WO2015083906A1

WO2015083906A1 - Mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2015083906A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/003454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hongjo Shim; Hyunwoo Kim; Seonghyok Kim
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2013-12-02
Filing date: 2014-04-21
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: KR20150063780A

Abstract

There is disclosed a mobile terminal including a case, a display disposed on a front surface of the case, an optical part arranged adjacent to the display, the optical parts comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit, a window glass coupled to the front surface of the case to cover the optical part and the display, a bezel printed on a rear surface of the window glass, corresponding to a circumferential portion of the display, the bezel comprising a light transmission hole formed corresponding to the optical part, a color filter disposed to the light transmission hole, and a control unit configured to control a strength of a signal emitted from the transmitting unit based on a color of the color filter.

Description

MOBILE TERMINAL

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile terminal having an improved vibration effect of a motor.

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals and stationary terminals. In addition, the mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals.

Further, a mobile terminal can perform various functions such as data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display.

As a mobile terminal has the various functions, a sensor mounted in the mobile terminal is diversified. Examples of the sensor may include an acceleration sensor, an angular sensor and a magnetic field sensor which are mounted in a case of the mobile terminal as well as a proximity sensor and an illuminance sensor which are exposed to a front side of the mobile terminal.

The sensor for receiving light, toward the front side of the mobile terminal such as an illuminance sensor or a proximity sensor has holes formed in a bezel to make light reach the sensor. A black hole formed in a black bezel would not stand out but the black hole formed in a white or bright color bezel stands out disadvantageously.

To overcome the disadvantages, an object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal in which an area of a front side with a proximity sensor looks similar with a bezel in color.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the embodiments, as embodied and broadly described herein, a mobile terminal includes a mobile terminal including a case; a display disposed on a front surface of the case; an optical part arranged adjacent to the display, the optical parts comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit; a window glass coupled to the front surface of the case to cover the optical part and the display; a bezel printed on a rear surface of the window glass, corresponding to a circumferential portion of the display, the bezel comprising a light transmission hole formed corresponding to the optical part; a color filter disposed to the light transmission hole; and a control unit configured to control a strength of a signal emitted from the transmitting unit based on a color of the color filter.

The color filter may have the same color as the bezel.

The control unit may control the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit based on the color of the color filter to sense an object approaching within a preset distance.

A rate of a strength of an emitted signal in case infrared ink is applied to the window glass and a rate of a strength of an emitted signal in case of comprising the color filter e in inverse proportion to a square of a transmittance rate of the infrared ink and a square of a transmittance of the color filter.

The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a sensitivity level of the receiving unit based on a color of the color filter to sense an object approaching within the distance.

The sensing distance of the receiving unit may be controlled to be 5cm or more.

The mobile terminal may further include a selective transparent film coupled to the light transmission hole to change a transparency level selectively.

The selective transparent film may be a polymer dispersed liquid film having a transparency which is changed based on presence of a voltage applied thereto.

The control unit may apply an electric power to the polymer dispersed liquid film and convert a state of the polymer dispersed liquid film into a transparent state, when the optical part is operated.

The strength of the signal emitted may be controlled based on the transparency of the polymer dispersed liquid film.

The optical part may be a proximity sensor and a signal emitted from the transmitting unit is an infrared signal.

The optical part may be a fingerprint reader and a signal emitted from a transmitting unit is a RF (Radio Frequency) signal.

According to at least one embodiment of the invention, the area near the proximity sensor is realized in a similar color to the bezel, such that the uniform design of the front surface can be provided and that the performance of the proximity sensor can be maintained simultaneously.

Furthermore, the noise generated by the vibration may be reduced as much as possible, using the hook provided in the support wall or the buffer pad. The groove may be formed in the battery cover or the printed circuit board such that the overall thickness of the mobile terminal may not be increased.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram illustrating a proximity sensor provided in mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a light transmittance rate based on colors of a color filter shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating a principle of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film arranged on a front surface of the proximity sensor shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional diagram illustrating a fingerprint reader provided in a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the invention.

Description will now be given in detail according to the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. A suffix "module" and "unit" used for constituent elements disclosed in the following description is merely intended for easy description of the specification, and the suffix itself does not give any special meaning or function. In describing the present disclosure, if a detailed explanation for a related known function or construction is considered to unnecessarily divert the gist of the present disclosure, such explanation has been omitted but would be understood by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand the technical idea of the present disclosure and it should be understood that the idea of the present disclosure is not limited by the accompanying drawings. The idea of the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes besides the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being connected with another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected with another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation as far as it represents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Terms include or has used herein should be understood that they are intended to indicate an existence of several components or several steps, disclosed in the specification, and it may also be understood that part of the components or steps may not be included or additional components or steps may further be included.

Mobile terminals described herein may include cellular phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigators, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (for example, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

However, it may be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the exemplary embodiments of this specification can also be applied to stationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers and the like, excluding a case of being applicable only to the mobile terminals.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 100 in accordance with an embodiment as broadly described herein. The mobile terminal 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V (audio/video) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controller 180, a power supply unit 190 and the like. FIG. 1 shows the mobile terminal 100 having various components, but it is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement. Greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

In the following description, the above elements of the mobile terminal 100 are explained in sequence.

First of all, the wireless communication unit 110 typically includes one or more components which permits wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system or network within which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For instance, the wireless communication unit 110 can include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless internet module 113, a short-range communication module 114, a position-location module 115 and the like.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. At least two broadcast receiving modules 111 can be provided to the mobile terminal 100 in pursuit of simultaneous receptions of at least two broadcast channels or broadcast channel switching facilitation.

The broadcast managing server generally refers to a server which generates and transmits a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information or a server which is provided with a previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information and then transmits the provided signal or information to a terminal. The broadcast signal may be implemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, among others. If desired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information includes information associated with a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, a broadcast service provider, etc. And, the broadcast associated information can be provided via a mobile communication network. In this case, the broadcast associated information can be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast associated information can be implemented in various forms. For instance, broadcast associated information may include an electronic program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information received by the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in a suitable device, such as a memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives wireless signals to/from one or more network entities (e.g., base station, external terminal, server, etc.) via a mobile network such as GSM(Gobal System for Mobile communications), CDMA(Code Division Multiple Access), WCDMA(Wideband CDMA) and so on. Such wireless signals may represent audio, video, and data according to text/multimedia message transmission and reception,amongothers.

The wireless internet module 113 supports Internet access for the mobile terminal 100. This module may be internally or externally coupled to the mobile terminal 100. In this case, the wireless Internet technology can include WLAN(Wireless LAN) (Wi-Fi), Wibro (Wireless broadband), Wimax (World Interoperability for Microwave Access), HSDPA(High Speed Downlink Packet Access), GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE (Long Term Evolution) etc.

Wireless internet access by Wibro, HSPDA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or the like is achieved via a mobile communication network. In this aspect, the wireless internet module 113 configured to perform the wireless internet access via the mobile communication network can be understood as a sort of the mobile communication module 112.

The short-range communication module 114 facilitates relatively short-range communications. Suitable technologies for implementing this module include radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra-wideband (UWB), as well at the networking technologies commonly referred to as Bluetooth and ZigBee, to name a few.

The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise obtains the location of the mobile terminal 100. If desired, this module may be implemented with a global positioning system (GPS) module. According to the current technology, the GPS module 115 is able to precisely calculate current 3-dimensional position information based on at least one of longitude, latitude and altitude and direction (or orientation) by calculating distance information and precise time information from at least three satellites and then applying triangulation to the calculated information. Currently, location and time information are calculated using three satellites, and errors of the calculated location position and time information are then amended using another satellite. Besides, the GPS module 115 is able to calculate speed information by continuously calculating a real-time current location.

Referring to FIG. 1, the audio/video (A/V) input unit 120 may be configured to provide audio or video signal input to the mobile terminal 100. As shown, the A/V input unit 120 includes a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 receives and processes image frames of still pictures or video, which are obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. In addition, the processed image frames can be displayed on the display 151 of the output unit 150.

The image frames processed by the camera 121 can be stored in the memory 160 or can be externally transmitted via the wireless communication unit 110. Optionally, at least two cameras 121 can be provided to the mobile terminal 100 according to environment of usage.

The microphone 122 receives an external audio signal while the portable device is in a particular mode, such as phone call mode, recording mode and voice recognition. This audio signal is processed and converted into electric audio data. The processed audio data is transformed into a format transmittable to a mobile communication base station via the mobile communication module 112 in case of a call mode. The microphone 122 may include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove noise generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.

The user input unit 130 may generate input data responsive to user manipulation of an associated input device or devices. Examples of such devices include a button 136 provided to front/rear/lateral side of the mobile terminal 100 and a touch sensor (pressure sensitive touch/ capacitive touch) 137 and may further include a key pad, a dome switch, a jog wheel, a jog switch and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may provide sensing signals for controlling operations of the mobile terminal 100 using status measurements of various aspects of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, the sensing unit 140 may detect an open/close status of the mobile terminal 100, relative positioning of components (e.g., a display and keypad) of the mobile terminal 100, a change of position of the mobile terminal 100 or a component of the mobile terminal 100, a presence or absence of user contact with the mobile terminal 100, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal 100. By nonlimiting example, such a sensing unit 140 may include, a gyro sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor and the like.

As an example, consider the mobile terminal 100 being configured as a slide-type mobile terminal. In this configuration, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether a sliding portion of the mobile terminal is open or closed. Other examples include the sensing unit 140 sensing the presence or absence of power provided by the power supply 190, the presence or absence of a coupling or other connection between the interface unit 170 and an external device. In addition, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 may generate outputs relevant to the senses of sight, hearing, touch and the like. The output unit 150 includes the display 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154 and the like.

The display 151 may be implemented to visually display (output) information associated with the mobile terminal 100. For instance, if the mobile terminal is operating in a phone call mode, the display may provide a user interface (UI) or graphical user interface (GUI) which includes information associated with placing, conducting, and terminating a phone call. As another example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the display 151 may additionally or alternatively display images which are associated with these modes, the UI or the GUI.

The display 151 may be implemented using known display technologies including, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light-emitting diode display (OLED), a flexible display and a three-dimensional display. The mobile terminal 100 may include one or more of such displays.

Some of the above displays can be implemented in a transparent or optical transmittable type, which can be named a transparent display. As a representative example for the transparent display, there is TOLED (transparent OLED) or the like. A rear configuration of the display 151 can be implemented in the optical transmittive type as well. In this configuration, a user is able to see an object in rear of a terminal body via the area occupied by the display 151 of the terminal body.

At least two displays 151 may be provided to the mobile terminal 100 in accordance with the implemented configuration of the mobile terminal 100. For instance, a plurality of displays can be arranged on a single face of the mobile terminal 100 in a manner of being spaced apart from each other or being built in one body. Alternatively, a plurality of displays can be arranged on different faces of the mobile terminal 100.

In case that the display 151 and the touch sensor 137 configures a mutual layer structure (hereinafter called touch screen ), it is able to use the display 151 as an input device as well as an output device. In this case, the touch sensor may be configured as a touch film, a touch sheet, a touchpad or the like.

The touch sensor 137 can be configured to convert a pressure applied to a specific portion of the display 151 or a variation of a capacitance generated from a specific portion of the display 151 to an electric input signal. Moreover, it is able to configure the touch sensor 137 to detect a pressure of a touch as well as a touched position or size.

If a touch input is made to the touch sensor 137, signal(s) corresponding to the touch is transferred to a touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and then transfers the processed signal(s) to the controller 180. Therefore, the controller 180 is able to know whether a prescribed portion of the display 151 is touched.

Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, a proximity sensor 141 can be provided to an internal area of the mobile terminal 100 enclosed by the touchscreen or around the touchscreen. The proximity sensor 141 is the sensor that detects a presence or non-presence of an object approaching a prescribed detecting surface or an object existing around the proximity sensor using an electromagnetic field strength or infrared ray without mechanical contact. Hence, the proximity sensor has durability longer than that of a contact type sensor and also has utility wider than that of the contact type sensor.

The proximity sensor 141 can include one of a transmittive photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective photoelectric sensor, a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor, an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, an infrared proximity sensor and the like. In case that the touchscreen includes the electrostatic capacity proximity sensor, it is configured to detect the proximity of a pointer using a variation of electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touchscreen (touch sensor) can be classified as the proximity sensor.

For clarity and convenience of the following description, as a pointer becomes proximate to a touchscreen without coming into contact with the touchscreen, if the pointer is perceived as situated over the touchscreen, such an action shall be named proximity touch . If a pointer actually comes into contact with a touchscreen, such an action shall be named contact touch . A proximity-touched position over the touchscreen with the pointer may mean a position at which the pointer vertically opposes the touchscreen when the touchscreen is proximity-touched with the pointer.

The proximity sensor 141 detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch duration, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch shift state, etc.). In addition, information corresponding to the detected proximity touch action and the detected proximity touch pattern can be outputted to the touchscreen.

The audio output module 152 functions in various modes including a call-receiving mode, a call-placing mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode and the like to output audio data which is received from the wireless communication unit 110 or is stored in the memory 160. During operation, the audio output module 152 outputs audio relating to a particular function (e.g., call received, message received, etc.). The audio output module 152 is often implemented using one or more speakers, buzzers, other audio producing devices, and combinations thereof.

The alarm unit 153 is output a signal for announcing the occurrence of a particular event associated with the mobile terminal 100. Typical events include a call received event, a message received event and a touch input received event. The alarm unit 153 is able to output a signal for announcing the event occurrence by way of vibration as well as video or audio signal. The video or audio signal can be output via the display 151 or the audio output unit 152. Hence, the display 151 or the audio output module 152 can be regarded as a part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that can be sensed by a user. Vibration is a representative one of the tactile effects generated by the haptic module 154. Strength and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 154 are controllable. For instance, different vibrations can be output in a manner of being synthesized together or can be output in sequence.

The haptic module 154 is able to generate various tactile effects as well as the vibration. For instance, the haptic module 154 generates the effect attributed to the arrangement of pins vertically moving against a contact skin surface, the effect attributed to the injection/suction power of air though an injection/suction hole, the effect attributed to the skim over a skin surface, the effect attributed to the contact with electrode, the effect attributed to the electrostatic force, the effect attributed to the representation of hold/cold sense using an endothermic or exothermic device and the like.

The haptic module 154 can be implemented to enable a user to sense the tactile effect through a muscle sense of finger, arm or the like as well as to transfer the tactile effect through a direct contact. Optionally, at least two haptic modules 154 can be provided to the mobile terminal 100 in accordance with the corresponding configuration type of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory unit 160 is generally used to store various types of data to support the processing, control, and storage requirements of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of such data include program instructions for applications operating on the mobile terminal 100, contact data, phonebook data, messages, audio, still pictures (or photo), moving pictures, etc. In addition, a recent use history or a cumulative use frequency of each data (e.g., use frequency for each phonebook, each message or each multimedia) can be stored in the memory unit 160. Moreover, data for various patterns of vibration and/or sound output in case of a touch input to the touchscreen can be stored in the memory unit 160.

The memory 160 may be implemented using any type or combination of suitable volatile and non-volatile memory or storage devices including hard disk, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk, multimedia card micro type memory, card-type memory (e.g., SD memory, XD memory, etc.), or other similar memory or data storage device. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 is able to operate in association with a web storage for performing a storage function of the memory 160 on Internet.

The interface unit 170 is often implemented to couple the mobile terminal 100 with external devices. The interface unit 170 receives data from the external devices or is supplied with the power and then transfers the data or power to the respective elements of the mobile terminal 100 or enables data within the mobile terminal 100 to be transferred to the external devices.

The interface unit 170 may be configured using a wired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for coupling to a device having an identity module, audio input/output ports, video input/output ports, an earphone port and/or the like.

The identity module is the chip for storing various kinds of information for authenticating a use authority of the mobile terminal 100 and can include User Identify Module (UIM), Subscriber Identify Module (SIM), Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and/or the like. A device having the identity module (hereinafter called identity device ) can be manufactured as a smart card. Therefore, the identity device is connectible to the mobile terminal 100 via the corresponding port.

When the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 becomes a passage for supplying the mobile terminal 100 with a power from the cradle or a passage for delivering various command signals input from the cradle by a user to the mobile terminal 100. Each of the various command signals input from the cradle or the power can operate as a signal enabling the mobile terminal 100 to recognize that it is correctly loaded in the cradle.

The controller 180 may control the overall operations of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 may performs the control and processing associated with voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 that provides multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be configured as part of the controller 180, or implemented as a separate component.

Moreover, the controller 180 is able to perform a pattern (or image) recognizing process for recognizing a writing input and a picture drawing input carried out on the touchscreen as characters or images, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 provides power required by the various components for the mobile terminal 100. The power may be internal power, external power, or combinations thereof.

A battery may include a built-in rechargeable battery and may be detachably attached to the terminal body for a charging and the like. A connecting port may be configured as one example of the interface 170 via which an external charger for supplying a power of a battery charging is electrically connected.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium using, for example, computer software, hardware, or some combination thereof.

Next, FIG. 2 is a front perspective diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 shown in the drawing has a bar type terminal body. Yet, the mobile terminal 100 may be implemented in a variety of different configurations. Examples of such configurations include folder-type, slide-type, rotational-type, swing-type and combinations thereof. For clarity, further disclosure will primarily relate to a bar-type mobile terminal 100. However such teachings apply equally to other types of mobile terminals.

Referring to FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 100 includes a

case

101, 102, 103 configuring an exterior thereof. In the present embodiment, the case can be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electric/electronic parts are loaded in a space provided between the front and

rear cases

101 and 102.

Occasionally, electronic components can be mounted on a surface of the rear case 102. The electronic part mounted on the surface of the rear case 102 may include such a detachable part such as a battery, a USIM card, a memory card and the like. In doing so, the rear case 102 may further include a backside cover 103(see FIG.3) configured to cover the surface of the rear case 102. In particular, the backside cover 103 has a detachable configuration for the user s convenience. If the backside cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, the surface of the rear case 102 is exposed.

Referring to FIG. 3, if the backside cover 103 is attached to the rear case 102, a lateral side of the rear case 102 may be exposed in part. If a size of the backside cover 103 is decreased, a rear side of the rear case 102 may be exposed in part. If the backside cover 103 covers the whole rear side of the rear case 102, it may include an opening 103 (see FIG.4) configured to expose a camera 121 or an audio output unit 152 externally.

The

cases

101, 102 and 103 can be formed by injection molding of synthetic resin or can be formed of metal substance such as stainless steel (STS), titanium (Ti) or the like for example.

A display 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, user input units 130/131 and 132, a microphone 122, an interface 170 and the like can be provided to the

case

101 or 102.

The display 151 occupies most of a main face of the front case 101. The audio output unit 152 and the camera 121 are provided to an area adjacent to one of both end portions of the display 151, while the user input unit 131 and the microphone 122 are provided to another area adjacent to the other end portion of the display 151. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 can be provided to lateral sides of the front and

rear cases

101 and 102.

The input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling an operation of the terminal 100. And, the input unit 130 is able to include a plurality of manipulating

units

131 and 132. The manipulating

units

131 and 132 can be named a manipulating portion and may adopt any mechanism of a tactile manner that enables a user to perform a manipulation action by experiencing a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulating

unit

131 or 132 can be diversely set. For instance, such a command as start, end, scroll and the like is input to the first manipulating unit 131. In addition, a command for a volume adjustment of sound output from the audio output unit 152 and the like can be input to the second manipulating unit 132, a command for a switching to a touch recognizing mode of the display 151 and the like can be input to the third manipulating unit 133.

A button type is configured to recognize a pressure applied by a user to each of the

manipulation units

131, 132 and 133. If a touch sensor is provided to each of the

manipulation units

131, 132 and 133 in addition to the display unit 151, a user s command can be inputted by a user s touch.

A proximity sensor 141 may be arranged near the display to sense an object 1 approaching the mobile terminal. The proximity sensor 141 may be provided in a back surface of the mobile terminal to sense the approaching of the object 1 even in a state where the back surface of the mobile terminal 100 is upward. The proximity sensor emits a signal and receives the signal reflected in the object 1. Accordingly, the proximity sensor may include a light transmission hole 109 to transmit a signal there through so as to determine presence of an object 1 approaching the mobile terminal.

A fingerprint reader 142 may be provided in a back surface 102 or a lateral surface of a case, considering a position of a user s hand holding the mobile terminal. Alternatively, the fingerprint reader 142 may be provided in a bezel 109 adjacent to the display 151. The fingerprint reader 142 has to recognize a fingerprint of the user s finger 2 touching a surface thereof and it has a light transmission hole 109 to transmit a signal there through.

FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram illustrating a proximity sensor provided in mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1 is shown the proximity sensor 141, the polymer dispersed liquid film, a color filter 210, a window glass 108 and the bezel 109.

When a receiving unit 1412 receives the electromagnetic wave reflected in the object 1 approaching the mobile terminal 100 after emitted from a transmitting unit 1411, the proximity sensor 141 may recognize the presence of the object 1 approaching the mobile terminal 100 and generate a corresponding signal. The electromagnetic wave emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 may have a wavelength possessed by an infrared ray (in a wavelength of 850nm~930nm) or other wavelengths.

The proximity sensor 141 may be divided into the transmitting unit 1411 for emitting a signal and the receiving unit 1412 for receiving the emitted signal. Some of the lights emitted from the receiving unit 1411 are dispersed in a lateral direction. If the receiving unit 1412 senses the dispersed lights, an error might be generated. To prevent such an error of the sensor, a partition wall 1413 may be provided between the transmitting unit 1411 and the receiving unit 1412.

The light emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 has to be emitted toward the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 and the light reflected in the object 1 has to be transmitted to the receiving unit 1412. The window glass may be arranged in front of the transmitting unit 1411 and the receiving unit 1412.

As shown in FIG. 3, an opaque bezel 109 is arranged around the display 151. The bezel 109 is printed in a circumferential portion of the display 151, except the displaying area, and a rear surface of the window glass 108, only to cover the circumferential portion of the display 151 and the camera, the proximity sensor 141 and the receiver 152 arranged in the front surface of the display 151.

No bezel 109 is provided in a front surface of the proximity sensor 141 such that the light emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 may pass the window glass 108 and may be reflected in the object 1 approaching the mobile terminal 100 to be transmitted to the receiving unit 1412. In case the bezel 109 is bright-colored, the portion having no bezel 109 (hereinafter, the light transmission hole 109 ) is distinguished from the bezel 109 and the uniform design for the front surface of the mobile terminal 100 may be deteriorated.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of the invention, a color filter 210 formed in a similar color to the bezel 109 may be provided in the light transmission hole 109 , such that the deterioration of the uniform appearance caused by the distinguished light transmission hole 109 from the bezel 109 can be minimized. The color filter 210 may be formed of a transparent or opaque material to transmit lights there through, different from the bezel 109.

A transmittance rate of the electromagnetic wave transmitting the color filter 210 after emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 is deteriorated, compared with a transmittance rate of the electromagnetic wave transmitting no color filter 210. Especially, there are differences of transmittance rates based on colors of the color filter 210. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a light transmittance rate based on colors of a color filter shown in FIG. 3. Table 1 shown below shows transmittance rates of lights with difference wavelengths based on colors.

Table 1

No.	COLOR	0%	50%
#25	sky-blue	580nm	600nm
#29	deep red	600nm	620nm
#
70	green	640nm	680nm
#
89B	yellow	680nm	720nm
#
88A	red	720nm	750nm
#
87	blue	740nm	795nm
#
87C	blue-green	790nm	850nm
#
87B	pink	820nm	930nm

Referring to Table 1 and the graph of FIG. 4, Blue-sky (#25) has a transmittance rate of 0% in a wavelength of 550nm and a transmittance rate of 50% or more in a wavelength of 600nm or more. Pink (#87B) has a transmittance rate of 0% in a wavelength of 820nm and 50% or more in 930nm or more increasingly.

In case of emitting an infrared ray, a light in a wavelength of 850nm~930nm is emitted and a transmittance rate in a wavelength of 850nm or more is important. Black infrared ink (the ink transmitting an infrared ray and blocking a visible ray) is applied on a recent proximity sensor and the proximity sensor having such ink applied thereon has a transmittance rate of 85%~90% in a wavelength of 880nm. It is preferred that the color filter 210 arranged in the front surface of the proximity sensor has a transmittance rate of 85% or more in a wavelength 880nm.

Blue (#87) has a transmittance rate of 75% in a wavelength 880nm and Pink (#87A) has a lower transmittance rate of 15% in the same wavelength. In other words, a range of wavelengths is getting narrower as the filter has a color located lower in Table 1, such that the amount of the transmitted lights is getting smaller. Pink (#87B) located lower Table 1, even located right in the graph of FIG. 4. As having a lowered transmittance range, Blue-green (#87C) has a reduced amount of signals reaching the object 1 approaching the mobile terminal. Accordingly, the distances sensed by the proximity sensor 141 may be different.

For instance, in case the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 is uniform, the object-sensible distance sensed by using a blue color filter 210 is reduced by half, compared with the distance sensed by using a black infrared ink.

The transmittance rates are different based on colors of the color filter 210. When using different color filters 210, there is a disadvantage of different performances of the proximity sensor 141. Accordingly, the strengths of the signals emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 are adjusted in consideration of transmittance rates for colors of the color filter 210.

A transmittance rate gained in case of using a blue color filter 210 is lower than a transmittance rate gained in case of using a black infrared ink or a black color filter by 10%. When the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 through the black infrared ink or black color filter is 15, the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 through the blue color filter 210 has to be 20 to make distances sensed by the proximity sensor 141be 5cm uniformly in two cases.

In case of using a red color filter having a lower transmittance rate, the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 has to be 50 and a similar distance sensed by the proximity sensor 141 can be gained to a distance sensed by the proximity sensor 141 in case the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 through the black infrared ink or the black color filter is 15.

Meanwhile, the distance sensed by the proximity sensor 141 may be adjusted by heightening a sensitivity of the receiving unit 1412. When using a color filter 210 having a lower transmittance rate, not using a color filter 210 having a higher transmittance rate, the sensitivity of the receiving unit 1412 is heightened enough to sense an object 1 approaching within a preset distance even with a small amount of signals received by the receiving unit 1412.

More specifically, the same performance level of the proximity sensor 141 as the performance level of the conventional proximity sensor 141 having the infrared ink applied to the window glass 108 has to be gained, even if the color filter 210 is applied instead of the infrared ink. (It can be said that the performance is the same when the proximity sensor has to sense an object approaching within a sensing distance (e.g., 7cm)).

When a transmittance rate of a signal (e.g., an infrared ray) transmitting the window glass 108 having the infrared ink applied thereto is a% and a transmittance rate of a signal transmitting a specific color filter 210 is b% , the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit 1411 has to be (a/b)²ofthestrengthofthesignalemittedfromthetransmittingunitoftheproximitysensorhavingtheinfraredinkappliedthereto.

In other words, a ratio of the signal strength is in inverse proportion to a duplicate ratio of the transmittance rate. As the signals transmit the color filter 210 twice until reaching the receiving unit 1412 from the transmitting unit 141, the amount of the signal lost in the color filter 210 is doubled and in proportion to the square. As a transmittance rate is getting higher, the strength of the signal can be adjusted getting weaker and the signal strength is in inverse proportion to the transmittance rate.

Table 2 shows transmittance rates of color filters and outputs of the transmitting unit to recognize a distance of 7cm, with respect to the infrared ink applied to the color filter. A transmittance rate of the infrared ink is approximately 88%~92% and an average of the transmittance rates is 90%.

Table 2

Infrared ink/Color filter터	Transmittance rate (%)	Strength of transmitting unit output
적외선 잉크	90	1
#25	88.9	1.06
#29	86.3	1.11
#70	83.2	1.17
#89	82.4	1.2
#87C	77.6	1.31
#87B	50.7	3.01

Green (#70) has a transmittance rate of 83.2% and Infrared ink has a transmittance rate of 90% such that (90/83.7)²maybeapproximately1.17.Whenthestrengthofthelightemittedfromthetransmittingunitis1.17timesthestrengthofthelightincaseofusingtheinfraredink,thesamesensingdistancescanbegained.

Hence, a selective transparent film 220 may be further attached to the light transmission hole 109 . The selective transparent film 220 means a material capable of converting the light transmission hole 109 from a transparent state to an opaque state and vice versa. A notable example of the selective transparent film may be a polymer dispersed liquid film 220.

The polymer dispersed liquid film 220 is attached to the light transmission hole 109 and the light transmission hole 109 can be controlled to be selectively open and closed. The polymer dispersed liquid film 220 means a film in which arrangement of liquid is changed to change a transparency when the power is applied thereto. In several structures of the polymer dispersed liquid film, dozens of micrometer liquid molecular particles are dispersed and liquid is provided in a net-shaped polymer.

When a voltage is applied, directions of liquids shown in FIG. 5 are in parallel and refractive indexes of quantum are identical to be a transmittive state. Without the voltage, directions of liquids shown in FIG. 6 are irregular and there is dispersion caused in an interface having a difference refractive index from a media.

Specifically, when the voltage is applied, the polymer dispersed liquid film is in a transparent state. Without the voltage applied thereto, the polymer dispersed liquid film is in an opaque state. Accordingly, the power is applied to the polymer dispersed liquid film 220 in a state where the proximity 141 has to be driven to be controlled transparent, such that the light emitted from the transmitting unit 220 can reach the receiving unit 1412.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fingerprint reader 142 of the mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the invention. The fingerprint reader 142 according to the present embodiment includes a color filter 210.

The fingerprint reader 142 uses an optical type and it emits RF (Radio Frequency) signal to reflect a fingerprint of the finger. After that, an image of the reflected fingerprint is transmitted to the receiving unit 1412 and a type of the fingerprint is recognized.

The fingerprint reader 142 may be arranged in an area of a bezel 109 or a rear surface of the mobile terminal 100. To make the light emitted from a transmitting unit 1411 reach a receiving unit 1412, the fingerprint reader 142 is formed of a transparent material. When the fingerprint reader is provided in the bezel 109 arranged in a front surface of the mobile terminal, the bezel 109 is partially omitted to form a light transmission hole 109 . When it is provided in the rear surface of the mobile terminal, the fingerprint reader 142 may be partially formed transparent.

As mentioned hereinabove, a color of a portion where the light transmission hole 109 corresponding to the fingerprint reader 142 is provided may be black, different from a color of the bezel 109 or a color of a case 102. Accordingly, the color filter 210 is provided to cover the light transmission hole 109 to realize the color of the light transmission hole 109 similar to the color of the bezel or the color of the case 102.

At this time, the polymer dispersed liquid film 220 mentioned hereinabove may be further disposed on a rear surface of the color filter 210. When left in an opaque state in case of not using it, the bezel 109 and the light transmission hole 109 are converted into a similar opaque state. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 100 having the uniform exterior appearance may be provided.

According to at least one of the embodiments, the area near the proximity sensor 141 is realized in a similar color to the bezel 109, such that the uniform design of the front surface can be provided and that the performance of the proximity sensor 141 can be maintained simultaneously.

When a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this invention. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the invention, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A mobile terminal comprising:

a case;

a display disposed on a front surface of the case;

an optical part arranged adjacent to the display, the optical parts comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit;

a window glass coupled to the front surface of the case to cover the optical part and the display;

a bezel printed on a rear surface of the window glass, corresponding to a circumferential portion of the display, the bezel comprising a light transmission hole formed corresponding to the optical part;

a color filter disposed to the light transmission hole; and

a control unit configured to control strength of a signal emitted from the transmitting unit based on a color of the color filter.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the color filter has the same color as the bezel.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the strength of the signal emitted from the transmitting unit based on the color of the color filter to sense an object approaching within a preset distance.
The mobile terminal of claim 3, wherein a rate of a strength of an emitted signal in case infrared ink is applied to the window glass and a rate of a strength of an emitted signal in case of comprising the color filter are in inverse proportion to a square of a transmittance rate of the infrared ink and a square of a transmittance of the color filter.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the control unit controls a sensitivity level of the receiving unit based on a color of the color filter to sense an object approaching within the distance.
The mobile terminal of one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein the sensing distance of the receiving unit is controlled to be 5cm or more.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a selective transparent film coupled to the light transmission hole to change a transparency level selectively.
The mobile terminal of claim 7, wherein the selective transparent film is a polymer dispersed liquid film having a transparency which is changed based on presence of a voltage applied thereto.
The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein the control unit applies an electric power to the polymer dispersed liquid film and converts a state of the polymer dispersed liquid film into a transparent state, when the optical part is operated.
The mobile terminal of claim 8, wherein the strength of the signal emitted is controlled based on the transparency of the polymer dispersed liquid film.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the optical part is a proximity sensor and a signal emitted from the transmitting unit is an infrared signal.
The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the optical part is a fingerprint reader and a signal emitted from a transmitting unit is a RF (Radio Frequency) signal.