the linear motion protrusion of the fourth link member, the fourth connection link having a same shape as the third connection link.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth connection links comprises a first aperture for receiving the rotation protrusion of the corresponding first, second, third or fourth link member and a second aperture for receiving the linear motion protrusion of the corresponding link member.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein the unit further comprises: a first connection member configured to couple the first connection link to the second connection link; and a second connection member configured to couple the third connection link to the fourth connection link.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein: each of the first, second, third and fourth connection links comprises a connection member protrusion; the first connection member comprises a first connection member slot and a second connection member slot configured to guide linear motions of the connection member protrusions of the first and second connection links; and the second connection member comprises a third connection member slot and a fourth connection member slot configured to guide linear motions of the third and fourth connection member protrusions of the third and fourth connection links.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the first, second, third and fourth connection member slots are formed parallel to the corresponding first, second, third or fourth linear motion slot.
8. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein: each of the first and second connection members further comprises first and second ends with a first and second guide wing formed at the corresponding first and second end; and each of the first and second end caps comprises guide rails configured to engage the first and second guide wings of the corresponding first and second connection members for guiding sliding movement of the first and second connection members during transitioning between the open and closed configurations of the mobile terminal.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein: the surface of the case member covers the first ends of the first and second body portions in the closed configuration of the mobile terminal; and the first ends of the first and second body portions press against the surface of the case member during transitioning between the closed and open configurations of the mobile terminal and cause the first and second connection members to move along the guide rails of the first and second end caps.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 9, wherein: the first and second connection members move in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the case member during transitioning between the closed and open configurations of the mobile terminal; and the first face of the first body portion and the first face of the second body portion are parallel to each other and to the surface of the case member when the mobile terminal is in the open configuration.
11. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the unit further comprises: a recess portion formed in each of the first and second end caps with the first slide motion unit disposed in the recess portion of the first end cap and the second slide motion unit disposed in the recess portion of the second end cap; and first and second covers configured to cover the recess portion of the corresponding first and second end cap.
12. A mobile terminal, comprising: a first body portion having a first end of the first body portion, a second end of the first body portion, a first side of the first body portion, a second side of the first body portion and a first face of the first body portion; a second body portion having a first end of the second body portion, a second end of the second body portion, a first side of the second body portion, a second side of the second body portion and a first face of the second body portion; and a unit configured to rotatably couple the first end of the first body portion to the first end of the second body portion in order to enable the mobile terminal to transition between a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the first face of the first body portion and the first face of the second body portion face each other when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration with the first side of the first body portion positioned proximate the first side of the second body portion and the second side of the first body portion positioned proximate the second side of the second body portion, wherein the first face of the first body portion and the first face of the second body portion are rotated away from each other when the mobile terminal is in the open configuration, wherein the unit comprises: a first rotation motion unit coupled to each of the first and second body portions proximate the first side of each of the first and second body portions; a second rotation motion unit coupled to each of the first and second body portions proximate the second side of each of the first and second body portions; a first slide motion unit configured to cooperatively operate with the first rotation motion unit; a second slide motion unit configured to cooperatively operate with the second rotation motion unit; a first end cap configured to cover end portions of the first sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions; a second end cap configured to cover end portions of the second sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions; and a case member configured to link the first end cap and the second end cap and having a surface positioned parallel to and facing the first ends of the first and second body portion when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration, wherein the first and second rotation motion units are configured to enable rotational movement between the first and second body portions during transitioning between the closed configuration and the open configuration, wherein the first and second slide motion units are configured to slide the first and second body portions with respect to the unit during transitioning between the closed configuration and the open configuration, wherein the first rotation motion unit comprises: a first connection member having a first end portion of the first connection member and a second end portion of the