KR20090130736A - Portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A portable terminal for maintaining the separation between a window and a display module is provided to prevent the contact of the display and the window by maintaining the separation between a window and a display module by forming a separation maintaining unit. CONSTITUTION: A window(117a) is mounted on a main body in order to cover a display module. A separation maintaining unit is formed in order to support a central area of the window. The separation maintaining unit maintains a state which the central area is separated from the display module. A plurality of protruded units is arranged between the display module and the window.

Description

Mobile terminal {PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a portable terminal having a display unit including a display module and a window.

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, for example, the portable terminal is implemented in the form of a multimedia player having complex functions such as taking a picture or a video, playing a music or a video file, playing a game, or receiving a broadcast.

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.

In addition to the above attempts, a scheme may be considered in which the hardware or the like remains in a state suitable for its function.

One object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal for maintaining the separation between the display module and the window.

A portable terminal related to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object includes a main body, a window, and a space keeping unit. The main body has a display module, and a window is mounted to the main body to cover the display module. The space keeping part is formed to support at least the center area of the window, thereby maintaining the spaced state of the center area and the display module.

According to one aspect of the invention, the space keeping portion includes at least one protrusion. The protrusion is formed in the display module or the window and is disposed between the display module and the window. The protrusion may be formed by curing the liquid material applied to the display module or the central area. The protrusions may be arranged in a grid structure spaced apart from each other.

According to another aspect of the invention, the portable terminal further includes a touch sensor unit mounted on one surface of the window facing the display module. The space keeping part includes at least one protrusion protruding from the touch sensor part toward the display module.

According to another aspect of the invention, the space keeping portion comprises a seal. The seal is coupled to the display module or window to form a space in which air is sealed together with the display module and the window.

According to another aspect of the invention, the space keeping portion comprises a first and second magnetic poles. The first magnetic pole is coupled to the display module and the second magnetic pole is coupled to the window. The first and second magnetic poles are formed to generate magnetic repulsive forces with respect to each other.

In the portable terminal according to the present invention configured as described above, as the space keeping unit is formed, the space may be maintained between the window and the display module.

In addition, as the separation is maintained, even if there is deformation of the window, contact between the window and the display may be alleviated or prevented.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the portable terminal which concerns on this invention is demonstrated in detail with reference to drawings. In the present specification, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar configurations in different embodiments, and the description thereof is replaced with the first description.

1 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body 110 and a second body 120 configured to be slidable in at least one direction on the first body 110.

A state in which the first body 110 is disposed to overlap the second body 120 may be referred to as a closed configuration, and as shown in the drawing, the first body 110 may be referred to as the second body 120. The exposed state of at least a portion of the may be referred to as an open configuration (open configuration).

The portable terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in a closed state, but the standby mode may be released by a user's operation. In addition, although the portable terminal operates mainly in a call mode or the like in an open state, the portable terminal 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 110 is formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 111 and the rear case 112.

At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 111 and the rear case 112.

The cases may be formed by injecting a 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 113, the sound output unit 114, the first image input unit 115, or the first manipulation unit 116 may be disposed on the first body 110, specifically, the front case 111.

The display unit 113 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) module, and the like that visually express information.

In addition, the display unit 113 may further include a touch screen to enable input of information by a user's touch.

The sound output unit 114 may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker.

The first image input unit 115 may be implemented in the form of a camera module for capturing an image or a video of a user.

The first operation unit 116 receives a command for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Like the first body 110, the front case 121 and the rear case 122 may form a case of the second body 120.

The second manipulation unit 123 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 120, specifically, the front case 121.

The third operation unit 124, the first sound input unit 125, and the interface 126 may be disposed on at least one of the front case 121 and the rear case 122.

The first to third manipulation units 116, 123, and 124 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 116 is for inputting commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 123 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols, and the like. In addition, the third manipulation unit 124 may operate as a hot-key that performs a special function such as activation of the first image input unit 115.

The first sound input unit 125 may be implemented in the form of a microphone, for example, to receive a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The interface 126 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 126 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 at least one of power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

The interface 126 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

On the rear case 122 side, a power supply unit 127 for supplying power to the portable terminal is mounted. The power supply unit 127 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 128 may be additionally mounted on the rear surface of the rear case 122 of the second body 120. The second image input unit 128 may be a camera having a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first image input unit 115 (see FIG. 1) and having different pixels from the first image input unit.

For example, the first image input unit 115 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 128 immediately photographs a general subject. It is preferable to have a high pixel because it is not transmitted in many cases.

The flash 129 and the mirror unit 130 are further disposed adjacent to the second image input unit 128. The flash 129 emits light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the second image input unit 128. The mirror unit 130 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user by using the second image input unit 128.

The second sound output unit 131 may be further disposed on the lower cover 122.

The second sound output unit 131 may implement a stereo function together with the first sound output unit 114 (refer to FIG. 1), and may be used for a call in a speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna 132 for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the lower cover 122 in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna 132 may be installed to be pulled out of the second body 120.

A portion of the slide module 133 that slidably couples the first body 110 and the second body 120 to the rear case 112 side of the first body 110 is disposed.

The other part of the slide module 133 may be disposed on the front case 121 side of the second body 120 and may not be exposed to the outside as shown in the drawing.

In the above description, the second image input unit 128 is disposed on the second body 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, at least one or more of the elements 128 to 132 described as disposed on the lower cover 122, such as the second image input unit 128, may be disposed on the first body 110, mainly the lower cover 112. It is also possible to be mounted. If so, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) disposed in the lower cover 112 in the closed state are protected by the second body 120. In addition, even if the second image input unit 128 is not separately provided, the first image input unit 115 may be rotatably configured to allow shooting up to the shooting direction of the second image input unit 128.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the first body 110 of FIG. 1.

An acoustic hole 114a corresponding to the sound output unit 114 and an image window 115a corresponding to the first image input unit 115 (see FIG. 1) may be formed at one side of the front case 111. The image window 115a may be formed of a material through which light can pass. An operation hole 116a corresponding to the first operation unit 116 may be formed at the other side of the front case 111, and an operation pad 116 to be touched or pressed by the user in correspondence with the operation hole 116a. ') Can be mounted.

Referring to this figure, a window 117a is coupled to one surface of the front case 111 to cover the display module 113a. The window 117a may include a center area 117a ", which may have an area corresponding to the display module 113a. The center area 117a" may be an edge area 117a that may contact the front case 111. FIG. Enclosed by '). However, the edge area 117a ′ is not limited to contact only the front case 111, but may be in contact with the circuit board 118 or the like, for example.

The central region 117a ″ is made of a material through which light can pass, for example, a light transmissive synthetic resin, tempered glass, etc. However, the central region 117a ″ may include a portion through which light cannot pass. This part is a material through which light can not penetrate, or a surface-treated area such that light cannot penetrate.

A window hole 117b is formed in the front case 11 to correspond to the center area 117a ". The display module 113a is disposed in the rear case 121 to correspond to the window hole 117b. This is for the visual information output from 113a to be recognized from the outside.

The display module 113a is disposed to be spaced apart from the center area 117a ″. In order to maintain the spaced apart state, a space keeping unit 119 (see FIG. 4) may be formed. It is formed to support at least the central region 117a ", and may support the edge region 117a '.

If the distance between the window 117a and the display module 113a is small, the window 117a and the display module 113a may come into contact with a slight deformation of the window 117a. The deformation of the window 117a may be a manufacturing tolerance of the window 117a, or may be caused by a force applied by an external user.

As the space keeping unit 119 is formed, the contact between the window 117a and the display module 113a may be alleviated or prevented even if the distance between the window 117a and the display module 113a is reduced. As a result, the occurrence of spots or the like of the window 117a can be alleviated or prevented. As a result, incomplete output of the window 117a can be alleviated or prevented.

The rear case 121 may include a circuit board 118, a speaker module 114b, a camera module 115b, a switch 116b, and the like.

The circuit board 118 may be configured as an example of the controller 160 (see FIG. 9) for operating various functions of the portable terminal.

As illustrated, the display module 113a, the speaker module 114b, the camera module 115b, the switch 116b, and the like may be mounted on the circuit board 118.

The speaker module 114b is disposed to correspond to the sound hole 114a, and the camera module 115b is disposed to correspond to the image window 115a.

At least one switch 116b is mounted on the circuit board 118 so as to correspond to the operation pad 116 '. Information can be input according to the pressing operation of the operation pad 116 '. The switch 116b and the operation pad 116 ′ may be classified into the first operation unit 116 (see FIG. 1). In addition, a microphone for inputting sound may be mounted below the switch 116b.

4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line (IV-IV) of FIG. 1. 5A to 5B are conceptual views illustrating an arrangement method of the space keeping unit 119 of FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 4, the space keeping unit 119 includes at least one protrusion 119a to 119c disposed between the display module 113a and the window 117a.

The protruding portions 119a to 119c are formed in the central region 117a "of the window 117a. However, this is not limited to the central region 117a" and may also be formed in the edge region 117a '. The protrusions 119a to 119c may be formed in the display module 113a to correspond to the central area 117a ″ of the window 117a.

The protrusions 119a to 119c may be formed by curing a liquid material applied to the display module 113a or the central area 117a ″ of the window 117a. The liquid material may be formed for a predetermined time, for example, an ink material. If the material is cured after this, the curing method is sufficient, such as UV (ultraviolet) curing, thermal curing or room temperature curing, and may be selected depending on the material of the liquid material.

Referring to FIG. 5A, the protrusions 119a to 119c may be arranged in a lattice structure spaced apart from each other along with the other protrusions 119a ′ to 119c ′.

The lattice structure may be formed by repeating the protrusions 119a to 119c arranged in a row on the window 117a at regular intervals.

Referring to FIG. 5B, the lattice structure may be formed in the window 217a such that the protrusions 219a to 219c arranged in a row are arranged so as to deviate from the other protrusions 219a 'to 219b'.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a first body 310 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

One surface of the window 317a facing the display module 313a is mounted with a touch sensor unit 341 capable of recognizing a user's touch.

As the user touches the touch sensor unit 341, an electrical change, for example, a change in capacitance or potential inclination may occur. The touch sensor unit 341 may be connected to the controller 160 to detect the electrical change.

The space keeping unit 319 includes at least one protrusion 319a to 319c protruding from the touch sensor unit 341 toward the display module 313a.

7A is a cross-sectional view of a first body 410 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is an exploded perspective view of the seal 419a and the circuit board 418 of FIG. 7A.

The sealing unit 419a is coupled to the display module 413a or the window 417a. The seal 419a may be a soft material such as, for example, a gasket, and a thickness thereof may be greater than a gap between the display module 413a and the window 417a. This is for the sealing part 419a to be in close contact with the display module 413a and the window 417a.

As illustrated, the seal 419a forms a space 419 ′ in which air is sealed together with the display module 413a and the window 417a. The space 419 ′ in which the sealing portion 419a and the air are sealed may be a space keeping portion that maintains the space between the display module 413a and the window 417a. In order to maintain the separation, the air is sealed in the air space (419 ') and then sealed to create an environment higher than atmospheric pressure.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a first body 510 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The first magnetic pole 519a having magnetic properties is coupled to the display module 513a. A second magnetic pole 519b for generating magnetic repulsive force with respect to the first magnetic pole 519a is coupled to the window 517a. The magnetic repulsive force generated between the first and second magnetic poles 519a and 519b exerts a force in a direction away from the display module 513a and the window 517a. This force maintains the separation between the display module 513a and the window 517a. However, the first magnetic pole 519a is not limited to be coupled only to the display module 513a. The first magnetic pole 519a can be used wherever the display module 513a such as the circuit board 518 or the rear case 112 and the window 517a can generate magnetic repulsion in a direction away from the first magnetic pole 519a. Can be mounted.

The portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the slide type shown in FIG. 1, but may be applied to various structures such as a bar type, a folder type, a swing type, and the like.

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

9, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless communication module 151, an operation unit 116, 123, 124, an image input unit 115, 128, an audio input unit 125, a display unit 113, and an audio output unit. It includes the 114 and 131, the sensing unit 156, the interface 126, the broadcast receiving module 155, the memory 154, the power supply unit 127, and the controller 150.

The controller 150 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 150 additionally controls the operation of the mobile terminal related to the present invention.

The wireless communication module 151 transmits / receives a radio signal with a mobile communication base station through an antenna. For example, under the control of the controller 150, the transmitter 152 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. 153.

The operation units 116, 123, and 124 are configured as shown in FIG. 1 to provide the control unit 150 with key input data input by the user to control the operation of the terminal. The operation units 116, 123, and 124 are composed of a dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The image input units 115 and 128 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 113 and output to the display unit 113.

The image frames processed by the image input units 115 and 128 are stored in the memory 154 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless transceiver 151 under the control of the controller 150.

The sound input unit 125 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. In the case of the call mode, the processed voice data is converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the wireless communication module 151 and output to the wireless communication module. In the recording mode, the processed voice data is output to be stored in the memory 154.

The sound input unit 125 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The display 113 displays and outputs information processed by the portable terminal. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the control unit 150 displays and outputs a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal displays and outputs the captured image, UI, or GUI under the control of the controller 150. When the display unit 113 includes a touch screen, the display unit 113 is used as an input device in addition to the output device.

The sound output units 114 and 131 may receive sound data or memory 154 received from the wireless communication module 151 under the control of the control unit 150 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 114 and 131 output sound signals related to a function (for example, a call signal reception sound and a message reception sound) performed in the portable terminal. The sound output units 114 and 131 may include a speaker, a receiver, a buzzer, and the like.

The sensing unit 156 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 so as to output a sensing result to the controller 150 to control the operation of the terminal. In addition, it is responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 127 is supplied with power, whether the interface 126 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The interface 126 may be connected to a mobile terminal 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. It serves as an interface with the device. The interface 126 receives data from an external device or receives power and transfers the data to each component inside the mobile terminal or transmits data within the mobile terminal to the external device.

The memory 154 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 150, 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.

The memory 154 also stores a program for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

This memory 154 includes concepts such as hard disks, card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory, etc.), flash memory, RAM, ROM, and the like, which are generally known.

The broadcast receiving module 155 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 114 and 131 and the display unit 113, and outputs the broadcast signal to the controller 150. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 155 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 155 may be stored in the memory 154.

The power supply unit 127 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 150 to supply power for operation of each component.

The portable terminal is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the 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 of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

3 is an exploded perspective view of the first body of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

5A is a conceptual diagram of an arrangement method of the space keeping unit of FIG. 4.

5B is a conceptual diagram of another arrangement of the space keeping unit of FIG. 4.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a first body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7A is a cross-sectional view of a first body in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

7B is a front perspective view of the seal of FIG. 7A.

8 is a cross-sectional view of a first body according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention;

Claims (7)

A main body having a display module; A window mounted to the main body to cover the display module; And And a space keeping unit configured to support at least a center area of the window to maintain a spaced state between the center area and the display module. The method of claim 1, The space keeping unit, And at least one protrusion formed in the display module or the window and disposed between the display module and the window. The method of claim 2, The protrusion is formed by curing the liquid material applied to the display module or the central area. The method of claim 2, The protrusions are arranged in a lattice structure spaced apart from each other. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a touch sensor unit mounted on one surface of the window facing the display module, The space keeping unit includes at least one protrusion protruding from the touch sensor unit toward the display module. The method of claim 1, The space keeping unit, And a sealing part coupled to the display module or the window to form a space in which air is sealed together with the display module and the window. The method of claim 1, The space keeping unit, A first magnetic pole coupled to the display module; And And a second magnetic pole coupled to the window, the second magnetic pole generating magnetic repulsion with respect to the first magnetic pole.

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