KR20060091506A - External lcd lighting structure having status indicating function of mobile communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal comprising a status indicator lamp and a backlight of an external LCD as one apparatus and a circuit, and more particularly, a light guide is arranged around a confirmation window of an external LCD, and an external LCD is disposed on the arranged light guide. A secondary LED dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function by allowing the light guide to serve as a status indicator lamp and a backlight of an external LCD at the same time.

In the present invention, in the mobile communication terminal provided with an external LCD module inside the case of the terminal, a confirmation window for confirming the external LCD module is formed in the case of the terminal corresponding to the external LCD module, the confirmation window portion An edge portion formed of a transparent light guide is formed at a circumference thereof, and at least one light source for irradiating light to the inner surface of the edge portion is provided at an inner side of the edge portion, so that light generated from the at least one light source is made of the transparent light guide. After being incident to the unit, the light is transmitted to the entire edge portion and is emitted to the outside and the inside of the edge portion, so that the light emitted outside the edge portion serves as a status display lamp indicating the state of the terminal, and is emitted from the inside of the edge portion. Light the external LCD module There is provided an external LCD dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function, which is incident on and serves as a backlight for dimming an external LCD module.

Terminal, LCD, Backlight, Status Lamp, Light Guide

Description

External LCD lighting structure having status indicating function of mobile communication terminal

1 is a view showing a status display lamp and an external LCD dimming structure of a conventional mobile communication terminal.

2 is a plan view showing an external LCD dimming structure having a status display function according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating A-A and B-B cross-sectional shapes of FIG. 2.

4 is a view showing a preferred example of an external LCD dimming circuit having a status display function according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit diagram of FIG. 4.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

2: external LCD module 4: printed circuit board

6: control unit 8: sensing unit

10: lower main body 20: upper main body

20a: case 50: side input key

100: confirmation window 200: frame

250: transflective layer 300: light source

TR: switch

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal comprising a status indicator lamp and a backlight of an external LCD as one apparatus and a circuit, and more particularly, a light guide is arranged around a confirmation window of an external LCD, and an external LCD is disposed on the arranged light guide. A secondary LED dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function by allowing the light guide to serve as a status indicator lamp and a backlight of an external LCD at the same time.

In mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, portable wireless terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, the majority of them are equipped with external LCDs exposed to the outside of the terminals.

For example, in a 'folding type terminal' which allows the upper body to be rotated with respect to the lower body, a main LCD is provided inside the upper body, and an auxiliary LCD is provided on the outside of the upper body. Therefore, even when the upper body is closed, the status information of the terminal or the user menu can be checked even when the terminal is not used through the auxiliary LCD (external LCD) that is exposed to the outside.

On the other hand, in a bar type terminal having only one main body or a slide type mobile communication terminal in which the upper main body is slidably coupled to the lower main body, respectively. Since the main LCD is always exposed to the outside of the terminal body or the upper body, even when the terminal is not used through the main LCD (external LCD), the status information of the terminal or the user menu can be checked.

These external LCDs can be powered on the device for the first time, continuously pressing a function key such as a side key for a certain period of time (about 2 seconds), or when the upper body or folder is opened or an incoming call is made. Lights up to check the external LCD screen.

At the same time, the conventional terminal is provided with a 'status display lamp' for visually displaying the state of the terminal. For example, the status indicator lamp blinks the status indicator lamp periodically to check the position of the terminal even in a dark place in a state where the terminal is not commercially available (receive standby state). In the case of power-on, it dynamically flashes in various colors so that the user can be visually informed.

1 is an example of a 'foldable' mobile communication terminal in which the upper main body 20 is rotatably coupled to the lower main body 10 among various mobile communication terminals having the externally exposed LCD as described above. Is shown.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the terminal includes an external LCD 30 (secondary LCD) installed outside the upper main body 20 and a status display lamp 40 provided on an external side of the terminal.

The external LCD 30 is dimmed by a backlight 32 having a light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) or a fluorescent lamp. In addition, the status display lamp 40 is composed of an LED configured as a circuit separate from the light source of the external LCD 30.

As described above, since the external LCD 30 and the status display lamp 40 are conventionally constituted by separate circuits and elements, it may cause a cost increase, or the functions of the external LCD and the status display lamp may be duplicated, resulting in inconvenience in use. There are drawbacks to this.

For example, when the terminal is powered on for the first time or when an incoming call is made, the status display lamp 40 and the backlight 32 of the external LCD 30 are turned on at the same time so that the terminal is booted. You will receive an incoming call.

In the reception standby state after the terminal is fully booted, the backlight 32 of the external LCD 30 is turned off, and the status indicator lamp 40 blinks periodically to position the terminal even in a dark place. You can check.

As described above, the external LCD 30 and the status display lamp 40 are conventionally configured so that the operations of the external LCD 30 and the status display lamp 40 are often duplicated. In addition, the backlight 32 of the external LCD 30 has only a simple dimming function, which is not efficient.

In addition, in the reception standby state, if you want to check the current time or the status of the terminal through the external LCD 30, the key (such as the side input key 50) must be pressed for a few seconds, the backlight of the external LCD 30 ( 32) is turned on (ON), there is an inconvenience that the operation to press the key button is added.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems as described above, and an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of the terminal by configuring the backlight role and the status display lamp of the external LCD as one apparatus and one circuit. Even if you don't press the button, you can check the external LCD.

The object of the present invention described above is to arrange the light guide around the confirmation window of the external LCD, and to illuminate the backlight of the external LCD on the disposed light guide, so that the light guide serves as a status indicator lamp and the backlight of the external LCD at the same time. It is achieved by providing an auxiliary LCD dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function.

Specifically, the auxiliary LCD dimming structure of the mobile communication terminal having a status display function according to the present invention is a mobile communication terminal having an external LCD module provided inside the case of the terminal, the case of the terminal corresponding to the external LCD module; A confirmation window is formed on the external LCD module, and an edge portion formed of a transparent light guide is formed around the identification window portion, and at least one light source for irradiating light to the inner surface of the edge portion in close proximity to the inner side of the edge portion. The light emitted from the at least one light source is incident to the edge portion formed of the transparent light guide and then is transmitted to the entire edge portion to be emitted to the outside and the inside of the edge portion, so that the light emitted outside the edge portion of the terminal Of status indicator lamp to display status The external light dimming structure of the mobile communication terminal having a status display function is to serve as a backlight, the light emitted from the inside of the edge portion is incident to the external LCD module to illuminate the external LCD module. Is provided.

In the present invention described above, the edge portion made of the transparent light guide member, the portion exposed to the outside of the case of the terminal is made of a transflective portion, the remaining portion of the light emitting toward the external LCD module side while being adjacent to the external LCD module is in a transparent state as it is. By maintaining, the amount of light emitted to the external LCD module may be configured to be greater than the amount of light emitted to the outside of the case.

The transflective portion is preferably formed by a transflective layer formed by applying a transflective material to one side of the inner surface of the edge portion of the transparent light guide.

In the present invention described above, the confirmation window portion and the edge portion may be composed of a single transparent light guide.

In the present invention described above, it is preferable that the edge portion of the transparent light guide member is made of a semi-circle having a cross-sectional shape of a portion exposed to the outside of the case of the terminal having a constant thickness.

In the present invention described above, the transparent light guide may be composed of an acrylic resin (PMMA: Polymethymethacrylate) or an olefin (Olefin, an ethylene hydrocarbon compound).

In the present invention, the at least one light source is preferably composed of one or more LED (Light Emitting Diode).

In the present invention described above, the control unit for controlling the on and off of each of the at least one LED by the external sensing value, such as the user's key button operation, opening and closing of the terminal, incoming signal input from the antenna, and the like The switch unit may further include a switch unit connected to a general-purpose input / output port and turned on / off according to a control signal of the controller to emit one or more LEDs.

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

2 and 3 illustrate an external LCD dimming structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of A-A and B-B of FIG. 2.

First, as shown in Figure 2, the present invention is provided with a confirmation window 100 to the outside of the case 20a of the terminal, without a separate state display lamp, and made of a light guide around the confirmation window 100 The edge portion 200 is provided, and has a structure in which a light source 300 for irradiating light onto the inner surface of the edge portion 200 is provided.

Through the confirmation window 100, the external LCD module provided in the terminal case 20a may be confirmed. The confirmation window 100 may be formed of a transparent body in the same manner as the confirmation window of the conventional terminal.

And, the edge portion 200 is made of a transparent light guide, when the light generated from the light source 300 is incident, the light is transmitted (scattered) to the entire edge portion 200 to the outside and inside the edge portion 200 Outgoing. Therefore, the light emitted to the outside of the edge portion 200 is visible to the user to serve as a status display lamp for displaying the state of the terminal, the light emitted from the inside of the edge portion 200 is the case ( 20a) is incident to the internal external LCD module to serve as a backlight for illuminating the external LCD module.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the confirmation window 100 is formed in a position corresponding to the external LCD module 2 provided in the case 20a, the edge portion 200 is the confirmation It is formed along the circumference of the window 100.

The confirmation window portion 100 and the edge portion 200, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, may be made of one body, that is, a single body. In this case, the confirmation window 100 and the edge 200 are made of a single transparent light guide. As the transparent light guide, it is technically stable to use an acrylic resin (PMMA: Polymethymethacrylate) or an olefin (Olefin, an ethylene hydrocarbon compound) mainly used as a backlight light guide plate of LCD. When the confirmation window unit 100 and the edge unit 200 are constituted by independent members, the outer circumference of the confirmation window unit 100 may be attached to the edge unit 200 by bonding or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light source 300 may use a light emitting diode (LED). When the LED is used as the light source 300, it can emit light in various colors, and thus it is easy to implement a status display lamp. When the LED is used as the light source 300, as shown in FIG. 3, the LED may be mounted on the printed circuit board 4 for driving the external LCD module 2.

The light generated from the one or more light sources 300 is incident to the lower portion of the edge portion 200 formed of the transparent light guide and then transmitted (scattered) to the entire edge portion 200. Subsequently, the light transmitted to the entire edge 200 is emitted to the outside and the inside of the edge 200. Since the light emitted to the outside of the edge portion 200 is visible to the terminal user, it serves as a status display lamp for displaying the state of the terminal. The light emitted from the inside of the edge portion 200 is incident on the external LCD module 2 to serve as a backlight for dimming the external LCD module 2.

In the present invention, the edge portion 200 made of the transparent light guide member, the portion exposed to the outside of the case 20a of the terminal is made of a transflective portion, the external LCD module 2 while adjacent to the external LCD module 2 It is preferable to maintain the transparent state of the remaining portion is emitted to the side as it is. In this case, the amount of light emitted to the external LCD module 2 is greater than the amount of light emitted to the outside of the case 20a, thereby enhancing the backlight function of the external LCD module 2.

To this end, the transflective portion, as shown in Figure 3, it is easy to manufacture by forming a transflective layer 250 on the inner surface of the edge portion 200. The transflective layer 250 may be formed by applying a transflective material. Otherwise, the semi-transmissive part and the transparent part may be formed using a method such as double injection.

In the present invention, the edge portion 200, as shown in Figure 3, the cross-sectional shape of the portion exposed to the outside of the case 20a of the terminal has a semi-circular shape (half cross-section of the tube or tube) Cut shape). As such, when the edge portion 200 exposed to the outside of the case 20a of the terminal is configured in a semi-circular shape, the outer design of the terminal can be realized with a smooth and stable feeling, and the light emitted from the light source 300 can be received without loss. It becomes possible.

3 illustrates an example in which the transflective layer 250 described above is formed when the edge portion 200 has a semicircular cross section.

