U.S. patent application number 16/815978 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-02 for mobile terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG ELECTRONICS INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG ELECTRONICS INC.. Invention is credited to Dongjin KIM, Gihwan KIM, Youngbae KWON.
Application Number | 20200212544 16/815978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68164314 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200212544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KWON; Youngbae ; et
al. |
July 2, 2020 |
MOBILE TERMINAL
Abstract
A mobile terminal includes a terminal main body including a
circuit substrate configured to process first and second wireless
signals; a sidewall portion including slits and an antenna member
exposed outside of the main body so as to make up an appearance of
the main body, wherein the antenna member is formed between the
slits and includes multiple antenna slots; a first power supply
unit extending from the circuit substrate and configured to supply
power to the antenna member so the first wireless signal is
transmitted and received through the antenna member; and a second
power supply unit configured to supply power to the multiple
antenna slots such that the second wireless signal is transmitted
and received through the multiple antenna slots in a different
frequency band than the first wireless signal.
Inventors: |
KWON; Youngbae; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Gihwan; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Dongjin; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG ELECTRONICS INC. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
68164314 |
Appl. No.: |
16/815978 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/KR2018/005112 |
May 2, 2018 |
|
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16815978 |
|
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62655212 |
Apr 9, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 5/307 20150115;
H01Q 5/40 20150115; H01Q 1/243 20130101; H04M 1/0262 20130101; H01Q
21/064 20130101; H04M 1/026 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01Q 1/24 20060101
H01Q001/24; H04M 1/02 20060101 H04M001/02; H01Q 21/06 20060101
H01Q021/06; H01Q 5/307 20060101 H01Q005/307 |
Claims
1. A mobile terminal comprising: a terminal main body including a
circuit substrate configured to process first and second wireless
signals; a sidewall portion including slits and an antenna member
exposed outside of the main body so as to make up an appearance of
the main body, wherein the antenna member is formed between the
slits and includes multiple antenna slots; a first power supply
unit extending from the circuit substrate and configured to supply
power to the antenna member so the first wireless signal is
transmitted and received through the antenna member; and a second
power supply unit configured to supply power to the multiple
antenna slots such that the second wireless signal is transmitted
and received through the multiple antenna slots in a different
frequency band than the first wireless signal.
2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the multiple
antenna slots are arranged into an array, such that a beamformed
signal is radiated from the multiple antenna slots.
3. The mobile terminal according to claim 2, wherein the second
power supply unit includes multiple electric conductors, and
wherein the multiple electric conductors undergo coupling with each
of the multiple antenna slots, such that the beamformed signal is
radiated through the multiple antenna slots.
4. The mobile terminal according to claim 3, wherein a portion of a
corresponding electric conductor overlaps an area surrounded by an
edge of a corresponding antenna slot.
5. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, wherein the
corresponding electric conductor includes bent portions bent from
one end of the corresponding electric conductor and extending in
different directions so as to overlap the area surrounded by the
edge of the corresponding antenna slot.
6. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, wherein the
corresponding electric conductor includes at least one of a first
bent portion extending in a first direction to overlap the area
that is surrounded by the corresponding antenna slot, and a second
bent portion extending in a second direction perpendicular to the
first direction to overlap the area that is surrounded by the
corresponding antenna slot.
7. The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the
corresponding antenna slot comprises a rectangle shape, and wherein
the first bent portion extends in a long-side direction of the
corresponding antenna slot, and the second bent portion extends in
a short-side direction of the corresponding antenna slot.
8. The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein the
corresponding antenna slot has an ellipse shape, and wherein the
first bent portion extends in a long-axis direction of the
corresponding antenna slot, and the second bent portion extends in
a short-axis direction of the corresponding antenna slot.
9. The mobile terminal according to claim 6, wherein a length of
the first bent portion is different than length of the second bent
portion.
10. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the antenna
member comprises a metal portion of the sidewall portion.
11. The mobile terminal according to claim 10, wherein the second
wireless signal is transmitted and received through the multiple
antenna slots formed in the sidewall portion in which the metal
portion of the sidewall portion is utilized for grounding.
12. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall
portion comprises an upper or lower portion of the mobile terminal
having a minimal interference from a user using the mobile
terminal.
13. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the slits
include cut-out portions of the sidewall portion.
14. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first
power supply unit extends from a first wireless signal processing
unit disposed on the circuit substrate and is connected
electrically to the antenna member, and the second power supply
unit extends from a second wireless signal processing unit disposed
on the circuit substrate to supply current to the multiple antenna
slots.
15. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the multiple
antenna slots are exposed through the outside of the main body so
as to make up the appearance of the main body.
16. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the circuit
substrate includes a first wireless central processing unit for
processing the first wireless signal, and includes a second
wireless central processing unit for processing the second wireless
signal.
17. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second wireless signals are both transmitted through the sidewall
portion of the mobile terminal.
18. A mobile terminal comprising: a terminal main body including a
circuit substrate which processes a wireless signal; a sidewall
portion including an antenna member made of metal material, which
is exposed through an outside of the main body to make up an
appearance of the main body and is formed between multiple slits;
and a power supply configured to supply current to the antenna
member such that a wireless signal is transmitted and received
through the antenna member, wherein the antenna member includes
multiple metal patches arranged into an array such that a
beamformed signal is radiated from the metal patches, and wherein
the multiple metal patches are between the multiple antenna
slots.
19. The mobile terminal according to claim 18, wherein the multiple
metal patches are made of the same metal material as the sidewall
portion, and are exposed through the outside of the main body so as
to make up the appearance of the main body.
20. The mobile terminal according to claim 18, wherein the power
supply unit includes multiple electric conductors, and wherein the
multiple electric conductors undergo coupling with each of the
multiple metal patches, such that the beamformed signal is radiated
through the multiple metal patches.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of PCT International
Application No. PCT/KR2018/005112 filed on May 2, 2018, which
claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 62/655,212 filed on Apr. 9, 2018, all
of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the
present application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a high-frequency band
antenna and a mobile terminal equipped with the antenna.
Discussion of the Related Art
[0003] Terminals may be divided into mobile/portable terminals and
stationary terminals according to mobility. Also, the mobile
terminals may be classified into handheld types and vehicle mount
types according to whether or not a user can directly carry.
[0004] Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional.
Examples of such functions include data and voice communications,
capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing
music files via a speaker system, and displaying images and video
on a display. Some mobile terminals include additional
functionality which supports electronic game playing, while other
terminals are configured as multimedia players. Specifically, in
recent time, mobile terminals can receive broadcast and multicast
signals to allow viewing of video or television programs
[0005] As it becomes multifunctional, a mobile terminal can be
allowed to capture still images or moving images, play music or
video files, play games, receive broadcast and the like, so as to
be implemented as an integrated multimedia player.
[0006] In addition to the attempts described above, attempts have
been made to commercialize a wireless communication system that
uses an LTE communication. Recently, mobile terminals have provided
various services associated with this. In addition, it is expected
that in the near future, the wireless communication system that
uses the 5G communication technology will be commercialized and
thus that the various services associated with this will be
provided. On the other hand, a portion of an LTE frequency band can
be allocated for providing a 5G communication service.
[0007] In association with this, the 5G communication technology
uses a mmWave frequency band that is a short-wave frequency band.
However, when a mmWave and an existing 4G antenna are caused to
approach each other, due to mutual interference, there is a problem
in which the mmWave antenna and the 4G antenna both decrease in
performance. In order to prevent this, the two antennas are
positioned a distance away from each other, but there is a problem
in which a size of the terminal increases. Accordingly, there is an
increasing demand for a structure in which the mmWave antenna and
the 4G antenna are both realized in one terminal without decreasing
the performance thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, one object of the present disclosure is to
address the above-described problems and other problems.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an
antenna that is capable of transmitting and receiving a short-wave
wireless signal in a mobile terminal with a metal edge, using the
metal edge thereof.
