Rotatable Mechanism (e.g., Hinge) Patents (Class 379/433.13)
  • Patent number: 7778677
    Abstract: In a mobile terminal capable of preventing its breakage or damage by absorbing a shock of a contact between a folder and a main body in unfolding or folding of the folder by installing a buffer member to contact portions of the folder and the main body, a mobile terminal includes a main body housing a circuit substrate inside and having an operational button on the front surface, a folder rotatively connected to the main body and having a liquid screen, a hinge connecting unit for rotatively connecting the main body and the folder, and a buffer means for absorbing a shock of a contact between the main body and the folder when the folder is unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwang Shin Jung
  • Patent number: 7778673
    Abstract: Taught is a mobile phone with a bidirectional swiveling display, comprising a display, a main portion and a rotating portion having a body and a second axis. The body comprises a hole horizontally disposed therein and a first axis perpendicular to the hole. The first axis is rotatably inserted in the hollow supporter. One end of the second axis is fixed at the back of the display. The other end of the second axis is rotatably inserted in the hole of the body, so that the display is capable of rotating around the second axis. The display is also capable of rotating around the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Zhanxin Zhu
  • Patent number: 7747005
    Abstract: An opening and closing mechanism includes a fixed member which has a fixed cam on its side face; a movable member which has a movable cam on an opposing face to the fixed cam, and which is rotatably disposed relative to the fixed member; a case housing the fixed member and the movable member; and a spring applying a force toward the fixed member to the movable member. The movable member has a recess at its radial center, and the first end of the spring is inserted in this recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takehiko Konja, Kazushige Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7747004
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile communication device and a method including a first housing including a first side and a second side, a display coupled to the first side of the first housing and a second housing movably coupled to the first housing, the second housing being coupled against the second side of the first housing when the second housing is in a closed position and extending the first side of the first housing when the second housing is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian P. Lewis, Theodore R. Arneson, Joel A. Clark
  • Patent number: 7746201
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a cover section (54), a body section (52), a magnet (60) and a hall sensor (70). The cover section has a printed circuit board secured therein. The body section has a connecting portion, and the body section is rotatably connected to the cover section with the connecting portion. The magnet is secured in the connecting portion, and the hall sensor is electrically attached to the printed circuit board. The magnet acts on the hall sensor according to relative rotation between the cover section and the body section, thereby switching the portable electronic device to a work mode when the cover section is opened away from the body section or a power save mode when the cover section is closed to the body section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communications Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 7738656
    Abstract: Damage to a bearing section and cases is able to be prevented in a portable terminal device in which two cases are mutually and rotatably coupled about an axis that extends in the direction in which they overlap, and the range of the relative movement of the two cases is restricted. This portable terminal device is provided with two cases arranged so as to be able to be mutually overlapped, a coupling unit that mutually and rotatably couples the two cases about an axis extending in the direction of overlapping, and a reinforcing member that is fixed within one case of the two cases. The coupling unit is provided on the other case of the two cases, has a hollow rotation shaft having the axis for its center line and a bearing section that rotatably axially supports the rotation shaft, and the bearing section is attached to the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Masaharu Yoda
  • Patent number: 7729492
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a base assembly and a top assembly that is coupled to the base assembly by a multi-axis hinge assembly. The multi-axis hinge assembly is configured to facilitate sliding motion between the top assembly and the base assembly along a first direction, as well as rotation of the top assembly relative to the base assembly along perpendicular axes. The portable communication device is provided with versatile configurations and modes of operation with a smaller footprint often associated with traditional clamshell devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Randolph C. Demuynck, Charles C. Hunt
  • Patent number: 7725987
    Abstract: A hinge assembly includes a shaft (12), a follower (16), a cam (18), and an urging means. The shaft has a screw portion (122) defined thereon. The follower has a first cam surface (164) formed on one end surface thereof. The cam has a second cam surface (184) formed on one end surface opposite to the follower. The cam has a screw hole (182) defined therethrough. The screw hole engages with the screw portion of the shaft. The urging means is configured for providing an urging force which moves the follower along the shaft and makes the first cam surface rotatably engage with the second cam surface of the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7729493
    Abstract: A handheld computer comprises a housing and a cover removably connected thereto by a universal hinge assembly. The universal hinge assembly includes a tubular member or arm having a proximal end fixedly (non-rotatably) secured to an edge of the cover and a distal end pivotally coupled to an edge of the cover. The pivotal coupling may comprise a ball and socket arrangement, a pin and slot arrangement, or any other type of coupling arrangement that enables universal pivoting movement and releasable attachment between the cover and the housing. The cover may include a cushion designed to abut a display screen mounted in the housing when the cover is in a closed position. A method of reconfiguring an encasement of a handheld computer having a cover releasably coupled thereto includes removing the first cover and replacing it with a second cover of a different type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Palm, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Krieger, Randall Clark Lewis
  • Patent number: 7707689
    Abstract: A folder-type communication terminal is disclosed in which a gap generated between a first and a second body or a breakage of a side hinge arm can be reduced. The mobile communication terminal includes a first body and a second body rotatably coupled using a hinge, and at least one hinge-reinforcing member disposed between the hinge members of the first and the second bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Wun Kim
  • Patent number: 7711396
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and operating method thereof. The terminal includes a housing configured such that one portion of the housing can rotate against the other portion of the housing. A joint mutually joins an upper housing with a lower housing of the mobile communication terminal and enables one of the upper and lower housings to be obliquely twisted to rotate against the other. After providing an input signal to the mobile communication terminal having thus joined, twisting to rotate either the upper or lower housing against either the lower or upper housing in one direction obliquely orients a microphone near a user's mouth. Twisting the upper and/or lower housing also sends the input signal to a base station automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventor: Ji Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 7711112
    Abstract: The present invention aims to reduce a size of a hinge portion and a device in an opening/closing mobile terminal device in which first and second housing members are opened/closed and turned on hinges. In the present invention, a second turning shaft (123) is provided to intersect with the first turning member so as to turn together with a first turning shaft (122) and provided turnably to the first turning shaft (122), first and second guiding member (126, 127) for restricting a turning angle of the second turning shaft (123) are provided in the first turning shaft (122). Also, a flexible board (140) is interposed in the first turning shaft (122) and a first turning bearing (133) in a position that stretches over a first housing member (101a) and a second housing member (101b). A first winding portion (154a) that is wound around an outer periphery of the first turning bearing (133) is formed on one end side of the flexible board (140) to turn together with the first turning shaft (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Satoh, Fujio Arai
  • Patent number: 7698786
    Abstract: A door hinge pin (20) for a portable electronic device (900) is provided. The door hinge pin includes a lead pin portion (201), a first pin body portion (202), a second pin body portion (204), a third pin body portion (203), and a tail pin portion (205), which connect with each other in such described order. The lead pin portion and the tail pin portion are respectively positioned substantially vertical to the first pin body portion and the third pin body portion. The first pin body portion is located in parallel with the third pin body portion. The first connecting pin portion is unsymmetrical with the second connecting pin portion about a first reference line X1. The first reference line X1 is defined parallel to the first pin body portion and the third pin body portion and located therebetween. Distance spaced between the first reference line X1 and the first pin body portion is substantially the same as that spaced between the first reference line X1 and the third pin body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chang, Yung-Chang Yen
  • Patent number: 7694390
    Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a shaft (1), a cam (2), a housing (3), an arresting member (6), a cam follower (4), and an elastic member (5). The housing has an open housing end (30), and an opposite partially open housing end (31) including a transverse wall (35). The cam, the cam follower, the elastic member and the arresting member surround the shaft in turn. The cam follower and the elastic member are received in the housing. The cam is partly received in the housing. The transverse wall of the partially open housing end of the housing prevents the cam from sliding further into the housing. The arresting member is disposed adjacent to the open housing end allowing the arresting member sliding into the housing. The cam is rotatable relative to the shaft and non-rotatable relative to the housing, and the cam follower is non-rotatable relative to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pu Luo
  • Patent number: 7681282
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (26) includes a first hinge shoulder (262), a second hinge shoulder (264), a hinge sleeve positioned (266) between the first hinge shoulder and the second hinge shoulder, a hinge (268) pivotably connecting the first hinge shoulder to the hinge sleeve, and a ceramic bushing (269) pivotably connecting the second hinge shoulder to the hinge sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Shien Liu
  • Patent number: 7684836
