Abstract: An automatic sliding mechanism for a portable electronic product, particularly a mobile phone handset, is disclosed. The mechanism moves a cover relative to a body of the handset using a piezoelectric actuator which drivingly engages an elongated connecting member fixed on the cover to directly drive the cover. Advantages of weight and volume reduction, permitting miniaturization, and also lower noise are attained, as compared with the use of a conventional sliding mechanism employing DC motor with gear-train-like lead screw, bevel gear and clutch system. Construction is relatively simple and high positioning accuracy is possible with the improved mechanism. A counter-bearing arrangement on the body counter-balances a pushing force from the piezoelectric actuator on the connecting member. Stoppers at the respective ends of the connecting member engage limit switches provided on the body to limit the sliding movement of the cover on the body.

Abstract: A video telecommunications device and a camera unit for a video telecommunications device. A camera is mounted on the telecommunications device by a motor capable of rotating the camera on the telecommunications device. A position sensor senses the rotational position of the camera on the telecommunications device, and a position control input device enables provision of a control signal indicating a desired rotational position for the camera on the telecommunications device. A controller that is responsive to the control signal and the sensed position of the camera causes the motor to rotate the camera so as to position the camera in the desired rotational position on the telecommunications device, providing the desired video picture. A telecommunications coupler couples the camera unit to the telecommunications device, enabling the telecommunications device to communicate the image sensed by the camera lens to a receiving telecommunications device.

Abstract: An automatic sliding mechanism for a portable electronic product, particularly a mobile phone handset, is disclosed. The mechanism moves a cover relative to a body of the handset using a piezoelectric actuator which drivingly engages an elongated connecting member fixed on the cover to directly drive the cover. Advantages of weight and volume reduction, permitting miniaturization, and also lower noise are attained, as compared with the use of a conventional sliding mechanism employing DC motor with gear-train-like lead screw, bevel gear and clutch system. Construction is relatively simple and high positioning accuracy is possible with the improved mechanism. A counter-bearing arrangement on the body counter-balances a pushing force from the piezoelectric actuator on the connecting member. Stoppers at the respective ends of the connecting member engage limit switches provided on the body to limit the sliding movement of the cover on the body.