Digital Camera Patent AbstractA wireless telecommunications device, including a telephone interface,
a keyboard and a digital camera lens, utilizes a single mechanical
transformation in the form of a swivel mechanism to allow the user
to switch from one mode to another for portability and easy accessibility.
Preferably, when configured in a first position, the wireless telecommunications
device operates in the first mode. When configured in a second position,
the wireless telecommunications device operates in the second mode.
When configured in a third position, the wireless telecommunications
device operates in a third mode. The first mode is a telephone mode.
The second mode is a keyboard mode. The third mode is a camera mode.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A multimode electronic communication device comprising: a. a
first substantially planar panel including a telephone interface
and a display on a first face of the first panel, the first panel
having a single axis of rotation perpendicular to the first panel;
b. a second substantially planar panel including a keyboard interface
on a first face of the second panel, the first face of the second
panel rotatably and operatively coupled to the second face of the
first panel for rotation about the axis such that the first panel
is configured to rotate in only one plane relative to the second
panel such that in a first rotational orientation the keyboard interface
is obscured by the first panel, and, in a second rotational orientation
the keyboard interface is exposed; and c. means for sensing a rotational
orientation between the first panel and the second panel such that
in the first rotational orientation the device operates as a telephone
and input entered on the telephone interface are shown on the display,
and, in the second rotational orientation the device operates as
a messaging device and input entered on the keyboard interface are
shown on the display.
2. A multimode electronic device comprising: a. a first substantially
planar panel including a first interface and a display on a first
face of the first panel and a camera lens on a second face of the
first panel, the first panel having a single axis of rotation perpendicular
to the first panel; b. a second substantially planar panel including
a second interface on a first face of the second panel, the first
face of the second panel rotatably and operatively coupled to the
second face of the first panel for rotation about the axis such
that the first panel is configured to rotate in only one plane relative
to the second panel such that in a first rotational orientation
the second interface is obscured by the first panel and the camera
lens is obscured by the second panel, in a second rotational orientation
the camera lens is exposed and the second interface is substantially
obscured and in a third rotational orientation the second interface
is exposed; and c. means for sensing a rotational orientation between
the first panel and the second panel such that in the first rotational
orientation, input entered in response to the first interface are
shown on the display, in the second rotational orientation an image
in the field of view of the camera lens is visible on the display
and in the third rotational orientation input entered in response
to the second interface are shown on the display.
3. A multimode wireless communication device comprising: a. a first
substantially planar panel including a telephone interface and a
display on a first face of the first panel and a camera lens on
a second face of the first panel, the first panel having a single
axis of rotation perpendicular to the first panel; b. a second substantially
planar panel including a keyboard interface on a first face of the
second panel, the first face of the second panel rotatably and operatively
coupled to the second face of the first panel for rotation about
the axis such that the first panel is configured to rotate in only
one plane relative to the second panel such that in a first rotational
orientation the keyboard interface is obscured by the first panel
and the camera lens is obscured by the second panel, in a second
rotational orientation the camera lens is exposed and the keyboard
interface is substantially obscured and in a third rotational orientation
the keyboard interface is exposed; and c. means for sensing a rotational
orientation between the first panel and the second panel such that
in the first rotational orientation, input entered in response to
the telephone interface are shown on the display, in the second
rotational orientation an image in the field of view of the camera
lens is visible on the display and in the third rotational orientation
input entered in response to the keyboard interface are shown on
the display.
4. The wireless telecommunications device according to claim 3,
wherein when the device is configured in the second rotational orientation,
the second panel is rotated about 180 degrees relative to the first
rotational orientation.
5. The wireless telecommunications device according to claim 3,
wherein the second panel rotates in a first direction from the first
rotational orientation toward the second rotational orientation
and in a second direction from the first position toward the third
rotational orientation, wherein the second direction is opposite
to he first direction. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionFIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of cellular phones.
More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of
integrating a cellular phone, a digital camera lens, and a keyboard
into a portable handheld device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cellular telephones have become an increasingly popular means of
communication for today's mobile society. Also, digital camera lenses
have been added as a feature on certain commercial cellular telephones,
to allow users to communicate and exchange information through pictures.
Further, personal digital assistant interfaces have been added on
some cellular telephone devices, which allow cellular telephone
users to access the web, answer e-mail, and organize appointments.
