Abstract:
A portable wireless communication terminal includes electronics for receiving and transmitting both video and audio signals. The electronics are housed in rugged, drop-tolerant consoles, which are interconnected so that they may be extended and reconfigured relative to each other for convenient use and easy, compact storage. A camera lens is included in a camera console, a video display is included in a video display console, and alphanumerical keys are included in a base console. The camera console can be rotated relative to the video display console so that the user can transmit a video signal of the surroundings while watching the video display. Further, the video display console can be extended and tilted relative to the base console.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,257, entitled “A Wireless Terminal Having Video Image Capability”. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a portable wireless communication terminal having the capability to receive and transmit both video and audio signals. The communication terminal is housed in a small portable handheld unit, which includes a small video camera, a video display, and other conventional mobile telephone features. The handheld unit has extendable and configurable consoles so that the camera and video display can be selectively arranged to best convenience the user. Further, the handheld unit is lightweight, compact, easy to store, drop-tolerant, and rugged. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Cellular phones have become an indispensable form of communication in today&#39;s society. Many businesses rely upon this wireless technology to keep in constant communication with employees outside the office. Also, cellular phones are a great convenience to our personal lives. To this end, there exists an ever-growing need to improve both the services offered by, and features of, a cellular phone. 
     By the Applicants&#39; prior U.S. application, Ser. No. 08/649,554, there is disclosed a portable, wireless communication terminal having advanced features relating to video signal processing. Particularly, the communication terminal has a video camera and video display. The communication terminal&#39;s features enable a user to send and receive video images while simultaneously receiving and sending audio signals. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a housing for the portable wireless communication terminal disclosed in Applicants&#39; U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,257. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication terminal wherein the electronics of the communication terminal are housed in consoles, which are interconnected so that they may be extended, rotated, and/or reconfigured relative to each other at the convenience of a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal having a camera console which can be rotated relative to a video display console so that the user can transmit a video signal of his surroundings while watching the video display. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal having a video display console which can be extended and tilted relative to a base console. This adjustment feature allows the user to hold the communication terminal adjacent to his head during use. Alternatively, the user can place the communication terminal on a surface for convenient hands-free operation. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a portable wireless communication terminal comprising: a camera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video display console; a video display mounted in said video display console; and a base console, wherein said camera console, video display console, and base console are interconnected and said camera console is movable relative to said video display console. 
     Moreover, these and other objects of the present invention are fulfilled by providing a portable wireless communication terminal comprising: a camera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video display console; a video display mounted in said video console; and a base console, wherein said camera console, video display console, and base console are interconnected and said video display console is movable relative to said base console. 
     Furthermore, these and other objects are fulfilled by a providing a portable wireless communication terminal comprising: a camera console; a camera mounted in said camera console; a video display console; a video display mounted in said video console; and a base console, wherein said camera console, video display console, and base console are interconnected, said camera console is movable relative to said video display console, and said video display console is movable relative to said base console. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a portable, wireless, communication terminal, in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the communication terminal of FIG. 1 illustrating a camera console, a video display console and a base console; 
     FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a guide connecting the camera console and the video display console; 
     FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view illustrating a threaded member connecting the camera console and the video display console; 
     FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating the video display console in a remote position relative to the base console; 
     FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a scissors linkage between the video display console and the base console; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the video display console in the remote position and tilted relative to the base console; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the video display console overlaying the base console; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of a first alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the arrangement of the consoles has been modified; 
     FIG. 10 is an overhead view of the first alternative embodiment during use; 
     FIG. 11 is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the video display console and linkage are consecutively received inside the base console; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a front view of the second alternative embodiment with the video display console located in the remote position; 
     FIG. 14 is a front view of a third alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the video display console is part of the telescoping linkage; 
     FIG. 15 is a side view of a fourth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the video display console can overlay the telescoping linkage; 
     FIG. 16 a side view of the fourth alternative embodiment with the video display console inside the base console; 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of a fifth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the video display console and linkage can individually overlay the base console; 
     FIG. 18 is a side view of the fifth embodiment with the video display console in the remote position; 
     FIG. 19 is a back view of the fifth embodiment with the video display console in the remote position; 
     FIG. 20 is a side view of a sixth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal, wherein the video display console can overlay the linkage which can overlay the base console; and 
     FIG. 21 is a side view of the sixth embodiment with the video display console in the remote position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring in detail to the drawings and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable, wireless, communication terminal  1 , in accordance with the present invention, includes a camera console  2 , a video display console  3 , and a base console  4 . 
