USOO82O3640B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Kim et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,203,640 B2
`Jun. 19, 2012
`
`(54) PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING TOUCH
`SENSING BASED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD
`THEREFOR
`
`i-
`(75) Inventors: Jong Hwan Kim, Gyeonggi Do (KR):
`Kwang-Ho Eom, Gyeonggi-Do (KR)
`
`(73) Assignee: LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 543 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/172,076
`
`22) Filed:
`(22) File
`(65)
`
`Jul. 11, 2008
`l.
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2009/OO15703 A1
`Jan. 15, 2009
`O
`O
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Jul. 11, 2007 (KR) ........................ 10-2007-0060817
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 5/222
`(2006.01)
`G06F 3/04
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........ grgrg. 348/333.12: 345/173
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 348/333.12,
`348/333.11, 333.07, 333.05, 333.02, 14.07;
`34.5/173
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,923,908 A * 7/1999 Schrocket al. ................. 396,85
`6,778,217 B1 * 8/2004 Nishimura ............... 348,333.12
`6,919,927 B1* 7/2005 Hyodo ..................... 348,333.02
`7,034,881 B1 ck
`4, 2006 Hyodo et al.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`. 348,333.12
`7,649,562 B2 *
`1/2010 Misawa et al. ........... 348,333.01
`2005, OO12723 A1* 1/2005 Pallakoff ....................... 345,173
`2007, OO13672 A1* 1/2007 Shim et al. .
`... 345,173
`2008/0001927 A1* 1/2008 Yoshida .........
`... 345,173
`2008OOO2963 Al *
`1/2008 Chuang et al. ................ 396/310
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Trung Diep
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Lee, Hong, Degerman,
`Kang & Waimey
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Disclosed is a portable terminal having a touch sensing based
`image capture function and image capture method therefore,
`the method including: displaying a preview image of an
`object to be captured on a touchscreen; recognizing (sensing)
`a touch input for the preview image; setting an image capture
`function based on the recognized touch input; and automati
`cally performing an image capture operation according to the
`set canture function. The image capture function includes
`cap
`ge Cap
`- - -
`-
`- -
`setting and change for a focus area, exposure, illumination,
`elung
`g
`p
`lightness, Zoom-in/Zoom-out and color change. Therefore,
`the present invention can enable the user to freely set the focus
`area and to perform a single or continuous image capture
`operation with a simple touch, thereby being utilized in all
`portable devices employing the touch screen.
`
`22 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`S30SE DISPLAY PREVIEW IMACE ON TOUCH
`
`S31
`
`
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`S32
`
`
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`S33
`
`
`
`S34
`
`RECOGNIZE TOUCH INPUT
`
`SET AND DISPLAY IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO RECOGNIZED
`TOUCH INPUT
`
`PERFORM CHANGING, MOVING/DELETING
`REGARDING DISPLAYED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION
`
`
`
`EXECUTE CHANGED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO IMAGE
`CAPTURE COMMAND
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1016
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG 1
`
`190
`
`
`
`110
`---
`
`WIRELESS COMMUNICATION UNIT
`BROADCAST RECEIVING
`MODULE
`
`100
`/
`
`f
`
`opt NIT
`
`-
`
`MOBILE COMMUNICATION
`
`MODULE
`WIRELESS INTERNET
`MODULE
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY MODULE-151
`AUDIO OUTPUT -152.
