Patent Document

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2005-0043863, filed on May 24, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a display unit and to a mobile terminal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display unit having a reduced thickness, and to a thin mobile terminal having a reduced thickness display unit. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
     FIG. 1  is a side view showing a display unit of a conventional mobile terminal. 
   The conventional display unit includes a display  114  having a front side configured to be exposed on an outer surface of a case  112 , a keypad assembly  116  disposed below the display  114  for inputting information, and an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board)  120  for electrically connecting the display  114  and the keypad assembly  116 . Display related components  118  are mounted on the FPCB  120 . 
   The keypad assembly  116  includes key buttons  122  configured to be exposed on an outer surface of the case  112  for pressing activation by an operator, and a board  126  connected with the FPCB  120  by a connector  132 . The board  126  includes dome switches  124  mounted on its front surface for inputting signals according to a pressing operation of the key buttons  122 , and a connector  136  mounted at its rear surface for connection with a main PCB mounted in a terminal body. 
   A pad  130  is attached at a lower surface of the key buttons  122 , and includes actuators  128  for transferring the pressing operation of the key buttons  122  to the dome switches  124 . 
   The FPCB  120  is connected with one end of the display  114  and is configured to be folded along a lower surface of the display  114 . The connector  132  is mounted on a lower surface of the FPCB  120 , and connects the display related components  118  with the board  126 . 
   Because the thickness (T 1 ) of the conventional display unit is the sum of the thickness of the display  114 , the thickness of the folded FPCB  120 , the thickness of the connector  132 , the thickness of the board  126 , and the thickness of the connector  136 , it is accordingly relatively thick. Thus, the overall thickness of a mobile terminal having such a conventional display unit is increased. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing, the present invention, through one or more of its various aspects, embodiments, and/or specific features or sub-components, is thus intended to bring out one or more of the advantages as specifically noted below. 
   One exemplary feature of the present invention is to provide a display unit with a reduced thickness by elimination of the FPCB which generally connects a display and a keypad. This can be achieved by integrally forming the display with a keypad. This can result in a thinner mobile terminal, and a reduction in fabrication costs. 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit including a display having a first surface, a second surface and a side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a board configured to extend from the side surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. 
   The display and the board may be integrally formed. The board may include a component mounted thereon, a total thickness of the board and the component being less than a thickness of the display. The display and the board may be fabricated as a single assembly. 
   Switches configured for inputting signals by pressing key buttons may be mounted on an upper surface of the board. The switches may include dome switches. The switches may include touch sensors configured for inputting signals according to capacitance. Key buttons for activating the switches are configured and arranged to be exposed on an outer surface of a case. The key buttons may be illuminated by light emitted from the display. A light guide plate may be installed below the key buttons and configured to direct light from the display toward the key buttons. 
   The display and the board may be connected to each other via a connection member. The connection member may have a component related to operation of the display mounted on a surface thereof. A connector configured for connection to a main printed circuit board may be mounted on a rear surface of the board. 
   The board may extend from the side surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces. The side surface may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal including a terminal body and a display unit movably connected to the terminal body. The display unit includes a display having a first surface, a second surface and a side surface extending between the first surface and the second surface, and a board configured to extend from the side surface in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. 
   The display and the board may be integrally formed. The board may include a component mounted thereon, a total thickness of the board and the component being less than a thickness of the display. The display and the board may be fabricated as a single assembly. 
   Switches configured for inputting signals by pressing key buttons may be mounted on an upper surface of the board. The switches may include dome switches. The switches may include touch sensors configured for inputting signals according to capacitance. Key buttons for activating the switches are configured and arranged to be exposed on an outer surface of a case. The key buttons may be illuminated by light emitted from the display. A light guide plate may be installed below the key buttons and configured to direct light from the display toward the key buttons. 
   The display and the board may be connected to each other via a connection member. The connection member may have a component related to operation of the display mounted on a surface thereof. A connector configured for connection to a main printed circuit board in the terminal body may be mounted on a rear surface of the board. 
   The board may extend from the side surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces. The side surface may be substantially perpendicular to the first and second surfaces. 
   The display unit may be slidably connected to the terminal body. The display unit may be configured to be movable relative to the terminal body between an open position and a closed position. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a display unit of a conventional mobile terminal; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the display unit in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. 
   The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a mobile terminal in accordance with first embodiment of the present invention. Examples of such a mobile terminal include, but are not limited to, a mobile phone, a PDA, a laptop computer, a portable music player, a portable game device, a camera, or a camcorder. 
     FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. Examples of such a display unit include, but are not limited to, LCD or plasma type displays. 
   The mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 2  includes a terminal body  10  which includes a keypad  12  mounted on its front surface to allow a user to input information, and a battery  14  mounted on its rear surface. A display unit  20  is mounted in such a manner as to be opened and closed relative to the terminal body  10 . The display unit has a display  22  for displaying information. As noted above, the display can be any suitable type of display, such as an LCD. 
   A main PCB (printed circuit board) on which various circuit components are mounted is installed inside the terminal body  10 , and is electrically connected with the display unit  20 . 
   The mobile terminal depicted in  FIG. 2  is a slide type mobile terminal in which the display unit  20  is mounted so as to be slidable over the terminal body  10 . However, any suitable type of mobile terminal display mounting can be provided, such as a folder type, a bar type or a swivel type. 
