Separable mobile terminal and method of operation

A method of executing interworking between a main module and a user module in a mobile terminal, the main module and the user module being separable from each other, the main module to execute principal functions to drive the mobile terminal, and the user module to transmit and receive at least one of visual and aural signals, the method comprising:

• determining a connection state between the main module and the user module;
• determining whether the interworking between the main module and the user module is required, depending on an operation request input by a user;
• and
• determining, by a control unit of at least one of the main module and the user module, whether to execute the interworking between the main module and the user module depending on the connection state and the determination as to the requirement of the interworking, and
• wherein, when the main module and the user module are connected, the control unit limits charging of each battery of the main module and the user module based on at least one predetermined condition, to reduce heat in the mobile terminal.

A mobile device, comprising:

• a main module including a battery to power the main module and a first connector;
• and
• a user module including a battery to power the user module and a second connector to connect to the first connector,
• wherein the user module includes hardware components to receive as input and to output at least one of audio and visual signals from/to a user, and
• the main module includes hardware components to receive, process, and store data
• at least one of the main module and the user module including a controller to control operation of the main module and the user module based on received commands, and
• wherein, when connected, the controller limits charging of each battery of the main module and the user module based on at least one predetermined condition, to reduce heat in the mobile device.

A method of charging a first and second battery, the method comprising:

• measuring a ratio of power of a first battery to power of a second battery;
• comparing, by a control unit of at least one of the main module and the user module, the measured ratio to a predetermined threshold ratio;
• and
• charging one of the first and second battery with the other of the first and second battery based on an outcome of the comparison when the ratio of the power of the first battery to the power of the second battery is within a predetermined permissible range (pr) (%) of the predetermined threshold ratio to extend the range of the predetermined threshold ratio, and
• wherein, when connected, the control unit limits charging of each battery of the main module and the user module based on at least one predetermined condition, to reduce heat.

A method of charging a first and second battery, the method comprising:

• comparing a number of charging operations performed between a first battery and a second battery within a predetermined time period to a predetermined number;
• measuring a ratio of power of a first battery to power of a second battery;
• comparing, by a control unit of at least one of the main module and the user module, the measured ratio to a predetermined threshold ratio;
• and
• performing a charging operation between the first battery and the second battery when the number of charging operations performed is less than the predetermined number and the ratio of the power of the first battery to the power of the second battery is within a predetermined permissible range (pr) (%) of the predetermined threshold ratio to prevent heat generation and power loss and to extend the range of the predetermined threshold ratio, and
• wherein, when connected, the control unit limits charging of each battery of the main module and the user module based on at least one predetermined condition, to reduce heat.

A method of operating a mobile device including a user interface portion having a first battery, and a support portion having a second battery, the user interface portion being separable from the support portion, the method comprising:

• receiving a command from a user via the user interface portion;
• determining whether an operation corresponding to the command requires use of the support portion;
• if the operation does not require use of the support portion, executing the command with only the user interface portion,
• one of the support portion and the user interface portion including a controller to control a transfer of power between the second battery and the first battery based on comparing a threshold power ratio to a measured power ratio, and
• wherein, when connected, the controller limits charging of each battery of the main module and the user module based on at least one predetermined condition, to reduce heat in the mobile device.