Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8681103B2/en
Timestamp: 2020-01-18 21:04:12
Document Index: 154845526

Matched Legal Cases: ['§119', 'Application No. 10', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'art 210', 'Application No. 201010226057', 'Application No. 10']

US8681103B2 - Mobile terminal - Google Patents
US8681103B2
US8681103B2 US12/824,620 US82462010A US8681103B2 US 8681103 B2 US8681103 B2 US 8681103B2 US 82462010 A US82462010 A US 82462010A US 8681103 B2 US8681103 B2 US 8681103B2
US12/824,620
US20110006992A1 (en
Yongduk CHA
Changgui Sung
2009-07-07 Priority to KR1020090061856A priority Critical patent/KR101578736B1/en
2009-07-07 Priority to KR10-2009-0061856 priority
2010-06-28 Application filed by LG Electronics Inc filed Critical LG Electronics Inc
2010-06-28 Assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC. reassignment LG ELECTRONICS INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHA, YONGDUK, SUNG, CHANGGUI
2011-01-13 Publication of US20110006992A1 publication Critical patent/US20110006992A1/en
2014-03-25 Publication of US8681103B2 publication Critical patent/US8681103B2/en
Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119, this application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2009-0061856, filed on Jul. 7, 2009, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal including a touch screen.
As functions are becoming diversified, terminals are implemented in the form of multimedia players supporting complex functions such as capturing images or video, reproducing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcasts, etc.
In order to support or increase the functions of the terminals, modifications of structural parts and/or software parts of the terminals may be taken into consideration.
Recently, applications of a touch screen to mobile terminals are increasing. A touch screen simultaneously performs inputting and outputting of information, so it can reduce a disposition space of an input unit and implement a large-scale display, thus implementing more intuitional and convenient user interface, and as such, the touch screen thus receives much attention.
However, the touch screen does not have a structure in which at least a portion thereof is relatively moved, so it is not suitable to provide a physical click sensation to users, and in some cases, such touch screen structure may cause a user inconvenience when the user performs inputting.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal having an interface which is conveniently opened and closed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that can use both input methods through a touch screen and a mechanical keypad while utilizing the entire area of the touch screen.
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 terminal body having a radio communication function; a touch screen mounted on a front surface of the terminal body and outputting touch inputtable visual information; a flip keypad having a plurality of keys on a surface thereof, the flip keypad being connected to one end of the terminal body such that the flip keypad is reversibly turned over from a first state in which the flip keypad faces the rear surface of the terminal body to a second state in which the flip keypad faces the front surface of the terminal body; and a controller configured to execute a first input mode through the touch screen in the first status and a second input mode through the keypad in the second status.
The touch screen may include a first area covered by the flip keypad in the second status; and a second area exposed in the second status and outputting information inputted through the flip keypad in the second status.
The touch screen may display first visual information at the first and second areas in the first status, and second visual information at the second area in the second status.
The flip keypad may include: a keypad main body having a plurality of key buttons; and a connection member rotatably connecting the keypad main body to the terminal body.
The mobile terminal may further include: an attaching and detaching unit configured to detachably attach the keypad main body to the rear and front surfaces of the terminal body; and an attaching and detaching sensor configured to sense mounting of the keypad main body on the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body and transfer corresponding information to the controller.
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 another aspect a method for controlling a mobile terminal, including: executing a first input mode in a touch screen disposed on a front surface of a terminal body; detecting the position of the flip keypad, connected with one end of the terminal body, with respect to the terminal body so that the flip keypad can selectively overlap with one of the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body; and when the flip keypad partially covers the touch screen, outputting an area that can be inputted by the flip keypad to an exposed area of the touch screen and executing a second input mode.
