Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/20100222110
Timestamp: 2019-12-09 21:42:17
Document Index: 9224637

Matched Legal Cases: ['§119', 'Application No. 10', 'Application No. 10', 'art 551', 'arts 550', 'art 551', 'art 410', 'art 410']

US Patent Application for MOBILE TERMINAL Patent Application (Application #20100222110 issued September 2, 2010) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Having DisplayUS Patent Application for MOBILE TERMINAL Patent Application (Application #20100222110)
A mobile terminal includes: a main device having a display unit and performing a mobile communication function, and a sub-device having an input unit, communicating with the main device, and detachably coupled to the main device, wherein the input unit includes a transparent touch panel, and at least a portion of the transparent touch panel overlaps with the display unit in a state that the main device and the sub-device are coupled. The main device and the sub-device communicate with each other when they are coupled or separated to remotely control each other.
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 10-2009-0017751, filed on Mar. 2, 2009, and Korean Application No. 10-2009-0034739, filed on Apr. 21, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
In order to support and increase the functions of the terminals, modification of structural parts and/or software parts of the terminals may be taken into consideration. As the functions of the terminals are diversified, the volume and weight of the terminals are inevitably increased, failing to meet the demand of users who want light and compact terminals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal including a sub-device which can be mechanically detachable.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of communicating in a state that its sub-device is coupled or detached.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal including a detachable main-device and sub-device which are functionally specialized.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal capable of charging its battery by a solar cell.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides in one aspect a mobile terminal including: a main device having a display unit and performing a mobile communication function, and a sub-device having an input unit, communicating with the main device, and detachably coupled to the main device, wherein the input unit includes a transparent touch panel, and at least a portion of the transparent touch panel overlaps with the display unit in a state that the main device and the sub-device are coupled.
In the mobile terminal, at least one sub-device may be mechanically coupled or separated, or perform communication through a fixed line or wirelessly.
The operation of the mobile terminal can be remotely controlled by using the sub-device, and data inputted to or outputted from or transmitted to or received from the mobile terminal can be remotely inputted or outputted or transmitted or received by using the sub-device.
The operation and state of the terminal can be remotely controlled by using the detachable sub-device 300.
The operation and state of the terminal may be automatically controlled according to the coupling and separation operation of the main device 100 and the sub-device 300.
The sub-device may control a constituent device and an application of the main device 100 via a short range wireless communication path in a state that it is separated from the main device 100.
The main device 100 and the sub-device may interwork to operate a display in a mutually coupled state.
In the present invention, the mobile terminal is implemented to have the main device 100 specialized as a voice function part (or a control function part) and the sub-device 300 specialized as a visual function part.
A solar cell may be mounted in the main device 100 or the sub-device 300. Without the necessity of carrying around a recharging device, the battery can be charged as the terminal is carried around such that it is exposed to solar light.
In a further aspect, a mobile terminal includes a main device and a secondary device. The main device is configured to perform wireless communication and has a display that is configured to display first data. The secondary device is configured to be detachably coupled to the main device. The secondary device has a transparent touch panel input unit that is configured to display second data. The transparent touch panel input unit is configured to receive input from a user. The secondary device is further configured to position the transparent touch panel input unit to at least partially overlap the display of the main device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device and to communicate with the main device when coupled to the main device and when separated from the main device. When the transparent touch panel input unit is positioned overlapping the display of the main device, at least a portion of the first data is visible behind the second data. Input from the user received at the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device controls the main device.
The mobile terminal may also include a connection unit that is configured to electrically connect the secondary device to the main device for at least one of signal transmission or data transmission between the main device and the secondary device. The connection unit may be configured to provide a wireless connection between the main device and the secondary device. The mobile terminal may also include coupling means for detachably coupling the secondary device to the main device. The coupling means may include at least one first magnet positioned at a perimeter of the secondary device and at least one second magnet positioned on the main device, with the at least one second magnet configured to correspond to the at least one first magnet. In another aspect, the coupling means may include a slot in the main device that is configured to receive and retain the secondary device. In a further aspect, the coupling means may include a first hinge portion positioned at one side of the main device, a second hinge portion positioned at one side of the secondary device. The second hinge portion may be configured to engage the first hinge portion and the first and second hinge portions are configured to allow rotational movement between the main device and the secondary device. In an additional aspect, the coupling means include a recess in a surface of the main device that has a shape and size that substantially matches a perimeter of the secondary device. Each of at least one pair of opposing sides of the recess has a protrusion extending therefrom that is juxtaposed to the surface of the main device that has the recess, and the protrusions extend into the recess. The secondary device is flexible and configured to be bent from a substantially flat condition to a curved position such that the secondary device may be positioned in the recess in the main device and return to a substantially flat condition when released with each of at least one corresponding pair of opposing sides of the secondary device being positioned between a respective protrusion of the main device and a bottom surface of the recess of the main device. In another aspect, the mobile terminal includes retention means for retaining the secondary device in a coupling relationship with the main device. A periphery of the secondary device may include a frame of a material that is stiffer than the transparent touch panel input unit. The secondary device may be configured to receive power from the main device. The mobile terminal may include an indicator for displaying whether the main device and secondary device are in a coupled state or a separated state. The secondary device may be configured to display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is coupled to the main device, cease to display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit and to display third data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is separated from the main device. The main device and the secondary device may be configured to perform as an interphone when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
In another aspect, a method of operating a mobile terminal includes displaying first data on a display of a main device, with the main device being configured to perform wireless communication. The method also includes displaying second data on a transparent touch panel input unit of a secondary device that is configured to be detachably coupled to the main device. The transparent touch panel input unit is configured to receive input. The secondary device is further configured to position the transparent touch panel input unit to at least partially overlap the display of the main device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device. The secondary device is further configured to communicate with the main device when coupled to the main device and when separated from the main device. The method also includes displaying at least a portion of the first data to be visible behind the second data when the transparent touch panel input unit is positioned to at least partially overlap the display of the main device. Additionally, the method includes receiving input at the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device to control the main device.
The method may also include electrically connecting the secondary device to the main device via a connection unit that is configured for at least signal transmission or data transmission between the main device and the secondary device. Electrically connecting the secondary device to the main device may include wirelessly connecting the secondary device to the main device. The method may also include receiving power at the secondary device from the main device. The method may additionally include displaying the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device, and ceasing to display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit and displaying third data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is separated from the main device. The method may further include operating the main device and the secondary device as an interphone when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
FIG. 21 illustrates automatic controlling of a terminal operation (application controlling);
The mobile terminal according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the suffixes ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ may be used for elements in order to facilitate the disclosure. Significant meanings or roles may not be given to the suffixes themselves and it is understood that the ‘module’, ‘unit’ and ‘part’ may be used together or interchangeably.
FIG. 1 shows that the mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio/video (NV) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180 and a power supply 190.
The mobile terminal 100, and in particular the A/V input unit 120, may include a noise removing algorithm (or noise canceling algorithm) to remove noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal. Data generated by the NV input unit 120 may be stored in the memory 160, utilized by the output unit 150, and/or transmitted via one or more modules of the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more microphones and/or cameras may also be provided.
The first display unit 155 provided on the folder part may be a light-transmittive or transparent type (such as TOLED), and the second display unit 156 provided on the main body may be a non-transmittive type (such as LCD). Each of the first display unit 155 and the second display unit 156 may include a touch-inputable touchscreen.
The coupling unit 210 may be configured to mechanically couple the main device and the sub-devices, and the connection unit 230, a block for allowing communication between the main device and the sub-devices, is configured to directly connect the main device and the sub-devices by using a hardware connection terminal (not shown), connect them by using a fixed line such as a cable or a connector, or wirelessly connect them by using a wireless scheme (e.g., Bluetooth™, IrDA, or the like).
The sub-devices 300 may form the body in a structure or configuration in which they can be firmly coupled corresponding to the coupling unit 210 of the main device. Namely, the coupling unit 410 of each sub-device may be configured in a structure (or configuration) corresponding to the coupling unit 210 of the main device. The structures or the shapes of the elements 410 to 430 may be changed to be suitable for the sub-devices. For example, each sub-device may be configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from the main device and generate driving power by itself by using the radio signal as an energy resource, rather than including a weighty and voluminous battery. Accordingly, the sub-devices may be configured to be transparent or flexible to be bent, and because they do not include a battery, their volume can be reduced. Also, the sub-devices may have a small battery which may be charged by using an external power device or may be charged via the main device which the sub-devices are connected to the main device. The main device and the sub-devices may include a power source unit for charging the respective batteries by using solar light.
