Communication terminal

• US 20070103457A1
• Filed: 10/12/2006
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG-Ericsson Company Limited (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: LG Nortel Company Limited (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Ahn, Sang, Lim, Jong
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0295 Mechanical mounting details of display modules

Abstract

A communication terminal equipped with a sliding-type flat display module includes a main body and a flat display which slides between retracted and extended positions along a first axis relative to the main body and which rotates to a tilted position along a second axis when in the extended position. The first axis may be substantially perpendicular to the second axis. In the retracted position, the flat display is unable to rotate to the tilted position along the second axis. Also, in this position, the display is partially visible to allow information to be read by a user while at the same time being protected within a receiving part of the terminal.

Claims

1. A communication terminal, comprising:

a main body; and

a flat display which slides between retracted and extended positions along a first axis relative to the main body and which rotates to a tilted position along a second axis when in the extended position.

2. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

3. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the flat display is unable to rotate to the tilted position along the second axis in the retracted position.

4. The communication terminal of claim 3, wherein the flat display is only partially visible when in the retracted position, said partially visible portion displaying information to a user in the retracted position.

5. The communication terminal of claim 4, wherein said information includes text and images.

6. The communication terminal of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a recess which receives the flat display when in the retracted position, said recess opening along a predetermined side of the main body.

7. The communication terminal of claim 6, further comprising:

a first rail,

wherein the flat display slides along the first rail in a direction coincident with the first axis when moving between the extended and retracted positions.

8. The communication terminal of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one hinge coupled to the first rail,

wherein the hinge allows the flat display to rotate to the tilted position along the second axis when the display is in the extended position.

9. The communication terminal of claim 8, wherein the hinge allows the display to tilt in a direction toward a user and away from the main body when the display is in the extended position.

10. The communication terminal of claim 7, wherein the hinge slides along the first rail when the flat display moves between the extended and retracted positions.

11. The communication terminal of claim 10, wherein the hinge includes a protrusion which slides along a hole in the first rail when the flat display moves between the extended and retracted positions.

12. The communication terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

a slider which is coupled to the hinge and which slides along the first rail with the hinge.

13. The communication terminal of claim 12, wherein the slider moves along a second rail parallel to the first rail, the slider including:

a key which is inserted into a groove of the second rail,

wherein the key slides within the groove when the flat display slides between the extended and retracted positions.

14. A flat display module, comprising:

a screen; and

a supporting member to support one end of the screen, wherein the supporting member slides the screen between retracted and extended positions along a first axis and allows the screen to rotate to a tilted position along a second axis when in the extended position.

15. The flat display module of claim 14, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.

16. The flat display module of claim 14, wherein the supporting member is unable to rotate the screen to the tilted position along the second axis in the retracted position.

17. The flat display module claim 16, wherein the flat display is only partially visible when in the retracted position, said partially visible portion displaying information to a user in the retracted position.

18. The flat display module of claim 14, wherein the supporting member includes a slider which slides along a rail in a direction coincident with the first axis when the screen moves between the extended and retracted positions.

19. The flat display module of claim 18, further comprising:

at least one hinge coupled to the rail,

wherein the hinge allows the screen to rotate to the tilted position along the second axis when in the extended position.

20. The communication terminal of claim 19, wherein the hinge allows the screen to tilt without allowing the support member to tilt.