Mobile information apparatus

• US 7,593,757 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OM Digital Solutions Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamasaki, Masafumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Yun; Eugene
• Application Number:
  US11/180,846
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019614A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 4555751-5753, 455/575.6, 455/575.8, 455 901- 903, 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/74, 379/433.11, 379/433.13
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0222 Foldable in two directions, i.e. using a two degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/05 specially adapted for use on head, throat or breast
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7491 of head mounted projectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/77 between a recording apparatus and a television camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction

Abstract

A mobile information apparatus having first and second operation modes includes upper, middle, and lower bodies of equipment arranged in layers, a hinge for pivotally connecting the upper body of equipment to the middle body of equipment so that the upper and middle bodies of equipment have folded and unfolded positions, a hinge for pivotally connecting the middle body of equipment to the lower body of equipment so that the middle and lower bodies of equipment have folded and unfolded positions, a first operation switch mounted on at least one of the upper body of equipment and the middle body of equipment and allowing the mobile information apparatus to operate in the first operation mode when the upper and middle bodies of equipment are in the unfolded positions, and a second operation switch mounted on at least one of the middle body of equipment and the lower body of equipment and allowing the mobile information apparatus to operate in the second operation mode when the middle and lower bodies of equipment are in the unfolded positions.

Claims

1. A mobile information apparatus configured for operation in a first operation mode for inputting information for operating an external apparatus or information to be displayed on the external apparatus and a second operation mode for connection with the Internet to enable communication with an external information source, the mobile information apparatus comprising:

a first element, a second element, and a third element arranged in stacked layers;

a first hinge unit for connecting the first element to the second element in a pivotal manner so that the first element and the second element are capable of being placed in folded and unfolded positions;

a second hinge unit for connecting the second element to the third element in a pivotal manner so that the second element and the third element are capable of being placed in folded and unfolded positions;

a first operation member mounted on at least one of opposing surfaces of the first element and the second element, which surfaces are opposed to each other when the first and second elements are folded together, to input the information in the first operation mode when only the first element and the second element are in the unfolded positions; and

a second operation member mounted on at least one of opposing surfaces of the second element-and the third element, which surfaces of the second and third elements are opposed to each other when the second and third elements are folded together, to communicate with the external information source when only the second element and the third element are in the unfolded positions.

2. The mobile information apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis direction of the first hinge unit is perpendicular to the axis direction of the second hinge unit.