Portable communication device and method of sensing camera operation mode in the portable communication device

• US 7,853,299 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Tae-Yun, Kang, Sung-Ill, Bae, Jong-Gun
• Primary Examiner(s): Milord; Marceau
• Application Number:
  US11/978,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20080064440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,141 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.3, 455/556.1, 455/575.1, 455/556.2, 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 361/814, 396/434, 396/429
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings

Abstract

A portable communication device including a first housing and second housing, wherein the second housing is connected to the first housing so that it is rotatable around a first hinge axis while facing a top surface of the first housing to allow movement toward or away from the first housing. The device also includes a third housing connected to the second housing so that it is rotatable around the first hinge axis while facing the top surface of the first housing to allow movement toward or away from the first housing, and rotatable around a third hinge axis to allow rotational movement of a display. A battery pack, serving as a grip, is connected to the first housing so that it is rotatable around a third hinge axis while facing a bottom surface of the first housing to allow movement toward or away from the first housing. A sensing unit is provided to sense whether the battery pack is rotated.

Claims

1. A method of performing a communication service in a camera operation mode set for photographing an object in a portable communication device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a sensing signal responsive to a battery rotation;

determining whether the portable communication device is in the camera operation mode, based on the received sensing signal;

discontinuing the camera operation mode, when a communication is attempted in the camera operation mode;

determining whether the communication is related to a call termination service or a call origination service;

performing the call origination service, if the communication is related to the call origination service; and

performing the call termination service, if the communication is related to the call termination service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the sensing signal operation comprises receiving the sensing signal from a sensor means comprising a magnet and a Hall sensor.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing the call termination service includes answering an incoming call or reception of a text or voice message.

4. The method of claim 1, further including:

if a battery was rotated, then activating a speakerphone prior to performing the call termination service.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing the call origination service includes calling or transmission of a text or voice message.

6. A portable communication device for performing a communication service in a camera operation mode set for photographing an object, the portable communication device comprising:

sensor means for generating a sensing signal responsive to rotation of a battery; and

a processor configured to;

receive the sensing signal;

determine whether the portable communication device is in the camera operation mode, based on the received sensing signal;

when a communication is attempted in the camera operation mode, discontinue the camera operation mode;

determine whether the communication is related to a call termination service or a call origination service;

perform the call origination service, if the communication is related to the call origination service; and

perform the call termination service, if the communication is related to the call termination service.

7. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the sensor means comprises:

a magnet; and

a Hall sensor.

8. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to perform the call termination service including answering an incoming call or reception of a text or voice message.

9. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to:

activate, if the battery was rotated, a speakerphone prior to performing the call termination service.

10. The portable communication device of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to perform the call origination service by calling or transmitting a text or voice message.

11. A non-transitory machine-readable medium encoded with instructions for performing a communication service in a portable communication device set to a camera operation mode, the instructions comprising code to:

receive a sensing signal responsive to rotation of a battery;

determine that the portable communication device is in the camera operation mode, based on the received sensing signal;

discontinue the camera operation mode, when a communication is attempted;

determine whether the communication is related to a call termination service or a call origination service;

perform the call origination service, if the communication is related to the call origination service; and

perform the call termination service, if the communication is related to the call termination service.

12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the code to receive a sensing signal comprises code to receive a signal from a sensor means comprising a magnet and a Hall sensor.

13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the code to perform the call termination service includes code to answer an incoming call and code to receive a text or voice message.

14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the instructions further include code to:

activate, if the battery was rotated, a speakerphone prior to performing the call termination service.

15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the code to perform the call origination service includes code to call and code to transmit a text or voice message.