first connection member, the second end portion coupled to the first body portion; a second connection member having a first end portion of the second connection member and a second end portion of the second connection member, the second end portion coupled to the second body portion; and a first hinge portion rotatably coupling the first end portion of the first connection member to the first end portion of the second connection member; and wherein the second rotation motion unit comprises: a third connection member having a first end portion of the third connection member and a second end portion of the third connection member, the second end portion coupled to the first body portion; a fourth connection member having a first end portion of the fourth connection member and a second end portion of the fourth connection member, the second end portion is coupled to the second body portion; and a second hinge portion rotatably coupling the first end portion of the third connection member to the first end portion of the fourth connection member.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein: the first slide motion unit comprises: a first guide slot having an arcuate shape formed in the first end portion of the first connection member; a second guide slot having an arcuate shape formed in the first end portion of the second connection member; and first and second guide protrusions positioned on the first end cap and configured to be positioned within the corresponding first or second guide slot; and the second slide motion unit comprises: a third guide slot having an arcuate shape formed in the first end portion of the third connection member; a fourth guide slot having an arcuate shape formed in the first end portion of the fourth connection member; and third and fourth guide protrusions positioned on the second end cap and configured to be positioned within the corresponding third or fourth guide slot.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 13, wherein: the surface of the case member covers the first ends of the first and second body portions in the closed configuration of the mobile terminal; and the first ends of the first and second body portions press against the surface of the case member during transitioning between the closed and open configurations of the mobile terminal and cause the first, second, third and fourth guide protrusions to move along the corresponding first, second, third or fourth guide slot.
15. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising: a first display positioned at the first face of the first body portion and extending to the first end of the first body portion; and a second display positioned at the first face of the second body portion and extending to the first end of the second body portion, wherein the first and second displays are positioned such that they are juxtaposed to each other when the mobile terminal is in the open configuration.
16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein: the first display is positioned in a recess in the first face of the first body portion, the recess extending to the first end of the first body portion and open to the first end of the first body portion; and the second display is positioned in a recess in the first face of the second body portion, the recess extending to the first end of the second body portion and open to the first end of the second body portion.
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application Nos. 10-2009-0017911 and 10-2009-0060347, filed in Republic of Korea on Mar. 3, 2009 and Jul. 2, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
As shown in FIG. 1, if the first body 110 is overlaid on the second body 120, the state may be referred to as a closed configuration. One surface of the first body 110 and one surface of the second body 120 may face each other in the closed configuration. As shown in FIG. 2, a state where the first and second bodies 110 and 120 have rotated away from each other may be referred to as an open configuration. The one surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 may be disposed in parallel to each other in the open configuration. To this end, the first and second bodies 110 and 120 may be rotatable by 90.degree., respectively, upon switching from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
First and second display units 113 and 123, a first audio output module 352a, a first camera 321a, a first manipulation unit 124 and a microphone 322 may be disposed at the first and second bodies 110 and 120.
In detail, the front case 111 of the first body 110 and the front case 121 of the second body 120 are shown having the first and second display units 113 and 123, the first audio output module 352a, the first camera 321a, the first manipulation unit 124 and the microphone 322.
The first audio output module 352a may be configured as a receiver or a speaker. The first camera 321a may be a camera module for allowing a user to capture images or video. The first manipulation unit 124 may receive a command input to control the operation of the mobile terminal 100. The microphone 322 may be disposed symmetrical to the first audio output module 352a based upon the first and second display units 113 and 123.
Regarding each function, the first manipulation unit 124 can be used for inputting commands such as START, END, SCROLL, numbers, characters, symbols or the like, and the second manipulation unit 127 can function as a hot key for activating a specific function, such as activation of the first camera 321a.
A second camera 321b may further be disposed at the rear case 122 of the second body 120. The second camera 321b faces a direction which is substantially opposite to a direction faced by the first camera 321a (see FIG. 1). Also, the second camera 321b may be a camera having different pixels from those of the first camera 321a.
For instance, the first camera 321a may operate with relatively lower pixels (lower resolution). Thus, the first camera 321a 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 camera 321b 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 132 and a mirror 133 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera 321b. The flash 132 operates in conjunction with the second camera 321b when taking a picture using the second camera 321b. The mirror 133 can cooperate with the second camera 321b to allow a user to photograph himself in a self-portrait mode.
A second audio output module 352b may further be disposed at the rear case 122.
The second audio output module 352b can cooperate with the first audio output module 352a (see FIG. 1) to provide stereo output. Also, the second audio output module 352b may be configured to operate as a speakerphone.
As described above, it has been described that the second camera 321b is disposed at the rear case 122; however, the present invention may not be limited to the configuration. It is also possible that one or more of those components (e.g., 132, 133, 352b), which have been described to be implemented on the rear case 122, such as the second camera 321b, will be implemented on the first body 110, particularly, on the rear case 112. In addition, without the second camera 321b, the first camera 321a can be implemented to be rotatable so as to rotate up to a direction which the second camera 321b faces.
Each of one surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 rotatably coupled to each other may include a recessed region 123a. The one surfaces face each other in the closed configuration, and denote the upper surfaces of the front cases 111 and 121 (see FIG. 2) having the display units 113 and 123.
Each recessed region 123a may define a window hole 123b formed at the front case 121. A window 123c for covering the window hole 123b may be mounted into the recessed region 123a. Windows 113c and 123c may include a first window 113c mounted to the first body 110 and a second window 123c mounted to the second body 120. The second window 123c may be inserted into the recessed region 123a such that an end portion thereof can be obscured, and the first window 113c may be inserted into the recessed region of the first body 110 such that an end portion thereof can be obscured.
The first and second windows 113c and 123c may face each other in the closed configuration of the terminal, and disposed in parallel to each other in the open configuration. Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5A-5C, the first and second windows 113c and 123c may be disposed to be flush with each other in the open configuration.
The first and second windows 113c and 123c may be made of a material through which light is transmitted, for example, transparent synthetic resin, tempered glass and the like. Here, the first and second windows 113c and 123c may include portions through which light cannot be transmitted. Such portions may be made of a nontransparent material or surface-processed regions such that light cannot be transmitted.
A second display module 123d may be disposed at the rear case 122 to correspond to the window hole 123b. Accordingly, visual information output on the second display module 123d may externally be viewable. A first display module 113d may be disposed at the first body 110.
The first and second windows 113c and 123c and the first and second display modules 113d and 123d may be classified into first and second display units 113 and 123, respectively.
The first and second windows 113c and 123c may extend up to respective one ends of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 so as to be adjacent to each other in the open configuration.
Referring to FIG. 4A, the recessed regions 123a of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 may be defined by side surfaces thereof. Among the side surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120, the side surfaces adjacent to each other in the open configuration are shown having open portions, namely, openings 123e. The first and second windows 113c and 123c may extend up to the openings 123e so as to configure dual displays adjacent to each other.
The driving unit 140 may be formed to obscure the second window 123c exposed from the opening 123e of the second body 120 and the first window 113c exposed from the opening of the first body 110. The driving unit 140 may include first and second cases 141 and 142. The second case 142 may has a first end cap 142a and a second end cap 142b. The first end cap 142a is configured to cover end portions of the first sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions. The second end cap 142b is configured to cover end portions of the second sides of the first and second body portions proximate the first ends of the first and second body portions. The first case 141 may be a case member. The case member is configured to link the first end cap 142a and the second end cap 142b and has a surface positioned parallel to and faces the first ends of the first and second body portion when the mobile terminal is in the closed configuration.
The first case 141 forms an appearance of the driving unit 140, and is formed in parallel to one ends of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 in the closed configuration. In detail, in the closed configuration, a principal surface of the first case 141 facing the first and second bodies 110 and 120 may be formed to obscure the one ends of the first and second bodies 110 and 120. The principal surface of the first case 141 may obscure the opening 123e of the second body 120 and the opening of the first body 110 in the closed configuration.
The second case 142 may be formed to intersect with the first case 141, and obscure end portions of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 which intersect with the one ends of the first and second bodies 110 and 120. In detail, the second case 142 may obscure the end portions of the first and second bodies 110 and 120, which are formed in the intersecting direction with the opening 123e of the second body 120 and the opening of the first body 110, respectively.
