Mobile terminal and method for controlling the same

• US 8,805,439 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2009
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Jong-Hwan, Oh, Sang-Yun, Suh, Woo-Jin, Lee, Sang-Hyuck
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US12/552,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20100227642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/90.1
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• 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 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0225 Rotatable telephones, i.e. the body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis perpendicular to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0256 wherein the modules are operable in the detached state, e.g. one module for the user interface and one module for the transceiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7246 by connection of exchangeable housing parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724631 by limiting the access to the user interface, e.g. locking a touch-screen or a keypad

Abstract

A mobile terminal includes a sub-device that is attached thereto or detached therefrom, to remotely control the operation and state of the terminal. The mobile terminal includes: a sub-device having an input/output unit and attached to or detached from the terminal; and a controller configured to receive a user input via a certain communication path from the sub-device when the sub-device is separated, and control elements and applications of the terminal according to the user input.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

a main device having a display and being shaped to define an area accessible via an opening; and

a sub-device configured to be removably coupled to the main device via the opening, wherein the sub-device comprises a pen-type object, wherein the area is sized to receive an elongated portion of the pen-type object to permit coupling of the sub-device with the main device;

a detection unit configured to detect decoupling of the sub-device from the main device;

a controller configured to;

cause the mobile terminal to transition to an unlocked state in response to the detection unit detecting the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device; and

cause the display to display an image in response to the detecting of the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device.

2. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to change an operation mode of the main device from a first mode to a second mode in response to coupling of the sub-device to the main device.

3. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to turn on or off the display in response to coupling or decoupling of the sub-device to or from the main device.

4. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control the display to display a user setting menu for setting automatic controlling of the mobile terminal in response to coupling or decoupling of the sub-device to or from the main device.

5. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the decoupling occurs when the sub-device is partially withdrawn from the area.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the main device includes an end comprising a substantially planar surface;

and

wherein the sub-device includes an end comprising a substantially planar surface such that the end of the sub-device and the end of the main device lie along a same plane when the sub-device is coupled with the main device.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

cause the mobile terminal to transition from a locked state to the unlocked state according to the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device occurs when the elongated portion of the pen-type object is partially withdrawn from the area.

9. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device occurs when the elongated portion of the pen-type is withdrawn and passes a particular portion of the area.

10. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the sub-device includes an antenna.

11. The mobile terminal of claim 10, wherein the antenna of the sub-device is configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from the main device, wherein the radio signal serves as an energy source to power the sub-device without using an internal battery.

12. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor configured to detect a proximity touch received at the display.

13. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the proximity sensor includes a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor.

14. The mobile terminal of claim 12, wherein the proximity sensor includes an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor.

15. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a fixing member configured to releasably maintain coupling of the sub-device to the main device.

16. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the fixing member includes a hook.

17. The mobile terminal of claim 15, wherein the fixing member includes a hook positioned to couple with the elongated portion of the pen-type object.

18. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a spring positioned relative to the area to facilitate the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device.

19. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the sub-device further comprises:

a recess formed at an end of the sub-device, wherein the recess facilitates the coupling of the sub-device to the main device.

20. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the sub-device further comprises:

a function key which functionally cooperates with the controller.

21. The mobile terminal of claim 20, wherein the function key is a mouse key.

22. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the sub-device further comprises:

a pointer configured to receive an input, wherein the pointer functionally cooperates with the display of the main device to permit control of a user interface displayed on the display via the input received at the pointer.

23. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a user setting to permit user control of functions associated with the coupling or decoupling of the sub-device.

24. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to:

cause the display to display information indicating coupling status of the sub-device to the main device.

25. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a haptic element configured to provide a haptic effect in response to an input received at the mobile terminal.

26. The mobile terminal of claim 1, wherein the display of the main device is a flexible display.

27. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

28. The mobile terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximity sensor configured to detect a proximity touch received at the display.

29. The mobile terminal of claim 28, wherein the controller is further configured to:

recognize touch patterns according to the proximity touch detected by the proximity sensor.

30. A method for controlling a mobile terminal comprising a main device and a sub-device, the main device having a display and being shaped to define an area accessible via an opening, wherein the sub-device is configured to be removably coupled to the main device via the opening, the method comprising:

detecting decoupling of the sub-device from the main device, wherein the sub-device comprises a pen-type object, wherein the area is sized to receive an elongated portion of the pen-type object to permit coupling of the sub-device with the main device;

transitioning the mobile terminal to an unlocked state in response to the detecting the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device; and

displaying an image on the display in response to the detecting of the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising changing an operation mode of the main device from a first mode to a second mode in response to coupling of the sub-device to the main body.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising turning on or off the display in response to coupling or decoupling of the sub-device to or from the main device.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising displaying a user setting menu for setting automatic controlling of the mobile terminal in response to coupling or decoupling of the sub-device to or from the main device.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the decoupling occurs when the sub-device is partially withdrawn from the area.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the main device includes an end comprising a substantially planar surface;

and

wherein the sub-device includes an end comprising a substantially planar surface such that the end of the sub-device and the end of the main device lie along a same plane when the sub-device is coupled with the main device.

36. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

causing the mobile terminal to transition from a locked state to the unlocked state according to the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device occurs when the elongated portion of the pen-type object is partially withdrawn from the area.

38. The method of claim 30, wherein the decoupling of the sub-device from the main device occurs when the elongated portion of the pen-type is withdrawn and passes a particular portion of the area.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein the sub-device includes an antenna.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the antenna of the sub-device is configured to receive a radio signal transmitted from the main device, wherein the radio signal serves as an energy source to power the sub-device without using an internal battery.

41. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

detecting a proximity touch received at the display via a proximity sensor.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the proximity sensor includes a radio frequency oscillation proximity sensor.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the proximity sensor includes an electrostatic capacity proximity sensor.

44. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

maintaining coupling of the sub-device to the main device via a fixing member.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the fixing member includes a hook.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the fixing member includes a hook positioned to couple with the elongated portion of the pen-type object.

47. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

decoupling of the sub-device from the main device using a spring.

48. The method of claim 30, wherein the sub-device further comprises:

a recess formed at an end of the sub-device, wherein the recess facilitates the coupling of the sub-device to the main device.

49. The method of claim 30, wherein the sub-device further comprises:

a function key which functionally cooperates with the controller.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the function key is a mouse key.

51. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

controlling a user interface displayed on the display via an input received at pointer of the sub-device.

52. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

controlling functions associated with the coupling or decoupling of the sub-device via a user setting menu.

53. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

displaying information indicating coupling status of the sub-device to the main device.

54. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

providing a haptic effect in response to an input received at the mobile terminal.

55. The method of claim 30, wherein the display of the main device is a flexible display.

56. The method of claim 30, wherein the mobile terminal further comprises:

a universal subscriber identity module (USIM).

57. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

detecting a proximity touch received at the display via a proximity sensor.

58. The method of claim 57, further comprising:

recognizing touch patterns according to the proximity touch.