KR20090073896A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable terminal is provided to have an arrangement of terminals for operation and control of off-board module. A power terminal(44a) exchanges power source between the terminal body and the wireless ear set. A ground terminal(44b) connects grounds between both terminals. A control terminal(44c) delivers a control signal for controlling the operation of the external unit to the wireless ear set.

Description

Mobile terminal {PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having an external module detachably mounted to the terminal body.

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

As the functions are diversified, the mobile terminal is equipped with complex functions such as taking a picture or video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, and receiving a broadcast, and is implemented in the form of a comprehensive multimedia player. have.

Many new attempts are being applied to these multimedia devices in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment is provided for a user to search for or select a function easily and conveniently.

Furthermore, in addition to the user interface basically adopted in the portable terminal, the user interface may be adopted externally. In this case, how to control the external user interface should be determined.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, an object of the present invention to provide a portable terminal having a detachable external module to the body.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal having an arrangement of terminals suitable for operation and control of the external module.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a main body and an external unit. The main body includes a mounting portion and a first terminal portion, and the exterior unit is detachably coupled to the mounting portion. The exterior unit includes a second terminal portion connected to the first terminal portion while being coupled to the main body. Each of the first and second terminal units may include a power terminal connected to exchange power between the external unit and the main body, a ground terminal connecting the grounds of the external unit and the main body to each other, and the external unit. And a control terminal connected to transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the external unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the mounting portion is formed in a shape recessed in the main body. The exterior unit may have a height to substantially match the surface on which the mounting portion of the main body is formed when coupled to the mounting portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the control terminal is provided with one or more corresponding to the type of data required by the control signal. The control signal may be different for each type of external unit, and the external unit may include at least one of an ear set capable of short-range wireless communication, an external speaker, an external storage medium, an external camera, an external input device, and an external display.

According to another aspect of the present invention, since a plurality of types of external units may be mounted, an identification terminal is further provided to the main body to provide information regarding the type of the external unit. The control unit may further include a control unit arranged to be electrically connected to the identification terminal and the control terminal, wherein the control unit transmits a control signal corresponding to the combined external device based on information about the combined external device. When the external unit to be coupled is an external display, the controller controls the display unit not to be activated when the external display is activated.

According to the portable terminal as described above, it is possible to effectively allocate terminals for controlling the operation of the external unit when employing the external unit to expand or supplement the function of the main body.

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

1 is a front perspective view of the mobile terminal according to the present invention as viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal includes a first body 10 and a second body 20 configured to be slidable in at least one direction on the first body 10. The first and second bodies 10 and 20 may be collectively referred to as a main body.

A state in which the first body 10 is disposed to overlap the second body 20 may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 10 may be referred to as the second body 20. The exposed state of at least a portion of the N may be referred to as an open configuration.

The portable terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, but the standby mode may be released by the user's operation. In the open state, the apparatus mainly operates in a call mode or the like, 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 10 is formed by the front case 11 and the rear case 12. Various electronic components are built in the space formed by the front case 11 and the rear case 12.

At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 11 and the rear case 12. 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 display body 13, the first sound output unit 14, the first image input unit 15, or the first manipulation unit 16 may be disposed on the first body 10.

The display unit 13 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) module, and the like that visually express information. The display unit 13 may further include a touch screen to enable input of information by a user's touch.

The first sound output unit 14 may output not only the call sound but also various notification sounds of the system or the playback sound of the multimedia. The first sound output unit 14 may be provided in plural to implement a stereo function, and may be used in a speakerphone mode during a call.

The first image input unit 15 may be implemented in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video of a user.

The first manipulation unit 16 receives a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Like the first body 10, the front case 21 and the rear case 22 may form a case of the second body 20.

The second manipulation unit 23 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 20, specifically, the front case 21.

The third manipulation unit 24, the first sound input unit 25, and the interface 26 may be disposed on at least one of the front case 21 and the rear case 22.

The first to third manipulation units 16, 23, and 24 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, or a wheel or jog method that rotates a key, or a manipulation method such as a joystick. Or the like.

In functional terms, the first operation unit 16 is for inputting commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 23 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. In addition, the third manipulation unit 24 may operate as a hot-key that performs a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 15.

The first sound input unit 25 may be implemented in the form of, for example, a microphone to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface 26 serves as a passage for allowing a portable terminal related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface 26 may be wired or wireless, 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 at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal. The interface 26 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 22 side, a power supply unit 27 for supplying power to the portable terminal is mounted. The power supply unit 27 may be detachably coupled for charging, for example, as a rechargeable battery.

2 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second image input unit 28 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the rear case 22 of the second body 20. The second image input unit 28 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 15 (see FIG. 1) and having different pixels from the first image input unit.

For example, the first image input unit 15 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 second image input unit 28 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 29 and the mirror unit 30 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 28. The flash 29 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 28. The mirror unit 30 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when the user wants to photograph himself (self-photographing) by using the second image input unit 28.

