JP2016524213A - Portable electronic device, flip-type cover thereof, and control method of flip-type cover - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a portable electronic device and a flip cover thereof. The flip type cover includes a front cover, a back cover configured to be detachably attached to a back surface of a portable electronic device, a connecting cover in which the front cover is connected to the back cover, and a display screen positioned on the front cover. And a back cover printed circuit board (PCB) that is attached to the back cover and connected to the portable electronic device and receives data from the portable electronic device. When the flip cover is attached to the portable electronic device, the back cover PCB transmits data received from the portable electronic device to the display screen.

Description

  The present invention generally relates to portable electronic devices, flip-type covers thereof, and control methods of flip-type covers, and more particularly, can be attached to portable electronic devices, and includes flip-type covers having a display and flip-type covers. The present invention relates to a portable electronic device that controls a cover.

  As a cover formed of a flexible material such as jelly, plastic, rubber, leather, or fabric, a cover that covers at least a part of a portable electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC is introduced. The cover prevents damage to the portable electronic device due to scratches or impacts. Furthermore, the cover also serves as a fashion accessory that is selected according to the user's preference.

  For example, a cover for a portable electronic device is a case type cover that covers a side surface and a rear surface of a portable electronic device while a front surface of the portable electronic device having a screen is exposed, a container type cover that houses the portable electronic device, In addition, there is a flip-type cover having a lid that is attached to a back surface or a side surface of a portable electronic device and protects a front surface having a screen.

  The case-type cover allows the user to directly access the screen of the portable electronic device, but the performance may be lower than the flip-type cover in terms of the function of protecting the screen. The flip-type cover protects the front surface of the portable electronic device, but the user is additionally required to open and close the flip-type cover lid during or after use of the portable device.

  Therefore, there is a need for a cover that not only protects the exterior of the portable device and improves its appearance, but also allows the portable device to be used more conveniently and efficiently, and a portable device having the cover. .

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a flip cover having a display screen so as to reinforce the display function of a portable electronic device, and the flip thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device that operates in conjunction with a mold cover.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device having an interface that can be easily connected to the portable electronic device, and a flip-type cover thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device capable of expanding and connecting a plurality of cards or modules using a general-purpose interface of the portable electronic device, and a flip-type cover thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device configured to be attached to the portable electronic device with a reduced size, and a flip-type cover thereof.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flip cover having a display module that can be controlled by a host control unit of a portable electronic device and a memory card socket into which a memory card is inserted.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a flip-type cover for a portable electronic device is provided. The flip type cover includes a front cover, a back cover configured to be detachably attached to a back surface of a portable electronic device, a connection cover in which the front cover is connected to the back cover, and a display located on the front cover. A screen and a back cover printed circuit board (PCB) attached to the back cover and connected to the portable electronic device to receive data from the portable electronic device. When the flip cover is attached to the portable electronic device, the back cover PCB transmits data received from the portable electronic device to the display screen.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing, a host display screen located on the front surface of the housing, a host PCB connected to the host display screen, and a flip cover detachably coupled to the rear surface of the housing A portable electronic device is provided. The flip type cover is attached to the front cover, the back cover that can be detachably coupled to the rear surface of the housing, the connection cover connected to the front cover and the back cover, the display screen located on the front cover, and the back cover. A portable electronic device including a back cover PCB connected to the host PCB and receiving data from the host PCB is provided. When the flip cover is attached to the host PCB, the back cover PCB transmits data received from the host PCB to the display screen.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a housing, a host display screen located on the front surface of the housing, a host controller located inside the housing, an SDIO memory card socket mounted on the rear surface of the housing, A portable electronic device is provided that includes a flip-type cover that is removably attached to the rear surface of the housing. The flip type cover corresponds to the front cover, the back cover detachably attached to the rear surface of the housing, the connection cover connected to the front cover and the back cover, the display screen located on the front cover, and the memory card socket. Including a memory card connector. The host controller controls to display data on the host display screen and the display screen of the flip cover.

  Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, a front cover, a back cover connected to the front cover and detachably attached to the rear surface of the portable electronic device, a portable electronic device attached to the back cover, A flip cover for a portable electronic device is provided that includes a back cover PCB that is electrically connected to receive data from the portable electronic device and a display screen located on the front cover. The received data is switched to at least one of a display screen located on the front cover and a memory card attached to the back cover by the host controller of the portable electronic device.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a flip cover in a portable electronic device is provided. The method includes a step of detecting a voltage level of a connector of a memory card or a flip cover inserted into a memory card socket of a portable electronic device, and whether the memory card or the connector is inserted according to the detected voltage level. And determining the data transmission mode based on the secure digital input / output (SDIO) standard.

According to the present invention, the display screen is provided on the front cover of the portable electronic device and the flip-type cover, whereby the display function of the portable electronic device is enhanced and the convenience of use is improved.
The flip cover can be easily coupled to the portable electronic device by including a connector corresponding to the memory card socket of the portable electronic device.

  The flip-type cover is coupled with the portable electronic device through the general-purpose interface of the portable electronic device, so that the hardware change of the portable electronic device is unnecessary or the change is minimized. Accordingly, the flip-type cover is cost-effective and has an effect of providing connection compatibility with various portable electronic devices.

  Further, the flip cover has an effect of providing various functions by extending a plurality of cards or modules through an interface used in a portable electronic device.

  Further, the back cover of the flip cover is configured to be attached to the portable electronic device in place of the battery cover mounted on the rear surface of the portable electronic device, so that the flip cover is attached to the portable cover. This has the effect of reducing the volume of electronic equipment.

Since the flip cover is controlled through the host controller of the portable electronic device without the control unit in the flip cover, there is an effect of reducing the physical space and manufacturing cost of the flip cover.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of embodiments according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the flip type cover attached to the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flip type cover attached to the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flip type cover attached to the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows that the front cover of the flip-type cover attached to the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention opened. It is a figure which shows the flip type cover attached to the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the battery cover of the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the exterior of the flip type cover by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the flip type cover by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the flip type cover by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the exterior of the flip-type cover by other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the flip-type cover by other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the exterior of the flip-type cover by another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the inside of the flip type cover by another embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the back surface of the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the back surface of the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the back surface of the portable electronic device by one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing a flip-type cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block configuration diagram illustrating a hierarchical function of a flip-type cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the flip type cover and portable electronic device by other embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the component of the flip type cover by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the component of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connector of the flip type cover by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the connector of the flip type cover by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by another embodiment of this invention, and its connector, and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip-type cover by another embodiment of this invention, and this connector and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip-type cover by another embodiment of this invention, and this connector and a portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and this connector and portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and this connector and portable electronic device. It is a figure which shows the engagement of the connector of the flip type cover by other embodiment of this invention, and this connector and portable electronic device. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a signal flow for an initialization procedure between a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the flip type cover and portable electronic device by other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the pin map of SD mode and SPI mode defined by the SDIO specification by one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of a flip type cover and a portable electronic device, and a diagram showing selection of a display screen of the flip type cover by initialization of an SDIO card. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a flip cover and a portable electronic device, and a diagram showing selection of a display screen and a memory card of the flip cover by initialization of the SDIO card.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and reference numerals as much as possible. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention include various detailed descriptions to facilitate understanding. However, these detailed descriptions are considered almost typical examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention described below without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Note that specific descriptions of known functions or configurations are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

  The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the dictionary meaning, but are used by the inventor to make the understanding of the present invention clear and consistent. Accordingly, it is to be defined based on the following claims and their equivalents, and the description of the embodiments of the present invention is merely provided for illustrative purposes and is intended to limit the purpose of the present invention. It will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art of the present invention.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each element described herein includes the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes one or more surfaces.

