Foldable mobile communication terminal having a mode selector based on folding angle thereof

• US 7,894,865 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Ji-Tae
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro; Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hua; Quan M
• Application Number:
  US11/468,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20070060217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,637 Days
• Field of Search: D14/316, 4555751-5753, 455/569.1
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly

Abstract

A mobile communication terminal having a first body and a second body rotatably coupled by a hinge assembly, and a mode selector that sets an operation mode of the mobile communication terminal based on an angle between the first body and the second body. The mode selector includes a rotation part that enables the detection of an angle between the first body and the second body, and a setting part, movably mounted on the rotation part, which sets an operation mode of the mobile communication terminal corresponding to the detected angle when the setting part is moved into contact with a holding part.

Claims

1. A mobile terminal comprising:

at least two body members operatively connected together and movable with respect to each other for achieving a closed-together configuration and various opened configurations; and

an operation mode setting unit located along an edge of at least one of the body members; and

a controller cooperating with the operation mode setting unit for controlling operation of the mobile terminal in different selected operation modes,

wherein the operation mode setting unit comprises;

an adjustable selection knob for selecting an operation mode of the mobile terminal at the closed-together configuration or the various opened configurations, the adjustable selection knob mounted to one of the body members so as to be rotated when being manipulated; and

a latching mechanism operatively connected with the selection knob for activating a selected operation mode when the latching mechanism is engaged and de-activating the selected operation mode when the latching mechanism is disengaged,

wherein the latching mechanism comprises;

a movable latch located on the adjustable selection knob and configured to move on the adjustable selection knob when being manipulated; and

a protrusion, located on one of the first or second body members, with which the movable latch may be engaged or disengaged,

wherein the movable latch and the protrusion, when engaged together, provide additional structural support for the closed-together configuration or the various opened configurations.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the closed-together configuration is achieved when the first and second body members overlie one another.

3. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the opened configuration is achieved when the first and second body members are displaced relative one another.

4. The terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a detector cooperating with at least one of the movable latch and the protrusion for detecting the engaging or disengaging in a contact or contact-less manner for activating or de-activating of the selected operation mode.

5. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the first and second body members are operatively connected together at the operation mode setting unit.

6. The terminal of claim 5, wherein the operation mode setting unit further comprises a detent unit that allows the body members to be temporarily fixed at a desired closed or opened configurations.

7. The terminal of claim 4, wherein the first and second body members are operatively hinged together via a hinge mechanism.

8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a detent unit that allows the body members to be fixed at various positions relative one another for achieving a desired closed-together or opened configuration.

9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the movable latch includes a groove having a size corresponding to a width of the coupling member for receiving the coupling member therein.

10. A mobile communication terminal comprising:

a first body and a second body rotatably connected via a hinge assembly for achieving a closed-together configuration and various opened configurations;

an operation mode unit located along an edge of at least one of the first and second bodies; and

a controller cooperating with the operation mode setting unit for controlling operation of the mobile communication terminal in different selected operation modes,

wherein the operation mode setting unit comprises;

an adjustable selection knob for selecting an operation mode of the mobile terminal at the closed-together configuration or the various opened configurations, the adjustable selection knob mounted to one of the first and second bodies so as to be rotated when being manipulated; and

a latching mechanism operatively connected with the selection knob for activating a selected operation mode when the latching mechanism is engaged and de-activating the selected operation mode when the latching mechanism is disengaged,

wherein the latching mechanism comprises;

a movable latch located on the adjustable selection knob and configured to move on the adjustable selection knob when being manipulated; and

a protrusion, located on one of the first or second bodies, with which the movable latch may be engaged or disengaged,

wherein the movable latch and the protrusion, when engaged together, provide additional structural support for the closed-together configuration or the various opened configurations.

11. The mobile communication terminal of claim 10, further comprising a detector cooperating with the at least one of the movable latch and the protrusion for detecting the engaging or disengaging in a contact or a contact-less manner for activating or de-activating of the selected operation mode.

12. The mobile communication terminal of claim 10, wherein the operation mode setting unit further comprises a detent unit that allows the first and second bodies to be temporarily fixed at a desired closed or opened configurations.

13. The mobile communication terminal of claim 10, further comprising a rotation angle control member mounted at a side surface of the adjustable selection knob for controlling a rotation of the adjustable selection knob so as to stop the first body and/or second body at an angle corresponding to a selected operation mode,

wherein the rotation angle control member is constructed so as to have a plurality of protrusions and grooves alternately arranged along a circular edge so that the first body and the second body can be rotated in a first angle region, a second angle region, or a third angle region.

14. The mobile communication terminal of claim 13, wherein the first angle region has a range of 140˜

160°

, the second angle region has a range of 170˜

180°

, and the third angle region has a range of 300˜

360°

.

15. The mobile communication terminal of claim 13, wherein the first angle region, the second angle region, and the third angle region are set to have different modes.

16. The mobile communication terminal of claim 15, wherein the first angle region corresponding to an initial mode, the second angle region corresponds to a camera mode, and the third angle region corresponds to a terrestrial signal or satellite signal receive mode.

17. The mobile communication terminal of claim 13, wherein a preset operation mode is outputted when the movable latch is coupled to the protrusion.