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable terminal device of the foldable type wherein a manipulation-side cabinet and a display-side cabinet each comprises a front cabinet segment and a rear cabinet segment joined thereto. The manipulation-side cabinet has its front cabinet segment connected at an end portion thereof to a hinge mechanism and has its rear cabinet segment engaged with the front cabinet segment thereof. The display-side cabinet has its rear cabinet segment connected at an end portion thereof to the hinge mechanism and has its front cabinet segment engaged with the rear cabinet segment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Taneda, Motoaki Mushika
  • Patent number: 7684561
    Abstract: A portable electronic device including a first section, a second section and a connecting section. The first section has a user input section and a first tubular housing member. The first tubular housing member forms a majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the first section. The second section has a display and a second tubular housing member. The second tubular housing member forms a majority of opposite exterior lateral sides of the second section. The connecting section movably connects the second section with the first section. The first tubular housing member at least partially houses the user input section. The second tubular housing member at least partially houses the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Claus H. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 7684837
    Abstract: A cellular phone and a manufacturing method thereof capable of achieving attractive design as well as high operating efficiency in the assembly process. A cellular phone comprises a first housing, a second housing, a first circuit board, a second circuit board, a flexible cable to electrically connect the first and second circuit boards, and a hinge that rotates about a prescribed rotation axis. When the first and second housings are in their open positions resulting from the rotation of the hinge, one edge of the second housing is located vertically above one edge of the first housing. The hinge includes hinge semi-cylindrical portions that form a hollow part capable of accommodating the flexible cable. The first and second circuit boards are mounted on the first and second housings, respectively. The flexible cable is accommodated in the hollow part. One end of the flexible cable is threaded through an aperture formed at the one edge of the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Ito
  • Patent number: 7672697
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a double rotation structure mobile terminal. The mobile terminal comprising a main body having a plurality of keys for inputting information and operating functions of the mobile terminal, and a folder having a display portion. A connection member is provided having a first connection portion rotatably coupled to the main body and a second connection portion integrally formed within the first connection portion and rotatably coupled to the folder. A locking connection member installed along a side of the main body for selectively controlling rotation of the connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Moon-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7672451
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic handheld device. The device has a first panel, a second panel rotatable relative to the first panel about an axis and a hinge. The hinge has first and second hinge members. The first member is engaged with the first panel. The second member is engaged with the second panel and rotatable relative to the first member about the axis. The first panel has a hole generally extending along the axis. The first hinge member is configured to linearly move within the hole. The first hinge member has an outer wall that has a curved surface and a key. The curved surface is a circular arc having a radius from the axis when viewed along the axis. The key is located outside an imaginary circle, a portion of the circumference line of which overlaps the circular arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Amphenol Phoenix Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: In Ki Cheon
  • Patent number: 7657027
    Abstract: A portable terminal with a hinge apparatus is provided. The portable terminal includes a hinge apparatus which pivotally couples a pair of housings together. The hinge apparatus provides a first hinge axis and a second hinge axis which are perpendicular to each other. The hinge apparatus includes a first hinge shaft coupled to the first housing along the first hinge axis, a second hinge shaft coupled to the second hinge housing along the second hinge axis and rotating about the first hinge axis and the second hinge axis, a stopper slot formed on an outer circumferential surface of the first hinge shaft along the first hinge axis, a stopper groove formed on the second hinge shaft along a circumference thereof and encompassing a part of the outer circumferential surface of the first hinge shaft, and a stopper rib formed within the stopper groove and selectively engaging with the stopper slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., JMC Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jong-Yang Kim, Myoung-Hoon Park, Soo-Ik Jung, Kyeong-Won Lim
  • Patent number: 7639795
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a first housing member, a second housing member, and a S hinge pivotally connecting the first housing member to the second housing member. In certain embodiments, the S hinge comprises a left tail connected at one end to a single location along a first edge of the first housing member, and a right tail connected at one end to a second end of the left tail. The right tail is further connected at a second end to a single location along a first edge of the second housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi R. Otani, Eugene Chekal
  • Patent number: 7640043