[0010] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide
a structure of a mobile terminal with a metal edge, in which a 4G
antenna and a 5G antenna are realized in the same space.
[0011] In order to achieve the above-described objectives and other
objectives, according to another aspect of the present disclosure,
there is provided a mobile terminal including a terminal main body
that includes a circuit substrate that processes first and second
radio signals; a sidewall portion that includes an antenna member
made of metal material, which is exposed through the outside of the
main body so as to make up an appearance of the main body and is
formed between slits; a first power supply unit that extends from
the circuit substrate to supply current to the antenna member, such
that the first radio signal is transmitted and received through the
antenna member; multiple slots that are formed in the antenna
member; and a second power supply unit that supplies current to the
slots such that the second radio signal is transmitted and received
through the slots in a different frequency band than the first
radio signal.
[0012] In the mobile terminal, the slots may be formed into an
array, such that a beamformed signal is radiated from the
slots.
[0013] In the mobile terminal, the second power supply unit may be
made up of multiple electric conductors, and the electric conductor
may undergo coupling with each of the slots, such that the
beamformed signal is radiated through the slots.
[0014] In the mobile terminal, a portion of each of the electric
conductors may be disposed so as to overlap an area that is
surrounded by an edge of the slot.
[0015] In the mobile terminal, each of the electric conductors may
include bent portions bent from one end of the electric conductor
and extending in different directions so as to overlap the area
surrounded by the edge of the slot.
[0016] In the mobile terminal, each of the electric conductors may
include at least one of a first bent portion that extends in a
first direction to overlap the area that is surrounded by the slot,
and a second bent portion that extends in a second direction
perpendicular to the first direction to overlap the area that is
surrounded by the slot.
[0017] In the mobile terminal, each of the slots may be formed in
the form of a rectangle, and the first bent portion may extend in a
long-side direction of the slot, and the second bent portion may
extend in a short-side direction of the slot.
[0018] In the mobile terminal, each of the slots may be formed in
the form of an ellipse, and the first bent portion may extend in a
long-axis direction of the slot, and the second bent portion may
extend in a short-axis direction of the slot.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there
is provided a mobile terminal including: a terminal main-body that
includes a circuit substrate which processes a wireless signal; a
sidewall portion that includes an antenna member made of metal
material, which is exposed through the outside of the main body to
make up an appearance of the main body and is formed between
multiple slits; and a power supply unit that supplies current to
the antenna such that a wireless signal is transmitted and received
through the antenna member; wherein the antenna member includes
multiple metal patches and, in which the metal patches are formed
into an array such that a beamformed signal is radiated from the
metal patches.
Advantageous Effect
[0020] Effects of the mobile terminal according to the present
disclosure are described as follows. According to the present
disclosure, the 4G antenna and the 5G antenna are both realized
through the sidewall portion of the mobile terminal. Accordingly,
according to the present disclosure, the terminal can be prevented
from increasing in size due to multiple antennas.
[0021] In addition, according to the present disclosure, a signal
for the 5G communication is transmitted and received through
multiple slots that are formed in the sidewall portion. In this
case, according to the present disclosure, because the sidewall
made of metal material is utilized for grounding, there is no need
to providing grounding in order to realize the 5G antenna.
Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, the 5G antenna is
realized without increasing a size of the terminal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1A is a block diagram for describing a mobile terminal
according to the present disclosure.
[0023] FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual diagrams, each illustrating
an example of a general-purpose mobile terminal, when viewed from
different directions.
[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams, each illustrating
an example of the mobile terminal including a cover glass that is
bent, according to the present disclosure, when viewed from
different directions.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded diagram of FIG. 2A.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded diagram of FIG. 2B.
[0027] FIG. 5A is an enlarged diagram illustrating a portion of
FIG. 4 in an enlarged manner.
[0028] FIG. 5B is a perspective diagram illustrating a portion of
FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating
an antenna member, a second power supply unit, and a circuit
substrate, which are illustrated in FIG. 5A.
[0030] FIGS. 6B and 6C are conceptual diagrams of FIG. 6A, when
viewed from different directions.
[0031] FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, and 9 are conceptual diagrams illustrating
modifications examples, respectively, of the antenna that is
included in the mobile terminal according to the present
disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a lower portion
of the mobile terminal that is illustrated in FIG. 2A.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded diagram of FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Description will now be given in detail according to
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 may be
provided with the same or similar reference numbers, and
description thereof will not be repeated. In general, a suffix such
as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or
components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to
facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself
is not intended to 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.
[0035] It will be understood that although the terms first, second,
etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these
elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are
generally only used to distinguish one element from another. It
will be understood that when an element is referred to as being
"connected with" another element, the element can be connected with
the another 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.
[0036] A singular representation may include a plural
representation unless it represents a definitely different meaning
from the context. Terms such as "include" or "has" are used herein
and should be understood that they are intended to indicate an
existence of several components, functions or steps, disclosed in
the specification, and it is also understood that greater or fewer
components, functions, or steps may likewise be utilized.
[0037] Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a
variety of different types of terminals. Examples of such terminals
include cellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop
computers, digital broadcast terminals, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable
computers (PCs), slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable
devices (for example, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted
displays (HMDs)), and the like.
[0038] Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a
variety of different types of terminals. Examples of such terminals
include cellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop
computers, digital broadcast terminals, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable
computers (PCs), slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable
devices (for example, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted
displays (HMDs)), and the like.
[0039] By way of non-limiting example only, further description
will be made with reference to particular types of mobile
terminals. However, such teachings apply equally to other types of
terminals, such as those types noted above. In addition, these
teachings may also be applied to stationary terminals such as
digital TV, desktop computers, and the like.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a
mobile terminal in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are conceptual views
illustrating one example of a mobile terminal, viewed from
different directions.
[0041] The mobile terminal 100 may be shown having components such
as a wireless communication unit 110, an input unit 120, a sensing
unit 140, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a memory 170,
a controller 180, and a power supply unit 190. It is understood
that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a
requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively
be implemented.
[0042] In more detail, the wireless communication unit 110 may
typically include one or more modules which permit communications
such as wireless communications between the mobile terminal 100 and
a wireless communication system, communications between the mobile
terminal 100 and another mobile terminal, or communications between
the mobile terminal 100 and an external server. Further, the
wireless communication unit 110 may typically include one or more
modules which connect the mobile terminal 100 to one or more
networks.
[0043] The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more
of a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module
112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short-range communication
module 114, and a location information module 115.
[0044] The input unit 120 may include a camera 121 or an image
input unit for obtaining images or video, a microphone 122, which
is one type of audio input device for inputting an audio signal,
and a user input unit 123 (for example, a touch key, a mechanical
key, and the like) for allowing a user to input information. Data
(for example, audio, video, image, and the like) may be obtained by
the input unit 120 and may be analyzed and processed according to
user commands.
[0045] The sensing unit 140 may typically be implemented using one
or more sensors configured to sense internal information of the
mobile terminal, the surrounding environment of the mobile
terminal, user information, and the like. For example, the sensing
unit 140 may include at least one of a proximity sensor 141, an
illumination sensor 142, a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a
magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor,
an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a
ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera 121), a
microphone 122, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for
example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation
detection sensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among
others), and a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a
health care sensor, a biometric sensor, and the like). The mobile
terminal disclosed herein may be configured to utilize information
obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit 140, and
combinations thereof.
[0046] The output unit 150 may typically be configured to output
various types of information, such as audio, video, tactile output,
and the like. The output unit 150 may be shown having at least one
of a display 151, an audio output module 152, a haptic module 153,
and an optical output module 154. The display 151 may have an
inter-layered structure or an integrated structure with a touch
sensor in order to implement a touch screen. The touch screen may
function as the user input unit 123 which provides an input
interface between the mobile terminal 100 and the user and
simultaneously provide an output interface between the mobile
terminal 100 and a user.
[0047] The interface unit 160 serves as an interface with various
types of external devices that are coupled to the mobile terminal
100. The interface unit 160, for example, may include any of wired
or wireless ports, external power supply ports, wired or wireless
data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting a device having
an identification module, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O
ports, earphone ports, and the like. In some cases, the mobile
terminal 100 may perform assorted control functions associated with
a connected external device, in response to the external device
being connected to the interface unit 160.
[0048] The memory 170 is typically implemented to store data to
support various functions or features of the mobile terminal 100.
For instance, the memory 170 may be configured to store application
programs executed in the mobile terminal 100, data or instructions
for operations of the mobile terminal 100, and the like. Some of
these application programs may be downloaded from an external
server via wireless communication. Other application programs may
be installed within the mobile terminal 100 at time of
manufacturing or shipping, which is typically the case for basic
functions of the mobile terminal 100 (for example, receiving a
call, placing a call, receiving a message, sending a message, and
the like). Application programs may be stored in the memory 170,
installed in the mobile terminal 100, and executed by the
controller 180 to perform an operation (or function) for the mobile
terminal 100.
[0049] The controller 180 typically functions to control an overall
operation of the mobile terminal 100, in addition to the operations
associated with the application programs. The controller 180 may
provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user
by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are
input or output by the aforementioned various components, or
activating application programs stored in the memory 170.
[0050] Also, the controller 180 may control at least some of the
components illustrated in FIG. 1A, to execute an application
program that have been stored in the memory 170. In addition, the
controller 180 may control at least two of those components
included in the mobile terminal 100 to activate the application
program.
[0051] The power supply unit 190 may be configured to receive
external power or provide internal power in order to supply
appropriate power required for operating elements and components
included in the mobile terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may
include a battery, and the battery may be configured to be embedded
in the terminal body, or configured to be detachable from the
terminal body.
[0052] At least part of the components may cooperatively operate to
implement an operation, a control or a control method of a mobile
terminal according to various embodiments disclosed herein. Also,
the operation, the control or the control method of the mobile
terminal may be implemented on the mobile terminal by an activation
of at least one application program stored in the memory 170.
[0053] Hereinafter, description will be given in more detail of the
aforementioned components with reference to FIG. 1A, prior to
describing various embodiments implemented through the mobile
terminal 100. First, regarding the wireless communication unit 110,
the broadcast receiving module 111 is typically configured to
receive a broadcast signal and/or broadcast associated information
from an external broadcast managing entity via a broadcast channel.
The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel, a
terrestrial channel, or both. In some embodiments, two or more
broadcast receiving modules may be utilized to facilitate
simultaneous reception of two or more broadcast channels, or to
support switching among broadcast channels.
[0054] The mobile communication module 112 can transmit and/or
receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities.
Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an
external mobile terminal, a server, and the like. Such network
entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is
constructed according to technical standards or communication
methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for
Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA),
CDMA2000 (Code Division Multi Access 2000), EV-DO (Enhanced
Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA
(WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA (High
Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A (Long
Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like).
[0055] The wireless signal may include various types of data
depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a
text/multimedia message transmission/reception. The wireless
Internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless Internet
access. This module may be internally or externally coupled to the
mobile terminal 100. The wireless Internet module 113 may transmit
and/or receive wireless signals via communication networks
according to wireless Internet technologies.
[0056] Examples of such wireless Internet access include Wireless
LAN (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Digital Living
Network Alliance (DLNA), Wireless Broadband (WiBro), Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), High Speed Downlink
Packet Access (HSDPA), High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA),
Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A) and the like. The
wireless Internet module 113 may transmit/receive data according to
one or more of such wireless Internet technologies, and other
Internet technologies as well.
[0057] When the wireless Internet access is implemented according
to, for example, WiBro, HSDPA, HSUPA, GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE, LTE-A
and the like, as part of a mobile communication network, the
wireless Internet module 113 performs such wireless Internet
access. As such, the Internet module 113 may cooperate with, or
function as, the mobile communication module 112.
[0058] The short-range communication module 114 is configured to
facilitate short-range communications. Suitable technologies for
implementing such short-range communications include BLUETOOTH.TM.,
Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID), Infrared Data Association
(IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), ZigBee, Near Field Communication
(NFC), Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless USB
(Wireless Universal Serial Bus), and the like. The short-range
communication module 114 in general supports wireless
communications between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless
communication system, communications between the mobile terminal
100 and another mobile terminal 100, or communications between the
mobile terminal and a network where another mobile terminal 100 (or
an external server) is located, via wireless area networks. One
example of the wireless area networks is a wireless personal area
networks.
[0059] Here, another mobile terminal (which may be configured
similarly to mobile terminal 100) may be a wearable device, for
example, a smart watch, a smart glass or a head mounted display
(HMD), which is able to exchange data with the mobile terminal 100
(or otherwise cooperate with the mobile terminal 100). The
short-range communication module 114 may sense or recognize the
wearable device, and permit communication between the wearable
device and the mobile terminal 100. In addition, when the sensed
wearable device is a device which is authenticated to communicate
with the mobile terminal 100, the controller 180, for example, may
cause transmission of at least part of data processed in the mobile
terminal 100 to the wearable device via the short-range
communication module 114. Hence, a user of the wearable device may
use the data processed in the mobile terminal 100 on the wearable
device. For example, when a call is received in the mobile terminal
100, the user may answer the call using the wearable device. Also,
when a message is received in the mobile terminal 100, the user can
check the received message using the wearable device.
[0060] The location information module 115 is generally configured
to detect, calculate, derive or otherwise identify a position (or
current position) of the mobile terminal. As an example, the
location information module 115 includes a Global Position System
(GPS) module, a Wi-Fi module, or both. For example, when the mobile
terminal uses a GPS module, a position of the mobile terminal may
be acquired using a signal sent from a GPS satellite. As another
example, when the mobile terminal uses the Wi-Fi module, a position
of the mobile terminal can be acquired based on information related
to a wireless access point (AP) which transmits or receives a
wireless signal to or from the Wi-Fi module. If desired, the
location information module 115 may alternatively or additionally
function with any of the other modules of the wireless
communication unit 110 to obtain data related to the position of
the mobile terminal. The location information module 115 is a
module used for acquiring the position (or the current position)
and may not be limited to a module for directly calculating or
acquiring the position of the mobile terminal.
[0061] Examples of such inputs include audio, image, video, data,
and user input. Image and video input is often obtained using one
or more cameras 121. Such cameras 121 may process image frames of
still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video or
image capture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on
the display 151 or stored in memory 170. Meanwhile, the cameras 121
may be arranged in a matrix configuration to permit a plurality of
images having various angles or focal points to be input to the
mobile terminal 100. Also, the cameras 121 may be located in a
stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images for
implementing a stereoscopic image.
[0062] The microphone 122 processes an external audio signal into
electric audio (sound) data. The processed audio data can be
processed in various manners according to a function being executed
in the mobile terminal 100. If desired, the microphone 122 may
include assorted noise removing algorithms to remove unwanted noise
generated in the course of receiving the external audio signal.
[0063] The user input unit 123 is a component that permits input by
a user. Such user input may enable the controller 180 to control
operation of the mobile terminal 100. The user input unit 123 may
include one or more of a mechanical input element (for example, a
mechanical key, a button located on a front and/or rear surface or
a side surface of the mobile terminal 100, a dome switch, a jog
wheel, a jog switch, and the like), or a touch-sensitive input
element, among others. As one example, the touch-sensitive input
element may be a virtual key, a soft key or a visual key, which is
displayed on a touch screen through software processing, or a touch
key which is located on the mobile terminal at a location that is
other than the touch screen. On the other hand, the virtual key or
the visual key may be displayed on the touch screen in various
shapes, for example, graphic, text, icon, video, or a combination
thereof.
