KR20090054848A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal is provided to realize the high usage of a camera by being arranged at a space opened by a swing body. A display unit(31) is arranged at a front side of a swing body(30), and is connected to a terminal body(10) in a swinging way. A second keypad(50) is prepared at a region of the terminal body. The terminal body is opened by the rotation of the swing body. A camera operating unit(53) for the first camera is prepared in a first region(52A) of an upper end, and includes a connection key(54).

Description

Mobile terminal {PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a wireless mobile communication terminal having a camera.

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

As the functions are diversified, the portable terminal may have complicated functions such as photographing a picture or video, playing a music or video file, receiving a game, or receiving a broadcast. They may be implemented in the form of a comprehensive multimedia device.

Various new attempts are applied in terms of hardware or software to implement the functions of such multimedia devices. For example, a user interface environment for a user to search for or select a function easily and conveniently has been developed.

In particular, with the development of the information and communication field, the general public, not the expert group, produces faster and more valuable information than the existing media, forming a so-called User Created Contents (UCC) culture. UCC, which can combine photos or videos with text, can be uploaded to an Internet portal site so that other users can easily enjoy it.

In order to quickly and easily produce content using a portable terminal, it is necessary to properly consider an arrangement of a camera for taking a picture or a video or an operation means for operating the camera.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a portable terminal that enables a user to easily and quickly use a camera and a camera operation unit capable of capturing a picture or a video.

Another aspect of the present invention is to propose a portable terminal having excellent information transfer capability by easily connecting photographed picture or video content to another computer or the Internet.

A portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object includes a terminal body; A swing body connected to the terminal body in a horizontally swingable manner, the swing body having a first camera installed at the rear thereof to be exposed when the swing is opened; And a camera manipulation unit disposed on an area of the terminal body opened by the swing and provided to operate the first camera.

Since the first camera is disposed in an area opened by the movement of the swing body, the first camera is exposed from the terminal body only during use, thereby protecting the first camera when not in use. In this case, a display unit for outputting an image to be photographed by the camera or an image to be photographed by the camera may be disposed in front of the swing body. Preferably, the swing body may be installed to open when a force is applied in the direction of opening the thumb while holding the terminal body. That is, the swing body is opened in the direction of opening the thumb, which is a natural direction of use of the finger, and the open area of the terminal body in which the camera operation unit is installed is automatically positioned to allow the thumb to be easily accessed.

The swing body may be installed to be in an open state or in a closed state by being rotated 90 degrees with respect to the terminal body. The swing body may be formed to have a shorter length than the terminal body so that a part of the front surface of the terminal body is exposed when the swing body is closed. In this case, the front of the main body of the terminal is provided with a first keypad is installed in the area that is always exposed to the outside regardless of the rotation of the swing body and the second keypad is installed in the area exposed to the outside when the swing body is rotated and opened. Can be.

The second keypad mounting portion on which the second keypad is mounted may be formed to enter a predetermined depth from an outer surface of the first keypad mounting portion on which the first keypad is mounted. Preferably, the front surface of the swing body and the front surface of the first keypad may be formed at an equal height to improve appearance.

The camera manipulation unit may be formed in a form having a plurality of keys. That is, the second keypad may include a first area and a second area divided up and down, and the camera manipulation unit may be disposed in the first area. Keys for implementing the detailed functions of the camera can be easily placed in the area of the camera operation unit to facilitate the operation of the camera. As an example related to the present invention, a shutter key, a zoom in / zoom out key, etc. may form a camera operation unit.

The first keypad disposed on the terminal body may include a direction key to adjust the function of the camera. The arrow keys can be used for more precise control of the detailed functions of the camera, thereby obtaining a intensive arrangement of operation means necessary for using the camera.

The second camera may be provided between a plurality of keys forming the camera manipulation unit. The second camera may be used for photographing the user himself or for making a video call.

The camera operation unit may include a connection key for instructing access to an internet site for wirelessly uploading a photo or video photographed by the first camera. The access key can help upload the produced multimedia content to the Internet or to another server more quickly.

When the swing body is open, the terminal body and the swing body may further include a sensing unit that detects whether the swing body is opened or closed so as to switch to the operation mode of the first camera. In this case, when the swing body is rotated from the closed state to the open state, at least one selectable execution mode may be output to the display unit. Since the camera can be immediately executed only by moving the swing body, power can be applied to the display unit in the standby mode, and a complicated process of performing the operation of the camera can be omitted. In this case, the sensing unit is a magnet disposed on the swing body; And a magnetic switch installed in the terminal body and operated by proximity of the magnet. In addition, the camera mode switching unit may be achieved by a combination of a light emitting unit and an optical sensor that recognizes light of the light emitting unit.

