Dual display folder type terminal

• US 8,923,934 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2011
• Issued: 12/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Harata, Tomohiro, Hong, Sung Hoon, Kim, Dong Hun, Kim, Pil Won, Kim, Dong Kyun, Chol, Hyok Su
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US13/190,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20120129581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.8, 455/186.2
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit

Abstract

A dual display folder type terminal having a hinge includes a manipulation unit formed in the hinge, wherein the inventive implementation of the hinge provides various function commands without the need of an additional space in the terminal. As a result, the size of the terminal doesn'"'"'t suffer when implementing the manipulation unit. Further, the dual display folder type terminal can operate different modes based on the opening angle of a folder relative to the other folder.

Claims

1. A dual display folder type terminal having a first folder and a second folder each having a screen and coupled by a hinge, comprising:

a manipulation unit formed in the hinge, the manipulation unit including a plurality of input keys or touch screen elements for providing a plurality of different command functions of the terminal, the manipulation unit comprises;

a first outer manipulation unit formed in a first outer surface of the hinge positioned at the inside of the dual display folder type terminal when the dual display folder type terminal is opened; and

a hinge guard manipulation unit for providing at least one command function of the terminal when the dual display folder is in at least a closed position, the hinge guard manipulation unit formed in an outer surface of a hinge guard running alongside the hinge;

wherein the hinge comprises a cylindrical shaft, and the hinge guard comprises first and second hinge guard portions on opposing sides of the shaft, the first hinge guard portion connecting the hinge and the first folder, the second hinge guard portion connecting the hinge and the second folder.

2. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, wherein the manipulation unit further comprises a hinge shaft manipulation unit formed at one end surface of the hinge shaft.

3. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a 360°

gear hinge.

4. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, wherein an operation of the terminal varies based on an opening angle of the first folder relative to the second folder of the terminal.

5. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, further comprising a speaker at an inner surface of the first folder.

6. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, when the dual display folder type terminal is in an open state, the manipulation unit can be accessed during a communication mode or a viewing mode.

7. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, further comprising a touch screen provided in the first folder and the second folder.

8. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 7, wherein the dual display folder type terminal can be controlled using the manipulation unit without touching the touch screen during a standing mode.

9. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 1, wherein the manipulation unit formed in the hinge includes the plurality of touch screen elements.

10. A dual display folder type terminal having a first folder and a second folder each having a screen and coupled by a hinge, comprising:

a manipulation unit formed in the hinge, the manipulation unit including a plurality of input keys or touch screen elements for providing a plurality of different command functions of the terminal;

wherein the hinge comprises a separation type hinge comprising at least first and second separate hinges provided at opposite ends of the dual display folder type terminal, and the manipulation unit comprises a first outer manipulation unit formed as part of the first hinge, and a second outer manipulation unit formed as part of the second hinge and separated from the first outer manipulation unit.

11. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 10, wherein the manipulation unit is configured as a previous/next button.

12. A dual display folder type terminal having a first folder and a second folder each having a screen and coupled by a hinge, comprising:

a manipulation unit formed in the hinge, the manipulation unit including a plurality of input keys or touch screen elements for providing a plurality of different command functions of the terminal;

wherein the hinge comprises a separation type hinge comprising at least first and second separate hinges provided at opposite ends of the dual display folder type terminal, and the manipulation unit is formed as part of at least one of the first and second separate hinges;

wherein the manipulation unit is configured as a previous/next button during a book reading mode of the terminal, or a mode conversion key.

13. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 12, wherein the manipulation unit is configured as the previous/next button during the book reading mode of the terminal.

14. The dual display folder type terminal of claim 12, wherein the manipulation unit is configured as the mode conversion key during a music playing mode of the terminal.