Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20070072659?dq=5527183
Timestamp: 2015-03-28 13:20:13
Document Index: 423017380

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 143', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 243', 'art 343', 'art 323', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 323', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 343', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 430', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 443', 'art 443']

Patent US20070072659 - Mobile communication terminal - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA mobile communication terminal is provided that can be opened or closed when the mobile communication terminal is shaken in one direction. By simply shaking the mobile communication terminal held in hand to move a weight pendulum, a second body of the terminal can be opened and closed with respect to...http://www.google.com/patents/US20070072659?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20070072659 - Mobile communication terminalAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20070072659 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/529,098Publication dateMar 29, 2007Filing dateSep 27, 2006Priority dateSep 27, 2005Also published asCN1941983A, CN1941983B, EP1768357A2, EP1768357A3, EP1768357B1, US7711399Publication number11529098, 529098, US 2007/0072659 A1, US 2007/072659 A1, US 20070072659 A1, US 20070072659A1, US 2007072659 A1, US 2007072659A1, US-A1-20070072659, US-A1-2007072659, US2007/0072659A1, US2007/072659A1, US20070072659 A1, US20070072659A1, US2007072659 A1, US2007072659A1InventorsSeong-Hyun RyuOriginal AssigneeLg Electronics Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (8), Classifications (7), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMobile communication terminal
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mobile communication terminal 100 includes a first body 110 and a second body 120 that is slidably moved in order to open and close the terminal. On a front surface of the first body 110, there is a first keypad 111 having a plurality of key buttons to input information or issue a control command and a microphone 112 for receiving a voice signal. A second keypad 122 is provided on a front surface of the second body 120. On a rear surface of the first body 110, there is a battery 113 installed for supplying power to the mobile communication terminal 100. A display 121 for displaying visual information and a speaker 123 for outputting a voice signal are installed on a front surface of the second body 120. With such a structure, a user can slidably move the second body 120 to open with respect to the first body 110 in order to enter a call mode or input/output information through the first key pad 112 and second keypad 122. FIG. 4 illustrates a separated perspective view showing the second body 120 separated from the first body 110 of the mobile communication terminal 100 in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a slide module 130 is installed between the first body 110 and second body 120 to allow the second body to slidably move to open and close in a lengthwise direction with respect to the first body. A weight pendulum 141 is installed to be linearly movable at the second body 120 so that when the terminal 100 is shaken in the lengthwise direction, the weight pendulum applies a force such that the second body is opened or closed. A guide part 143 is formed in a lengthwise direction at the second body 120 to allow the weight pendulum 141 to move linearly. The guide part 143 has a step 144 at the side to prevent the weight pendulum 141 from being released. FIG. 5 illustrated a partial side sectional view of the mobile communication terminal 100 in FIG. 3. As illustrates in FIG. 5, the slide module 130 includes a slide member 131 fixed at the first body 110, a second slide member 132 fixed at the second body 120 and an elastic connection member 133 connecting the first slide member to the second slide member and providing elastic force when the second slide member is moved with respect to the first slide member. A stopper unit for stopping the weight pendulum 141 is provided at both the upper and lower ends of the guide part 143 so that the weight pendulum 141 can be maintained in a moved position. The stopper unit includes a first magnet 151 installed at an upper end of the guide part 143 to attach the weight pendulum by its magnetic force when the second body 120 is in an opened state and a second magnet 152 installed at a lower end of the guide part 143 to attach the weight pendulum by its magnetic force when the second body is in a closed state. Preferably, the magnetic force of the first magnet 151 and second magnet 152 is strong enough to allow the weight pendulum 141 to move when the terminal 100 is shaken to open and close the second body 120. In order to lessen an impact generated when the weight pendulum 141 moves up and down along the guide part 143 toward the first magnet 151 and second magnet 152, first and second buffer members 161 and 162 are installed at the upper and lower ends of the guide part 143, respectively. Preferably, the buffer members 161 and 162 are made of rubber or silicon, and accordingly, noise caused by the impact with the weight pendulum 141 can be reduced. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate operational states of the mobile communication terminal 100 in FIG. 5. In the state illustrated in FIG. 5, the weight pendulum 141 is at the lower end of the guide part. When the mobile communication terminal 100 is shaken upward, the weight pendulum 141 at the lower end of the guide part 143 moves upward in the guide part as illustrated in FIG. 6. When the weight pendulum 141 contacts the buffer member 161 at the upper and of the guide part 143, the second body 120 moves to the open position due to inertia as illustrated in FIG. 7. The upwardly moving weight pendulum 141 is stopped by the buffer member 161 when it reaches the upper end of the guide part 143 and the impact is transferred to the second body 120. Then, the second body 120 is moved upward due to the impact of the weight pendulum 141 and opened with respect to the first body 110 according to an operation of the slide module 130. The weight pendulum 141 is maintained at the position of the upper end of the guide part 143 according to the magnetic force of the first magnet 151. Conversely, with the second body 120 opened as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the mobile communication terminal 100 is shaken downward, the weight pendulum 141 positioned at the upper end of the guide part 143 moves downward in the guide part. When the weight pendulum contacts the buffer member 162 at the lower end of the guide part 143, the second body 120 moves to closed position due to the inertia. When the downwardly moving weight pendulum 141 reaches the lower end of the guide part 143, the buffer member 162 stops it and the corresponding impact is transferred to the second body 120. Then, the second body 120 is moved downward due to the impact of the weight pendulum 141 and the second body 120 is closed with respect to the first body 110 according to the operation of the slide module 130. The weight pendulum 141 is maintained at the upper end of the guide part 143 according to the magnetic force of the second magnet 152. In this manner, the second body 120 can be opened or closed with respect to the first body 110 by simply shaking the mobile communication terminal 100. FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view showing a partial section of the second body 220 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment of the present invention, a stopper unit can maintain a weight pendulum 241 at a position at an upper end or a lower end of a guide part 243. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the stopper unit includes a first stopper protrusion 271 formed at the upper end of the guide part 243 that fixes the weight pendulum 241 when the second body 220 is in an opened state, a second stopper protrusion 272 formed at the lower end of the guide part 243 that fixes the weight pendulum when the second body is in a closed state and a stopping recess 273 formed the weight pendulum that allows the first and second stopper protrusions to be engaged. The first stopper protrusion 271 and second stopper protrusion 272 are protrusively formed at the side of the guide part 243 and the stopping recess 273 is also formed at the corresponding side of the weight pendulum 241. Preferably, the first stopped protrusion 271 and second stopper protrusion 272 are supported by the guide part 243 such that they can be protruded or retreated elastically with respect to the guide part 243. Accordingly, when the weight pendulum 241 moves to the upper end of the guide part 243, the stopping recess 273 is engaged by the first stopper protrusion 271 such that it is maintained in a position at the upper end of the guide part. Conversely, when the weight pendulum 241 moves to the lower end of the guide part 243, the stopping recess 273 is engaged by the second stopper protrusion 272 and maintained in a position at the lower end at the guide part. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the mobile communication terminal 300 includes a first body 310 and a second body 320 that is swingably connected with the first body. A first keypad 311 having a plurality of key buttons for inputting information or issuing a control command is installed on a front surface of the first body 310 at a region opened or closed by the second body 320. A second keypad 312 for inputting information or issuing a control command without having to open the second body 320 is installed at one side of the first keypad. A display 321 for displaying visual information is installed on a front surface of the second body 320 and rotated together with the second body 320 as the second body is rotated. FIG. 10 illustrates a separated perspective view showing the second body 320 of the mobile communication terminal in FIG. 9 separated from the first body 310. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a hinge module 330 is installed between the first body 310 and second body 320 in order to swingably connect the second body to the first body. A weight pendulum 341 is rotatably installed on a rear surface of the second body 320. When the terminal 300 is shaken in a widthwise direction, the weight pendulum 341 applies force in a direction that the second body 320 is opened, and when the terminal 300 is shaken in a lengthwise direction, the weight pendulum 341 applies force in a direction that the second body is closed. A guide part 343 is formed in a circular arc on the rear surface of the second body 320 along which the weight pendulum 341 can be rotated to apply force to the second body. The guide part 323 includes a step 344 formed at the side to prevent the weight pendulum 341 from being released. A stopper unit is installed at both ends of the guide part 343 to stop the weight pendulum 341 so that the weight pendulum can be maintained at a moved position. The stopper unit includes a first magnet 351 installed at one end of the guide part 343 to attach the weight pendulum by its magnetic force when the second body 320 is in an opened state, and a second magnet 352 installed at an opposite end of the guide part 343 to attach the weight pendulum 341 by its magnetic force when the second body is in a closed state. First and second buffer members 361 and 362 are installed at the opposite ends, respectively, of the guide part 343 to lessen an impact when the weight pendulum 341 is stopped after being moved along the guide part 323 along the circular arc. FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate operational states of the mobile communication terminal in FIG. 9. In the state illustrated in FIG. 11, the mobile communication terminal 300 is in a closed state. When the mobile communication terminal 300 is shaken leftward, the weight pendulum 341 positioned at the lower end of the guide part 343 moves along the guide part toward the upper end. When the weight pendulum 141 contacts the first buffer member 361 as illustrated in FIG. 12, the second body 320 moves to the open position due to the inertia as illustrated in FIG. 13. The weight pendulum 341 that has moved upward after being rotated is stopped when it reaches the first buffer member 361 at the upper end of the guide part 343, and the corresponding impact is transferred to the second body 320. Accordingly, the second body 320 is rotated due to the impact of the weight pendulum 341 and then opened with respect to the first body 310 according to an operation of the hinge module 330. The weight pendulum 341 is maintained at the position of the upper end of the guide part 343 by a magnetic force of the first magnet 351. Conversely, with the second body 320 opened as illustrated in FIG. 13, when the mobile communication terminal 300 is shaken up and down, the weight pendulum 341 positioned at the upper end of the guide part 343 moves downward in the guide part. When the weight pendulum 341 contacts the second buffer member 362 at the lower end of the guide part 343, the second body 320 moves to the closed position due to the inertia. The downwardly moving weigh pendulum 341 is stopped when it reaches second buffer member 362 at the lower end of the guide part 343, and the corresponding impact is transferred to the second body 320. Accordingly, the second body 320 is rotated rightward due to the impact of the weight pendulum 341 and the second body is closed with respect to the first body 310 according to the operation of the hinge module 330. The weight pendulum 341 is maintained at the position at the lower end of the guide part 343 by a magnetic force of the second magnet 352. In this manner, the second body 320 can be opened or closed with respect to the first body 310 by simply shaking the mobile communication terminal 300. FIG. 14 illustrates a plan view of a mobile communication terminal 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the mobile communication terminal 400 includes a first body 410 and a second body 420 that is swingably connected with the first body. A first keypad 411 (refer to FIG. 16) having a plurality of key buttons for inputting information or issuing a control command is installed on a front surface of the first body 410 at a region opened or closed by the second body 420. A second keypad 412 for inputting information or issuing a control command without having to open the second body 420 is installed at one side of the first keypad 411. A display 421 for displaying visual information is installed on a front surface of the second body 420 and rotated together with the second body as the second body 420 is rotated. A hinge module 430 is installed between the first body 410 and second body 420 in order to swingably connect the second body to the first body. A weight pendulum 441 is rotatably installed at a rear surface of the second body 420. When the terminal 400 is shaken in a widthwise direction, the weight pendulum 441 applies force in a direction that the second body 420 is opened, and when the terminal 400 is shaken in a lengthwise direction, the weight pendulum 441 applies force in a direction that the second body is closed. One end of the weight pendulum 441 is pivoted and rotatably connected the hinge module 430. Specifically, one end of the weight pendulum 441 fixes the weight pendulum to the hinge module 430 and the other end of the weight pendulum is connected to a pivot connection member 442 pivoted at the hinge module. A guide part 443 may be formed at a rear surface of the second body 420 to allow the weight pendulum 441 to be rotatably moved. FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate operational states of the mobile communication terminal in FIG. 14. In the closed state as illustrated in FIG. 14, the weight pendulum 441 is at the lower end of the guide part 443. When the mobile communication terminal 400 is shaken leftward, the weight pendulum 441 moves upward in the guide part 443. When the weight pendulum 441 contacts a buffer member 461 at the upper end of the guide part 430, the second body 420 is rotated leftward due to the inertia as shown in FIG. 15. The rotated weight pendulum 441 is stopped when it reaches the buffer member 461 at the upper end of the guide part 443, and the corresponding impact is transferred to the second body 420. Accordingly, the second body 420 is rotated due to the impact of the weight pendulum 441 and opened with respect to the first body 410 according to the operation of the hinge module 430. The weight pendulum 441 is maintained at the position at the upper end of the guide part 443 by a magnetic force of a magnet 451. Conversely, in the open state illustrated in FIG. 16, when the mobile communication terminal 400 is shaken downward, the weight pendulum 441 positioned at the upper end of the guide part 443 moves downward in the guide part. When the weight pendulum 441 contacts a buffer member 462 at the lower end of the guide part 443, the second body 420 rotated in the rightward direction due to the inertia. The rotated weight pendulum 441 is stopped when it reaches the buffer member 462 at the lower end of the guide part 443, and the corresponding impact is transferred to the second body 420. Accordingly, the second body 420 is rotated rightward due to the impact of the weight pendulum 441 and closed with respect to the first body 410 according to the operation of the hinge module 430. The weight pendulum 441 is maintained at the position at the lower end of the guide part 443 by a magnetic force of a magnet 452. In this manner, the second body 420 can be opened or closed with respect to the first body by simply shaking the mobile communication terminal 400. As described, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention has many advantages. For example, with the mobile communication terminal held, the second body can be opened or closed with respect to the first body by moving the weight pendulum by simply shaking the mobile communication terminal, so user convenience can be improved. Because the weight pendulum can be maintained in its moved state by the stopper, unintentional opening or closing of the mobile communication terminal can be prevented. Additionally, the weight pendulum is applicable regardless of whether the mobile communication terminal is a slide type or a swing type mobile communication terminal. As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7684822 *Nov 6, 2006Mar 23, 2010Lg Electronics Inc.Mobile terminal and method for changing mode thereofUS7761123 *Jul 19, 2006Jul 20, 2010Samsung Electronics Co., LtdSliding and swing type portable terminalUS8041407Apr 30, 2008Oct 18, 2011Fujitsu LimitedSliding mechanism, electronic apparatus and portable deviceUS8145285 *Aug 20, 2009Mar 27, 2012Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AbFlexible gaskets for wireless terminals with sliding membersUS8218307 *Mar 12, 2010Jul 10, 2012Fujitsu LimitedInformation terminal deviceUS8243430 *Oct 29, 2009Aug 14, 2012Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Cradling device of portable type electronic apparatusUS20100124004 *Oct 29, 2009May 20, 2010Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Cradling device of portable type electronic apparatusUS20100246108 *Mar 12, 2010Sep 30, 2010Fujitsu LimitedInformation terminal device* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification455/575.3, 320/101International ClassificationH04M1/00Cooperative ClassificationH04M1/0237, H04M1/0233European ClassificationH04M1/02A2B8F, H04M1/02A2B6SLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionOct 15, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 9, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC., KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RYU, SEONG-HYUN;REEL/FRAME:018513/0688Effective date: 20060925Owner name: LG ELECTRONICS INC.,KOREA, REPUBLIC OFFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RYU, SEONG-HYUN;US-ASSIGNMENT DATABASE UPDATED:20100504;REEL/FRAME:18513/688RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services