The thusly-structured driving unit 140 may be in the form of "[", for example. Both side surfaces facing each other may serve as the second case 142. The second case 142 may be perpendicular to the principal surface of the first case 141, and disposed to obscure both side surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120. Accordingly, end portions of the first and second windows 113c and 123c can be protected, and a mobile terminal with a different design from the related art can be implemented.
The rotation motion units 150 may include a first and second rotation motion units 150a and 150b. The rotation motion units 150 may be connected to each of the first and second bodies 110 and 120, and generate a relative rotation of the first and second bodies 110 and 120. The rotation motion units 150 may be mounted in the second case 142.
The second case 142 may include recess portions 143, in which the rotation motion units 150 are disposed. In the recess portions 143, the slide motion units 160 may be disposed to overlap the rotation motion units 150. The slide motion units 160 may include a first and second slide motion units 160a and 160b. A cover 144 for shielding each recess portion 143 may be mounted to the second case 142.
Rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b may be formed at one ends of the first and second link members 152 and 153, respectively.
Each guide slot unit 151 may include rotation slots 154a and 155a and linear motion slots 154b and 155b. The rotation slots 154a and 155a may be connected to the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a, and arcuately formed so as to rotate one ends of the first and second link members 152 and 153. The linear motion slots 154b and 155b may be connected to the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b, and linearly formed in radial directions of the rotation slots 154a and 155a. As shown in the drawings, the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b may be movably inserted into the rotation slots 154a and 155a and the linear motion slots 154b and 155b.
The first connection link 156 may be connected to the rotation protrusion 152a and the linear motion protrusion 152b of the first link member 152. The second link member 157 may have the same shape as that of the first connection link 156, and be connected to the rotation protrusion 153a and the linear motion protrusion 153b of the second link member 153. Referring to FIG. 4B, the first and second connection links 156 and 157 may be provided with a plurality of insertion grooves in which the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b of the first and second link members 152 and 153 are inserted. With such configuration, the first and second connection links 156 and 157 may be rotatable.
Still referring to FIG. 4B, the driving unit 140 may further include connection members 158 each serving to connect the first and second connection links 156 and 157 to each other. The first and second connection links 156 and 157 may include connection member protrusion 156a and 157b, respectively, and the connection member 158 may include connection member slots 158a and 158b for guiding a linear movement of the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b. Each of the connection members 158 may be coupled to the first and second connection links 156 and 157, respectively, by coupling bolts to the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b which are inserted through the connection member slots 158a and 158b.
The connection member slots 158a and 158b may be formed as linear slots each extending in one direction, and formed in the same direction as the linear motion slots 154b and 155b. Accordingly, the first and second connection links 156 and 157 may be slidable along the connection member slots 158a and 158b.
As shown in FIG. 5A, the driving unit 140 may be formed to be symmetrical based upon one surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 facing each other in the closed configuration. The rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b may be located at positions biased to one ends of the rotation slots 154a and 155a and the linear motion slots 154b and 155b, respectively. The connection member 158 may be disposed adjacent to a principal surface 141a of the first case 141 which faces the first and the second bodies 110 and 120 in the closed configuration, and the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b may be located at positions biased to one ends of the connection member slots 158a and 158b.
Referring to FIG. 5B, when the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are relatively rotated, the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b are rotated along the rotation slots 154a and 155a and the linear motion slots 154b and 155b. Each of the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a is rotated along an arcuate path, and when the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are open by an angle of about 90.degree., they are located at the middle of the path. The linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b are slid away from each other, and when the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are open by an angle of about 90.degree., they are located at the farmost positions from each other within the slid path.
As shown in the drawings, the first and second connection links 156 and 157 are rotated based upon the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b by the combination of the rotational motion of the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a and the sliding motion of the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b.
The driving unit 140 is configured to be moved in horizontal and longitudinal directions of the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b at the same time of the rotation thereof. This configuration can be realized by virtue of the sliding of the first and second connection links 156 and 157 which is made in a direction intersecting with the sliding direction of the connection member 158.
