Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030092401?dq=U.S.+Patent+%23+5,723,324
Timestamp: 2013-12-11 06:40:18
Document Index: 119393279

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Patent US20030092401 - Portable terminal device capable of displaying information in a closed state - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA folding mobile telephone having an upper terminal body and a lower terminal body is provided. The upper terminal body has an upper part with a liquid crystal display and a base, such that the upper part and the base are connected to each other via lock mechanism. This lock mechanism permits the upper...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030092401?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030092401 - Portable terminal device capable of displaying information in a closed statePublication numberUS20030092401 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/290,516Publication dateMay 15, 2003Filing dateNov 8, 2002Priority dateNov 13, 2001Also published asCN1190938C, CN1419364A, DE60202932D1, DE60202932T2, EP1318650A2, EP1318650A3, EP1318650B1, US7212845Publication number10290516, 290516, US 2003/0092401 A1, US 2003/092401 A1, US 20030092401 A1, US 20030092401A1, US 2003092401 A1, US 2003092401A1, US-A1-20030092401, US-A1-2003092401, US2003/0092401A1, US2003/092401A1, US20030092401 A1, US20030092401A1, US2003092401 A1, US2003092401A1InventorsShinji IkeuchiOriginal AssigneeNec CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (4), Classifications (10), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPortable terminal device capable of displaying information in a closed stateUS 20030092401 A1Abstract A folding mobile telephone having an upper terminal body and a lower terminal body is provided. The upper terminal body has an upper part with a liquid crystal display and a base, such that the upper part and the base are connected to each other via lock mechanism. This lock mechanism permits the upper part and the base to be mounted and removed in a flipping manner. The upper terminal body also has communications devices to make electrical connections. The upper terminal body has an operating mechanism that allows prescribed operations to be performed using the upper terminal body when it is connected to its base and folded against the lower terminal body (i.e., the closed state). Images(7) Claims(18)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0028] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 describe a first embodiment of the present invention and FIGS. 5 to 8 describe a second embodiment of the present invention. [0029]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mobile telephone of the present invention is opened. As shown in FIG. 1, in a portable terminal device, i.e., a mobile telephone of the first embodiment, an upper terminal body 11 and a lower terminal body 12 are provided. The upper terminal body 11 and the lower terminal body 12 have operating buttons for inputting telephone numbers, text, etc. on their inner surfaces. The upper terminal body 11 and the lower terminal body are connected via a hinge 13 so as to be opened and closed. The electronic circuits (not shown) required for mobile telephone functions, e-mail functions, and Internet functions are internally packaged. Hereinafter, the upper terminal body 11 serving as a major part of the present invention will be discussed in detail. [0030] The upper terminal body 11 comprises an upper terminal body upper part 101 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an �upper part� in the present embodiment), an upper terminal body base 102 (hereinafter, simply referred to as a �base� in the present embodiment), a connector 103 (communication means), and lock means 104. [0031] In the upper part 101, a liquid crystal display 105 is provided for displaying telephone numbers, addresses, text and images from e-mail messages and the Internet. A button group 106 (operating means) for realizing simple operations other than the telephone function and the operation of writing e-mail is provided under the liquid crystal display 105. The bottom group 106 comprises a screen scrolling button and an enter button for viewing e-mail and Internet. [0032] The base 102 constitutes the hinge 13 with the upper part of the lower terminal body 12 and is connected to the lower terminal body 12 so as to be opened and closed. [0033]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the mobile telephone. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 103 comprises a male connector 107, which is connected to electronic circuits packaged inside the upper part 101 and protrudes on the lower surface (connecting surface with the base) of the upper part 101. The connector 103 further comprises a female connector 108, which is connected via the hinge 13 to electronic circuits packaged inside the lower terminal part 12 and can be detachably fit onto the male connector 107 in the top face (connecting surface with the upper part) of the base 102. The male connector 107 and the female connector 108 are engaged to each other to electrically connect the upper part 101 and the base 102. [0034] For the male connector 107 and the female connector 108, contact pins are arranged in the connector so as to have normal electric connection even when the upper part 101 is flipped in such a manner as to place the liquid crystal display 105 on the back. [0035] The lock means 104 is a snap-in lock mechanism provided on both sides of the upper part 101 and both sides of the base 102. The lock means 104 comprises engaged parts 109 provided both sides of the upper part 101 and latches 110 provided on both sides of the base 102. The lock means 104 is a hook type having a structure for lifting and disengaging the latches of the base 102. [0036] As shown in FIG. 1, when an ordinary telephone function is used and e-mail is written, the mobile telephone of the first embodiment is used in a state in which the upper part 101 is fit into the base 102 via the connector 103 and the snap-in lock mechanism 104 so as to position