[0064] The sensing unit 140 is generally configured to sense one or
more of internal information of the mobile terminal, surrounding
environment information of the mobile terminal, user information,
or the like, and generate a corresponding sensing signal. The
controller 180 generally cooperates with the sending unit 140 to
control operations of the mobile terminal 100 or execute data
processing, a function or an operation associated with an
application program installed in the mobile terminal based on the
sensing signal. The sensing unit 140 may be implemented using any
of a variety of sensors, some of which will now be described in
more detail.
[0065] The proximity sensor 141 refers to a sensor to sense
presence or absence of an object approaching a surface, or an
object located near a surface, by using an electromagnetic field,
infrared rays, or the like without a mechanical contact. The
proximity sensor 141 may be arranged at an inner area of the mobile
terminal covered by the touch screen, or near the touch screen.
[0066] When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type,
the proximity sensor 141 can sense proximity of a pointer relative
to the touch screen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which
is responsive to an approach of an object with conductivity. When
the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, the
proximity sensor 141 can sense proximity of a pointer relative to
the touch screen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which is
responsive to an approach of an object with conductivity. In this
case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may also be categorized as a
proximity sensor.
[0067] The term "proximity touch" will often be referred to herein
to denote the scenario in which a pointer is positioned to be
proximate to the touch screen without contacting the touch screen.
The term "contact touch" will often be referred to herein to denote
the scenario in which a pointer makes physical contact with the
touch screen. For the position corresponding to the proximity touch
of the pointer relative to the touch screen, such position will
correspond to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the
touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 may sense proximity touch,
and proximity touch patterns (for example, distance, direction,
speed, time, position, moving status, and the like). In general,
controller 180 processes data corresponding to proximity touches
and proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor 141,
and cause output of visual information on the touch screen. In
addition, the controller 180 can control the mobile terminal 100 to
execute different operations or process different data (or
information) according to whether a touch with respect to a point
on the touch screen is either a proximity touch or a contact
touch.
[0068] A touch sensor senses a touch (or a touch input) applied to
the touch screen (or the display 151) using any of a variety of
touch methods. Examples of such touch methods include a resistive
type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, and a magnetic field
type, among others. As one example, the touch sensor may be
configured to convert changes of pressure applied to a specific
part of the display 151, or convert capacitance occurring at a
specific part of the display 151, into electric input signals. The
touch sensor may also be configured to sense not only a touched
position and a touched area, but also touch pressure and/or touch
capacitance. A touch object is generally used to apply a touch
input to the touch sensor. Examples of typical touch objects
include a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the
like.
[0069] When a touch input is sensed by a touch sensor,
corresponding signals may be transmitted to a touch controller. The
touch controller may process the received signals, and then
transmit corresponding data to the controller 180. Accordingly, the
controller 180 may sense which area of the display 151 has been
touched. Here, the touch controller may be a component separate
from the controller 180, the controller 180, and combinations
thereof.
[0070] Meanwhile, the controller 180 may execute the same or
different controls according to a type of touch object that touches
the touch screen or a touch key provided in addition to the touch
screen. Whether to execute the same or different control according
to the object which provides a touch input may be decided based on
a current operating state of the mobile terminal 100 or a currently
executed application program, for example.
[0071] The touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be implemented
individually, or in combination, to sense various types of touches.
Such touches include a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a
multi-touch, a drag touch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a
pinch-out touch, a swipe touch, a hovering touch, and the like.
[0072] If desired, an ultrasonic sensor may be implemented to
recognize location information relating to a touch object using
ultrasonic waves. The controller 180, for example, may calculate a
position of a wave generation source based on information sensed by
an illumination sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since
light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, the time for which the
light reaches the optical sensor is much shorter than the time for
which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. The
position of the wave generation source may be calculated using this
fact. For instance, the position of the wave generation source may
be calculated using the time difference from the time that the
ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor based on the light as a
reference signal.
[0073] The camera 121, which has been depicted as a component of
the input unit 120, typically includes at least one a camera sensor
(CCD, CMOS etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensors), and a laser
sensor. Implementing the camera 121 with a laser sensor may allow
detection of a touch of a physical object with respect to a 3D
stereoscopic image. The photo sensor may be laminated on, or
overlapped with, the display device. The photo sensor may be
configured to scan movement of the physical object in proximity to
the touch screen. In more detail, the photo sensor may include
photo diodes and transistors (TRs) at rows and columns to scan
content received at the photo sensor using an electrical signal
which changes according to the quantity of applied light. Namely,
the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the physical
object according to variation of light to thus obtain location
information of the physical object.
[0074] The display 151 is generally configured to output
information processed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the
display 151 may display execution screen information of an
application program executing at the mobile terminal 100 or user
interface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI) information in
response to the execution screen information.
[0075] Also, the display 151 may be implemented as a stereoscopic
display for displaying stereoscopic images. A typical stereoscopic
display may employ a stereoscopic display scheme such as a
stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), an auto-stereoscopic scheme
(glassless scheme), a projection scheme (holographic scheme), or
the like.
[0076] The audio output module 152 may receive audio data from the
wireless communication unit 110 or output audio data stored in the
memory 170 during modes such as a signal reception mode, a call
mode, a record mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast
reception mode, and the like. The audio output module 152 can
provide audible output related to a particular function (e.g., a
call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.)
performed by the mobile terminal 100. The audio output module 152
may also be implemented as a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, or the
like.
[0077] A haptic module 153 can be configured to generate various
tactile effects that a user feels, perceives, or otherwise
experiences. A typical example of a tactile effect generated by the
haptic module 153 is vibration. The strength, pattern and the like
of the vibration generated by the haptic module 153 can be
controlled by user selection or setting by the controller. For
example, the haptic module 153 may output different vibrations in a
combining manner or a sequential manner.
[0078] Besides vibration, the haptic module 153 can generate
various other tactile effects, including an effect by stimulation
such as a pin arrangement vertically moving to contact skin, a
spray force or suction force of air through a jet orifice or a
suction opening, a touch to the skin, a contact of an electrode,
electrostatic force, an effect by reproducing the sense of cold and
warmth using an element that can absorb or generate heat, and the
like.
[0079] The haptic module 153 can also be implemented to allow the
user to feel a tactile effect through a muscle sensation such as
the user's fingers or arm, as well as transferring the tactile
effect through direct contact. Two or more haptic modules 153 may
be provided according to the particular configuration of the mobile
terminal 100.
[0080] An optical output module 154 can output a signal for
indicating an event generation using light of a light source.
Examples of events generated in the mobile terminal 100 may include
message reception, call signal reception, a missed call, an alarm,
a schedule notice, an email reception, information reception
through an application, and the like.
[0081] A signal output by the optical output module 154 may be
implemented such that the mobile terminal emits monochromatic light
or light with a plurality of colors. The signal output may be
terminated as the mobile terminal senses that a user has checked
the generated event, for example.
[0082] The interface unit 160 serves as an interface for external
devices to be connected with the mobile terminal 100. For example,
the interface unit 160 can receive data transmitted from an
external device, receive power to transfer to elements and
components within the mobile terminal 100, or transmit internal
data of the mobile terminal 100 to such external device. The
interface unit 160 may include wired or wireless headset ports,
external power supply ports, wired or wireless data ports, memory
card ports, ports for connecting a device having an identification
module, audio input/output (I/O) ports, video I/O ports, earphone
ports, or the like.
[0083] The identification module may be a chip that stores various
information for authenticating authority of using the mobile
terminal 100 and may include a user identity module (UIM), a
subscriber identity module (SIM), a universal subscriber identity
module (USIM), and the like. In addition, the device having the
identification module (also referred to herein as an "identifying
device") may take the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the
identifying device can be connected with the terminal 100 via the
interface unit 160.
[0084] When the mobile terminal 100 is connected with an external
cradle, the interface unit 160 can serve as a passage to allow
power from the cradle to be supplied to the mobile terminal 100 or
may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by
the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal
therethrough. Various command signals or power input from the
cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile
terminal is properly mounted on the cradle.
[0085] The memory 170 can store programs to support operations of
the controller 180 and store input/output data (for example,
phonebook, messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory 170
may store data related to various patterns of vibrations and audio
which are output in response to touch inputs on the touch
screen.
[0086] The memory 170 may include one or more types of storage
mediums including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a solid
state disk (SSD) type, a silicon disk drive (SDD) type, a
multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DX
memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access
Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only
memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk,
and the like. The mobile terminal 100 may also be operated in
relation to a network storage device that performs the storage
function of the memory 170 over a network, such as the
Internet.
[0087] The controller 180 may typically control operations relating
to application programs and the general operations of the mobile
terminal 100. For example, the controller 180 may set or release a
lock state for restricting a user from inputting a control command
with respect to applications when a status of the mobile terminal
meets a preset condition.
[0088] The controller 180 can also perform the controlling and
processing associated with voice calls, data communications, video
calls, and the like, or perform pattern recognition processing to
recognize a handwriting input or a picture drawing input performed
on the touch screen as characters or images, respectively. In
addition, the controller 180 can control one or a combination of
those components in order to implement various exemplary
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0089] The power supply unit 190 receives external power or
provides internal power and supply the appropriate power required
for operating respective elements and components included in the
wearable device 100 under the control of the controller 180. The
power supply unit 190 may include a battery, which is typically
rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for
charging.
[0090] The power supply unit 190 may include a connection port. The
connection port may be configured as one example of the interface
unit 160 to which an external charger for supplying power to
recharge the battery is electrically connected. As another example,
the power supply unit 190 may be configured to recharge the battery
in a wireless manner without use of the connection port. In this
example, the power supply unit 190 can receive power, transferred
from an external wireless power transmitter, using at least one of
an inductive coupling method which is based on magnetic induction
or a magnetic resonance coupling method which is based on
electromagnetic resonance. Various embodiments described herein may
be implemented in a computer-readable medium, a machine-readable
medium, or similar medium using, for example, software, hardware,
or any combination thereof.
[0091] Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, the disclosed mobile terminal
100 includes a bar-like terminal body. However, the mobile terminal
100 may alternatively be implemented in any of a variety of
different configurations. Examples of such configurations include
watch type, clip-type, glasses-type, or a folder-type, flip-type,
slide-type, swing-type, and swivel-type in which two and more
bodies are combined with each other in a relatively movable manner,
and combinations thereof. Discussion herein will often relate to a
particular type of mobile terminal. However, such teachings with
regard to a particular type of mobile terminal will generally apply
to other types of mobile terminals as well. Here, considering the
mobile terminal 100 as at least one assembly, the terminal body may
be understood as a conception referring to the assembly.
[0092] The mobile terminal 100 will generally include a case (for
example, frame, housing, cover, and the like) forming the
appearance of the terminal. In this embodiment, the case is formed
using a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic
components are interposed into a space formed between the front
case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one middle case may be
additionally positioned between the front case 101 and the rear
case 102.
[0093] The display 151 is shown located on the front side of the
terminal body to output information. As illustrated, a window 151a
of the display 151 may be mounted to the front case 101 to form the
front surface of the terminal body together with the front case
101. In some embodiments, electronic components may also be mounted
to the rear case 102. Examples of such electronic components
include a detachable battery 191, an identification module, a
memory card, and the like. In this case, a rear cover 103 is shown
covering the electronic components, and this cover may be
detachably coupled to the rear case 102. Therefore, when the rear
cover 103 is detached from the rear case 102, the electronic
components mounted on the rear case 102 are exposed to the
outside.
[0094] As illustrated, when the rear cover 103 is coupled to the
rear case 102, a side surface of the rear case 102 may partially be
exposed. In some cases, upon the coupling, the rear case 102 may
also be completely shielded by the rear cover 103. Meanwhile, the
rear cover 103 may include an opening for externally exposing a
camera 121b or an audio output module 152b.
[0095] The cases 101, 102, 103 may be formed by injection-molding
synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal, for example, stainless
steel (STS), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), or the like. As an
alternative to the example in which the plurality of cases form an
inner space for accommodating components, the mobile terminal 100
may be configured such that one case forms the inner space. In this
case, a mobile terminal 100 having a uni-body is formed such that
synthetic resin or metal extends from a side surface to a rear
surface.
[0096] Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 100 may include a
waterproofing unit (not shown) for preventing introduction of water
into the terminal body. For example, the waterproofing unit may
include a waterproofing member which is located between the window
151a and the front case 101, between the front case 101 and the
rear case 102, or between the rear case 102 and the rear cover 103,
to hermetically seal an inner space when those cases are
coupled.
[0097] The mobile terminal 100 may include a display 151, first and
second audio output module 152a and 152b, a proximity sensor 141,
an illumination sensor 142, an optical output module 154, first and
second cameras 121a and 121b, first and second manipulation units
123a and 123b, a microphone 122, an interface unit 160, and the
like.
[0098] Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C, description
will be given of the exemplary mobile terminal 100 in which the
front surface of the terminal body is shown having the display 151,
the first audio output module 152a, the proximity sensor 141, the
illumination sensor 142, the optical output module 154, the first
camera 121a, and the first manipulation unit 123a, the side surface
of the terminal body is shown having the second manipulation unit
123b, the microphone 122, and the interface unit 160, and the rear
surface of the terminal body is shown having the second audio
output module 152b and the second camera 121b.
[0099] However, those components may not be limited to the
arrangement. Some components may be omitted or rearranged or
located on different surfaces. For example, the first manipulation
unit 123a may be located on another surface of the terminal body,
and the second audio output module 152b may be located on the side
surface of the terminal body other than the rear surface of the
terminal body.
[0100] The display 151 is generally configured to output
information processed in the mobile terminal 100. For example, the
display 151 may display execution screen information of an
application program executing at the mobile terminal 100 or user
interface (UI) and graphic user interface (GUI) information in
response to the execution screen information.
[0101] The display module 151 may include at least one of a liquid
crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-LCD (TFT LCD), an
organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a
three-dimensional (3D) display and an e-ink display. The display
151 may be implemented using two display devices, according to the
configuration type thereof. For instance, a plurality of the
displays 151 may be arranged on one side, either spaced apart from
each other, or these devices may be integrated, or these devices
may be arranged on different surfaces.
[0102] The display 151 may include a touch sensor that senses a
touch with respect to the display 151 so as to receive a control
command in a touch manner. Accordingly, when a touch is applied to
the display 151, the touch sensor may sense the touch, and a
controller 180 may generate a control command corresponding to the
touch. Contents input in the touch manner may be characters,
numbers, instructions in various modes, or a menu item that can be
specified.
[0103] On the other hand, the touch sensor may be configured in a
form of a film having a touch pattern and disposed between a window
151a and a display (not illustrated) on a rear surface of the
window, or may be a metal wire directly patterned on the rear
surface of the window. Alternatively, the touch sensor may be
formed integrally with the display. For example, the touch sensor
may be disposed on a substrate of the display, or may be provided
inside the display. In this way, the display 151 may form a touch
screen together with the touch sensor, and in this case, the touch
screen may function as the user input unit (123, see FIG. 1A). In
some cases, the touch screen may replace at least some of functions
of a first manipulation unit 123a.
[0104] The first audio output module 152a may be implemented as a
receiver for transmitting a call sound to a user's ear and the
second audio output module 152b may be implemented as a loud
speaker for outputting various alarm sounds or multimedia
reproduction request sounds.
