Mobile terminal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016147262-A1
Application number	US-201314902441-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 5, 2013
Priority date	Jul 2, 2013
Publication date	May 26, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

There is disclosed a mobile terminal including a body comprising a predetermined flexible portion, a display provided in the body to output image information and to receive an input touch gesture, a plurality of actuators provided in the body to change a shape of the body, and a controller controls the actuators in accordance with an operation condition set corresponding to the event, when an event is generated, wherein the operation condition comprises at least one of a driving actuator of which a shape is changed, a shape-variation level of the driving actuator, a shape-variation speed of the driving actuator and a shape-variation frequency of the driving actuator. The body of the mobile terminal includes the actuator to change the shape of the mobile terminal. Accordingly, the user can be informed of a message by the shape variation of the mobile terminal, such that use convenience may be enhanced.

First claim

1 . A mobile terminal comprising:
a body comprising a predetermined flexible portion; a display provided in the body to output image information and to receive an input touch gesture; a plurality of actuators provided in the body to change a shape of the body; and a controller configured to control the actuators in accordance with an operation condition set corresponding to the event, when an event is generated, wherein the operation condition comprises at least one of a driving actuator of which a shape is changed, a shape-variation level of the driving actuator, a shape-variation speed of the driving actuator and a shape-variation frequency of the driving actuator.

2 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the actuators transform at least one of four corners and four sides in the mobile terminal.

3 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the controller provides a setting menu configured to set the operation condition of the actuators corresponding to the event.

4 . The mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the controller controls the display to output a message window for entering into the setting menu or a screen of the setting menu, when an event without the operation condition is generated.

5 . The mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting menu comprises a first graphic user interface configured to select the event.

6 . The mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting menu comprises a second graphic user interface representing the mobile terminal and the actuators, and
the controller selects the driving actuator when a touch gesture is input to at least one of the actuators displayed on the second graphic user interface (GUI).

7 . The mobile terminal according to claim 6 , wherein the controller changes a shape of the second graphic user interface (GUI) in accordance with a length of a drag gesture, when the drag gesture is input to the actuator selected from the second graphic user interface (GUI), and
the controller sets the shape-variation level of the driving actuator in accordance with a shape-variation level of the second graphic user interface (GUI).

8 . The mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting menu provides a third graphic user interface configured to set at least one of the angle of the driving actuator changed with respect to the body of the mobile terminal, the shape-variation speed of the driving actuator, the shape-variation frequency of the driving actuator numerically.

9 . The mobile terminal according to claim 3 , wherein the setting menu provides a third user interface configured to set a plurality of scenes implemented continuously, and
an operation condition is set for each of the scenes.

10 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein in case a shape-variation speed of the driving actuator is relatively fast and a shape-variation frequency of the driving actuator is relatively high, the controller provides sounds or vibration by controlling the actuator in accordance with the operation condition when the event is generated.

11 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the shape of the actuator is changeable by an external force, and
the controller sets the shape-variation level of the actuator as the operation condition, when the shape of the actuator is changed within a reference time period after the event is generated.

12 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of temperature sensors, wherein the event is temperature change detected by the temperature sensors, and the controller controls an actuator placed near the temperature sensor which detects a temperature within a range of human temperatures when the event is generated.

13 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of proximity sensors, wherein the event is detecting of an object approaching the proximity sensor, and the controller controls the actuator to be projected toward the object or to cover the object, when the event is generated.

14 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the display displays a plurality of fourth user interfaces configured to implement applications, and
the controller changes a shape of an actuator near a fourth user interface of an application associated with the event.

15 . The mobile terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the event comprises at least one of message receiving, call receiving, application update, battery recharging and sensor and sensor detecting.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Lee Minheui

Classifications

• G06F3/04847

  Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials · CPC title

• G06F3/0482

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G06F1/1652 Primary

  the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable · CPC title

• H04B1/38 Primary

  Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving · CPC title

• G06F3/01

  Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) · CPC title