Digital Camera Patent AbstractThe present invention discloses a portable digital camera communication
apparatus which also serves as a PDA. The portable communication
apparatus which performs both a phone operation mode and a PDA operation
mode and has a digital camera includes: a first housing including
an upper portion, a lower portion, a receiving space hollowed between
the upper portion and the lower portion, and a planar surface provided
at the bottom of the receiving space, a lens housing protruding
from the upper portion in a longitudinal direction, a digital camera
lens of the digital camera being exposed in a longitudinal direction
of the lens housing; a second housing including an upper portion
having a phone LCD and a phone keypad with a plurality of keys and
a lower portion having a PDA touch screen, the PDA touch screen
being adjacent to the planar surface in the phone operation mode,
the phone keypad and the phone LCD being adjacent to the planar
surface in the PDA operation mode; and a biaxial hinge unit for
connecting the second housing to said first housing to allow said
second housing to rotate about two perpendicular axes with respect
to the first housing.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A portable communication apparatus, operable in a phone operation
mode or a PDA operation mode, having a digital camera, a speaker
and a microphone, comprising: a first housing including an upper
portion, a lower portion, a receiving space hollowed between the
upper portion and the lower portion and having a planar surface
at the bottom of the receiving space, a lens housing protruding
from the upper portion in a longitudinal direction wherein a lens
of the digital camera is exposed in the longitudinal direction of
the lens housing; a second housing including an upper portion having
a phone LCD and a phone keypad with a plurality of keys, and a lower
portion having a PDA touch screen, wherein the PDA touch screen
is adjacent to the planar surface in the phone operation mode, while
the phone keypad and the phone LCD are adjacent to the planar surface
in the PDA operation mode; and a biaxial hinge unit for connecting
the second housing to the first housing to rotate the second housing
about two perpendicular axes with respect to the first housing.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the first
housing further comprises two side hinge arms, located adjacent
to said speaker, for connecting the biaxial hinge unit to allow
the second housing to rotate about a first of the two perpendicular
axes.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the first
housing further comprises a PDA keypad having a plurality of keys
located adjacent to said microphone.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the first
housing further comprises a shutter key adjacent to the lens housing
for operating said digital camera.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear surface of the upper
portion of the first housing further comprises a rotatable antenna
unit, an end portion of the antenna unit arrayed to be distant from
the lens housing in an open state.
6. A portable communication apparatus, operable in a phone operation
mode or a PDA operation mode, housing a digital camera, a speaker
and a microphone, comprising: a first housing including an upper
portion, a lower portion, a receiving space hollowed between the
upper portion and the lower portion and having a planar surface
at the bottom of the receiving space, a lens housing protruding
from the upper portion in a longitudinal direction wherein a lens
of the digital camera is exposed in the longitudinal direction of
the lens housing; a second housing including a planar upper portion
and a lower portion having a touch screen, wherein the touch screen
is adjacent to the planar surface of the first housing in the phone
operation mode and the PDA operation mode; and a biaxial hinge unit
for connecting the second housing to the first housing to rotate
the second housing about two perpendicular axes with respect to
the first housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the first
housing further comprises two side hinge arms, located adjacent
to said speaker, for connecting the biaxial hinge unit to allow
the second housing to rotate about a first of the two perpendicular
axes.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the lower portion of the first
housing further comprises a PDA keypad having a plurality of keys
and located adjacent to the microphone.
9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the upper portion of the first
housing further comprises a shutter key adjacent to the lens housing
for operating said digital camera.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the rear surface of the upper
portion of the first housing further comprises a rotatable antenna
unit, an end portion of the antenna unit arrayed to be distant from
the lens housing in an open state. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable communication apparatus,
and more particularly to a portable communication apparatus with
a digital camera and personal digital assistant (PDA).
2. Description of the Related Art
A general portable communication apparatus requires a data input/output
unit, a transmission/reception unit and an antenna unit to perform
voice communication with another apparatus. In addition, the general
portable communication apparatus also requires a digital camera
unit to perform image communication. Operation of the data input/output
unit, the transmission/reception unit, the antenna unit and the
digital camera unit of the portable communication apparatus can
be easily understood by those skilled in the art.
In addition, a portable communication apparatus such as the PDA
enables a user to individually and conveniently use image communication
or receive various wireless internet services in addition to the
voice communication. When using the digital camera unit the digital
camera unit takes a photo of an object, can output a photograph
of the object through a printer, can display the data on an LCD
monitor, and can transmit the data to the other apparatus. Many
portable communication apparatuses can receive a number of convenient
services in order to adapt themselves to the multimedia wireless
internet environment.
