KR20080113667A - Portable terminal and user interface thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal including a scroll apparatus for being mounted so that manipulate be convenient and a user interface thereof are provided to increase the usability of the scroll apparatus by including a unit for outputting visual information. A first display unit(110) is installed on a terminal body and outputs visual information. A scroll part(130) includes one or more first actuator and is operated in a first type. A second display unit(120) outputs second visual information and is formed in a second type to operate. The second display unit is arranged in the center of the scroll part.

Description

Mobile terminal and its user interface {PORTABLE TERMINAL AND USER INTERFACE THEREOF}

1 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 1;

3 is a sectional perspective view showing a cross section of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portable terminal according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portable terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

6 is an assembly cross-sectional view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 5;

7 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG. 7;

9 is a block diagram of a portable terminal of FIG. 7;

10A to 10D are front views showing an operating state of the mobile terminal according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention;

11A to 11C are front views showing an operating state of the mobile terminal according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention;

12A to 12E are front views showing an operation state of the portable terminal according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a scrolling device which is mounted for convenient navigation or manipulation, and a user interface thereof.

A portable terminal is a portable electronic device that is portable and has one or more functions for inputting and outputting information, making a voice or video call with a counterpart, storing data, and the like.

As functions are diversified, portable terminals may have functions such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or video file, receiving a game, or broadcasting. Such functions are sometimes incorporated in a portable terminal to implement a multimedia device.

In order to implement various functions and operate components, portable terminals require sufficient support in terms of hardware or software. For example, research on the development of a user interface environment in which a user can easily and conveniently use a portable terminal in terms of use has been continuously conducted. In addition, while the portable terminal is considered to be a personal portable product, a portable terminal that can be easily selected according to individuality is also proposed.

In the case of a conventional keypad mounted on a portable terminal, it is inconvenient because a plurality of keys must be repeatedly pressed or touched in order to retrieve a large amount of content.

To this end, there is an increasing number of cases in which a user is provided with a convenient user environment by applying a scroll device, which is designed to quickly search or access desired information through a rotation operation, to a portable terminal.

In the center of the scroll device, a confirmation key for selecting or executing the corresponding item may be disposed. However, this confirmation key is only responsible for the input operation has a disadvantage that can be monotonous.

The present invention has a technical object to provide a more convenient user environment by increasing the usability of the operation unit along with the scroll device used as a control unit for the navigation or adjustment of the function of the portable terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to increase the usability of the scroll apparatus by providing a portion for manipulation and a means for outputting visual information in the center of the scroll apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to make it suitable for a multimedia environment by diversifying visual information provided through a portable terminal.

The present invention to achieve the above object, the terminal body; A first display unit installed in the terminal body and outputting first visual information; At least one first actuator disposed around the scroll unit, the scroll unit being operated in a first form; And a second display unit disposed at the center of the scroll unit and configured to be manipulated in a second form and outputting second visual information.

And the present invention, the first display unit for outputting first visual information according to each mode of the terminal; At least one actuator disposed around the scroll unit for manipulating the terminal in a first form; And a second display unit disposed at the center of the scroll unit and configured to operate the terminal in a second form and output second visual information according to the mode.

Hereinafter, a portable terminal and an interface thereof according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal 100 includes a terminal body 101 forming an external appearance of a device, and the first display unit 110, the scroll unit 130, and the second display unit 110 are provided on the front surface of the terminal body 101. The display unit 120 is installed. Here, the front refers to the Z direction, and the upper side refers to the Y direction.

The upper portion of the terminal body 101 may be provided with a sound output unit 171 for outputting sound information, such as a notification sound or a call sound of the system.

The first display unit 110 is configured to output first visual information according to various modes of the portable terminal 100. That is, it may be a content input through the keypad device, a visual state of use of the terminal, a state of the multimedia being played, or a viewfinder of the camera device.