That is, a 45-degree angled inner side (right side in the drawing) is maintained as a transparent portion around the point where the line extending the surface of the confirmation window portion 100 and the left-right central axis of the edge portion 200 cross each other. The part (left side in drawing) can be comprised from a transflective part. In this case, the transflective layer 250 for forming the transflective portion is applied to the left inner surface of the 45 degree angle line. Most of the light emitted from the light source 300 is incident on the right portion of the 45 degree angle line and then transmitted to the entire edge portion 200. Accordingly, in FIG. 3, the amount of light emitted to the right portion of the 45 degree angle line (outside the terminal) is reduced, and adjacent to the external LCD module 2 and the confirmation window 100 that are inside the 45 degree angle line left portion (the inside of the terminal). Part), the amount of light emitted is relatively large, the soft light is emitted outside the terminal and the backlight function is enhanced. Here, the 45 degree angle shows an example of how to divide the transparent portion and the translucent portion, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described angle.

4 and 5 show preferred circuit diagrams and block diagrams for external LCD dimming according to the present invention, respectively.

4 and 5 exemplify a case where a plurality of LEDs are used as the light source 300.

4 and 5, the light source 300 is composed of a plurality of LEDs (LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4) for generating light. The switch unit TR may include a plurality of switches TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4 for switching the driving of the plurality of LEDs LED1, LED2, LED3, and LED4.

The plurality of switches TR1, TR2, TR3, and TR4 are each controlled by a control unit 6 having a mobile station modem device (MSM), and the control signal from the control unit 6 is a general purpose of the mobile station modem device. Output may be performed through an input / output port (GPIO_1, GPIO_2, GPIO_3, GPIO_4; GPIO: General Purpose Input / Output Port). When a 'high' signal is output from the general-purpose input / output ports GPIO_1, GPIO_2, GPIO_3, and GPIO_4, the LEDs LED1, LED2, LED3, and LED4 are turned on, and the 'low' signal is turned on. When output, the LEDs (LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4) is off (OFF).

The mobile station modem apparatus functions as a central processing unit that controls the entire mobile communication terminal and functions as a modem.

The control section 6 made up of such a mobile station modem apparatus performs a control operation in accordance with a signal applied from the sensing section 8. The sensing unit 8 may be a key button such as a side key 50 of the terminal, a magnetic sensor for detecting opening or closing of the upper body of the terminal, a signal processing unit for processing an incoming signal input from an antenna, and the like.

Here, the LEDs (LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4) can be used to have all the diodes of R (Red), G (Green), B (Blue) color each one. Accordingly, the LEDs LED1, LED2, LED3, and LED4 may emit red, green, and blue colors, respectively, and yellow, green, and blue may be selectively combined with diodes of respective R, G, and B colors. It can be controlled to emit various colors such as (Cyan), purple (Magenta), and white (White).

In the present invention made as described above, as shown in Figure 3, when the light source 300 is turned on (ON) the backlight of the edge portion 200 and the external LCD module 2 emits light at the same time.

That is, the light generated from the light source 300 is incident to the lower portion of the edge portion 200 made of a transparent light guide, and then scattered to the entire edge portion 200 and evenly transmitted.

Light transmitted to the entire edge 200 is emitted to the outside and the inside of the edge 200. Since the light emitted to the outside of the edge portion 200 is visible to the terminal user, it serves as a status display lamp for displaying the state of the terminal. The light emitted from the inside of the edge portion 200 is incident on the external LCD module 2 to serve as a backlight for dimming the external LCD module 2.

Here, the edge portion 200 made of the transparent light guide member, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portion exposed to the outside of the case 20a of the terminal is made of a transflective portion, while adjacent to the external LCD module 2 The remainder of the outgoing light output to the external LCD module 2 is maintained as it is. Therefore, in this case, the amount of light emitted to the external LCD module 2 is greater than the amount of light emitted to the outside of the case 20a, so that soft light is emitted to the outside of the terminal and the backlight function is enhanced. do.

Subsequently, an example of displaying the state of the terminal and turning on the backlight of the external LCD module 2 may be as follows.

First, when the terminal is powered on for the first time or when an incoming call is made, the light source 300 is turned on and the edge portion 200 emits light by the light. The external LCD module 2 is delivered to the outside of the confirmation window 100 from the external LCD module 2 is made. Therefore, the user can check the booting and the incoming state of the terminal by viewing the light emission of the edge unit 200 or the screen of the LCD module 2.

In the reception standby state after the terminal is fully booted, the light source 300 may be periodically turned on so that light of the edge portion 200 and the screen of the external LCD module 2 may be periodically illuminated. . Therefore, the user can check the position of the terminal even in a dark place. In particular, at this time, the edge portion 200 periodically emits light and the screen of the external LCD module 2 is periodically brightened, so that the external LCD module 2 may be operated even if a key button such as the side input key 50 is not operated separately. Through the convenience of checking the time or the status of the terminal.

In the above example, when the light source 300 is made of one or more LEDs according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the one or more LEDs in different colors flash or sequentially flash in different colors to dynamically operate the state. You can also direct.

In addition, when the user opens the upper body (folder) of the terminal, the light source 300 is turned on accordingly, the screen of the edge portion 200 and the external LCD module 2 is brightened.

In the foregoing description, specific embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings have been described in detail, but this is only an example and the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention as described above can be variously modified and equivalent other embodiments by those of ordinary skill in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention, such modifications and equivalent other embodiments are It goes without saying that it belongs to the appended claims of the invention.

As described above, in the present invention, the light guide is disposed around the confirmation window of the external LCD, and the backlight of the external LCD is illuminated on the disposed light guide so that the light guide serves as a status display lamp and the backlight of the external LCD at the same time. Can be.

Therefore, the circuit or the device is simplified to improve the efficiency of the terminal, and it is possible to check the external LCD without performing an inconvenient operation of pressing a key button.

Claims (8)

In the mobile communication terminal provided with an external LCD module in the case of the terminal, A confirmation window is formed in the case of the terminal corresponding to the external LCD module to confirm the external LCD module, An edge portion made of a transparent light guide is formed around the confirmation window portion, At least one light source for irradiating light to the inner surface of the edge portion in close proximity to the inner side, The light generated from the at least one light source is incident on the edge portion formed of the transparent light guide and then transmitted to the entire edge portion to be emitted to the outside and the inside of the edge portion, so that the light emitted outside the edge portion indicates the state of the terminal. Serving as a status indicator lamp, the light emitted from the inside of the edge portion is incident to the external LCD module to serve as a backlight for illuminating the external LCD module, the outside of the mobile communication terminal having a status display function LCD dimming structure. The method of claim 1, The edge portion made of the transparent light guide member, the portion of the terminal outside the case is made of a transflective portion, adjacent to the external LCD module while the remaining portion of the light emitted to the external LCD module side is maintained as it is, the external LCD An external LCD dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function, characterized in that the amount of light emitted to the module is greater than the amount of light emitted to the outside of the case. The method of claim 1, And the transflective portion is formed by a transflective layer formed by applying a transflective material to one side of an inner surface of an edge portion of the transparent light guide body. The method of claim 1, The confirmation window and the edge portion of the external LCD dimming structure of the mobile communication terminal having a status display function, characterized in that consisting of a single transparent light guide. The method according to claim 1 or 4, The edge portion of the transparent light guide member, the external LCD dimming structure of the mobile communication terminal having a status display function, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the portion exposed to the outside of the case of the terminal is a semi-circular shape having a constant thickness. The method according to claim 1 or 4, The transparent light guide member is made of an acrylic resin (PMMA: Polymethymethacrylate) or an olefin (Olefin, ethylene-based hydrocarbon compound) characterized in that the external LCD dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function. The method of claim 1, The at least one light source is an external LCD dimming structure of a mobile communication terminal having a status display function, characterized in that consisting of one or more LED (Light Emiting Diode). The method of claim 7, wherein A control unit for respectively controlling the lighting and turning off of the at least one LED by an external sensing value such as a user's key button manipulation, opening / closing of a terminal, or an incoming signal input from an antenna; And a switch unit connected to a general-purpose input / output port of the controller to turn on / off according to a control signal of the controller to emit the at least one LED.

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