     The camera console  2  includes a camera lens opening  5  through which a camera lens  6  protrudes. The video display console  3  includes a microphone  8  and a video display  7 , such as a color liquid crystal display. The base console  4  includes a speaker  9  and a plurality of conventional push button keys  10 , such as numerical, functional, and power keys. 
     Of course, it is envisioned that the placements of the various components  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  and  10  could be altered. For example, the microphone  8  could be located below the video display  7 , or the locations of the microphone  8  and the speaker  9  could be interchanged. 
     Now, the physical interconnection between the camera console  2  and the video display console  3  will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The camera console  2  is connected to the video display console  3  and moveable relative thereto. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the camera console  2  in a first position, adjacent to and abutting the video display console  3 . FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the camera console  2  in a second position, remote from the video display console  3 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, in a first embodiment, the camera console  2  is connected to the video display console  3  primarily by a guide rod  11 . One end of the guide rod  11  is fixedly engaged to the video display console  3 . The other end of the guide rod  11  is slidingly engaged within a guide rod track formed within the camera console  2 . The other end would have a protrusion, or enlarged portion, so that the other end would be captured within the guide rod track. This captured of sliding engagement would allow the camera console  2  to be moved between the first and second positions, but would not allow the camera console  2  to be removed from the video display console  3 . 
     It should be noted that connections of the guide rod  11  could be reversed. In the reverse arrangement, the guide rod track would exist within the video display console  3  and the other end would be fixedly engaged to the camera console  2 . Also, it would be possible to modify the form of the guide rod track so that the guide rod  11 , and thereby the camera console  2 , could be removed from the guide rod track within the video display console  3  under predetermined circumstances, such as to perform service work. 
     A spring  14  encircles the guide rod  11  and is in tension, tending to urge the camera console  2  to the first position, adjacent to the video display console  3 . Therefore, the second position of the camera console  2 , illustrated in FIG. 3, is a temporary position. The temporary position occurs when the user manually pulls the camera console  2  up to its second position, against the biasing force of the spring  14 . 
     In the second position, the user can rotate the camera console  2  one hundred and eighty degrees, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, about an axis  15  centered about the guide rod  11 . When the camera console  2  is released, it will again assume the first position again. Rotation of the camera console  2  allows the camera lens  6  to selectively view any portion of the entire three hundred and sixty degrees of surrounding environment. 
     A lower surface of the camera console  2 , facing the video display console  3 , includes a plurality of spaced projections  12 . An upper surface of the video display console  3 , facing the camera console  2 , includes a plurality of recesses  13 . The protrusions  12  are sized and spaced to matingly engage within the recesses  13 . The dimensions of each protrusion  12  are slightly smaller than the dimensions of its mating recess  13 . 
     The protrusions  12  and recesses  13  act as alignment guides to seat the camera console  2  into one of two positions relative to the video display console  3 , i.e. facing the user or facing one hundred and eighty degrees away from the user. The protrusions  12  and recesses  13  add to the rigidity of the connection between the camera console  2  and the video display console  3 , thereby making the communication terminal  1  more drop-tolerant. Further, it should be noted that the projections  12  and recesses  13  may be so located that the camera console  2  can be seated at other angles besides zero and one hundred and eighty degrees. 
     It is also envisioned that a pivoted lever could be provided within the video display console  3  to move the camera console  2  into its second position. The pivoted lever would have an approximate L-shape. One end of the lever would project through a hole in the upper surface of the video display console  3  and contact the underside of the camera console  2 . The other end of the lever would be a button projecting through a side surface of the video display console  3 . By pressing the button the lever would pivot causing the other end of the lever to contact and press up against the underside of the camera console  2  causing the camera console to assume the second position against the bias of spring  14 . 
     Moreover, it is within the purview of the present invention that the camera console  2  could be rotated relative to the video display console  3  without moving the camera console  2  to the second position. The movement of the camera console  2  to the second position merely facilitates the projection  12  and recess  13  alignment features. Other forms of alignment, such as a frictional force or click-in-place feature, could serve to indicate the extent of angular rotation of the camera console  2 , without requiring that the camera console  2  assume the second position prior to rotation. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connection between the camera console  2  and the video display console  3 . In this embodiment, the camera console  2  is fixed to one end of a threaded screw  40 . The threaded screw  40  is rotatably captured within the video display console  3 . By turning the camera console  2 , the user can select the view of the camera lens  6 . 
     The threaded screw  40  permits the turning motion of the camera console  2  to be smooth and firm, and allows the connection between the camera console  2  and the video display console  3  to be quite rugged and drop-tolerant. Of course, the threads  41  formed on the threaded screw  40  may protrude or be recessed. Further, the threaded screw  40  could be fixed to the video display console  3  and rotatably captured within the camera console  2 . 
     Electrical connections would exist between the camera console  2  and the video display console  3 . These electrical connections could be a flexible ribbon cable extending between the two consoles  2 ,  3 , similar to the ribbon cable  18  illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. Alternatively, the guide rod  11  or threaded screw  40  could be hollow, and the electrical connections could pass through the hollow spaces. A flexible bellows could encircle and protect the guide rod  11 , spring  14 , threaded screw  40 , and/or electrical connections from moisture and other contaminants while the camera console  2  is in the second position. 
     One particular advantage of the rotatable camera console  2  is that the user can select the view to be seen by the person to whom he is speaking. Typically, the person to whom he is speaking would view the user. In this instance, the camera console  2  would be arranged as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, in certain circumstances, it would be beneficial for the person to whom the user is speaking to view what the user is looking at, for example, when a field reporter describes an on-scene event, or when an salesman calls to describe a product for sale. In these instances, it is beneficial to direct the camera lens  6  toward the event or product, while still allowing the user to see the video display  7 . 
     Now, the physical interconnection between the video display console  3  and the base console  4  will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-8. The video display console  3  is connected to the base console  4  and moveable relative thereto. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the video display console  3  in a first position, proximate to and abutting, the base console  4 . FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the video display console  3  in a second position, remote from the base console  4 . 
     FIGS. 5,  7 , and  8  illustrate the video display console  3  as being connected to the base console  4  by two linkages  16 A,  16 B. Each linkage is a mirror image of the other, therefore only the physical details of one of the two linkages  16 A,  16 B will be described. 
     One end of the linkage  16 A is slidingly engaged within a first linkage track  21  formed within the video display console  3 . The other end of the linkage  16 A is slidingly engaged within a second linkage track  22  formed within the base console  4 . Each end would have a protrusion  23 , or enlarged portion, so that each end would be captured within its respective linkage track  21 ,  22 . This captured form of sliding engagement would allow the video display console  3  to be moved completely to its second position, but would not allow the video display console  3  to be removed from the base console  4 . 
     It should be noted that one or the other of the connections between the linkage  16 A and the video display console  3  and base console  4  could be a fixed connection, similar to the connection between the guide rod  11  and the video display console  3 , discussed above. In this arrangement, the maximum possible length of the linkage  16 A would be shorter. Therefore, the second position of the video display console  3  would be closer to the base console  4 . Also, it would be possible to modify the form of the linkage tracks  21 ,  22  so that the linkage  16 A could be removed from the linkage tracks  21 ,  22  of either or both of the video display console  2  and the base console  4  under predetermined circumstances, such as to perform service work. Further, it would be possible to have only a single linkage connecting the video display console  3  and the base console  4 , such as a flat plate-like linkage. Further, it would be possible to have three or more linkages connecting the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the linkages  16 A,  16 B are telescoping. As illustrated in FIG. 5, each linkage would include a plurality of progressively smaller sliding links  30 ,  31 ,  32  adapted to fit into one another. In this preferred embodiment, the distance between the display console  3  and the base console  4  could be greatly increased when the display console is in its second position. 
     The video display console  3  is held in the first position by a frictional force occurring between the sliding links  30 ,  31 ,  32  of the linkage  16 A, and occurring between the linkage  16 A and the respective linkage tracks  21 ,  22 . To move the video display console  3  to the second position, a user of the communication terminal  1  applies a manual force to the joint between the video display console  3  and the base console  4  by pulling the two consoles  3 ,  4  away from each other. The manual force will continually overcome the frictional force occurring between the linkage  16 A and the respective linkage tracks  21 ,  22  and between the sliding links  30 ,  31 ,  32 , as the video console  3  is moved to the second position. To place the video display console  3  back in the first position, the user simply pushes the two consoles  3 ,  4  toward each other. If a more secure holding of the video display console  3  in the first position is desired, protrusions and recesses, as described above, can be provided at the juncture of the two consoles  3 ,  4 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative form of linkage between the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . Here, the linkage is in the form of a scissors linkage  33 . Each connection between the scissors linkage  33  and one of the video display console  3  and base console  4  would include a hinge  17  mounted to a slide block  80 . Each slide block  80  is free to reciprocate with a slide block channel  81 , as indicated by the arrows. The scissors linkage  33  would be completely incorporated into and between the video display console  4  and the base console  4  when the video display console  3  is in the first position. Further, the scissors linkage  33  would allow the video console  3  to be displaced a great distance from the base console  4  when in the video display console  3  is in the second position. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7, once the video display console  3  is in the second position, both the video display console  3  and the base console  4  can be manually tilted relative to the linkages  16 A,  16 B or the scissors linkage  33 . In order to accomplish this function, two hinges  17  are provided close to the distal ends of the linkages  16 A,  16 B,  33 . The user may selectively set the angles between the linkage and either or both of the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . One of the selected angles could be plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a line  24 , which is collinear with a direction of extent of the linkage guide  21 . The other of the angles could be plus or minus ninety degrees relative to a line  25 , which is collinear with a direction of extent of the linkage guide  22 . 
     One particular advantage of the relative tilt between the video display console  3  and the base console  4  is that the user can set the base console  4  of the communication terminal  1  on a surface  19 , such a desk, a chair or the ground. If the base console  4  is of sufficient weight, e.g. contains a battery, the communication terminal  1  will balance in this configuration, as illustrated in FIG.  7 . This configuration provides a convenient, hands-free manner for the user to view the video display  7  and remain a suitable distance from the camera lens  6 , while still being close enough to utilize the microphone  8  and hear the speaker  9 . 
     Another advantage of the relative tilting is that the video display console  3  can be made to overlay the base console  4 , as illustrated in FIG.  8 . In this configuration, the video display  7  and camera lens  6  face the base console  4  and are protected. Further, the communication terminal  1  is made more compact for carrying or storage. 
     Electrical connections would exist between the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . These electrical connections could be provided by a flexible ribbon cable  18  extending between the two consoles  3 ,  4 . Alternatively, one or both of the linkages  16 A,  16 B could be hollow and the electrical connections could pass through the hollow space(s) within the linkages  16 A,  16 B. It would also be suitable to provide wireless communications between the three consoles, such as an infrared link, inductive link or radio signals. 
     In order to provide dust and moisture protection to the exposed area between the video display console  3  and the base console  4 , when the video display console  3  is in the second position, a bellows could be provided. The bellows would be constructed of a highly flexible material, such as plastic, rubber, or a synthetic cloth, and would be connected to both the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . When the video display console  3  is in the first position, the bellows would collapse upon itself to occupy a small space between the video display console  3  and the base console  4 . 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a first alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . In this embodiment, the camera console  2  is located to a side of the video display console  3 . The image  42  displayed on the video display  7  would be oriented ninety degrees relative to a longitudinal direction of the communication terminal  1 . All other interconnections, and modifications, discussed in relation to FIG. 1-8 would equally apply to the communication terminal  1  of FIG.  9 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the user operates the communication terminal  1  of FIG. 9, his head would be partially encircled by the consoles  2 ,  3 ,  4 . In this orientation, the video display  7  would be place into the line of sight  43  of the user, the speaker  9  would be adjacent to the user&#39;s ear  44 , and the microphone  8  would be in front of the user&#39;s mouth. It should be noted that the spacing between the video display  7  and the user&#39;s eyes can be aligned and adjusted via the linkages  16 A,  16 B and the hinges  17 . Therefore, FIG. 9 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention, when the communication terminal  1  is to be operated in the orientation illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     It would also be possible to operate the communication terminal  1 , illustrated in FIG. 1-8, in the orientation of FIG.  10 . Here, the camera lens  6  would be off-center of the user&#39;s face, and a slight profile image would be transmitted. Also, it would be required to process the signals of the camera and video display  7  so as to rotate the images by ninety degrees. 
     It is envisioned that a manual switch would be provided on one of the consoles  2 ,  3 ,  4 , so that the user could select whether to operate the communication terminal  1  as illustrated in FIG. 7 or as illustrated in FIG.  10 . The manual switch would cause the processing of the image signals to be rotated by ninety degrees. Also, the manual switch could be replaced by an automatic switch, such as a mercury switch, which automatically determines the orientation of the communication terminal  1  during use and processes the image signals accordingly. 
     FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a second alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . Here, the video display console  3 , in its first position, is not abutting the base console  4 . Rather, the video display console  4 , and the camera console  2 , reside within the base console  4  when the video display console  3  is in its first position. 
     An opening  49  is provided in a lower, side surface of the base console  4 . The opening  49  serves to receive the video display console  3  and camera console  2 . A release latch button  48  is provided on the base console  4  to cause the video display console  3  to protrude through the opening  49 . 
     Since the base console  4  is the only console normally exposed, it is possible to reduce the length of the communication terminal  1 . Further, the ruggedness of the unit is improved, since the camera lens  6  and video display  7  are protected within the base console  4  when not in use. 
     A second microphone  51  can be included on the base console  4  so that the communication terminal  1  can be operated like a conventional cell phone, when it is not desired or possible to utilize the video features. Alternatively, it would be possible to provide the microphone  8  near an edge of the video display console  3  so that the microphone  8  resides at or near the opening  49  and can receive voice sounds. Also, the base console  4  could include a small, LCD screen  50  to indicate the number dialed, caller ID, messages waiting, etc. when the base console  4  is being used as a conventional cell phone. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken across line  12 — 12  of FIG.  11 . It can be seen that one of a pair of telescoping linkages  30 ,  31 ,  32  connects the video display console  3  to the base console  4 . As described in relation to FIG. 7, the upper telescoping link  30  would include the protrusion  23  riding in the linkage track. Further, the hinges  17  would be provided at the distal ends of the two linkages  16 A,  16 B. Of course, other forms of linkages could be used, such a telescoping plate linkage, or a fixed length linkage. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates the video display console  3  in its second position, remote from the base console  4 . In the second position, the camera console  2  can be rotated relative to the display console  3 , in a manner consistent with the discussion above relating to FIGS. 3-4. Further, the communication terminal  1  can be used by the operator, as illustrated in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 14 illustrates a third alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . In the third alternative embodiment, the video display console  3  and camera console  2  are integrated into the telescoping linkages  16 A,  16 B. The integration occurs by including additional telescoping links  52  adapted to slide into telescoping links  32 . The additional telescoping links  52  would include miniature hinges  53  which can slide, along with the telescoping links  52 , into the telescoping links  32 . 
     The third alternative embodiment allows the base console to be reduced in the lengthwise dimension. Therefore, the communication terminal  1  can be made more compact and convenient to carry, while still maintaining the functional characteristics of a conventional cell phone when the video display terminal  3  is in the first position. 
     FIGS. 15-16 illustrate a fourth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . Here, the base console  4  is again very compact. Unlike the third alternative embodiment, the video display console  3  and camera console  2  are not integrated into the telescoping linkages  16 A,  16 B. Instead, by virtue of the lower hinges  17 , the video display console  3  and camera console  2  can be made to overlay the telescoping linkages  16 A,  16 B. 
     When placing the video display  3  into the first position, the telescoping linkages  16 A,  16 B would slide into guide tracks  54 , and the video display console  3  and camera console  2  would slide into a protected track  55 . Again, projections  23  would be provided on the telescoping links  30 , and would be captured and slidable within the guide tracks  54 . Also, the protected track  55  could be lined with soft material to insulate and protect the video display console  3  and camera console  2  during storage. 
     A hinged face cover  56  could be provided to protect the keypad  10  and speaker  9 . As illustrated in FIG. 16, once the video display  3  is in the first position, and the hinged face cover  56  is closed, the communication terminal  1  is extremely compact, drop tolerant, and highly protected from dust and moisture of the environment. 
     FIGS. 17-19 illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . Here, the face of the base console  4  could resemble the face of base console  4  of the second alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIG.  11 . The base console  4  would not have the opening  49  for receiving the video display console  3  in its first position. Instead, the back face of the base console  4  includes alignment features for receiving the video display console  3  and camera console  2  in an overlaying relationship. A plate-like telescoping linkage  57  would also be received into the alignment features of the back face to overlay the base console  4 . 
     FIGS. 18 and 19 are a side view and a back view, respectively, of the fifth alternative embodiment with the video display console  3  in its second position, remote from the base console  4 . The alignment features include first recessed guide slots  58  formed in the sides of the back face of the base console  4 . The plate-like telescoping linkage  57  includes a first plate  59  having first followers  60  for riding within the first guide slots  58 . Ends of the first guide slots  58  include first stops  61  to prevent the first followers  60  from leaving the first guide slots  58 . Also, the first plate  59  includes second guide slots  62  formed in side surfaces thereof. 
     The plate-like telescoping linkage  57  also includes a second plate  63 . The second plate  63  includes second followers  64  for riding within the second guide slots  62 . Ends of the second guide slots  62  include second stops  65  to prevent the second followers  64  from leaving the second guide slots  62 . The second plate  63  includes a first piano hinge  66  and third guide slots  67  formed in side surfaces thereof. 
     The plate-like telescoping linkage  57  also includes a third plate  68 . The third plate  68  includes third followers  69  for riding within the third guide slots  67 . Ends of the third guide slots  67  include third stops  70  to prevent the third followers  69  from leaving the third guide slots  67 . The third plate  68  includes a second piano hinge  71  and has the video display console  3  attached to the remote end thereof. 
     The video display console  3  includes a fourth follower  72  adapted to engage within one of the first guide slots  58  formed in the back face of the base console  4 . The camera console  2  is attached to the video display console  3  by the guide rod  11  and spring  14  (discussed in relation to FIG. 3, above). The camera console  2  includes a fifth follower  73  adapted to engage within the other of the first guide slots  58  formed in the back face of the base console  4 . By the fifth embodiment, the video display console  3  and the camera console  2  will be secured to, and overlay, the base console  4 , when the video features of the communication terminal  1  are not being utilized. 
     FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a sixth alternative embodiment of the communication terminal  1 . The sixth alternative embodiment combines features of the fifth and third alternative embodiments. The base console  4  includes the first guide slots  58 , however the video display console  3  and camera console  2  are integrated into a modified telescoping linkage  73 , which includes a first extent  75  and a second extent  76 . The video display console  3  includes a guide track  74  for receiving portions of the modified telescoping linkage  73 . 
     When the video display console  3  is in the first position, the second extent  76  of the modified telescoping linkage  73  slides into the first extent  75 , and the combination slides into the guide track  74  within the video display console  3 . A cavity  77  may also be provided in the base console  4  to accommodate a portion of the modified telescoping linkage  73 , when the video display console  3  is in the first position. 
     Each embodiment described above yields, a portable, wireless communication terminal, which can be physically expanded and reconfigured so that the video and audio features of the communication terminal will be easily accessible to the user. The interconnections between the consoles allow a great deal of flexibility in the operation of the communication terminal. The communication terminal is rugged in design and can withstand rough environments and dropping. After operation, the communication terminal can be retracted into a compact configuration, which is suitable for carrying or storage. 
     Having described many alternative embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that variations and substitutions can be made among the many features of the embodiments. For example, the plate-like linkage of FIG. 19 could be substituted for the rod-like linkages of FIG. 5, or the LCD display  50  of FIG. 11 could be included on the small, base consoles of FIGS. 14,  15  and  20 . Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.