Title of Invention

A SLIM TYPE PORTABLE TERMINAL

Abstract A slim type portable terminal comprising a first housing on which a keypad and a microphone unit are arranged, and a second housing comprising a liquid crystal display unit (32) and a speaker unit (33), the portable terminal comprising a printed circuit board (100) disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal display unit (32) and arranged side by side with the liquid crystal display unit on a co-planar surface; and a buffer member (200) attached to an upper surface of the liquid crystal display unit, through which a flexible printed circuit board provided to the terminal extends.
Full Text BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slim type portable terminal. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a slim type portable terminal which
has a reduced thickness, thereby achieving the slimness thereof.
Description of the Related Art
In general, a "portable communication terminal" refers to an electronic
device which a user can carry while wirelessly communicating with another user.
Such a portable communication terminal includes hand-held phones, CT-2
cellular phones, digital phones, Personal Communication Service phones (PCS
phones), Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and the like. Conventional portable
terminals may be classified into various types according to their appearance, such
as bar-type portable terminals, flip-type portable terminals, and folder-type
portable terminals. The bar-type portable terminal has a single housing shaped
like a bar. The flip-type portable terminal has a flip panel or a cover which is
pivotably mounted to a bar-shaped housing by a hinge unit. The folder-type
portable terminal has a folder coupled to a single bar-shaped housing by a hinge
unit in such a manner that the folder can rotate in order to be folded on or
unfolded from the housing.
Further, portable terminals may be classified as rotation-type terminals
and sliding-type terminals according to the methods of opening and closing the
terminals. In the rotation-type portable terminal, two housings are coupled to
each other in such a manner that one housing rotates to be opened or closed
relative to the other while the two are facing each other. In the sliding-type
portable terminal, two housings are coupled to each other in a manner that one
housing slides to be opened or closed relative to the other. The various
classifications of portable terminals are easily understood by those skilled in the
art. On the other hand, the listed conventional portable terminals indispensably
include an antenna unit, data input/output unit, and data transmission and
reception unit. A keypad, which a user pushes with his/her fingers to input data,
is generally used as the data input unit. Further, a touch pad or a touch screen
may be used as the data input unit.
In addition, a liquid crystal display is generally used to display data in
order to output the data. Further, the conventional portable communication

terminal is provided with a camera lens for pictures in order to perform an image
communication. Thus, a user can perform image communication with another
user using the portable terminal having the camera lens, or take a picture of any
object.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a sliding type portable terminal 10
among the various types of the portable terminals will be described.
The sliding type portable terminal 10 includes a body housing 20, and a
sliding housing 30 sliding by a predetermined distance along the body housing 20
in a lengthwise direction, which has an advantage of satisfying users' various
tastes.
The sliding type portable terminal 10 includes a body housing 20 and a
sliding housing 30 sliding upward or downward with respect to the body housing
20, by a half length of the body housing 20 to be open. The sliding housing 30
includes a sliding keypad 31, liquid crystal display unit (LCD) 32 for displaying
data, and speaker unit 33, all of which are mounted on a surface thereof, while the
body housing 20 has a body keypad 21 of 3 x 4 metrics and microphone unit 22
which are provided therefor.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, such a sliding type portable terminal 10 has a
following structure.
The sliding type housing 30 includes a front cover 30a and a rear cover
(not shown). A printed circuit board (PCB) 34 for the liquid crystal display unit
(LCD) 32 is mounted in the front cover 30a.
The liquid crystal display unit 32 is adhered to the front cover 30a by a
double sided tape or adhesive agent (not shown). The speaker unit 33 is disposed
adjacent to an upper end of the liquid crystal display unit 32. A connector 34a is
mounted on the printed circuit board 34 and electrically connected to the speaker
unit 33.
As shown in FIG. 2, the speaker unit 33 has a flexible printed circuit
board (FPCB) 33a for electrically connecting the speaker unit 33 to the connector
34a of the printed circuit board 34. The flexible printed circuit board 33a in
which a fine circuit is printed on a thin plate of flexible plastic material, and the
connector 34a are used as an electric connection for electrically connecting the
printed circuit board 34.
A plurality of parts 35 are mounted on the printed circuit board 34 while
being electrically connected to one another to transmit and receive electric power
and signals to/from one another.
In an exemplary implementation, a buffer member 36, such as a sponge, is
disposed on an upper surface of the printed circuit board 34 to prevent the liquid