However, conventional multifunction cellular telephones are bulky,
complicated, and not user-friendly. Furthermore, conventional multifunction
cellular telephones do not allow easy access to all functions through
a single mechanical transformation. Due to these problems, conventional
multifunction cellular telephones are cumbersome and ill-equipped
to handle the multitasking needs of the average cellular telephone
user.
What is needed is a multifunction cellular telephone, which successfully
integrates a cellular telephone interface with a digital camera
lens and a keyboard into one user-friendly portable handheld device.
Specifically, to address the problems noted above, what is needed
is a multifunction cellular telephone that allows a user to switch
from one mode to another mode, utilizing a single mechanical transformation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention include an electronic device
comprising a first substantially planar panel including a first
interface, the first panel having a first axis of rotation perpendicular
to the first panel; and a second substantially planar panel including
a second interface, the second panel having a second axis of rotation
perpendicular to the second panel and rotatably joined to the first
panel such that the first axis of rotation and the second axis rotation
are co-linear. In a first position, the second interface is obscured
by the first panel and in a second position the second interface
is exposed. The first panel of the electronic device further includes
a display. When the device is configured in the first position,
the first interface controls the display and the device. When the
device is configured in the second position, the second interface
controls the display and the device. Alternatively, when the device
is configured in the second position, both interfaces control the
display and the device. When the device is configured in the first
position, an entry made on the first interface is displayed on the
display. When the device is configured in the second position, an
entry made on the second interface is displayed on the display.
Alternatively, when the device is configured in the second position,
entries made on both interfaces are displayed on the display.
The electronic device operates in a first mode when it is configured
in the first position. Alternatively, the electronic device operates
in a second mode when it is configured in the second position. Preferably,
the first panel of the electronic device is operatively coupled
to the second panel to allow an exchange of electronic data. Preferably,
the electronic device is a handheld portable device.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first panel
of the electronic device further comprises a front side and a back
side, wherein the front side of the first panel includes the display
and the first interface, and the back side of the first panel includes
an engaging end. The second panel further comprises a receiving
end. Alternatively, the first panel further comprises a front side
and a back side. The front side of the first panel includes the
display and the first interface, and the back side of the first
panel includes a receiving end. The second panel further comprises
an engaging end. In either alternative embodiment, the receiving
end receives the engaging end when the device is configured in a
position.
In another aspect of the invention, a wireless telecommunications
device comprises: a first panel including a front side and a back
side, wherein the front side further comprises a display and a telephone
interface, the first panel having a first axis of rotation; a second
panel including a keyboard, the second panel having a second axis
of rotation, the second panel rotatably coupled to the first panel
such that in a first position the keyboard is obscured by the first
panel, and in a second position the keyboard is exposed, wherein
in the first position an entry made on the telephone interface is
displayed on the display and in the second position an entry made
on the keyboard is displayed on the display; and a digital camera
lens mounted to a surface of the back side of the first panel, such
that in a first position the camera lens is obscured by the second
panel, and in a third position the camera lens is exposed. According
to another embodiment of the invention, when the wireless telecommunications
device is in the second position, entries made on both the keyboard
and the telephone interface are displayed on the display. According
to yet another embodiment of the invention, when the wireless telecommunications
device is in the third position, the keyboard is obscured.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second
panel of the wireless telecommunications device rotates in a first
direction from the first position toward the second position and
the third position. Alternatively, the second panel rotates in a
first direction from the first position toward the second position
and in a second direction from the first position toward the third
position, wherein the second direction is opposite to the first
direction.
Preferably, the wireless telecommunications device operates in
a first mode when configured in the first position, operates in
a second mode when configured in the second position, and operates
in a third mode when configured in the third position. Preferably,
the first mode is a telephone mode, the second mode is a keyboard
mode, and the third mode is a camera mode. Preferably, the keyboard
is a qwerty keyboard. Alternatively, the keyboard can be arranged
alphabetically or according to some other convenient arrangement.
According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, when the
device is configured in the second position, the second panel is
rotated about 180 degrees from the first panel.
