Method and apparatus for detecting a position of a folder in a rotation touch phone having a camera

• US 7,239,900 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Young, Yang, Kwang-Yong
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Duc M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAI, WAYNE HUU
• Application Number:
  US10/765,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,252 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/565, 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/575.4, 455/90.3
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/021 using combined folding and rotation motions combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0218 The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0243 using the relative angle between housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• 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 2007/145 Handheld terminals

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting a position of a folder in a rotation touch phone having a camera. The rotation touch phone includes a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section. The folder has a magnet and the sensor section includes first, second and third sensors for detecting the magnet. The first and second sensors are located on the body and the third sensor is located on the connecting section. The connecting section connects the folder to the body. The folder is movable from first, second, third and fourth states. The first state signifies a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifies a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifies a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, and the fourth state signifies a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state. The method comprises the steps of: i) receiving a signal from the sensor section notifying that the sensor section detects the magnet; and ii) deciding that the folder is in at least one of the first to fourth states, based on the signal input from the sensor section.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a folder position in a rotation touch phone having a camera, the rotation touch phone including a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section, the folder having a magnet, the sensor section including first, second and third sensors for detecting the magnet, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section, the connecting section connecting the folder to the body, the folder being movable from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state, the method comprising:

receiving a signal from the sensor section notifying that the sensor section detects the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet; and

deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

transferring a signal notifying that the first sensor detects the magnet;

transferring a signal notifying that the second sensor detects the magnet; and

transferring a signal notifying that the third sensor detects the magnet.

3. A method for converting a mode of a rotation touch phone having a camera into a speakerphone mode by detecting a folder position, the rotation touch phone including a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section, the folder having a magnet and a bi-directional speakerphone, the sensor section including first, second and third sensors for detecting the magnet, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section, the connecting section having the camera and connecting the folder to the body, the folder being movable from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state, the method comprising:

deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet; and

deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet

converting the mode of the rotation touch phone into the speakerphone mode when the folder is in the first state; and

converting the mode of the rotation touch phone into the speakerphone mode when the folder is in the fourth state.

4. A method for utilizing first and second display sections as an illumination source when photographing an object by detecting a position of a folder in a rotation touch phone having a rotatable camera, the rotation touch phone including a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section, the folder having a magnet and the first and second display sections, the sensor section including first, second, and third sensors for detecting the magnet, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section, the connecting section connecting the folder to the body and having the camera, the folder being movable from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state, the method comprising:

deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet;

deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet; and

utilizing at least one of the first and second display sections as the illumination source when the folder is in at least one of the second and third states.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

utilizing the second display section as the illumination source when the folder is in the second state; and

utilizing the first display section as the illumination source when the folder is in the third state.

6. A rotation touch phone comprising a folder, a body, and a connecting section, comprising:

a camera for taking pictures for the rotation touch phone;

first and second display sections for inputting and outputting information for the rotation touch phone;

a sensor section for detecting a position of a magnet disposed on the folder section, the sensor section including first, second and third sensors, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section;

the folder being for moving from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder section is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder section has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder section has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder section has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state; and

a controller for receiving a signal from the sensor section indicating that the sensor section detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet, and deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the controller is further for:

transferring a signal indicating that the first sensor detects the magnet;

transferring a signal indicating that the second sensor detects the magnet; and

transferring a signal indicating that the third sensor detects the magnet.

8. A rotation touch phone, having a speakerphone, for converting into a speakerphone mode by detecting a folder position, the rotation touch phone including a sensor section, a folder, a body;

and a connecting section, the folder having a magnet and a bi-directional speakerphone, the sensor section including first, second and third sensors for detecting the magnet, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section, the connecting section having the camera and connecting the folder to the body, the folder being movable from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state, the rotation touch phone comprising;

a controller for deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet, converting the mode of the rotation touch phone into the speakerphone mode when the folder is in the first state, and

converting the mode of the rotation touch phone into the speakerphone mode when the folder is in the fourth state.

9. A touch tone phone having a rotatable camera that utilizes first and second display sections as an illumination source when photographing an object by detecting a position of a folder in the rotation touch phone, the rotation touch phone including a sensor section, a folder, a body, and a connecting section, the folder having a magnet and the first and second display sections, the sensor section including first, second, and third sensors for detecting the magnet, the first and second sensors being located on the body and the third sensor being located on the connecting section, the connecting section connecting the folder to the body and having the camera, the folder being movable from first, second, third and fourth states, the first state signifying a state in which the folder is initially closed, the second state signifying a state in which the folder has been opened from the first state, the third state signifying a state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees from the second state, the fourth state signifying a state in which the folder has been closed from the third state, wherein the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the fourth state is different than the orientation of the folder with respect to the body in the first state, the touch tone phone comprising:

a controller for deciding that the folder is in the first state in which the folder is closed, when only the first sensor detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the second state in which the folder has been opened, when none of the first to third sensors detect the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the third state in which the folder has been rotated substantially 180 degrees, when only the third sensor detects the magnet, deciding that the folder is in the fourth state in which the folder is closed, when both the second and third sensors detect the magnet, and utilizing at least one of the first and second display sections as the illumination source when the folder is in at least one of the second and third states.

10. The touch tone phone of claim 9, wherein the controller is further for utilizing the second display section as the illumination source when the folder is in the second state, and the controller is further for utilizing the first display section as the illumination source when the folder is in the third state.