crystal display unit 32 and the plurality of parts 35 of the portable terminal from
being damaged by external impact.
However, since the conventional sliding type portable terminal has the
structure in that the liquid crystal display unit is mounted on the front cover, the
printed circuit board is stacked on an upper surface of the liquid crystal display
unit, and the buffer member is stacked on and attached to the upper surface of the
printed circuit plate, the thickness of the portable terminal increases, thereby
making it difficult to achieve miniaturization and slimness of the portable
terminal.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved portable terminal comprising
an overall slimness for reduced thickness.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to
address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least
the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of exemplary
embodiments of the present invention is to provide a slim type portable terminal
which includes a printed circuit board arranged side by side with structural parts
on a co-planar surface, thereby having a reduced thickness to achieve the slimness
thereof.
Another object of exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to
provide a slim type portable terminal which includes a buffer member, through
which a flexible circuit extends, thereby having a farther reduced thickness to
achieve the slimness thereof.
In order to accomplish these objects of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention, there is provided a slim type portable terminal including a first
housing on which a keypad and a microphone unit are arranged, and a second
housing comprising a liquid crystal display unit and a speaker unit a printed
circuit board is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal display unit and arranged
side by side with the liquid crystal display unit on a co-planar surface, and a
buffer member is attached to an upper surface of the liquid crystal display unit,
through which a flexible circuit provided to the terminal extends.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description,
which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary
embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of certain
exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sliding type portable terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, after the sliding
movement of the portable terminal;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a sliding
housing of the sliding type portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the sliding type portable terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a
coupling status of the sliding housing is shown;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a structure of a slim type
portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the slim type portable terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which a
coupling status of the portable terminal is shown; and
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the slim type portable terminal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the
coupling status of the portable terminal is shown.
Throughout the drawings, the same drawing reference numerals will be
understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and
elements are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the
embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described
herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for
clarity and conciseness.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a portable terminal includes a first housing
and a second housing 300. The first housing has a keypad and a microphone unit

arranged thereon, while the second housing 300 has a liquid crystal display unit
32 and a speaker unit 33 provided thereon (the first housing, keypad and
microphone are not shown).
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slim type portable terminal 100 includes
the second housing 300 in which the liquid crystal display unit 32 is seated. The
second housing 300 has sides which are disposed near sides of the liquid crystal
display unit 32 and extend in parallel to the sides of the liquid crystal display unit
32 on a co-planar surface. The liquid crystal display unit 32 includes a buffer
member 200 attached to an upper surface thereof to protect the liquid crystal
display unit 32 from external impact, through which a flexible printed circuit
board 303 of the terminal 100 extends.
As shown in FIG. 5, the liquid crystal display unit 32 has the speaker unit
33 disposed at a side thereof, and the printed circuit board 100 disposed at another
side thereof to be electrically connected to the liquid crystal display unit 32. On
the printed circuit board 100, a plurality of connectors 34a and structural parts 35,
which are electrically connected to the liquid crystal display unit 32, are mounted
on the printed circuit board 100.
The buffer member 200 is attached to the upper surface of the liquid
crystal display unit 32 by an adhesive (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 5, the buffer member 200 has a guide groove 201
formed at the center portion thereof to receive a flexible printed circuit board 303
which is connected to the speaker unit 33 and extends through the buffer member
200 while being electrically connected to a connector 34a of the printed circuit
board 100.
The printed circuit board 100 has a length which is shorter than that of the
liquid crystal display unit 32 so that the terminal can be miniaturized.
Further, the printed circuit board 100 has a structure, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as follows:
The printed circuit board 100 is disposed at a position near the keypad
arranged on the first housing, and aligned side by side with the keypad on a co-
planar surface.
The microphone unit is disposed at a side of the keypad, while the printed
circuit board 100 is located at another side of the keypad. The microphone unit
and the keypad are electrically connected to the printed circuit board.
Hereinafter, the operation of the slim type portable terminal having the
above-mentioned structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the portable terminal 10 includes the first
housing and the second housing 300 to which the liquid crystal display unit 32 is
provided.
As shown in FIG. 5, the second housing 300 has the printed circuit board
100 arranged adjacent to the liquid crystal display unit 32 side by side on a co-
planar surface. The printed circuit board 100 is disposed at the lower portion of
the liquid crystal display unit 32, while the speaker unit 33 is disposed at the
upper portion of the liquid crystal display unit 32.
In an exemplary implementation, the buffer member 200 is attached by an
adhesive (not shown) to the liquid crystal display unit 32, through which the
flexible printed circuit board 303 for the speaker unit 33 extends.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the buffer member 200 has a guide groove
201 formed at the center portion thereof to electrically connect the flexible printed
circuit board 303 for the speaker unit 33 to the connector 34a of the printed circuit
board 100. Therefore, the flexible printed circuit board 303 for the speaker unit
33 extends through the guide groove 201 after the speaker unit 33 is disposed, and
electrically connected to the connector 34a of the printed circuit board 100.
The flexible printed circuit board 303 and the buffer member 200 are
mounted to overlap, thereby allowing slimness of the portable terminal.
A plurality of structural parts 35 are mounted on the printed circuit board
100.
Here, the printed circuit board 100 and the liquid crystal display 32 are
arranged side by side on the co-planar surface, instead of stacking them, thereby
allowing the slimness of the portable terminal.
Hereinafter, a printed circuit board according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first housing of the
terminal has a keypad and a microphone unit arranged thereon, in which the
printed circuit board is arranged side by side with the keypad on the co-planar
surface. The microphone unit is disposed at a side of the keypad, while the
printed circuit board is arranged near a side of the keypad and electrically
connected to the microphone unit and the keypad.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to
certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.

WE CLAIM
1. A slim type portable terminal comprising a first housing on which a keypad
and a microphone unit are arranged, and a second housing comprising a
liquid crystal display unit (32) and a speaker unit (33), the portable
terminal comprising:
a printed circuit board (100) disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal display
unit (32) and arranged side by side with the liquid crystal display unit on a
co-planar surface; and
a buffer member (200) attached to an upper surface of the liquid crystal
display unit, through which a flexible printed circuit board provided to the
terminal extends.
2. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speaker
unit is disposed at a side of the liquid crystal display unit (32), the printed
circuit board (100), is disposed at another side of the liquid crystal display
and electrically connected to the liquid crystal display unit and the speaker
unit.
3. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of connectors and structural parts mounted on the printed circuit
board (100).

4. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer
member (200) is attached to an upper surface of the liquid crystal display
unit (32) by an adhesive means, and comprises a guide groove formed at
a center portion of the buffer member to allow the flexible printed circuit
board (303) to extend through the buffer member and electrically connect
to a connector of the printed circuit board.
5. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed
circuit board (100), length is shorter than the length of the liquid crystal
display unit (32).
6. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed
circuit board (100) is disposed adjacent to the keypad, and arranged side
by side with the keypad on the co-planar surface.
7. The slim type portable terminal as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
microphone unit is disposed at a side of the keypad, and the printed
circuit board (100) is disposed at another side of the keypad and
electrically connected to the keypad and the microphone unit.

Documents:

00868-kol-2006-abstract.pdf

00868-kol-2006-claims.pdf

00868-kol-2006-correspondence other.pdf

00868-kol-2006-description (complete).pdf

00868-kol-2006-drawings.pdf

00868-kol-2006-form-1.pdf

00868-kol-2006-form-2.pdf

00868-kol-2006-form-3.pdf

00868-kol-2006-form-5.pdf

00868-kol-2006-g.p.a.pdf

00868-kol-2006-priority document.pdf

868-KOL-2006-ABSTRACT.pdf

868-KOL-2006-CANCELLED DOCUMENT.pdf

868-kol-2006-claims 1.1.pdf

868-KOL-2006-CLAIMS.pdf

868-kol-2006-correspondence 1.1.pdf

868-kol-2006-correspondence-1.2.pdf

868-KOL-2006-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

868-KOL-2006-DESCRIPTION COMPLETE.pdf

868-KOL-2006-DRAWINGS.pdf

868-kol-2006-examination report.pdf

868-KOL-2006-FORM 1.pdf

868-kol-2006-form 18-1.1.pdf

868-KOL-2006-FORM 18.pdf

868-KOL-2006-FORM 2.pdf

868-kol-2006-form 3.pdf

868-kol-2006-form 5.pdf

868-KOL-2006-FORM-27.pdf

868-kol-2006-gpa.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-abstract.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-claims.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-description (complete).pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-drawings.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-form 1.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-form 2.pdf

868-kol-2006-granted-specification.pdf

868-kol-2006-others-1.1.pdf

868-KOL-2006-OTHERS.pdf

868-KOL-2006-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

868-kol-2006-reply to examination report-1.1.pdf

868-KOL-2006-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

868-KOL-2006-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT-1.1.pdf

868-KOL-2006-TRANSLATED COPY OF PRIORITY DOCUMENT.pdf

abstract-00868-kol-2006.jpg


Patent Number 247121
Indian Patent Application Number 868/KOL/2006
PG Journal Number 13/2011
Publication Date 01-Apr-2011
Grant Date 28-Mar-2011
Date of Filing 28-Aug-2006
Name of Patentee SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Applicant Address 416, MAETAN-DONG, YEONGTONG-GU, SUWON-SI, GYEONGGI-DO
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 SHIN-DONG RYU 207-703 SAMSUNG NAREUMAE APT., GAJANG-DONG, SEO-GU DAEJEON
2 HYUN-JAE KIM 111-1504, DAEWOO PRUGIO APT, GUPYEONG-DONG, GUMI-SI, GYEONGSANGBUK-DO
PCT International Classification Number H04B 1/38
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 30328/2006 2006-04-03 Republic of Korea