Abstract:
An improved mobile communication terminal ( 100 ) is obtained, which is easy to operate while protecting the main display ( 102 ) when not in use. This is realized in the invention by letting the display body part, i.e. the first body part ( 101 ), to be located within the main body part, i.e. the second body part ( 103 ), while in a first relative position, i.e. a closed state. This significantly reduces the risk of having the display ( 102 ) being subjected to dust and scratches. When the mobile communication terminal is in the open state, i.e. the second relative position, the display ( 102 ) is fully visible to provide a rich user interface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and specifically to an improved mobile communication terminal comprising two body parts that are configured to be in at least two separate positions with respect to each other.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Mobile phones have changed dramatically in the last decade. With the first 2 G phones the only real purpose of the phones were to make normal phone calls. Now with 2.5 G (GPRS), CDMA2000 and UMTS technology, coupled with large color displays and integrated peripherals such as cameras and MP3 players, the phones have evolved to true multimedia entertainment terminals. This brings a whole new set of problems to be solved, not the least in the mechanical manifestation.  
         [0003]     A general problem of mobile phones is that they should be small when not in use to be convenient to carry around, while at the same time they should have large displays to allow delivery of rich content and a keyboard that is large enough to use. This problem has been attempted with several different solutions with varying degree of success in the past.  
         [0004]     One known way to deal with this problem is a phone that of what is called a clamshell type, implying that it comprises two main parts—one keyboard part and one display part, joined together by a hinge, allowing the phone to open and close much like a book. A problem with this type of phone is the complexity involved in opening or closing the phone. This is awkward and either requires two hands or a one hand operation with a large risk of dropping the phone.  
         [0005]     Moreover there is the swivel type of phone. This type of phone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,517. This type of phone also has a keyboard part and a display part but is opened using a swivel motion. However, a drawback relating to this type of phone is that the display is always exposed, leading to an enhanced risk of obtaining scratches and dust in the display, for example when the user carries the phone in a pocket or handbag.  
         [0006]     A more complex type of phone is disclosed in GB 2 387 063 A. Using a biaxial hinge the phone can be opened and closed in a multitude of ways. While this does provide a way to have a protected display in closed state, it does not provide an easy means for the user to open and close the phone.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An object of the present invention is hence to overcome drawbacks related to mobile communication terminals according to prior art.  
         [0008]     The object is achieved by means of a mobile communication terminal according to the appended claims.  
         [0009]     That is, a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention comprises a first body part and a second body part that are configured to be in at least a first relative position with respect to each other and a second relative position with respect to each other. The second body part comprises a cavity capable of containing the first body part. The first relative position is such that at least part of the first body part is contained in the cavity of the second body part and the second relative position is such that the first body part is substantially outside the cavity of the second body part.  
         [0010]     That is, a mobile communication terminal is obtained, which is easy to operate while protecting the main display when not in use. This is realized in the invention by letting the display body part, i.e. the first body part, to be located within the main body part, i.e. the second body part, while in a first relative position, i.e. a closed state. This has the advantage of significantly reducing the risk of having the first body part being subjected to dust and scratches. This is particularly advantageous when, as in preferred embodiments, the first body part comprises a display and/or a camera. When the terminal is in the open state, i.e. the second relative position, the camera is uncovered and the display is fully visible to provide a rich user interface.  
         [0011]     Preferably, the first and the second body parts each have a first surface and a second surface. The surfaces faces in essentially opposing directions and the second relative position is such that the first surface of the first body part and the first surface of the second body part are essentially in a common plane. In other words, the terminal is preferably realized such that in opened state the front surface, i.e. the first surface, of the display body part is in the same plane as the front surface of the main body part, providing a straight surface with the advantage of no body part edges disturbing the view or use of the phone.  
         [0012]     Alternatively, the second relative position is such that the second surface of the first body part and the second surface of the second body part are essentially in a common plane. That is, the back surface, i.e. the second surface, of the display body part and the back surface of the main body part are in the same plane, having the advantage of creating one stable back surface on which the terminal can rest, e.g. on a table.  
         [0013]     In a preferred embodiment, the first body part and the second body part are mechanically attached to each other such that the first and second body parts are capable of being rotated relative each other to allow a shift between the first and second relative positions. The rotational capability may be provided by means of a shaft comprising a threaded screw having a non-linear pitch. The rotational capability may alternatively be provided by means of a shaft having at least one eccentric end.  
