Portable electronic device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a portable electronic device capable of increasing audio performance by enabling sound outputted through a first side part of a first body to be directly transmitted to a user by being reflected by the front surface of a second body.

Description

portable electronic devices

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable electronic device capable of increasing audio performance through the arrangement structure of a speaker module.

[0002] Portable electronic devices are becoming increasingly common in modern society due to their convenience, allowing anyone to easily carry them and use them freely anywhere. Their diverse range of devices is also expanding. These devices can include portable computers, including laptop PCs, palmtop PCs, and PDAs; mobile communication devices; game consoles; and audio or video players (MP3 players, portable media players (PMPs)).

[0003] These portable electronic devices may be equipped with a display device to provide visual information or various user interfaces. If multimedia functionality is the primary function, the display size can be maximized and user input can be received using a keypad or interface displayed on the display. For applications requiring input functionality, such as document creation, a separate user input unit can be provided to enhance user convenience.

[0004] As the functions of portable electronic devices diversify and their frequency of use increases, foldable electronic devices, which can be folded to expand the actual usable area within a limited size, are being widely used.

[0005] A representative example is a portable computer called a notebook or laptop, and other electronic devices with displays on both sides are also commercially available and in use.

[0006] It is classified as a foldable or clamshell type that has two bodies and folds for carrying and unfolds for use, and the angle of the two bodies can be freely adjusted through the hinge.

[0007] Additionally, portable electronic devices are equipped with speaker modules that convert electrical acoustic signals into sound waves and output them. Depending on the output frequency, these can be further categorized into tweeters, woofers, and midrange speakers.

[0008] In particular, audio performance in portable electronic devices has become increasingly important. Therefore, extensive research is being conducted on portable electronic devices that can enhance audio performance to meet user needs and deliver high-quality sound.

[0009] The present invention provides a portable electronic device, and more specifically, it aims to provide a portable electronic device in which sound output through a first side portion of a first body is reflected on the front of a second body and directly transmitted to a user.

[0010] In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable electronic device capable of outputting sound through a second side portion of a first body and transmitting vibration toward an upper surface of the first body through a passive radiator.

[0011] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0012] A portable electronic device is provided, comprising: a first body having a hinge axis positioned in a first direction at an end portion and including a first side portion; and a second body having one side rotatably coupled about the hinge axis and a first side switchable between a closed state covering an upper surface of the first body and the first side portion and an open state spaced apart from the upper surface of the first body and the first side portion, wherein the first body includes a first sound output hole formed in the first side portion; and a first speaker module positioned inside and outputting sound through the first sound output hole, wherein sound output through the first sound output hole is reflected on one side of the first surface when the second body is in an open state.

[0013] The first speaker module may include a first speaker that outputs sound; a first bracket on which the first speaker is mounted; and a first sound passage arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, one end of which is connected to the first bracket and the other end of which is connected to the first sound output hole.

[0014] The first speaker may include a tweeter that generates sound in the high-pitched range.

[0015] The second body may include a fixed cover that covers the perimeter of the display located on the first surface and is coupled to the hinge axis.

[0016] The first body may include a keypad cover coupled to the upper surface, and the keypad cover may include a second sound output hole formed at a position corresponding to the first speaker.

[0017] The first body may include a second side portion adjacent to the first side portion; a third sound output hole formed at a lower portion of the second side portion; and a second speaker module located inside and outputting sound through the third sound output hole.

[0018] The second speaker module may include a second speaker that outputs sound; and a second bracket on which the second speaker is mounted.

[0019] The second speaker may include a woofer that generates sound in the low-frequency range.

[0020] The second speaker module may include a passive radiator coupled to an upper portion of the second bracket.

[0021] The above passive radiator can transmit vibrations toward the upper surface of the first body in conjunction with the second speaker.

[0022] The above first body may include a palm rest cover that is spaced apart from the passive radiator and is coupled to the upper surface.

[0023] The above palm rest cover may include an adhesive material applied in a rim shape along the lower perimeter.

[0024] In a portable electronic device according to the present invention, sound output through the first side of the first body can be reflected on the front of the second body and directly transmitted to the user.

[0025] Additionally, sound can be output through the second side of the first body and vibrations can be transmitted toward the upper surface of the first body through the passive radiator.

[0026] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a closed state of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a first body of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a first sound output hole formed on a first side portion of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 3.

[0033] Figure 7 is a drawing illustrating area B of Figure 3.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a second sound output hole formed in a keypad cover in a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view CC of Figure 3.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a palm rest cover of a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0038] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0039] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0040] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0042] Portable electronic devices described herein may include mobile phones, smart phones, laptop computers, digital broadcasting terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigation devices, slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultrabooks, and the like.

