Abstract:
A cell phone includes a separate back cover containing a mirror. The back cover is removed or detached from the cell phone to expose a mirror. The back cover can then be attached back to the cell phone or otherwise secured or it can be left unsecured so that the user can use the mirror. Once the user is finished using the mirror, the back cover is secured to the cell phone, thereby protecting the mirror from any possible damage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 60/482,548, filed Jun. 24, 2003. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cellular telephones, and in particular to such phones having a mirror. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     Cellular telephones have become increasingly popular in today&#39;s society, as almost everyone now seems to own a cellular telephone or cell phone. As a result, people have a tendency also to carry their cell phones everywhere they go. However, people typically do not like to carry large sizes or numbers of items. Thus, it is desirable to make items smaller and smaller, as evidenced by the ever decreasing sizes of cell phones. 
     To reduce the number of items people must or want to carry every day, different items can be combined into one item. For example, combining a mirror with a cell phone reduces the number of items people must carry. A mirror is desirable for several reasons, including allowing the person to 1) look at the person&#39;s face or appearance, such as before meeting someone, 2) use the mirror as a signaling device if the person is in a remote area, and 3) use the mirror as a cutting surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,823, entitled “Cell Phone with Integrated Personal Mirror” (the &#39;823 patent), discloses combining a built-in personal mirror with a cell phone. The &#39;823 patent discloses a mirror on the inside of a handset cover, where the handset cover folds to cover the mirror with the keyboard. The mirror can be a cover of a compartment or simply mounted on the surface of the handset cover. The &#39;823 patent further discloses that the mirror may cover a portion of the reverse side of the handset case. 
     However, there are several disadvantages to the arrangement of the &#39;823 patent. First, to access the mirror, the user must open the cell phone by flipping open the cover. In many cell phones, this could cause the cell phone user to answer an incoming call, which they may not want to do. Second, because the front of the handset has many other elements, such as an illuminated display and keys, a mirror mounted in the front of the handset may interfere with a person&#39;s ability to focus or clearly see the reflection. Third, the mirror shown in the &#39;823 patent arrangement must be kept small in size, as it must share the same general space as other elements of the cell phone. Fourth, the uses of such a mirror may be limited, such as for a cutting board, since it may be awkward to use it for this function based on the spatial orientation of the mirror. Fifth, if the mirror were to cover a portion of the reverse side of the handset cover, the mirror is exposed and may be damaged due to incidental contact with hard objects or it may be dirty from exposure to natural and man-made elements, such as dirt, food, etc. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a cell phone with a mirror that overcomes the disadvantages discussed above with respect to conventional systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a mirror is placed on the back side of a cell phone on a separate structure, where it is covered until ready for use. In one embodiment, the mirror is accessed by sliding a back cover of the cell phone open to release the back cover containing the mirror, flipping the back cover over, and clipping or otherwise attaching the cover to a side or upper/lower edge of the cell phone. After the mirror use is completed, the back cover can be detached, flipped over, and slid back over the cell phone back. In this position, the mirror is facing the inside of cell phone and protected from damage. In another embodiment, the mirror is accessed by engaging a release button on the cell phone, causing a back cover of the cell phone to flip open, exposing the mirror contained on the inner side of the back cover. After use, the back cover can be pressed back toward the cell phone to secure it in place. Mechanisms for opening and closing the cover can be a spring and latch. 
     The present invention allows a cell phone carrier to have access to a mirror that may be as big as the size of the cell phone. Further, the mirror can be accessed without any danger of answering an incoming call. The mirror is also protected from damage from external elements because when the mirror is not in use, it is not exposed to the elements. Finally, the mirror, and in particular, when the mirror is on a detachable slide, is more readily used as a reflecting device or cutting surface. 
     The present invention will be more fully understood upon consideration of the detailed description below, taken together with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  show front and back sides, respectively, of a cell phone with a mirror when the mirror is not exposed according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of the back of the cell phone of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  when the mirror is exposed; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show front and back sides, respectively, of a cell phone with a mirror when the mirror is not exposed according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a view of the back of the cell phone of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  when the mirror is exposed. 