The second sound output unit 31 may be further disposed on the lower cover 22. The second sound output unit 31 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 14 (see FIG. 1), and may be used for a call in a speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna 32 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the lower cover 22 in addition to an antenna for a call or the like. The antenna 32 may be installed to be pulled out from the second body 20.

A portion of the slide module 33 that slidably couples the first body 10 and the second body 20 to the rear case 12 side of the first body 10 is disposed. The other part of the slide module 33 may be disposed on the front case 21 side of the second body 20, and may not be exposed to the outside as shown in the drawing.

In the above description, the second image input unit 28 is disposed on the second body 20, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, at least one or more of the components 28 to 32 described as disposed on the lower cover 22, such as the second image input unit 28, may be disposed on the first body 10, mainly the lower cover 12. It is also possible to be mounted. If so, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) arranged in the lower cover 12 in the closed state are protected by the second body 20. In addition, even if the second image input unit 28 is not separately provided, the first image input unit 15 may be rotatably formed so that the image capturing direction of the second image input unit 28 can be taken.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mounting portion 40 is formed on the second body 20, and the exterior unit 100 is detachably coupled to the mounting portion 40.

The external unit 100 is an earset capable of wireless communication, and includes a body 110, a sound output unit 120, and a mode switching button 130 formed thereon. The sound output unit 120 has a shape protruding from the body 110 to be inserted into the ear of the user. The mode switching button 130 allows the user to switch the wireless earset 100 to a call state when a call is received in the case of waiting or listening to a sound.

The mounting portion 40 includes a recess 41 for receiving the body 110 of the wireless earset 100. The recess 41 may have a depth such that when the wireless earset 100 is mounted, the exposed surface of the wireless earset 100 substantially coincides with the outer surface of the second body 20. In one portion of the second body 20 defining the () is further provided with a receiving groove 42 for accommodating the sound output unit 120.

A portion of the recess 41 in which the receiving groove 42 is not formed is provided with a hook 43 and a first terminal portion 44 for detachably coupling the exterior unit 100.

The first terminal unit 44 controls the operation of the power terminal 44a for exchanging power between the wireless earset 100 and the terminal body, the ground terminal 44b for connecting the grounds therebetween, and the external unit 100. And a control terminal 44c for transmitting a control signal to the wireless ear set 100. For example, when the voice call is terminated and mounted on the mounting portion 40 of the wireless earset 100 through the control terminal 44c, the controller 50 of the terminal is turned off while the power of the wireless earset 100 is turned on. You can control the transition to a state.

3 is a perspective view illustrating another surface of the exterior unit 100 of FIG. 2.

Referring to this figure, the wireless earset 100 may be provided with a microphone 150 for inputting the operation unit or the operation button 140 and voice.

The second terminal portion 170 is formed to correspond to the first terminal portion 44 of the main body. The second terminal portion 170 also includes a power supply terminal 170a, a ground terminal 170b, and a control terminal 170c corresponding to the terminals 44a to 44c of the first terminal portion 44, each of which is wireless When the ear set 100 is coupled to the main body, the ear set 100 is electrically connected to each terminal of the first terminal part 44.

4 is a perspective view illustrating a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is the same as the previous embodiment, but the mounting unit 40 ', which is a space for mounting the exterior unit 200 and the main body, is different.

The exterior unit 200 includes a body 210 and a sound output unit 220, the side of the slider 230 is formed in the stepped form. An insertion part 280 into which the memory card C may be inserted is formed at one portion of the body 210. The second terminal portion 270 is formed on the side of the body 210.

The mounting portion 40 ′ has a structure for slidably receiving the exterior unit 200. At the outer surface side end portion of the second body 20 that defines the recess 41 ', a guide rail portion 43' protruding toward the center is formed. A receiving groove 42 ′ for accommodating the sound output unit 220 extends from an end of the second body 20.

When the exterior unit 200 is mounted on the mounting portion 40 ', the first terminal portion 44' formed on the side of the recess 41 'is connected to the second terminal portion 270 formed on the side of the exterior unit 200. do. As the first terminal portion 44 ′ is formed on the side surface of the recess 41 ′, the first terminal portion 44 ′ is not directly exposed to the outside when the exterior unit 200 is used separately from the main body. There is an advantage.

5A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case in which the first terminal portion 44 and the second terminal portion 170 have four terminals, respectively, and FIG. 5B shows the first terminal portion 44 and the second terminal portion 170 each having seven terminals. A conceptual diagram showing the case of

Referring to FIG. 5A, the first terminal portion 44 and the second terminal portion 170 may include the identification terminals 44d, in addition to the power supply terminals 44a and 170a, the ground terminals 44b and 170b, and the control terminals 44c and 170c. 170d) further.

The identification terminals 44d and 170d serve to identify the type of the external unit mounted on the main body. As the identification terminals 44d and 170d are further provided, the type of the external unit mountable to the main body is not limited to one. The controller 50 controls the operation according to the type of the external unit, respectively.

If there are only one control terminal 44c or 170c as in the present embodiment, devices that can be controlled by one type of signal may be used as the external unit. Such devices include wireless earsets, external mono speakers, and the like.

If the wireless earset is mounted as an external unit, the control unit 50 that recognizes it through the identification terminals 44d and 170d causes the wireless earset to be charged from an external power source at the same time as the battery 27 (FIG. 1) or from the battery 27. Can be charged to be charged. If the external mono speaker is mounted as an external unit, the control terminals 44c and 170c recognized through the identification terminals 44d and 170d are stereo with the first sound output unit 14 (Fig. 1) according to the user's selection. You can make the output work.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the first terminal portion 44 and the second terminal portion 170 may include power supply terminals 44a and 170a, ground terminals 44b and 170b, and control terminals 44c to 44f and 170c to 170f. Terminals 44g and 170g are further included.

By assigning four terminals as the control terminals 44c to 44f and 170c to 170f, even devices requiring four kinds of signals for control can be employed as the external unit. As a result, as described above, in addition to a wireless earset and an external mono speaker requiring only one type of control signal, a USB storage medium and an external stereo speaker requiring three types of control signals and an external stereo speaker requiring three types of control signals An external memory socket and an external camera and an external display that require four types of control signals can also be mounted as external units in the portable terminal.

In response to the various external units as described above, the control unit 50 identifies the type of the external unit mounted on the main body through the identification terminals (44g, 170g).

In the above, reference numerals are sequentially given to the power terminals 44a and 170a, the ground terminals 44b and 170b, the control terminals 44c to 44f, 170c to 170f, and the identification terminals 44g and 170g. This order is not limited.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which the external display 300 is mounted as the external unit.

The external display 300 requires four types of control signals and is connected to the controller 50 by the control terminals 44c to 44f and 170c to 170f.

Since the external display 300 is a device focused on the output of visual information through the screen 301, the visual information having a larger size than the display unit 13 (refer to FIG. 1) mounted on the front of the first body 10. You can output

Since the external display 300 is not limited by the size of the main body of the terminal, the external display 300 may have the same size as or larger than the main body of the terminal. The large size screen, which is limited in consideration of the portability of the terminal, can be employed in the terminal by selectively coupling the external display 300 to the main body.

When visual information is displayed through the external display 300, the user may want a larger screen. In this case, the controller 50 may limit the output of the visual information through the display unit 13 to prevent the dual output of the visual information.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which an external camera 400 is mounted as an external unit.

Since the external camera 400 also needs four control signals, after being identified by the identification terminals 44g and 170g, the external camera 400 is connected to the control unit 50 by the control terminals 44c to 44f and 170c to 170f. Is connected.

Since the external camera 400 includes a camera module 401 in a separate body mounted on the main body of the mobile terminal, the external camera 400 is limited in size compared to the cameras 15, 28, 1 and 2 mounted on the main body. You will receive less.

As a result, the external camera 400 can adopt a macro function or an auto focusing function that is difficult to implement due to lack of space in the cameras 15 and 28.

The portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the slide type shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and can be applied to various structures such as a folder type and a swing type.

8 is a block diagram of a portable terminal and an external module according to the present invention.

In the illustrated mobile terminal of the present invention, the wireless communication module 54, the operation unit 16, 23, 24, the image input unit 15, 28, the first sound input unit 25, the display unit 13, the first Sound output unit 14, external interface 26, first terminal 44, 44 ', broadcast receiving module 51, sensing unit 52, memory 53, first battery 27 and the first It comprises a control unit 50. The external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 may include a second control unit 60, a second battery 61, an external interface 62, a second sound input unit 150, a second sound output unit 120, 220, and a second terminal unit 170, 270. ), Including the operation unit 140.

The first controller 50 typically controls the overall operation of the portable terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the first controller 50 is connected to the second controller 60 of the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 to control commands to the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400, receives data input from the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400, or receives the external unit 100, 200, 300, 400. Receive and process the status information.

The wireless communication module 54 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the first controller 50, the transmitter 56 is responsible for transmitting and receiving voice data, text data, video data, and control data, and modulates and transmits a signal to be transmitted. The receiver 55 is included.

The operation units 16, 23, and 24 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the first control unit 50 with data input by the user for the operation control of the portable terminal device.

The image input units 15 and 28 process image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the 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 13 and output to the display unit 13.

The image frames processed by the image input units 15 and 28 are stored in the memory 53 under the control of the first controller 50 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication module 54.

The first sound input unit 25 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 54 and output to the wireless communication module in the call mode. In the recording mode, the processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 53.

Various noise reduction algorithms may be implemented in the first sound input unit 25 to remove noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display unit 13 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the UI (User Interface) or GUI (Graphic User Interface) related to the call is displayed and output under the control of the first controller 50. When the mobile terminal is in the video call mode or the photographing mode, the mobile terminal displays and outputs the captured image, UI, or GUI under the control of the first controller 50. When the display unit 13 includes a touch screen, the display unit 13 is used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output unit 14 is sound data or memory 53 received from the wireless communication module 54 by the control of the first controller 50 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. ) Converts the sound data stored in) and outputs it to the outside.

In addition, the sound output unit 14 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 unit 14 includes a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 52 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 portable 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 first controller 50 so that the operation of the terminal is controlled. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the first battery 27 is supplied with power or whether the external interface 26 is coupled to an external device.

The external interface 26 connects a mobile terminal to a mobile terminal, such as a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a card socket (for example, a memory card, a SIM / UIM card), and the like. It serves as an interface with external devices. The external interface 26 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 first terminal parts 44 and 44 ′ are connected to the second terminal parts 170 and 270 when the external units 100, 200, 300 and 400 are mounted. By connecting the terminal parts, the terminal body and the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 exchange power and control signals with each other.

The memory 53 may store a program for processing and controlling the first controller 50, and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). You can also perform a function. This memory 53 includes the concepts of generally known hard disks, card type memory (eg SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 51 receives a broadcast signal transmitted through a satellite or terrestrial wave, converts the broadcast signal into a form of broadcast data output to the sound output unit 14 and the display unit 13, and outputs it to the first control unit 50. . In addition, the broadcast receiving module 51 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 51 may be stored in the memory 53.

The first battery 27 receives external power and internal power by the control of the first controller 50 to supply power for the operation of each component. Information about the state of charge of the first battery 27 is transmitted to the first control unit 50 and displayed to the outside through the display unit 13.

The second control unit 60 receives the control signal transmitted from the portable terminal through the external interface 62 mainly through the second sound output unit 120, 220 while the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 are separated from the main body of the terminal. Outputs the sound information, or receives the user's voice information from the second sound input unit 150 to transmit to the portable terminal, or transmits the status information of the second battery 61 to the portable terminal. In a state in which the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 are coupled to the main body, the controller 60 is connected to the first control unit 50 through the first and second terminal units to control the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the controller 50 determines whether the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 are mounted on the portable terminal through whether the first terminal parts 44, 44 ′ and the second terminal parts 170, 270 are connected.

If the external units 100, 200, 300 and 400 are connected to the main body, the types of the external units 100, 200, 300 and 400 are identified through the identification terminals 44g and 170g. When the identification terminals 44g and 170g are not provided, only specific types of external units are used.

The controller 50 transmits a control signal corresponding to the identified types of the external units 100, 200, 300, and 400 to the second controller 60. The control signals are transmitted through one or more terminals depending on the type

The above described portable terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above. The above embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made.

1 is a front perspective view showing a front view of a mobile terminal related to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a dormant perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1;

3 is a perspective view illustrating another surface of the exterior unit of FIG. 2;

4 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention;

5A is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case in which the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion have four terminals, respectively.

5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case in which the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion have seven terminals, respectively.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a case in which an external display is mounted as an external unit;

7 is a perspective view illustrating a case where an external camera is mounted as an external unit,

8 is a block diagram of a portable terminal and an external module related to the present invention.

9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

Claims (7)

A main body having a mounting portion and a first terminal portion; And an external unit detachably coupled to the mounting unit, the external unit including a second terminal unit connected to the first terminal unit in the coupled state. The first and second terminal portion, respectively A power supply terminal connected to exchange power between the external unit and the main body; A ground terminal for connecting the grounds of the exterior unit and the main body to each other; And And a control terminal connected to transmit a control signal for controlling the operation of the external unit to the external unit. The method of claim 1, And the mounting portion is formed in a recessed shape in the main body, and the exterior unit has a height to substantially match a surface on which the mounting portion of the main body is formed when coupled to the mounting portion. The method of claim 1, And at least one control terminal corresponding to a type of data required by the control signal. The method of claim 3, The external unit may include at least one of a wireless headset capable of short-range wireless communication, an external speaker, an external storage medium, an external camera, an external input device, and an external display. The method of claim 4, wherein And an identification terminal connected to the main body to provide information regarding the type of the external unit. The method of claim 5, The controller may further include a control unit arranged to be electrically connected to the identification terminal and the control terminal, wherein the control unit transmits a control signal corresponding to the combined external device based on the information on the combined external device. Portable terminal. The method of claim 6, Further comprising a display unit mounted on a surface different from the surface on which the mounting portion of the main body is formed, When the external unit to be coupled is an external display, the controller controls the display unit not to be activated when the external display is activated.

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