HK1060469B

HK1060469B - Portable communication device

Info

Publication number: HK1060469B
Application number: HK04103336.3A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 松本充善
Original assignee: 日本电气株式会社
Priority date: 2002-06-11
Filing date: 2004-05-12
Publication date: 2006-08-04

Description

Portable communication device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus for performing a conversation and transmitting/receiving data, and more particularly, to a portable communication apparatus equipped with a camera for photographing an object.

Background

The use of portable communication devices such as cellular phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants) has gained popularity. Due to the advancement of multiple functions, cellular phones, for example, generally have functions of transmitting/receiving text/image data, taking pictures, and the like in addition to a call function. Such cellular phones are equipped with a display for displaying text/image data and pictures.

An example of a conventional cellular phone having a CCD (charge coupled device) camera and an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like for displaying a picture taken by the camera is described in japanese patent application laid-open No. hei 6-292195.

In a conventional cellular phone, the objective lens of the camera is placed close to the display in a common plane with the LCD. With this structure, the user can transmit a picture taken with the camera to her/his partner, and can view an image received from the partner while a conversation is being conducted. That is, a cellular phone may be used as a television phone.

Fig. 1 shows an oblique perspective view of a conventional cellular phone. Referring to fig. 1, a conventional cellular phone includes a main body 103, a cover 104, a display portion 111 having an LCD, a camera portion 112 for taking a picture of the user himself, and an operation portion 113 including several operation keys and buttons. The cover 104 is substantially the same size as the body 103. The cover 104 is connected to the main body 103 so as to be foldable like a double shell by a rotation supporting mechanism that supports the cover 104 for rotatable movement. In this structure, the operation portion 113 is generally provided on the main body 103, and the display portion 111 is provided on the cover 104, because the user holds the main body 103 while using the cellular phone.

The body 103 and the cover 104 have an inner surface, respectively, which is not exposed when the body and the cover 104 are folded. As shown in fig. 1, the display section 111, the camera section 112, and the operation section 113 are arranged on the inner surface. The cellular telephone folds into a compact form when carried or not in use. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent damage to the surface of the LCD and erroneous operation of the operation keys, thereby achieving excellent portability.

Incidentally, a cellular phone having a camera as described above is required for taking various scenes and objects where a user walks by utilizing its portability, and for example, sending a moving picture on the camera in real time.

However, there are some problems in the conventional cellular phone. As shown in fig. 1, the camera portion 112 of the conventional cellular phone is arranged at a position close to the display portion 111 in a common plane with the LCD. Therefore, since the objective lens of the camera portion 112 must be directed to an object, it may be difficult for a user to check an image displayed on the LCD on the camera when shooting an object such as a landscape other than his face. Further, when checking an image on a camera, a user may capture himself/herself in the image. In addition, it is also difficult to quickly and reliably focus an object.

That is, the camera part 112 of the conventional cellular phone is mainly used to photograph the user's own face, and thus is very inconvenient and inefficient to operate when photographing objects other than the user's own face.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is suggested to place a camera on the side of the cover opposite to the display, or to provide another camera for photographing other objects in addition to the camera for photographing the user's own face.

However, in the case where the camera is placed on the side of the cover opposite to the display, when the cellular phone is folded, the objective lens of the camera is exposed and not protected, and the objective lens is easily damaged. On the other hand, in the case where the cellular phone is equipped with a plurality of cameras, the size of the entire body of the cellular phone is increased, thereby reducing portability.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable communication apparatus which improves operability when a landscape or the like is photographed by its camera and has a high level of portability.

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, there is provided a portable communication apparatus comprising: a main body having an operation portion including operation keys and buttons on a main surface thereof; a cover having a display for displaying information and connected to the main body so as to be foldable; and a camera having an objective lens. The cover includes a rotation support portion supported for rotational movement relative to the body on a first axis, and a display portion supported for rotational movement relative to the rotation support portion on a second axis at right angles to the first axis. Further, the rotation support portion is equipped with an objective lens in a position which is opposed to the operation portion on the main body when the portable communication apparatus is folded.