     
    
    
     Use of the same reference symbols in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  show front and back views, respectively, of a cell phone  100  with a mirror according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  shows a typical front face of cell phone  100 , such as a Nokia phone.  FIG. 1B  shows the back side of cell phone  100 , which includes a grip area  102  and a clip area  104 . In one embodiment, clip area  104  is located at the top of cell phone  100 , although clip area  104  may also be located at the bottom or sides of the cell phone. Grip area  102  allows the user to press and push grip area  102  to slide a back cover  106  from cell phone  100 . Grip area  102  can be formed directly on the back cover as ridges or bumps, or a separate protrusion can be secured to the back cover, such as a piece of rubber, felt, or any other suitable material. By pushing on grip area  102 , the back cover slides off the cell phone. Note that grip area  102  may be located on any area of cell phone  100  that allows the user to slide off back cover  106 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the back of the cell phone  100  when back cover  106  has been slid off and attached to clip area  104 . First, when back cover  106  is slid off, an inside portion of the cell phone is exposed, such as a battery  200  and a SIM card  202 . Once back cover  106  is removed, it is flipped over, exposing a mirror  204  or other reflecting device. Mirror  204  is on the opposite side of back cover  106  from grip area  102 . Once separated and flipped over, back cover  106  can be attached to cell phone  100  via clip area  104 . Any suitable clipping mechanisms may be used. Further, in other embodiments, back cover  106  need not be clipped or there does not need to be a clip area  104  at all. In these embodiments, mirror  204  is not attached to cell phone  100 , but can be used independently of the cell phone. As shown in  FIG. 2 , mirror  204  is nearly the same size as cell phone  100 , although any shape and size may be suitable, as long as the mirror is within the outer edges of the cell phone. Further, if a latch is used, mirror  204  may be secured at any angle to front of the cell phone. Some embodiments require a fixed angle, while other embodiments may allow the user to adjust the angle. 
     Also, in other embodiments, clip area  104  may be on the bottom or sides of cell phone  100 . In these embodiments, mirror  204  will be then positioned in a different arrangement relative to the cell phone. Again, clip area  104  in these embodiments do not need to actually attach to back cover  106  to realize the advantages of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  show front and back views of a cell phone  300  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, cell phone  300  has a front portion similar to the other embodiment, e.g., just a typical cell phone, such as one from Nokia. In  FIG. 3B , a back cover  302  is connected to cell phone  300  by a hinge or hinges  304 . A push button  306  releases back cover  302  from cell phone  300 , such that back cover  302  flips open about hinges  304 . Such mechanisms for opening back cover  302  are known, e.g., use of a spring that provides force to push the back cover away from the cell phone and which actually forces the back cover open by pivoting along hinges  304  when a latch or other securing device is released. 
       FIG. 4  shows the back of cell phone  300  when back cover  302  is opened. As seen, once back cover  302  is “popped” or “flipped” open, an interior portion of cell phone  300  is exposed, such as a battery  400  and SIM card  402 . Back cover  302  pivots about hinges  304  such that the interior portion of back cover  302  is exposed to reveal a mirror  404  or other reflecting device. As with the other embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mirror  404  can be any size, but advantageously is capable of being the size of almost the whole cell phone. A spring force in hinges  304  may keep back cover  302  (and mirror  404 ) in a semi-fixed position so that the cover does not move freely. Once the mirror is not longer needed, the user can close back cover  302  until a securing mechanism locks the cover in place. 
     In other embodiments, a spring is not present to force the cover open. A latch or release mechanism simply allows the user to then open the back cover manually to expose the mirror, similar in operation to a woman&#39;s compact. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications are possible with the present invention, in which a mirror is located on a separate back portion of a cell phone, where the mirror is covered when not in use. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the description is only an example of the invention&#39;s application and should not be taken as a limitation. Consequently, various adaptations and combinations of features of the embodiments disclosed are within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.