In the mobile terminal according to the present invention configured as described above, the user can obtain a state for using the camera by rotating the swing body in which the camera is disposed while the user holds the terminal body, and the camera manipulation unit for operating the camera swings. Since it is intensively arranged in the space opened by the body, it is possible to obtain a portable terminal with high usability of the camera.

Hereinafter, a portable terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal as an example related to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal 1 includes a terminal body 10 having a first keypad 40 disposed on a front surface thereof, a display unit 31 disposed on a front surface thereof, and swinging on the terminal body 10. It is provided with the swing body 30 connected to it possible.

The swing body 30 is formed to have a shorter length than the terminal body 10 so that a part of the front surface of the terminal body 10 can be exposed in the closed configuration as shown in FIG. The first keypad 40 is installed in an area that is exposed to the outside regardless of rotation.

The portable terminal 1 may be equipped with means for wireless mobile communication. To this end, internally, the terminal body 10 or the swing body 30 is provided with means for processing radio signals and converting them into voices capable of making a call, or conversely, processing and transmitting a user's voice as radio signals. .

Correspondingly, a first sound output unit 11 for outputting a call sound with the other party is provided on the outside of the swing body 30, and a microphone for amplifying a call sound or a recording or recording sound is provided at the bottom of the terminal body 10. 12) is provided.

The first sound output unit 11 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker. The first sound output unit 11 may be arranged in pairs at both ends of the display unit 31 to realize a stereo function.

The microphone 12 may be disposed on the front or side of the terminal body 10, and may be disposed between the keys constituting the first keypad 40.

The keys 42 constituting the first keypad 40 may be used for a function or direction indication that can be more realized by using the display unit 31 even when the swing body 30 is closed as shown in FIG. 1. It may include at least one jog key or wheel. 1 illustrates that a jog key 43 is provided.

The display unit 31 installed in the swing body 30 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) module, and the like that visually express information. Furthermore, the display unit 31 may include touch input means to enable touch input.

The external interface 15 and the side key 17 may be installed on the side of the terminal body 10. The side key 17 may be implemented to immediately execute or adjust a specific function, and may be set to perform a function related to an operation of the first camera 32 or the second camera 13 to be described later. .

The external interface 15 may be provided with an external interface 15 that allows a video obtained through the first camera 32 to be connected to the PC or another server device. The external interface 15 is a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to the earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an infrared port (IrDA port), Bluetooth port (Bluetooth port), wireless LAN port (wireless Lan port, etc.) } Or at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the portable terminal 1.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating that the swing body of the portable terminal of FIG. 1 is swinged open.

2, the swing body 30 is rotated 90 degrees with respect to the terminal body 10. Accordingly, since the display unit 31 is also rotated together, the content output to the display unit 31 may also be adjusted according to the posture of the display unit 31.

The swinging state of the swing body 30 with respect to the terminal body 10 may be referred to as an 'open configuration'. The open state may be implemented even when the swing body 30 is smaller than 90 degrees, and may be implemented at an angle of 90 degrees or more, for example, 180 degrees. In this case, a rotation limiting element may be provided between the terminal body 10 and the swing body 30 to maintain the swing body 30 at a predetermined angle.

3 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the rear surface of the swing body 30 is provided with a first camera 32 capable of photographing a subject. The first camera 32 may be configured to photograph a subject located behind the portable terminal 1, that is, in front of the user, and the image sensor constituting the first camera 32 may be configured to have a high pixel.

The flash 34 is further disposed adjacent to the first camera 32. The flash 34 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the first camera 32.

The power supply unit 18 and the second sound output unit 19 may be provided on the rear surface of the terminal body 10. The power supply unit 18 may be detachably installed in the terminal body 10, and may be implemented as a rechargeable battery for continuous use. Unlike the present embodiment, the power supply unit 18 may be detachably coupled.

The second sound output unit 19 may use a speaker having a large output so that the multimedia file can be viewed at a richer volume, and may be configured to implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 11. In addition, the second sound output unit 19 may be used for a call in the speakerphone mode.