With this configuration, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention enables the user to check the image on the camera using the display section when the user takes a picture by rotating the display section on the second axis by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability of the portable communication apparatus in taking a picture by the camera. Further, since the objective lens is arranged so as to be opposed to the operating portion when the portable communication device is folded, the objective lens is safely protected when the portable communication device is folded. Further, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention allows a user to view an image on a camera in a good condition and photograph the user's own face, landscape, and the like by using only one camera. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small-sized portable communication apparatus having excellent portability at a low manufacturing cost. Further, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention can be folded when the display section is located in a position rotated on the second axis by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation section. That is, the display portion is visible in appearance even when the portable communication apparatus is folded. Therefore, the user can view the display portion of the portable communication apparatus which is compactly folded, which enables excellent portability to be ensured even when the display portion is used.

Preferably, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention further comprises a control means for switching the display shown on the display section from a first display state in which the image stored in the memory is displayed to a second display state in which the image photographed through the objective lens is displayed. With this structure, it is possible to improve the operability of the entire portable communication apparatus.

Preferably, the control means switches the display shown by the display section from the first display state to the second display state when the display section is rotated by 180 degrees on the second axis with respect to the rotation supporting section. In this way the operability of the entire portable communication device is further improved.

Preferably, the operation section on the main body of the portable communication apparatus of the present invention is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state to the second display state and vice versa. With this structure, the operability of the entire portable communication apparatus is further improved.

Preferably, the control means causes the display section to enter the first display state when the portable communication apparatus is folded with the display section being visible from the outside. In this way the operability of the entire portable communication device is further improved.

Drawings

The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an oblique perspective view of a conventional cellular phone;

FIG. 2 shows an oblique perspective view of a cellular telephone according to the present invention;

fig. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the rotation support mechanism;

fig. 4 shows an oblique perspective view of the cellular phone when the display section is in a rotated position with respect to one of the rotation support sections;

fig. 5 shows an oblique perspective view of the cellular phone when the display section is in a position rotated 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section;

fig. 6 shows an oblique perspective view of the folded cellular phone when the display section is in a position rotated 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 2 shows an oblique perspective view of a cellular phone according to the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the cellular phone 1 includes a main body 3 and a cover 4 connected to the main body 3 so as to be foldable in directions shown by arrows a1 and a 2. The main body 3 includes a control section (not shown) having a telephone communication circuit.

The main body 3 is equipped with an operation section 6, a microphone 7, and a pivot 9. The operation section 6 is used to perform some operations, and is arranged on a main surface of the main body 3, which faces the cover 4 when the cellular phone is folded. The operation section 6 includes operation keys and buttons, each of which has an electrical interconnection with the control section. The microphone 7 is also arranged on the main surface and electrically connected to the control section. The pivot 9 supports the lid 4 for rotational movement in the directions indicated by arrows a1 and a 2.

Incidentally, the main body 3 further includes a battery container (not shown) into which a storage battery is detachably inserted, and a battery container cover (not shown) for the battery container, which can be opened and closed.

The cover 4 includes a rotation supporting portion 10 and a display portion 11. The rotation support portion 10 supports the rotational movement of the main body 3 in the directions indicated by arrows a1 and a 2. The display portion 11 is supported by the rotation support portion 10 so as to be rotatable in directions indicated by arrows b1 and b2, and displays various information.

Referring to fig. 3, the rotation support portion 10 is provided with a rotation support mechanism 12 including a first rotation shaft 16, a shaft member 15, and a bearing 19. The first rotation shaft 16 connects the cover 4 with the pivot 9 so that the cover 4 is rotatable with respect to the main body 3 in the directions indicated by arrows a1 and a 2. The shaft member 15 includes a second rotation shaft 17 and a bearing portion 18. The second rotation shaft 17 connects the display section 11 with the rotation support section 10 so that the display section 11 is rotatable with respect to the main body 3 in the directions indicated by arrows b1 and b 2. The second rotation shaft 17 is mounted in a bearing 19.