`MODULE
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`
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`CONTROLLER
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`181
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`MULTIMEDIA
`MODULE
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`MEMORY
`
`160
`
`
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`170
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`INTERFACE
`UNIT
`
`2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 2 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG 2
`FIG. 2
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`
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`
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`3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 3 of 8
`Sheet 3 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG 3
`FIG. 3
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`al
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`4
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 4 of 8
`Sheet 4 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG 4
`FIG. 4
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`atteCAOA
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`cen
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 5 of 8
`Sheet 5 of 8
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`
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`FIG 5
`FIG. 5
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`6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 6 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`
`
`S10
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`ENTER IMAGE CAPTURING MODE
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`S11
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`DISPLAY PREVIEW SCREEN DISPLAY
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`S2- SELECT FOCUS AREA BY TOUCHING
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`
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`S13
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`
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`DISPLAYING SELECTED FOCUS AREA
`AND PERFORMING AUTOMATIC IMAGE
`CAPTURE
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 7 of 8
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`FIG 9
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`S2O-DETERMINE TOUCH TYPE
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`DISPLAY MENU WINDOW FOR SELECTING
`IMAGE CAPTURE EFFECT
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`SELECT IMAGE CAPTURE EFFECT
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`S22
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`S23
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`
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`DISPLAY FOCUS AREA AND PERFORM
`S2AUTOMATIC MAGE CAPTORE
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`8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`FIG 11
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`S30
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`S31
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`S32
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`S33
`
`S34
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`DISPLAY PREVIEW IMAGE ON TOUCH
`SCREEN
`
`RECOGNIZE TOUCH INPUT
`
`SET AND DISPLAY IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO RECOGNIZED
`TOUCH INPUT
`
`PERFORM CHANGING, MOVING/DELETING
`REGARDING DISPLAYED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION
`
`EXECUTE CHANGED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION ACCORDING TO IMAGE
`CAPTURE COMMAND
`
`
`
`L2
`
`9
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`

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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`1.
`PORTABLE TERMINAL HAVING TOUCH
`SENSING BASED IMAGE CAPTURE
`FUNCTION AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD
`THEREFOR
`
`RELATED APPLICATION
`
`Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. S 119(a), this application claims the
`benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean
`Application No. 10-2007-0069817, filedon Jul.11, 2007, the
`contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`image capture method for a portable terminal that can set and
`execute a variety of capture functions according to a touch
`input.
`To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
`with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and
`broadly described herein, there is provided a touch sensing
`based image capture method according to the present inven
`tion, including: displaying a preview image of an object to be
`captured on a touch screen; recognizing a touch input for the
`preview image; setting an image capture function based on
`the recognized touch input; and automatically performing an
`image capture operation according to the set capture function.
`To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance
`with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and
`broadly described herein, there is provided a portable termi
`nal, including: a touch screen for displaying a preview image
`of an object to be captured; and a controller for displaying an
`image capture function based on a touched position, when a
`touch for the displayed preview image is inputted, and per
`forming an image capture operation according to the corre
`sponding capture function.
`The image capture function may include a setting, change
`and execution for a focus area, exposure, illumination, light
`ness, Zoom-in/Zoom-out, and color change.
`The touch input can be one of a short touch, a long touch,
`a multi-position touch, and a touch & drag.
`The focus area is configured to set by a touch and to delete
`by a double-touch.
`The focus area is set in the form of dots or closed curves,
`and can be moved or changed by dragging. In addition, the set
`focus area is visually displayed on the preview screen display
`or audibly outputted.
`If one or more displayed focus areas are provided, a con
`tinuous image capture operation is performed according to
`the number of selected focus areas.
`The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
`advantages of the present invention will become more appar
`ent from the following detailed description of the present
`invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of
`the present invention will become more apparent upon con
`sideration of the following description of preferred embodi
`ments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing
`figures.
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable terminal
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing an exemplary
`portable terminal according to one embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIG.3 is a rear view showing the portable terminal accord
`ing to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a radio (wireless) communi
`cation system in which a portable terminal can be operated
`according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of selecting a
`focus by using a touch on a preview screen display according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of capturing an
`object by adjusting a depth of field according to the present
`invention;
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a portable terminal having
`a touch sensing based image capture function and an image
`capture method therefore.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`A portable terminal may be configured to perform a variety
`of functions. Examples of Such functions may include data/
`Voice communications, capturing images or videos via a cam
`era, recording audio, playing music files via a speaker system,
`and displaying images or videos. Some terminals have been
`equipped with additional functionality that Supports game
`playing, while other terminals have been implemented as an
`integrated multimedia player. More recently, the portable ter
`minal has been equipped with a function of receiving broad
`casts or multicast signals, thereby enabling a user to watch
`Videos or television programs.
`Among the various functions of the portable terminal, the
`function of capturing images or videos via a camera refers to
`a function that allows a user to capture videos or still images
`by using a camera provided in a portable terminal. In order to
`perform an image capture operation using the camera func
`tion, the user should change a terminals mode into a camera
`mode through a key manipulation and then select an appro
`priate image capturing mode among corresponding camera
`CUS.