The one ends of the first and second bodies 110 and 120 then press the principal surface 141a of the first case 141 responsive to the relative rotation, and the connection member 158 is moved along the guide rail 162 (see FIG. 4B) responsive to the pressing. The connection member 158 is then slid, due to the relative rotation, in a direction perpendicular to one surfaces of the first and second bodies 110 and 120, which are in parallel to each other in the open configuration. At this time, the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b are slid in the same direction as the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b being slid, along the connection member slots 158a and 158b. When the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are open by an angle of about 90.degree., the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b are disposed at the farmost positions from each other within the slid path.
Referring to FIG. 5C, when the first and second bodies 110 and 120 are further relatively rotated over the angle of about 90.degree. therebetween, the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a are moved toward another ends of the rotation slots 154a and 155a. The another ends of the rotation slots 154a and 155a may correspond to opposite ends to the one ends of the rotation slots, at which the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a were located in the closed configuration. Here, the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b are moved toward one ends of the linear motion slots 154b and 155b, at which the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b were located in the closed configuration, along the linear motion slots 154b and 155b.
The connection member 158 is moved along the guide rail 162, and the connection member protrusions 156a and 157b are moved towards one ends of the connection member slots 158a and 158b, at which the connection member protrusions 156a and the 157b were located in the closed configuration.
As described above, the relative rotation of the first and second bodies 110 and 120, which has the link connection structure other than a hinge coupling structure, can be realized by the combination of the rotational motion of the rotation protrusions 152a and 153a, the sliding motion of the linear motion protrusions 152b and 153b and the sliding motion of the connection member 158. Accordingly, more compact rotation mechanism can be implemented, and the terminal can be slimmer in thickness.
Each of slide motion units 260 partially configuring the driving unit 240 as one component may include guide slots 261a and 262a and guide protrusions 261b and 262b.
The guide slots 261a and 262a may be formed at the first and second bodies 210 and 220, respectively, and each may have an arcuate shape so as to allow the relative rotation of the first and second bodies 210 and 220. The guide protrusions 261b and 262b may be formed at case 242, which form an outer appearance of the driving unit 240, and inserted into the guide slots 261a and 262a. The guide slots 261a and 262a may be formed at the first and second connection members 271 and 272, respectively.
The first case 241 may define the appearance of the driving unit 240, and be formed in parallel to one ends of the first and second bodies 210 and 220 in the closed configuration. In detail, the first case 241 may be configured such that a surface thereof facing the first and second bodies 210 and 220 in the closed configuration obscures one ends of the first and second bodies 210 and 220. Referring to FIG. 6, the guide protrusions 261b and 262b may be formed at the second case 242.
Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7C, the one ends of the first and second bodies 210 and 220 press a surface of the first case 241 (i.e., a principal surface 241a of the first case 241) facing the first and second bodies 210 and 220, and the guide protrusions 261b and 262b are moved along the guide slots 261a and 262a responsive to the pressing. Accordingly, the first and second bodies 210 and 220 may be slidable up and down based upon the driving unit 240 between the closed configuration and the open configuration.
The A/V input unit 320 is configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal. The A/V input unit 320 may include a camera 321 and a microphone 322. The camera 321 receives and processes image frames of still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video (telephony) call mode or a capturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on display units 113 and 123.
Here, if the display units 113 and 123 and a touch sensitive sensor (referred to as a `touch sensor`) have a layered structure therebetween, the structure may be referred to as `touch screen`. In this structure, the display units 113 and 123 may be used as an input device rather than an output device. The touch sensor may be implemented as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, and the like.
As shown in FIG. 9, first image data is stored in the memory 360 (S1). Examples of the first image data may include an image captured by the camera 321, image data obtained from the interface unit 370, webpage image and the like. A user generates an output command through the user input unit 330 such that the first image data is output on the display units 113 and 123 (see FIG. 8) (S2). According to the output command, a main part of the first image data is output on the first display unit 113, and a sub part of the first image data is output on the second display unit 123 (S3). Under this state, when the user rotates the mobile terminal 100, the sensing unit 340 detects the rotation (S4). As aforementioned, the sensing unit 340 for detecting the rotation may include at least one of the gyro sensor 341 and the acceleration sensor 342. When the rotation of the mobile terminal 100 is detected by the sensing unit 340, the first image data is rotated to be displayed over the first and second display units 113 and 123 (S5) (swap displaying). Here, the first image data may be shifted to the first display unit 113 so as to be displayed. A control menu, information related to the first image data or second image data may be displayed on a sub part non-displayed region of the second display unit 123 on which the sub part of the first image data is output, which will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. 12.
Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a mobile terminal 400 according to the present invention may include a first display unit 413 and a second display unit 423. When a user desires to output first image data on the display units 413 and 423 through a user input unit 330 (see FIG. 8), as shown in FIG. 10A, the first display unit 413 displays a main part 500 of the first image data, and the second display unit 423 displays a sub part 510 of the first image data and a control menu 520. It can be noticed that the main part 500 and the sub part 510 are combined to complete the first image data. Under this state, when the user rotates the mobile terminal 400, the rotation is detected by the sensing unit 340 (see FIG. 8). According to a rotation detection signal generated from the sensing unit 340, the sub part 510 is rotated on the second display unit 423 to be displayed thereon and the main part 500 is rotated on the first display unit 413 to be displayed thereon (see FIG. 10B). That is, from the user's perspective, it can be viewed that the first image data is displayed by being shifted to the right display unit. Namely, when the mobile terminal 400 is rotated by an angle of 180.degree., the control menu 520 is shifted from a left side to a right side, accordingly, the first image data is moved to the right side. The present invention may not be limited to the configuration, and it can be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the control menu 520 may be fixed to the right side.
FIG. 13A to 13D are image views illustrating a first image control method upon detection of a rotation in the mobile terminal adapting the image displaying method in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13A, a main part 500 of image data is displayed on the first display unit 413 and a sub part 510 of the image data is displayed on the second display unit 423. Under this state, when a user rotates the mobile terminal 400 (e.g., rotating by an angle of)180.degree., the sensing unit 340 (see FIG. 8) detects the rotation. The image data is accordingly swapped such that the user can view a normal screen. Simultaneously, the image is paused so as to be displayed in the paused state and the received image data (e.g., broadcast data) is stored. If the image data being displayed is image data stored in the memory 360 (see FIG. 8), the reproduction of the image is merely paused (see FIG. 13B). Afterwards, in order for the user to view a portion which is hard to be seen during rotation, upon the generation of the rotation detection signal, the controller 380 executes a rewind function from the paused image at a five-second interval (see FIG. 13C), and then executes a fast forward function for the image at another five-second interval (see FIG. 13D). According to the example, even if the user rotates the mobile terminal 400, image data which may be missed during rotation can be checked later. This example has illustrated the operation according to the rotation detection signal. However, the present invention may not be limited to the operation; but such function may be executed even if a folder is folded or unfolded over a preset angle.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the main part 500 of the image data is displayed on the first display unit 413 and the sub part 510 of the image data is displayed on the second display unit 423. Under this state, when the user rotates the mobile terminal 400 (e.g., rotating by an angle of 180.degree.), the sensing unit 340 (see FIG. 8) detects the rotation. The image data is accordingly swapped such that the user can view a normal screen. Simultaneously, the image is paused so as to be displayed in the paused state and the received image data (e.g., broadcast data) is stored. If the image data being displayed is image data stored in the memory 360 (see FIG. 8), the reproduction of the image is merely paused (see FIG. 14B). Afterwards, in order for the user to view a portion which is hard to be seen during rotation, upon the generation of the rotation detection signal, the controller 380 keeps recording the received image data while restarting the reproduction from the paused image (see FIG. 14C). According to the example, even if the user rotates the mobile terminal 400, image data which may be missed during rotation can be checked later. This example has illustrated the operation according to the rotation detection signal. However, the present invention may not be limited to the operation; but such function may be executed even if a folder is folded or unfolded over a preset angle.
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