   The display unit  20  includes a case  24 , the display  22  being mounted on the case  24  for displaying information. A board  32  is directly connected with the display  22 , and has switches  30  formed on its front surface for inputting information. The board  32  has components  26  related to operation of the display on its lower surface, and a connector  28  for connection with the main PCB on its lower surface. The board  32  can be any suitable type of board, such as a hard PCB, or a flexible FPCB. 
   The display  22  has a first surface  80 , a second surface  82  and a plurality of side surfaces  84  between the first surface  80  and the second surface  82 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the board  32  extends from one of the side surfaces  84  in a longitudinal direction, substantially perpendicular to such side surface  84 . The board  32  also extends substantially parallel to the first and second surfaces  80 ,  82 . 
   Key buttons  36  for inputting signals according to a pressing operation by a user are disposed on the case  24  in such a manner as to be exposed to an outer surface of the case  24 . The switches  30  may be of any suitable type, such as dome switches, for activation by operation of the key buttons  36 . A pad  38  on which actuators  40  for pressing the switches  30  are formed is attached on the lower surface of the key buttons  36 . Further, although key buttons  36  are shown in embodiment depicted in  FIG. 3 , any suitable type of input device may be provided. 
   The board  32  and the display  22  may be fabricated as a single assembly such that the display  22  and the board  32  are integrally connected. The board  32  and the display  22  may be integrally fabricated and then assembled inside the case  24 . Providing such an integral board and display reduces fabrication costs and the potential for erroneous assembly. 
   The board  32  and the display  22  may also be disposed on the same plane so as to be level with each other. As shown in  FIG. 3 , one end of the display  22  and one end of the board  32  are directly connected and horizontally disposed to relative to each other. 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , the total thickness of the board  32 , and the connector  28  and components  26  mounted on the board  32 , is preferably smaller than the thickness (T 2 ) of the display  22 . Accordingly, since the thickness (T 2 ) of the display  22  is larger than the combined thickness of the components mounted in the display unit  20 , the thickness of the overall display unit  20  can be reduced. 
   A light guide plate  34  is provided on the upper surface of the board  32 , for guiding a portion of the light generated by a light emitting element of the display  22  toward the key buttons  36 . In this manner, light for illuminating the display  22  can be diffused to the light guide plate  34  in order to illuminate the key buttons  36 . Since light from the light emitting element of the display  22  is used to illuminate the key buttons  36 , it is not necessary to provide a separate light emitting diode on the board  32 , and fabrication costs can be reduced. 
   Assembly of a mobile terminal in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, switches  30  are installed on the upper surface of the board  32 , the display related components  26  and the connector  28  are mounted on the bottom surface of the board  32 , and the board  32  and the display  22  are integrally connected to form a single assembly. Next, the light guide plate  34  is installed on the upper surface of the board  32 , and one side of the light guide plate  34  is connected with the light emitting element of the display  22 . The board  32  and the display  22 , fabricated as a single assembly, can then be assembled in the case  24  to complete assembly of the display unit  20 . 
     FIG. 4  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The display unit in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the display unit of the first embodiment, except that the switches are in the form of touch sensors operated according to capacitance. Touch buttons  52  which are activated according to the touch of a user are provided on the case  24 . Touch sensors  50 , which generate signals according to capacitance by a user touching the touch buttons  52 , are installed on the upper surface of the board  32 . 
   Since the display unit in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention includes touch sensors  50 , there are no upwardly protruding portions, such as the dome switches  30 . Accordingly, the thickness of the display unit can be reduced further. 
     FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of a display unit in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 6  is a front view of the display unit of the third embodiment. 
   The display unit in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention includes a case  24 , a display  22  mounted in the case  24 , and a board  32  disposed on the same horizontal plane as the display  22 . The board  32  has switches  50  provided on its front surface for inputting information, and a connector  28  mounted on its lower surface for connection with the main PCB. A connection member  62  is connected with one end of the display  22 , and is disposed to be level with the display  22 . The connection member  62  has a connector  68  on an end opposite from the display  22 , which is connected with the board  32 . The connection member  62  also has components  64  related to the operation of the display mounted on a surface thereof. 
   The connection member  62  may be in the form of an FPCB. One end of the connection member  62  is connected to the display  22  in any suitable manner, such as by bonding. The other end of the connection member  62  includes the connector  68  which is configured for connection with the board  32 . The display related components  64  may be mounted on upper or lower surfaces of the connection member  62 . The connection member  62  has a smaller thickness than that of the display  22 . 
   The board  32  may be similar to the boards described with regard to the first and the second embodiments. However, instead of being connected directly to the display  22 , the board  32  in the third embodiment would be configured to connect with the connector  68  of the connection member  62 . 
   The mobile terminal in accordance with the present invention has many advantages. For example, since the display and the board of the keypad assembly are directly connected and formed as a single assembly, the thickness of the display unit can be reduced. Accordingly, the mobile terminal can be thinner. Since the assembly process of the display unit is simplified, the fabrication process and fabrication costs can be also reduced. 
   The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
   The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
   One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
   The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. 
   Although the invention has been described with reference to several exemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have been used are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified. Rather, the above-described embodiments should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, changes may be made within the metes and bounds of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.

Technology Category: 5