U.S. patent application number 14/157119 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for mobile terminal having detachable sub-display unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sangmin HYUN, Seogguen KIM, Yuguen KIM, Yunsu KIM.
Application Number | 20140132543 14/157119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42519650 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140132543 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Yuguen ; et
al. |
May 15, 2014 |
MOBILE TERMINAL HAVING DETACHABLE SUB-DISPLAY UNIT
Abstract
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a
detachable sub-display unit. A mobile terminal having a detachable
sub-display unit includes a first body unit having a first display
unit to a front surface of the first body unit. The invention also
includes a second body unit having a second display unit to a front
surface of the second body unit, wherein a magnet is formed on at
least a portion of one side surface of the first body unit and at
least a portion of one side surface of the second body unit, and
the second body unit can be detachably coupled to the at least one
side surface of the first body unit by the magnet.
Inventors: |
KIM; Yuguen; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; HYUN; Sangmin; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Seogguen; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Yunsu;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42519650 |
Appl. No.: |
14/157119 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12705735 |
Feb 15, 2010 |
8633867 |
|
|
14157119 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2250/12 20130101;
G06F 1/1626 20130101; H04M 2250/16 20130101; G06F 3/0412 20130101;
G06F 1/1632 20130101; G06F 2200/1614 20130101; G06F 1/1637
20130101; H04M 1/0254 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0013320 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a first body comprising a first
display, the first body to receive a first touch input in relation
with the first display; a second body comprising a second display,
the second body to receive a second touch input in relation with
the second display, the second body to be detachable coupled to the
first body; a processor-implemented controller configured to:
display, via at least one of the first display or the second
display, a screen corresponding to the first touch input; and
display, via at least one of the first display or the second
display, a screen corresponding to the second touch input.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first body is
coupled to a surface of the second body such that display surfaces
of the first display and the second display are formed in a same
plane.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a
folder unit, the folder unit being rotatably coupled to the first
body.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to detect that the second body is coupled to the first body, via a
sensor operatively coupled to the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to determine that the first body and the second body are operated
together, based at least in part on a user input in relation with
the apparatus.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a
first communication module and the second body comprises a second
communication module, the first communication module and the second
module to transmit and receive control signals with each other.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display; and display a
second screen via the second display, the second screen being
identical to the first screen.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display, the first screen
being a portion of a whole screen; and display a second screen via
the second display, the second screen being another portion of the
whole screen.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display, via the first display, a first screen in a landscape
mode; and display, via the second display, a second screen in the
landscape mode;
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display, via the first display, a first screen in a portrait
mode; and display, via the second display, a second screen in the
portrait mode;
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display, via the first display, a menu screen comprising one or
more of selectable menus; identify a selected one of the selectable
menus, based on the first touch input display, via the second
display, a screen corresponding to the selected one.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display; determine that
the first body and the second body are operated together, based at
least in part on the first input; display, a second screen via the
first display and the second display, the second screen being
generated by expanding the first screen
13. An apparatus comprising: a first display operatively coupled to
the apparatus; a connector to be detachable coupled to a second
display external to the apparatus; a processor-implemented
controller configured to: display, via at least one of the first
display or the second display, a screen corresponding to a first
touch input in relation with the first display; and display, via at
least one of the first display or the second display, a screen
corresponding to a second touch input in relation with the second
display.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a communication
module to transmit and receive control signals to and from the
second display
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display; and display a
second screen via the second display, the second screen being
identical to the first screen.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display, the first screen
being a portion of a whole screen; and display a second screen via
the second display, the second screen being another portion of the
whole screen.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display, via the first display, a menu screen comprising one or
more of selectable menus; identify a selected one of the selectable
menus, based on the first touch input display, via the second
display, a screen corresponding to the selected one.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured
to: display a first screen via the first display; determine that
the first body and the second body are operated together, based at
least in part on the first input; and display, a second screen via
the first display and the second display, the second screen being
generated by expanding the first screen.
19. A method comprising: receiving a user input in relation with a
first display; determining that the first display and a second body
are operated together, based at least in part on the user input,
the second display being detachable coupled to the first display;
receiving a touch input in relation with at the second display; and
displaying, via one or more of the first display or the second
display, a screen corresponding to the touch input;
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the screen is generated by
expanding a previous screen, the previous screen being displayed
via the first display prior to the receiving of the touch input.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation application of a prior
application Ser. No. 12/705,735, filed on Feb. 15, 2010, which
claimed the benefit under 35 U.S.0 .sctn.119(a) of a Korean patent
application filed on Feb. 18, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office and assigned Serial number 10-2009-0013320, the
entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a
mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal having
a detachable sub-display unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Background
[0005] A mobile terminal is an electronic device which provides
users with convenience of mobility along with a rich set of
services and features. This convenience has spawned various mobile
terminals to develop effectively executable functions such as
writing documents and playing games.
[0006] To promote greater adoption, manufacturers of a mobile
terminal effort to develop various executable functions such as
digital photography, reception of digital broadcast, playing moving
images and Internet web browsing for various services and features
in addition to a voice communication function. To address these
requirements, a trend exists that a display unit of a mobile
terminal is increasing in size to display a status and a menu and
conveniently execute such functions by a user.
[0007] However, a typical display unit of the mobile terminal has
limited visual portion for using an Internet web browsing function
because an insufficient size of a display area of the display unit
and not changeable of the size of the display. One area of effort
involves a folder unit having an additional display unit that may
be rotatably coupled to a body unit of a mobile terminal. However,
this approach bears a disadvantage that a second display unit of a
folder type is coupled, the size of the mobile terminal becomes
larger and convenience of portability of the mobile terminal is
reduced.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing a
mobile terminal that may support an Internet web browsing function
through a wide display area while enhancing the mobility of the
mobile terminal.
SUMMARY
[0009] These and other needs are addressed by the present
invention, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention
provide a mobile terminal capable of expanding a display screen
area and enhancing mobility of the mobile terminal by coupling a
second body unit having a second display unit to a first body unit
having a first display unit by user configuration.
[0010] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in
the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from
the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention.
[0011] Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present
invention are readily apparent from the following detailed
description, simply by illustrating a number of particular
embodiments and implementations, including the best mode
contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present
invention is also capable of other and different embodiments, and
its several details can be modified in various obvious respects,
all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
[0012] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a
method for expanding a display screen. The method includes
receiving a request from a first display unit to expand a display
image. The method also includes determining a second display to
satisfy the expand request. The method includes outputting whole or
in part of the display image using the second display. The first
display and the second display are detachably coupled using a
magnet.
[0013] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a
mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit. The terminal
includes a first body unit having a first display unit formed to a
portion of the first body unit. The terminal also includes a second
body unit having a second display unit formed to a portion of the
second body unit. A magnet is formed to a portion of side surface
of the first body unit and a portion of side surface of the second
body unit, and the second body unit is detachably coupled to the
first body unit.
[0014] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating a configuration of
a mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit, according
to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a control system of
a mobile terminal capable of supporting a detachable sub-display
unit that can be used to implement various embodiments of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary view of a first body unit of the
mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary view of a first body unit and a
second body unit in a separate state capable of supporting a
detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are exemplary views showing a
first body unit and a second body unit used in a coupled state
capable of supporting a detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of a mobile terminal having a
detachable sub-display unit, according to exemplary embodiments of
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are exemplary views showing a first body
unit and a second body unit used in a coupled state capable of
supporting a detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS
[0023] An apparatus, method, and software for control of a mobile
terminal having detachable sub-display unit are described. In the
following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to
one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced
without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.
In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in
block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
present invention.
[0024] Although exemplary embodiments of the present are discussed
with respect of a mobile communication terminal system, it is
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments
of the present invention have applicability to any type of
communication system, for example, a mobile communication terminal,
a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, an IMT
2000 (International Mobile Telecommunication 2000) terminal, a CDMA
(Code Division Multiple Access) terminal, a WCDMA (Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access) terminal, a GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communication) terminal, a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)
terminal, an EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) terminal, an UMTS
(Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) terminal, a digital
broadcasting terminal and a multimedia device.
[0025] FIG. 1 is an exemplary view illustrating a configuration of
a mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit, according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, a mobile terminal capable of supporting
a detachable sub-display unit may include a first body unit 100
having a first display unit 110, and a second body unit 200 having
a second display unit 210.
[0027] The first body unit 100 may include following functional
components, for example, a first display unit 110, a sound output
unit 120, a camera unit 130 and a sound input unit 140. The first
body unit 100 may include a main display capable of performing a
main display function of the mobile terminal, and may be operated
as a stand-alone main terminal.
[0028] The first display unit 110 can be installed to a portion of
the front surface of the first body unit 100. The first display
unit 110 may display a desired screen image to a user, and may
operate as a user interface by which the user can input a command.
The first display unit 110 may utilize an LCD (liquid crystal
display), an OLED (organic light emitting diode), a TFT (thin film
transistor), an electrophoretic, or an LITI (laser induced thermal
image) technology. The LCD can be a digital display that uses
liquid crystal cells which change reflectivity in an applied
electric field and be operated by controlling the opacity of
segments by varying the electrical signal. The OLED, a
self-illuminating diode that glows when an electrical field is
applied to the electrode that may not require backlighting or
diffusers. By way of example, the first display unit 110 may have a
touch screen function applicability by which the user may input a
command.
[0029] A key input unit (not shown) may be formed to the front
surface or a side surface of the first body unit 100. A user may
input a command using the key input unit. The key input unit may
include function keys by which the user can input various commands.
The key input unit may be provided in a form of a key pad or a key
button.
[0030] By way of configuration, the first body unit 100 may include
a sound output unit 120 formed at an upper portion of the front
surface of the first body unit 100 to output a sound signal, and
the sound input unit 140 formed at a lower portion of the front
surface of the first body unit 100 to input a sound signal. The
user may hold the sound output unit 120 near an ear to receive a
sound signal from a communication party and may hold the sound
input unit 140 near the mouth to transmit a sound signal to the
communication party. In addition, for example, the first body unit
100 may have the camera unit 130 formed at an upper portion of the
front surface of the first body unit 100 to photograph an object to
perform visual communication.
[0031] The second body unit 200 may include the second display unit
210 on a front surface thereof. The second body unit 200 may have a
sub-display unit that can be used to expand a display screen area
of the mobile terminal, and may perform as a sub-terminal that can
be detachable from the first body unit 100. The second display unit
210 may adopt a similar technology utilized for the first display
unit 110, such as an LCD or an OLED technology, and may have a
touch screen function. The second body unit 200 may provide a key
input unit (not shown) formed on a front surface or side surface of
the second body unit 200.
[0032] A detachable sub-display unit according to exemplary
embodiments of the present invention may have a magnet which is
provided at a portion of one of the side surface of the first body
unit 100 (hereafter a "first side surface") and a magnet provided
at a portion of one of the side surface of the second body unit
200(hereafter a "second side surface"). In this example, the second
body unit 200 may be attached to a portion of the first side
surface of the first body unit 100 using the magnet. As such, the
second body unit may be separated from the first body unit 100. In
FIG. 1, magnets 151 and 152 can be formed to a portion of the each
side surfaces of the first body unit 100, and magnets 221 and 222
can be formed to a portion of the each side surfaces of the second
body unit 200. In some examples, a magnet may be formed on only one
side surface of the first body unit 100 and one side surface of the
second body unit 200. It is contemplated that a mounting location
and quantity of the magnets is not limited thereto, and it is
recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments
of the present invention have applicability to any type of magnets
may be formed on an upper end and a lower end of the first body
unit 100 and of the second body unit 200, as will be more fully
described later with respect to FIG. 6.
[0033] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,
the mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit may couple
the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200 through the
magnets 151, 152, 221, and 222, thereby enables to simply a
coupling structure of the mobile terminal compared to a coupling
structure utilized in a folder type mobile terminal, typically
using a mechanical coupling structure.
[0034] The first body unit 100 may include sensor units 161 and 162
provided to detect whether the second body unit 200 is coupled to
the first body unit 100. In some examples, the sensor units 161 and
162 may be formed at a portion of a side surface of the first body
unit 100 and/or the second body unit 200 at which the first body
unit 100 and the second body unit 200 can be coupled. By way of
example, the sensor units 161 and 162 can be formed to the magnets
151 and 152, respectively, installed on each side surfaces of the
first body unit 100 in FIG. 1. It is contemplated that the present
invention is not limited thereto. The sensor units 161 and 162 may
be provided to output signals to detect whether the second body
unit 200 is coupled to the first body unit 100 and to transmit the
output signals to a first control unit 180, as will be described
later in detail.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the first body unit 100 and second body
unit 200 may have a bar type structure for providing a touch screen
of the first display unit 110 and second display unit 210,
respectively. It is contemplated that a shape of a main terminal is
not limited thereto, and the present invention may be applied to
adopting various types of a mobile terminal, such as a slide type,
a flip type, a folder type, and a rotating type.
[0036] Although not shown in FIG. 1, a first electronic circuit
module and a second electronic circuit module (not shown) may be
installed inside the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200.
By way of example, the first electronic circuit module and second
electronic circuit module may be provided as a thin plate including
circuits that can be used to mechanically support and electrically
connect the first electronic circuit board and second electronic
circuit board and electronic components using conductive pathways.
Preferably, the electronic circuit board has a printed circuit
board (PCB). The first display unit 110 of the first body unit 100
and second display unit 210 of the second body unit 200 can be
provided to receive electric signals from the first electronic
circuit module and second electronic circuit module, to output
various information of the mobile terminal, and to receive a
command input by the user.
[0037] The first electronic circuit module and second electronic
circuit module may be embodied with a various software modules to
control operations of the mobile terminal The software module may
include a control system to control display functions of the first
display unit 110 and second display unit 210.
[0038] FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a control system of
a mobile terminal capable of supporting a detachable sub-display
unit that can be used to implement various embodiments of the
present invention.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the first body unit 100 may include a
first control unit 180 to control a screen display of the first
display unit 110, and the second body unit 200 includes a second
control unit 240 to control a screen display of the second display
unit 210. The first control unit 180 and second control unit 240
may control screen displays of the first display unit 110 and
second display unit 210, respectively, according to an operation
condition of the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200. In
this example, a user can operate only the first body unit 100 or
operate the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200
together.
[0040] The first control unit 180 may receive an input command by
the user from the first display unit 110 and may receive a signal
output transmitted from the sensor units 161 and 162, and may
control the screen display of the first display unit 110. When the
user operates the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200
together, the first control unit 180 may output a control signal to
the second control unit 240 to control the screen display of the
second display unit 210. The second control unit 240 may receive an
input command by the user from the second display unit 210 and may
receive a control signal transmitted from the first control unit
180, and may control the screen display of the second display unit
210. The second control unit 240 may output a control signal to the
first control unit 180 to control the screen display of the first
display unit 110 according to an input command by the user via the
second display unit 210.
[0041] The first body unit 100 may include a first signal
transmission/reception unit 170 and the second body unit 200 may
include a second signal transmission/reception unit 230. The first
control unit 180 and second control unit 240 may transmit and
receive control signals to and from each other via the first signal
transmission/reception unit 170 and second signal
transmission/reception unit 230 to control the screen displays of
the first display unit 110 and second display unit 210,
respectively. In some examples, the first signal
transmission/reception unit 170 and the second signal
transmission/reception unit 230 may transmit and receive control
signals using wireless communication. Various short range wireless
communication technologies, such as a Bluetooth, an IrDA (Infrared
Data Association), a Zigbee, and an UWB (Ultra Wideband), may be
used for a communication protocol between the first signal
transmission/reception unit 170 and second signal
transmission/reception unit 230. In some examples, Bluetooth
technology may be a wireless communication technology based on a
short range radio technology that can operate at a frequency of
around 2.4 GHz and can transmit data at a speed of maximum of 1Mbps
within a radius of 10 meters, and has an advantage that electric
power consumption of a Bluetooth module is very low (approximately
100 mW).
[0042] A control system, as shown in FIG. 2, may include a bus (not
shown) or other communication mechanisms for communicating data,
and control units 180 and 240 including a processor (not shown)
coupled to the bus for processing information. The electronic
device may also include memory unit (not shown), which may be a
random access memory (RAM) or a dynamic storage device coupled to
the bus for storing information and instructions to be executed by
the processor. The memory unit may also be used for storing
temporary variables or intermediate information during execution of
instructions by the processor. The memory unit may be a read only
memory (ROM) or other static storage device coupled to the bus for
storing static information and instructions for the processor. The
memory unit may include a series of applications to operate the
electronic device. Examples of suitable applications include a
touch application, a pressure application, an image application,
and a direction application.
[0043] The display unit 110 and 240, including display units 110
and 210, may be coupled to sensor unit 161 and 162. Examples of the
display unit 120 include, for example, a liquid crystal display, a
flexible display, or active matrix display, for displaying
information to the user. In some cases, a touch screen may be an
input device, such as a keyboard, including alphanumeric and other
keys. The input device may be coupled to the bus and may
communicate information and command selections to the processor.
The input device may include various types of sensors (e.g., touch
sensor unit 161 and 162) and may include a plurality of touch zones
in the display unit 110 and 210 for detecting user input. The input
device may further include a cursor control, such as a mouse, a
trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction
information and command selections to the processor and for
controlling cursor movement on the display unit 110 and 210.
[0044] According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention,
execution of the instructions contained in memory unit may cause
the processor to perform processes according to the instructions.
The control unit 180 and 240 may include one or more processors in
a multi-processing arrangement to execute the instructions
contained in memory unit. Hard-wired circuitry may be used in place
of, or in combination with, software instructions to implement one
or more of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For
example, reconfigurable hardware, such as Field Programmable Gate
Arrays (FPGAs), can be used, and functionality and connection
topology of the FPGA logic gates may be customized at run-time,
typically by programming memory look up tables. Thus, exemplary
embodiments of the present invention are not limited to any
specific combination of hardware circuitry and/or software.
[0045] The electronic device may also include at least one
communication interface unit (e.g., signal transmission/reception
unit 170 and 230). The communication interface unit may provide a
two-way data communication coupling to a network link (not shown).
The communication interface unit may send and receive electrical,
electromagnetic, or optical signals that can carry digital data
streams representing various types of information. Further, the
communication interface unit may include peripheral interface
devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, or a
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)
interface.
[0046] The processor may execute transmitted code and/or may store
the transmitted code in the memory unit, or in other non-volatile
storage. In some cases, the electronic device may obtain
application code in the form of a carrier wave.
[0047] A "computer-readable medium" may refer to any medium that
provides instructions to the processor for execution. Such a medium
may be implemented in various forms, including but not limited to,
non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.
Non-volatile media may include, for example, optical or magnetic
disks, such as the storage device. Volatile media may include
dynamic memory, such as main memory. Transmission media may include
coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires
that comprise the bus. Transmission media can also take the form of
acoustic, optical, or electromagnetic waves, such as those
generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data
communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include,
for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic
tape, any other suitable magnetic medium, a compact disk read-only
memory (CD-ROM), compact disc rewritable (CDRW), digital video disc
(DVD), any other suitable optical medium, punch cards, optical mark
sheets, any other suitable physical medium with patterns of holes
or other optically recognizable indicia, a random-access memory
(RAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), and erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, any other
memory chip or cartridge, and a carrier wave.
[0048] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in
providing instructions to a processor for execution. For example,
the instructions for carrying out at least part of the present
invention may be implemented on a magnetic disk of a remote mobile
terminal The remote mobile terminal may load the instructions into
the memory unit and may send the instructions, for example, over a
telephone line using a modem. A modem of a local system may receive
the data on a telephone line and/or may be used an infrared
transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal and may
transmit the infrared signal to the electronic device. The
electronic device may receive information and instructions provided
by the infrared signal. The bus may provide the information and
instructions to the memory unit, from which a processor may
retrieve and execute the instructions. The instructions received by
memory unit may optionally be stored either before or after
execution by the control unit 180 and 240.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C
are exemplary views of operation of the mobile terminal having a
detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0050] For example, FIG. 3 shows an exemplary view of using only
the first body unit 100 of the mobile terminal having a detachable
sub-display unit of FIG. 1. In some examples, the user may use only
the first body unit 100 of the mobile terminal The user may set the
mobile terminal to use only the first body unit 100 via the first
display unit 110. In this example, the first control unit 180 may
control to display a desired operation screen via only the first
display unit 110.
[0051] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary view of a first body unit of the
mobile terminal having a detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1. As
shown in FIG. 3, an example of an e-mail content using the first
display unit 110 of the first body unit 100. In this example, the
first control unit 180 may control the screen display of the first
display unit 110 to display the contents to an input window 302 and
to an upper portion of the screen of the first display unit 110,
and to display a touch key pad 301 on a lower portion of the screen
of the first display unit 110 to enable the user to input
characters to generate content. In some examples, the user may
input and send a mail content using the touch key pad 301 displayed
of the first display unit 110.