`Once an image-capturing mode is selected, a preview
`screen display is displayed on a screen display. The user
`adjusts a direction of the portable terminal and its capture
`angle while checking an object to be taken (e.g., person,
`scenery, objects, etc.) on the preview screen display by using
`a Zoom-function, and the like. After the size of an image to be
`captured and the capture angle are adjusted, the user presses
`a capture button, thereby automatically focusing via an Auto
`Focus (AF) function, thus to perform the image capture
`operation.
`Various attempts have been made to easily and conve
`niently implement complicated functions in Such portable
`terminals by means of hardware or Software. For instance, a
`display unit is, for a user's convenience, implemented as a
`touch screen, a portion of a keypad is provided with a touch
`pad, or a user interface environment is provided in a portable
`terminal to enable a user to conveniently search for or select
`among available functions.
`Accordingly, there is a need to develop a variety of tools
`that conform to the new attempts by means of hardware or
`software.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a
`portable terminal that can automatically perform a touch
`sensing based image capture operation.
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`US 8,203,640 B2
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`3
`FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of selecting a
`multi-position focus by using a touch on the preview screen
`display according to the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first exemplary touch
`sensing based image capture method according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of setting a focus
`area by drawing a figure with a finger according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of performing
`an automatic capture operation according to a touch type in
`the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a second exemplary touch
`sensing based image capture method according to one
`embodiment of the present invention; and
`FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an indication on a screen
`display indicating that a touched object or area is selected
`according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`4
`previously generated broadcast signal and/or broadcast asso
`ciated information and transmits the same to a terminal.
`Examples of the broadcast associated information may
`include information regarding a broadcast channel, a broad
`cast program, a broadcast service provider, etc. The broadcast
`signal may be implemented as a TV broadcast signal, a radio
`broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, among others. If
`desired, the broadcast signal may further include a broadcast
`signal combined with a TV or radio broadcast signal.
`The broadcast associated information may be provided
`also via a mobile communication network and, in this case,
`the mobile communication module 112 may receive the
`broadcast associated information.
`The broadcast associated information may exist in various
`forms. For example, it may exist in the form of an electronic
`program guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting
`(DMB), an electronic service guide (ESG) of digital video
`broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), and the like.
`The broadcast receiver module 111 may be configured to
`receive broadcast signals using various types of broadcast
`systems. In particular, the broadcast receiver module 111 may
`receive a digital broadcast signal using a digital broadcast
`system, such as Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial
`(DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite
`(DMB-S), Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), the
`data broadcasting system known as media forward link only
`(MediaFLOR), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Ter
`restrial (ISDB-T), and the like. The broadcast receiver mod
`ule 111 is configured to be suitable for every broadcast system
`that provides a broadcast signal as well as the above-men
`tioned digital broadcast systems.
`A broadcast signal and/or broadcast-associated informa
`tion received via the broadcast receiver module 111 may be
`stored in the memory 160.
`The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives
`radio signals to/from at least one of a base station, an external
`terminal and a server in a mobile communication network.
`Such radio signals may include a Voice call signal, a video call
`signal or various types of data according to text/multimedia
`message transmission/reception.
`The wireless Internet module 113 supports Internet access
`for the mobile terminal. This module 113 may be internally or
`externally coupled to the terminal.
`The short-range communication module 114 refers to a
`module for Supporting short-range communications. Some
`examples of short-range communication technology include
`BluetoothTM, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infra
`red Data Association (IrDA), Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Zig
`BeeTM, and the like.
`The position-location module 115 identifies or otherwise
`obtains the location of the portable terminal. If desired, this
`module may be implemented using Global Positioning Sys
`tem (GPS) components that receive location information
`from a plurality of artificial satellites. Here, the location infor
`mation may include coordinate information represented by
`the latitude and longitude. For instance, the GPS module may
`accurately calculate a current location of the terminal by
`trigonometric measurement that measures accurate time and
`distance from three or more satellites and uses 3 different
`distance values. The GPS module may use a method that
`obtains time and distance information from 3 satellites and
`corrects an error with one satellite. In particular, the GPS
`module may obtain the location of the latitude, longitude and
`altitude from the location information received from the sat
`ellites, as well as accurate time information along with 3-di
`mensional Velocity (speed) information.