A variety of portable communication apparatuses have been developed
due to widening use of the wireless Internet environment. The communication
apparatus are, of course, portable. One user can perform the voice
communication or image communication with another user by utilizing
the portable communication apparatus. Moreover, the users can chat
with each other, manage personal schedules, receive wireless internet
services from a telecommunication company, manage stocks in a real
time, transmit a predetermined capacity of data to other users,
and enjoy games anytime and anywhere by using the portable communication
apparatus such as the PDA. That is, the users can perform wireless
communication through the portable communication apparatus regardless
of time, place, gender and age. Exemplary portable communication
apparatuses include a cellular phone, a PDA, a hand held phone (HHP),
a digital camera communication apparatus and a notebook computer,
to name a few.
However, due to the costs of these portable communication apparatuses,
most users can only afford some or only one of these apparatuses
even through the user wishes to actively adapt oneself to various
wireless internet environments and complex communication environments.
For example, when a user having a portable voice communication
apparatus or PDA intends to perform an image communication with
another user, or photograph a object and transmit the photographed
data to the other user, the user must purchase a portable digital
camera and connect it to the communication apparatus or PDA.
Accordingly, a portable communication apparatus having various
functions is required for the various wireless internet environments
or complex communication environments. In addition, since the upcoming
communication era needs a portable communication apparatus which
can actively adapt to an everchanging multimedia environment, a
complex multi-functional portable communication apparatus for multimedia
will need to be developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide
a portable communication apparatus with a digital camera and personal
digital assistant.
To achieve the above object, there is provided a portable communication
apparatus which operates in a phone operation mode or a PDA operation
mode, comprising a first housing including an upper portion, a lower
portion, a hollow receiving space between the upper portion and
the lower portion, and a planar surface provided at the bottom of
the receiving space, a lens housing protruding from the upper portion
in a longitudinal direction, and a digital camera wherein the lens
is exposed in a longitudinal direction to the lens housing to photograph
an object positioned in the longitudinal direction; a second housing
including an upper portion having a phone LCD and a phone keypad
with a plurality of keys, and a lower portion having a PDA touch
screen, wherein the PDA touch screen is adjacent to the planar surface
in the phone operation mode, while the phone keypad and the phone
LCD are adjacent to the planar surface in the PDA operation mode,
the second housing connected to rotate on a second hinge axis perpendicular
to a first hinge axis; and a biaxial hinge unit operably connected
to the second housing to rotate the second housing on the second
hinge axis perpendicular to the first hinge axis.
Preferably, the upper portion includes a speaker unit and hinge
arms for connecting the biaxial hinge unit.
Preferably, the lower portion includes a PDA keypad having a plurality
of keys and a microphone unit.
Preferably, the upper portion includes a shutter key adjacent to
the lens housing.
Preferably, the rear surface of the upper portion includes a rotatable
antenna unit, wherein when the antenna unit is opened, the end portion
thereof becomes distant from the lens housing.
There is also provided a portable communication apparatus which
operates a phone operation mode or a PDA operation mode, comprising
a first housing including an upper portion, a lower portion, a hollow
receiving space between the upper portion and the lower portion,
and a planar surface provided at the bottom of the receiving space,
a lens housing protruding from the upper portion in a longitudinal
direction, and a digital camera having a lens exposed in a longitudinal
direction of the lens housing for photographing an object positioned
in the longitudinal direction; a second housing including a planar
upper portion and a lower portion having a touch screen, and connected
to rotate on a second hinge axis perpendicular to a first hinge
axis, wherein the touch screen is adjacent to the planar surface
of the first housing in the phone operation mode or the PDA operation
mode; and a biaxial hinge unit for connecting the second housing
to rotate the second hinge axis perpendicular to the first hinge
axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable communication
apparatus with a digital camera and personal digital assistant in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the rear surface of the
portable communication apparatus with a digital camera and personal
digital assistant in a lens in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an antenna
positioned on the rear surface of the portable communication apparatus
with a digital camera and personal digital assistant rotates on
a third hinge axis in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a second
housing of the portable communication apparatus with a digital camera
and personal digital assistant is opened on a first hinge axis in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the second
housing of the portable communication apparatus with a digital camera
and personal digital assistant is opened on a second hinge axis
in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the portable communication
apparatus with a digital camera and a personal digital assistant
in a PDA operation mode in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a portable digital camera
communication apparatus serving as a PDA in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the rear surface of the
portable communication apparatus with a digital camera and a personal
digital assistant in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an antenna
positioned on the rear surface of the portable communication apparatus
with a digital camera and a personal digital assistant rotates on
a third hinge axis in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a second
housing of the portable communication apparatus with a digital camera
and a personal digital assistant is opened on a first hinge axis
in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the second
housing of the portable communication apparatus with a digital camera
and a personal digital assistant is opened on a second hinge axis
in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention;
and
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the portable communication
apparatus with a digital camera and a personal digital assistant
in a phone or PDA operation mode in accordance with the second embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description,
same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even
in different drawings. The matters defined in the description such
as a detailed construction and elements of a circuit are provided
to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the invention. Also,
well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail
since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.
The structure of a portable communication apparatus with a digital
camera and personal digital assistant (abbreviated as `portable
communication apparatus`) in accordance with a first embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the portable communication
apparatus performs a PDA operation mode, a phone operation mode
and a digital camera operation mode. The portable communication
apparatus includes a first housing 10, a second housing 20, and
a biaxial hinge unit 30 connected to the first housing 10 and the
second housing 20. Biaxial hinge unit 30 is so constructed to enable
the second housing 20 to rotate around two perpendicular axes so
that the phone operation mode and the PDA operation mode can be
selectively used.
The portable communication apparatus of FIG. 1 is shown operating
in the phone operation mode, and the portable communication apparatus
of FIG. 6 is shown operating in the PDA operation mode. In addition,
in the digital camera operation mode, the portable communication
apparatus is used as a digital camera by pressing a shutter key
K.
The first housing 10 is formed in a bar shape, and includes a receiving
space R as shown in FIG. 5 for receiving the second housing 20,
an upper portion 102 formed at one side of the receiving space R,
a lower portion 104 formed at the other side, a planar surface 106
formed between the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 104,
namely at the bottom of the receiving space R, two side surfaces
108 and a front surface 109. The biaxial hinge unit 30 and a speaker
unit 112 are disposed at the upper portion 102. A PDA keypad 114
composed of a plurality of keys and a microphone unit 116 are provided
to the lower portion 104 to be used in the PDA operation mode.
Moreover, a lens housing 102a is protruded in a longitudinal direction
from the upper portion 102. A digital camera having a lens 103 is
disposed within the lens housing 102a to be exposed in a longitudinal
direction of the first housing 10. An arrow of the digital camera
lens 103 of FIG. 2 indicates a direction of photographing an object.
A plurality of keys are provided to the two side surfaces 108.
Here, the shutter key K for converting a current mode into the digital
camera operation mode is formed at one of the side surfaces 108.
That is, the shutter key K is adjacent to the lens housing 102a.
A battery pack 130 for supplying power to the first and second housings
10 and 20 is removably mounted on the rear surface 110. In addition,
an antenna unit 132 is formed on the rear surface of the upper portion
102 and positioned to rotate about a third hinge axis A3. When the
antenna unit 132 rotates, end portion of the antenna unit 132 becomes
distant from the lens housing 102a.
The biaxial hinge unit 30 provides first and second hinge axes
A1 and A2 which meet at right angles to each other. The first hinge
axis A1 is a rotation axis when the second housing 20 rotates in
a direction to and from the receiving space R of the first housing
10, and the second hinge axis A2 is a rotation axis positioned in
a vertical direction from the upper portion of the first housing
10 when the second housing 20 is opened from the first housing 10,
namely a hinge axis for rotating the second housing 20 in right
and left directions as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4.
The second housing 20 is formed in a planar plate shape, and includes
an upper portion 201 and a lower portion 202. A phone LCD 212 and
a phone keypad 214 having a plurality of keys are provided on the
upper portion 201. A PDA touch screen 216 is provided on the lower
portion 202. In the phone operation mode, the PDA touch screen 216
of the second housing 20 is adjacent to the planar surface 106 of
the first housing 10. In the PDA operation mode, the phone keypad
214 and the phone LCD 212 are adjacent to the planar surface 106.
Here, the PDA touch screen 216 has greater width and length than
the phone LCD 212.
The biaxial hinge unit 30 is connected between side hinge arms
102b of the upper portion 102 to provide the first hinge axis A1,
and also connected to the second housing 20 at its middle portion
to provide the second hinge axis A2 of the second housing 20.
The method of using the above-described portable communication
apparatus will now be explained. The phone operation mode of the
portable communication apparatus is shown in FIG. 1. The user inputs
data through the phone keypad 214, and confirms the input data on
the phone LCD 212. The PDA operation mode of the portable communication
apparatus is shown in FIG. 6. The user inputs data on the PDA touch
screen 216 by using a stylus (not shown) and the PDA key pad 114,
and displays the input data on the PDA touch screen 216. To operate
the digital camera operation mode, the user converts a current mode
into the digital camera operation mode by pressing the shutter key
K.
Preferably, the second housing 20 is connected to the biaxial hinge
unit 30 by a hinge module (installed in biaxial hinge unit) to rotate
at 0.degree. to 180.degree. about second hinge axis A2.