The second input mode may include at least one of dialing, messaging, Web browsing, looking up dictionary, a messenger, and a file transmission.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are front perspective views of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing an operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 5A to 5C are front views showing first examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views showing second examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views showing third examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are front views showing fourth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are front views showing fifth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views showing sixth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are front views showing seventh examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are front views showing eighth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a different embodiment of a connection member applied to a flip keypad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 15A and 15B are sectional views showing an example of an attaching and detaching unit applied to the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 16A and 16B are sectional views showing another example of an attaching and detaching unit applied to the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The A/V input unit 120 is configured to receive an audio or video signal. The NV input unit 120 may include a camera 121 (or other image capture device) and a microphone 122 (or other sound pick-up device). The camera 121 processes image data of still pictures or video obtained by an image capture device in a video capturing mode or an image capturing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on a display unit 151 (or other visual output device).
The user input unit 130 (or other user input device) may generate input data from commands entered by a user to control various operations of the mobile terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a flip keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (e.g., a touch sensitive member that detects changes in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc. due to being contacted) a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.
FIGS. 2A to 2C are front perspective views of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side perspective view showing an operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The mobile terminal 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal body 200 and a flip keypad 300 connected with the terminal body 200.
A wireless communication unit 110 (See FIG. 1) provided within the terminal body 200 in order to perform a radio communication function.
The terminal body 200 includes the case (or casing, housing, cover, etc.) constituting the external appearance. The cases may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may be made of a metallic material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti), etc.
A display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a microphone 152, and the like, may be disposed on the front surface of the terminal body 200.
The display unit 151 occupies the most parts of a circumferential surface of the terminal body 200. The following description will be based on the implementation of the display unit 151 in the form of a ‘touch screen’ outputting visual information that can be touch-inputted, and in the following description, the ‘display unit 151’ will be referred to as a ‘touch screen 151’ for the sake of explanation.
The audio output unit 151 is disposed at an area adjacent to one end portion among both end portions of the touch screen 151, and the microphone 122 is disposed at an area adjacent to the other end portion.
The flip keypad 300 is configured to input information for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100 and connected with one end of the terminal body 200. With reference to FIG. 3, the flip keypad 300 can be rotatably connected with one end of the terminal body 200 and may be detachably attached to the rear and front surfaces of the terminal body 200, respectively.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the state in which the flip keypad 300 is mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body 200 will be referred to as a ‘first status’, and a state in which the flip keypad 300 is mounted on the front surface of the terminal body 200 will be referred to as a ‘second status’.
FIG. 2A shows the first status in which the flip keypad 300 is mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body 200, FIG. 2B shows a state in which the flip keypad is separated from the rear surface of the terminal body 200, and FIG. 2C shows the second status in which the flip keypad 300 is mounted on the front surface of the terminal body 200. FIG. 3 shows the sequential process of changing the mobile terminal from the first status to the second status.
With reference to FIG. 2B, the touch screen 151 may include a first area R1 and a second area R2.
The first area R1 is covered by the flip keypad 300 in the second status, and the second area R2 is exposed in the second status. The first area R1 and the second area R2 configure the entire screen of the touch screen 151 and are exposed in the first status.
The touch screen 151 may output visual information to the first area R1 and the second area R2, namely, to the entire screen, in the first status as shown in FIG. 2A. Meanwhile, the touch screen outputs information inputted through the flip keypad 300 to the second area R2 in the second status. In this case, the touch screen 151 can output visual information only to the second area R2 in the second status.
In this manner, the mobile terminal provides a novel foam factor providing a combined use of the input schemes through the touch screen 151 and the flip keypad 300 while using the entire area of the touch screen 151.
Accordingly to the present exemplary embodiment, the flip keypad 300 may include a keypad main body 310 and a connection member 320.
The keypad main body 310 may have a form of a plate having a smaller area than that of the front surface of the terminal body 200. The case constituting the external appearance of the keypad main body 310 may be formed by injection-molding a synthetic resin or may be made of a metallic material. Electronic components such as a printed circuit board (PCB), or the like, are mounted within the case. The keypad main body 310 is configured to cover the rear surface of the terminal body 200 in the first status, and cover the first area R1 of the touch screen 151 in the second status.
A plurality of key buttons 311 are mounted on the keypad main body 310. Characters, numbers, symbols, and the like, used for an inputting operation in the mobile terminal are displayed on the key buttons.
The key buttons 311 may be arranged in a Qwerty form on the keypad main body 310. This is to allow the user to more conveniently input information by arranging the key buttons such that they are similar to those of computer key boards. The key buttons 311 may be implemented in the form of dome switches for inputting information through a pressing manipulation, and this kind of structure provides a click sensation to the user when key inputting is performed in the second status.
With reference to FIG. 3, the keypad main body 310 includes a first face S1 and a second face S2.
Key buttons 311 are arranged on the first face S1 of the keypad main body 310. The first face S1 of the keypad main body 310 is mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body 200 in the first status, and exposed in the firs status.
The second face S2 of the keypad main body 310 is in the opposite direction of the first face S1. The second face S2 of the keypad body 310 is exposed in the first status, and mounted on the front surface of the terminal body 200 in the second status.
Meanwhile, the connection member 320 rotatably connects the keypad main body 310 to the terminal body 200. According to the present exemplary embodiment, one end of the connection member 320 is rotatably connected with the terminal body 200, and the other end is fixed to the keypad main body 310. Without being limited thereto, the connection member 320 may be configured such that both ends thereof are rotatably connected with the terminal body 200 and the keypad main body 310.
The connection member 320 may be configured to be deformed when the mobile terminal is changed from the first status to the second status or from the second status to the first status. Both sides of the connection member 320 are in contact with the rear and front surfaces of the terminal body 200 in the first and second statuses, and in this case, the connection member 320 may be deformed to correspond to the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body 200. The connection member 320 may be made of a material that can be elastically deformed, e.g., rubber, silicon, flexible plastic, and the like.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Arrows in FIG. 4 indicate a signal flow.
The mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an attaching and detaching sensor 142 configured to sense mount of the keypad main body 310 on the front or rear surface of the terminal body 200 and transfer corresponding information to the controller 180.
The attaching and detaching sensor 142 may be implemented to have any form so long as it can sense whether or not the keypad main body 310 is mounted. For example, the attaching and detaching sensor 142 may be implemented in the form of a proximity sensor. Also, when the keypad main body 310 includes magnets, the attaching and detaching sensor 142 may be implemented in the form of a magnetic sensor for sensing the strength of a magnetic field generated from the magnets.
When the keypad main body is mounted on the front or rear surface of the terminal body 200, the attaching and detaching sensor 142 senses that and transfers corresponding information to the controller 180. Then, the controller 180 executes various input modes based on the information.
When the mobile terminal is in the first status, the controller 180 executes the first input mode through the touch screen 151. In this case, the controller 180 applies a command for activating the touch screen 151 to the touch screen. Accordingly, the touch screen 151 displays ‘first visual information’ on the first and second areas S1 and S2, namely, on the entire screen, in the first status.
When the mobile terminal is in the second status, the controller 180 executes a second input mode through the flip keypad 300. The controller 180 applies a corresponding command to the flip keypad 300 so that inputting can be performed through the flip keypad 300. When there is an input through the flip keypad 300 in the second status, the touch screen 151 displays ‘second visual information’ on the second area R2.
In this manner, when the mobile terminal is changed to the second state, the controller 180 may control the touch screen 151 to deactivate the first area R1 of the touch screen 151.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are front views showing first examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Various types of visual information may be displayed on the touch screen. These information may be displayed in the form of characters, numbers, symbols, graphics, icons, or the like.
In order to input such information, at least one of the characters, numbers, symbols, graphics, and icons may be displayed in a certain array to implement a keypad form. This keypad may be so called a ‘soft keypad’.
FIG. 5A shows receiving a touch applied to the soft keys on the touch screen 151 of the mobile terminal, and a phone number input mode is illustrated as an example of the first input mode.
In the present exemplary embodiment, an output window 151 a and a soft keypad 151 b are displayed as first visual information at upper and lower portions of the touch screen 151. The output window 151 a refers to an area from which information inputted through the soft keypad 151 b is outputted, and the soft keypad 151 b displays numbers for inputting a phone number or the like.
When a particular number key of the soft keypad 151 b is touched, a number corresponding to the touched number key is displayed on the output window 151 a. When a key for a command for a call is touched, a call connection to the phone number displayed on the output window 151 a is attempted.
FIG. 5B shows video or a photo image outputted on the touch screen 151 in a video reproduction mode or a photo output mode. When the FIG. 5A shows a case in which the terminal body 200 is disposed vertically (portrait), FIG. 5B shows a case in which the terminal body 200 is disposed horizontally (landscape). The touch screen 151 may be configured such that an output screen is converted according to a placement direction of the terminal body 200.
In a state that video, a photo image, or the like, is outputted to the first and second areas, namely, to the entire screen, of the touch screen 151, when one portion of the touch screen 151 is touched, soft keys for controlling a corresponding mode can be outputted.
The touch screen 151 may be configured to receive a touch through scrolling as well as the input methods as described above. The user may scroll the touch screen 151 to move a cursor or a pointer positioned on an entity, e.g., an icon, or the like, displayed on the touch screen 151. In addition, when the user moves his finger on the touch screen 151, a path along which the user's finger moves may be visually displayed on the display unit 151. This will be useful in editing an image displayed on the touch screen 151.
When the touch screen 151 is multi-touched within a certain time range, one function of the mobile terminal can be executed. The multi-touching refers to a case in which the user clamps the terminal body by using his thumb and index finger, and the one function may refer to activating or deactivating the touch screen 151.
FIG. 5C shows receiving of information through the flip keypad 300 in the second status of the mobile terminal, and a text message input mode is illustrated as an example of the second input mode.
In the present exemplar embodiment, an output window 151 d is displayed as second visual information on the second area R2 of the touch screen 151. When the second visual information is displayed on the second area R2, the first area R1 of the touch screen 151 may be deactivated.
When the user manipulates in a pressing manner the key buttons 311 indicated with text or the like thereon, text corresponding to the manipulated key buttons 311 is displayed on the output window 151 d.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are front views showing second examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
The mobile terminal according to the present invention may be configured to input information by the combined use of the touch screen 151 and the flip keypad 300 when one operation mode is executed. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a Web browsing mode as an example of the operation mode.
As shown in FIG. 6 a, a Web browser may be displayed on the touch screen 151, and the user may input various types of information by touching the touch screen in the first input mode. For example, the user may input a command by touching the touch screen or may input a command for adjusting a screen size, a screen shift, or the like, through scrolling, flicking, dragging operations.
In the first status, when the user wants to input text while performing Web browsing (for example, when the user wants to input an address to an address window of the Web browser), the user may mount the flip keypad 300 present on the rear surface of the terminal body 200 to the front surface of the terminal body 200 to change the mobile terminal from the first status to the second status.
In this case, the second input mode may be automatically executed through the flip keypad 300. For example, a cursor may be activated to allow for inputting of text to the address window 151 e of the Web browser. When the user manipulates in a pressing manner the key buttons 311, text corresponding to the manipulated key buttons 311 is displayed on the address window 151 e.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are front views showing third examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7A shows a multimedia search or appreciation mode including photo images image as an example of various utilization modes of the mobile terminal.
As shown in FIG. 7A, a list of photo images are displayed on the touch screen 151. Some of the photo images may be outputted in a preview form 151 f. With the photo image selected, the user may position the flip keypad 300 present on the rear surface of the terminal body 200 to the front surface of the terminal body 200. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the touch screen is changed to an editing mode in which the photo image 151 f can be sent to a counterpart inputted by the user or a stored counterpart. Namely, a current display state may be changed to a state in which the user can immediately add multimedia and transmit it to a particular person by simply changing the position of the flip keypad 300. In this case, user may create a message along with enclosure of the selected file. File sending may be made through an e-mail, a messenger program, or the like.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are front views showing fourth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the touch screen 151 may output a standby screen image or an idle screen image. In this state, when the flip keypad 300 is moved to be positioned on the front surface of the terminal body 200 from the rear surface of the terminal body 200, a function list 151 i related to the use of the flip keypad 300 as shown in FIG. 8B may be displayed on the touch screen 151. The list may include creation and sending of a text message, execution of Web browsing, an e-mail, and the like. The user may select a desired function from the list and execute it.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are front views showing fifth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In FIGS. 9A and 9B, performing scheduling through a calendar is illustrated as an example of the various utilization modes of the mobile terminal.
