Abstract:
A portable device embodying both sliding and rotating types is described. The portable device including: a main unit; a display unit sliding and horizontally rotating on a top surface of the main unit, and having a display on its top surface; and a keypad unit sliding in an opposite direction from the display unit and horizontally rotating on a bottom surface of the main unit and having an additional keypad which is provided on its top surface and externally exposed after rotating. Also, the portable device may be transformed into various operating modes by sliding and/or rotating of the display unit and the keypad unit, which are suitable for phone calling, game play and multimedia replay.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2005-127391, filed on Dec. 21, 2005, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable device, and more particularly, to a portable device of a sliding and rotating type. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Mobile terminals can be generally classified as a flip type, a folder type, and a sliding type according to their appearance or operational method. In this instance, a mobile terminal of the sliding type overlaps two sliding bodies with each other and provides a display portion and a key input portion, on opposing sliding bodies, facing the same direction. Generally, a mobile terminal of the sliding type can expose the display portion or the key input portion, which is concealed by the top portion, by comparatively moving the top sliding body. As an example, a mobile terminal of the sliding type can expose a key input portion provided on a rear sliding body by upwardly sliding a front sliding body. 
     Currently, because of developments in communication technology and increased memory capacity, users can enjoy watching movies and playing various types games via portable devices. Accordingly, mobile terminals having a general function of making a call and also having functions of playing a game and replaying multimedia, and having various structures for embodying the functions are being researched and developed. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile terminal of a conventional sliding type. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mobile terminal  1  of the conventional sliding type includes an upper sliding body  20  and a lower sliding body  10  which are overlapped with each other in upper and lower portions. A sliding hinge portion is provided between the upper and lower sliding bodies  20  and  10 , and connects the same. Also, the sliding hinge portion may help the upper and lower sliding bodies  20  and  10  to easily slide. A display portion  25 , a game button portion  26  and a game navigation key portion  28  are provided on a top surface of the upper sliding body  20 . A key input portion (not shown) is provided on a top surface of the lower sliding body  10 . 
     However, in the mobile terminal of the conventional sliding type, the display portion  25 , the game button portion  26  and the game navigation key portion  28  are all provided on the top surface of the upper sliding body  20  to enable a user to enjoy game functions. Accordingly, an area for the display portion  25  becomes exceedingly narrow, which causes a user to easily suffer from eyestrain when playing a game for an extended period. Also, in this case, the user may not enjoy the game vividly. 
     Also, while users want to secure a wider keypad space or an additional key button to readily utilize various types of game functions of a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal of the conventional sliding type may not provide a space for a new key button. Also, the mobile terminal may not be able to provide a new keypad which is suitable for game functions. 
     Also, in the case of the conventional mobile terminal, when a user wants to make a call or utilize a function of watching a move or playing a game among general functions of the mobile terminal, transformation of the conventional mobile terminal to be suitable for each function may not be easy or may be impossible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable device which can easily be transformed to be suitable for its various types of functions, and help a user to readily utilize the functions such as making a call, replaying multimedia and playing a game. 
     The present invention also provides a portable device which can secure a wider keypad space or have a larger area for a key pad than the conventional portable device, and help a user to readily utilize various types of game functions added to the portable device. 
     The present invention also provides a portable device which can provides a display wider than the conventional portable device, reduces user&#39;s eyestrain during watching a movie or playing a game via the portable device, and enables the user to enjoy the game much vividly 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable device including a main unit, a display unit and a keypad unit, wherein the display unit is provided on a top surface of the main unit and the keypad unit is provided on a bottom surface of the main unit. In this instance, a first complex hinge part is provided between the main unit and the display unit and a second complex hinge part is provided between the main unit and the keypad unit. Namely, the display unit provided on the top surface of the main unit is physically connected to the main unit via the first complex hinge part. The keypad unit provided on the bottom surface of the main unit is physically connected to the main unit via the second complex hinge part. 
     The display unit may slide and horizontally rotate on the top surface of the main unit by the first complex hinge part, and the keypad unit may slide in an opposite direction from the display unit and horizontally rotate on the bottom surface of the main unit by the second complex hinge part. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a main keypad may be placed on the top surface of the main unit to enable a user to input a number or a character. In this instance, the main keypad may be selectively exposed by sliding and rotating the display unit. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, a top surface of the display unit may be externally exposed and a display is installed on the top surface of the display unit. A user may verify an inputted number or character and also enjoy a game and a movie via the display. Also, menu keys may be provided on the top surface of the display unit, which are adjacent to the display. In this instance, a user may input a simple instruction using the menu key, such as making a call, and starting and terminating a movie. 
     A top surface of the keypad unit may be selectively exposed by sliding and rotating the keypad unit and an additional keypad may be installed on the top surface of the keypad unit. Generally, the additional keypad may be provided for use with the game function of the portable device. 
     Accordingly, a portable device according to an aspect of the present invention may be structurally transformed to be suitable for each function, such as making a call, enjoying multimedia and playing a game. Accordingly, a user may utilize the each function more readily and actively. Also, the portable device may provide a keypad space larger than the conventional portable device. Accordingly, a user may more readily utilize various types of functions added to the portable device. Also, the portable device may provide a display area larger than the conventional portable device. Accordingly, a user may suffer less eyestrain when watching a movie or playing a game via the portable device. 
     A portable device as used in the present specification includes mobile communication devices, such as a Personal Digital Cellular (PDC) phone, a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a personal handyphone system (PHS) phone, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-2000 (1X, 3X) phone, a Wideband CDMA phone, a dual band/dual mode phone, a Global Standard for Mobile Communications (GSM) phone, a mobile broadband system (MBS) phone, a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) phone, and a cellular phone; portable terminals such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a hand-held PC, a notebook PC, a wireless broadband Internet (WiBro) terminal, and an MP3 player; and all types of hand-held based wireless communication devices including an International Mobile Telecommunication (IMT)-2000 providing international roaming service and extended mobile communication service. Also, the portable device may include a predetermined communication module such as a CDMA module, a Bluetooth module, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) module, a wired/wireless LAN card and a wireless communication device which is provided with a global positioning system (GPS) chip enabling tracking of a position via a GPS. Also, the portable device may include a microprocessor which can play multimedia and perform a certain calculation operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and/or other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a mobile terminal of a conventional sliding type; 
         FIGS. 2 through 6  are perspective views illustrating a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first complex hinge part according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a portable device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a portable device  100  of the present invention includes a main unit  110 , a display unit  120  and a keypad unit  130 . 
     The display unit  120  is provided on a top surface of the main unit  110 . The keypad unit  130  is provided on a bottom surface of the main unit  110 . First and second complex hinge parts  140  and  160  of  FIG. 7  are provided between the main unit  110  and the display unit  120 , and between the main unit  110  and the keypad unit  130 , respectively. In this instance, the display unit  120  provided on the top surface of the main unit  110  is physically connected to the main unit  110  via the first complex hinge part  140 . The keypad unit  130  provided on the bottom surface of the main unit  110  is physically connected to the main unit  110  via the second complex hinge part  160 . 
     Also, the display unit  120  slides and horizontally rotates on the top surface of the main unit  110  via the first complex hinge part  140 . The keypad unit  130  slides in an opposite direction from the display unit  120  and horizontally rotates on the bottom surface of the main unit  110  via the second complex hinge part  160 . 
     A main keypad  113  of  FIG. 3  is installed on the top surface of the main unit  110  and enables a user to input a number or a character. Also, the main keypad  113  may be selectively exposed by sliding the display unit  120 . 
     A top surface of the display unit  120  is externally exposed at all times and a display  122  is installed on the top surface of the display unit  120 . A user may verify an inputted number or character and also enjoy a game and a movie via the display  122 . Also, menu keys  123  may be provided on the top surface of the display unit  120 , which are adjacent to the display  122 . In this instance, a user may input a simple instruction using the menu keys  123 , such as making a call, and starting and terminating a movie. 
     A top surface of the keypad unit  130  is selectively exposed by sliding and rotating the keypad unit  130  and an additional keypad  133  shown in  FIG. 5  is installed on the top surface of the keypad unit  130 . Generally, the additional keypad  133  is provided for use with the game function of the portable device  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the portable device of  FIG. 2 , in which the display unit slides upwardly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the portable device  100  includes the main unit  110 , the display unit  120  and the keypad unit  130 . The display unit  120  slides upwardly in a direction on the top surface of the main unit  110 . 
     When the display unit  120  slides from the main unit  110 , the main keypad  113  provided on the top surface of the main unit  110  is externally exposed. In this case, a keypad may be arranged to enable a user to easily make a call or input a number and character. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the portable device of  FIG. 3 , in which the display unit rotates at the upper position of the main unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the portable device  100  includes the main unit  110 , the display unit  120  and the keypad unit  130 . The display unit  120  initially slides upwardly and subsequently rotates clockwise or counterclockwise on the top surface of the main unit  110 . Generally, the display unit  120  is capable of rotating about  90  degrees to each of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its initial position. 
     In this case, the display  122  is provided to be horizontal, which will be very convenient when utilizing digital multimedia (DMB) and multimedia from among various types of functions of the portable device  100 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the portable device of  FIG. 2 , in which the keypad unit rotates at the lower position of the main unit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the keypad unit  130  initially downwardly slides and subsequently rotates clockwise or counterclockwise on the bottom surface of the main unit  110 . In this instance, a user may select to rotate the keypad unit  130  in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction. Generally, the keypad unit  130  is capable of rotating about 90 degrees to each of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its initial position. 
     When the keypad unit  130  slides from the main unit  110  and rotates, the additional keypad  133  provided on the top surface of the keypad unit  130  is externally exposed to enable a user easily play a game. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the portable device of  FIG. 2 , in which the display unit and the keypad unit all slide and rotate. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the display unit  120  initially upwardly slides and subsequently rotates on the top surface of the main unit  110 , and the keypad unit  130  initially downwardly slides and subsequently rotates on the bottom surface of the main unit  110 . 
     Also in this case, the additional keypad  133  provided on the top surface of the keypad unit  130  is externally exposed to enable a user to easily play a game. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the portable device of  FIG. 1 , and  FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first complex hinge part of  FIG. 7 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the portable device  100  includes the main unit  110 , the display unit  120  and the keypad unit  130 . In this instance, the display unit  120  is provided on the top surface of the main unit  110  and the keypad unit  130  is provided on the bottom surface of the main unit  110 . 
     The first complex hinge part  140  is provided between the main unit  110  and the display unit  120 . Also, the second complex hinge part  160  is provided between the main unit  110  and the keypad unit  130 . 
     The display unit  120  provided on the top surface of the main unit  110  is physically connected to the main unit  110  via the first complex hinge part  140 . The keypad unit  130  provided on the bottom surface of the main unit  110  is physically connected to the main unit  110  via the second complex hinge part  140 . 
     Also, the display unit  120  slides and horizontally rotates on the top surface of the main unit  110  via the first complex hinge part  140 . The keypad unit  130  slides on the bottom surface of the main unit  110  and horizontally rotates in an opposite direction from the display unit  120  via the second complex hinge part  160 . 
     The first complex hinge part  140  provided between the main unit  110  and the display unit  120  includes a first rotation hinge section  145  and a first sliding hinge section  155 . 
     Specifically, the first rotation hinge section  145  includes a first lower rotation hinge  146  and a first upper rotation hinge  148 . In this instance, the first lower rotation hinge  146  is installed on the main unit  110  and has a first lower hole  147 . The first upper rotation hinge  148  is rotatable on the first lower rotation hinge  146  and has a first upper hole  149  corresponding to the first lower hole  147 . 
     The first sliding hinge section  155  includes a first sliding guide  156  installed on the first rotation hinge section  145  and a first rail plate  158  installed on the display unit  120 . A first groove  157  is formed on the first sliding guide  156  and receives both ends of the first rail plate  158 . Accordingly, the first sliding guide  156  slides along the first groove  157 . 
     The second complex hinge part  160  provided between the main unit  110  and the keypad unit  130  includes a second rotation hinge section  165  and a second sliding hinge section  175 . 
     Specifically, the second rotation hinge section  165  includes a second lower rotation hinge  166  and a second upper rotation hinge  168 . In this instance, the second rotation hinge  166  is installed on the main unit  110  and has a second lower hole. The second upper rotation hinge  168  is rotatable on the second lower rotation hinge  166  and has a second upper hole corresponding to the second lower hole. 
     The second sliding hinge section  175  includes a second sliding guide  176  installed on the second rotation hinge section  165  and a second rail plate  178  installed on the keypad unit  130 . A second groove  177  is formed on the second sliding guide  176  and receives both ends of the second rail plate  178 . Accordingly, the second sliding guide  176  slides along the second groove  177 . 
     The main unit  110  and the display unit  120  may be electrically connected to each other by a flexible printed circuit board passing through the first lower hole  147  and the first upper hole  149 . Also, the main unit  110  and the keypad unit  130  may be electrically connected to each other by a flexible printed circuit board passing through the second lower hole and the second upper hole. 
     A portable device according to the present invention may be structurally transformed to be suitable for making a call, replaying multimedia and playing a game. Accordingly, a user may be capable of enjoying the functions readily and animatedly. 
     Also, a portable device according to the present invention may provide a wider display than in the conventional portable device and reduces a user&#39;s eyestrain when playing a game and watching a movie via the portable device and also enable the user to utilize more animated game service. 
     Also, a portable device according to the present invention provides three types of keypads. Accordingly, disadvantages in manipulating game buttons and navigation keys in the conventional art due to their small size are solved. Also, since various types of functions are added to the portable device, additional keys and buttons may be easily provided. 
     Also, a portable device according to the present invention embodies both sliding and rotation types. Accordingly, a user may be able to utilize various types and not be bored. 
     Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.