    Abstract: An upper unit and lower unit are connected by two hinge portions that allow them to move between open and closed positions and to turn around each other. Undercuts are formed on an edge of the upper or lower unit and extensions are formed on the lower or upper unit not provided with undercuts, to mate with the undercuts of the other unit. For the upper unit to turn around the lower unit, the upper unit must first be raised so as not to touch the extensions. Therefore, the present invention prevents scraping damage of surfaces of the upper and lower units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takehiko Komiyama
  • Patent number: 7627342
    Abstract: A portable telephone with a camera is disclosed, in which a functionality of a camera being rotated to an object in any desired rotational angle without a main body turned around. The portable telephone comprises a main body having a control panel installed on a front face of the main body and a rotation-support part formed in an upper end of the main body, a folder having a display panel and a speaker installed on a front face of the folder and having a connecting part formed in a low end of the folder, the connecting part being rotatably coupled to outer sides of the rotation-support part, and a camera module being rotatably coupled to inner sides of the rotation-support parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jae Soon Kang
  • Patent number: 7623847
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Patent number: 7620436
    Abstract: A portable communication device (100) has an antenna with predominantly upward antenna radiation patterns at GPS frequencies. The portable communication device (100) includes a housing with a base portion (240) enclosing base portion circuitry (241) and an upper clamshell portion (242) enclosing upper clamshell portion circuitry (243). The portable communication device (100) also includes a hinge assembly (244) coupled to the base portion (240) and the upper clamshell portion (242) for rotatably coupling the upper clamshell portion (242) to the base portion (240) and an antenna element (236) physically coupled to a first side (248) of the upper clamshell portion (242) and electrically coupled to a ground of the upper clamshell portion circuitry (243).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Krenz, Mohammed R. Abdul-Gaffoor
  • Patent number: 7613485
    Abstract: A sliding module comprises a sliding member having a transversal plate disposed transversally and coupled vertically at a substantially middle position of two sliding plates, and the transversal plate includes a rectangular transversal groove, and the transversal groove includes a through hole disposed at an external side of the transversal groove; a spindle member being a rectangular spindle plate and includes a spindle hole disposed separately on both sides of the spindle member, and a spindle bolt passes through one of said spindle holes and is coupled to the transversal groove; a tension spring with both ends separately including a spring hook and one of the spring hooks is latched into the through hole, and another spring hook is latched into a bolt aperture of a spindle bolt above the transversal groove; and a slid member being a driven plate with both lateral sides bent into a sliding groove for embedding an external side of the sliding plate, and the driven plate includes a plate aperture for passing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Jarllytec Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Cheng Chen, Chung Wei Chen, Hua Feng Hsu
  • Patent number: 7613293
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for connecting a first housing and a second housing of a portable terminal is provided. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing and a damping member. The hinge housing is connected to the second housing and has an internal wall formed with one or more guide grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the hinge housing. The damping member is rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotates as the second housing rotates. The damping member has one or more frictional projections. In a first section corresponding to the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the frictional projections contact the internal wall of the hinge housing. Similarly, in another section corresponding to the position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the frictional projections also contact the internal wall of the hinge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki-Bok Son, Byung-Yeol Ko, Jong-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 7609833
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rotating module for adjusting a display. The rotating module includes a first rotating part and a second rotating part that are coupled together. The first rotating part moves the display around a first axis. The second rotating part moves the display around a second axis. Therefore, the display can be completely adjusted for not only the location but also the viewing angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Chu, Chiu-Lang Huang
  • Patent number: 7599487
    Abstract: There is provided a slide hinge device for guiding a slide of a slide part on a main part. The slide hinge device includes: a slide hinge unit installed in the rear of the slide part, for guiding a slide of the slide part; a fixed hinge unit installed in the front of the main part; and a lift hinge unit rotatably installed to the fixed hinge unit and engaged with the slide hinge unit to guide a slide of the slide hinge unit. In the case the slide part is opened, the lift hinge unit rotates to the fixed hinge unit and raises the slide part to be slanted towards the main part, thereby enabling a microphone and a receiver of a personal portable device to be close to the mouth and an ear of a user, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Pantech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Ho Lim