As shown in FIG. 9A, a calendar 151 j is displayed on the touch screen 151. In this state, the user may move to position the flip keypad 300 on the front surface of the terminal body 200 from the rear surface of the terminal body 200. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, information 151 k related to an event, time, or the like, to be described with respect to a selected date may be inputted through the flip keypad 300.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are front views showing sixth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 10A, the touch screen 151 may output a certain mode. In this state, when the flip keypad 300 of the rear surface of the terminal body 200 is moved to be positioned on the front surface of the terminal body 200, a social network service (SNS) (e.g., twitter, facebook, etc.) may be executed on the touch screen 151 as shown in FIG. 10B. The user then can immediately enjoy SNS by simply changing the position of the flip keypad 300 and directly create a sentence 1511 by using the flip keypad 300 on the touch screen 151 and store or transmit the same.
FIGS. 11A and 11B are front views showing seventh examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 11A, in a state that the touch screen 151 executes a certain mode (Mode A), the user may be contacted by a particular person online through a messenger.
In this state, when the flip keypad 300 is moved to be positioned on the front surface of the terminal body 200 from the rear surface of the terminal body 200, a messenger screen image 151 n is immediately displayed on the touch screen 151. Conversely, when the flip keypad 300 is moved to be positioned on the front surface of the terminal body 200 from the rear surface of the terminal body 200, the user may determine a counterpart of the messenger and transmit and receive characters in real time.
While the messenger 151 n is being executed, a different executed mode 151 o is displayed through a different window of the touch screen 151.
FIGS. 12A and 12B are front views showing eighth examples of the operational state of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 12A, while the touch screen 151 is executing a certain mode (Mode B), when the flip keypad 300 is moved to be positioned on the front surface of the terminal body 200 from the rear surface of the terminal body 200, a dictionary look-up function 151 n may be immediately displayed on the touch screen 151. Namely, the dictionary function is immediately executed through a changing operation of the flip keypad 300 from a learning mode or in a multimedia appreciation mode. The touch screen 151 may output a word list 151 q including letters being typed.
Hereinafter, a detailed structure of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, is a rear view of the mobile terminal.
The rear surface of the terminal body 200 includes a keypad mounting part 210 allowing the flip keypad 300 to be mounted thereon in the first status. The keypad mounting part 210 may be formed to be recess with a certain depth on the rear surface of the terminal body 200.
A camera 121, a flash 123, a mirror 124, and the like, may be disposed at an upper side of the keypad mounting part 210.
The camera 121 may capture an image of a subject in an image or video capture mode and may be installed on the terminal body such that it can be rotated or popped up. When an image of the subject is captured with a camera 121′, the flash 123 illuminates the subject. The mirror 124 allows the user to see himself when he wants to capture his own image (i.e., self-image capturing) by using the camera 121′ of the second body 205.
A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100 is mounted in the form of a battery on the terminal body 200. The power supply unit 190 may be installed in the terminal body 200 or may be detachably attached to the terminal body 200.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the connection member 320 is made of a material such as a flexible rubber, silicon, or the like. A rotary protrusion 321 may be formed at an end portion of the connection member 320. The rotary protrusion 321 may be inserted in an insertion recess 221 formed at one end of the terminal body 200 such that it is rotatable in the insertion recess 221.