As discussed earlier, the portable communication apparatus in accordance
with the present invention serves as a PDA, a digital camera and
a voice or image phone, thereby reducing expenses and improving
convenience.
The structure of a portable digital camera communication apparatus
(abbreviated as `portable communication apparatus`) serving as a
PDA in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention
will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12. As depicted
in FIGS. 7 to 12, the portable communication apparatus performs
a PDA operation, a phone operation and a digital camera operation.
The portable communication apparatus includes a first housing 40,
a second housing 50, and a biaxial hinge unit 60 for connecting
the first housing 40 and the second housing 50 and allows the second
housing to rotate about two axes A4 and A5.
FIG. 12 shows a state where the portable communication apparatus
is operating in the phone and PDA operation modes. In the digital
camera operation mode, the portable communication apparatus is used
as a digital camera by pressing a shutter key K1.
The first housing 40 is formed in a bar shape, and includes a receiving
space R1 for receiving the second housing 50, an upper portion 402
formed at one side of the receiving space R1, a lower portion 404
formed at the other side, a planar surface 406 formed between the
upper portion 402 and the lower portion 404, namely at the bottom
of the receiving space R1, two side surfaces 408 and a front surface
409. The biaxial hinge unit 60 and a speaker unit 412 are disposed
at the upper portion 402. A keypad 414 composed of a plurality of
keys and a microphone unit 416 are provided to the lower portion
404 to be used in the phone and PDA operation modes.
Moreover, a lens housing 402a is protruded in a longitudinal direction
of the upper portion 402. A digital camera having a lens 403 is
disposed within the lens housing 402a to be exposed in a longitudinal
direction of the first housing 40. An arrow of the digital camera
lens 403 of FIG. 8 indicates a direction of photographing a object.
A plurality of keys are provided to the two side surfaces 408.
Here, the shutter key K1 for converting a current mode into the
digital camera operation mode is located at one of the side surfaces
408. That is, the shutter key K1 is adjacent to the lens housing
402a. A battery pack 430 for supplying power to the first and second
housings 40 and 50 is removably mounted on the rear surface 410.
In addition, an antenna unit 432 is located on the rear surface
of the upper portion 402 to rotate on a sixth hinge axis A6. When
the antenna unit 432 rotates, the end portion of the antenna unit
432 becomes distant from the lens housing 402a.
The biaxial hinge unit 60 provides fourth and fifth hinge axes
A4 and A5 which are perpendicular to each other. The first hinge
axis A4 is a rotation axis for the second housing 50 to rotate in
a direction to and from the receiving space R1 of the first housing
40. The fifth hinge axis A5 is a rotation axis positioned in a vertical
direction from the upper portion of the first housing 40 when the
second housing 50 is opened from the first housing 40, namely a
hinge axis for rotating the first housing 40 about the A5 axis.
The second housing 50 is formed in a planar plate shape, and includes
an upper portion 501 and a lower portion 502. A planar surface is
provided to the upper portion 501. A LCD 516 is located at the lower
portion 502. In the phone operation mode or PDA operation mode,
the LCD 516 of the second housing 50 is adjacent to the planar surface
406 of the first housing 40 exposing the LCD 516 to the user.
The biaxial hinge unit 60 is connected between side hinge arms
402b of the upper portion 102 to provide the fourth hinge axis A4,
and is also connected to the second housing 50 at its middle portion
to provide the fifth hinge axis A5 of the second housing 50.
The method of using the above-described portable communication
apparatus will now be explained. To start the phone or PDA operation
mode, the user uses the portable communication apparatus as shown
in FIG. 12. The user inputs data or a telephone number on the LCD
516, e.g a touch screen by using a stylus (not shown), and displays
the inputted data on the LCD 516. That is, the PDA LCD 516 includes
the touch screen. To operate the digital camera operation mode,
the user converts a current mode into the digital camera operation
mode by pressing the shutter key K1.
Preferably, the second housing 50 is connected to the biaxial hinge
unit 60 by a hinge module (installed in biaxial hinge unit) to rotate
between 0.degree. to 180.degree..
As described above, the portable communication apparatus in accordance
with the present invention serves as a PDA, a digital camera and
a voice or image phone, thereby reducing expenses and improving
convenience. In addition, a sticker photograph or general photograph
can be adhered to the upper portion 501 of the second housing 50
to show originality. A mirror also can be mounted on the upper portion
501 thereof. Furthermore, the casing of the second housing is replaceable,
and thus it can be formed in various colors and shapes. When the
portable communication apparatus is not used, the LCD 516 touch
screen is protected as shown in the protected position of FIG. 1.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference
to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will 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. |