Mobile communication unit with camera lens opening means in closed folder

• US 20030125079A1
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Seung-Min, Pak, In-Gon
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,443 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• 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 2007/145 Handheld terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

Disclosed is a mobile communication unit comprising a main housing with upper and lower surfaces, a folder with upper and lower surfaces, and a hinge for rotatably connecting the folder to the main housing, and further comprising (a) a camera lens opening means formed on an edge of the lower surface of the main housing correspondingly to the hinge, (b) a pair of side hinge arms respectively formed on both sides of the camera lens opening means, (c) a first LCD and a second LCD respectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the folder, and (d) a camera hinge housing formed on the hinge in a designated direction so as to expose a camera lens, wherein the camera lens is exposed to be opposite to the user when the folder is opened from the main housing, and a camera lens assembly including the camera lens is exposed to the user via the camera lens opening means when the folder is closed into the main housing.

Claims

1. A mobile communication unit having a main housing with upper and lower surfaces, a folder with upper and lower surfaces, and a hinge for rotatably connecting the folder to the main housing, said communication unit further comprising:

(a) a camera lens opening means formed on an edge of the lower surface of the main housing corresponding to the hinge;

(b) a pair of side hinge arms respectively formed on both sides of the camera lens opening means;

(c) a first LCD and a second LCD respectively formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the folder; and

(d) a camera hinge housing formed on the hinge in a designated direction so as to expose a camera lens,

wherein the camera lens is exposed and faces the user when the folder is opened from the main housing, and a camera lens assembly including the camera lens is exposed via the camera lens opening means when the folder is closed into the main housing.

2. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera lens is disposed in the position of the camera lens opening means when the folder is closed into the main housing.

3. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera hinge housing is formed integrally with the folder.

4. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera lens opening means is disposed on an edge of a rear end of the main housing.

5. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein data obtained by photographing using the camera lens are displayed on the first LCD when the folder is opened away from the main housing, and data obtained by photographing using the camera lens are displayed on the second LCD when the folder is closed into the main housing.

6. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera lens opening means further comprises a transparent window.

7. The mobile communication unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein the camera lens opening means is an opening formed as a designated shape.