The terminal body 200 and the keypad main body 310 are electrically connected by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The connection member 320 may include a through hole 322 allowing the FPCB 222 to pass therethrough. The FPCB 222 may be connected with the terminal body 200 and the keypad main body 310 through the through hole 322.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a different embodiment of a connection member applied to a keypad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
A connection member 320′ in the present exemplary embodiment includes a first connection member 323 having a form of a chain formed by rotatably connecting a plurality of members and a second connection member 325 made of a material that can be flexibly deformed.
In the present exemplary embodiment, a pair of first connection members 323 are formed, and the second connection member 325 is disposed between the first connection members 323. The first connection members 323 may be made of a metal material, and the second connection member 325 may be made of rubber, silicon, and the like. Here, the second connection member 325 is to provide a displacement space of the FPCB 222. Namely, the FPCB 222 is configured to pass through the second connection member 325.
FIGS. 15A and 15B are sectional views showing an example of an attaching and detaching unit applied to the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A shows the first status of the mobile terminal and FIG. 15B shows the second status of the mobile terminal.
As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the mobile terminal 100 includes an attaching and detaching unit configured to detachably attach the keypad main body 310 to the rear surface and the front surface of the terminal body 200.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the attaching and detaching unit may be implemented by a plurality of magnets generating attraction by magnetic force. These magnets may be disposed within the terminal body 200, without exposing their attachment and detachment structure, so degradation of aesthetic sense otherwise generated as the attachment and detachment structure is exposed from the terminal body 200 can be prevented.
The attaching and detaching unit may include a first attaching and detaching unit 410 configured to attach the first face S1 of the keypad main body 310 to the rear surface of the terminal body 200 in the first status and a second attaching and detaching unit 420 configured to attach the second face S2 of the keypad main body 310 to the front surface of the terminal body 200 in the second status.
As shown in FIG. 15A, the first attaching and detaching unit 410 includes a first magnet 411 disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body 200 and a second magnet 412 disposed on the first face S1 of the keypad main body 310. The first magnet 411 and the second magnet 412 are configured to generate attraction in the first status.
A pair of first magnet 411 may be disposed at two portions of the keypad mounting part 210, and a pair of second magnets 412 may be disposed at positions facing the pair of first magnets 411.
As shown in FIG. 15B, the second attaching and detaching unit 420 may include a third magnet 421 disposed on the front surface of the terminal body 200 and a fourth magnet 422 disposed on the second face s2 of the keypad main body 310. The third magnet 421 and the fourth magnet 422 are configured to generate attraction in the second status.
A pair of third magnets 421 may be disposed at both sides of the touch screen, and a pair of fourth magnets 422 may be disposed at positions facing the pair of third magnets 421 (See FIG. 2B).
The first magnet 411 and the third magnet 421 may be mounted at an inner side of the case constituting the terminal body 200, and the second magnet 412 and the fourth magnet 422 may be mounted at an inner side of the case constituting the keypad main body.
Meanwhile, a magnetic sensor for sensing the strength of a magnetic field generated from at least one of the first to fourth magnets 411, 412, 421, 422 may be used as the attaching and detaching sensor 142. For example, the magnetic sensor mounted at the terminal body 200 measures the strength of a magnetic field generated from the second magnet 412 and the fourth magnet 422, and if the measured strength of the magnetic field is greater than a reference value, the controller 180 recognizes that the keypad main body 310 has been mounted.
FIGS. 16A and 16B are sectional views showing another example of an attaching and detaching unit applied to the mobile terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16A shows the first status of the mobile terminal and FIG. 16B shows the second status of the mobile terminal.
In the present exemplary embodiment, an attaching and detaching unit has the same configuration as that of the former embodiment, except for the second magnet 412 and the fourth magnet 422 of the attaching and detaching unit of the former embodiment.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the second magnet 412 and the fourth magnet 422 of the former embodiment are integrated to be implemented as a single magnet 431. In this case, the both sides of the magnet 431 have different polarities, and the faces of the first magnet 411 and the third magnet 421 facing the magnet 431 may have different polarities from those of the both sides of the magnet 431.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the two magnets 412 and 422 of the former embodiment are implemented as the single magnet 431, the number of magnets can be reduced and a magnet mounting space of the keypad main body 310 can be reduced.