  • Patent number: 7599720
    Abstract: A portable device includes: a first housing having a base, a protrusion protruded from the base, and a speaker hole provided at the protrusion; a hinge section provided to the protrusion so as to be freely moved about a rotation axis; and a second housing provided to the hinge section so as to be freely rotated about a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis. The hinge section has a U shape and the central part is connected to the second housing. Both-ends are branched from the central part and connected to a pair of side surfaces of the protrusion, respectively. The second housing has a first display section on at least one surface being substantially square to a connecting surface where the hinge section is connected. The portable device is capable of providing sounds associated with displays on the display section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shunji Fujihara, Kazuyuki Nishimoto, Masao Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 7596395
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an opening mechanism for a mobile station. The mobile station includes a first portion foldably coupled to a second portion via a hinge region. The mobile station includes inner and outer surfaces, which are separated by opposing lateral edges provided therebetween. According to various embodiments, the opener is comprised of one or more opening members that extend axially from the first portion of the mobile station to the second portion. The one or more opening members include one or more laterally extending depressible portions. To open the mobile station, a user merely presses (or pinches) the one or more depressible portions laterally, inwardly, thereby driving the first portion of the mobile station to separate from the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Julian Gartrell
  • Patent number: 7593524
    Abstract: A hinge arrangement including a living hinge adapted to movably connect two members to each other; and at least one plate spring adapted to connect to the two members. When the two members are in a folded position, the living hinge has a general “U” shape and the plate spring has a general “U” shape aligned with and generally overlapping the general “U” shape of the living hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jani C. Maenpaa
  • Publication number: 20090232299
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a base, an intermediate portion and a top portion that are operatively coupled by a combination hinge assembly. The combination hinge assembly is configured to facilitate sliding motion between the base and the intermediate portion and rotation between the base and the top portion. The base, intermediate portion and top portion may be configured to include respective displays and/or touch input devices to provide a portable communication device with increased display area and/or control area with a smaller footprint often associated with conventional clamshell or slider portable communication devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Randolph C. Demuynck, Matti V. Maatta
  • Patent number: 7580518
    Abstract: A dual-axes hinge part (106) defines a lower hinge (132) and an upper hinge (130) of an electronic device (100). The upper hinge (130) permits a component, such as a display member (102) to pivot with respect to the hinge part (106) in a portrait mode. The lower hinge (132) permits both the display member (102) and the hinge part (106) to pivot with respect to a base (104) in a landscape mode. The axes of the hinges (130, 132) cross one another and lie in different planes. The hinge part (106) conforms to the shapes of the housing of the display member (102) and the housing of the base (104) and has no parts that project substantially beyond the boundaries of the display member (102) and the base (104). Thus, the hinge part (106) provides dual-axes functionality while not detracting from the aesthetics of the electronic device (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger W. Harmon, Roger W. Ady
  • Patent number: 7574944
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high-durability cam wheel assembly, which includes a fixed member, which has a center axle hole and one pair of first interference members symmetrically disposed at one side thereof, and a movable member, which has a center mounting hole axially aimed at the center axle hole of the fixed member, a pair of guide axially symmetrically extending from one side of the periphery of the center mounting hole and inserted into the center axle hole of the fixed member for guiding rotation of the movable member relative to the fixed member, and a pair of second interference member arranged on one side thereof around the guide rods and the center mounting hole and disposed in contact with the first interference members of the fixed member for causing a torsional force upon rotation of the movable member relative to the fixed member through an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Jarllytec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chieh Yang
  • Patent number: 7570885
    Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging optical system including an image pickup device; a rotatable optical element which is positioned in the imaging optical system, and is rotated on a rotation axis extending in an optical axis direction to produce a specific photographic effect; and a controller which operates so that image data is obtained intermittently via the image pickup device at a plurality of angular steps of the rotatable optical element when the rotatable optical element is rotated on the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: HOYA Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 7565717
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (100) is provided for joining a flip cover (204) to a main body (202) of a foldable electronic device. A hinge assembly includes a hinge shaft (10), a follower (12), and a cam (20). The follower has an outer peripheral portion. The outer peripheral portion has opposite two ends. The cam has a cam hole (22) closely receiving the follower therein. Then cam has an inner peripheral portion movably contacting the outer peripheral portion. The outer peripheral portion is in the form of a screw formed by a cross-section of the follower rotated from one end to the other. The inner peripheral potion is rifled to receive the follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Shun Guo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7567823
    Abstract: The invention provides a foldable electronic device comprising a main body and a closure connected to each other openably. A frame 6 is provided inside the closure and holds therein a main display 4 and a subdisplay 5 as arranged back to back. A chip mount area 42 of a flexible lead 41 extending from the main display 4 and a chip mount area 53 of a flexible lead 51 extending from the subdisplay 5 are opposed to each other in an opening formed in the frame 6. Opposed surfaces of the respective chip mount areas 42, 53 have groups of electronic circuit chips 43, 54 mounted thereon as positioned in a staggered relation with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Makino, Takumi Sakai
  • Patent number: 7565183
    Abstract: A combination mobile terminal and camera comprising a housing and a camera device integrated into a first portion of the housing. The camera device and the first portion of the housing in which the camera is integrated are moveable between a first position where the first portion of the housing is substantially aligned with a remaining second portion of the housing and a second misaligned position. In the first position, the camera may be oriented substantially parallel to a keypad, keyboard, or display in the housing. Individual buttons of a keypad on the housing may be used to control mobile terminal functions in one mode and camera functions in another mode. Certain individual buttons of the keypad may be rotatable with the camera. The alignment of the camera is such that it is possible to add additional optical elements to the optical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Scott L. Vance, Charles Hunt
  • Patent number: 7561686
    Abstract: A mobile terminal comprises a first housing portion and a second housing portion. At least one flexible strap movably connects the first housing portion to the second housing portion at one end of each housing portion for relative movement of the housing portions along an axis parallel to the ends of the housing portions. The housing portions are movable between a first position where the inner major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the inner major surface of the second housing portion for at least partially concealing the user input means, and a second position where the outer major surface of the first housing portion is opposite the outer major surface of the second housing portion such that the user input means is exposed and accessible to the user. At least one of the housing portions encloses electronic components operable to transmit and receive telecommunication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Scott LaDell Vance
  • Patent number: 7561687
    Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) includes a shaft (12), a follower (16), and a driving means. The shaft has a screw portion (122) defined thereon. The follower has a screw hole (164) defined therein. The screw hole engages with the screw portion of the shaft. The driving means is configured for providing a driving force which makes the follower rotate relative to the shaft. The hinge assembly has only three main components, and occupies a relatively small volume. Accordingly, the space required in an application such as a mobile phone is reduced. In addition, that the engagement of the screw portion and the screw hole of the follower can dampen the opening action of the flip cover, thus protecting the flip cover from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Chao Duan, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7555120
    Abstract: A hand-held mobile terminal for use in a mobile communications network is provided. The terminal comprises a first body comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top of the first body comprising a user interface for allowing a user to interact with the mobile terminal to input data; a second body comprising a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion of the second body comprising a display panel; and a slide mechanism disposed in a cavity, formed between the first body's top portion and the second body's bottom portion, for coupling the first and second bodies and for allowing the second body to slide relative to the first body in both longitudinal and latitudinal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Seok Joo
  • Patent number: 7555119
    Abstract: A device for automatically lifting a cover of a mobile phone by pressing is to control the lifting/closing operation of an upper cover relative to a main body of a mobile phone. A housing member is connected between the main body and the upper cover. The device for lifting the cover comprises a pressing-and-controlling means provided within the housing member, a braking means accommodated within the pressing-and-controlling means and movably connected to the pressing-and-controlling means, a rotating means operatively connected to the pressing-and-controlling means and the braking means, and a reciprocating means operatively connected to the other end of the rotating means. With the above arrangement, a user can operate the pressing-and-controlling means with single hand to drivingly connect to the braking means and cause the rotating means to rotate and slide, thereby to automatically lift the upper cover of the mobile phone after being pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignees: Advanced-Connectek Inc.
    Inventor: Sunney Yang
  • Patent number: 7555312
    Abstract: A mobile terminal comprising a first body comprising an image receiving unit, an image output unit, a first sound output unit, a first information input unit and a wireless communication module, a second body comprising a second information input unit, a second sound input unit, a second sound output unit and a wireless communication module, wherein the second body is capable of being slidingly mounted to the first body and separated from the first body, and a locking unit for preventing separation of the second body from the first body, wherein the wireless communication modules of the first body and the second body are capable of wirelessly communicating with each other when the first body and the second body are detached from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eun-Mi Kim, Yoo-Seok Cho, Dong-Eun Kim, Jung-Pil Yun
  • Patent number: 7546150
    Abstract: A folding cellular phone includes a first housing provided with a liquid crystal display part on the surface thereof, a second housing including an operation part formed on the surface thereof and a hinge for connecting the first housing and the second housing in a pivotable manner to open/close the folding cellular phone. The liquid crystal display part is supported on the first housing by a support mechanism such that the orientation of the liquid crystal display part is changeable between portrait and landscape. The support mechanism is configured to support and guide the liquid crystal display part such that a bottom corner of the liquid crystal display part moves along the hinge when the orientation of the liquid crystal display part is changed between portrait and landscape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Makino
  • Patent number: 7542565
    Abstract: A foldable cellular phone with a plastic housing having an operation section and a plastic housing having a main display section that are joined by a hinge on one end side to freely open and close, comprising an impact resistant handle composed of elastic material protruded and formed on the opposite side end from the hinge of the housing having the main display section; a connector cover composed of elastic material protruded and formed on the opposite side end from the hinge of the housing having the operation section; and a hinge cover composed of elastic material formed on a protrudent portion from the hinge of both housing ends when both housings are in a folded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Fumio Tsutaichi, Shinya Yasuda, Tatsuya Miyagawa, Tohru Tanigawa, Katsuhiro Nara
  • Patent number: 7539525
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless headset phone. The wireless headset phone includes: a body housing; at least one hinge support rotatably mounted to the body housing, for attaching the headset phone to the left or right ear of a user; an earpiece provided in the hinge support; and an ear hook connected to the hinge support to support the headset phone, the ear hook being fit around the ear of the user to enable the user to put on the headset phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Young S. Kim
  • Patent number: 7532916
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable terminal using a flexible material. The portable terminal includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a flexible portion integrally connecting the upper and lower portions. The portable terminal is of a slide-type in which after the upper portion is bent about the flexible portion, the upper portion is slid in the lengthwise direction of the lower portion to open/close a predetermined area of the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Chang-Soo Lee, In-Gon Park, Won Lee
  • Patent number: RE40881
    Abstract: A rotational split adaptor for engaging with gold-plated contacts of a communication socket is introduced to comprise a common plug, a socket assembly and a rotational joint. The common plug further includes a plug end for engaging with the communication socket and an opposing first oblique surface. The socket assembly further includes a splitter and an opposing second oblique surface. The splitter has a plurality of parallel sockets electrically coupling with the communication socket, and the second oblique surface is used to pair with the first oblique surface. The rotational joint is constructed to pair the first oblique surface and the second oblique surface so as to provide angular sliding in between and thus to alter angling between the socket assemble and the common plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Inventors: Yi-Te Chiang, Hsueh-Lan Lin