As shown in FIG. 9a, the sub-device 300 may include the same elements as those of the main device. However, when various conditions such as volume or weight are considered, basically, the sub-device 300 includes the display unit 251, a controller 280, and a power supply unit 290. The display unit 251 and the other elements (e.g., the controller, the power supply unit, the coupling unit, the coupling detection unit, the connection unit, and the output unit0 may be divided to be disposed at separated bodies 301 and 302. The display unit 251 may be configured as a transparent touch pad (or a transparent touch screen) in consideration of the configuration that it overlaps with the display unit 151 of the main device when the sub-device 300 is coupled to the main device 100.
As shown in FIG. 11b, a coupling member 510 for fixing the sub-device is provided on at least one side of the first body of the main device, and the sub-device may be coupled such that it is press-fit to the position of the coupling member 510. For example, a recess or a hook is formed at one side of the first body of the main device, and the third body 300 may be coupled by using the recess or the hook. Or, a magnet may be provided to one side of the first body of the main device, and the third body 300 having a member that can be attached to the magnet may be coupled. In this case, the first body 100a and the second body 100b may be folded or unfolded regardless of the coupling or separating of the sub-device.
As shown in FIG. 12e, the hinge part 551 may be additionally provided on at least one side of the first body of the slide type mobile terminal, and the third body can be coupled by using the hinge part. The positions of the respective hinge parts 550 and 551 may be interchanged, and a fixing unit (not shown) may be additionally provided to fix the third body such that the third body cannot be moved after being folded. The fixing member 510 may include such holder or magnet as described above, or may be configured with an arbitrary one of any other fixing members as known. The hinge parts for coupling the third body must be configured to allow separating or coupling of the third body. The first and second bodies may be configured to be slideable regardless of the coupling or separating of the third body 300.
The structure and method for coupling or separating the sub-device in a bar type mobile terminal will now be described. In the bar type mobile terminal, the sub-device may be coupled or separated in a similar manner as the folder type, slide type, or swivel type mobile terminal as described above.
As shown in FIG. 14a, a coupling member 510 for fixing the sub-device is provided on at least one side of the main device, and the sub-device may be adjusted to the position where the coupling member 510 is formed, and pressed to be coupled. Or, as shown in FIG. 14b, the edge holder or a slot 530 with a guide groove is provided on at least one side of the main device, and the sub-device may be pushed (or slot manner) into the guide groove so as to be coupled. In this case, if the sub-device has elasticity, it may be bent to be pushed into the edge holder so as to be coupled as shown in FIG. 14c. As shown in FIG. 14d, the hinge part 551 may be additionally provided on at least one side of the main device, and the sub-body can be coupled by using the hinge part. The positions of the respective hinge parts may be interchanged, and a fixing unit (not shown) may be additionally provided to fix the sub-device such that the sub-device cannot be moved after being folded. The method of coupling the sub-device in the bar type mobile terminal has been described. A method for coupling the sub-device in a watch type mobile terminal will now be described.
Thus, the sub-device may be configured to be easily carried around and easily mechanically coupled to the main device. In addition, the main device may be configured such that the sub-device mechanically coupled to the main device is not moved nor easily released. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a clip 300 in the shape of a channel may integrally has a coupling part 410 so as to be inserted into one side of the terminal when coupled, or may be attached to the clothes of the user such as pockets or belts or to the part of the user's body such as head, ears, eyes, hands, feet, or neck when separated. The coupling part 410 may have elasticity. In other words, the sub-device is not limited in its shape to the plate type but may have such a shape, like or , as to be easily coupled to the main device.
The control method of the detachable mobile terminal may be divided into three stages: ‘Control method in coupling and separating’, ‘Control method in a separated state (Separate concept UI)’, and ‘Control method in a coupled state (Combine concept UI)’, and each step will now be described.
Control Method in Coupling and Separating the Mobile Terminal
The control method in coupling/separating the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention may be divided into ‘Automatic controlling of terminal operation’, ‘Automatic controlling of terminal state’, ‘Automatic controlling of terminal power saving’, and ‘Automatic controlling of terminal locking’.