As so far described, the mobile terminal according to at least one of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is configured such that, in a state that the mechanical keypad is mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, an input mode is executed through the touch screen, and in a state that the keypad is mounted on the front surface of the terminal body, an input mode is executed through the keypad, thus providing a form factor that can maximize the advantages of the input scheme of the dome switches of the touch screen.
a terminal body having a radio communication function;
a touch screen mounted on a front surface of the terminal body to output visual information;
a flip keypad having a plurality of keys on a surface of the flip keypad, the flip keypad being connected to one end of the terminal body such that the flip keypad is reversibly turned over from a first state in which the flip keypad faces a rear surface of the terminal body to a second state in which the flip keypad faces the front surface of the terminal body; and
a controller configured to execute a first input mode through the touch screen in the first state and a second input mode through the flip keypad in the second state,
wherein the flip keypad includes:
a keypad main body having a plurality of key buttons, and
a connection member rotatably connecting the keypad main body to the terminal body, the connection member is rotatably connected with one end of the terminal body, and when the connection member is brought into contact with the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body, the connection member is deformed to correspond to the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body,
wherein the mobile terminal further comprises an attaching and detaching unit configured to detachably attach the flip keypad main body to the rear and front surfaces of the terminal body,
wherein the attaching and detaching unit comprises:
a first attaching and detaching unit configured to attach the rear surface of the terminal body and the first face of the flip keypad main body; and
a second attaching and detaching unit configured to attach the front surface of the terminal body and the second face of the flip keypad main body, and
wherein the first attaching and detaching unit includes a first magnet disposed at the rear surface of the terminal body and a second magnet disposed at the first face of the flip keypad main body and generating attraction with the first magnet, and
the second attaching and detaching unit includes a third magnet disposed at the front surface of the terminal body and a fourth magnet disposed at the second face of the flip keypad main body and generating attraction with the third magnet.
2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the touch screen comprises:
a first area covered by the flip keypad in the second state; and
a second area exposed in the second state and outputting information inputted through the flip keypad in the second state.
3. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the touch screen displays first visual information at the first and second areas in the first state, and displays second visual information at the second area in the second state.
4. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the touch screen to deactivate the first area in the second state.
5. The mobile terminal of claim 2, wherein a keypad mounting part is formed to be recessed on the rear surface of the terminal body in order to allow the flip keypad to be mounted therein.
6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the keypad main body comprises:
a first face having key buttons arranged thereon and mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body in the first state; and
a second face being in the opposite direction and mounted on the front surface of the terminal body in the second state.
7. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the connection member is made of a material that can be flexibly deformed, or has a form of a chain to which a plurality of members are rotatably connected.
a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) configured to electrically connect the terminal body and the keypad main body,
wherein the connection member comprises a through hole allowing the FPCB to pass therethrough.
9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnets are mounted at an inner side of a case constituting the terminal body, and the second and fourth magnets are mounted at an inner side of a case constituting the keypad main body.
10. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the second and fourth magnets are integrally formed.
an attaching and detaching sensor configured to sense mounting of the keypad main body on the front and rear surfaces of the terminal body and transfer corresponding information to the controller, wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor for sensing a change in a magnetic field generated from at least one of the first to fourth magnets.