The term “substantially” does not require that the presented feature, parameter, or value be precisely set, but is known to allow tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limits and those skilled in the art, Alternatively, it means that deviations or changes including elements obtained by those skilled in the art without experimentation occur within a range that does not exclude the effect that these characteristics are intended to provide.
1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a flip cover that engages a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  1A, 1B, and 1C, a portable electronic device 200 includes a mobile phone, a smartphone, a laptop PC, a tablet PC, an electronic book reader, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a PMP ( It may be an electronic device including a portable multimedia player), navigation, and wearable terminal. It will be apparent to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field of the present invention that the portable electronic device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above device.

  The flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200. The flip cover 100 is electrically connected to the portable electronic device 200. The display module of the flip cover 100 includes a display screen 145. When the flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200, the flip cover 100 displays data received from the portable electronic device 200 on the display screen 145.

  For example, when the display screen 145 is positioned so as to be exposed on the outer surface of the flip cover 100, the user can open the front cover of the flip cover 100 and attach the host display module without any user operation. In addition, information provided by the portable electronic device 200 can be easily viewed.

The display module of the flip cover 100 is configured as a reflective display that consumes low power, such as an electrophoretic display (EPD). For example, EPD can maintain and modify the image displayed on the EPD screen at low power. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, when an EPD is included in the flip cover 100, a clock, weather, news, stock information, etc. are continuously displayed on the EPD screen according to a predetermined time period or an event for updating information. The Further, any one of the home screens of the portable electronic device 200 is displayed on the display screen 145 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The home screen of the display screen 145 may be additionally generated and displayed when the flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200. Referring to FIG. 1A, the background of the display screen 145 and the front cover member of the flip cover 100 may have different colors, or may be formed of different materials, thereby expressing the outline of the display screen 145. is there. Referring to FIG. 1B, the outline of the display screen 145 may not appear well because the background of the display screen 145 and the front cover member of the flip cover 100 have similar colors or materials.

  Referring to FIG. 1C, the electronic book may be displayed on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100. The portable electronic device 200 executes an electronic book application and transmits display information regarding the electronic book to the display screen 145. In an electronic book application, various user interfaces (UI) such as book selection and page turning are provided by using operations on buttons or a touch panel of the portable electronic device 200, operation sensing of the portable electronic device 200, voice recognition, and the like. it can. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, when the front cover of the flip cover 100 covers the host display screen of the host display module of the portable electronic device 200, the portable electronic device 200 is a touch panel coupled with the host display module. A touch gesture on the display screen 145 can be recognized using the hovering touch function.

  Further, the display module of the flip cover 100 is activated or deactivated by a user operation, and can maintain an activated state in which data or information is always displayed on the display screen 145 of the display module. When the flip-type cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200, the host display module included in the portable electronic device 200 is activated or non-activated by a user operation as before the portable flip cover 100 is attached. Can be activated. If there is no user operation, it can be automatically deactivated after a preset time to save power.

The portable electronic device 200 senses the open / closed state of the flip cover 100 with respect to the front cover. When the front cover of the flip cover 100 is in a closed state (or when the front cover covers the host display screen), even if the portable electronic device 200 is in an activated state for receiving a user operation, the host display The module can remain inactive. For example, when an electronic book is displayed on the display screen 145 of the front cover while the front cover of the flip cover 100 is closed, the portable electronic device 200 deactivates the host display module and turns off the host display module. . Thereafter, the portable electronic device 200 senses a user input from a touch panel or a button and provides the user with a UI for the electronic book application. The open / close state of the front surface of the flip cover 100 can be detected by the portable electronic device 200 using a proximity sensor or a camera. In addition, a magnet and a magnetic sensor may be used to determine whether the front cover and the portable electronic device 200 are close to each other.
FIG. 2 shows the front cover of the flip-type cover in an open state with the flip-type cover according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to the portable electronic device.

  When the front cover of the flip cover 100 is open, the host display screen of the portable electronic device 200 is exposed. Since the display screen of the flip cover 100 is located outside the front cover, the display screen of the flip cover 100 may be hidden by the inner surface of the front cover when the front cover is open.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the display screen of the flip cover 100 may be located on the inner surface of the front cover, or both the inner surface and the outer surface of the front cover may be located.
FIG. 3A shows a flip cover attached to a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, the flip cover 100 includes a front cover 310, a back cover 320 that is detachably attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200, and a connection cover 330 that connects the front cover to the back cover.

  The flip cover 100 is attached to the display screen 145 located on the front cover 310 and the back cover 320, and is connected to the portable electronic device 200 to receive data from the portable electronic device 200. Board) 360 is further included. The back cover PCB 360 transmits data received from the portable electronic device 200 to the display screen 145 when the flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200.

  FIG. 3A shows the back surface of the display screen 145 as viewed from the inner surface of the front cover 310 of the flip cover 100. The display panel is identified by the finishing member of the back cover 320. When the display panel is formed of a material that protects the host display screen, the back surface of the display screen 145 is exposed from the inner surface of the front cover 310.

  The flip cover 100 further includes a connector 340 that connects the back cover PCB 360 and the portable electronic device 200. The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. The socket 370 may be a memory card socket corresponding to an SD (Secure Digital) card, a micro SD card, or a mini SD card. For example, the socket 370 shown in FIG. 3A corresponds to a micro SD card.

The connector 340 includes a stub 343 formed in the same shape as the memory card so that the stub 343 can be inserted into the socket 370, and a flexible PCB (or flexible cable) 341 that connects the back cover PCB 360 and the stub 343. Can be included. The plurality of connecting pins corresponding to the plurality of socket pins of the socket 370 are located on the back surface (not shown) of the stub 343. The connector 340 further includes a connector coupling member 345 to which the back cover PCB 360 is connected to the flexible PCB (or flexible cable) 341. The connector connecting member 345 includes a connecting terminal that connects the back cover PCB 360 to the connector 340. Accordingly, the back cover PCB 360 and the connector 340 are connected to each other by, for example, a male and female socket and a connector connecting member 345.

  Data received from the portable electronic device 200 is received via an SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output) interface. Thereby, the socket 370 and the connector 340 can be manufactured according to the SDIO standard.

As shown in FIG. 3A, when the back cover PCB 360 is connected to the host PCB (not shown) of the portable electronic device 200 through the connector 340 and the socket 370, the flip cover 100 is connected to the power supply and the portable electronic device 200. Receive data or information.

  In consideration of convenience of use, durability, or size, the back cover 320 of the flip cover 100 is attached to the back of the portable electronic device 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, the back cover 320 of the flip cover 100 can replace the battery cover of the portable electronic device 200. For example, FIG. 3B shows the battery cover 380 removed from the back surface of the portable electronic device 200.

  The flip cover 100 may function as a battery cover of the portable electronic device 200 and may be manufactured as a package together with the portable electronic device 200 that does not include the separate battery cover 380. The portable electronic device 200 may include a battery cover 380 and a flip cover 100 as a package.

  The back cover PCB 360 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the data received from the portable electronic device 200 to be transmitted to the display screen 145.

  The flip cover 100 further includes a memory card socket 350 attached to the back cover 320. By providing the flip type cover 100 with the memory card socket 350, the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 is used to connect the flip type cover 100 to the portable electronic device 200, and the memory card is inserted into the socket 370. Instead of being inserted into the memory card socket 350 and used by the portable electronic device 200.

  The control unit of the flip cover 100 switches data received from the portable electronic device 200 to at least one of the display screen 145 and the memory card socket 350. For example, the control unit of the flip cover 100 can use routing logic so that data received from the portable electronic device 200 is transmitted to a card (or module) designated by the portable electronic device 200. The control unit may include a register (or memory) that stores an address table that specifies an address or number of a card (or module). Further, the control unit includes a buffer for temporarily storing data received from the portable electronic device 200, and a circuit and a processor for selecting a route to a data destination using an address table of a register. The control unit further includes a demultiplexer or multiplexer for connection and selection between a plurality of cards (or modules).

  The flip-type cover 100 further includes various modules or cards or slots (or sockets) for receiving the modules or cards according to the purpose of use. For example, the flip cover 100 can support eight slots according to the SDIO standard. When the manufacturer of the flip-type cover 100 customizes the control unit of the flip-type cover 100, a plurality of flip-type covers 100 can be used without changing the hardware for a normal interface control module that supports the SDIO standard in the portable electronic device 200. Slots are supported.

The control unit of the flip cover 100 can access a display panel (or display module) having a display screen 145 and a register map of a memory card inserted into the memory card socket 350. The control unit acquires hardware information, identification information, manufacturer (or manufacturer) information, capability information, or detailed information of the corresponding module or card from the register map, and transmits the acquired information to the portable electronic device 200. . The host driver of the portable electronic device 200 calls the driver of the corresponding module or card using the information received from the flip cover 100 and controls the operation of the driver. When the driver of the corresponding module or card is operated, the portable electronic device 200 forms a data link to use the corresponding module or card of the flip cover 100 or resets the control function.
FIG. 4A shows an outer surface of a flip cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the display screen 145 is located on the outer surface of the front cover 310. That is, the display screen 145 is positioned on the exposed surface of the front cover 310 when the back cover 320 is attached to the portable electronic device 200 and the front cover 310 covers the host display screen of the portable electronic device 200.
The hole 441 is formed in the front cover 310 at a position corresponding to the speaker of the portable electronic device 200.

  A hole 442 corresponding to the camera of the portable electronic device 200, a hole 443 corresponding to the flash of the portable electronic device 200, or a hole 444 corresponding to the speaker of the portable electronic device 200 is formed in the back cover 320. Also, an opening 461 corresponding to the earphone interface of the portable electronic device 200, an opening 462 corresponding to the DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) antenna of the portable electronic device 200, or wired data communication of the portable electronic device 200 An opening 463 corresponding to a USB interface for power supply is formed in the back cover 320.

The connection cover 330 includes a built-in cable or a flexible PCB that connects the front cover 310 to the back cover 320 and connects the display screen 145 and the back cover PCB.
4B and 4C show the inner surface of the flip cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 4B and 4C, the back surface of the display screen 145 is viewed from the direction of the inner surface of the front cover 310 of the flip cover 100.

In FIG. 4B, a virtual projection view of the back cover PCB 360 shows a portion hidden by the finishing member 425 (FIG. 4C) of the back cover 320 by a dotted line. For the finishing member 425, various materials such as gel, plastic, rubber, metal, ceramic, leather, or fabric may be used. The finishing member 425 may have a function of maintaining at least a part of the shape of the flip cover 100 or protecting the portable electronic device 200 from an impact or a scratch.

  A connector 340 and a memory card socket 350 are located on the inner surface of the back cover 320. It should be noted that the connector 340 and the memory card socket 350 are repositioned on the back cover 320 or attached to the coupling cover 330 according to the manufacturer's design. A memory card 455 can be inserted into the memory card socket 350. Alternatively, the back cover PCB 360 of the flip cover 100 includes a built-in memory card, and the memory card socket 350 or the memory card 455 can be covered by the finishing member 425.

A protrusion or groove may be formed at a partial position or edge of the inner surface of the back cover 320. Since the flip-type cover 100 is configured in place of a normal battery cover, the portable electronic device 200 can be effectively slimmed by attaching the flip-type cover 100.
As shown in FIG. 4C, at least a part of the back cover PCB 360 may be exposed on the inner surface of the back cover 320.
FIG. 5A shows an outer surface of a flip cover according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B shows an inner surface of the flip cover.

  Referring to FIG. 5A, the display screen 145 is not located on the outer surface of the front cover 310. Instead, the display screen 145 is located on the inner surface of the front cover 310 as shown in FIG. 5B. That is, when the back cover 320 is attached to the portable electronic device 200 and the front cover 310 covers the host display screen of the portable electronic device 200, the display screen 145 is positioned on the surface of the front cover 310 that faces the host display screen. To do. FIG. 5B shows the front surface of the display screen 145 as viewed from the inner surface of the front cover 310.

The display screen 145 can be positioned on both surfaces (external surface and internal surface) of the front cover 310 of the flip cover 100. For example, the flip-type cover 100 has an external surface shown in FIG. 4A and is configured to have an internal surface shown in FIG. 5B.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the connector 340 and the memory card socket 350 are positioned on the inner surface of the back cover 320.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6A shows the outer surface of the flip cover and FIG. 6B shows the inner surface of the flip cover.

  The connection cover 330 connects the front cover 310 to the back cover 320. 6A and 6B, the connection cover 330 is connected to the upper surface of the front cover 310 and the upper surface of the back cover 320 and functions as a hinge.

  Alternatively, the connection cover 330 is connected to the lower surface of the front cover 310 and the lower surface of the back cover 320. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 5B, the connection cover 330 has the left and right surfaces of the front cover 310 left and right of the back cover 320. Connect to the surface to perform the hinge function.

The display screen 145 may be located on the outer surface of the front cover 310, attached to the inner surface of the front cover 310, or attached to both surfaces of the front cover 310.
7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate the back side of a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In particular, FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate the removal of the flip cover 100 or the battery cover from the back surface of the portable electronic device 200.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the socket 370 is positioned on the back surface of the portable electronic device 200 so as to be connected to the connector 340 of the flip cover 100. As illustrated in FIGS. 7A to 7C, the position or opening direction of the socket 370 connected to the connector 340 may be changed according to the design, model, or specification of the portable electronic device 200.

  Considering the position of the camera 742, the flash 743, or the speaker 744 mounted on the back surface of the portable electronic device 200, the position and size of the hole formed in the back surface cover 320 of the flip cover 100 are determined.

On the back surface of the portable electronic device 200, a USIM socket 710 that receives a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) card, a battery 730, a recess 720 that receives the battery 730, or a power supply unit including a power supply interface is exposed.
A protrusion or groove for coupling to the battery cover 380 or the flip cover 100 may be formed at a partial position or edge of the back surface of the portable electronic device 200.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the flip cover 100 includes a connector 340, a display interface 130, and a display module 140. The flip cover 100 further includes a control unit 120 and a memory card interface 150. The flip cover 100 further includes a memory card 455.

The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200. Connector 340 and socket 370 may be interfaces designed by the manufacturer. For example, the socket 370 and the connector 340 may be interfaces that connect 2 to 9 lines designed by a manufacturer such as a power supply line and a data communication line. In this case, a socket 370 other than the interface used before using the flip cover 100 is provided in the portable electronic device 200. Further, a predetermined socket 370 provided by the manufacturer of the portable electronic device 200 can be used to connect to the connector 340.

  The connector 340 and the socket 370 are manufactured to meet a specific standard. For example, socket 370 follows the SDIO standard to accept memory cards. The connector 340 includes a memory card shaped stub or bridge that can be inserted into a memory card socket. The connector 340 and the socket 370 can be used for an SD card, a micro SD card, and a mini SD card.

  The SDIO standard supports a 1-bit mode, a 4-bit mode, and an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) mode, and can support 8 slots by the SDIO interface control module. For example, the SDIO connector 340 and the SDIO socket 370 connect one to four lines including a data line, a clock line, a command line, a ground, a power supply line, or an interrupt line.

  In general, the portable electronic device 200 such as a smartphone is provided with an SDIO socket 370. Therefore, the existing socket 370 is used for connecting the portable electronic device 200 to the connector 340 without changing the hardware of the portable electronic device 200. The SDIO socket eliminates the need to use an additional socket to power the flip cover 100 to achieve a communication connection between the portable electronic device 200 and the flip cover 100. The hardware design change of the electronic device 200 is minimized.

  The display interface 130 includes a transmission line such as a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible cable for connecting the lines connected by the connector 340 corresponding to the display module 140. Further, the display interface 130 includes a transmission line, a multiplexer and a demultiplexer for interconnecting the components of the display module 140.

  The display module 140 includes a display screen that displays data or information received from the portable electronic device 200. The display module 140 may include a display panel. The display screen corresponds to a display surface of a display panel included in the display module 140. As described above, the display panel is configured as a low power reflective display such as EPD.

  EPD is manufactured flexibly. This EPD has a wide field of view and is usually cheaper than a liquid crystal display (LCD). In addition, since the EPD consumes low power to change and maintain the image displayed on the EPD screen, the EPD can maintain an activated state in which the image is displayed for a long time.

EPD is used for electronic newspapers, electronic books, and the like. Electrophoresis is a phenomenon in which colloidal particles move to one of the electrodes when a direct current (DC) voltage is applied by placing the electrode in a colloidal solution. The EPD is configured without a backlight, a polarizing plate, or an optical filter. For example, the EPD may be configured as a microcapsule type manufactured by E-ink or a microcup type manufactured by SiPix.

In a microcapsule type display, the capsule is placed between the upper transparent electrode and the lower metal electrode. The capsule is filled with a transparent solution, and the transparent solution includes white particles charged on a plurality of positive electrodes and black particles charged on a negative electrode. When an electric field is applied to the upper transparent electrode and the lower metal electrode, the white particles and the black particles move to electrodes having opposite polarities to those electrodes. Thereby, an image or text is displayed.

  In a microcup type display, the container contains a solution and a single color particle. The particles have a single color and are charged to only one of positive and negative polarity. The color image is displayed by injecting a red (R), green (G), or blue (B) solution into the container.

  An electro fluidic display (EFD) is used as a reflective display for a display panel. Since EFD is excellent in color and contrast characteristics, it is studied as a next generation display.

  The display module 140 includes an LCD, a thin film transistor LCD, an organic LED (organic Light-Emitting Diode) display, a flexible display, or a 3D (Three-Dimensional) display. The display module 140 may include display screens mounted on both sides of the front cover 310.

  The display module 140 may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), or a display control unit.

  The PMIC converts an input current or voltage to a driving current or voltage for the display panel, and distributes a power source so as to match an interface used for the corresponding display module.

  The CPLD is a logic circuit that is programmed to perform the corresponding function by providing data and control signals received from the display interface 130 to the display controller and the display panel according to the display module 140.

  The display control unit converts the data received from the portable electronic device 200 into a form suitable for the characteristics of the display module, or controls the operation of the display panel.

The control unit 120 switches data received from the portable electronic device 200 to at least one of the display module and the memory card 455. For the switching function, the control unit 120 includes a register (or memory), a buffer, or a processor. The controller 120 further includes a demultiplexer or multiplexer for connection and selection between a plurality of cards (or modules). The switching function of the control unit 120 may include a routing function or a hub function.

  Referring to FIG. 8, the portable electronic device 200 includes a socket 370, an interface control module 220, a power supply unit 250, and a host control unit 230. The portable electronic device 200 further includes a system memory 240 and a user interface (UI) unit 260.

  Socket 370 may be a dedicated socket designed by the manufacturer to receive connector 340 of flip-type cover 100, or may be an SDIO socket as described above.

  The interface control module 220 controls transmission / reception of data or control signals corresponding to socket pins or connection lines of the socket 370. The interface control module 220 can provide a clock signal to meet the design or specification of the socket 370 or provide a synchronization function with a card (or module) connected to the socket 370. For example, the interface control module 220 may include a host control unit based on SDIO.

  The power supply unit 250 supplies power to the components of the portable electronic device 200 and the flip cover 100 under the control of the host control unit 230. Further, the power supply unit 250 can supply power received from an external power source (not shown) to the portable electronic device 200 or the battery 730 via a wired cable. The power supply unit 250 controls the wireless electronic device 200 to supply the portable electronic device 200 with power received wirelessly from an external power source or to charge the battery 730.

  The host control unit 230 controls to initialize a communication connection with a card (or the like) (or module (or the like)) connected to the interface control module 220 through the interface control module 220. The host controller 230 controls the flip type cover 100 to display data or information on the display screen 145 of the display module 140.

  The host control unit 230 records a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM that stores a control program for controlling the portable electronic device 200, a signal or data received from the outside of the portable electronic device 200, or A RAM used as a memory area for operations performed in the portable electronic device 200 may be included. The CPU includes one or more cores. The CPU, ROM, and RAM can be interconnected via an internal bus or implemented as a chip or module. The system memory 240 stores an application that performs a display function on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100 and controls user operations on data or information displayed on the display screen 145. The system memory 240 stores a general driver for components of the portable electronic device 200 and a host driver corresponding to the interface control module 220. The system memory 240 stores a card driver for the card (or the like) (or module (or the like)) connected to the interface control module 220.

  The system memory 240 includes images, user information, and text necessary for providing applications having various functions such as communication services, navigation, and games, and a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the applications. A database or data related to touch input processing, a background image (menu screen, idle screen, etc.) necessary for driving the portable electronic device 200, or an operation program can be stored.

System memory 240 includes machine-readable media (eg, computer-readable media). The system memory 240 can access information on a machine-readable medium under the control of the host control unit 230 and store the accessed information. A machine-readable medium may be any medium that provides data to a machine so that the machine performs a specific function. For example, the machine readable medium can be a recording medium. Machine-readable media are floppy (registered trademark) disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, optical disk, punch-card, paper tape, RAM, PROM (Programmable Read-Only Including, but not limited to, memory), EPROM (Erasable PROM), and flash EPROM.
At least a portion of the data or information in the system memory 240 can be stored in a memory card 455 housed or included in the flip cover 100.
The UI unit 260 may include a host display module 261, a touch panel 263, or a button 265.

  The host display module 261 includes a host display panel, and the data display surface of the host display panel can be configured as a host display screen. The portable electronic device 200 may omit the host display module 261. In this case, the display module 140 of the flip cover 100 can perform the display function of the portable electronic device 200.

  The host display module 261 can include an LCD, thin film LCD, OLED display, flexible display, 3D display, EPD, or EFD.

  The touch panel 263 is realized by a resistance film method, a capacitance method, an electromagnetic induction (RM) method, an EMR (Electronic Magnetic Resonance) method, an infrared method, or an ultrasonic method.

  The host display module 261 and the touch panel 263 are incorporated in a touch screen. Then, the UI unit 260 may further include a touch screen control unit.

  The touch screen receives at least one touch from the user's body (eg, a finger) or a touch input unit. The touch screen may include a pen recognition panel that recognizes input from a pen, such as a stylus pen or an electronic pen. A touch screen is a panel in which an input from a finger or an input unit is sensed by a change in inductive power, a display panel, and a panel in which a finger or an input unit is sensed to touch based on a change in resistance or a capacitance. Alternatively, some of the panels are separated from each other and assembled by stacking. The touch screen control unit converts the analog signal received from the touch screen into a digital signal (for example, X and Y coordinates) and transmits the digital signal to the host control unit 230. The host control unit 230 can control the touch screen using the received digital signal. The touch screen control unit is incorporated in the host control unit 230.

  The host controller 230 receives a hovering touch signal sensed from the touch panel 263 or the touch screen, and can recognize a touch gesture on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, for example. As described above, the portable electronic device 200 recognizes the touch gesture using the touch panel 263 even if a separate touch panel is not attached to the flip cover 100. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the flip cover 100 is reduced, and a convenient UI is provided using the flip cover 100.

  The button 265 can receive a button (or key) input from a user for controlling the portable electronic device 200. The button 265 includes a physical button (or key) formed on the portable electronic device 200, a virtual button or a virtual keypad displayed on the touch screen. The physical keypad may not be provided to the portable electronic device 200 by the manufacturer's design. Referring to FIG. 1C, the user operation on the button 265 serves as a control command for the content displayed on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100. For example, in a state where the host display module 261 is deactivated, the page turning is performed on the content displayed on the display screen 145 using the volume up / down buttons.

  The UI unit 260 may further include a vibration motor that provides a haptic effect to a user, a connector for connecting to an external input / output device, or a connector jack.

  The portable electronic device 200 may further include a sensor unit (not shown). The sensor unit may include a tilt sensor, an acceleration sensor, or a gyro sensor motion sensor. The host control unit 230 can recognize a motion gesture representing a user operation on the portable electronic device 200 based on the sensing data received from the motion sensor. The motion gesture is used for user interaction with data or information displayed on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100. For example, referring to FIG. 1C, a panning gesture for the portable electronic device 200 may be recognized as a control command for turning pages or switching content regarding the content displayed on the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100.

  The sensor unit may further include a proximity sensor or a camera module to detect whether the front cover 310 is opened or closed. The camera module captures an image of the periphery of the portable electronic device 200 or the user, and the proximity sensor detects the proximity of things to the portable electronic device 200.

  In order to determine whether the front cover 310 is close to the portable electronic device 200, a magnet and a magnetic sensor are used. For example, the magnet is attached to the front cover 310, and the magnetic sensor is included in the portable electronic device 200 corresponding to the magnet position of the front cover 310.

The sensor unit is an illuminance sensor that detects the amount of ambient light, a geo-magnetic sensor that detects the direction using the earth's magnetic field, a gravity sensor that detects the direction of gravity action, and an altitude by measuring atmospheric pressure. An altimeter can be included. The sensor unit may further include a GPS module for receiving a satellite signal from a GPS satellite in the earth orbit and calculating the position of the portable electronic device 200 according to the arrival time (ToA) of the satellite signal. .
FIG. 9 shows a flip cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the flip cover 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a memory card 455 and at least one I / O module 980 together with a display module 140. The flip cover 100 further includes at least one I / O interface 970 corresponding to at least one I / O module 980.

  The flip cover 100 may include at least one I / O module 980 depending on the purpose of use. The flip cover 100 may further include a slot (or socket) into which at least one I / O module 980 is detachably inserted.

The control unit 120 of the flip cover 100 controls the data received from the portable electronic device 200 to be switched to any one of the display module 140, the memory card 455, and at least one I / O module 980. .
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a hierarchical function of a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when the flip cover 100 and the portable electronic device 200 are electrically connected through the connector 340 and the socket 370, the bus driver (or host driver) 1021 of the portable electronic device 200 is the portable electronic device. That there is a card (or) (or module (or)) (display module 140, memory card 455, or at least one I / O module 980) attached to flip-type cover 100 by interface control module 220 of device 200. Sense. The interface control module 220 transmits a sensing event to the host controller 230 in order to initialize the installed module.

  The host controller 230 communicates with each of the sensed cards (or) (or modules (or the like)) (the display module 140, the memory card 455, or at least one I / O module) mounted on the flip cover 100. Control connection initialization.

The host controller 230 controls the slot selection information corresponding to the specific card to be transmitted to the controller 120 of the flip cover 100 through the interface control module 220. The control unit 120 initializes the card corresponding to the slot or identifies the mode of the corresponding slot. The control unit 120 can transmit information about the card to the portable electronic device 200 after accessing the register map of the card connected to the slot.
The bus driver (or host driver) 1021 calls the driver of the card according to information about the card.

The system memory 240 of the portable electronic device 200 includes a card driver (display driver 1043, memory card driver 1063, or at least) corresponding to each card (display module 140, memory card 455, or at least one I / O module 980). One I / O card driver 1083) and an application (display application 1041, memory application 1061, or at least one I / O application 1081) are stored. Further, the host control unit 230 accesses the card driver or application in the system memory 240.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a flip-type cover and a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the description of the similar components or the same components described with reference to FIG. 8 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 11, the flip cover 100 includes a memory card connector 1140, a display interface 130, and a display module 140. The flip cover 100 further includes a control unit 120 and a memory card interface 150 as well as the memory card 455.
The memory card connector 1140 is an SDIO interface and can include a card-shaped stub or bridge that can be inserted into a memory card socket.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the portable electronic device 200 includes a memory card socket 1170, an interface control module 220, a power supply unit 250, and a host control unit 230. The portable electronic device 200 further includes a system memory 240 and a UI unit 260.

  The memory card socket 1170 is an SDIO interface for receiving a memory card. The memory card socket 1170 and the memory card connector 1140 can be used for an SD card, a micro SD card, or a mini SD card.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing components of a flip cover according to an embodiment of the present invention. The components of the flip cover will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8 together with FIG.

  The back cover PCB 360 includes the control unit 120. When the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 and the connector 340 of the flip cover 100 conform to the SDIO standard, the control unit 120 is referred to as an SDIO control unit that controls the SDIO card.

  The display interface 130 includes a demultiplexer or multiplexer 1242 for connecting the display panel of the display module 140 to the line of the back cover PCB 360, a cable or flexible PCB 1231, and a display connector 1232.

The display module 140 includes a source driver 1243 and a gate driver 1244 that transmit an operation signal or data to the display panel to perform a display operation.

  The display module 140 includes a PMIC 1223, a CPLD 1221, and a display control unit 1241. The PMIC 1223 converts an input current or voltage into a current or voltage necessary for driving the display panel, or supplies power to the display panel.

  The CPLD 1221 is a logic circuit that is programmed to transmit data and control signals received from the display interface 130 to components of the display module 140 or to perform display functions.

The display control unit 1241 converts the data received from the portable electronic device 200 according to the characteristics of the display module 140 or controls the operation of the display panel.
FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating elements of a flip cover according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, the back cover PCB 360 includes at least a part of the display module 140 such as the PMIC 1223, the CPLD 1221, or the display control unit 1241.
The control unit (or SDIO control unit) 121 of the flip cover 100 can include a PMIC 1321 or a CPLD 1323.

  The PMIC 1321 converts and supplies power to not only the display module 140 but also a memory card or I / O module inserted into the memory card socket 350.

The CPLD 1323 is a logic circuit that is programmed to perform functions and operations on the display module 140, memory card, or I / O module.
14A and 14B illustrate a flip cover connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the connector 340 of the flip cover 100 includes a stub 343 that can be inserted into the socket 370 and a flexible PCB (or flexible cable) 341 that connects the back cover PCB 360 to the stub 343. The connector 340 further includes a connector connecting member 345 for connecting the back cover PCB 360 to the flexible PCB.

  The position or direction of the stub 343 of the connector 340 corresponds to the position or opening direction of the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, the stub 343 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B corresponds to the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 shown in FIG. 7B.