The scroll unit 130 is formed below the first display unit 110 and is configured to be operated in the first form. The scroll unit 130 is used as an operation device for searching or adjusting various functions of the mobile terminal 100.

The first form, which is a manner in which the scroll unit 130 can be manipulated, is possible in various embodiments. For example, by arranging keys in four directions in the up, down, left, and right directions in the circumferential direction, an implementation method in which the corresponding key is moved by one unit in the direction as the key is operated is possible. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the scroll unit 130 includes a means that can be substantially rotated, and can quickly move a cursor or a pointer to a corresponding item by a direction or speed of rotation of the rotation means. In addition, the scroll unit 130 may be implemented by having a touch wheel disposed horizontally on the surface of the terminal body, as shown in FIG. In this case, the inside of the terminal body may be provided with a rotation detecting unit for detecting the rotation of the contact portion of the finger touched the touch wheel.

A second display unit 120 for outputting second visual information is provided at the center of the scroll unit 130. The second display unit 120 is operable in a second form that is the same as or different from the scroll unit 130. Here, the second form refers to a method of operating by pressing or touching the second display unit 120. The second display unit 120 can output the second visual information that can be changed and an operation unit that can 'select' or 'enter' the item searched by the scroll unit 130 ( manipulator). In addition, a function that can be operated by pressing or touching the second display unit 120 may be set differently according to the mode of the portable terminal 100.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the portable terminal 100 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, a cover 102 having an installation hole 102a for installing the scroll unit 130 and a cover 102 are mounted on the outside of the terminal body 101 to support the cover 102. The frame 103 is provided.

The scroll unit 130 is rotatably disposed on the surface of the terminal body 101 and includes a rotating wheel 131 having a through hole formed in the center thereof. The scroll unit 130 includes an actuator 140 operated in a first form, and the first actuator 140 includes a switch unit 136 and a rotation sensing unit 132.

The light transmissive window 121 is disposed at the center of the scroll unit 130. The window 121 may be formed of a light transmissive or semi-transparent material so that the image output from the display 123 installed therein may be viewed.

The touch sensing unit 122, the dome sheet 135, the printed board 150, the support member 104, the display 123, and the like are sequentially stacked below the window 121 to form an assembly.

The touch sensing unit 122 may detect a touch applied to the window 121 and includes a portion 122a for connecting to the printed board 150 at one side. The touch sensing unit 122 may be formed of a light-transmissive conductive film, for example, an indium tin oxide (ITO) or carbon nanotube (CNT) in a thin film form. .

The touch sensing unit 122 may be disposed outside the window 121, and according to the touch method, the touch sensing unit 122 may be configured according to a resistive method or a capacitive method for detecting a change in capacitance. The number can be adjusted.

The dome sheet 135 has a shape in which a metal dome 137 that can cover the contact 138 is attached to a plastic sheet. A plurality of contacts 138 are disposed around the through hole 150a of the printed board 150. The metal dome 137 and the contact 138 form the switch unit 136 of the scroll unit 130.

Accordingly, when the rotary wheel 131 is pressed, the metal dome 137 corresponding to the pressed portion is pressed and connected to the contacts 138 to be energized, thereby generating an input signal.

Around the through hole 150a of the printed circuit board 150, a rotation sensing unit 132 for detecting rotation of the rotation wheel 131 is provided. Referring to FIG. 2, the rotation detecting unit 132 is fixed to the rotation wheel 131 and is disposed on the magnet 133 that is rotated together with the rotation wheel 131, and the magnet 133 rotates on the trace of the magnet 133. It may be composed of a magnetic sensor 134 for detecting a magnetic field of the. Accordingly, when the rotation wheel 131 is rotated, the magnet 133 is also rotated, and the magnetic sensor 134 detects that the magnetic field of the magnet 133 is far or near and transmits it. The portable terminal 100 determines the rotation direction according to the signal applied from the magnetic sensor 134, and determines the movement amount of the cursor or the pointer by adding up the number of times the magnet 133 passes.

