Automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal, method of automatically driving sliding-type mobile communication terminal, and method of detecting incoming call to sliding-type mobile communication terminal

Abstract

An automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal comprising a motor, a pair of engaging members, which are selectively engageable with each other, and position detecting means so that a first terminal body and a second terminal body are smoothly slid relative to each other in an automatic/semi-automatic mode or an automatic/manual mode, a method of automatically driving an automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal, and a method of detecting an incoming call to an automatic sliding-type mobile communication terminal.

1 . A method of automatically driving a sliding-type mobile communication terminal having a first terminal body and a second terminal body, the first terminal body and the second terminal body being automatically slid relative to each other while one of the first terminal body and the second terminal body is laid on the top of the other, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) applying a drive signal to a driving control unit;    (b) detecting an initial position of a position detecting target by means of at least two detecting means spaced apart from each other by the moving distance of the first terminal body to determine the rotating direction of a driving motor, and applying a drive signal having the determined rotating direction to the driving motor; and    (c) applying a drive-stop signal to the driving motor when one of the at least two detecting means detects the position detecting target within a prescribed period of time.    
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) applying a drive signal having the direction opposite to the rotating direction to the driving motor when the position detecting target is not detected by means of the at least two detecting means for a prescribed period of time, and performing the Step (c) again.    
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the drive signal at the Step (a) is generated through the operation of an opening/closing operation switch attached to the first terminal body or the second terminal body.  
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the drive signal at the Step (a) is generated through the detection of the positional offset of the position detecting target by the position detection means.  
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the position detecting target and the at least two detecting means are attached at a position where the first terminal body and the second terminal body are overlapped when the second terminal body is fully exposed or fully covered.  
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the position detecting target is a magnet, and the at least two detecting means are non-contact sensors for detecting a magnetic force of the magnet.  
   
   
       7 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the position detecting target is a protrusion formed at one side of the first terminal body or the second terminal body, and the at least two detecting means are thin domed switches formed at one side of the second terminal body or the first terminal body, the domed switches corresponding to the protrusion.  
   
   
       8 . A method of automatically driving a sliding-type mobile communication terminal having a first terminal body and a second terminal body, the first terminal body and the second terminal body being automatically slid relative to each other while one of the first terminal body and the second terminal body is laid on the top of the other, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) applying a drive signal to a driving control unit;    (b) detecting an initial position of the first terminal body to determine the rotating direction of a driving motor, and applying a drive signal having the determined rotating direction to the driving motor; and    (c) applying a drive-stop signal to the driving motor when the prescribed number of in-phase signals is detected by means of position detecting means for detecting the rotation of a hinge shaft.    
   
   
       9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising the step of: 
 (d) automatically returning the first terminal body to the original position when the second terminal body is not fully exposed or fully covered after the drive-stop signal is applied to the driving motor.    
   
   
       10 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the drive signal at the Step (a) is generated through the operation of an opening/closing operation switch attached to the first terminal body or the second terminal body.  
   
   
       11 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the position detecting means at the Step (c) is a contact sensor for detecting the rotation of a prescribed part of the hinge shaft at a prescribed angle from the motor securely fixed to the second terminal body.  
   
   
       12 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the position detecting means at the Step (c) is a non-contact sensor for detecting the rotation of a prescribed part of the hinge shaft at a prescribed angle from the motor securely fixed to the second terminal body.