[0105] The window 151a of the display 151 may include a sound hole
for emitting sounds generated from the first audio output module
152a. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and
the sounds may be released along an assembly gap between the
structural bodies (for example, a gap between the window 151a and
the front case 101). In this case, a hole independently formed to
output audio sounds may not be seen or may otherwise be hidden in
terms of appearance, thereby further simplifying the appearance of
the mobile terminal 100.
[0106] The optical output module 154 may be configured to output
light for indicating an event generation. Examples of such events
may include a message reception, a call signal reception, a missed
call, an alarm, a schedule alarm, an email reception, information
reception through an application, and the like. When a user has
checked a generated event, the controller 180 may control the
optical output module 154 to stop the light output.
[0107] The first camera 121a may process image frames such as still
or moving images obtained by the image sensor in a capture mode or
a video call mode. The processed image frames can then be displayed
on the display 151 or stored in the memory 170. The first and
second manipulation units 123a and 123b are examples of the user
input unit 123, which may be manipulated by a user to provide input
to the mobile terminal 100. The first and second manipulation units
123a and 123b may also be commonly referred to as a manipulating
portion. The first and second manipulation units 123a and 123b may
employ any method if it is a tactile manner allowing the user to
perform manipulation with a tactile feeling such as touch, push,
scroll or the like. The first and second manipulation units 123a
and 123b may also be manipulated through a proximity touch, a
hovering touch, and the like, without a user's tactile feeling.
[0108] The drawings are illustrated on the basis that the first
manipulation unit 123a is a touch key, but the present disclosure
may not be necessarily limited to this. For example, the first
manipulation unit 123a may be configured with a mechanical key, or
a combination of a touch key and a push key.
[0109] The content received by the first and second manipulation
units 123a and 123b may be set in various ways. For example, the
first manipulation unit 123a may be used by the user to input a
command such as menu, home key, cancel, search, or the like, and
the second manipulation unit 123b may be used by the user to input
a command, such as controlling a volume level being output from the
first or second audio output module 152a or 152b, switching into a
touch recognition mode of the display 151, or the like.
[0110] On the other hand, as another example of the user input unit
123, a rear input unit (not shown) may be disposed on the rear
surface of the terminal body. The rear input unit may be
manipulated by a user to input a command for controlling an
operation of the mobile terminal 100. The content input may be set
in various ways. For example, the rear input unit may be used by
the user to input a command, such as power on/off, start, end,
scroll or the like, controlling a volume level being output from
the first or second audio output module 152a or 152b, switching
into a touch recognition mode of the display 151, or the like. The
rear input unit may be implemented into a form allowing a touch
input, a push input or a combination thereof.
[0111] The rear input unit may be disposed to overlap the display
151 of the front surface in a thickness direction of the terminal
body. As one example, the rear input unit may be disposed on an
upper end portion of the rear surface of the terminal body such
that a user can easily manipulate it using a forefinger when the
user grabs the terminal body with one hand. However, the present
disclosure may not be limited to this, and the position of the rear
input unit may be changeable.
[0112] When the rear input unit is disposed on the rear surface of
the terminal body, a new user interface may be implemented using
the rear input unit. Also, the aforementioned touch screen or the
rear input unit may substitute for at least part of functions of
the first manipulation unit 123a located on the front surface of
the terminal body. Accordingly, when the first manipulation unit
123a is not disposed on the front surface of the terminal body, the
display 151 may be implemented to have a larger screen.
[0113] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 100 may include a
finger scan sensor which scans a user's fingerprint. The controller
may use fingerprint information sensed by the finger scan sensor as
an authentication means. The finger scan sensor may be installed in
the display 151 or the user input unit 123.
[0114] The microphone 122 may be configured to receive the user's
voice, other sounds, and the like. The microphone 122 may be
provided at a plurality of places, and configured to receive stereo
sounds. The interface unit 160 may serve as a path allowing the
mobile terminal 100 to interface with external devices. For
example, the interface unit 160 may be at least one of a connection
terminal for connecting to another device (for example, an
earphone, an external speaker, or the like), a port for near field
communication (for example, an Infrared DaAssociation (IrDA) port,
a Bluetooth port, a wireless LAN port, and the like), or a power
supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The
interface unit 160 may be implemented in the form of a socket for
accommodating an external card, such as Subscriber Identification
Module (SIM), User Identity Module (UIM), or a memory card for
information storage.
[0115] The second camera 121b may be further mounted to the rear
surface of the terminal body. The second camera 121b may have an
image capturing direction, which is substantially opposite to the
direction of the first camera unit 121a. The second camera 121b may
include a plurality of lenses arranged along at least one line. The
plurality of lenses may be arranged in a matrix form. The cameras
may be referred to as an `array camera.` When the second camera
121b is implemented as the array camera, images may be captured in
various manners using the plurality of lenses and images with
better qualities may be obtained.
[0116] The flash 124 may be disposed adjacent to the second camera
121b. When an image of a subject is captured with the camera 121b,
the flash 124 may illuminate the subject. The second audio output
module 152b may further be disposed on the terminal body. The
second audio output module 152b may implement stereophonic sound
functions in conjunction with the first audio output module 152a,
and may be also used for implementing a speaker phone mode for call
communication.
[0117] At least one antenna for wireless communication may be
disposed on the terminal body. The antenna may be embedded in the
terminal body or formed in the case. For example, an antenna which
configures a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG.
1A) may be retractable into the terminal body. Alternatively, an
antenna may be formed in a form of film to be attached onto an
inner surface of the rear cover 103 or a case including a
conductive material may serve as an antenna.
[0118] The terminal body is provided with a power supply unit 190
(see FIG. 1A) for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. The
power supply unit 190 may include a batter 191 which is mounted in
the terminal body or detachably coupled to an outside of the
terminal body.
[0119] The battery 191 may receive power via a power cable
connected to the interface unit 160. Also, the battery 191 may be
(re)chargeable in a wireless manner using a wireless charger. The
wireless charging may be implemented by magnetic induction or
electromagnetic resonance.
[0120] On the other hand, the drawing illustrates that the rear
cover 103 is coupled to the rear case 102 for shielding the battery
191, so as to prevent separation of the battery 191 and protect the
battery 191 from an external impact or foreign materials. When the
battery 191 is detachable from the terminal body, the rear case 103
may be detachably coupled to the rear case 102.
[0121] An accessory for protecting an appearance or assisting or
extending the functions of the mobile terminal 100 may further be
provided on the mobile terminal 100. As one example of the
accessory, a cover or pouch for covering or accommodating at least
one surface of the mobile terminal 100 may be provided. The cover
or pouch may cooperate with the display 151 to extend the function
of the mobile terminal 100. Another example of the accessory may be
a touch pen for assisting or extending a touch input onto a touch
screen.
[0122] On the other hand, a wireless communication system using a
5G communication technology can apply to the mobile terminal
described above. The wireless communication system will be
described in more detail below. Particularly, according to the
present disclosure, a structure that realizes a 5G antenna using a
sidewall portion made of metal material is provided. A mobile
terminal 100 that includes an antenna that radiates a
short-wavelength wireless signal according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure will be described below with reference to the
drawings.
[0123] FIGS. 2A and 2B are conceptual diagrams, each illustrating
an example of the mobile terminal having a metal sidewall portion,
according to the present disclosure, when viewed from different
directions. FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram of FIG. 2A. FIG. 4 is an
exploded diagram of FIG. 2B.
[0124] As illustrated exemplarily in FIGS. 2A and 2B, according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, a case is formed in one
piece. However, according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, no limitation to this is imposed. As illustrated in
FIGS. 1B and 1C, a front case 101, a rear case 102, and a backside
cover 103 may make up an appearance of a mobile terminal 200.
[0125] The mobile terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a case 204 that makes up an appearance
of a terminal body, and the case 204 is disposed under a cover
glass 251a. The cover glass 251a may be the window 151a of the
display 151 described above and may be formed as the front side of
the terminal body. The cover glass 251a may be formed of tempered
glass. However, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited
to this, and it is also possible that any other materials, such as
synthetic resin, that cover a display and transmit visual
information, are used.