In addition, the rotation detection unit for detecting the rotation of the rotary wheel 131 may be achieved by the light emitting means and an optical sensor for detecting the light of the light emitting means.

A second display unit 120 is formed at the center of the scroll unit 130 to be manipulated in a second form and outputs second visual information. The second display unit 120 is disposed within the light-transmissive window 121 and the window 121 and detects a touch applied to the window 121 and the touch sensing unit 122 of the touch sensing unit 122. And a display 123 disposed therein.

Referring to this configuration in more detail with reference to Figure 2, the inside of the printed circuit board 150 and the support member 104 is provided with a display 123 for outputting the second visual information. The display 123 may be formed by an LCD, an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a group of light emitting diodes (LEDs), or the like.

The second visual information output from the display 123 is limitedly output to the user by the through hole 131a of the rotating wheel 131.

The touch applied to the window 121 is detected by the touch sensing unit 122 disposed inside the window 121. The control command recognized by the touch sensing unit 122 is different depending on the content indicated by the second visual information. For example, if the amount controlled by the mobile terminal 100 relates to audio or video, the touch signal may act as an 'OK' for the amount.

By such a configuration, the scroll unit 130 facilitates a search or adjustment function for various lists stored or shown in the terminal 100. In addition, since the second display unit 120 is disposed at the center of the scroll unit 130, the usability of the scroll unit 130 may be improved, and each mode being executed together with the first display unit 110 may be visually displayed. It may show or guide the operation function that can be adjusted by the scroll unit 130, it may be responsible for the command or input operation according to the mode.

3 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a portable terminal 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the scroll unit 230 includes a touch wheel 231 disposed horizontally on the surface of the terminal body 201 and having a through hole formed at the center thereof, and the actuator 240 touches the touch wheel 231. Rotation sensing unit 232 for detecting the rotation of the contact portion of the finger and the switch unit 236 is disposed in a plurality of places along the circumferential direction of the touch wheel 231 is operated by pressing the touch wheel.

Accordingly, when the user rotates the finger along the touch wheel 231 while the user makes contact with the finger on the touch wheel 231, the rotation detecting unit 232 detects a change in the contact position of the finger and recognizes it as a direction movement signal. .

Inside the touch wheel 231, a second display unit 220 including a transmissive window 221, a touch sensing unit 222, a display 223, and the like is provided. Therefore, when there is a rotation of the contact portion of the finger in contact with the touch wheel 231, the second visual information output by the display 223 is also changed accordingly.

4 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portable terminal 400 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, a separate operation unit 360 may be provided around the touch wheel or the rotation wheel 331. The operation unit 360 may include a plurality of key parts 361 provided in the cover 302, and a switch part 362 disposed inside each of the key parts 361. The operation unit 360 may be input by a touch method or a push method. In FIG. 4, the switch unit 362 shows an example in which a touch sensing unit for sensing a touch applied to the key unit 361 is provided. In this case, the switch 362 is preferably mounted on the printed circuit board 350.

5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a portable terminal according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an assembled cross-sectional view of the portable terminal of FIG.

As shown in these figures, the portable terminal 400 includes a scroll unit 430 operated in a first form, and a second display unit 420 disposed in such a manner as to operate in a second form and outputting second visual information. ) Is included.

The second display unit 420 is provided on one side of the button 421 and the light-transmitting button 421 that is installed in the center of the scroll portion 430 and the switch 421 is operated in accordance with the pressing of the button 421 ( 422).

The button 422 is supported by a hinge or pivot axis 426 on one side, and the center of the button 422 acts as a window so that the screen of the display 423 is visible.

Accordingly, when there is a push on the button 421, a command corresponding to the mode is performed.

7 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal 500 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 500 of the present invention includes a first body 501 and a second body 505 slidable in at least one direction on the first body 501.

A state in which the first body 501 is disposed to overlap with the second body 505 may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 501 may be a second body 505. The exposed state of at least a portion of the N may be referred to as an open configuration.