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`In the following detailed description, reference is made to
`the accompanying drawing figures which form a part hereof,
`and which show by way of illustration specific embodiments
`of the invention. It is to be understood by those of ordinary
`skill in this technological field that other embodiments may
`be utilized, and structural, electrical, as well as procedural
`changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
`present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference
`numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the
`same or similar parts.
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a portable terminal
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`The portable terminal may be implemented in various
`forms. Examples of Such terminals include mobile phones,
`user equipment, Smartphones, notebook computers, digital
`broadcast receiver terminals, personal digital assistants
`(PDA), portable multimedia players (PMP) and mobile navi
`gation units.
`Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal 100 may include
`a wireless communication unit 110, an A/V (Audio/Video)
`input unit 120, a user input unit (or manipulation unit) 130, a
`sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an
`interface unit 170, a controller 180, and a power supply unit
`190, and the like. FIG. 1 shows the portable terminal 100
`having various components, but it is to be understood that
`implementing all of the illustrated components is not a
`requirement. A greater or fewer number of components may
`alternatively be implemented.
`Hereinafter, the components of the portable terminal will
`be described in more detail.
`The wireless communication unit 110 typically includes
`one or more components allowing radio (wireless) commu
`nication between the portable terminal 100 and a wireless
`communication system or a network within which the por
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`table terminal is located. For instance, the wireless commu
`nication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiver module
`111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet
`module 113, a short-range communication module 114, a
`position-location module 115, and the like.
`The broadcast receiver module 111 receives a broadcast
`signal and/or broadcast associated information from an exter
`nal broadcast managing server via a broadcast channel. The
`broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a ter
`restrial channel. The broadcast managing server may refer to
`a server that generates and transmits abroadcast signal and/or
`broadcast associated information or a server that receives a
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`The A/V input unit 120 is configured to input an audio or
`video signal. The A/V input unit 120 may include a camera
`121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image
`frames of still pictures or videos obtained by an image capture
`device in a video call mode or an image-capturing mode. The
`processed image frames may be displayed on a display mod
`ule 151 of the output unit 150.
`The image frames processed by the camera 121 may be
`stored in the memory 160 or transmitted via the wireless
`communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be
`provided according to the configuration of the mobile termi
`nal.
`The microphone 122 may receive an external analog audio
`signal (audible sound) via a microphone (or the like) in a
`phone call mode, a recording mode, a Voice recognition
`mode, etc., and process it into digital data. The processed
`audio (voice) data may be converted for output into a format
`transmittable to a mobile communication base station via the
`mobile communication module 112 in case of the phone call
`mode. The microphone 122 may include various types of
`noise canceling (or Suppression) algorithms to cancel (or
`Suppress) noise generated in the course of receiving and trans
`mitting audio signals.
`The user input unit 130 may generate key input data input
`ted by a user to control various operations of the mobile
`terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, a
`dome Switch, a touchpad (e.g., a touch sensitive member that
`detects changes in resistance, pressure, capacitance, etc.), a
`jog wheel, a jog Switch, and the like. In particular, when a
`touchpad is overlaid on the display module 151 in a layered
`manner, it may be referred to as a touch screen.
`The sensing unit 140 detects a current status (or state) of the
`portable terminal 100 such as an opened/closed state of the
`portable terminal 100, a location of the portable terminal 100,
`a presence or absence of user contact with the portable ter
`minal 100, etc., and generates commands or signals for con
`trolling the operation of the portable terminal 100. For
`example, when the portable terminal 100 is a slide type por
`table phone, the sensing unit 140 may sense whether the slide
`phone is opened or closed. In addition, the sensing unit 140
`can detect whether or not the power supply unit 190 supplies
`power or whether or not the interface unit 170 is coupled with
`an external device.
`The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with at least
`one external device connected with the portable terminal 100.
