Mobile telephone

• US 20040204065A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Ikeda, Minoru, Kota, Yuichiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00525 Providing a more compact apparatus, e.g. sheet discharge tray in cover
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00535 using rotatably mounted or foldable components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/53 of electronic viewfinders, e.g. rotatable or detachable
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders

Abstract

The present invention can provide a mobile telephone with a camera function, which can offer an optimum shooting posture and optimum storage ability.

A mobile telephone is comprised of a first housing and a second housing which are so connected by a hinge to be enabled longitudinal folding. A main display section and an operation section containing a set of a ten-key pad and functional keys, which are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of first and second housings which are invisible when the housings are folded.

a subsidiary display section and a camera section are respectively provided on the outer surfaces opposite to said inner surfaces.

a shutter switch and a changeover switch which switches between Phone and Camera modes are provided on the outer surface of said housings Said subsidiary display section displays a communication status in the Phone mode and a picture image shot by said camera section in the Camera mode.

Claims

1. A mobile telephone comprising a first housing equipped with a plurality of operational switches, a second housing with a main display section, and a hinge means which pivotally connects said first and second housings and enables longitudinal folding thereof, wherein,

a main display section and an operation section containing a set of a ten-key pad and functional keys, which are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of said first and second housings which are invisible when the housings are folded,

a subsidiary display section and a camera section are respectively provided on the outer surfaces opposite to said inner surfaces of said housings,

a shutter switch and a changeover switch which switches between Phone and Camera modes are provided on the outer surface of said housings, and

said subsidiary display section displays a communication status in the Phone mode and a picture image shot by said camera section in the Camera mode.

4. The mobile telephone in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shutter switch is provided on one side of a longer side of said first or second housing, and said subsidiary display section is in the normal landscape view when the mobile telephone is held with the longer side thereof upward.

2. A mobile telephone comprising a first housing equipped with a main display section, a second housing with a plurality of operational switches, and a hinge means which pivotally connects said first and second housings and enables longitudinal folding thereof, wherein

said first housing is equipped with the main display section on the inner surface which is invisible when the housings are closed, and equipped with a camera section on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface,

said second housing is equipped with an operation section containing a set of a ten-key pad and functional keys on the inner surface which is invisible when the housings are closed, and equipped with a subsidiary display section on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface,

a shutter switch and a change-over switch which switches between Phone and Camera modes are provided on the outer surfaces which are exposed when said first and second housings are closed,

said subsidiary display section is in the normal landscape view when the longitudinal axis of said mobile telephone is held horizontal, and

said subsidiary displays a communication status in the Phone mode and a picture image shot by said camera section in the Camera mode.

5. The mobile telephone in accordance with claim 2, wherein said shutter switch is provided on one side of a longer side of said first or second housing, and said subsidiary display section is in the normal landscape view when the mobile telephone is held with the longer side thereof upward.

3. A mobile telephone comprising a first housing equipped with a main display section, a second housing with a plurality of operational switches, and a hinge means which pivotally connects said first and second housings and enables longitudinal folding thereof, wherein

said first housing is equipped with the main display section on the inner surface which is invisible when the housings are closed, and equipped with a subsidiary display on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface,

said second housing is equipped with an operation section containing a set of a ten-key pad and functional keys on the inner surface which is invisible when the housings are closed, and equipped with a camera section on the outer surface opposite to the inner surface,

a shutter switch and a change-over switch which switches between Phone and Camera modes are provided on the outer surfaces which are exposed when said first and second housings are closed,

said subsidiary display section is in the normal landscape view when the longitudinal axis of said mobile telephone is held horizontal, and said subsidiary displays a communication status in the Phone mode and a picture image shot by said camera section in the Camera mode.

6. The mobile telephone in accordance with claim 3, wherein said shutter switch is provided on one side of a longer side of said first or second housing, and said subsidiary display section is in the normal landscape view when the mobile telephone is held with the longer side thereof upward.