Digital device

• US 7,672,584 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Ahn, Kyoung-jin
• Primary Examiner(s): Perkey; W. B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hancock; Dennis
• Application Number:
  US11/606,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20070206943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 396/535, 396/539, 348372-373, 348/14.02, 455/575.4, 379/433.08
• US Class Current: 396/539
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• 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 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00525 Providing a more compact apparatus, e.g. sheet discharge tray in cover
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00533 using slidably mounted components, e.g. reader in drawer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

A digital device which can accommodate a large display yet still have a small overall size is provided. The digital device includes a first body with a lens and a display, and a second body with at least one operation button. The first and second body slide with respect to each other between a first position and a second position. The lens of the first body and the at least one operation button of the second body are exposed as the first body and the second body are slid into the first position.

Claims

1. A digital device comprising:

a first body with a lens and a display;

a second body with at least one operation button, the second body sliding between a first position and a second position;

a sliding apparatus slidably connecting the first and second bodies so that the second body can slide between the first and second positions; and

a battery space accommodating a battery in the sliding apparatus;

wherein the lens of the first body and the at least one operation button of the second body are exposed together as the first body and the second body are slid into the first position so that a still image or a moving image can be photographed.

2. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein the lens of the first body and the at least one operation button of the second body are hidden as the first body and the second body are slid into a second position.

3. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein an image capturing mode is selected when the first body and the second body are slid into the first position.

4. The digital device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one function button disposed on a display mounting portion of the first body.

5. The digital device according to claim 1, further comprising a speaker disposed on a display mounting portion of the first body.

6. The digital device according to claim 1, further comprising a pushing portion disposed on the first body, the pushing portion comprising at least one protrusion for preventing slippage.

7. The digital device according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion disposed on the second body, the gripping portion comprising at least one gripping groove.

8. The digital device according to claim 7, wherein the gripping groove comprises a protrusion for preventing slippage.

9. The digital device according to claim 1, wherein the second body comprises a plurality of operation buttons.

10. The digital device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of operation buttons comprises a zoom button, a 5-way button for operating a menu, a mode switch button, and a menu selection button.

11. The digital device according to claim 10, wherein the mode switch button is ring-shaped and arranged around the 5-way button.

12. The digital device according to claim 10, wherein the second body comprises a microphone, a power button, and a shutter disposed on a top surface of the second body, an A/V and an earphone jack disposed on an upper side surface of the second body, and a power supply jack and a USB jack disposed on a lower side surface of the second body.

13. A digital device comprising:

a first body with a lens and a display;

a second body with at least one operation button;

a sliding apparatus slidably connecting the first and second bodies so that the first and second bodies can slide between first and second positions; and

a battery space accommodating a battery in the sliding apparatus

wherein the lens of the first body and at least one operation button of the second body are exposed together as the first body and the second body are sliding with respect to each other so that a still image and a moving image can be photographed.

14. The digital device according to claim 13, further comprising a guide roller for facilitating sliding.

15. The digital device according to claim 13, wherein the sliding apparatus comprises a first sliding member combined with the first body and a second sliding member combined with the second body.

16. The digital device according to claim 13, wherein an image capturing mode is selected when the first body and the second body are slid with respect to each other.

17. The digital device according to claim 13, further comprising a pushing portion disposed on the first body, the pushing portion comprising at least one protrusion for preventing slippage.

18. The digital device according to claim 13, further comprising a gripping portion disposed on the second body, the gripping portion comprising at least one gripping groove.

19. The digital device according to claim 13, wherein the second body comprises a plurality of operation buttons.

20. The digital device according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of operation buttons comprises a zoom button, a 5-way button for operating a menu, a mode switch button, and a menu selection button.

21. The digital device according to claim 20, wherein the mode switch button is ring-shaped and arranged around the 5-way button.

22. The digital device according to claim 20, wherein the second body comprises a microphone, a power button, and a shutter disposed on a top surface of the second body, an A/V and an earphone jack disposed on an upper side surface of the second body, and a power supply jack and a USB jack disposed on a lower side surface of the second body.

23. A digital device comprising:

a first body having a lens and a display;

a second body having at least one operation button, the second body being slidably connected to the first body so that it can slide between a first and a second position;

a sliding apparatus slidably connecting the first and second bodies so that the first and second bodies can slide between the first and second positions; and

a battery space accommodating a battery in the sliding apparatus;

wherein in the first position the lens and the at least one operation button are exposed, and in the second position the lens and the at least one operation button are hidden.

24. The digital device according to claim 23, wherein the sliding apparatus comprises:

a first sliding member disposed on the first body; and

a second sliding member disposed on the second body, the second sliding member sliding with respect to the first sliding member.

25. The digital device according to claim 24, further comprising a plurality of guide rollers disposed on the first and second sliding members for facilitating the sliding movement of the first and second bodies.

26. The digital device according to claim 24, further comprising at least one biasing member disposed between the first and second sliding members to facilitate sliding of the first and second sliding members.

27. The digital device according to claim 24, wherein the battery space is disposed between the first and second sliding members.

28. The digital device according to claim 23, wherein a cover is formed at the entrance of the battery space to open or close the battery space and the cover is opened or closed when the first and second bodies are slinging into the first position.