[0126] A backside cover 203 is mounted on a backside of the case
204. In this manner, the cover glass 251a and the backside cover
203 are tightly attached on a front side and a rear side,
respectively, of the case 204, and internal spaces are formed
between the cover glass 251a, the backside cover 203, and the case
204.
[0127] Many components, such as a display module 251b, may be
formed in one in the direction of the front side of the case 204,
among the internal spaces. The display 151 described above includes
the cover glass 251a and the display module 251b.
[0128] The cover glass 251a, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, is
configured to include a transparent area R1 on which the visual
information is displayed toward the outside, and an opaque area R2
that surrounds the transparent area R1. The opaque area R2 is
formed as a bezel area. As an example, a printing layer may be
formed on a lower surface of the opaque area R2. Due to the
printing layer, the visual information generated by the display
module 251b may not be displayed to the outside.
[0129] In addition, other electronic components may be mounted on
the lower side of the case 204. Electronic components that are
mountable on the case 204 include a removable battery 291, an
identification module, a memory card, and the like. In this case,
in order to cover electronic components mounted within the case
204, the backside cover 203 may be connected to the backside of the
case 204.
[0130] The backside cover 203 is formed to cover the rest of a
backside of the mobile terminal 200, other than portions where
components, such as a backside input unit 225, a flash lamp, a
camera 221b, and an audio output, are exposed. The backside input
unit 225 is formed in a backside of the terminal body. The backside
input unit 225 is exposed through the backside of the terminal
body. The backside input 225 can perform a function associated with
powering-on/off or activation of a display 251, a function
associated with control of volume of audio output by the terminal
body, or a function of scrolling through output information on the
display 251. In addition, as another example, the backside input
unit 225 may be a fingerprint sensor that is configured to
recognize a fingerprint of a user and perform user
authentication.
[0131] The case 204 results from integrally combining the front
case 101 and the rear case 102, which are described above with
reference to FIGS. 1B and 1C. The case 204 may be formed of metal
material and may be referred to as a metal case.
[0132] As illustrated, when the cover glass 251a and the backside
cover 203 are arranged on a front side and a backside,
respectively, of the case 204, a portion of a flank side of the
case 204 may be exposed to the outside. As described above, the
case 204 is formed of metal material. Therefore, the case 204,
although formed thinly, has sufficiently high strength and thus can
serve as a frame.
[0133] In this instance, the case 204 may include a sidewall
portion 206 and another portion 205 (FIG. 4). The sidewall portion
206 is formed as a flank side of the mobile terminal and is a
surface that connects a front side and a backside of the mobile
terminal to each other. The sidewall portion 206 may be formed of
metal material.
[0134] According to the present disclosure, a structure is provided
in which 4G and 5G communications are both performed through the
sidewall portion. First, a structure for utilizing a portion of the
sidewall portion as a 4G antenna is described.
[0135] With reference to FIGS. 2A-4, slits 221 may be formed in the
sidewall portion 206, and an antenna member 210 made of metal
material may be formed between the slits 221. That is, the sidewall
portion 206 is configured to include the antenna member 210, which
is utilized as an antenna, and another portion 220. The antenna
member 210 is disposed between the multiple slits 221 in order to
maintain a state where the antenna member 210 and the other portion
220 are insulated from each other.
[0136] The antenna member 210 may be disposed at a position where
interference between a wireless signal, which is transmitted and
received through the antenna member 210, and a user is minimized.
According to an embodiment, the antenna member 210 may be disposed
in a portion 207 including an upper end portion 207a or a lower end
portion 207b of the mobile terminal, which, when the user holds the
mobile terminal in one hand, is not brought into contact with the
user's hand. However, the position of the antenna member 210 is not
limited to this. FIGS. 2A-4 also illustrates multiple slots
211.
[0137] A structure in the vicinity of the antenna member will be
described in more detail below. FIG. 5A is an enlarged diagram
illustrating a portion of FIG. 4. in an enlarged manner. FIG. 5B is
a perspective diagram illustrating a portion of FIG. 4.
[0138] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a circuit substrate that
processes first and second wireless signals is disposed in a space
that is formed within the case. The circuit substrate and the
antenna member 310 are electrically connected such that the first
wireless signal is transmitted and received through the antenna
member 310. To this end, according to the present disclosure, a
first power supply unit 320a is provided that extends from the
circuit substrate to supply current to the antenna member 310.
[0139] At this point, the first wireless signal may be a wireless
signal that is used for the 4G communication, and the second
wireless signal may be a wireless signal that is used for the 5G
communication. That is, the first and second wireless signals mean
signals, respectively, that use different frequency bands.
[0140] The 5G communication is performed at a higher frequency band
than the 4G communication. Therefore, a signal for the 5G
communication has a shorter wavelength than a signal for the 4G
communication. According to the present disclosure, there are
provided an antenna for the 4G communication and an antenna
structure in which a signal that has a shorter wavelength than the
signal for the 4G communication is transmitted and received.
Specifically, according to the present disclosure, a structure is
provided in which the antenna member can be utilized as the 4G
antenna and, at the same time, can be utilized as the 5G antenna.
The structure in which the antenna member can be utilized as the 4G
antenna and, at the same time, can be utilized as the 5G antenna
will be described in detail below.
[0141] With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the antenna member 310
may include multiple slots 311. Specifically, the slots 311 are
formed in the antenna member 310. The slots 311 are formed into an
array in a fixed form. A beam width of a signal that is radiated
from the slots may change according to the forms of the slots, the
number of slots, and a distance between each of the slots.
[0142] According to the present disclosure, a second power supply
unit 320b is provided that extends from the circuit substrate to
supply current to the slots 311 such that the second wireless
signal is transmitted and received through the slots 311. In the
present specification, the first power supply unit 320a extends
from a first wireless signal processing unit 330a that is disposed
on the circuit substrate and is connected electrically to the
antenna member 310, and the second power supply unit 320b extends
from a second wireless signal processing unit 330b that is disposed
on the circuit substrate to supply current to the slots 311.
[0143] For convenience in description, the first and second power
supply units 320a and 320b are both expressed, throughout the
present specification, as extending from the circuit substrate, but
these expressions mean that the first power supply unit 320a and
the second power supply unit 320b are connected electrically to
different constituent elements, respectively, that are arranged on
the circuit substrate, not meaning that the first power supply unit
320a and the second power supply unit 320b are in a state where an
electrical connection is possible.
[0144] The second power supply unit 320b undergoes coupling with
the slots 311 in order to supply current to the slots 311. The
coupling here means entering a state where energy can be made to be
exchanged among multiple constituent elements without any physical
contact. The second power supply unit 320b may be brought into
physical contact with the vicinity of the slots 311 to supply
current. However, in the present specification, a structure in
which the second power supply unit 330b supplies current through
the coupling with the slots 311 is described.
[0145] For the coupling between the second power supply unit 320b
and the slots 311, a portion of the second power supply unit 320b
may be disposed to be positioned a predetermined distance away from
the slots 311, and may be disposed such that the portion overlaps
an area that is surrounded by edges of the slots 311.
[0146] A structure where the slots formed in the antenna member and
the second power supply unit are coupled to each other will be
described in more detail below. FIG. 6A is a conceptual diagram
schematically illustrating the antenna member, the second power
supply unit, and the circuit substrate, which are illustrated in
FIG. 5A. FIGS. 6B and 6C are conceptual diagrams, each illustrating
FIG. 6A, when viewed from different directions.