a touch screen at the first surface of the body, the touch screen to display visual information;
a flip keypad having a plurality of keys, the flip keypad coupled to one end of the body, wherein in a first state the keys to face the second surface of the body, and in the second state the flip keypad is reversibly turned over from the first state such that the keys to face the first surface of the body; and
a controller to execute a first input mode to input via the touch screen while in the first state and a second input mode to input via the flip keypad while in the second state,
a keypad having the plurality of keys, and
a connection member to rotatably couple the keypad to the body, the connection member is rotatably connected with one end of the body, and when the connection member contacts the first surface, the connection member is deformed based on the first surface of the body, and when the connection member contacts the second surface, the connection member is deformed based on the second surface of the body,
wherein the mobile terminal further comprises an attaching and detaching unit to detachably attach the flip keypad to the first and second surfaces of the body,
a first attaching and detaching unit to attach the second surface of the body and the first face of the keypad; and
a second attaching and detaching unit configured to attach the first surface of the body and the second face of the keypad, and
wherein the first attaching and detaching unit includes:
a first magnet at the second surface of the body, and
a second magnet at the first face of the keypad and to generate attraction with the first magnet, and
the second attaching and detaching unit includes:
a third magnet at the first surface of the body, and
a fourth magnet at the second face of the keypad and to generate attraction with the third magnet.
13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the touch screen comprises:
a first area to be covered by the flip keypad in the second state; and
a second area to be exposed in the second state and to display information inputted through the flip keypad in the second state.
14. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the keypad comprises:
a first face having the keys arranged thereon and mounted on the second surface of the body in the first state; and
a second face being in an opposite direction as the first face, and the second face mounted on the first surface of the body in the second state.
US12/824,620 2009-07-07 2010-06-28 Mobile terminal Active 2032-10-14 US8681103B2 (en)
KR1020090061856A KR101578736B1 (en) 2009-07-07 2009-07-07 Mobile terminal
KR10-2009-0061856 2009-07-07
US20110006992A1 US20110006992A1 (en) 2011-01-13
US8681103B2 true US8681103B2 (en) 2014-03-25
ID=42984078
US12/824,620 Active 2032-10-14 US8681103B2 (en) 2009-07-07 2010-06-28 Mobile terminal
US (1) US8681103B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2280527B1 (en)
KR (1) KR101578736B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101945150B (en)
FR2965438B1 (en) * 2010-09-23 2013-07-05 Sagem Wireless Mobile terminal comprising a housing comprising two movable parts one to the other
CN102855105B (en) 2011-06-27 2015-11-25 联想(北京)有限公司 Display packing and display device
EP2555495A1 (en) * 2011-08-04 2013-02-06 Sony Mobile Communications AB Apparatus and method for state detection and terminal equipment
CN103945032A (en) * 2013-01-18 2014-07-23 联想移动通信科技有限公司 Smartphone
DE102015100344A1 (en) 2015-01-12 2016-07-14 Emporia Telecom Gmbh & Co Kg Keyboard, case and mobile terminal with such a keyboard and charging station for a mobile terminal
WO2000065804A1 (en) 1999-04-22 2000-11-02 Nokia Corporation A portable communication device
EP1259048A2 (en) 2001-05-15 2002-11-20 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Input device connected to mobile communication terminal with which characters can be input easily
CN101382822A (en) 2008-10-31 2009-03-11 华硕电脑股份有限公司 Folding type mobile operation apparatus and operation method applying thereon
MXPA01011556A (en) * 2000-03-14 2002-07-30 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Personal digital assistant telephone combination device.
KR101271533B1 (en) * 2006-08-28 2013-06-05 엘지전자 주식회사 Portable terminal
2009-07-07 KR KR1020090061856A patent/KR101578736B1/en active IP Right Grant
2010-06-23 EP EP10167085.9A patent/EP2280527B1/en active Active
2010-06-28 US US12/824,620 patent/US8681103B2/en active Active
2010-07-06 CN CN201010226057.5A patent/CN101945150B/en active IP Right Grant
Chinese Office Action dated Nov. 5, 2012 issued in Application No. 201010226057.5 (with English translation).
European Search Report dated Nov. 8, 2010 issued in Application No. 10 16 7085.
CN101945150B (en) 2014-09-17
EP2280527A1 (en) 2011-02-02
CN101945150A (en) 2011-01-12
EP2280527B1 (en) 2018-05-23
KR20110004183A (en) 2011-01-13
US20110006992A1 (en) 2011-01-13
KR101578736B1 (en) 2015-12-21
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHA, YONGDUK;SUNG, CHANGGUI;REEL/FRAME:024602/0705