The first camera 32 is disposed at a position that can be exposed during the swing of the swing body 30. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 1 where the swing body 30 is closed with respect to the terminal body 10, the first camera 32 is covered by the terminal body 10. Accordingly, when the first camera 32 is not used, the first camera 32 can be effectively protected from the outside, and when the swing body 30 is closed, it is possible to reduce the complexity of forming a complicated appearance. have.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a second keypad 50 is provided in an area of the terminal body 10 opened by the rotation of the swing body 30. In particular, the second keypad 50 includes a first area 52A and a second area 52B, which are divided up and down, and input different inputs to the first area 52A and the second area 52B. Are assigned keys 54, 55.

In particular, a camera manipulation unit 53 is provided in the first region 52A of the upper end to operate the first camera 32. The camera manipulation unit 53 may include a shooting key (shutter key), a zoom in / zoom out key, a camera mode switch key, and the like for the image to be photographed.

Furthermore, the camera operating unit 53 may include a connection key 54 for instructing access to an internet site for wirelessly uploading a photo or video photographed by the first camera 32. That is, when the access key 54 is pressed, the content generated by directly accessing a portal site, a blog site, a blog site, or a UCC site that can upload or download a picture or video can be uploaded or downloaded quickly. Accordingly, multimedia such as a picture or a video produced by the first camera 32 may be delivered to a specific person (the other party) or the public more quickly.

The second camera 13 may be provided between the plurality of keys forming the camera manipulation unit 53. The second camera 13 is suitable for capturing a subject in front of the portable terminal 1, that is, the user himself, etc., and may be configured for capturing an image of the user during video communication.

The second camera 13 may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 32, and may have different pixels from the first camera 32. For example, the second camera 13 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the first camera 32 has a high pixel for photographing a general subject. It is preferable to have.

In the second area 52B at the bottom of the second keypad 50, general keys 55 are arranged for inputting letters in the input or edit mode of numbers. Whether the general keys 55 are operated may be visualized to be recognized from the outside through the display unit 31.

The second keypad 50 is implemented as a dome switch or touch screen that can receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, a touch pad, or a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a manipulation method such as a joystick. Or the like.

4 is a side view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the second keypad mounting portion 51 on which the second keypad 50 is mounted is formed to enter a predetermined depth from the outer surface of the first keypad mounting portion 41 on which the first keypad 40 is mounted. . Preferably, the front surface of the swing body 30 and the front surface of the first keypad 40 are formed to have an equal height, thereby preventing the occurrence of complicated contours or shapes.

An elastic module 60 for elastically moving the swing body 30 is installed between the terminal body 10 and the swing body 30. The elastic module 60 is installed so as to move the swing body 30 by the elastic restoring energy when the elastic restoring energy is stored while moving the swinging body at a predetermined distance and the external force applied to the swinging body 30 is removed. It may include a spring. By doing so, the swing body 30 can obtain a soft and so-called semi-automatic opening and closing structure with respect to the terminal body 10.

5 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

One example of the present invention shown is a wireless communication module 81, the operation unit 85, the microphone 12, the image input unit 86, the display unit 31, the sound output unit 11, 19, the sensing unit 89 And an external interface 15, a memory 87, a power supply 18, a controller 80, and the like.

The controller 80 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 80 additionally performs a control operation of the first camera 32 related to the present invention.

The wireless communication module 81 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the controller 80, the transmission unit 83 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 receiving unit for demodulating the received signal. 82).

The operation unit 85 including the first keypad 40, the second keypad 50, and the side key 17 is configured as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 so that the user inputs the keys for controlling the operation of the terminal. The input data is provided to the controller 80. In particular, keys for manipulating the first camera 32 or the second camera 13 may be assigned to the second keypad 50, so that the cameras 32 and 13 may be quickly operated when necessary.

The microphone 12 receives an external sound signal 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 81 and transmitted to the wireless communication module 81 in the call mode. In the recording or recording mode, the processed voice data is stored in the memory 87.

The image input unit 86 including the first camera 32 and the second camera 13 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame is converted into image data displayable on the display unit 31 and output to the display unit 31.

The image frame processed by the image input unit 86 may be stored in the memory 87 under the control of the controller 80 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 81.

The image input unit 86 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display unit 31 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal 1. For example, when the mobile terminal 1 is in the call mode, the control unit 80 displays and outputs a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 1 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 1 displays and outputs a captured image, a UI, and a GUI under the control of the controller 80. When the display unit 31 includes a touch screen, the display unit 31 may be used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output units 11 and 19 receive sound data or memory 87 received from the wireless communication module 81 under the control of the control unit 80 in a call signal reception, call mode or recording mode, voice recognition mode, broadcast reception mode, and the like. ) Converts the sound data stored in) and outputs it to the outside. In addition, the first sound output unit 11 outputs a sound signal related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 11 and 19 include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 89 detects an open / closed state of the swing body 30 and applies a signal for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 1 to the controller 80. In addition, the sensing unit 89 is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 18 supplies power or whether the external interface 15 is coupled to an external device.

The external interface 15 connects all the external devices connected to the portable terminal with a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (for example, a SIM / UIM card), etc., in addition to the portable terminal 1. It serves as an interface. The external interface 15 receives data or power from an external device and transmits the data to each component inside the mobile terminal or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal to the external device.

The memory 87 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 80, and may provide a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

This memory 87 includes a removable memory 16 and a built-in internal memory 87 in a removable form, and generally known hard disk, card type (e.g. SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM Includes concepts such as, rom, etc.

The broadcast receiving module 88 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 11 and 19 and the display unit 31, and transmits it to the controller 80. . In addition, the broadcast receiving module 88 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 room transceiving module 88 may be stored in the memory 87.

The power supply unit 18 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 80 to supply power for operation of each component.

6A to 6C are front views illustrating an operating state of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

6A illustrates a state in which the swing body 30 is closed with respect to the terminal body 10. In this state, the first camera 32 and the second camera 13 are covered, and a picture or an image taken by the first camera 32 or the second camera 13 can be viewed.

The swing body 30 may be installed to be open when a force is applied in a direction in which the thumb is opened in the state of holding the terminal body 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the mobile terminal 1 is held by the right hand, the swing body 30 is opened when the thumb is moved in the direction of opening the thumb, which is a natural direction of use of the finger.

When the swing body 30 is opened, the sensing unit 89 detects this and transmits the signal to the controller 80, and the controller 80 controls the display unit 31 as shown in FIG. 6B. Output through Then, selectable execution modes are output to the display unit 31. In this case, the image output to the display unit 31 may be a graphic or icon 36 representing each execution mode.

In addition, when the swing body 30 is opened by swinging, an execution mode that can be output through the display unit 31 may be added. For example, it may include composing a message, dialing, and the like.

If the mode for taking a picture or video is selected, the multimedia can be produced more easily and quickly by manipulating the subject using the camera operating unit 53 as shown in FIG. 6C.

The portable terminal having the name as described above is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, the embodiments of the present invention may be selectively all or part of each of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made It may be configured in combination.

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

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating a swing body of the portable terminal of FIG. 1 opened by being rotated 90 degrees with respect to the terminal body; FIG.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG.

4 is a side view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention;

5 is a block diagram of a portable terminal related to the present invention.

6A to 6C are front views showing an operating state of a mobile terminal related to the present invention.

Claims (13)

Terminal body; A swing body connected horizontally to the terminal body and having a first camera installed at a rear thereof so as to be exposed when swinging; And And a camera operation unit disposed on an area of the terminal main body opened by the swing and provided to operate the first camera. The method of claim 1, And a display unit configured to output an image to be photographed by the camera or an image to be photographed by the camera in front of the swing body. The method of claim 2, The camera operation unit is characterized in that the form having a plurality of keys. The method of claim 1, The swing body is a portable terminal, characterized in that installed so that it can be rotated 90 degrees with respect to the terminal body in an open state or in a closed state. The method of claim 4, wherein And the swing body is formed to have a shorter length than the terminal body so that a part of the front surface of the terminal body is exposed when the swing body is closed. The method of claim 4, wherein The front surface of the terminal body is provided with a first keypad installed in the area that is always exposed to the outside regardless of the rotation of the swing body and a second keypad installed in the area exposed to the outside when the swing body is rotated and opened A mobile terminal, characterized in that. The method of claim 6, And a second keypad mounting portion to which the second keypad is mounted is formed to enter a predetermined depth from an outer surface of the first keypad mounting portion to which the first keypad is mounted. The method of claim 6, The second keypad includes a first area and a second area divided up and down, and the camera operating unit is disposed in the first area. The method of claim 3, And a second camera is provided between a plurality of keys forming the camera manipulation unit. The method of claim 3, And the camera operation unit includes a connection key for instructing access to an internet site for wirelessly uploading a photo or video photographed by the first camera. The method of claim 2, And a sensing unit between the terminal body and the swing body to detect whether the swing body is opened or closed so that the swing body can be switched to an operation mode of the first camera when the swing body is opened. The method of claim 11, And at least one execution mode that is selectable when the swing body is rotated from the closed state to the open state. The method of claim 7, wherein And a front surface of the swing body and a front surface of the first keypad are formed at an equal height.

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