Mobile communication device with enhanced image communication capability

• US 7,499,074 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2004
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Yun, Jung-Pil, Cho, Yoo-Seok, Kim, Eun-Mi, Kim, Dong-Eun
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah; Melur
• Application Number:
  US11/023,084
• Publication Number:
  US 20050140778A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 348 1401- 1409, 348/14.1, 348/14.11, 348/14.12, 348/14.13, 455/556.1, 455/566, 345/173
• US Class Current: 348/14.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals

Abstract

The present invention discloses a mobile communication device that allows the user to easily perform simultaneous voice communication and image communication that allows the user to transmit high quality image information to another user and receive high quality image information from another user. The mobile communication device provides multiple cameras and/or display screens that allow a user to easily photograph a subject and view captured images that are received either from a camera located in the device or from another user.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device enabling a user to capture photographic images, the mobile communication device comprising:

a main body;

a folder rotatably installed on the main body such that the folder has an open configuration and a closed configuration;

a first camera located on the folder for capturing photographic images;

a second camera located on the main body for capturing photographic images;

at least one display unit located on the folder for displaying first information; and

at least one display unit located on the main body for entering and displaying second information,

wherein, the first and second cameras and display units are located such that when the folder is in the open configuration, the user may selectively view a first photographic image as the first photographic image is captured by the first camera and either a second photographic image as the second photographic image is captured or information on a screen of the at least one display located on the folder unit, the second photographic image either captured by the second camera or received from another mobile communication device and the information either entered by the user via a screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body or received from another mobile communication such that the user may view a photographic image on the screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body as it captured by the second camera when the folder is in the closed configuration.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body is inclined toward the user.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the folder further comprises a transparent protecting window that covers the screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body when the folder is in the closed configuration.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body comprises a touch pad, the touch pad enabling a user to enter at least one of textual information or graphical information.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 4, further comprising a memory storing the at least one of textual information or graphical information.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 4, wherein the at least one of textual information or graphical information is transmitted to another mobile communication device.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein image data captured by either the first camera or the second camera is selectively displayed on the screen of the at least one display unit located on the folder.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein image data captured by either the first camera or the second camera is selectively displayed on the screen of the at least display unit located on the main body.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit located on the folder further comprises at least a first screen region and a second screen region.

10. The mobile communication device of claim 9, wherein the attributes of and content displayed by the first screen region and the second screen region are changed according to an input from a user.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a slide cover for opening and closing over the second camera.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a first flash unit located on a portion of the device where the first camera is located and a second flash unit located on a portion of the device where the second camera is located.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the second camera is located on a side of the main body opposite where the at least one display unit is located and image data captured by the second camera is automatically displayed on the screen of the at least one display unit located on the main body when the folder is in the closed configuration and the second camera is operational.