Although the mobile terminal 500 operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, the standby mode may be released by a user's operation. In addition, the portable terminal 500 operates mainly in a call mode or the like in an open state, but may be switched to a standby mode by a user's operation or a lapse of a predetermined time.

The case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming the exterior of the first body 501 is formed by the front case 506 and the rear case 507. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 506 and the rear case 507.

At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 506 and the rear case 507. The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The first body 501, specifically, the front case 506 has a first display unit 510, an audio output unit 571, a first image input unit 572, a first manipulation unit 560, and The scroll unit 530 and the second display unit 5200 may be disposed, respectively.

The first display unit 510 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) module, and the like that visually express information. In addition, the first display unit 510 may further include a touch screen to enable input of information by a user's touch.

The sound output unit 571 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker.

The first image input unit 572 may be implemented in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video of a user.

Like the first body 501, the front case 508 and the rear case 509 may form a case of the second body 505.

The lower portion of the first display unit 510 is provided with a scroll unit 530 operated in the first form. A second display unit 520 is formed at the center of the scroll unit 530 to be manipulated in a second form and outputs second visual information. The scroll unit 530 and the second display unit 520 may include the components of the above-described embodiments.

The second manipulation unit 573 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 505, specifically, the front case 508.

The third manipulation unit 576, the first sound input unit 574, and the external interface 577 may be disposed on at least one of the front case 508 and the rear case 509.

The first to third manipulators 560, 573, and 576 may be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is tactile in a tactile manner. For example, the operation unit may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch screen that can receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, a touch pad, a wheel that rotates keys, a jog method, or a method such as a joystick. It can also be implemented as.

In functional terms, the first operation unit 560 is for inputting a command such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 573 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like.

In addition, the third manipulation unit 583 may operate as a hot key for performing a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 572.

The first sound input unit 574 may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The external interface 577 is a passage that enables the mobile terminal 500 according to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the external interface 577 may be wired or wirelessly, and a connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port ( wireless Lan port) or the like, or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal 500. The external interface 577 may be a card socket for receiving an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM), a memory card for storing information.

On the rear case 509 side, a power supply unit 575 for supplying power to the (portable terminal) is mounted. The power supply unit 575 may be detachably coupled for charging, for example, as a rechargeable battery.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 8, a second image input unit 583 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the rear case 509 of the second body 505. The second image input unit 583 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 572, and having different pixels from the first image input unit 572.

For example, the first image input unit 572 has a low pixel so that it is easy to take a picture of a user's face and transmit it to a counterpart in a video call, and the second image input unit 583 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 584 and the mirror unit 585 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 583. The flash 584 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 583. The mirror unit 585 allows the user to see his / her face or the like when the user wants to photograph (self-photograph) the user using the second image input unit 583.

The second sound output unit 582 may be further disposed in the rear case 509. The second sound output unit 582 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 571, and may be used for a call in the speakerphone mode.

On one side of the rear case 509, an antenna 581 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed in addition to an antenna for a call or the like. The antenna 581 may be installed to be pulled out of the second body 505.

A portion of the slide module 580 that slidably couples the first body 501 and the second body 505 to the rear case 507 side of the first body 501 is disposed. The other part of the slide module 580 may be disposed on the front case 508 side of the second body 505, and thus may not be exposed to the outside as shown in the drawing.

In the above description, the second image input unit 583 is disposed on the second body 505, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, at least one or more of the components described as being disposed in the rear case 509 such as the second image input unit 583 may be mounted to the first body 501, mainly the rear case 507. . If so, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) disposed on the rear case 507 in the closed state are protected by the second body 505. In addition, even if the second image input unit 583 is not separately provided, the first image input unit 572 may be rotatably formed so that the image capturing direction of the second image input unit 583 may be taken.