`For example, the external devices may include wired/wireless
`headset ports, external power charger ports, wired/wireless
`data ports, memory card ports, ports for coupling equipment
`having an identity module, audio input/output (I/O) ports,
`Video I/O ports, earphone ports, among others.
`Here, the identity module refers to a chip which stores a
`variety of information to authenticate use authority of the
`portable terminal 100, and may include User Identity Module
`(UIM) cards, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, Uni
`versal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) cards, and the like.
`In addition, the equipment having the identity module (here
`inafter, referred to as the identity device) may be imple
`mented in the form of a Smart card. Accordingly, the identity
`device can be connected to the terminal 100 via the port. The
`interface unit 170 may be used to receive inputs (e.g., data,
`information, power, etc.) from an external device and transfer
`the received inputs to one or more elements within the por
`table terminal 100 or may be used to transfer data from the
`portable terminal to an external device.
`The output unit 150 is configured to provide outputs in a
`visual, audible, and/or tactile manner (e.g., audio signal,
`Video signal, alarm signal, etc.). The output unit 150 may
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`include the display module 151, an audio output module 152,
`an alarm output module 153, and the like.
`The display module 151 may output information processed
`in the portable terminal 100. For example, when the portable
`terminal 100 is in the phone call mode, the display module
`151 may display a User Interface (UI) or a Graphic User
`Interface (GUI) associated with a call or other communica
`tion on a screen display thereof. When the portable terminal
`100 is in the video call mode or the image capturing mode, the
`display module 151 may display a captured and/or received
`image, a UI, a GUI, and the like on its screen display.
`Meanwhile, when the display module 151 and the touch
`pad are overlaid in a layered manner to form a touch screen,
`the display module 151 may function as both an input device
`and an output device. The display module 151 may include at
`least one of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, a Thin
`Film Transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD) panel, an Organic Light
`Emitting Diode (OLED) display, a flexible display screen, a
`three-dimensional (3D) display screen, or the like. The por
`table terminal 100 may include two or more display modules
`(or other display means) 151 according to its desired imple
`mentation. For example, the portable terminal 100 may
`include an external display unit (not shown) and an internal
`display unit (not shown).
`The audio output module 152 may output audio data
`received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored
`in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call
`mode, a recording mode, a Voice recognition mode, a broad
`cast reception mode, and the like. Also, the audio output
`module 152 may provide audible outputs related to a particu
`lar function (e.g., a call signal reception Sound, a message
`reception sound, etc.) performed by the portable terminal
`100. The audio output module 152 may include a speaker, a
`buzzer, or the like.
`The alarm output module 153 may provide outputs to
`inform about the occurrence of an event of the portable ter
`minal 100. Typical events may include a call signal reception,
`a message reception, a key signal input, and the like. In
`addition to audio or video outputs, the alarm output module
`153 may provide outputs in a different manner to inform
`about the occurrence of an event. For example, the alarm
`output module 153 may provide outputs in the form of vibra
`tions (or other tactile means). When a call signal, a message,
`or Some other incoming communication is received, the alarm
`output module 153 may provide tactile outputs (i.e., vibra
`tions) to inform the user. By providing tactile outputs, the user
`can recognize the occurrence of various events. Outputs
`informing about the occurrence of an event may be also
`provided via the display module 151 or the audio output
`module 152.
`The memory 160 may store software programs or the like
`used for the processing and controlling performed by the
`controller 180, or may temporarily store inputted/outputted
`data (e.g., a phonebook, messages, still images, video, etc.).
`The memory 160 may include at least one type of storage
`medium including a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a
`multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or
`XD memory, etc.), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a
`Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only
`Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable
`Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read
`Only memory (PROM) magnetic memory, a magnetic disk,
`an optical disk, and the like. Also, the portable terminal 100
`may cooperate with a web storage device on the Internet that
`remotely performs the storage function of the memory 160.
`The controller 180 typically controls the general opera
`tions of the portable terminal. For example, the controller 180
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`performs controlling and processing associated with Voice
`calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addi
`tion, the controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181
`for reproducing multimedia data. The multimedia module
`181 may be implemented integrally within the controller 180
`or by Software executed therein, or may be configured sepa
`rately from the controller 180.
`The power supply unit 190 receives external or internal
`power and Supplies power required for the operations of the
`respective elements under the control of the controller 180.
`Various functionalities described herein may be imple
`mented in a computer-readable medium using, for example,
`computer Software, hardware, or any combination thereof.
`For a hardware implementation, the functionalities
`described herein may be implemented by using at least one of
`application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal
`processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices
`(DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field pro
`grammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,
`micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electronic units
`designed to perform the functions described herein. In some
`cases, the controller 180 may implement such functionalities.
`For a Software implementation, the functionalities such as
`operation procedures or functions may be implemented
`together with separate software modules that allow perform
`ing of at least one function or operation. Software codes can
`be implemented by a Software application written in any
`Suitable programming language. The Software codes may be
`stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.
`So far, the portable terminal has been described from the
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`perspective of its functions. Hereinafter, external elements of
`the portable terminal will be described from the perspective
`of their functions with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The por
`table terminal may be implemented in a variety of different
`configurations. Examples of Such configurations include a
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`folder-type, a bar-type, a Swing-type, a slide type and com
`binations thereof. For clarity, further description will prima
`rily relate to a slide-type portable terminal. However, such
`teachings apply equally to other types of portable terminals.
`FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a portable terminal
`according to the present invention.
`The slide-type portable terminal according to the present
`invention includes a first body 200 and a second body 205
`disposed to be slidably movable along at least one direction
`relative to one another. And, in case of the folder-type por
`table terminal, the portable terminal according to the present
`invention may include a first body and a second body config
`ured to have at least one side thereof to be folded or unfolded
`by the first body.
`A state in which the first body 200 is disposed to overlap
`with or overlie the second body 205 may be called a “closed
`configuration, and as shown in the drawing, a state in which
`the first body 200 and second body 205 are so disposed
`relative one another as to expose at least a portion of the
`second body 205 may be called an “opened configuration.” In
`the closed configuration, the portable terminal mainly oper
`ates in a standby mode (idle mode), and the standby mode
`may be released according to a user manipulation. The por
`table terminal operates mainly in the calling mode or the like
`in the opened configuration, and it can be changed to the
`standby mode with the lapse of a certain time period or a user
`manipulation.
`The case (a casing, a housing, a cover, etc.) constituting the
`external appearance of the first body 200 is formed by a first
`front case 220 and a first rear case 225. Various electronic
`components are installed in a space between the first front
`case 220 and the first rear case 225. One or more intermediate
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`cases may be additionally disposed between the first front
`case 220 and the first rear case 225.
`The cases may beformed by injection-molding a synthetic
`resin or may be made of a metallic material Such as stainless
`steel (STS) or titanium (Ti), and the like.
`The display module 151, an audio output module 152, a
`camera module 121 or a first user input unit 210 may be
`located on the first body 200, specifically, on the first front
`case 220 of the first body 200.
`The display module 151 may include an LCD (Liquid
`Crystal Display), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)
`display, a transparent OLED, etc. that visually displays infor
`mation.
`A touch pad may be overlaid in a layered manner on the
`screen of the display module 151 to allow the display module
`151 to function as a touch screen to enable the inputting of
`information by a users touch.
`The audio output module 152 may be implemented in the
`form of a speaker.
`The camera module 121 may be implemented to be suit
`able for capturing images or video with respect to the user and
`SO. O.
`Similar to the first body 200, the case constituting the
`external appearance of the second body 205 is formed by a
`second front case 230 and a second rear case 235.
`A second user input unit 215 may be disposed on a front
`face of the second body 205, specifically, on the second front
`case 230. A third user input unit 245, the microphone 122, and
`the interface unit 170 may be disposed on at least one of the
`second front case 230 and the second rear case 235.
`The first to third user input units 210, 215 and 245 may be
`generally referred to as the manipulation unit 130, and vari
`ous techniques can be employed for implementing the
`manipulation unit so long as they can be operated by a user in
`a tactile manner.
`For example, the user input units can be implemented with
`a dome Switch or touch pad that can receive user commands
`or information according to a user's pressing, pushing or
`touching, or implemented in the form of a wheel that rotates
`a key, a jog element, a joystick, or the like.
`In terms of their functions,