The connector connecting member 345 of the connector 340 of the flip cover 100 is fixed at a specific position according to the manufacturer's design as shown in FIGS. 4B and 14B. In this case, the standardized back cover PCB 360 can be used even if the position or opening direction of the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 is different.
As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the connector connecting member 345 may be formed at a position optimized for the position of the socket 370 or the opening direction of the portable electronic device 200.
Hereinafter, various connectors and sockets in which a flip cover is attached to a portable electronic device will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 18C.
15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate a flip cover connector and a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention mounted on a portable electronic device.
The flip cover 100 includes a connector 340 that couples the back cover PCB 360 to the portable electronic device 200.

  The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, the socket 370 may be a memory card socket such as a micro SD card socket. Hereinafter, the socket 370 will be described as a memory card socket.

  The connector 340 includes a bridge 1510 having a memory card shape that can be inserted into the memory card socket 370 and a plurality of connecting pins 1520 attached to the back cover PCB 360. If the bridge 1510 has a memory card shape, it can be inserted into the memory card socket 370 and includes a plurality of pins corresponding to the plurality of socket pins of the memory card socket 370.

  As shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the bridge 1510 includes a plurality of bridge pins 1511 that are in contact with the plurality of connection pins 1520 when inserted into the memory card socket 370.

For example, the plurality of connecting pins 1520 bend so as to protrude from one surface of the back cover PCB 360. When the bridge 1510 is inserted into the memory card socket 370, the plurality of bridge pins 1511 are exposed on one surface of the bridge 1510.
16A, 16B, and 16C illustrate a flip cover connector according to another embodiment of the present invention and that the connector engages a portable electronic device.
The flip cover 100 includes a connector 340 that connects the back cover PCB 360 and the portable electronic device 200.

  The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, the socket 370 may be a memory card socket such as a micro SD card socket. Hereinafter, the socket 370 will be described as a memory card socket.

The connector 340 includes a bridge 1610 having a memory card shape inserted into the memory card socket 370 and a plurality of connecting pins 1620 attached to the back cover PCB 360.
The bridge 1610 includes a plurality of bridge pins 1611 that come into contact with the plurality of connection pins 1620 when inserted into the memory card socket 370.

For example, the plurality of connecting pins 1620 are exposed from one surface of the back cover PCB 360. When the bridge 1610 is inserted into the memory card socket 370, the plurality of bridge pins 1611 are bent so as to protrude from one surface of the bridge 1610.

The plurality of connecting pins 1621 can be replaced with a plurality of connecting pins 1620. One pin 1622 among the plurality of connecting pins 1621 will be described. The connecting pin 1622 may be attached to the conductor 1624 included in the back cover PCB 360 or may be integrated with the conductor 1624. The lower portion 1623 of the connecting pin 1622 may be designed with an elastic material such as a spring, or may be combined with an elastic member.

17A, 17B, and 17C illustrate that the connector and connector of the flip cover according to another embodiment of the present invention are engaged with the portable electronic device.
The flip cover 100 includes a connector 340 that connects the back cover PCB 360 to the portable electronic device 200.

  The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, the socket 370 may be a memory card socket such as a micro SD card socket. Hereinafter, the socket 370 will be described as a memory card socket.

  The connector 340 includes a bridge 1710 having a memory card shape that can be inserted into the memory card socket 370 and a plurality of connecting pins 1720 attached to the back cover PCB 360.

  As shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, the bridge 1710 includes a plurality of bridge pins 1711 that are in contact with the plurality of connection pins 1720 when inserted into the memory card socket 370.

  For example, the plurality of connecting pins 1720 are mounted in a groove formed on one surface of the back cover 320, and the plurality of bridge pins 1711 are mounted on a protrusion formed on one surface of the bridge 1710 corresponding to the groove.

  Although not shown, the plurality of connecting pins 1720 are attached to the protrusions formed on one surface of the back cover 320, and the plurality of bridge pins 1711 are formed in grooves formed on one surface of the bridge 1710 corresponding to the protrusions. Can be mounted.

18A, 18B, and 18C illustrate that the connector and connector of the flip cover according to another embodiment of the present invention are engaged with a portable electronic device.
The flip cover 100 includes a connector 340 that couples the back cover PCB 360 to the portable electronic device 200.

  The connector 340 corresponds to the socket 370 attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, the socket 370 may be a memory card socket such as a micro SD card socket. Hereinafter, the socket 370 will be described as a memory card socket.

Referring to FIG. 18A, the memory card socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 can receive the memory card 455 and includes a plurality of socket pins 1810 exposed on the back surface of the portable electronic device 200.
Connector 340 includes a plurality of connecting pins 1820 attached to back cover PCB 360 corresponding to a plurality of socket pins 1810.

  The plurality of socket pins 1810 and the plurality of connection pins 1820 may be exposed by a cut or a plane, or may be mounted in a groove or a protrusion, as shown in FIGS. 15A to 17C.

  In addition, as described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 18C, the connection method between the connector and the socket is partly modified, combined, or used as a known connection method. It will be apparent to those with ordinary knowledge in the art.

  A connection method different from the SDIO standard described above can be applied without using the socket 370 of the portable electronic device 200 such as a memory card socket. For example, the flip cover 100 may include a predetermined connector (not shown) designed by the manufacturer that connects the back cover PCB 360 to the portable electronic device 200. This connector includes a plurality of pad-shaped connecting pins, and a plurality of elastic host pins can be attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. The plurality of connecting pins correspond to a plurality of host pins.

A plurality of protruding host pins connected to the host PCB of the portable electronic device 200 may be attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device 200. For example, 2 to 9 host pins are provided corresponding to the power supply line and the data communication line designed by the manufacturer. A plurality of connecting pins in the form of flat pads corresponding to the plurality of host pins may be exposed on the inner surface of the back cover 320 of the flip cover 100. The back cover 320 is attached to the portable electronic device 200, and in order to ensure connectivity when the plurality of connection pins of the back cover 320 and the plurality of host pins of the portable electronic device 200 are in contact, It can be designed to be elastic (perpendicular to the back side of the electronic device 200) or it can be coupled to an elastic member.
FIG. 19 illustrates a signal flow for an initialization procedure between a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 19, in step 1901, the flip cover 100 is electrically or physically connected to the portable electronic device 200 through the connector and the socket of the portable electronic device 200. When the portable electronic device 200 is powered on or off, the connector of the flip cover 100 can be connected to the socket of the portable electronic device 200. When the portable electronic device 200 is in the power-on state after the portable electronic device 200 is in the power-off state and the connector is physically engaged with the socket, the flip cover 100 and the portable electronic device 200 are electrically Transition to connected state. When the connector is physically engaged with the socket in the power-on state of the portable electronic device 200, functions such as plug and play are supported, and operations according to an embodiment of the present invention can be performed.

  When the flip cover 100 is connected to the portable electronic device 200, the portable electronic device 200 senses the connection of the card (or) (or module (or)) attached to the flip cover 100 in step 1903. To do. For example, the card (s) (or module (s)) can be a display module, a memory card, or at least one I / O module. Next, the card (s) (or module (s)) is described as an SDIO card (s).

  In step 1905, the portable electronic device 200 transmits the slot selection information corresponding to the specific SDIO card to the flip cover 100 in order to initialize the communication connection with the SDIO card. The control unit of the flip cover 100 receives slot selection information from the portable electronic device 200.

  In step 1907, the control unit of the flip cover 100 initializes the SDIO card corresponding to the slot or identifies the mode of the slot.

In step 1909, the control unit of the flip-type cover 100 can access the register map of the SDIO card connected to the slot to obtain information about the SDIO card. For example, the information regarding the SDIO card includes hardware information, identification information, manufacturer information (or manufacturer information), capability information, or detailed information of the SDIO card.

  Although step 1907 and step 1909 are shown separately, these may be performed as one operation, and the operation order of step 1907 and step 1909 may be changed.

  In step 1911, the flip cover 100 transmits information regarding the SDIO card to the portable electronic device 200. The portable electronic device 200 receives information related to the SDIO card.

  When the information regarding the SDIO card is received by the portable electronic device 200, in step 1913, the host driver (or bus driver) of the portable electronic device 200 calls the driver of the corresponding SDIO card with the information regarding the SDIO card.

  In step 1915, the portable electronic device 200 forms a data link by exchanging signals. Furthermore, the portable electronic device 200 executes an application that controls the corresponding SDIO card.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device is configured to include a main body corresponding to the portable electronic device 200 and the flip-type cover 100 as a package. Here, the description regarding the above-described components is omitted.

  The portable electronic device includes a housing, a host display screen located on the front surface of the housing, a host PCB connected to the host display screen, and a flip cover 100 that is detachably attached to the back surface of the housing. That is, the main body of the portable electronic device includes a housing, a host display screen located on the front surface of the housing, and a host PCB connected to the host display screen.

The flip cover 100 includes a front cover 310, a back cover 320 that is detachably attached to the back surface of the housing, a front cover 310 and a connecting cover 330 that connects the back cover 320, a display screen 145 located on the front cover 310, and a host PCB. Including a back cover PCB 360 that is attached to the back cover 320 for receiving data from and connected to the host PCB. When connected to the host PCB, the back cover PCB 360 transmits the data received from the host PCB to the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100.
The connection cover 330 includes a built-in flexible PCB that connects the display screen 145 to the back cover PCB 360.
Data is received from the host PCB via the SDIO interface.
The back cover PCB 360 includes a controller 120 that controls the data received from the host PCB to be transmitted to the display screen 145.

  The flip cover 100 further includes a memory card socket 350 attached to the back cover 320. The controller 120 switches data received from the host PCB to at least one of the display screen 145 and the memory card socket 350.

  The flip cover 100 further includes a connector 340 that connects the back cover PCB 360 to the host PCB. Connector 340 corresponds to socket 370 mounted on the rear surface of the housing of the main body. The socket 370 may be a memory card socket such as a micro SD.

  The connector 340 includes at least one of a memory card-shaped stub inserted into the memory card socket and a flexible cable and a flexible PCB connecting the back cover PCB 360 to the stub.

The connector 340 may include a bridge having a memory card shape that can be inserted into a memory card socket and a plurality of connecting pins attached to the back cover PCB 360. The bridge includes a plurality of bridge pins that come into contact with the plurality of connecting pins when inserted into the memory card socket.

The flip cover 100 further includes a plurality of connection pins in the form of pads that connect the back cover PCB 360 to the host PCB. The plurality of connecting pins correspond to a plurality of elastic host pins mounted on the back surface of the housing.
The connection cover 330 performs a hinge function by connecting any one of the left and right sides of the front cover 310 to one of the left and right sides of the back cover 320.

The portable electronic device further includes a host controller 230 that controls to display data on the host display screen and the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100.
The display screen 145 of the flip cover 100 corresponds to the surface on which the EPD is displayed.

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable electronic device is configured to include, for example, the main body described in the portable electronic device 200 and the flip cover 100 as a package. The portable electronic device includes a package of a main body, a flip-type cover 100, and a battery cover 380. Here, the above-described components will be described.

  The portable electronic device includes a housing, a host display screen located on the front surface of the housing, a host control unit 230 located inside the housing, an SDIO memory card socket mounted on the back surface of the housing, and a removable attachment on the back surface of the housing. Flip-type cover 100 can be included. That is, the main body of the portable electronic device includes a housing, a host display screen, a host controller 230, and a memory card socket.

The flip-type cover 100 includes a front cover 310, a back cover 320 that is detachably attached to the back surface of the housing, a connection cover 330 that connects the front cover 310 to the back cover 320, a display screen 145 positioned on the front cover 310, and a memory card. A memory card connector corresponding to the socket can be included.
The host control unit 230 controls to display data on the host display screen and the display screen 145 of the flip cover 100.

  The back cover PCB 360 of the flip cover 100 can be realized at a position other than the back cover 320. For example, the PCB including the control unit 120 can be attached to the front cover 310 or the connection cover 330. The PCB located on the front cover 310 or the connecting cover 330 can be connected to the connector 340 or the memory card socket 350 via a cable or a flexible PCB.

The back cover PCB 360 or the PCB including the control unit 120 in the flip cover 100 can be omitted. For example, the control unit 120 or the display module 140 is realized by at least one chip or module. At least one chip, module, socket 350, and connector 340 can be interconnected by a cable or flexible PCB. The interface of each card or module (eg, display interface 130 or memory card interface 150) can be a cable, flexible PCB, demultiplexer, or multiplexer. At least one chip, at least one module, socket 350, or connector 340 may be secured to the flip cover 100 by a finish member. Even if the back cover PCB 360 is omitted, when the functional block of the flip cover 100 described above with reference to FIG. 8 is included as an example, the portable electronic device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the flip cover thereof It is obvious to those with ordinary knowledge that 100 is operated.
The PCB including the control unit 120 can be divided into positions of the front cover 310, the back cover 320, and the connection cover 330.

  The memory card socket 350 included in the flip-type cover 100 may be positioned on the inner surface or the outer surface of the front cover 310, the back cover 320, or the connection cover 330 based on the manufacturer's design.

  FIG. 20 shows a flip-type cover and a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the description regarding the similar or identical components shown in FIG. 11 is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 20, the flip cover 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention does not include the controller 120. Accordingly, the memory card 455 and the display module 140 included in the flip cover 100 are controlled by the host controller 230. That is, the host control unit 230 directly controls the switch of data received from the portable electronic device 200. “Direct control” means that the specific module is not controlled by the second signal generated by another control unit based on the first signal generated from the host control unit 230. In other words, a command (or instruction) signal for the specific module generated by the host control unit 230 is transmitted to the specific module without passing through another control unit (for example, the control unit 120).
FIG. 21 shows a pin map for the SD mode and SPI mode defined in the SDIO standard according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The control unit 340 of the flip-type cover 100 and the memory card socket 1170 of the portable electronic device 200 are configured to meet a specific standard interface. The connector 340 including the bridge 1510 shown in FIG. 21 will be described by taking the embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 24 as an example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, when other embodiments (see, for example, FIGS. 16A to 18B) comply with the SDIO standard, the descriptions regarding FIGS. 20 to 24 are equally applied.

  The memory card socket can accept a memory card based on the SDIO standard. The SDIO standard can support a 1-bit SD mode, a 4-bit SD mode, and an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) mode, and can support eight slots by an interface control module of the SDIO standard. For example, an SDIO connector and an SDIO memory card socket connect one to four data lines, a clock line, a command line, a ground, a power supply line, or an interrupt line.

  Referring to FIG. 21, the bridge 1510 includes eight pins 1511 according to the SDIO standard. The operations / functions assigned to the eight pins 1511 in the 4-bit SD mode and the SPI mode are described in the table shown in FIG. The eight pins 1511 can be electrically connected to a plurality of connecting pins (not shown) attached to the portable electronic device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, operations / functions are assigned to pins 1 and 8 designated as reserved (RSV) pins in the flip cover and portable electronic device. For example, a chip select (CS) operation / function is assigned to pin 1, and an operation / function for detecting a voltage level for distinguishing a connector or a memory card inserted into a memory card socket is assigned to pin 8. The detected voltage level may be determined as one of low (L) and high (H). When the voltage level is L, the host controller 230 determines that the flip cover is electrically connected to the portable electronic device. When the voltage level is H, the host control unit 230 determines that a memory card (for example, T (Trans) -flash card) is inserted. In the following, a case where a CS operation / function is assigned to pin 1 and an operation / function for detecting a voltage level is assigned to pin 8 will be described as an example. For convenience of explanation, in order to distinguish the operations / functions of the pins 1 and 2, the operations / functions of the pin 1 are referred to as “CS2”, and the operations / functions of the pin 2 are referred to as “CS1”.
It is further considered that the operation / function for detecting voltage is assigned to pin 1 and the CS operation / function is assigned to pin 8.
FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a flip cover and a portable electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 22, the host control unit 230 detects whether the memory card 455 or the memory card connector 1140 is inserted into the memory card socket 1170 of the portable electronic device 200 in step S2401. This detection is performed by a memory card detection pin (for example, a T-flash detection pin (not shown)) included in the memory card socket 1170. If the detected voltage level of the memory card detection pin is L, the host controller 230 supplies power to the memory card socket 370 in step S2403. In step S2401, the voltage level of the memory card socket 370 is detected, and based on the detected voltage level, it is determined whether or not the memory card 455 or the memory card connector 1140 inserted into the memory card socket 370 exists. Therefore, the purpose of the operation / function performed by the memory card detection pin is different from the purpose of the operation / function performed by the pin 8.

  In step S2405, the host control unit 230 performs control so as to sense the state of the pin 8 after step S2403. In step S2407, the host controller 230 detects whether the voltage level of the pin 8 is L or not. When the voltage level of the pin 8 is L, the host control unit 230 determines that the flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200 in step S2411. On the other hand, when the voltage level of the pin 8 is H, the host control unit 230 determines in step S2411 that a memory card (for example, a T-flash card) 455 is inserted. If the voltage level of the pin 8 is H, the host controller 230 performs SDIO card initialization for data transmission / reception with the inserted memory card in step S2409. The SDIO card initialization is performed by an initialization algorithm defined in the SDIO standard.

When the host controller 230 determines that the flip cover 100 is attached to the portable electronic device 200, the host controller 230 has a memory card 455 inserted into the memory card socket 350 of the flip cover 100. Control the operation / function to determine whether or not. Therefore, the host controller 230 performs SDIO card initialization in step S2413. As in step S2409, the SDIO card initialization may be performed by an initialization algorithm defined by the SDIO standard.
As a result of the initialization of the SDIO card in step 2413, the host control unit 230 determines whether or not an initialization error occurs in step S2415.

  If an initialization error has occurred, the host controller 230 determines in step S2421 that only the display module is present in the flip cover 100. That is, the host control unit 230 can determine that no memory card is inserted in the memory card socket 350 of the flip cover 100. Accordingly, in step S2423, the host control unit 230 can control the display module 140 and the portable electronic device 200 to communicate with each other by CS2 (pin 1) as shown in FIG. For this purpose, the host controller 230 selects the display module 170 using CS2 (pin 1) as shown in FIG.

  If an initialization error does not occur in step S2415, the host controller 230 determines in step S2417 that both the display module and the memory card are present in the flip cover 100. That is, the host control unit 230 determines that a memory card is inserted into the memory card socket 350 of the flip cover 100. Accordingly, in step S2419, the host control unit 230 controls the display module 140 and the portable electronic device 200 to communicate with each other using CS2 (pin 1) as shown in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, control is performed so that the portable electronic device 200 communicates with the memory card 455 inserted into the memory card socket 350 of the flip cover 100 using CS1 (pin 2). The host control unit 230 controls to select the display module 170 using CS2 (pin 1) in order to communicate with the display module 170. Further, in order to communicate with the memory card inserted into the memory card socket 350 of the flip cover 100, the host control unit 230 selects the memory card interface 150 of the flip cover 100 using CS1 (pin 2). To control.

  20 to 24, the host controller 230 of the portable electronic device 200 controls operations / functions related to the flip cover 100 to reduce physical space saving and cost of the flip cover 100. A saving effect can be generated.

1A to 1C, FIG. 3A, FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 to FIG. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a program is composed of software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. 1A to 1C, FIG. 3A, FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, FIG. 19, FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 to FIG. 24 can be recorded on a recording medium. Can be downloaded from an electronic device or input unit.

The portable electronic device, the flip cover of the portable electronic device, and the method of controlling the flip cover of the present invention can be performed as a computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium may include any type of recording device that stores computer readable data. Examples of these recording media include ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random-Access Memory), optical disk, magnetic tape, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, non-volatile memory, non-optical data storage device, and Including, but not limited to, a carrier wave (such as data transmission via the Internet via a wired / wireless transmission path). The computer-readable recording medium is distributed over network-connected computer systems, so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed form.

  Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments, the present invention has been described in detail without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the details can be made.

100: Flip-type cover 145: Display screen 200: Portable electronic device 310: Front cover 320: Back cover 330: Connection cover 340: Connector 341: Flexible PCB
343: Stub 345: Connector connecting member 350: Memory card socket 360: Back cover PCB
370: Socket

Claims (15)

A flip type cover for portable electronic equipment,
A front cover,
A back cover configured to be detachably attached to the back surface of the portable electronic device;
A connecting cover in which the front cover is connected to the back cover;
A display screen located on the front cover;
A back cover printed circuit board (PCB) attached to the back cover, connected to the portable electronic device and receiving data from the portable electronic device,
When the flip cover is attached to the portable electronic device, the back cover PCB transmits data received from the portable electronic device to the display screen.   The flip cover according to claim 1, wherein the connection cover includes a built-in flexible PCB so as to connect the display screen to the back cover PCB.   The flip cover according to claim 1, wherein the data is received from the portable electronic device according to a secure digital input / output (SDIO) standard.   The flip cover according to claim 1, wherein the back cover PCB includes a control unit configured to control data received from the portable electronic device to be transmitted to the display screen. A connector for connecting the back cover PCB and the portable electronic device;
The flip-type cover according to claim 1, wherein the connector is positioned corresponding to a memory card socket attached to a back surface of the portable electronic device. A plurality of pad-type connecting pins configured to connect the back cover PCB to the portable electronic device;
The flip-type cover according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pad-type connecting pins are positioned corresponding to a plurality of elastic host pins attached to a back surface of the portable electronic device. The display screen is
When the back cover is attached to the portable electronic device and the front cover covers a host display screen of the portable electronic device, the back cover is located on a surface of the front cover facing the host display screen. The flip-type cover according to claim 1. The display screen is
The said back cover is attached to the said portable electronic device, and when the said front cover covers the host display screen of the said portable electronic device, it is located in the exposed surface of the said front cover. Flip type cover.   The flip type cover according to claim 1, wherein the display screens are located on both sides of the front cover. The connecting cover is
2. The flip-type cover according to claim 1, wherein one of the left and right sides of the front cover functions as a hinge by connecting to one of the left and right sides of the back cover. A method for controlling a flip cover in a portable electronic device, comprising:
Detecting a voltage level of a memory card inserted into a memory card socket of the portable electronic device or a connector of the flip-type cover;
Determining whether the memory card or the connector is inserted according to the detected voltage level;
Determining the data transmission mode based on the secure digital input / output (SDIO) standard according to the determination;
A method characterized by comprising:   12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining the data transmission mode sets the data transmission mode to a serial peripheral interface (SPI) mode when the connector is inserted.   The method of claim 11, wherein the step of detecting the voltage level includes detecting a voltage level using a predetermined pin among spare pins defined in the SDIO standard.   The step of determining whether or not the memory card or the connector is inserted includes inserting the connector of the flip cover into the memory card socket when the detected voltage level is low (L). The method of claim 11, wherein the method is determined.   The step of determining whether or not the memory card or the connector is inserted determines that the memory card is inserted into the memory card socket when the detected voltage level is high (H). The method according to claim 11.

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