According to another embodiment, when the wireless telecommunications
device is in the third position, a button in the telephone interface
is configured to operate a digital camera operatively coupled to
the camera lens.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first panel
of the wireless telecommunication device further comprises a front
side and a back side. The front side of the first panel includes
the display and the first interface, and the back side of the first
panel includes an engaging end. The second panel further comprises
a receiving end. When the wireless telecommunications device is
in one of the first position, the second position, and the third
position, the receiving end receives the engaging end.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first panel
further comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the front
side of the first panel includes the display and the first interface,
and the back side of the first panel includes a receiving end. The
second panel further comprises an engaging end. When the wireless
telecommunications device is in one of the first position, the second
position, and the third position, the receiving end receives the
engaging end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic drawings illustrating the front side
of the first panel of the electronic device, which includes the
display and the telephone interface, in accordance with the present
invention. FIG. 1A shows one embodiment of the invention with the
numeric keypad arranged in concentric circles. FIG. 1B illustrates
an alternative embodiment, with the numeric keypad in the conventional
twelve key arrangement.
FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating the device configured
in the third position, in which the digital camera lens is exposed,
in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the first panel and the second panel,
while the device is configured in the first position, in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the first panel and the second panel,
while the device is configured in the third position, in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing showing the device configured in
the second position, in which the keyboard is exposed, and several
intermediate views, in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are schematic drawings illustrating the device
shifting from the first position (FIG. 6A) to the third position
(FIG. 6B) in a first direction, and then from the first position
(FIG. 6A) to the second position (FIG. 6C), in a second direction
opposite from the first direction, in accordance with the present
invention.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are schematic drawings showing the device
shifting from the first position (FIG. 7A) to the third position
(FIG. 7B), and from the first position (FIG. 7A) to the second position
(FIG. 7C), all in one direction, in accordance with the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing a front view of the device
when the device is in the second position according to the preferred
embodiment.
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are schematic drawings of side views of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 9A and 9B show side views of the
device in the first position. FIG. 9C show the device in the second
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device
comprising: a first substantially planar panel including a first
interface, the first panel having a first axis of rotation perpendicular
to the first panel; and a second substantially planar panel including
a second interface, the second panel having a second axis of rotation
perpendicular to the second panel and rotatably joined to the first
panel such that the first axis of rotation and the second axis rotation
are co-linear. In a first position the second interface is obscured
by the first panel and in a second position the second interface
is exposed.
The first panel of the electronic device further includes a display.
When the device is configured in the first position, the first interface
controls the display. Alternatively, when the device is configured
in the second position the second interface controls the display.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first
panel includes a display, such that when the device is configured
in the first position, an entry made on the first interface is displayed
on the display. When the device is configured in the second position,
an entry made on the second interface is displayed on the display.
Alternatively, when the device is configured in the second position,
entries made on both the first interface and the second interface
are displayed on the display. According to another embodiment of
the present invention, the device operates in a first mode when
configured in the first position and operates in a second mode when
configured in the second position.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first panel is operatively
coupled to the second panel to allow an exchange of electronic data.
In another embodiment of the invention, the device is a portable
handheld device.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the first panel further
comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the front side of
the first panel includes the display and the first interface, and
the back side of the first panel includes an engaging end. The second
panel further comprises a receiving end. Alternatively, the first
panel further comprises a front side and a back side, wherein the
front side of the first panel includes the display and the first
interface, and the back side of the first panel includes a receiving
end. The second panel further comprises an engaging end. In either
alternative embodiment, when the device is configured in the first
position, the second position, or the third position, the receiving
end receives the engaging end.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a wireless
telecommunications device comprising a first panel including a display
and a telephone interface having a first axis of rotation; a second
panel including a keyboard, having a second axis of rotation, such
that the first axis of rotation and second axis of rotation are
co-linear, and the second panel is rotatably joined to the first
panel, and a digital camera lens.
The mode of the device is dependent on the configuration of the
device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when
the device is configured in a first position, the device operates
in a telephone mode. In the first position, the digital camera lens
and the keyboard are obscured. Preferably, when the device is configured
in a second position, the device operates in a keyboard mode. Thus,
when the device is in the second position, the keyboard is exposed.
When the device is configured in a third position, the device operates
in a camera mode. In the third position, the camera is exposed.
Preferably, in the third position, the keyboard is obscured.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a wireless telecommunications device
100, 100' in a first position. The device 100, 100' comprises a
first panel 170, 170' which includes a display 110, 110' and a telephone
interface 120, 120'. Both FIGS. 1A and 1B also show a front side
160, 160' of the first panel 170, 170'. The first panel 170, 170'
is rotatably mounted over a second panel 370 (FIG. 3). In the preferred
embodiment, the telephone interface 120, 120' further includes a
control button 130, 130', a numeric keypad 140, 140', and function
keys 150, 150'. The control button 130, 130' can be configured to
operate as a joystick or enter key. When the device 100, 100' is
configured in the first position, an entry made on the telephone
interface 120, 120' is displayed on the display 110, 110'. The numeric
keypad 140 can be arranged in concentric circles (FIG. 1A) with
a control button 130. Alternatively, the numeric keypad 140' can
be arranged in the conventional twelve key arrangement (FIG. 1B),
with a control button 130'.
FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of the wireless telecommunications
device 100 in the third position. As shown in FIG. 3, the telecommunications
device 100 is configured to the third position by rotating the first
panel 170 and the second panel 370 relative to each other about
an axis of rotation 340. The first panel 170 (FIG. 3) of the device
100 has a back side 220 which includes a digital camera lens 230.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the device 100, 100' is configured
in the first position, the digital camera lens 230 (FIG. 2) is obscured.
But, as shown in FIG. 2, when the telecommunications device 100
is configured in the third position, the digital camera lens 230
is exposed. When the telecommunications device 100 is configured
in the third position, the display 110, 110' (FIGS. 1A and 1B) shows
what the digital camera lens 230 (FIG. 2) sees. A user can then
press a designated button on the telephone interface 120, 120' (FIGS.
1A and 1B). The designated button is configured to operate a digital
camera which is operatively coupled to the digital camera lens 230
(FIG. 2). Preferably, the designated button is the control button
130'.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the telecommunications device 100 in the
first position. According to the preferred embodiment, the first
panel 170 comprises a front side 160 and a back side 220. The back
side 220 of the first panel 170 further comprises the digital camera
lens 230. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
when the device 100 is configured in the first position, the digital
camera lens 230 is obscured by the second panel 370. Furthermore,
the first panel 170 is rotatably joined to the second panel 370
at an axis of rotation 340.
FIG. 3 further illustrates that the back side 220 of the first
panel 170 comprises one or more receiving ends 350. The engaging
end 330 and the receiving end 350 are arranged positively when the
device is configured in any position. Preferably, the engaging end
330 and the receiving end 350 are arranged positively when the device
is configured in the first position, in the second position, or
in the third position. Furthermore, any convenient sensor can signal
to the device when the device is configured in the first position,
in the second position or in the third position.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the telecommunications device 100 in the
third position. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention,
the third position is also known as a camera mode. In the third
position, the first panel 170 comprises a front side 160 and a back
side 220. The back side 220 of the first panel 170 further comprises
a digital camera lens 230 and a receiving end 350. The first panel
170 is rotatably joined to the second panel 370 by an axis of rotation
340. The second panel 370 further comprises an engaging end 330.
When the device 100 is configured in the third position, the receiving
end 350 receives the engaging end 330.
FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustrating the wireless telecommunications
device 100 configured in the second position. Preferably, when the
device 100 is configured in the second position, the device 100
operates in a keyboard mode. According to the preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the second panel 370 includes a keyboard
500. The first panel 170 includes a display 110, function keys 150,
a control button 130, and a numeric keypad 140. When the user completely
rotates the second panel 370 to 180 degrees in relation to the first
panel 170, the telecommunications device 100 is configured in the
second position. Thus, when the device 100 is configured in the
first position or the third position, the keyboard 500 is obscured,
whereas when the device 100 is configured in the second position,
the keyboard 500 is exposed. Also, when the device 100 is configured
in the second position, an entry made on the keyboard 500 is displayed
on the display 110 of the first panel 170. Alternatively, when the
device 100 is configured in the second position, entries made on
both the keyboard 500 and the telephone interface 120, 120' (FIGS.
1A and 1B) are displayed on the display 110. Furthermore, as previously
described, the second panel 370 comprising the keyboard 500 is rotatably
joined to the first panel 170, thus allowing a user to switch from
the first mode (telephone mode as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B) to the
second mode (keyboard mode as shown in FIG. 5) by rotating the second
panel 370 of the device 100 180 degrees in relation to the first
panel 170.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show the device 100 shifting from the first
position (FIG. 6A) to the third position (FIG. 6B), in a first direction,
and then from the first position (FIG. 6A) to the second position
(FIG. 6C), in a second direction opposite from the first direction.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C illustrate the device 100 from a back view.
According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
as shown in FIG. 6A, the wireless telecommunications device 100
is configured in the first position when the keyboard 500 (FIG.
5) and the digital camera lens 230 (FIG. 2) are obscured by the
second panel 370. As previously described, when the device 100 is
configured in the first position, the device 100 operates in the
telephone mode.
Next, FIG. 6B is a pictorial showing the device 100 configured
in the third position. According to the preferred embodiment of
the invention, the back side 220 of the first panel 170 (FIG. 3)
further comprises a digital camera lens 230. In the third position,
the digital camera lens 230 is exposed and is no longer obscured
by the second panel 370. As described previously, the configuration
of the device 100 enables for a user to switch from one mode to
another. Thus, a user can switch from the telephone mode to the
camera mode, by reconfiguring the device 100 from the first position
(FIG. 6A) to the third position (FIG. 6B) in a first direction.
FIG. 6C shows the preferred embodiment of the invention of the
second position, where the second panel 370 including a keyboard
500 is rotated 180 degrees from the first position (FIG. 6A). Referring
to FIG. 5, when the device 100 is configured in the second position,
an entry made on the keyboard 500 is displayed on the display 110.
Preferably, the keyboard 500 is a qwerty keyboard. Now referring
to FIG. 6C, when the telecommunications device 100 is configured
in the second position, the device 100 operates in the second mode,
which is a keyboard mode, in accordance with the preferred embodiment.
Thus, a user can switch from the telephone mode to the keyboard
mode, by rotating the second panel 370 from the first position (FIG.
6A) to the second position (FIG. 6C), in a second direction. In
the preferred embodiment, the second direction is opposite from
the first direction taken to switch the device 100 from the first
position (FIG. 6A) to the second position (FIG. 6B).
In contrast with FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are
pictorials illustrating the change of the device 100' configurations
from the first position (FIG. 7A), to the third position (FIG. 7B),
and finally the second position (FIG. 7C), all in the same direction.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the device 100' is in the first position,
the second panel 370' obscures the keyboard 500 (FIG. 5) and the
digital camera lens 230' (FIG. 7B). Then, when the user rotates
the second panel 370' in a first direction, as shown in FIG. 7B,
the digital camera lens 230' on the back side 220' of the first
panel 170 (FIG. 3) is exposed. FIG. 7B shows the device 100' configured
in the third position. Preferably, when the device 100' is configured
in the third position, the telecommunications device 100' operates
in the camera mode and the keyboard 500 (FIG. 5) is obscured.
If the user rotates the second panel 370' 180 degrees in relation
to the first panel 170 (FIG. 3), in the first direction, the device
100' is now configured to the second position (FIG. 7C). When the
device 100' is configured in the second position, the telecommunications
device 100' operates in a keyboard mode. While the device 100' operates
in the keyboard mode, an entry made on the keyboard 500 (FIG. 5)
is displayed on the display 110 (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 3 and
as described previously, the second panel 370 of the device 100'
is rotatably joined to the first panel 170, thus allowing for the
second panel 370 to rotate 180 degrees from the first position.
FIG. 7C shows the device 100' in the second position, where the
second panel 370' is positioned 180 degrees in relation to the back
side 220' of the first panel 170 (FIG. 3).
FIG. 8 shows the front view of the device 100 when the device 100
is in the second position (the open position). In the preferred
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the display 110, the control button
130, 130', a numeric keypad 140, 140', the keyboard 500, and function
keys 150, 150' are all accessible to the user.
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C show side views of the embodiment in FIG.
8. FIGS. 9A and 9B show side views of the device 100 in the first
position (the closed position). FIG. 9C shows a side view of the
device 100 when the device 100 is in the second position (the open
position).
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the device
100, 100' can further include wireless and/or cable connections
to other devices, including but not limited to PC computers, chargers,
headphones, PDA devices, cell phone devices, game systems, music
listening devices, and the like. Furthermore, it will be appreciated
by those skilled in the art that the device 100, 100' can incorporate
a tuner, such as a radio tuner, a digital TV tuner chip, a signal
frequency tuner, and the like. The device 100, 100' may also include
connections, cable, wireless or otherwise, which allow for games
and applications to be downloaded and uploaded by the device 100,
100'.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments
incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles
of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein
to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit
the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment
chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that although the figures of the device indicate that the
receiving end is located on the first panel and the engaging end
is located on the second panel, the spirit and scope of the invention
allows for the engaging end to be located on the first panel and
the receiving end to be located on the second panel.
|