         [0014]     In another preferred embodiment, the first body part and the second body part are mechanically attached to each other such that the first and second body parts are capable of being moved along essentially one direction relative each other to allow a shift between the first and second relative positions. That is, the transition between opened and closed states may also be provided by way of linear movement of the body parts.  
         [0015]     Preferably, spring means are arranged in connection with the first and the second body part for storing energy during shifting the body parts from the second to the first relative position and to release energy during a shift from the first to the second relative positions and thereby facilitating the shift. That is, when the user closes the phone the spring will store mechanical energy which is prevented to be released with a locking mechanism. On opening the phone, the locking mechanism is released and the mechanical energy is used to automatically displace the display body part to full open position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]     The present invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings, provided as non-limiting examples.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c  and  2   d  show a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with rotational capability from top views and side views.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  and  3   d  show a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with linear movement capability from top views and side views.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with 180 degree rotational capability.  
         [0021]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with 90 degree rotational capability.  
         [0022]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d  and  6   e  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with positive and negative 90 degree rotational capability.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with linear movement capability.  
         [0024]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show two perspective views of different rotational states of a joint in a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention with rotational capability.  
         [0025]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show two perspective views of different rotational states of a joint in a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention with rotational capability.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of an electrical connection in a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with rotational capability. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal  100  according to the present invention. A first body part  101  comprises a display  102  and a camera  130 . Attached, e.g. via a rotational joint or any other mechanical connecting means as will be exemplified below, to the first body part is a second body part  103 , comprising a processing unit  104  connected to an antenna  105  via a transceiver  106 , a memory unit  107 , a microphone  108 , a keyboard  109  and a speaker  110 . The processing unit  104  is also connected to the display  102  and the camera  130 .  
         [0028]     No detailed description will be presented regarding the specific functions of the different blocks of the telephone  100 . In short, however, as the person skilled in the art will realize, the processing unit  104  controls the overall function of the functional blocks in that it is capable of receiving input from the keyboard  109 , audio information via the microphone  108 , images recorded via the camera  130  and receive suitably encoded and modulated data via the antenna  105  and transceiver  106 . The processing unit  104  is also capable of providing output in the form of sound via the speaker  110 , images via the display  102  and suitably encoded and modulated data via the transceiver  106  and antenna  105 .  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d  show an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal  200  according to the invention with rotational capability.  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   c  are top views while  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   d  are side views. A first body part  201  comprising a display  202  and a camera  230  is attached to a second body part  203  through a rotational joint  212 . The second body part comprises a cavity  211  and a keyboard  209 . The first body part has a front surface  220  and a back surface  224 , and the second body part has a front surface  222  and a back surface  226 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  show the mobile communication terminal  200  in a closed state, defining a first relative position for the first  201  and second  203  body parts. The first body part  201  is contained within the cavity  211  of the second body part  203 , protecting the display  202  and the camera  230 .  FIGS. 2   c  and  2   d  show the mobile communication terminal  200  in an opened state, defining a second relative position for the first  201  and second  203  body parts. The first body part  201  is now located outside the cavity  211  of the second body part  203 , allowing the camera  230  to be used for recording images and allowing the display  202  to be viewed.  
         [0031]     In the closed state ( FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b ), the front surface  220  of the first body part  201  and the front surface  222  of the second body part  203  are not in a common plane, which is particularly apparent in  FIG. 2   b . In the opened state ( FIGS. 2   c  and  2   d ), the front surfaces  220 ,  222  are in a common plane, which is particularly apparent in  FIG. 2   d . The shift from the closed to open state is by way of relative rotation of the first  201  and second  203  body parts around the rotational joint  212 , the joint being provided such that it provides a relative shift in a z direction, as will be discussed further below in connection with  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Although not shown, an alternative configuration can be provided such that the back surface  224  of the first body part  201  and the back surface  226  of the second body part  203  are in a common plane in the opened state.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   d  show an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal  300  according to the invention with rotational capability.  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   c  are top views while  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   d  are side views. A first body part  301  comprising a display  302  is arranged to slide along a direction x and is in  FIG. 3   a  located within a cavity  311  in a second body part  303 . The second body part  303  also comprises a keyboard  309 . The first body part  301  and the second body part  303  are electrically connected through a flexible cable  312 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show the mobile communication terminal  300  in a closed state, the first body part  301  being contained within the cavity  311  of the second body part  303 , protecting the display  302 .  FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d  show the mobile communication terminal  300  in an opened state, the first body part  301  being located outside the cavity  311  of the second body part  303 , allowing the display  302  to be viewed. When linear movement is used to open and close the mobile communication terminal  300 , the flexible flat cable  312  is arranged in the cavity  311 , such that the cable is long enough to reach to the first part  301  in the opened state and flexible enough to fold and fit in the cavity  311  even when the mobile communication terminal  300  is in the closed state.  
         [0034]     Turning now to a description of different embodiment alternatives for a rotational configuration of the present invention as shown in FIGS.  4  to  6 . By defining the closed state as the display body part having an angle of 0 degrees in the x-y plane relative to the main body part, in opened state the display body part can be at 180 degrees, 90 degrees, −90 degrees, 270 degrees or any other angular measurement relative the main body part.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  4   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal  400  according to yet another embodiment of the invention with 180 degree rotational capability. A first body part  401  comprising a display  402  is attached to a second body part  403  through a joint  412 . The second body part comprises a cavity  411  and a keyboard  409 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4   a  shows the mobile communication terminal  400  in a closed state, with the first body part being contained within the cavity  411  of the second body part  403 .  FIG. 4   b  shows the mobile communication terminal  400  in a semi-opened state and  FIG. 4   c  shows the mobile communication terminal  400  in an opened state where the display  402  is fully visible.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b  and  5   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal  500  according to yet another embodiment of the invention with 90 degree rotational capability. A first body part  501  comprising a display  502  is attached to a second body part  503  through a joint  512 . The second body part comprises a keyboard  509 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 5   c  shows the mobile communication terminal  500  in a closed state, with the first body part being contained within the cavity (not shown) of the second body part  503 .  FIG. 5   b  shows the mobile communication terminal  500  in a semi-opened state and  FIG. 5   a  shows the mobile communication terminal  500  in an opened state where the display  502  is fully visible.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d  and  6   e  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal  600  according to yet another embodiment of the invention with positive and negative 90 degree rotational capability. A first body part  601  comprising a display  602  is attached to a second body part  603  through a joint  612 . The second body part comprises a cavity  611  and a keyboard  609 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6   c  shows the mobile communication terminal  600  in closed state, with the first body part being contained within the cavity (not shown) of the second body part  603 .  FIG. 6   a  shows the mobile communication terminal  600  in semi-opened state and  FIG. 6   b  shows the mobile communication terminal  600 , in opened state for a 90 degree rotation where the display  602  is fully visible.  FIG. 6   d  shows the mobile communication terminal  600  in semi-opened state and  FIG. 6   c  shows the mobile communication terminal  600  in opened state for a negative 90 degree rotation where the display  602  is fully visible.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 7   a ,  7   b  and  7   c  show perspective views of different states of a mobile communication terminal  700  according to yet another embodiment of the invention with linear movement capability. A first body part  701  comprising a display  702  is attached to a second body part  703 . The second body part comprises a cavity (not shown) and a keyboard  709 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 7   a  shows the mobile communication terminal  700  in closed state, with the first body part being contained within the cavity (not shown) of the second body part  703 .  FIG. 7   b  shows the mobile communication terminal  700  in semi-opened state and  FIG. 7   c  shows the mobile communication terminal  700  in opened state where the display  702  is fully visible.  
         [0043]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show two perspective views of different rotational states of a joint in an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention with rotational capability, e.g. the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  5  and  6 . A first body part  801  is connected to a shaft comprising a threaded screw  813  which in turn is connected to a second body part  803 .  FIG. 8   a  shows in a first rotational state the arrangement of the first body part  801  and the second body part  803 .  FIG. 8   b  shows in a second rotational state the arrangement of the first body part  801  and the second body part  803 , where it can be seen that the first body part  801  has been shifted along the z axis relative the second body part  803  compared to  FIG. 8   a.    
         [0044]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show two perspective views of different rotational states of a joint in an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal according to the present invention with rotational capability. A first body part  901  is connected to a shaft  913  which in turn is connected to a second body part  903 .  FIG. 9   a  shows in a first rotational state the arrangement of the first body part  901  and the second body part  903 .  FIG. 9   b  shows in a second rotational state the arrangement of the first body part  901  and the second body part  903 , where it can be seen that the first body part  901  has been shifted along the z axis relative the second body part  903  compared to  FIG. 9   a.    
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the electrical connection of an embodiment of a mobile communication terminal according to the invention with rotational capability. A first body part  1001  is electrically connected to a second body part  1003  by means of a cable  1014 .  
         [0046]     When rotation is used to open and close the mobile communication terminal, the electric connection between the first body part  1001  and the second body part  1003  is realized with a flat cable  1014  arranged in a spiral, providing low mechanical stress on the cable during radial movement.