[0052] It is noted that the user may perform a desired operation
using only the first display unit 110 of the first body unit 100,
therefore, the user may choose to carry only the first body unit
100 when a screen expansion by the second display unit 210 is not
needed for enhancing a mobility of the mobile terminal.
[0053] The user may set the mobile terminal to operate the first
body unit 100 and second body unit 200 together via the first
display unit 110 when the user needs not to operate a screen
expanded by the second display unit 210. The first control unit 180
may control the screen display of the first display unit 110 and
may transmit a control signal to the second control unit 240 to
control the screen display of the second display unit 210. The
second control unit 240 may receive the control signal from the
first control unit 180 to control the screen display of the second
display unit 210. It is contemplated that several scenarios may be
possible as exemplary embodiments in which one approach involves
using the first body unit 100 and second body unit 200 together and
another approach in which the first body unit 100 and second body
unit 200 may be utilized in a separate component and the other
approach involves using the first body unit 100 and second body
unit 200 in a coupled state.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary view of a first body unit 100 and
a second body unit 200 in a separated state capable of supporting a
detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 4, when the user operates the first body
unit 100 and second body unit 200 in a separate state, the first
control unit 180 and second control unit 240 may control to output
an identical screen image to the first display unit 110 and the
second display unit 210. The above described approach provides an
advantage that when two users have a meeting, a first user has the
first body unit 100 and a second user has the second body unit 200,
and the two users can view identical screen images 303 and 304
displayed on the first display unit 110 and second display unit
210, respectively, during the meeting.
[0056] In this example, when the first user having the first body
unit 100 inputs a specific command via the first display unit 110,
the first control unit 180 may display a screen image to the first
display unit 110 according to a user command and may transmit a
corresponding control signal to the second control unit 240. The
second control unit 240 may receive the control signal and may
control the second display unit 210 to display the same screen
image as that of the first display unit 110, thereby enabling the
second user having the second body unit 200 to view the same screen
image of the first user.
[0057] Similarly, when the second user having the second body unit
200 inputs a command through the second display unit 210, the
second control unit 240 may display a screen image on the second
display unit 210 according to the command by the second user and
may transmit a corresponding control signal to the first control
unit 180. The first control unit 180 may receive the control signal
and may control the first display unit 110 to display the same
screen image as that of the second display unit 210.
[0058] Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which an identical
screen image can be displayed on the first display unit 110 and
second display unit 210, the first display unit 110 may be applied
to display a screen image different to the screen image displayed
on the second display unit 210.
[0059] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are exemplary views showing a
first body unit and a second body unit in a coupled state capable
of supporting a detachable sub-display unit of FIG. 1.
[0060] In some examples, as shown in FIG. 5A, the first body unit
100 and second body unit 200 may be coupled using magnets 151 and
152 that can be formed on each side surfaces of the first body unit
100, and magnets 221 and 222 may be installed on each side surfaces
of the second body unit 200, as shown in FIG. 1. When the second
body unit 200 is coupled to the first body unit 100, the front
surface of the second display unit 210 may be coupled in parallel
with the front surface of the first display unit 110.
[0061] FIG. 5A shows a menu screen 305 displayed on the first
display unit 110, and a screen 306 displayed on the second display
unit 210 that correspond to a function selected from the menu
screen 305. For example, when the user selects an MP3 replay
function from the menu screen 305 displayed on the first display
unit 110, the second display unit 210 may display the screen 306
according to the user selection of replaying an MP3 file. In this
example, the first control unit 180 controls the first display unit
110 to display the menu screen 305, and while the user inputs a
command through the menu screen 305, the second control unit 240
may control the second display unit 210 to display the screen 306
according to the input command transmitted by the first control
unit 180. If the user selects a specific menu option via the first
display unit 110, the first control unit 180 may transmit a control
signal corresponding to a function selected by the user to the
second control unit 240. The second control unit 240 may receive
the control signal and may control the second display unit 210 to
display the screen 306 corresponding to the selected function.
[0062] FIG. 5B shows an exemplary view of an expanded screen 307 in
which screens of the first display unit 110 and second display unit
210 can be coupled when the user wants to view contents in a wide
screen, for example, contents for Internet web browsing.
[0063] The first control unit 180 can determine whether the second
body unit 200 is coupled to the first body unit 100 in response to
detection of the sensor units 161 and 162, and can control to
expand a display screen of the first display unit 110 to allow
display contents typically requiring a large screen such as
contents for an Internet web page, to an expanded display screen
including the first display unit 110 and second display unit 210
for displaying the screen 307. In FIG. 5B, the first control unit
180 can split a display screen image of the first display unit 110
into two split (e.g., divided) image, for example, a left split
screen image and a right split screen image along a vertical axis
of the first control unit 180, and can display the left split
screen image on the first display unit 110. The first control unit
180 can transmit a control signal to the second control unit 240 to
display the right split screen image on the second display unit
210. The second control unit 240 can receive the control signal and
can control the second display unit 210 to display the right split
screen. Accordingly, the user can display split images to the
expanded screen 307 as a whole or can display each of split images
to the respective sections of the expanded screen 307 by coupling
the first display unit 110 and second display unit 210.
[0064] FIG. 5C shows an exemplary menu screen 308 on the first
display unit 110, and a screen 309 on the second display unit 210
capable of operating a music replay function selected from the menu
screen.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5C, the function is similar to the
functional operation of FIG. 5A except that the first control unit
180 and second control unit 240 can display contents in landscape
mode, e.g., image screens on the first display unit 110 and second
display unit 210 respectively.
[0066] The user may expand the screen of the first display unit 110
to the second display unit 210 by coupling the first body unit 100
and second body unit 200, thereby enabling the user to easily
adjust a size of a display area according to applications.
[0067] FIG. 6 is an exemplary view of a mobile terminal having a
detachable sub-display unit, according to exemplary embodiments of
the present invention, and FIG. 7A and 7B show examples of using a
first body unit and second body unit in a coupled state capable of
supporting a detachable sub-display unit of the mobile
terminal.
[0068] In the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 6, magnets 163 and 164
can be installed at an upper end portion and lower end portion of
the first body unit 100, and magnets 223 and 224 can be installed
at an upper end portion and lower end portion of the second body
unit 200 by way of configuration and this configuration includes
distinctive features differently from that of the configuration of
the mobile terminal of FIG.1. For example, sensor units 153 and 154
can be installed on the magnets 163 and 164, respectively, at the
upper end portion and lower end portion of the first body unit 100.
When the magnets 163, 164, 223, and 224 are installed at the upper
ends portions and lower ends portions of the first body unit 100
and second body unit 200, as shown in FIG. 6, the first body unit
100 and second body unit 200 may be coupled in a vertical direction
of the mobile terminal.
[0069] FIG. 7A shows an exemplary touch key pad 310 including
numerals, characters and symbols formed on the first display unit
110, and a screen 311 including various information such as a menu,
an image, and a moving image on the second display unit 210. The
mobile terminal in which the first body unit 100 and second body
unit 200 are coupled by way of configuration of the mobile terminal
as exemplarily shown in FIG. 7A may be a folder type mobile
terminal. FIG. 7B shows an example of displaying an expanded screen
312 in which a screen of the first display unit 110 can be expanded
to the second display unit 210 when the user wants to view contents
in a wide screen, for example, contents for Internet web
browsing.
[0070] It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the
present invention may be practiced operations of the first control
unit 180 and second control unit 240 in the examples of FIGS. 7A
and 7B that is similar to that of the previous exemplary embodiment
without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.
In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in
block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
present invention.
[0071] A structure of a mobile terminal having a detachable
sub-display unit according to exemplary embodiments of the present
invention provides simplified configuration in expanding display
unit compared to a conventional mobile terminal having a coupling
structure by implementing a mechanical connection method
[0072] The approach embodied in exemplary embodiments of the
present invention makes a user to perform an operation using only
the first display unit of the first body unit when a mobile
terminal having a detachable sub-display unit, the user may choose
to carry only the first body unit when a screen expansion is needed
by coupling the first display unit to the second display, thereby
enhancing mobility of the mobile terminal.
[0073] A size of a display area of the mobile terminal of the
present invention may be easily adjusted corresponding to
applications in which the user may expand a screen of the first
display unit to the second display unit by coupling the first body
unit and second body unit when it is required.
[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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