[0043] Figure 1 is a block diagram for explaining a portable electronic device (100) related to the present invention.

[0044] The above portable electronic device (100) may include a wireless communication unit (110), an input unit (120), a sensing unit (140), an output unit (150), an interface unit (160), a memory (170), a control unit (180), and a power supply unit (190). The components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not essential for implementing the portable electronic device (100), and thus the portable electronic device (100) described in this specification may have more or fewer components than the components listed above.

[0045] More specifically, among the above components, the wireless communication unit (110) may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the portable electronic device (100) and a wireless communication system, between the portable electronic device (100) and another portable electronic device (100), or between the portable electronic device (100) and an external server. In addition, the wireless communication unit (110) may include one or more modules that connect the portable electronic device (100) to one or more networks.

[0046] This wireless communication unit (110) may include at least one of a broadcast reception module (111), a mobile communication module (112), a wireless Internet module (113), a short-range communication module (114), and a location information module (115).

[0047] The input unit (120) may include a camera (121) or a video input unit for inputting a video signal, a microphone (122) or an audio input unit for inputting an audio signal, and a user input unit (123, for example, a touch key, a mechanical key, etc.) for receiving information from a user. Voice data or image data collected by the input unit (120) may be analyzed and processed into a user's control command.

[0048] The sensing unit (140) may include one or more sensors for sensing at least one of information within the portable electronic device, information about the surrounding environment surrounding the portable electronic device, and user information. For example, the sensing unit (140) may include at least one of a proximity sensor (141), an illumination sensor (142), a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared sensor (IR sensor), a fingerprint recognition sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., a camera (see 121)), a microphone (see 122), a battery gauge, an environmental sensor (e.g., a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a heat detection sensor, a gas detection sensor, etc.), and a chemical sensor (e.g., an electronic nose, a healthcare sensor, a biometric recognition sensor, etc.). Meanwhile, the portable electronic device disclosed in the present specification may utilize information sensed by at least two or more of these sensors in combination.

[0049] The output unit (150) is for generating output related to visual, auditory, or tactile sensations, and may include at least one of a display unit (151), an audio output unit (152), a haptic module (153), and an optical output unit (154). The display unit (151) may be formed as a layer structure with a touch sensor or formed as an integral part, thereby implementing a touch screen. This touch screen may function as a user input unit (123) that provides an input interface between the portable electronic device (100) and the user, and at the same time, may provide an output interface between the portable electronic device (100) and the user.

[0050] The interface unit (160) serves as a passageway for various types of external devices connected to the portable electronic device (100). In the portable electronic device (100), the interface unit (160) can perform appropriate control related to the connected external device in response to the external device being connected to the interface unit (160).

[0051] In addition, the memory (170) stores data that supports various functions of the portable electronic device (100). The memory (170) can store a plurality of application programs (or applications) that run on the portable electronic device (100), data for the operation of the portable electronic device (100), and commands. At least some of these application programs can be downloaded from an external server via wireless communication. In addition, at least some of these application programs can exist on the portable electronic device (100) from the time of shipment for the basic functions of the portable electronic device (100) (e.g., call receiving and sending functions, message receiving and sending functions). Meanwhile, the application programs can be stored in the memory (170), installed on the portable electronic device (100), and driven by the control unit (180) to perform the operations (or functions) of the portable electronic device.

[0052] In addition to the operations related to the above-mentioned application program, the control unit (180) typically controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device (100). The control unit (180) can provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the components discussed above or by operating an application program stored in the memory (170).

[0053] In addition, the control unit (180) can control at least some of the components discussed with reference to FIG. 1 to drive an application program stored in the memory (170). Furthermore, the control unit (180) can operate at least two or more of the components included in the portable electronic device (100) in combination to drive the application program.

[0054] The power supply unit (190) receives external power and internal power under the control of the control unit (180) and supplies power to each component included in the portable electronic device (100). The power supply unit (190) includes a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

[0055] At least some of the above components may cooperate with each other to implement the operation, control, or control method of the portable electronic device according to the various embodiments described below. In addition, the operation, control, or control method of the portable electronic device may be implemented on the portable electronic device by driving at least one application program stored in the memory (170).

[0056] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a closed state of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an open state of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. And Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining a first body (101) of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Hereinafter, in describing a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the forward and backward directions will be described based on the x-axis direction, the left and right directions will be described based on the y-axis direction, and the up and down directions will be described based on the z-axis direction.

[0058] A portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be composed of a pair of bodies (101, 102). Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 together, a hinge axis (1011) may be positioned at an end of the first body (101) in a first direction (y-axis direction). In addition, a second body (102) may be rotatably coupled at one side about the hinge axis (1011). That is, the second body (102) may include a fixed cover (1021) that covers the periphery of a display (151) positioned on the first surface and is coupled to the hinge axis (1011). Here, the hinge axis (1011) may play a role of varying the angle between the first body (101) and the second body (102).

[0059] Accordingly, a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be switched from a closed state in which a second body (102) is arranged to overlap the upper surface of a first body (101) as shown in FIG. 2 to an open state in which the angle between the first body (101) and the second body (102) widens as shown in FIG. 3.

[0060] Here, the unfolded state is a state in which the portable electronic device (100) of the present invention is used, and the angle of the second body (102) can be fixed to an angle desired by the user so that the first surface where the display (151) of the second body (102) is located is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the user's line of sight.

[0061] The first body (101) is used by placing it on a surface, so the surface where the first body (101) and the second body (102) overlap when closed can be defined as the upper surface, and the surface opposite to that, which is placed on the floor, can be defined as the lower surface. In addition, the second body (102) rotates and the upper and lower positions change, so the surface overlapping the first body (101) can be defined as the first surface, and the surface opposite to that can be defined as the second surface.

[0062] The first body (101) may include a main board and an electronic chip such as a CPU mounted on the main board as a control unit (180), and may include an input device (123) described above through FIG. 1 on the upper surface. The input device (123) may include a keypad having a plurality of keys and a touchpad for touch input. In addition to the keypad, a power button, a volume button, a reset button, etc. may be additionally provided on the upper surface, side surface, or lower surface of the first body (101).

[0063] And as shown in Fig. 2, an interface unit (161) that can supply power or transmit and receive data by connecting to an external device, such as a power input terminal, an HDMI cable terminal, a USB port, and an ear jack, can be placed on the side of the first body (101).

[0064] The second body (102) may include a display (151). The display (151) may be implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3D display, or the like.

[0065] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a first sound output hole (1012) formed in a first side portion (101a) of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating area B of FIG. 3. And FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a second sound output hole (1014a) formed in a keypad cover (1014) of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] In a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first body (101) may include a first side portion (101a). A first sound output hole (1012) may be formed in the first side portion (101a). In addition, a first speaker module (1013) may be positioned inside the first body (101), and the first speaker module (1013) may output sound through the first sound output hole (1012).

[0067] Here, the first speaker module (1013) may include a first speaker (1013a) that outputs sound and a first bracket (1013b) on which the first speaker (1013a) is mounted. In addition, the first speaker module (1013) may include a first sound passage (1013c) that is arranged in a second direction (x-axis direction) perpendicular to the first direction (y-axis direction) and has one end connected to the first bracket (1013b) and the other end connected to the first sound output hole (1012). In particular, the first speaker (1013a) may include a tweeter that generates sound in a high-pitched range.

[0068] In particular, a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can cause a sound output through a first sound output hole (1012) to be reflected on one side of the first surface of the second body (102) when the second body (102) is open. This is because the sound in the high-pitched range has strong straightness, so it can be reflected on one side of the first surface of the second body (102) and the fixed cover (1021) of the second body (102), and can be directly transmitted to the user through this.

[0069] Accordingly, the user can feel as if the sound is coming from the screen of the display (151) by being linked to the display (151) located on the first side of the second body (102). This can have the effect of improving the user's immersion.

[0070] In addition, in a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the first body (101) may include a keypad cover (1014) coupled to the upper surface. FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating area B of FIG. 3, where (a) of FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the upper surface of the first body (101) before the keypad cover (1014) is coupled, and (b) of FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating the upper surface of the first body (101) to which the keypad cover (1014) is coupled.

[0071] Here, in a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the keypad cover (1014) may include a second sound output hole (1014a) formed at a position corresponding to the first speaker (1013a) as illustrated in FIG. 8.

[0072] Accordingly, the sound output through the first speaker (1013a) can be directly transmitted to the user by being reflected on one side of the first surface of the second body (102) through the first sound output hole (1012) as described above, and can additionally be directly transmitted to the user through the second sound output hole (1014a).

[0073] That is, the portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve audio performance by outputting high-pitched sounds that are directly transmitted to the user through the first sound output hole (1012) and the second sound output hole (1014a), thereby allowing the user to hear the sounds more richly.

[0074] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC of Fig. 3. And Fig. 10 is a drawing illustrating a palm rest cover (1017) of a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8 described above, in a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, a first body (101) may include a first side portion (101a) and a second side portion (101b) adjacent thereto. In addition, a third sound output hole (1015) may be formed at a lower portion of the second side portion (101b). In addition, the first body (101) may include a second speaker module (1016) positioned therein and outputting sound through the third sound output hole (1015).

[0076] Here, the second speaker module (1016) may include a second speaker (1016a) that outputs sound and a second bracket (1016b) on which the second speaker (1016a) is mounted. In particular, the second speaker (1016a) may include a woofer that generates sound in the low-pitched range.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 together, the third sound output hole (1015) formed at the lower portion of the second side portion (101b) may include a slit shape formed in the x-axis direction. In addition, through this slit-shaped third sound output hole (1015), the sound of the low-pitched range generated from the second speaker (1016a) can be output in both directions in the y-axis direction.

[0078] In addition, in a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second speaker module (1016) may include a passive radiator (1016c) coupled to the upper portion of the second bracket (1016b). The passive radiator (1016c) may transmit vibrations toward the upper surface of the first body (101) in conjunction with the second speaker (1016a). In addition, the first body (101) may include a palm rest cover (1017) coupled to the upper surface and spaced apart from the passive radiator (1016c).

[0079] The palm rest cover (1017) can be positioned so that the user's wrist area is positioned when the first body (101) and the second body (102) are open, as illustrated in FIG. 3. That is, the portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention transmits the vibration of the passive radiator (1016c) to the user's wrist area positioned on the palm rest cover (1017), thereby allowing the user to feel that the low-pitched sound has increased.

[0080] Accordingly, a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can output low-frequency sounds through a third sound output hole (1015) formed in a second side portion (101b) of a first body (101), and additionally transmit vibrations to a user through a passive radiator (1016c), thereby improving audio performance.

[0081] In particular, a portable electronic device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an adhesive member (1018) applied in a rim shape along the lower periphery of a palm rest cover (1017) to form a sealed space for enhancing the vibration transmission effect of a passive radiator (1016c). Accordingly, the passive radiator (1016c) and the palm rest cover (1017) are bonded through the adhesive member (1018), and the internal space is sealed, thereby effectively transmitting the vibration of the passive radiator (1016c) to the palm rest cover (1017).

[0082] In summary, the portable electronic device according to the present invention can directly transmit sound output through the first side of the first body to the user by reflecting it on the front of the second body. Furthermore, the device can output sound through the second side of the first body and transmit vibrations toward the upper surface of the first body through a passive radiator.

[0083] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first body having a hinge axis positioned in a first direction at a first end and including a first side portion; and A second body is included, wherein one side is rotatably coupled about the hinge axis and the first side is switchable between a closed state covering the upper surface of the first body and the first side, and an open state spaced from the upper surface of the first body and the first side. The above first body, A first sound output hole formed on the first side surface; and It includes a first speaker module located inside and outputting sound through the first sound output hole, The sound output through the first sound output hole is A portable electronic device characterized in that the second body is reflected on one side of the first surface when the second body is open.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first speaker module, A first speaker that outputs sound; a first bracket on which the first speaker is mounted; and A portable electronic device characterized by including a first sound passage arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, one end connected to the first bracket, and the other end connected to the first sound output hole.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first speaker, A portable electronic device characterized by including a tweeter for generating high-frequency sounds.

4. In paragraph 1, The above second body, A portable electronic device characterized by including a fixed cover covering the periphery of the display located on the first surface and coupled with the hinge axis.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first body, Including a keypad cover coupled to the upper surface, The above keypad cover, A portable electronic device characterized by including a second sound output hole formed at a position corresponding to the first speaker.

6. In paragraph 1, The above first body, A second side portion adjacent to the first side portion; A third sound output hole formed at the lower portion of the second side portion; and A portable electronic device characterized by including a second speaker module located inside and outputting sound through the third sound output hole.

7. In paragraph 6, The second speaker module is, a second speaker for outputting sound; and A portable electronic device characterized by including a second bracket on which the second speaker is mounted.

8. In paragraph 7, The second speaker above, A portable electronic device characterized by including a woofer that generates sound in the low-frequency range.

9. In paragraph 7, The above second speaker module, A portable electronic device characterized by comprising a passive radiator coupled to an upper portion of the second bracket.

10. In paragraph 9, The above passive radiator, A portable electronic device characterized in that it transmits vibration toward the upper surface of the first body in conjunction with the second speaker.

11. In paragraph 10, The above first body, A portable electronic device characterized by including a palm rest cover coupled to the upper surface and spaced apart from the passive radiator.

12. In paragraph 11, A portable electronic device characterized by including an adhesive material applied in a rim shape along the lower perimeter of the palm rest cover.

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