Automatic Controlling of Terminal Operation
With reference to FIG. 19b, when the sub-device 300 is separated from the main device 100, the sub-device 300 operates as a keypad or a wireless mouse. The controller 180 receives a user's touch inputted via the sub-device 300 through short-range radio communication (e.g., Bluetooth™, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), and the like.
FIG. 21 illustrates automatic controlling of a terminal operation (application controlling).
For example, when the main device 100 and the sub-device 300 are coupled in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 21a, the controller 180 executes a camera viewer, and if the main device 100 and the sub-device 300 are coupled in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 21b, the controller 180 executes a map application.
Automatic Controlling of Terminal State
Meanwhile, if the two devices 100 and 300 are coupled in the horizontal direction (not shown) and the phone book function is executed, the controller 180 displays communication-related information such as the number of calls, the number of messages, the total call time, the latest call record, and the like, with a selected person.
Automatic Controlling of Terminal Power Saving
Automatic Controlling of Terminal Locking
As described above, the method of controlling coupling/separating of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention may be divided into ‘automatic controlling of terminal state’, ‘automatic controlling of terminal power saving’, and ‘automatic controlling of terminal locking’, and in the present invention, the setting of the automatic controlling may be arbitrarily changed by the user.
Automatic controlling according to the coupling/separating of the two devices 100 and 300 may be rather inconvenient to the user in a sense. In this case, the user may execute a user setting menu as shown in FIG. 26 to change a desired automatic controlling item to a hand-operated controlling and input a desired setting value.
Control Method in Separated State (Separate Concept UI)
A control method in a separated state (Separate Concept UI) will now be described. Namely, the main device 100 and the sub-device 300 are controlled variably in a state of being separated.
A power control command (e.g., ON or OFF) inputted by the user is transmitted on short-range wireless communication (e.g., Bluetooth™, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), and the like) via the connection unit 230 of the sub-device 300.
Thereafter, when the use, upon recognition of the call reception, inputs the call transmission/reception function key, a signal of the inputted function key is transferred to the main device 100 and the controller 180 establishes a communication path for call communication between the two devices 100 and 300. In this case, transmission of the function key signal and setting of the communication path may interchange in the order.
In this embodiment, the user may control various applications of a personal computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a notebook computer, etc.) by using the sub-device 300. To this end, the sub-device 300 may have various function keys (e.g., mouse function (or touch pad function), multimedia reproducing function, and the like) as shown in FIG. 9c.
Thereafter, when a control signal (←, ↑, ↓, →, execution key 1, execution key 2, etc.) is inputted via the communication path, the controller 180 controls objects of games according to the input signal and transfers sound effects of the games to the sub-device 300. The user may connect an earphone to the earphone connection unit 292 to enjoy the games along with the sound effects of the games.
When the function keys 332 printed on the touch pad is desired to be executed, the user touch-and-drags one (e.g., a ‘clock’ function key) of the function keys and puts it on the one-line display. Then, the sub-device 300 displays a current time, date, and the like, on the one-line display. If a ‘weather; function key is touch-and-dragged to the one-line display, today's lowest temperature and highest temperature, the probability of rain, a special weather report, and the like, would be displayed on the one-line display.
The function keys (e.g., ‘clock’ or ‘weather’ function key) are those printed on the touch pad, so they cannot move to the one-line display. The sub-device 300 detects the user's touch input (touch and drag) and executes a widget of the corresponding function.
For another example of the widget execution, if the user touch-and-drags a ‘broadcast view’ function key, among the function keys 332, to the one-line display, the sub-device 300 transfers a ‘broadcast view’ execution command to the main device 100 via the connection unit 230. The controller 180 executes the ‘broadcast view’ application according to the execution command and provides a broadcast service to the user.
For still another example of the widget execution, if the user inputs letters (hand-written letters) (e.g., ‘I love you’) on the touch pad, the sub-device 300 may display the letters inputted to the touch pad on the one-line display as shown in FIG. 33b.
With the character input editor executed on the main device 100, when the user inputs letters (i.e., hand-written letters) (e.g., ‘I love you’) to the touch pad, the sub-device 300 transmits the letters inputted to the touch pad to the main device 100 via the established communication path. And the controller 180 displays the transmitted letters of the user on the display of the main device as shown in FIG. 35.
Control Method in a Coupled State (Combine Concept UI)
In this embodiment, in the state that the two devices 100 and 300 are coupled, a ‘my contents’ menu is executed and the entire screen image and a pop-up screen image of the ‘my contents’ menu are divided to be displayed on the display of the main device 100 and that of the sub-device 300.
Once the ‘my contents’ menu is executed, the controller 180 displays a ‘my contents’ screen image on the main device 100, and then, displays an indicator 334 and a software menu 336 on the sub-device.
Thereafter, when the user presses an ‘option’ software menu, the controller 180 displays a corresponding pop-up window (option main menu window 338) on the sub-device 300 as shown in FIG. 40a. And the indicator 334 and the software menu 336, which have been displayed on the sub-device 300, are interchanged to be displayed along with the ‘my contents’ screen image on the main device 100.
Because the option menu window 338, which is additionally displayed on the ‘my contents’ screen image, is displayed via the sub-device 300 overlaid on the main device 100, the menu screen image of the terminal has a cubic effect.
FIG. 40b shows displaying of a corresponding sub-menu window 340 on the sub-device 300 when a ‘view type change’ item is selected from the option main menu window 338 of FIG. 40a.
When the sub-menu window 340 is displayed on the sub-device 300, the controller 180 displays the corresponding pop-up window (sub-menu window 340) on sub-device 300 as shown in FIG. 40b. And the controller 180 displays the option main menu window 338, which has been displayed on the sub-device 300, on the main device 100 together with the ‘my contents’ screen image.
When the user touches a specific object (e.g., Lee Na-young) on the file list, a selection bar of the list is placed on the touched object ‘Lee Na-young’, selecting the object. The controller 180 provides control to allow the object being displayed (e.g., text of “Lee Na-young”) on the main device 100 to be displayed on the sub-device 300.
Thereafter, when the user maintains the touch for more than two or three seconds, namely, when the user inputs a long touch, the controller 180 displays an image of the object ‘Lee Na-young’ on the sub-device 300. When the touch is removed (namely, when the user takes off his hands, the object (e.g., ‘Lee Na-young’) and the selection bar 422, which have been displayed on the sub-device 300, are moved to the main device 100. In this respect, however, the terminal may be set such that the object (e.g., ‘Lee Na-young’) and the selection bar 422 are displayed as it is on the sub-device 300. In addition, the object (e.g., ‘Lee Na-young’) and the selection bar 422 may be moved to the main device with the lapse of a certain time.
When a touch detected from the exterior is a long touch (a touch of at least more than two to three seconds), the controller 180 moves an image list (e.g., the object ‘Lee Na-young’) of the main device 100 corresponding to the touched point to display it on the sub-device 300 as shown in FIG. 41. The long touch may be used to selectively move a desired one of the objects displayed on the main device 100 to the sub-device 300. The user performs long touch on a specific object of the main device 100 to move it to be displayed on the sub-device 300. Meanwhile, if unnecessarily too many objects are displayed on the sub-device 300, the user may selectively move to display the objects of the sub-device 300 on the main device 100 by using a certain touch input.
When the first and second bodies 100 and 300 are separated, the controller 180 establishes a short range radio communication path between the two devices 100 and 300. Transmission of a control signal or a data signal between the two separated devices 100 and 300 is made via the established short-range radio communication path. When Bluetooth™ is adapted as the short-range radio communication method, the first body 100 or the second body 300 may be used as a Bluetooth headset.
The mobile terminal shown in FIG. 49 is implemented such that the two components (i.e., first body 100 and second body 300) are coupled in four directions, and the fastening unit applicable for the coupling is as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13.
When a ‘sub-device-main device’ is set in the charge priority setting, the controller 180 starts charging of the main device 100 after the sub-device 300 is completely charged. If the ‘main device-sub-device’ is set, the main device3 100 is first charged and then the sub-device 300 is charged.
The user may set the ‘charge completion notification’ only at one of the two devices 100 and 300 or at both of the devices 100 and 300.
