KR20100033278A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal is provided to include a second color layer of light-untransmittable material with a color capable of hiding a second area, which is spread on the second area, thereby preventing the exposure of the second area for applying light to an optical processing module. CONSTITUTION: A window(130) of transparent material comprises a first area and a second area limited by the first area. A first color layer is spread on the first area and has light-untransmittable material. An optical processing module is arranged on the inner side of the second area and processes light passing through the second area. A second color layer(134) is spread on the second area and light-transmittable material. The second color layer has a color capable of hiding the second area.

Description

Mobile terminal {PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having an optical processing module for processing light incident through a light transmitting area of the terminal.

A portable terminal is a portable device that is portable and has one or more functions such as voice and video calling, information input and output, and data storage.

As the functions are diversified, for example, the mobile terminal has complex functions such as taking a picture or video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, and receiving a broadcast, and is realized in the form of a comprehensive multimedia player. It is becoming.

Many new attempts are being applied to these multimedia devices in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment is provided for a user to easily and conveniently search for or select a function.

In addition, while a mobile terminal is regarded as a personal portable device for expressing its individuality, various designs are required.

On the other hand, in order to further diversify the functions of the portable terminal, there is a trend that an optical processing module for processing light such as a camera and an optical sensor is applied to the portable terminal.

In the portable terminal to which the light processing module is applied, the present invention is to conceal the light transmitting area for injecting light into the light processing module so as not to be exposed to the outside.

The present invention for realizing the above object is a window of a transparent material having a first region and a second region defined by the first region; A first color layer applied to the first region and having an opaque material; An optical processing module disposed inside the second region and configured to process light passing through the second region; And a second color layer applied to the second area and having a light-transmissive material, wherein the second color layer has a color capable of concealing the second area in the first area. Initiate.

The second color layer may have a color having a lower visible light transmittance than the window.

The light processing module may be configured to be operated by light having a specific wavelength, and the second color layer may have a light transmittance greater than a reference value at which the light processing module can operate.

The light processing module may include a proximity sensor sensing that an object is approaching within a predetermined distance. The proximity sensor is operated by infrared rays. The second color layer may have an infrared ray transmittance higher than a reference value at which the proximity sensor can operate.

The light processing module may include an illuminance sensor for sensing the brightness of light. The illuminance sensor is operated by visible light, and the second color layer may have a visible light transmittance of a reference value at which the illuminance sensor is operable.

According to the present invention, the second color layer of the translucent material applied to the second region has a color capable of concealing the second region, thereby preventing the second region for injecting light into the light processing module from being exposed to the outside. .

In addition, according to the present invention, the second color layer may have a color having a lower visible light transmittance than the window, so that the color of the second region may be darker than that of the window.

In addition, the present invention allows the second color layer to have a light transmittance of more than a reference value, thereby providing an environment in which the light processing module can be operated and preventing the second region from being exposed to the outside.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the portable terminal which concerns on this invention is demonstrated in detail with reference to drawings.

1 is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention;

The disclosed mobile terminal has a terminal body 110 in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The terminal body 110 includes a case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 111 and a rear case 112. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The terminal body 110 includes a display unit 113, a first sound output unit 114, a first image input unit 115, first and second manipulation units 116 and 117, an audio input unit 118, an interface 119, and the like. This can be arranged.

The display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal display, organic light emitting diodes, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, and a flexible display that visually express information. ) May include at least one.

The display 113 may be configured in a form capable of a touch input as well as a visual representation of information. In this regard, the display 113 may be referred to as a “touch screen”. To this end, the display 113 may additionally have a sensor for detecting a touch, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The first sound output unit 114 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a loud speaker.

The first image input unit 115 may be implemented in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video of a user.

The first and second manipulation units 116 and 117 receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100. The first and second manipulators 116 and 117 may be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

For example, the operation unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or may be implemented by a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a method such as a joystick. Can be.

The contents input by the first or second manipulation units 116 and 117 may be variously set. For example, the first control unit 116 receives a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second control unit 117 adjusts the volume of the sound output from the first sound output unit 114 or the display unit 113. Command) such as switching to the touch recognition mode.

The sound input unit 118 may be implemented in the form of a microphone, for example, to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface unit 119 serves as a passage for allowing the portable terminal 100 according to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 119 is wired or wirelessly, a connection terminal for connecting with an earphone, a port for near field communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), a wireless LAN port, etc.), Or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the portable terminal.

The interface unit 119 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second image input unit 120 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body 110. The second image input unit 120 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (see FIG. 1) and having different pixels from the first image input unit 115.

For example, the first image input unit 115 has a low pixel so that it is easy to take a picture of a user and transmit it to a counterpart in a video call, and the second image input unit 120 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases. The first or second image input units 115 and 120 may be configured to be rotatable or pop-up.

The flash 121 and the mirror 122 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 120. The flash 121 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 120. The mirror 122 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when the user wants to photograph himself (self-photographing) by using the second image input unit 120.

The second sound output unit 123 may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body 110. The second sound output unit 123 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 114 (refer to FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

The antenna body 124 for receiving a broadcast signal may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body 110. The antenna 124 may be installed to be pulled out of the terminal body 110.

The terminal body 110 is equipped with a power supply unit 127 for supplying power to the portable terminal. The power supply unit 127 may be built in the terminal body 110 or may have a form of a battery that is detachably mounted to the terminal body 110.

3 is an exploded perspective view of a portable terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a window mounting portion 128 is formed in the front case 111. The window mounting unit 128 is mounted with a plate-shaped window 130. The window 130 is formed in a form corresponding to the window mounting unit 128.

When the portable terminal has a touch screen function, the window 130 is provided with a touch sensing unit. The touch sensing unit may be formed in the form of a touch sheet or a touch film, and a conductive pattern of a conductive material may be formed on the touch sheet or the touch film. In this case, the window 130 may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board 140 by the flexible printed circuit board 141 (FPCB).

A printed circuit board 140 (PCB) is mounted in the terminal body 110, and various electronic components for operating a portable terminal are mounted on the printed circuit board 140. For example, the display unit 113 outputting visual information through the window 130, the first sound output unit 114, the first image input unit 115, the information according to the pressing operation of the first operation unit 116. And a switch 116a for inputting a connector and a connector 142 connected to the flexible circuit board 141.

4 is a plan view of the window shown in FIG.

3 and 4, the window 130 includes a first region 131 and a second region 132 defined by the first region 131.

The first region 131 is formed so as not to pass light to cover the inside of the terminal body 110. The first area 131 is formed along the circumference of the window 130 to define an area in which the visual information of the display unit 113 is output. That is, the first region 131 may be formed in the edge region of the window 130.

The second region 132 is formed to allow light to pass from the outside into the inside of the terminal body 110 or from the inside of the terminal body 110 to the outside. The second region 132 may include first to third light emitting regions 132a, 132b, and 132c disposed at a plurality of locations of the window 130. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first to third light-transmitting regions 132a, 132b, and 132c are positioned above the window 130, but they are formed at various positions that may be defined by the first region 131. Can be.

Inside the second region 132, a light processing module for processing light passing through the second region 132 is mounted. An example of the light processing module may include an optical sensor that senses light passing through the second region 132. In this embodiment, the proximity sensor 143 and the illuminance sensor 144 are examples of the light processing module.

The proximity sensor 143 senses that an object, for example, a user's face is within a predetermined distance. The proximity sensor 143 includes a light emitter 143a that emits light toward the object and a light receiver 143b that receives light reflected from the object.

The light emitting part 143a is disposed inside the first light emitting area 132a, and the light emitted from the light emitting part 143a passes through the first light transmitting area 132a to reach the object.

The light receiving part 143b is disposed inside the second light transmitting area 132b. After the light emitted from the light emitting unit 143a reaches the object, the reflected light passes through the second light transmitting region 132b and then reaches the light receiving unit 143b.

The distance from the proximity sensor 143 to the object can be measured through the time from when the light is emitted from the light emitter 143a to the time when the light reaches the light receiver 143b.

The portable terminal may be controlled such that a specific function is activated or deactivated by the sensing result of the proximity sensor 143.

For example, when the portable terminal has a touch screen function, the portable terminal may be controlled to deactivate the function of the touch sensing unit when the face of the user approaches the window 130 within a predetermined distance. Accordingly, when a phone call is made, the user's face contacts the window 130 to prevent an erroneous touch input. In this case, the portable terminal is controlled to reactivate the function of the touch sensing unit when the face of the user moves away from the window 130 by a predetermined distance or more.

The illuminance sensor 144 is configured to sense the brightness of the light of the environment in which the portable terminal is located, and is disposed inside the third light emitting area 132c. The illuminance sensor 144 measures the brightness of the light passing through the third light emitting region 132c.

The portable terminal may be controlled to adjust the brightness of the display 113 according to the sensing result of the illumination sensor 144. For example, when the ambient brightness is dark, the display unit 113 may be controlled to output lower illuminance than usual.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the window along line VV of FIG. 4.

4 and 5, a first color layer 133 and a second color layer 134 are coated on one surface of the window 130 having a transparent material. In the following description, the first and second color layers 133 and 134 are applied to the rear surface of the window 130.

The first color layer 133 has an opaque material and is coated on the rear surface of the first region 131 of the window 130. The first color layer 133 prevents light from passing through the first region 131 and provides a predetermined color to the first region 131.

The second color layer 134 has a light transmissive material and is coated on the rear surface of the second region 132 of the window 130. The second color layer 134 has a color capable of concealing the second region 132 in the first region 131 having the color of the first color layer 133. To this end, the second color layer 134 may have a color having a lower visible light transmittance than the window 130, and may additionally have a color that is the same as or similar to that of the first color layer 133.

The second color layer 134 may include a plurality of color layers 134a, 134b and 134c applied to the rear surfaces of the first to third light-transmitting regions 132a, 132b and 132c, respectively.

The second color layer 134 prevents the second region 132 from being easily seen from the outside, thereby minimizing the influence of the second region 132 on the appearance of the terminal. In addition, due to the second color layer 134, the electronic components inside the terminal, for example, the proximity sensor 143 and the illuminance sensor 144, etc., may be prevented from being visible from the outside through the second region 132. have.

6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing how light passes through the second color layer.

On the other hand, the light processing module, that is, the proximity sensor 143 and the illumination sensor 144 is configured to be operated by light of a specific wavelength. In addition, the second color layer 134 has a light transmittance higher than a reference value at which the light processing module can operate. The reference values operable for each type of light processing module may be different from each other, and thus the light transmittance of the second color layer 134 may be different from each other. The light transmittance of the second color layer 134 may be mainly controlled by color.

Therefore, when the light transmittance between the proximity sensor 143 and the illuminance sensor 144 is different from each other, the second color layers 134a and 134b coated inside the first and second light-transmitting regions 132a and 132b. The second color layer 134c coated on the inner side of the third light-transmitting region 132c may have different colors.

The proximity sensor 143 may be configured to be operated by infrared rays. In this case, the second color layers 134a and 134b coated inside the first and second light-transmitting regions 132a and 132b have infrared transmittances higher than a reference value at which the proximity sensor 143 can operate. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the reference value is 80%, the second color layers 134a and 134b applied inside the first and second light-transmitting regions 132a and 132b have an infrared ray transmittance of 80% or more. Here, the second color layers 134a and 134b may have a visible light transmittance similar to that of the first color layer 133.

When the second color layer 134a applied to the inside of the first light-transmitting region 132a has an infrared ray transmittance of 80%, 80% of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 134a forms the first light-transmitting region 132a. To pass. When the second color layer 134b applied inside the second light-transmitting region 132b has an infrared ray transmittance of 80%, 80% of the infrared rays reaching the second light-transmitting region 132b are the second color layer. The light receiving unit 143b is reached through 134b.

The illumination sensor 144 may be configured to be operated by visible light. Here, the second color layer 134c coated on the inner side of the third light-transmitting region 132c has a visible light transmittance greater than or equal to a reference value at which the illuminance sensor 144 can operate. For example, if the reference value is 30%, the second color layer 134c coated inside the third light-transmitting region 132c may have a visible light transmittance of 30% or more. In this case, 30% or more of the visible light reaching the second color layer 134c applied inside the third light-transmitting region 132c reaches the illuminance sensor 144.

As described above, the second color layer 134 has the light transmittance above the reference value at which the second region 132 is not exposed to the outside and the light processing module can be operated.

7 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a wireless communication module 151, a touch sensing unit 157, an operation unit 116 and 117, an image input unit 115 and 120, an audio input unit 118, and a display unit. 113, sound output unit 114, 123, sensing unit 156, interface 119, broadcast receiving module 155, memory 154, power supply unit 127, light processing module 158, and control unit 150. ).

The controller 150 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like.

The wireless communication module 151 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the controller 150, the transmitter 153 is responsible for transmitting and receiving voice data, text data, image data, and control data, and modulates and transmits a signal to be transmitted, and a receiver for demodulating the received signal. 152).

The touch detector 157 detects a touch applied to the window 130 and applies a touch signal to the controller 150. The controller 150 applies a related signal to the display 113 and the sound output units 114 and 123 based on this.

The operation units 116 and 117 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the control unit 150 with key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal.

The image input units 115 and 120 process image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data that can be displayed on the display unit 113 and output to the display unit 13.

The image frames processed by the image input units 115 and 120 are stored in the memory 154 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 151 under the control of the controller 150.

The sound input unit 118 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data is converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the wireless communication module 151 in the call mode, and then output to the wireless communication module. In the recording mode, the processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 154.

The sound input unit 118 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display 113 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the control unit 150 displays and outputs a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal displays and outputs the captured image, UI, or GUI under the control of the controller 150. When the display unit 113 includes a touch screen, the display unit 113 is used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output units 114 and 123 are provided to the sound data or the memory 154 received from the wireless communication module 151 under the control of the control unit 150 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The stored sound data is converted and output to the outside.

In addition, the sound output units 114 and 123 output sound signals related to functions (for example, call signal reception sound and message reception sound) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 114 and 123 include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 156 detects a current state of the portable terminal such as an open / closed state of the portable terminal, a position of the portable terminal, presence or absence of a user contact, and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal. For example, when the portable terminal is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed is sensed so as to output a sensing result to the controller 150 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 127 is supplied with power, whether the interface 126 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The interface 119 may be connected to a mobile terminal such as a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (eg, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), or the like. It serves as an interface with the device. The interface 119 receives data from an external device or receives power and transmits the data to each component inside the portable terminal or transmits data within the portable terminal to the external device.

The memory 154 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 150, and may provide a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

The memory 154 also stores a program for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

This memory 154 includes concepts such as hard disks, card type memory (e.g. SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like, which are generally known.

The broadcast receiving module 155 receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial wave, converts the broadcast signal into a broadcast data format that can be output to the sound output units 114 and 123 and the display unit 113, and outputs the broadcast signal to the controller 150. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 155 receives additional data related to the broadcast (for example, an EPG (electric program guide), a channel list, etc.). The broadcast data and additional data converted by the broadcast receiving module 155 may be stored in the memory 154.

The power supply unit 127 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 150 to supply power for operation of each component.

As described above, the light processing module 158 processes light passing through the second region 132. The light processing module 158 may include a proximity sensor 143 and an illumination sensor 144.

The proximity sensor 143 senses that an object (eg, a user's face) is approaching within a predetermined distance, and the controller 150 activates or deactivates a specific function of the mobile terminal according to the sensing result. For example, the controller 150 deactivates the function of the touch detector 157 when the user's face approaches within a certain distance from the proximity sensor 143.

The illumination sensor 144 senses the brightness of the location where the mobile terminal is located. The controller 150 adjusts the brightness of the display 113 according to the sensing result of the illumination sensor 144.

The portable terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made.

1 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention;

3 is an exploded perspective view of a mobile terminal related to one embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a plan view of the window shown in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of the window along line V-V of FIG. 4;

6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing how light passes through the second color layer.

7 is a block diagram illustrating a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (12)

A window of transparent material having a first region and a second region defined by the first region; A first color layer applied to the first region and having an opaque material; An optical processing module disposed inside the second region and configured to process light passing through the second region; And A second color layer coated on the second region and having a light transmitting material; And the second color layer has a color capable of concealing the second area in the first area. The method of claim 1, And the second color layer has a color having a lower visible light transmittance than the window. The method of claim 1, The light processing module is configured to be operated by light of a specific wavelength, And the second color layer has a light transmittance of at least a reference value at which the light processing module can operate. The method of claim 1, The optical processing module comprises a proximity sensor for sensing that the object is approaching within a certain distance. The method of claim 4, wherein the proximity sensor, A light emitting unit emitting light toward the object; And a light receiver configured to receive light reflected from the object to measure a distance to the object. The method of claim 4, wherein The proximity sensor is operated by infrared rays. And the second color layer has an infrared transmittance of at least a reference value at which the proximity sensor can operate. The method of claim 4, wherein And a control unit for activating or deactivating a specific function of the portable terminal according to the sensing result of the proximity sensor. The method of claim 7, wherein The window further includes a touch sensing unit for detecting a user's touch, The controller is characterized in that for activating or deactivating the touch sensing unit in accordance with the sensing result. The method of claim 1, The light processing module comprises a light sensor for sensing the brightness of light. 10. The method of claim 9, The illuminance sensor is operated by visible light, and the second color layer has a visible light transmittance above a reference value at which the illuminance sensor can operate. 10. The method of claim 9, And a controller for adjusting the brightness of the display mounted inside the window according to the sensing result of the illuminance sensor. The method of claim 1, The display device may further include a display disposed inside the window to output visual information through the window. And the first area is formed along a circumference of the window so as to define an area in which visual information of the display is output.

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