The portable terminal 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the slide type shown in FIG. 7 but may be applied to various structures such as a bar type, a folder type, a swing type, and the like.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the portable terminal of FIG. 7.

One example of the present invention illustrated is a wireless communication module 591, first to third manipulators 560, 573 and 576, image input units 572 and 583, sound input unit 574, first display unit 510 and sound output unit 571 and 582. And a sensing unit 596, an external interface 577, a broadcast receiving module 595, a memory 594, a power supply unit 575, and a controller 590.

The controller 590 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition to the normal function control, the controller 590 controls the operations of the scroll unit 530 and the second display unit 520 to implement a user interface related to the present invention.

The wireless communication module 591 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the controller 590, a transmission unit 593 is responsible for transmitting and receiving voice data, text data, image data, and control data, and modulates and transmits a signal to be transmitted, and a receiver for demodulating the received signal. 592).

The first to third manipulators 560, 573, and 576 are configured as shown in FIG. 7 to provide the controller 590 with key input data input by the user to control the operation of the terminal. The operation units 560, 573, 576 are composed of a dome switch, a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitive), and the like.

The image input units 572 and 583 process image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the imaging mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data displayable on the first display unit 510 and output to the first display unit 510. In addition, when a function for manipulating the image input units 572 and 583, for example, zoom-in / zoom-out, brightness / concentration, color, and the like is adjusted by the scroll unit 530, the corresponding visual graphic or number is displayed in the second display unit 520 Through the second visual information form is output.

The image frames processed by the image input units 572 and 583 are stored in the memory 594 by the control of the controller 590 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 591.

The sound input unit 574 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data is converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the wireless communication module 591 in the call mode, and then output to the wireless communication module. In the recording mode, the processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 594. The sound signal input from the sound input unit 574 may be visualized by the second display unit 120 to view the strength and weakness.

The sound input unit 574 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The first display unit 510 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, the control unit 590 outputs information related to the call. When the portable terminal is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal outputs the captured image under the control of the controller 590. When the first display unit 510 includes a touch screen, the first display unit 510 is used as an input device in addition to the output device. Modes or states of the terminal 500 shown by the first display unit 510 may be visually shown by the second display unit 520. In addition, the second display unit 520 may implement a multitasking function by outputting at least one of the tasks that the control unit 590 processes at the same time.

The sound output units 571 and 582 may receive sound data or memory 594 received from the wireless communication module 591 under the control of the control unit 590 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, and a broadcast reception mode. The stored sound data is converted and output to the outside.

In addition, the sound output units 571 and 582 output sound signals related to functions (eg, call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 571 and 582 may include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The size of the sound output by the sound output units 571 and 582 may be adjusted by the scroll unit 130, and the size of the adjusted sound may be variously visualized by the second display unit 120. That is, the second display unit 520 may function as an equalizer that shows the volume of the volume currently being applied to the sound output units 571 and 582, and graphically shows the volume output for each frequency.

The sensing unit 596 detects a current state of the portable terminal such as an open / closed state of the portable terminal, a position of the portable terminal, presence or absence of a user contact, and generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the form of a slide phone, whether the slide phone is opened or closed is sensed and the sensing result is output to the controller 590 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 575 is powered, whether the external interface 577 is coupled to an external device. An input state or an output state of various signals or information sensed by the sensing unit 596 may be output by the second display unit 520.

The external interface 577 may be connected to a mobile terminal by using a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (eg, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), or the like, in addition to the mobile terminal. It serves as an interface with external devices. The external interface 577 receives data or power from an external device and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal or transmits data within the mobile terminal to the external device. Information or signals transmitted and received by the connection with the external interface 577 may be visually shown by the second display unit 520.

The memory 594 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 590, and provides a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done. In addition, the memory 594 may store second visual information that may be output by the second display unit 520 according to the present invention. This memory 594 includes generally known concepts such as hard disks, card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 595 receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial wave, converts the broadcast signal into a broadcast data format that can be output to the sound output units 571 and 582 and the first display unit 510, and outputs it to the controller 590. . In addition, the broadcast receiving module 595 receives additional data related to the broadcast (for example, an EPG (electric program guide), a channel list, etc.). The broadcast data and additional data converted by the broadcast receiving module 595 may be stored in the memory 594. The guide to enter the broadcast reception mode, the signal strength of the received radio wave, the guide of the channel, the volume control can be visually shown by the second display unit 520, and can be manipulated by the scroll unit 530. have.

The power supply unit 575 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 590 to supply power for operation of each component. The remaining power of the power supply unit 575 may be visually output by the second display unit 520.

10A to 10D are front views showing an operation state of the mobile terminal 600 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, the first visual information output from the first display unit 610 may visually show a selectable list 610a that the portable terminal 600 can execute. In this case, the scroll unit 630 may control the movement of the pointer with respect to the menu. In addition, the second display unit 620 may display and display the mark 620b that indicates the direction in which the scroll unit 630 can be operated, in close proximity to the corresponding position of the scroll unit 630 to be operated. Execution of the selected menu is possible by performing a touch or push operation on the second display unit 620. To this end, the second display unit 620 outputs an 'OK' sign 620a indicating execution of the menu.

The second visual information output through the second display unit 620 may be an icon for identifying a mode output from the first display unit 610.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when a call is received from the other party, the first display unit 610 shows the first visual information 610b therefor, and the second display unit 620 displays the call. The received state can be shown in the form of an icon 620b.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10C, when a text has been sent from the other party, the first display unit 610 and the second display unit 620 may show message reception states thereof in the form of icons 610c and 620d. have.

As shown in FIG. 10D, in the mode of sending a text message, a photo, or a video, the first display unit 610 shows the first visual information 610d indicating that it is transmitting, and the second display unit 620 The second visual information 620d is shown.

11A to 11C are front views showing an operation state of the portable terminal according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, a case of listening to music using the mobile terminal 700 is taken as an example.

The second visual information output through the second display unit 720 is a numerical value or graphic for a state amount such as a video, audio, or broadcast, which can be selected or adjusted by manipulation of the scroll unit 730. It may also include.

For example, Fig. 11A shows a case of loading a player for playing music files (MP3, wav files, etc.). While the guide or description 710a is shown through the first display unit 710, the graphic 720a shows that the player is loading in the second display unit 720.

FIG. 11B illustrates a case in which information about a selected song is displayed through the first display unit 710, and a play button or a stop button 720c for the song is assigned to the second display unit 720. In this case, the second display unit 720 may output a function mark 720b that visually shows a function operable by the scroll unit 730 with its position.

11C illustrates a case where the volume is adjusted while playing the multimedia file, and the volume is shown by the graphic 720d through the second display unit 120.

12A to 12E are front views showing an operation state of the mobile terminal 800 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in these drawings, the first visual information output through the first display unit 810 may include information on the content to be reproduced. In addition, the second visual information output through the second display unit 820 is disposed in proximity to the playback state of the selected content or the corresponding position of the scroll unit 830 and includes an item that can be adjusted by the scroll unit 830. can do.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, when the multimedia file 810a is listed up through the first display unit 810, the second display unit 820 may move the pointer through the scroll unit 830. The front cover 820b indicating the direction is output. In addition, the second display unit 820 outputs an 'OK' mark 820a to receive its own input.

In the state of FIG. 12A, when the 'OK' input is generated to the second display unit 820, the first display unit 810 may output more detailed information 810b about the selected multimedia file (FIG. 12B). ). In addition, the second display unit 820 outputs a mark 820b indicating a direction in which the pointer can be moved through the scroll unit 830, and a play or stop mark 820c for a desired item.

If there is a tactile input to the second display unit 820, the selected song starts playing, and the first display unit 810 outputs detailed information about the selected song in the form of text, a picture, or a video. (FIG. 12C). In addition, the second display unit 820 may output a front cover 820d indicating a corresponding input position of the scroll unit 830 for moving a file or playing a file quickly.

As illustrated in FIG. 12D, the lyrics 810d of the selected song may be output to the first display unit 810 through an input of the scroll unit 830 or the second display unit 820.

The above-described portable terminal and its user interface may not be limitedly applied to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be selectively implemented in whole or in part in various embodiments so that various modifications may be made. It may be configured in combination.

According to the mobile terminal and the user interface thereof according to the present invention configured as described above, the second display unit disposed at the center of the scroll unit outputs useful visual information separate from the first display unit, and also realizes or adjusts functions. Since it can be used as an input means for the use has an effect of improving the environment.

They are useful in a multimedia environment in that they take advantage of the second display unit, which has fast navigation and access and faster information transfer that scroll devices have.

Claims (16)

Terminal body; A first display unit installed in the terminal body and outputting first visual information; At least one first actuator disposed around the scroll unit, the scroll unit being operated in a first form; And And a second display unit disposed at the center of the scroll unit and configured to be operated in a second form and outputting second visual information. The method of claim 1, The scroll unit is rotatably disposed on the surface of the terminal body, and includes a rotating wheel formed in the center through the hole, The first actuator is, A first rotation detecting unit detecting a rotation of the rotating wheel; And And a first switch unit disposed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the touch wheel and operated by pressing the rotating wheel. The method of claim 2, wherein the first rotation detection unit, A magnet fixed to the rotary wheel and rotated together with the rotary wheel; And And a magnetic sensor disposed on a rotating trace of the magnet and sensing a magnetic field of the magnet. The method of claim 3, And the first switch unit and the magnetic sensor are mounted on a printed board. The method of claim 4, wherein The printed board further comprises a second switch unit for detecting an input signal applied to the outer portion of the rotary wheel. The method of claim 5, The second switch unit is a mobile terminal, characterized in that operated in a touch manner. The method of claim 1, The scroll unit is disposed horizontally on the surface of the terminal body, and includes a touch wheel formed with a through hole in the center, The first actuator is, A second rotation detecting unit detecting a rotation of a contact portion of a finger touched by the touch wheel; And And a third switch unit disposed at a plurality of locations along the circumferential direction of the touch wheel and operated by pressing the touch wheel. The method of claim 1, wherein the second display unit, A translucent window disposed in the center of the scroll portion; A touch sensing unit disposed inside the window and sensing a touch applied to the window; And A portable terminal comprising a display disposed inside the touch sensing unit. The method of claim 8, The touch sensing unit is a portable terminal, characterized in that formed in the form of a conductive film. The method of claim 1, wherein the second display unit, A translucent button installed in a center of the scroll unit to be pushable; A fourth switch unit provided at one side of the button and operated according to the pressing of the button; And A mobile terminal comprising a display disposed inside the button. The method of claim 10, One end of the button is rotatably supported by a hinge, the other end is a portable terminal, characterized in that installed to be able to press the fourth switch. A first display unit configured to output first visual information according to each mode of the terminal; And At least one actuator disposed around the scroll unit for manipulating the terminal in a first form; And And a second display unit disposed at the center of the scroll unit and configured to operate the terminal in a second form and to output second visual information according to the mode. The method of claim 12, And the second visual information includes an icon for identifying a mode output from the first display unit. The method of claim 12, The second visual information includes a numerical value or a graphic for a state amount of a video, audio, or broadcast, which can be selected or adjusted by manipulation of the scroll unit. The method of claim 12, The first visual information includes a selectable list, And the second visual information is disposed in close proximity to a corresponding position of the scroll unit to be manipulated, and includes a direction mark indicating a moving direction of the pointer with respect to the list. The method of claim 12, The first visual information includes information on the content to be played back, And the second visual information is arranged in proximity to a playback state of the content or a corresponding position of the scroll unit, and includes an item which can be adjusted by the scroll unit.

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