When the sub-device 300 is checked to be in a state of being coupled to the main device 100 in step S30, the sub-device 300 directly outputs an alarm to allow the user to recognize that its battery has been charged (S60). Also, the main device 100 displays a ‘charge completion’ icon at the indicator region for user recognition. Of course, the sub-device 300 may also display the ‘charge completion’ icon at one side of the display.
a main device configured to perform wireless communication and having a display configured to display first data; and
a secondary device configured to be detachably coupled to the main device and having a transparent touch panel input unit configured to display second data, the transparent touch panel input unit configured to receive input from a user, the secondary device being further configured to position the transparent touch panel input unit to at least partially overlap the display of the main device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device and to communicate with the main device when coupled to the main device and when separated from the main device,
wherein when the transparent touch panel input unit is positioned overlapping the display of the main device, at least a portion of the first data is visible behind the second data, and
wherein input from the user received at the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device controls the main device.
a connection unit configured to electrically connect the secondary device to the main device for at least one of signal transmission or data transmission between the main device and the secondary device.
the connection unit is further configured to provide a wireless connection between the main device and the secondary device.
a coupling means for detachably coupling the secondary device to the main device.
the coupling means includes at least one first magnet positioned at a perimeter of the secondary device and at least one second magnet positioned on the main device, the at least one second magnet configured to correspond to the at least one first magnet.
6. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, the coupling means comprising:
a slot in the main device, the slot being configured to receive and retain the secondary device.
7. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, the coupling means comprising:
a first hinge portion positioned at one side of the main device; and
a second hinge portion positioned at one side of the secondary device, the second hinge portion configured to engage the first hinge portion,
wherein the first and second hinge portions are configured to allow rotational movement between the main device and the secondary device.
8. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, the coupling means comprising:
a recess in a surface of the main device, the recess having a shape and size substantially matching a perimeter of the secondary device, and each of at least one pair of opposing sides of the recess having a protrusion extending therefrom juxtaposed to the surface of the main device having the recess, the protrusions extending into the recess,
wherein the secondary device is flexible and configured to be bent from a substantially flat condition to a curved position such that the secondary device may be positioned in the recess in the main device and return to a substantially flat condition when released with each of at least one corresponding pair of opposing sides of the secondary device being positioned between a respective protrusion of the main device and a bottom surface of the recess of the main device.
9. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, further comprising:
retention means for retaining the secondary device in a coupling relationship with the main device.
a periphery of the secondary device includes a frame of a material stiffer than the transparent touch panel input unit.
11. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein:
the secondary device is configured to receive power from the main device.
an indicator for displaying whether the main device and secondary device are in a coupled state or a separated state.
13. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device is configured to:
display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is coupled to the main device; and
cease to display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit and to display third data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
14. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein:
the main device and the secondary device are configured to perform as an interphone when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
15. A method of operating a mobile terminal, comprising:
displaying first data on a display of a main device, wherein the main device is configured to perform wireless communication;
displaying second data on a transparent touch panel input unit of a secondary device that is configured to be detachably coupled to the main device, wherein: the transparent touch panel input unit is configured to receive input, the secondary device is further configured to position the transparent touch panel input unit to at least partially overlap the display of the main device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device, and the secondary device is further configured to communicate with the main device when coupled to the main device and when separated from the main device,
displaying at least a portion of the first data to be visible behind the second data when the transparent touch panel input unit is positioned to at least partially overlap the display of the main device, and
receiving input at the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device to control the main device.
electrically connecting the secondary device to the main device via a connection unit that is configured for at least signal transmission or data transmission between the main device and the secondary device.
electrically connecting the secondary device to the main device includes wirelessly connecting the secondary device to the main device.
receiving power at the secondary device from the main device.
displaying the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit of the secondary device when the secondary device is coupled to the main device; and
ceasing to display the second data on the transparent touch panel input unit and displaying third data on the transparent touch panel input unit when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
operating the main device and the secondary device as an interphone when the secondary device is separated from the main device.
Publication number: 20100222110
Patent Grant number: 8565829
Inventors: Jong-Hwan KIM (Gyeonggi-Do), Sang-Yun OH (Seoul), Ji-Woon KIM (Seoul), Sang-Hyuck LEE (Seoul), Nam-Yong Park (Gyeonggi-Do)
Application Number: 12/603,513