Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable terminal having a removable case is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units disposed in at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the portable terminal, a detecting unit for detecting that at least one of the front or rear surfaces of the portable terminal is proximate to a corresponding cover of the removable case and a controller for activating a display unit disposed in one of the front and rear surfaces of the portable terminal when proximity of a corresponding cover of the removable case to said one of the front and rear surface is not detected. Accordingly, a user's ability to shift between screens is more easily performed and may be performed without a separate key input.

Abstract: A swing-type mobile communication terminal and a swing device for the mobile terminal are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal includes a main body housing having a plurality of first keys on its top face and a swing housing having a display unit on its top face. A swing device connects the main body housing with the swing housing so that the swing housing moves along a predetermined path while facing the main body housing to perform a first swing and a second, successive swing. After the first swing, the swing housing is positioned together with the main body housing in the shape of and covers an upper portion of the main body housing. After performing the second swing, the swing housing is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main body housing.

Abstract: A sliding-type portable communication terminal and a semi-automatic sliding device for the portable communication terminal are provided. The portable terminal has a body housing, a sliding housing sliding on the body housing, and a sliding device for semi-automatically moving the sliding housing with respect to the body housing. The sliding device includes a first member, a second member moving in a desired direction with respect to the first member while facing the first member, and an elastic body coupled between the first and second members. The elastic member functions as a semi-automatic driving source for driving the second member in the desired direction.

Abstract: A portable terminal with a cradle is provided. The cradle includes a base unit, a cradling unit assembled to one face of the base unit and rotatable about a rotary axis extending perpendicularly to the one face of the base unit, and at least one cover member pivotally connected to the base unit. If the housing of the terminal is mounted on the cradling unit and rotated together with the cradling unit, the front and rear faces of the housing are reversed. The cradle configured in this manner is advantageous in that its cover member can protect the housing of the terminal and improve structural stability of the slim terminal. In addition, because the cover is used as a support in the extended state, a display device can be variously oriented, so that a user can conveniently use a multimedia service such as a broadcast.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for connecting a first housing and a second housing of a portable terminal is provided. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing and a damping member. The hinge housing is connected to the second housing and has an internal wall formed with one or more guide grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the hinge housing. The damping member is rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotates as the second housing rotates. The damping member has one or more frictional projections. In a first section corresponding to the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the frictional projections contact the internal wall of the hinge housing. Similarly, in another section corresponding to the position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the frictional projections also contact the internal wall of the hinge housing.

Abstract: A key input apparatus and method for a portable terminal including a plurality of display units are provided. The apparatus and method include a detachable case detachably assembled with the portable terminal, an external key input unit connected to the detachable case and a control unit performing a control operation so that key input is received through the external key input unit when it has been detected that the detachable case is connected. The apparatus and method provide a dual-sided portable terminal having greater convenience when using input keys and better protection from the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the operation of a portable terminal having a removable case is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units disposed in at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the portable terminal, a detecting unit for detecting that at least one of the front or rear surfaces of the portable terminal is proximate to a corresponding cover of the removable case and a controller for activating a display unit disposed in one of the front and rear surfaces of the portable terminal when proximity of a corresponding cover of the removable case to said one of the front and rear surface is not detected. Accordingly, a user's ability to shift between screens is more easily performed and may be performed without a separate key input.

Abstract: A portable terminal with a cradle is provided. The cradle includes a base unit, a cradling unit assembled to one face of the base unit and rotatable about a rotary axis extending perpendicularly to the one face of the base unit, and at least one cover member pivotally connected to the base unit. If the housing of the terminal is mounted on the cradling unit and rotated together with the cradling unit, the front and rear faces of the housing are reversed. The cradle configured in this manner is advantageous in that its cover member can protect the housing of the terminal and improve structural stability of the slim terminal. In addition, because the cover is used as a support in the extended state, a display device can be variously oriented, so that a user can conveniently use a multimedia service such as a broadcast.

Abstract: A mobile phone having many key pads slidingly moving and rotating to open/close is provided. The mobile phone includes a first housing having a liquid crystal display, a second housing having a first key pad and rotating the first housing about a first hinge axis while confronting the first housing, and a third housing having second and third key pads, slidingly moving while confronting the lower portion of the second housing, and rotating about a second hinge axis, thereby arranging the first, second, and third key pads parallel with each other.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for connecting a first housing and a second housing of a portable terminal is provided. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing and a damping member. The hinge housing is connected to the second housing and has an internal wall formed with one or more guide grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the hinge housing. The damping member is rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotates as the second housing rotates. The damping member has one or more frictional projections. In a first section corresponding to the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the frictional projections contact the internal wall of the hinge housing. Similarly, in another section corresponding to the position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the frictional projections also contact the internal wall of the hinge housing.

Abstract: A sliding-type portable communication terminal and a semi-automatic sliding device for the portable communication terminal are provided. The portable terminal has a body housing, a sliding housing sliding on the body housing, and a sliding device for semi-automatically moving the sliding housing with respect to the body housing. The sliding device includes a first member, a second member moving in a desired direction with respect to the first member while facing the first member, and an elastic body coupled between the first and second members. The elastic member functions as a semi-automatic driving source for driving the second member in the desired direction.

Abstract: A swing-type mobile communication terminal and a swing device for the mobile terminal are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal includes a main body housing having a plurality of first keys on its top face and a swing housing having a display unit on its top face. A swing device connects the main body housing with the swing housing so that the swing housing moves along a predetermined path while facing the main body housing to perform a first swing and a second, successive swing. After the first swing, the swing housing is positioned together with the main body housing in the shape of “” and covers an upper portion of the main body housing. After performing the second swing, the swing housing is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the main body housing.

Abstract: Provided is a dual axis rotation type portable communication terminal including a main housing having at least one key and a rotatable housing having at least one display device, the rotatable housing being connected to the main housing so as to rotate about a first hinge axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the main housing so that the rotatable housing is cradled on the main housing at an angle, the rotatable housing being adapted to rotate about a second hinge axis extending parallel to the first hinge axis so that the rotatable housing is cradled on the main housing at an angle in at least two different positions relative to the main housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for outputting digital broadcast data in a digital broadcast reception device, which includes setting at least two preferred channels in each of at least one broadcast reception mode; detecting when a request for outputting broadcast programs of the preferred channels is input by a user during the output of a digital broadcast program currently received in a specific broadcast reception mode, and outputting the current digital broadcast program to a main screen; generating sub-screens in a number corresponding to the number of the broadcast reception mode or modes in which the preferred channels have been set; receiving digital broadcast programs of the preferred channels set in each broadcast reception mode; and outputting the received digital broadcast programs to the corresponding sub-screens. The method enables the user to view digital broadcast programs of preferred channels while viewing a specific digital broadcast program.