Abstract: A portable communication apparatus (1) comprises a first housing portion (2) and a second housing portion (3), a rotary support member (6) rotatably connecting the first housing portion and the second housing portion, an image producing apparatus (7), and an optical input (8) for the image producing apparatus located in the support member. The image producing apparatus (7) is located in the first housing portion (2) or the second housing portion (3) of the portable communication apparatus (1), and an optical arrangement (11) extends an optical path (12) of the image producing apparatus from the first housing portion or the second housing portion to the optical input (8) located in the rotary support member (6).

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a front cover for a portable electronic device as well as a portable electronic device including such a front cover. The front cover comprises a bottom layer of stiff plastic material having a first opening where at least one input key is to be provided, and a top layer of flexible plastic film that covers the bottom layer including said first opening. These two layers are furthermore bonded to each other. In this way a keypad is provided where dirt cannot enter between keys. The mounting process for the device is furthermore much simplified. It is furthermore possible to produce a waterproof keypad.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a front cover for a portable electronic device as well as a portable electronic device including such a front cover. The front cover comprises a bottom layer of stiff plastic material having a first opening where at least one input key is to be provided, and a top layer of flexible plastic film that covers the bottom layer including said first opening. These two layers are furthermore bonded to each other. In this way a keypad is provided where dirt cannot enter between keys. The mounting process for the device is furthermore much simplified. It is furthermore possible to produce a waterproof keypad.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus (1) comprises a first housing portion (2) and a second housing portion (3), a rotary support member (6) rotatably connecting the first housing portion and the second housing portion, an image producing apparatus (7), and an optical input (8) for the image producing apparatus located in the support member. The image producing apparatus (7) is located in the first housing portion (2) or the second housing portion (3) of the portable communication apparatus (1), and an optical arrangement (11) extends an optical path (12) of the image producing apparatus from the first housing portion or the second housing portion to the optical input (8) located in the rotary support member (6).

Abstract: A portable communications device comprises a body with a display, a speaker, a camera and lens, a keypad, and a display cover that is slidably connected to the body. The display cover is movable over the display between at least two positions. When the cover is in one of these positions, the camera is activated and the display operates as a viewfinder for the camera The sliding cover permits the optimisation of the display size for use as a viewfinder. Moreover, the position of the sliding cover relative to the body of the device may be used as a selector to determine the operating mode. There is thus no need to navigate a menu using a keyboad prior to photographing.

Abstract: A recyclable cellular telephone is disclosed having an inner rigid cellular electronics supporting frame member surrounded by a replaceable outer cover. The telephone is acquired having a limited period of use. The electronics of the telephone operate to disable the telephone following expiration of the period of use. Following expiration of the period of use, the telephone is returned for refurbishment where the outer cover is stripped and replaced and the electronics tested before being recycled with a new period of use for an another acquisition. The cellular network supporting telephone operation also monitors the period of use, disabling telephone access to the network following expiration. Directory numbers are selectively assigned to the recyclable telephones from a pool of available numbers, with assigned numbers returned to the pool after expiration of a predetermined period or telephone deactivation for re-use by another recyclable telephone.