the liquid crystal display 105 such that it be viewed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mobile telephone is folded with a liquid crystal display being placed such that it cannot be viewed. When the mobile telephone is folded in this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the appearance is identical to that of a conventional folding mobile telephone without exposing the liquid crystal display 105. [0037] When the user desires to read e-mail or access Internet sites, as shown in FIG. 2, the latches provided on both sides of the base 102 are lifted and disengaged from the engaged parts 109. The upper part 101 is removed upward, so that the upper part 101 is separated from the base 102. And then, the upper part 101 is flipped so as to place the liquid crystal display 105 can be viewed, and the upper part 101 is fit into the base 102 via the connector 103 and the snap-in lock mechanism 104 and is folded. This state is shown in FIG. 4 that is a perspective view showing a state in which the mobile telephone is folded with a liquid crystal display being placed so that it can be viewed. With this configuration, the liquid crystal display 105 can be viewed from the outside, the operating button group 106 (operating means) is exposed on the outer surface of the upper part 101, and e-mail messages and Internet sites can be viewed while the mobile telephone is in the closed state. [0038] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, the second embodiment will be discussed below. This second embodiment is an example in which an interlocking mechanism is used as lock means and a radio system is used as communication means. [0039]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mobile telephone of the present invention is opened. As shown in FIG. 5, an upper terminal body comprises an upper part 201, a base 202, a radio section (communication means: not shown), and lock means 203. [0040] In the upper part 201, a liquid crystal display 204 is provided for displaying telephone numbers, addresses, text and images from e-mail messages and the Internet. A button group 205 (operating means) for realizing simple operations other than telephone functions and writing e-mail is provided under the liquid crystal display 204. The bottom group 205 includes a screen scrolling button and an enter button for viewing e-mail and Internet. [0041] The base 202 constitutes a hinge 23 with the upper part of a lower terminal body 22 and is connected to the lower terminal body 22 so as to be opened and closed. [0042] The lock means 203 is an interlocking mechanism provided on the upper part 201 and the base 202 and comprises an engaging part 206 and an engaged part 207. [0043]FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a connecting part when an upper part and a base of the mobile telephone are engaged to each other. As shown in FIG. 6, the engaging part 206 comprises an inner housing 208, which is fixed in the lower part of an upper case 21 a and has claws 209, pressing parts 210 for causing the claws 209 to project and retreat. [0044] The inner housing 208 is substantially formed into a convex part which is fixed in the lower part of the upper case 21 a so as to protrude substantially as a rectangle solid from the center of the lower surface of the upper part 201 (connecting surface with the base). The claws 209 are vertically disposed so as to protrude on both side faces of a short side of a protruding part 217 from the upper part of grooves 220. The grooves 220 are concavely disposed in a vertical direction at the center of the side faces of the short side of the protruding part 217. The claws 209 are elastically deformed by a pressing operation of pressing parts 210, which will be discussed later, and can be protruded and retreated from the side faces. [0045] The pressing parts 210 each comprises a pressing body 211, a snap ring 212 and a compression spring 213. The pressing bodies 211 are substantially formed into convex parts, each having a stick-like core beam 215 extended from an operating part 214, which is substantially formed into a rectangular solid. Grooves where the snap rings 212 are fit are each disposed at a prescribed position with a prescribed length, such that the operating parts 214 are flush with outer surfaces in a state in which the ends of the core beams 215 are in contact with the bases of the claws 209, and the core beams 215 are inserted to connecting holes 216 so as to freely slide. The connecting holes 216 are disposed on the lower part of both sides of the inner housing 208 and connect the bases of the claws 209 and the outside. [0046] The snap rings 212 are snap rings for shafts that include an E ring and a C ring, and the snap rings 212 are fit into the grooves formed around the pressing bodies 211 to prevent the pressing bodies 211 from falling. [0047] The compression springs 213 are loosely fit into the bases of the core beams 215 so as to press the lower part of both sides of the inner housing 208 and the operating part 214, and the compression springs 213 energize the operating parts 214 to the outside. [0048] In the pressing parts 210, when the operating parts 214 are pressed down, the ends of the core beams 215 press the bases of the claws 209 to elastically deform the claws 209 protruding on the sides of the protruding part, and the claws 209 are stored in the grooves 220. When the press of the operating parts 214 is removed, the pressing bodies 211 are returned to prescribed positions by the compression springs 213 and the claws 209 simultaneously return to a state in which the claws 209 protrude on both sides, that is, their initial state. [0049] The engaged part 207 has a concave part 218, which is removably engaged to the protruding part 217 of the inner housing 208. The lower part of the concave part 218 is substantially formed into a concave part where a step 219 is concavely disposed for engaging the claws 209, and the engaged part 207 is fixed in the upper part of a base case 21 b. [0050] In the radio part (communication means), an electric circuit (not shown) for realizing known communication protocols (e.g., infrared communication and BLUETOOTH communication) is provided so as to have two-way communication between the upper terminal body 21 and the lower terminal body 22. Even when the upper terminal body 21 is separated from the lower terminal body 22, it is possible to access e-mail messages, the Internet and information on the liquid crystal display 204. [0051] When an ordinary telephone function is used and e-mail messages are written, the mobile telephone of the second embodiment configured similar to the first embodiment. That is, the upper part 201 is fit into the base 202 via the interlocking mechanism 203 such that the liquid crystal display 204 is positioned such that if the folding mobile telephone is closed, the liquid crystal display would not be viewable. [0052]FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the upper part and the base of the mobile telephone are separated from each other subsequently to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 7, the operating parts 214 are pressed down, so that the ends of the core beams 215 press the bases of the claws 209 to elastically deform the claws 209 protruding on the sides of the protruding part 217, the claws 209 are stored in the grooves 211, and the engagement is released. In this state, the upper part 201 is removed upward, so that the upper part 201 is separated from the base 202. [0053] And then, after the upper part 201 is flipped so as to place the liquid crystal display 204 on the back, the upper part 201 is pressed to the base 202. Thus, the claws 209 are brought into contact with the inner wall of the concave part 218 and are bent so as to be stored in the grooves 211, and the upper part 201 is pressed as it is until the claws 209 reach steps 219. When the claws 209 reach the steps 219, the claws 209 are engaged to the steps 219 and the upper part 201 is locked into the base 202. In this way, the liquid crystal display 204 can be viewed from the outside and the operating button group 205 (operating means) is exposed on the outer surface of the upper part 201. Thus, e-mail messages and Internet sites can be viewed while the mobile telephone is in the closed state. [0054]FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing that radio communication is performed while the upper part and the base of the mobile telephone are separated from each other. As shown in FIG. 8, since the mobile telephone of the second embodiment uses a radio system as communication means, the mobile telephone can be used while the upper part 201 is separated from the base 202. E-mail messages can be read or desired Internet sites can be viewed by using the small and lightweight upper part while the lower terminal body 22 is placed a short distance away, e.g., in a bag or under the table. This provides a mobile telephone which is quite excellent in portability. [0055] The above explanation discussed the detail of the mobile telephones according to the present embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. Wired connection may be arbitrarily made by using both of the interlocking mechanism and the connector, wireless connection may be arbitrarily made by concavely providing the snap-in locking mechanism not protruding the outer surfaces of the upper part and the base, or another lock means may be arbitrarily used. [0056] Besides, although the mechanical button group provided under the liquid crystal display is discussed as an example of operating means, any form is acceptable including a mechanical button group provided on the side of the upper part and a so-called touch panel on which a switch is integrated with a liquid crystal panel. [0057] Obviously, numerous additional modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings. In the drawings: [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mobile telephone of the present invention is opened; [0021]FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the mobile telephone; [0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mobile telephone is folded such that a liquid crystal display cannot be viewed; [0023]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the mobile telephone is folded such that a liquid crystal display can be viewed; [0024]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a mobile telephone of the present invention is opened; [0025]FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a connecting part when an upper part and a base of the mobile telephone are engaged to each other; [0026]FIG. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the upper part and the base of the mobile telephone are separated from each other subsequently to FIG. 6; and [0027]FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing that radio communication is performed while the upper part and the base of the mobile telephone are separated from each other.
Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7634300Jul 28, 2006Dec 15, 2009Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AbDual hinged display module for use in a mobile deviceEP1679857A1 *Oct 29, 2004Jul 12, 2006Vodafone K.K.Mobile communication terminal apparatus, core module for mobile communication terminal apparatus, and function module for mobile communication terminal apparatusWO2008121163A1 *Nov 21, 2007Oct 9, 2008Randolph C DemuynckDetachable housings for a wireless communication deviceWO2010097474A1 *Feb 26, 2010Sep 2, 2010Deutsche Telekom AgSystem having mobile telephone and plug-in expansion modules* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification455/90.1, 455/566International ClassificationH04M1/02, H04M1/725Cooperative ClassificationH04M2250/16, H04M1/0254, H04M1/72519, H04M1/0214European ClassificationH04M1/02A2B4, H04M1/02A12Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 30, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Nov 8, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: NEC CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:IKEUCHI, SHINJI;REEL/FRAME:013477/0265Effective date: 20021025RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google