Patent Publication Number: US-2005124395-A1

Title: Portable communication apparatus and method thereof

Description:
PRIORITY  
      This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of an application entitled “Portable Communication Apparatus” filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 6, 2003 and assigned Serial No. 2003-88390, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus and method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus having housings adapted to be extendedly rotated in multiple stages and a method thereof.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      The term “portable communication apparatus” typically refers to an apparatus which a user can carry to perform wireless communication with a desired partner. Such portable communication apparatuses include Hand Held Products (HHPs), Cordless Telephony Generation 2 (CT-2) cellular phones, digital phones, Personal Communication System (PCS) phones, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and may be classified into various categories according to appearance, such as bar-type apparatuses, flip-type apparatuses, and folder-type apparatuses. Bar-type apparatuses have a single housing shaped like a bar. Flip-type portable apparatuses have a flip or a cover which is rotatably mounted to a bar-shaped housing by a hinge device. Folder-type apparatuses have a folder which is connected to a single bar-shaped housing by a hinge device in such a manner that the folder can be rotated in order to be folded to or unfolded from the housing.  
      Conventional portable communication apparatuses, described above, are equipped with a required antenna device, data input and output devices, as well as data transmission and reception devices. The data input device comprises a key pad, which is used to input data with finger pressing operations. A touch pad or a touch screen may be used instead.  
      A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is generally used for the display function of the data output device.  
      Recently, the flip-type or folder-type portable communication apparatuses have been widely used, because they have excellent speech sensitivity and it is easy to make the size of their bodies compact and lighter.  
      The folder-type portable communication apparatus comprises a body on which various key buttons and a microphone device are positioned, a folder on which an LCD display unit and a speaker device are positioned, and a hinge device adapted to mechanically connect the body with the folder and to rotate the folder upward from the body.  
      During use, the folder is rotated upward a predetermined angle or more from the body.  
      The folder is adapted to be rotated in a typical range of 0-150° from the body. If the folder is rotated a predetermined angle or more, it is provided with an assistive force and is automatically opened, without any additional application of force from the user. If the folder is rotated about 150°, a hinge module provides a stopping force.  
      According to current trends, additional functions (such as, transmitting and receiving text messages or video clips) of portable communication apparatuses, in addition to a speech function, have become popular.  
      However, in the case of a conventional portable communication apparatus, the hinge device cannot rotate the folder more than 150° from the body to open the apparatus, even when it needs to be used as a remote control unit or for other additional functions. The folder can only be rotated up to 150° for speech.  
      Furthermore, when the user watches a video clip, the folder of the apparatus covers a portion of the screen. Even when the user slants the apparatus to watch the whole screen, the lighting makes it is difficult to watch the screen clearly.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication apparatus adapted to be extendedly rotated in multiple stages and a method thereof.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication apparatus capable of being extendedly rotated by a dual hinge device from an angular position for speech, to a fully open position so that it can be used as a remote control unit and for other additional functions in a convenient way and a method thereof.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication apparatus capable of being extendedly rotated by a dual hinge device from an angular position for speech, to a fully open position so that it can be used to watch video clips conveniently and a method thereof.  
      In order to accomplish this object, there is provided a portable communication apparatus and method comprising a first housing extending along a longitudinal direction; a second housing connected to the first housing by a dual hinge device and adapted to be rotated in multi-stages toward or away from the first housing about first and second hinge axes in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; a dual hinge device which rotatably connects the first and second housing to each other, provides the first and second hinge axes, and is adapted to rotate the second housing about the first hinge axis, as well as to rotate the second housing about the second hinge axis in such a manner that the second housing extends along the longitudinal direction of the second housing when a button unit, which is exposed to the exterior of the first housing, is pressed; and a hinge locking module positioned in the first housing and the dual hinge device to extendedly rotate or hold the second housing as the button unit is pressed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein its second housing is rotated 150° to be opened from its first housing;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view magnifying part A of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a side sectional view showing the internal construction of a dual hinge device of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, before a locking unit is coupled thereto;  
       FIG. 5  is a side sectional view showing the internal construction of a dual hinge device of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, after a locking unit is coupled thereto;  
       FIG. 6  is perspective view showing a hinge locking module of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a locking unit is coupled to a releasable protrusion of a first center hinge arm;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a locking unit is released from a releasable protrusion of a first center hinge arm;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein a locking unit is released from a releasable protrusion of a first center hinge arm and is rotated;  
       FIG. 10  is a side sectional view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention before the operation of a hinge locking module, which is positioned in a dual hinge device;  
       FIG. 11  is a side sectional view showing the construction of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention during the operation of a hinge locking module, which is positioned in a dual hinge device;  
       FIG. 12  is a side sectional view showing the operation of a hinge locking module, which is positioned in a dual hinge device, wherein a second housing is rotated 180° to be opened from a first housing of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein its second housing is rotated 180° to be opened from its first housing;  
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view magnifying part B of  FIG. 13 ; and  
       FIG. 15  is a side sectional view showing a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention wherein its second housing is rotated 180° to be opened from its first housing. 
    
    
      Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that the same or similar elements are denoted by like reference numerals.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
      Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of embodiments of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted for conciseness.  
      As shown in FIGS.  1  to  15 , a portable communication apparatus  10  comprises first and second housings  10  and  20 , a dual hinge device  40 , and a hinge locking module  50 .  
      The first housing  20  extends along a longitudinal direction and is rotatably connected to the dual hinge device  40 .  
      The second housing  30  is connected to the first housing  20  by the dual hinge device  40  in such a manner that it can be rotated in multiple stages about first and second hinge axes A 1  and A 2  of the dual hinge device  40  toward or away from the first housing  20  in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.  
      The dual hinge device  40  rotatably connects the first and second housings  20  and  30  to each other, provides the first and second hinge axes A 1  and A 2 , and is adapted to rotate the second housing  30  about the first hinge axis A 1 , as well as to extendedly rotate the second housing  30  about the second hinge axis A 2  in such a manner that the second housing extends  30  along the longitudinal direction of the second housing  30  when a button unit  51 , which is exposed to the exterior of the first housing  30 , is pressed.  
      The hinge locking module  50  is positioned in the first housing  20  and the dual hinge device  40  in such a manner that the second housing  30  can be extendedly rotated or held as the button unit  51  is pressed.  
      The first and second housings  20  and  30  have respective first and second center hinge arms  21  and  31  protruding from their ends to be coupled to a pair of side hinge arms  41  and  42 , which are formed on the opposite ends of the dual hinge device  40 .  
      In addition, the dual hinge device  40  has pairs of first and second side hinge arms  41  and  42  which are formed on its upper and lower ends, respectively, while facing each other and are coupled to respective center hinge arms  21  and  31 , which are formed on the center portion of the first and second housings  20  and  30 , respectively.  
      The first housing  22  has a mounting hole  22  formed in a predetermined position so that the button unit  51  can be moved vertically therein.  
      The first center hinge arm  21  has a guide hole  21   a  (see  FIG. 4 ) formed on its center portion so that a locker unit  52 , which is provided on the hinge locking module  50 , extends through it and is guided to slide horizontally within it.  
      The first center hinge arm  21  has at least one releasable protrusion  21   b  (see  FIG. 7 ) formed on its outer periphery, which protrudes along the longitudinal direction of the housing and is adapted to be coupled to and released from a locking unit  53 , which is provided on the hinge locking module  50 .  
      The first housing  20  is provided with a number of key buttons  23  and a microphone device  24 .  
      The second housing  30  is provided with an LCD display unit  32  and a speaker device  33 .  
      The first and second center hinge arms  21  and  31  have respective first and second hinge cams  43  (see  FIG. 7 ) and  44  (see  FIG. 5 ) positioned therein, which are rotatably coupled to the first and second side hinge arms  41  and  42  of the dual hinge device  40 , respectively.  
      The hinge locking module  50  comprises a button unit  5   1 , a locker unit  52 , a locking unit  53 , and a coil spring  54 .  
      The button unit  51  is positioned in the mounting hole  22  of the first housing  20  in such it can be moved vertically therein by an external force.  
      The button unit  51  is exposed to the exterior from within the mounting hole  22 .  
      The locker unit  52  extends through and is coupled to the guide hole  21  a in such a manner that it can be moved horizontally as the button unit  51  is moved vertically.  
      The locking unit  53  is positioned in a housing of the dual hinge device  40  in such a manner that it can be moved horizontally together with the locker unit  52 , as the latter is moved horizontally, and it can be coupled to and released from the releasable protrusion  21   b  of the first center hinge arm  21  to extendedly rotate or hold the second housing  30 .  
      The coil spring  54  is positioned on the rear surface of the locking unit  53  to provide a resilient force so that the locker unit  52  can be moved horizontally.  
      The button unit  51  has a button-side guide slant surface  51   a  formed on its lower portion, which corresponds to a protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  formed on the locker unit  52 .  
      The locker unit  52  has a protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  formed on one end, which faces the button-side guide slant surface  51   a  and enables horizontal movement as the button unit  51  is moved vertically.  
      The locker unit  52  has a contact protrusion  52   b  formed on the other end, which is adapted to contact a contact surface  503  formed on the locking unit  53 .  
      The locking unit  53  comprises a hinge stopper unit  53   a , a spring coupler unit  53   b , at least one coupling groove  53   c , and a rail protrusion  53   d.    
      The hinge stopper unit  53   a  is positioned on the front center portion of the locking unit  53  so that it can extendedly rotate or stop the second housing  30  as the locker unit  52  is moved horizontally.  
      The spring coupler unit  53   b  is positioned on the rear surface of the locking unit  53  so that it can be coupled to the coil spring  54  and support it at the same time.  
      The coupling groove  53   c  is formed on both sides of the hinge stopper unit  53   a  and is adapted to be coupled to and released from the releasable protrusion  21   b  as the locker unit  52  is moved horizontally.  
      The rail protrusion  53   d  is formed on both sides of the locking unit  53  in such a manner that it can be coupled to a rail groove  45 , which is formed in the dual hinge device  40 , to guide the horizontal sliding movement of the locking unit  53 .  
      The hinge stopper unit  53   a  is provided with a contact surface  503  to contact the contact protrusion  52   b  of the locker unit  52 .  
      The contact surface  503  has an engaging step  504  formed on its upper portion so that the contact protrusion  52   b  can be released from or engaged with the contact surface  503 , as the contact protrusion  52   b  is moved horizontally.  
      The engaging step  504  has a guide groove  505  formed on its upper portion to guide the contact protrusion  52   b , once the latter is released from the engaging step  504 .  
      The guide groove  505  defines a curve which is concave toward the inside of the locking unit  53 .  
      The dual hinge device  40  is adapted to rotate the second housing  30  up to 150° from the first housing  20  about the first hinge axis A 1  and, if the button unit  51  of the hinge locking module  50  is pressed in this state, to extendedly rotate the second housing  30  to 180° about the second hinge axis A 2 .  
      The operation of a portable communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, configured as above, will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS.  1  to  15 .  
      As shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 , the portable communication apparatus  10  comprises first and second housings  10  and  20 , a dual hinge device  40 , and a hinge locking module  50 .  
      If a user wants to use the apparatus  10  for speech communication, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the second housing  30  is rotated away from the first housing  20  in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction.  
      The rotation is performed about a first hinge axis A 1  of the dual hinge device  40 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , the dual hinge device  40  has a pair of second side hinge arms  42  which are formed on the opposite upper ends thereof, while facing each other, and are coupled to a second center hinge arm  31 , which is formed on the center portion of the second housing  30 . The second center hinge arm  31  is rotatably coupled to the second side hinge arm  42 . The second housing  30  is then rotated from the second housing  20  by the second side hinge arm  42  and the second center hinge arm  31 .  
      The second housing  30  is rotated up to 150° from the first housing  20  and is stopped.  
      If a user wants to watch a video clip, as shown in  FIG. 10 , using an LCD display unit  32  which is positioned on the second housing  30  of the apparatus  10 , the user presses a button unit  51  which is positioned in a mounting hole  22  of the first housing  20 . The button unit  51  is then moved downward as shown in  FIG. 11 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the button unit  51  has a button-side guide slant surface  5  la formed on its lower portion, which corresponds to a protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  formed on the locker unit  52 . If the button-side guide slant surface  51   a  is moved downward, the protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  is moved rightward.  
      As shown in  FIG. 12 , the locker unit  52  extends through and is coupled to a guide hole  21   a , which is formed on the center portion of the first center hinge arm  21 . If the protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  is moved horizontally by the button-side guide slant surface  51  a, the locker unit  52  is slid rightward in the guide hole  21   a.    
      The locker unit  52  has a contact protrusion  52   b  which is adapted to contact a contact surface  503  formed on the locking unit  53 . As the locker unit  52  is slid, the contact protrusion  52   b  is moved together with the contact surface  503  of the locking unit  53 , while being forced against it.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the locking unit  53  has a rail protrusion  53   d  formed on both sides thereof in such a manner that it can be coupled to a rail groove  45 , which is formed in the dual hinge device  40 , to guide the horizontal sliding movement of the locking unit  53 .  
      As shown in FIGS.  7  to  9 , a releasable protrusion  21   b , which is formed on the outer periphery of the first center hinge arm  21 , is then released from a coupling groove  53   c  of the locking unit  53 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 12 , the contact surface  503  has an engaging step  504  formed on its upper portion so that the contact protrusion  52   b , which is formed on the locker unit  52 , can be released from or engaged with the contact surface  503 , as the contact protrusion  52   b  is moved horizontally. The contact protrusion  52   b  of the locker unit  52  is then released from the engaging step  504 , and the engagement is ended.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the engaging step  504  has a guide groove  505  formed on its upper portion to guide the second housing  30  in such a manner that it can be extendedly rotated, once the contact protrusion  52   b  is released from the engaging step  504 . As the locking unit  53  of the second housing  30  is extendedly rotated, the contact protrusion  52   b  is moved to the guide groove  505 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 12 , the guide groove  505  defines a curve which is concave toward the inside of the locking unit  53  and guides the contact protrusion  52   b  along the curve.  
      As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the locking unit  53  is extendedly rotated about the second hinge axis A 2  of the dual hinge device  40 , and the second housing  30  is rotated accordingly.  
      As shown in  FIG. 13 , the dual hinge device  40  has a pair of first side hinge arms  41  which are formed on the opposite lower ends thereof, while facing each other, and are coupled to a first center hinge arm  21 , which is formed on the center portion of the first housing  20 . As such, the second housing  30  is extendedly rotated from the first housing  20  by the first side hinge arm  41  and the first center hinge arm  21 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 , the second housing  30  is extendedly rotated up to 180° from the first housing  20 .  
      If a user wants to use the apparatus  10  for speech function again, the second housing  30  is rotated toward the first housing  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The contact protrusion  52   b  of the locker unit  52  is then reversely rotated along the guide groove of the locking unit  53  and contacts the contact surface  503 .  
      The locking unit  53  has a coil spring  54  positioned on its rear surface to provide a resilient force so that the locker unit  52  can be moved horizontally. As such, the locking unit  53  is moved leftward due to the resilient force from the coil spring  54 .  
      The locker unit  52  is then moved together, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a , which is formed on the locker unit  52 , corresponds to the button-side guide slant surface  51   a . If the protrusion-side guide slant surface  52   a  is moved horizontally, the button-side guide slant surface  51   a  moves the button unit  51  upward and causes it to be exposed to the exterior through the mounting hole  22 .  
      The apparatus  10  is then ready to use for performing a speech function.  
      If the apparatus  10  is not used, the second housing  30  is rotated toward the first housing  20  about the first hinge axis A 1  of the dual hinge device  40  and is folded on the first housing  20  to be closed.  
      As mentioned above, the portable communication apparatus can be extendedly rotated from an angular position, wherein it is opened for speech, so that it can be used as a remote control unit and for other additional functions in a convenient way.  
      While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.