Apparatus and method for displaying state of terminal capable of communication and electric charging

• US 10,097,018 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2013
• Issued: 10/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Innotek Company Limited (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Innotek Company Limited (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Dong Chan, Kwon, Do Youb
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodas, Richard Isla
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MANUEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/903,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20130335037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: 320114
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 40/00 Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A device and a method are provided. In a terminal capable of at least one of a wireless charging function and a near field communication (NFC) function, the device displays operation states of the functions via an e-skin unit. Wireless charging efficiency, a charging state, and a communication state may be selectively or totally displayed to a user.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing color tables respectively corresponding to each of a communication operation state of a communication unit, a charging operation state, and a charging efficiency of a wireless charging unit;

receiving a user command of selecting a condition from among communication operation state, the charging operation state, and the charging efficiency;

checking an operation state of a device corresponding to the selected condition; and

controlling a color of an e-skin unit of the device according to the checked operation state, wherein the color of the e-skin unit is determined based on the color tables;

wherein if the selected condition is the communication operation state, the color of the e-skin unit is controlled based on communication quality of the communication unit;

wherein if the selected condition is the charging operation state, the color of the e-skin unit is controlled based on a charging operation state voltage of the wireless charging unit; and

wherein if the selected condition is the charging efficiency, the color of the e-skin unit is controlled based on the charging efficiency of the wireless charging unit.

2. A device comprising:

a communication unit configured to perform communication with other devices;

a wireless charging unit including a wireless charging coil to charge a battery by power transmitted from a primary coil formed on a wireless charging pad;

an e-skin unit configured to display a color corresponding to any one of a communication operation state of the communication unit, a charging operation state, and a charging efficiency of the wireless charging unit;

a memory configured to store color tables respectively corresponding to the communication operation state, the charging operation state, and the operation state of the charging efficiency;

an input unit configured to receive a user command of selecting a condition from among the communication operation state, the charging operation state, and the operation state of the charging efficiency; and

a control unit configured to check an operation state of the device corresponding to the condition, and to control the color of the e-skin unit according to the checked operation state, wherein the color of the e-skin unit is determined based on the color tables;

wherein if the selected condition is the communication operation state, the control unit is configured to control the color of the e-skin unit based on communication quality of the communication unit;

wherein if the selected condition is the charging operation state, the control unit is configured to control the color of the e-skin unit based on a charging operation state voltage of the wireless charging unit; and

wherein if the selected condition is the operation state of the charging efficiency, the control unit is configured to control the color of the e-skin unit based on the charging efficiency of the wireless charging unit.