[0147] With reference to the drawings, the second power supply unit
420 undergoes the coupling with each of the slots 411 such that a
beamformed signal is radiated through the slots 411. On the other
hand, the second power supply unit 420 may be configured with
multiple electric conductors. The electric conductors undergo the
coupling with each of the slots 411. According to the present
disclosure, the second power supply unit 420 undergoes the coupling
with the slots 411, and thus the slots 411 are made to be utilized
as an array antenna. A frequency band of a signal that is
transmitted and received through the antenna member 410 and a
frequency band of a signal that is transmitted and received through
the slots 411 are different from each other.
[0148] With reference to FIGS. 6B and 6C, a bent portion 421 may be
bent at one end of the second power supply unit 420. The bent
portion 421 is disposed at a position adjacent to the slots 411,
and thus the second power supply unit 420 is made to undergo the
coupling with the slots 411. Various modification examples of the
bent portion will be described below.
[0149] With reference again to FIG. 6B, the bent portion 421 is in
a state of not being in direct contact with the antenna member 410.
The bent portion 421 is only disposed not to overlap the area that
is surrounded by the edges of the slots 411, without being brought
into direct contact with the antenna member. Also, as shown, the
second power supply unit 420 extends from a second wireless signal
processing unit 430 that is disposed on the circuit substrate to
supply current to the slots 411.
[0150] On the other hand, according to the present disclosure, in
order to minimize interference between the signal for the 4G
communication and the signal for 5G communication, when the slots
411 are utilized as an antenna, the antenna member 410 is utilized
for grounding. Accordingly, according to the present disclosure,
there is no need for a separate configuration for grounding the 5G
antenna, and the 4G antenna and the 5G antenna are made to be
realized at the same time without increasing a size of the mobile
terminal. Various modification examples of the present disclosure,
where the 4G and 5G antennas are realized at the same time, will be
described below.
[0151] FIGS. 7, 8A, 8B, and 9 are conceptual diagrams illustrating
modifications examples, respectively, of the antenna that is
included in the mobile terminal according to the present
disclosure. First, a modification example of a structure of the
second power supply unit is described.
[0152] With reference to FIG. 7, one portion of each of the
electric conductors 520 that make up the second power supply unit
is disposed so as to overlap the area that is surrounded by the
edge of the slots 511. At least one portion of the electric
conductor 520 has to overlap the slot 511 in a state of being
positioned a predetermined distance away from the slit, in order
that the slot 511 and the electric conductor 520 undergo the
coupling with to each other.
[0153] In order to maximize an area where the electric conductor
520 overlaps the area that is surrounded by the edge of the slot
511, bent portions 521a and 521b are bent from one end of each of
the electric conductors 520 and extend in different directions,
respectively. The bent portions 521a and 521b increase an area
where the electric conductor overlaps the area that is surrounded
by the edge of the slot.
[0154] On the other hand, an insulating layer 540 is disposed
between the slot 511 and the electric conductor 520. The insulating
layer 540 prevents the electric conductor 520 from providing
current directly to the antenna member 510.
[0155] On the other hand, according to the present disclosure,
vertically and horizontally polarized waves can be both transmitted
and received through the slot 511. To this end, according to the
present disclosure, multiple electric conductors are made to
undergo the coupling with one slot 511. According to an embodiment,
each of the electric conductors that undergo the coupling with the
slot 511 may include at least one of a first bent portion 521a that
extends in a first direction to overlap the area that is surrounded
by the edge of the slot, and a second bent portion 521b that
extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction
to overlap the area that is surrounded by the edge of the slot.
[0156] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first and second bent portions
521a and 521b are formed to branch off from one electric conductor
520 and can undergo the coupling with one slot 511. As illustrated
in FIG. 8A, when a slot 611 is formed in the form of a circle or in
the form of a rectangle, one of first and second bent portions 621a
and 621b and the slot 611 undergo the coupling with each other and
transmit or receive the vertically polarized wave, and the other
one of the first and second bent portions 621a and 621b and the
slot 611 undergo the coupling with each other and transmit and
receive the horizontally polarized wave. In this case, with one
slot, the vertically polarized and horizontally polarized waves are
made to be both transmitted and received by the antenna module
610.
[0157] On the other hand, the first and second bent portions do not
necessarily need to undergo the coupling with the same slot.
Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, one electric conductor
includes only one type of bent portion, the first and second bent
portions 621a and 621b can undergo the coupling with different
slots 611a and 61 b, respectively. In this case, some of the
multiple slots are made to transmit and receive the vertically
polarized wave, and others are made to transmit and receive the
horizontally polarized wave. On the other hand, the first and
second bent portions are utilized for transmitting and receiving
signals in different frequency bands.
[0158] According to an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9(a),
each of the slots 711a may be formed in the form of a rectangle. A
frequency of a signal that can be transmitted and received through
the slits is determined according to widths of the slots.
Therefore, a frequency of a signal that is transmitted and received
through a long side of the rectangle and a frequency of a signal
that is transmitted and received a short side of the rectangle are
different from each other. A first bent portion 721a may extend in
the long-side direction of the slot such that a signal is
transmitted and received through the long-side of the slot.
Otherwise, in a second bent portion 721b may extend in the
short-side direction of the slot such that a signal is transmitted
and received through the short-side of the slot.
[0159] According to another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG.
9(b), each of the slots 711b may be formed in the form of an
ellipse. A frequency of a signal that is transmitted and received
through a long axis of the ellipse and a frequency of a signal that
is transmitted and received through a short axis of the ellipse are
different from each other. The first bent portion 721a may extend
in the long-axis direction of the slot such that a signal can be
transmitted and received through the long axis of the slot.
Otherwise, the second bent portion 721b may extend in the
short-axis direction of the slot such that a signal can be
transmitted and received through the short axis of the slot.
[0160] As described above, when the slot is formed in the form of a
rectangle or an ellipse, one slot is made to be used as a dual
pole. Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, a wireless
signal in various frequency bands is made to be transmitted and
received through a sidewall portion of an antenna module 710 of the
mobile terminal. On the other hand, according to the present
disclosure, a metal patch for realizing an antenna can be disposed
on the sidewall portion of the mobile terminal. The sidewall
portion on which multiple metal patches are provided will be
described in detail below.
[0161] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a lower end
portion of the mobile terminal that is described with reference to
FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded diagram of FIG. 10. With
reference to FIG. 10, an antenna member 810 that is included in the
mobile terminal according to the present disclosure may include
multiple metal patches 820. For insulation, the metal patches are
arranged in a state of being positioned a distance away from each
other. To this end, each of the multiple slits 830 may be formed
between each of the slits 830.
[0162] The metal patches are exposed through the outside of the
main body to make up an appearance of the mobile terminal.
Specifically, the rest of the sidewall portion, other than the
antenna member, and the metal patch make up an appearance of the
flank side of the mobile terminal. The metal patches are made of
metal material, and, because of this, can appear to be part of the
sidewall portion. In this case, the metal patches and the sidewall
portion may be formed of the same metal material.
[0163] As illustrated in FIG. 11, the circuit substrate 840 and the
metal patches are connected electrically by the power supply unit.
The metal patches are formed into an array, such that a beamformed
signal is radiated from the metal patches.
[0164] As described above, the 5G communication antenna can be
realized through the sidewall portion of the mobile terminal
according to the prevent disclosure. Accordingly, a new type of
antenna can be realized without increasing the size of the mobile
terminal.
[0165] The present disclosure can be implemented as
computer-readable codes in a program-recorded medium. The
computer-readable medium may include all types of recording devices
each storing data readable by a computer system. Examples of such
computer-readable media may include hard disk drive (HDD), solid
state disk (SSD), silicon disk drive (SDD), ROM, RAM, CD-ROM,
magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage element and the
like. Also, the computer-readable medium may also be implemented as
a format of carrier wave (e.g., transmission via an Internet). The
computer may include the controller 180 of the terminal. Therefore,
it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments
are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description,
unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly
within its scope as defined in the appended claims, Therefore, all
changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of
the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore
intended to be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *