Folder type mobile telephone and operating method thereof

• US 8,483,766 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jeon, Byung-Su
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Lana N
• Application Number:
  US12/030,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20080139252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,973 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 4555751-5759, 345/156, 345/659, 345/169
• US Class Current: 455/566
• 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 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/236 including keys on side or rear faces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit

Abstract

A folder type mobile telephone and control method therefor are provided which utilize an auxiliary display unit viewable whether the folder is opened or closed. The folder type mobile telephone includes an auxiliary display unit and a main body having a main display unit. The folder type mobile telephone includes an opening at a position corresponding to the auxiliary display unit. The folder type mobile telephone may include a wheel button formed at one side of the main body to input user commands to the auxiliary display unit. A transparent window may be formed at the opening to protect the auxiliary display unit. Regardless of whether the folder is opened or closed, a user can view, and control the auxiliary display unit via wheel button inputs. Since the auxiliary display unit is formed on the main body, the relative thickness of the folder can be reduced to make the folder type mobile telephone compact.

Claims

1. A mobile phone, comprising:

a main body having a length and a width;

a radio frequency transceiver in the main body configured to establish wireless communication with a network;

a foldable portion movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the main body;

a hinge that operatively connects the foldable portion to the main body;

at least one display configured to display at least one of contents and a list of previously displayed contents;

a rotatable button operatively connected to the main body to receive inputs from a user to allow at least one of scrolling through the list and selection of one or more items in the list;

a keypad configured to receive inputs from the user to allow user interaction with the at least one display, wherein a first portion of the at least one display is located laterally adjacent the hinge with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the mobile phone and a second portion is located on the foldable portion, and wherein the second portion displays current contents and the first portion displays the list of the previously displayed contents; and

a memory having a first database and a second database configured to store information related to a web page address of the previously displayed contents, wherein the information of the contents accessed through the network is stored in the first database and the information of the contents accessed when a back command is executed is stored in the second database, and wherein the information stored in the second database is deleted when a new contents is accessed through the network.

2. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the contents are displayed on the at least one display in a sequential manner.

3. The mobile phone of claim 2, wherein the contents displayed on the at least one display are viewable using at least one of a back key function and a forward key function.

4. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the contents are web pages.

5. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the stored information includes a network address of the web page.

6. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the rotatable button is a wheel button.

7. The mobile phone of claim 6, wherein the wheel button is located on a side of the main body.

8. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the keypad is located on the main body.

9. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the keypad is exposed when the foldable portion is in the open position.

10. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the list comprises a title for each of the previously displayed contents.

11. The mobile phone of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a main display and the first portion comprises an auxiliary display.