KR101736865B1 - Mobile terminal method for manufacturing mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case formed of a plate member having a predetermined thickness and including a case including an outer surface formed with a predetermined pattern and an inner surface formed to support or cover the inner structure of the terminal, A modified layer formed by a certain pressure or temperature in the process of forming the processed layer and a fringed portion formed on the outer surface by the modified layer, According to the condition, the shape of the pattern portion, the color body, and the roughness of the peak are differently implemented, and a unique terminal case can be provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal,

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable terminal in which a three-dimensional pattern is formed in a case and a method of manufacturing the same.

As the functions are diversified, the terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia device having a complex function of, for example, taking pictures or moving pictures, playing music or moving picture files, receiving games and receiving broadcasts have.

The terminal can move And may be divided into a mobile terminal and a stationary terminal depending on whether the mobile terminal is a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal. A portable terminal is a portable device having one or more functions capable of performing voice and video communication, capable of inputting / outputting information, and storing data, which can be carried while being portable.

In order to support and enhance the functionality of such terminals, efforts have been made to improve the structural and / or software aspects of the terminal.

Particularly, in the production of a portable terminal, a method of giving characteristics to the appearance of a case, a key mark, or the like can be considered in order to improve an aesthetics of the appearance.

One embodiment of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal having a different appearance from the conventional one. And particularly to provide a portable terminal that forms a unique three-dimensional pattern on an outer surface of a terminal case.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable terminal comprising: a plate member having a predetermined thickness; A processing layer formed on the inner surface by processing means; a modified layer formed by a certain pressure or temperature in the process of forming the processed layer; and a pattern formed on the outer surface by the modified layer .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the plate member is formed of a metal material.

According to one example related to the present invention, the plate member is formed of a metal material only in a part including the machining layer.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fringe portion is formed protruding from the outer surface.

According to one example related to the present invention, the machining layer is formed by forming a groove on the inner surface using a laser.

According to one example of the present invention, the pattern portion is thermally deformed due to processing using a laser, thereby forming a part of the outer surface in contact with the denatured layer while expanding.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: forming a case by molding or press working; forming an outer surface of the case through surface processing; Forming a modified layer on a plate member by a change in pressure or temperature during processing, and forming a patterned portion on the outer surface by the modified layer.

The portable terminal according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above can generate a unique aesthetic appearance and provide a unique feeling of grip.

In addition, the shape of the patterned portion, the color and the roughness of the peak are different according to the material and the thickness of the plate member and the processing conditions, respectively, so that a unique terminal case can be provided.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
3 illustrates an inner surface of a case of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an external view of the case of Fig. 3; Fig.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the case of Figure 4;
6A to 6B are actual photographs of a case according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a conceptual view illustrating a molding method of a portable terminal case according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

The mobile terminal described in this specification includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), an e-book, Navigation, and the like.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, A controller 170, a controller 180, a power supply 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, and a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules for enabling wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and the network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

For example, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), a Media Forward Link Only And a Digital Broadcasting System (ISDB-T) (Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be adapted to other broadcasting systems as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and may be built in or externally attached to the mobile terminal 100. WLAN (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) and the like can be used as wireless Internet technologies.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as a short range communication technology.

The position information module 115 is a module for obtaining the position of the mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, an A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video communication mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ Two or more cameras 121 may be provided depending on the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal through a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the microphone 122 to remove noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. It is also possible to sense whether the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like. Meanwhile, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is for generating output related to the visual, auditory or tactile sense and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 .

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed and / or received video or UI and GUI are displayed.

The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display display, and a 3D display.

Some of these displays may be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen through. This can be referred to as a transparent display, and a typical example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparent OLED) and the like. The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be of a light transmission type. With this structure, the user can see an object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another or may be disposed integrally with each other, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

(Hereinafter, referred to as a 'touch screen') in which a display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as 'touch sensor') form a mutual layer structure, It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have the form of, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or a capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor can be configured to detect not only the position and area to be touched but also the pressure at the time of touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. Thus, the control unit 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched or the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or a nearby object without mechanical contact using the force of an electromagnetic field or infrared rays. The proximity sensor has a longer life span than the contact sensor and its utilization is also high.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection type photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation type proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. And to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field along the proximity of the pointer when the touch screen is electrostatic. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of recognizing that the pointer is positioned on the touch screen while the pointer is not in contact with the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch & The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch. &Quot; The position where the pointer is proximately touched on the touch screen means a position where the pointer is vertically corresponding to the touch screen when the pointer is touched.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch movement state, and the like). Information corresponding to the detected proximity touch operation and the proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The audio output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 also outputs sound signals related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The audio output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, touch input, and the like. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than the video signal or the audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152 so that they may be classified as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154 is vibration. The intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the hit module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 154 may include a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, a spraying force or a suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, a touch on the skin surface, contact with an electrode, And various tactile effects such as an effect of reproducing a cold sensation using an endothermic or exothermic element can be generated.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through the direct contact but also to allow the user to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sensation of the finger or arm. The haptic module 154 may include two or more haptic modules 154 according to the configuration of the portable terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and temporarily store input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, a moving picture, etc.). The memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns outputted when a touch is input on the touch screen.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM A disk, and / or an optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in association with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for communication with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or supplies power to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or transmits data to the external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip for storing various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100 and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM), a general user authentication module A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit may be a path through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100, or various command signals input by the user to the cradle may be transmitted It can be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal. The various command signals or the power source input from the cradle may be operated as a signal for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. The control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing handwriting input or drawing input performed on the touch screen as characters and images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electronic units for performing other functions. In some cases, The embodiments described may be implemented by the control unit 180 itself.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented with separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more of the functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code is stored in the memory 160 and can be executed by the control unit 180. [

2A is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed mobile terminal 100 has a bar-shaped terminal body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, and a swivel type in which two or more bodies are relatively movably coupled.

The body includes a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, and the like) which forms an appearance. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. [ A variety of electronic components are embedded in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The cases may be formed by injection molding a synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti) or the like.

The display unit 151, the sound output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, the interface 170, and the like may be disposed in the front body 101 have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on the side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102. [

The user input unit 130 is operated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The operation units 131 and 132 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates in a tactile manner.

The contents inputted by the first or second operation unit 131 or 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

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

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 'may be further mounted on the rear surface of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 may have a low pixel so that the face of the user can be photographed and transmitted to the other party in case of a video call or the like, and the camera 121 ' It is preferable to have a large number of pixels. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to shoot himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 '.

An acoustic output 152 'may be additionally disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 'may implement the stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used for the implementation of the speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be built in the terminal body or may be detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

3 to 5 are views of a case of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an inner view of a case of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the case of FIG. 4; FIG.

As shown, the portable terminal includes a case formed of a plate member having an inner surface and an outer surface, a processing layer formed on the case, a denatured layer, and a patterned portion.

The case is formed of a plate member formed to have a predetermined shape by molding or press working. The inner surface of the case is formed so as to support and cover the inner structure so as to protect the inner parts and the like of the terminal from an external impact or the like. A variety of colors and textures are imparted to the outer surface of the case, so that a certain pattern is formed to invite a sense of aesthetics to the user.

As shown in Fig. 3, when a laser beam is irradiated according to a certain pattern on the inner surface of the case, the temperature of the irradiated surface rises rapidly due to a high-density heat source . As a result, a part of the irradiated surface of the plate member is melted and grooves are formed on the irradiated surface, and some of them are evaporated or solidified on the side surface of the irradiated surface.

The machining layer may be formed on all or part of the case. For example, when a laser is used as the processing means, the plate member is preferably made of a metal material, so that only a part or a whole of the case where the processing layer is formed can be selected as a metal plate member.

The plate member in contact with the irradiation surface is formed with a denatured layer which is denatured in volume, mass, color or the like in accordance with a sudden change in pressure or temperature during processing. For example, when the case is formed by molding a thin plate made of a metal material, if the inner surface is processed using a laser, the volume of the denatured layer in contact with the processed layer increases.

Unlike the original plate member, a pattern portion for forming a constant pattern is formed on the surface of the case by such a denatured layer by denaturation of the denatured layer according to processing conditions.

For example, when the inner surface of the plate member made of metal is processed using a laser, a part of the outer surface of the plate member protrudes from the outer surface of the irradiation surface due to the change in volume, A certain pattern is formed as shown in FIG.

Thus, a unique three-dimensional pattern can be realized due to a pattern portion which is scattered and reflected according to the angle of light irradiation to form a different aesthetic feeling and protrudes at a predetermined height from the outer surface.

In addition, according to the material, the thickness of the plate member, and the processing conditions, the shape of the pattern portion, the chromaticity and the roughness of the peak are differently implemented.

Figs. 6A and 6B are actual photographs of the inner or outer surface of the case according to an embodiment of the present invention, supporting the above. Fig.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, a plate member is selected, and a case of a certain shape is formed by molding or press working. In order to produce a unique patterned portion, the outer surface of the case must be free from scratches, light scattering and reflection must be performed well, and therefore it is preferable to have a smooth surface by surface processing.

When the inner surface of the case is processed using the processing means, a machining layer having a uniform pattern is formed, and a denatured layer is formed on the plate member in accordance with the pressure or the temperature at the time of processing. A patterned portion is formed on the outer surface of the case by the modified layer.

The above-described portable terminal and its manufacturing method are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be modified so that all or some of the embodiments may be selectively And may be configured in combination.

Claims (7)

A case formed of a plate member having a predetermined thickness and including an outer surface on which a predetermined pattern is formed and an inner surface formed to support or cover the inner structure of the terminal;
A processing layer formed on the inner surface so as to protrude outward in the thickness direction of the plate member by laser processing;
A modified layer formed by thermal deformation due to a change in pressure or temperature during processing using the laser to expand to the outside of the case; And
And a pattern portion formed on the modified layer such that a part of the outer surface contacting the modified layer by thermal deformation is protruded from the outer surface,
In this case,
A region formed of a metal material and thermally deformed during processing using the laser; And
And another region in which thermal deformation does not occur during processing using the laser,
Wherein the modified layer is recessed on the working layer and expanded so as to correspond to a protruding shape of the working layer. delete delete delete delete delete Forming a case by molding or press working;
Forming an outer surface of the case through surface processing;
A processing layer projecting in the thickness direction of the plate member by laser processing is formed on the inner surface of the case and thermal deformation occurs in the plate member due to a change in pressure or temperature during processing using the laser, Forming an expanding denaturant layer; And
And forming a pattern portion protruding from the outer surface of a portion of the outer surface contacting the modified layer by thermal deformation of the modified layer.

Images