Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrolling a display includes detecting contact relative to a touch pad having a plurality of regions which individually correspond to a plurality of different scrolling directions, and determining which region of the plurality of regions the contact is detected. If the contact is maintained for a first threshold time period, the method further includes scrolling an associated display in a direction corresponding to the previously determined region. Alternatively, scrolling a display includes receiving input responsive to contact relative to a plurality of regions of a touch pad, in which each of the plurality of regions individually correspond to a plurality of different scrolling directions, and scrolling an associated display in a direction corresponding to a scrolling direction associated with a last-contacted region of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: A mobile terminal comprising a case; a display within the case for displaying visual information; a sensing unit for detecting an object in proximity of the display, wherein the sensing unit comprises a proximity sensor having a plurality of light emitting devices and a light receiving device, wherein the sensing unit detects the object's location when light emitted by at least one of the light emitting devices is reflected by the object and enters the light receiving device, and wherein the sensing unit detects the object's movement pattern when lights emitted by at least one of the light emitting devices are sequentially reflected by the object and enter the light receiving device; and a controller for generating a signal corresponding to an input based on the object's detected location and movement pattern.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including an output unit configured to output sound, an equalizer configured to adjust parameters of the sound output by the output unit, a display unit including a touch screen and configured to display a Graphic User Interface (GUI) including a graphical guide that can be touched and moved to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit, and a controller configured to control the equalizer to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit in accordance with a shape of the graphical guide that is touched and moved.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for operating a touch keypad, the mobile terminal including a touch keypad, a touch sensor processor for sensing a signal inputted from a key selected by a user on the touch keypad and outputting location information corresponding to the selected key based upon the sensed signal, a Control Processor (CPU) for outputting at least one or more control signals based upon the outputted location information, and a light emitting diode controller for independently driving a light emitting diode corresponding to the selected key based upon the outputted control signals.

Abstract: A touch key assembly includes a cover having at least one touch key which is identified by an optically transmissive region of the cover. The cover is also shaped to define a push key opening. The assembly also includes a touch pad structured to operatively couple to the cover such that the touch pad is positioned relative to the touch key. A push key is positioned within the push key opening of the cover. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a first body structured to slideably engage a second body to permit opening and closing of the mobile terminal by relative sliding motion between the first body and the second body. The first body includes a plurality of distinct optically transmissive regions. A display is positioned relative to the first body at one of the distinct optically transmissive regions, and a keypad is positioned relative to the second body. The mobile terminal also includes a selection key for operatively coupling to an underlying touch pad, such that the selection key is identified by one of the distinct optically transmissive regions of the first body. The mobile terminal further includes back-lighted directional keys for operatively coupling to the underlying touch pad.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for operating a touch keypad, the mobile terminal including a touch keypad, a touch sensor processor for sensing a signal inputted from a key selected by a user on the touch keypad and outputting location information corresponding to the selected key based upon the sensed signal, a Control Processor (CPU) for outputting at least one or more control signals based upon the outputted location information, and a light emitting diode controller for independently driving a light emitting diode corresponding to the selected key based upon the outputted control signals.

Abstract: A mobile terminal comprising a case; a display within the case for displaying visual information; a sensing unit for detecting an object in proximity of the display, wherein the sensing unit comprises a proximity sensor having a plurality of light emitting devices and a light receiving device, wherein the sensing unit detects the object's location when light emitted by at least one of the light emitting devices is reflected by the object and enters the light receiving device, and wherein the sensing unit detects the object's movement pattern when lights emitted by at least one of the light emitting devices are sequentially reflected by the object and enter the light receiving device; and a controller for generating a signal corresponding to an input based on the object's detected location and movement pattern.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for operating a touch keypad, the mobile terminal including a touch keypad, a touch sensor for sensing a signal inputted from a key selected by a user on the touch keypad and outputting location information corresponding to the selected key based upon the sensed signal, a Control Processor (CPU) for outputting at least one or more control signals based upon the outputted location information, and a light emitting diode controller for independently driving a light emitting diode corresponding to the selected key based upon the outputted control signals.

Abstract: A touch key assembly is structured to operate with a cover having at least one touch key, which is defined by an optically transmissive region of the cover. A touch pad is coupled to the cover and is shaped to define at least one aperture which forms a light guide that is associated with the touch key. A light source is positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, and is further positioned relative to the light guide to provide light to the touch key. The assembly may also include an optical waveguide positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, the optical waveguide being structured to transmit light. A reflection element operatively associated with the bottom side of the optical waveguide may be used to enhance refection of the light. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: A mobile terminal including an output unit configured to output sound, an equalizer configured to adjust parameters of the sound output by the output unit, a display unit including a touch screen and configured to display a Graphic User Interface (GUI) including a graphical guide that can be touched and moved to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit, and a controller configured to control the equalizer to adjust the parameters of the sound output by the output unit in accordance with a shape of the graphical guide that is touched and moved.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a first body structured to slideably engage a second body to permit opening and closing of the mobile terminal by relative sliding motion between the first body and the second body. The first body includes a plurality of distinct optically transmissive regions. A display is positioned relative to the first body at one of the distinct optically transmissive regions, and a keypad is positioned relative to the second body. The mobile terminal also includes a selection key for operatively coupling to an underlying touch pad, such that the selection key is identified by one of the distinct optically transmissive regions of the first body. The mobile terminal further includes back-lighted directional keys for operatively coupling to the underlying touch pad.

Abstract: A touch key assembly includes a cover having at least one touch key which is identified by an optically transmissive region of the cover. The cover is also shaped to define a push key opening. The assembly also includes a touch pad structured to operatively couple to the cover such that the touch pad is positioned relative to the touch key. A push key is positioned within the push key opening of the cover. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scrolling a display includes detecting contact relative to a touch pad having a plurality of regions which individually correspond to a plurality of different scrolling directions, and determining which region of the plurality of regions the contact is detected. If the contact is maintained for a first threshold time period, the method further includes scrolling an associated display in a direction corresponding to the previously determined region. Alternatively, scrolling a display includes receiving input responsive to contact relative to a plurality of regions of a touch pad, in which each of the plurality of regions individually correspond to a plurality of different scrolling directions, and scrolling an associated display in a direction corresponding to a scrolling direction associated with a last-contacted region of the plurality of regions.

Abstract: A touch key assembly is structured to operate with a cover having at least one touch key, which is defined by an optically transmissive region of the cover. A touch pad is coupled to the cover and is shaped to define at least one aperture which forms a light guide that is associated with the touch key. A light source is positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, and is further positioned relative to the light guide to provide light to the touch key. The assembly may also include an optical waveguide positioned relative to the bottom side of the touch pad, the optical waveguide being structured to transmit light. A reflection element operatively associated with the bottom side of the optical waveguide may be used to enhance refection of the light. The touch key assembly may be implemented in a portable electronic device, such as a mobile terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA).