Method for displaying multimedia contents and mobile communications terminal capable of implementing the same

• US 20070085759A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 04/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Park, Yeon-Woo, Lee, Sang-Hyuck, Cheon, Jee-Young
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/61 wherein solid state memory is used for storing A/V content storing computer data in solid state memories G06F
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 : including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/64 : file transfer between terminals download of applications H04M1/72406; transfer of messages, e.g. SMS, e-mail or MMS H04M1/7243

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method of displaying multimedia data and providing multitasking features and a mobile communications terminal capable of implementing the same; and cradle for the mobile communications terminal. A mobile communications terminal includes a transceiver, a memory, a first display unit, a second display unit, a processor, a sensor to detect a rotational movement of a body, and a cradle for displaying multimedia contents is provided. The display unit can display the multimedia data in a fixed viewing angle regardless of which direction a user rotates the terminal. A method comprises the steps of displaying multimedia data playback on at least one of a first and a second display screens, displaying information related to the multimedia data, on at least a portion of the at least one of the display screens, providing multimedia control functions and/or indications to the user in a minimally intrusive manner, and displaying a multimedia playback control menu on the at least one of the two display screens.

Claims

1. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a memory device to store the multimedia data;

a first display screen and a second display screen; and

a processor in cooperation with the first and second display screens and the memory device to perform,

displaying the multimedia data on the first display screen;

displaying information related to the multimedia data on the second display screen; and

displaying a multimedia control menu on at least one of the first and second display screens,

wherein the first and second display screens are movable relative to each other and are configured to have a same display orientation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a controller for displaying at least one of the multimedia data stored in the memory device, received via a transceiver and provided from an external source.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller and the processor are configured to be implemented in a same hardware configuration.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from a user after the user operates the control menu, the control menu is adapted to disappear and the multimedia data displayed on the first display screen expands to the second display screen to enable both the first and second display screens to show the multimedia data.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the controller comprises at least one of the group comprising:

an internal control unit and an external control unit, wherein the external control unit allows the user to control the playback of the multimedia data when the wireless communication apparatus is engaged with the external control unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the external control unit provides media control functions and/or indications to the user in a minimally intrusive manner.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the external control unit further includes:

an additional power supplying unit;

an input unit to allow a user to enter at least one command to display the multimedia data; and

a connector to be connected to a data port of the wireless communication apparatus to further control the multimedia.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the minimally intrusive manner provides that the control menu disappears and the multimedia data displayed on the at least one display screen expands to the other display screen in such a way that both display screens can show the multimedia data when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from the user after the user operates the control menu.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the internal control unit comprises:

a graphical user interface (GUI) to allow the user to control the playback of the multimedia data, wherein the at least one display screen displaying the GUI resumes displaying the multimedia data or the information related to the multimedia data automatically if the GUI remains idle for a certain time.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the internal control unit comprises at least one of the group comprising:

a touch wheel, a touch pad, a touch screen, a jog dial, and a keypad.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor to detect a rotational movement of a body of the apparatus, the sensor in cooperation with the processor to change a display orientation of the two display screens as the user rotates the entire body of the apparatus.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an actuating button located on the apparatus to be pressed by the user or a portion of a touch screen on the at least one display screen to be operated by the user so as to rotate an image orientation of the two display screens.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the display orientation of the first and second display screens are rotated clockwise or counterclockwise when the connector of the external control unit receives the data port of the wireless communication apparatus.

14. A wireless communication apparatus, comprising:

a body with a first portion and a second portion that are movable relative to each other, each portion having an inner display screen, whereby the body can be opened such that both inner display screens are visible, and closed such that only one or no inner display screen is visible;

a memory device to store multimedia data received by a transceiver or transferred from an external source; and

a processor cooperating with the display screens and the memory device to perform the steps of,

providing the multimedia data playback via one or both display screens and other output means,

displaying information related to the multimedia data, on at least a portion of one display screen, and

providing media control functions and/or indications to the user in a minimally intrusive manner.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the media control functions are temporarily displayed on at least a portion of one display screen or are provided on an external attachment device without being displayed

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the external attachment device is a cradle capable of being connected to the wireless communication apparatus that is opened flat to about 180 degrees.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a sensor to detect the rotation movement of the body when the body is changed to either a vertical viewing orientation or a horizontal viewing orientation.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

an actuating button located on the apparatus to be pressed by the user or a portion of a touch screen on the at least one display screen to be operated by the user.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor changes an image if the sensor detects the rotational movement of the body or the actuating button or the portion of the touch screen on the at least one display screen is operated by the user.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the indication is temporarily displayed on one display screen for only a limited time duration or until user selection thereof.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the indication and/or functions thereof subsequently displayed on a different display screen after lapse of the limited time duration or after user selection.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one display screen allows touch sensitive inputting.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cradle further includes:

an additional power supplying unit;

an input unit to allow a user to enter at least one command to display the multimedia data; and

a connector to be connected to a data port of the wireless communication apparatus to further control the multimedia.

24. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the minimally intrusive manner provides that the control menu is displayed temporarily and the multimedia data being displayed on the first display screen expands to the second display screen in such a way that both display screens can show the multimedia data when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from the cradle by the user.

25. A method of displaying multimedia data for a wireless communication apparatus, comprising:

displaying multimedia data playback on at least one of a first and a second display screens;

displaying information related to the multimedia data, on at least a portion of the at least one of the display screens;

providing multimedia control functions and/or indications to the user in a minimally intrusive manner;

displaying a multimedia playback control menu on the at least one of the two display screens; and

providing a plurality of display options to control the multimedia data being displayed.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the providing the plurality of display options further comprises:

displaying the multimedia data playback on the first display screen and the information related to the multimedia data on the second display screen;

displaying the multimedia data playback or the information related to the multimedia data on both display screens respectively;

displaying the multimedia data on the first and second display screens so as to provide the multimedia playback in a widescreen aspect ratio; and

displaying an event indicator on a portion of the at least one display screen when an event occurs.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

temporarily displaying the multimedia control menu on the at least one display screen after displaying the multimedia data.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from the user after the user operates the control menu, the control menu disappears and the multimedia data displayed on the first display screen expands to the second display screen in such a way that both display screens show the multimedia data.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

allowing the user to operate a graphical user interface (GUI) to control the multimedia data in such as way that the at least one display screen displaying the GUI resumes displaying the multimedia data or the information related to the multimedia data automatically if the GUI remains idle for a certain time; and

allowing an external control unit to be connected to the wireless communication apparatus to supply an additional power source and to further control the multimedia data.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the external control unit provides media control functions and/or indications to the user in the minimally intrusive manner.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

detecting a rotational movement of a body of the apparatus; and

changing a display orientation of the first and second display screens according to the detecting result.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

allowing the user to press an actuating button located on the apparatus or touch the corresponding icon on a touch screen on the at least one display screen to rotate the display orientation of the two display units.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the display orientation of the first and second display screens is changed when a connector of the external control unit is connected to a data port of the wireless communication apparatus.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

temporarily displaying an event indicator on a portion of the first display screen when the event occurs; and

moving the indicator to the second display screen.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the event comprises:

an incoming call, an e-mail or a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS), and a push-to-talk (PTT) message.

36. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

providing a tactile, audible or visual output or a combination thereof to the user when the event occurs.

37. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

allowing the user to touch a display screen portion displaying the event indicator to operate the event, wherein the event and a control menu of the event are displayed on the at least one display screen.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the control menu disappears and the multimedia data displayed on the at least one display screen expands to the other display screen in such a way that both display screens can show the multimedia data when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from the user after the user operates the control menu.

39. The method of claim 26, wherein the information related to the multimedia data comprises:

a playback time, a time stamp of the multimedia data, and a name of the place showing where the multimedia data is made.

40. A wireless communication device comprising:

a transceiver to receive and transmit multimedia data;

a memory device to store the multimedia data;

a first display unit and a second display unit, wherein the first display unit is movable relative to the second display unit and the first and the second display units are configured to have a same display orientation; and

a processor in cooperation with the transceiver, the first and second display units, and the memory device to perform,

displaying the multimedia data or the information related to the multimedia data on the first and second display units simultaneously;

displaying the multimedia data on the first and second display screens so as to provide the multimedia playback in a widescreen aspect ratio; and

displaying an event indicator on a portion of the at least one display screen when an event occurs during the playback of the multimedia data.

41. A mobile communications terminal comprising:

a memory device to store multimedia data received by a transceiver or provided from an external source;

a first display unit and a second display unit, wherein the first and second display units are movable relative to each other and are configured to have a same display orientation; and

a processor in cooperation with the transceiver, the first and second display units, and the memory device to perform,

displaying the multimedia data on both the first and second display units respectively; and

displaying an event indicator on a portion of at least one of the first and second display units when an event occurs during displaying the multimedia data.

42. The terminal of claim 41, wherein the multimedia data is adapted to be displayed on both the first and second display units in one of various image orientations comprising a portrait view and landscape view.

43. The terminal of claim 41, wherein the event indicator is displayed on a portion of the first display unit and then the event indicator is configured to move from the first display unit to the second display unit when the event is occurred during displaying the multimedia data.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the event comprises:

an incoming call, an e-mail or a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS), and a push-to-talk (PTT) message.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the event indicator provides a tactile, audible or visual output or a combination thereof to the user.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the at least one display screen further comprises a touch-sensitive portion to enable the user to touch a display screen portion displaying the event indicator to operate the event and wherein the event and a control menu of the event are displayed on the at least one display screen.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the control menu disappears and the multimedia data playback displayed on the at least one display screen expands to the other display screen in such a way that both display screens can show the multimedia data when a certain time lapses without receiving any input from the user after the user operates the control menu.