Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Jong-Myung Kim

Jae-Ik Jung

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for embodying mirror function in a portable terminal by which a user can use an LCD of the portable terminal as a mirror, with a rear polarizer of the LCD constructed to allow the LCD to reflect incident light and to perform as a mirror when powered off, and to perform the original function of LCD when powered on. The LCD may further comprise a front polarizer for polarizing the external incident light to a certain direction, a liquid crystal for deflecting the incident light from the front polarizer about a molecular axis in the liquid crystal and arraying the light parallel to the direction of an electric field to pass the light along the molecular axis, and a rear polarizer for reflecting incident light from the liquid crystal when power is not applied and allowing the incident light to pass by the liquid crystal when power is applied.

Apparatus and method for performing a mirror function in a portable terminal

A flip-up type mobile telephone terminal enables a user to answer an incoming call even without opening a flip. A speaker unit includes first and second speakers installed at front and rear sides of the flip, respectively, facing the opposite directions. The speaker unit further includes a partition intervening between the first and second speakers to prevent interference therebetween. A flip-open sensor senses an open state of the flip. A controller detects the open state of the flip through the flip-open sensor, and switches a voice output path to the first speaker when the flip is closed and to the second speaker when the flip is open. A microphone device is installed in a bottom of the body.

Flip-up type or folder type mobile telephone terminal which enables user to answer call without opening flip or folder

A portable telephone with an extendible antenna automatically switches an antenna mode according to a received signal strength. The portable telephone measures an RSSI value while a call is processed in an internal antenna mode where the antenna is retracted, to compare the measured RSSI value with a threshold value. If the RSSI value is lower than the threshold value, the antenna is extended, thereby switching the antenna mode to an external antenna mode. In the meantime, if the call is terminated, the antenna is retracted, switching the antenna mode back to the internal antenna mode.

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Kumi, South Korea

Jong-Myung Kim