A first rotation shaft 16 is rotatably mounted in the pivot 9 of the body 3 and a seat portion 18 of the shaft member 15. The second rotation shaft 17 is formed integrally with the holder 18 in a direction at right angles to the axial direction of the holder portion 18. The inside of the shaft member 15 is hollow, and a through hole 18a is provided in the seat portion 18. The display section 11 is electrically connected to the control section of the main body 3 through a connection line 20 extending from the through hole 18a through the second rotation shaft 17. The bearing 19 is fixedly provided in the display portion 11. The second rotation shaft 17 is rotatably mounted in a bearing 19.

Further, the rotation support mechanism 12 includes an engaging projection (not shown) around the outer periphery of the second rotation shaft 17 and a lock member (not shown) engaged with the engaging projection to control rotation on the second rotation shaft 17. In the rotation support mechanism 12, when the display section 11 is located in a position rotated 180 degrees on the second rotation shaft 17, the lock member is engaged with the engagement projection so that the display section 11 is protected in the position with a prescribed grip. With the rotation support mechanism 12 as described above, the display section 11 can be rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by 360 degrees with respect to the rotation support section 10.

Further, the rotation support section 10 is provided with a camera section 21 having an objective lens 22, and is also provided with a CCD (charge coupled device) camera (not shown) electrically connected to a control section of the main body 3. The objective lens 22 is arranged to face the inner surface of the operating portion 6 of the main body 3 when the cellular phone 1 is folded.

The display section 11 includes, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) 23. The LCD 23 is arranged on the inner surface of the cover 4 so that its display surface is opposed to the operation section 6 on the main body 3.

The above-described rotation support mechanism 12 further includes a detection switch (not shown) around the outer periphery of the second rotation shaft 17 for detecting the rotatable position of the display section 11 with respect to the rotation support section 10. The detection switch is electrically connected to the control portion of the main body 3. The control section automatically switches the display section 11 from the first display state to the second display state and vice versa in accordance with the rotatable position of the display section 11 detected by the detection switch. In the first display state, the display section 11 displays an image stored in a memory (not shown) of the cellular phone 1 or a received image. In the second display state, the display section 11 functions as a monitor, and displays an image captured by the camera section 21. More specifically, the control section switches the display state to the first display section when the display section 11 is rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by less than 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section 10, and switches the display state to the second display state when the display section 11 is rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by 180 degrees or more with respect to the rotation support section 10.

Incidentally, the operating section 6 of the main body 3 includes a switching operating button 25 for manually switching the display section 11 from the first display state to the second display state and vice versa. With the switching operation button 25, the display state can be arbitrarily switched from the first display state and the second display state. Therefore, even when the display section 11 is not rotated on the second rotation axis 17 relative to the main body 3, it is possible to display an image captured by the camera section 21. That is, the user can check the image on the camera through the display section 11 while taking the image of his face.

Further, the cover 4 is equipped with an earpiece 26 located near the LCD 23 of the display section 11. The earpiece 26 includes a speaker (not shown) electrically connected to a control portion of the body 3.

The rotatable movement of the display portion 11 on the first rotation axis 16 and the second rotation axis 17 with respect to the main body 3 is described with respect to the cellular phone 1 as described above in connection with fig. 2 and 3.

The cellular phone 1 is folded when being carried so as to prevent damage to the surface of the LCD 23 and prevent erroneous operation of the operation section 6.

When a call is made or an image, text, or the like is transmitted/received, the cover 4 is rotated on the first rotation shaft 16 with respect to the main body 3 so that the operation portion 6 on the main body 3 can be manipulated, and the display portion 11 is made visible as shown in fig. 2. At this point, the display section 11 is in the first display state. By switching the display state to the second display state using the switching operation button 25, the user can view the stored or received image or the like and also check the image such as the user's own face captured by the camera section 21.

When rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by less than 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support portion 10 as shown in fig. 4, the display portion 11 is maintained in the first display state. On the other hand, when rotated by 180 degrees or more as shown in fig. 5, the display section 11 is automatically switched from the first display state to the second display state by the control section. Thus, the user can check an image of a picture such as a landscape taken with the camera section 21. Since the rotatable movement of the display section 11 is controlled by the rotation support mechanism 12, the display section 11 is structurally protected at a position rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section 10.

Further, in the case where the display section 11 is located in a position rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section 10, the cellular phone 1 can be folded and closed as shown in fig. 6 by rotating on the first rotation axis 16 with respect to the main body 3 with respect to the rotation support section 10. Under such a condition, the display section 11 is automatically switched from the second display state to the first display state by the control section, and the user can view a received image or the like. That is, the cellular phone 1 allows the user to view a received image or the like even when the main body 3 and the cover 4 are in their folded states.

As described above, the cellular phone 1 is equipped with the display section rotatable on the second rotation shaft 17 with respect to the main body 3. Therefore, the cellular phone 1 allows the user to check the image on the camera displayed on the display portion 11 while shooting a landscape or the like, and ensures operability equivalent to that of an ordinary still camera and a portable camera. That is, the cellular phone 1 is more easily operable to photograph a landscape or the like. Further, with the cellular phone 1, the user can photograph his face, scenery, and the like using only one camera section 21. Therefore, the cellular phone 1 maintains excellent portability, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Further, by folding the cellular phone 1 when the display section 11 is located in a position rotated on the second rotation axis 17 by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section 10, the user can view the screen image currently displayed on the display section 11 even when the cellular phone 1 is in its compact form.

Further, the cellular phone 1 is folded when being carried so as to protect the operation portion 6, the display portion 11, and the camera portion 21. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous operation of the operation keys and damage to the LCD 23 and the objective lens 22.

Incidentally, although the portable communication device of the present invention is used as a cellular phone in this embodiment, it is apparent that the present invention can also be applied to various types of portable electronic devices such as a PDA.

As described above, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a cover having a rotation supporting portion and a display portion. The rotation support portion is supported for rotatable movement relative to the main body in a first axis and has an objective lens located in a position facing the operating portion on the main body when the apparatus is folded. The display section is supported for rotatable movement relative to the rotation support section on a second axis at right angles to the first axis. With this structure, it is possible to improve the operability of the portable communication apparatus for photographing a landscape or the like with a camera and ensure excellent portability. Further, when the portable communication apparatus is carried folded, damage to the objective lens is reliably prevented.

Further, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention allows the user to view an image on a camera in good condition and to photograph the user himself and a landscape, etc. with only one camera. Therefore, it is possible to provide excellent portability for a small-sized portable communication apparatus at a low manufacturing cost.

In addition, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention can be folded when the display section is located in a position rotated by 180 degrees on the second axis with respect to the rotation support section. Therefore, even when the portable communication apparatus is folded in a compact form, the user can view the display portion. Thus, the portable communication apparatus of the present invention ensures excellent portability even when the display portion is used.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable communication device, comprising: a main body having an operation portion including operation keys and buttons on a main surface thereof; a cover having a display portion for displaying information and connected to the main body so as to be foldable; and a camera having an objective lens; wherein:

the cover includes a rotation supporting portion supported for rotational movement relative to the main body on a first axis, and a display portion supported for rotational movement relative to the rotation supporting portion on a second axis at right angles to the first axis; and is

The rotation support portion is provided with an objective lens at a position facing the operation portion on the main body when the portable communication apparatus is folded.

2. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and a handset for transmitting/receiving voice.

3. The portable communication device of claim 1,

the display section is supported so as to be rotatable on a second axis by 360 degrees with respect to the rotation support section.

4. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and an earpiece for transmitting/receiving voice; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the display section is supported for rotation in a second axis 360 degrees relative to the rotation support section.

5. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

and a control device for switching the display shown by the display section from a first display state in which the image stored in the memory is displayed to a second display state in which the image captured through the objective lens is displayed.

6. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and an earpiece for transmitting/receiving voice; and

7. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

control means for switching the display shown by the display section from a first display state in which the image stored in the memory is displayed to a second display state in which the image captured through the objective lens is displayed; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the display section is supported to be rotatable on a second axis by 360 degrees with respect to the rotation support section.

8. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and an earpiece for transmitting/receiving voice; and

9. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

when the display section is rotated on the second axis by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation supporting section, the control means switches the display shown on the display section from the first display state to the second display state.

10. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and an earpiece for transmitting/receiving voice; and

11. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

the display section is supported for being rotatable in a second axis by 360 degrees with respect to the rotation support section; and is

12. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising:

a microphone and an earpiece for transmitting/receiving voice; and

the rotation support portion is provided with an objective lens at a position facing the operation portion on the main body when the portable communication apparatus is folded;

the display section is supported for rotation in a second axis by 360 degrees with respect to the rotation support section; and is

13. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

14. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

15. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

16. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

17. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

18. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

19. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

20. The portable communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

21. The portable communication device according to claim 5, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

22. The portable communication device according to claim 6, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

23. The portable communication device according to claim 7, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

24. The portable communication device according to claim 8, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

25. The portable communication device according to claim 9, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

26. The portable communication device according to claim 10, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

27. The portable communication device according to claim 11, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

28. The portable communication device according to claim 12, wherein the control means causes the display portion to enter the first display state when the portable communication device is folded with the display portion visible from the surface.

29. The portable communication device of claim 5, wherein:

an operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state; and is

When the portable communication apparatus is folded with the display portion visible from the surface, the control means causes the display portion to enter a first display state.

30. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein:

31. The portable communication device of claim 7, wherein:

32. The portable communication device of claim 8, wherein:

33. The portable communication device of claim 9, wherein:

34. The portable communication device of claim 10, wherein:

35. The portable communication device of claim 11, wherein:

36. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein:

37. The portable communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated by 180 degrees on the second axis with respect to the rotation support section.

38. The portable communication device of claim 2, further comprising:

a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated by 180 degrees on the second axis with respect to the rotation support section.

39. The portable communication device of claim 3, further comprising:

40. The portable communication device of claim 4, further comprising:

41. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising:

42. The portable communication device of claim 6, further comprising:

43. The portable communication device of claim 7, further comprising:

44. The portable communication device of claim 8, further comprising:

45. The portable communication device of claim 9, further comprising:

46. The portable communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

47. The portable communication device of claim 11, further comprising:

48. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:

49. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising:

a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated by 180 degrees on the second axis with respect to the rotation support section, wherein the operation section on the main body is provided with a switching operation button for switching the first display state and the second display state.

50. The portable communication device of claim 6, further comprising:

51. The portable communication device of claim 7, further comprising:

52. The portable communication device of claim 8, further comprising:

53. The portable communication device of claim 9, further comprising:

54. The portable communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

55. The portable communication device of claim 11, further comprising:

56. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:

57. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising:

a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated on the second axis by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section, wherein the control means brings the display section into the first display state when the portable communication apparatus is folded with the display section visible from the surface.

58. The portable communication device of claim 6, further comprising:

59. The portable communication device of claim 7, further comprising:

60. The portable communication device of claim 8, further comprising: a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated on the second axis by 180 degrees with respect to the rotation support section, wherein the control means brings the display section into the first display state when the portable communication apparatus is folded with the display section visible from the surface.

61. The portable communication device of claim 9, further comprising:

62. The portable communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

63. The portable communication device of claim 11, further comprising:

64. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising:

65. The portable communication device of claim 5, further comprising;

a position control means for holding the display section at a position rotated by 180 degrees on a second axis with respect to the rotation support section, wherein:

66. The portable communication device of claim 6, further comprising:

67. The portable communication device of claim 7, further comprising:

68. The portable communication device of claim 8, further comprising:

69. The portable communication device of claim 9, further comprising:

70. The portable communication device of claim 10, further comprising:

71. The portable communication device of claim 11, further comprising:

72. The portable communication device of claim 12, further comprising: