Abstract: A slidable and automatic rotatable apparatus disposed in a portable electronic device and providing the portable electronic device, which includes a first housing and a second housing, with a first status and a second status is provided. The apparatus includes a third housing, a protruding part disposed on the second housing and opposite to the first track, and a rotary module passing through the second track. The third housing, which is fixed on the first housing and movably connected with the second housing, includes a first track, a second track, and a first rib disposed on a first side of the second track. A first end of the rotary module is fixed on the second housing, while a second end is disposed between the first housing and the third housing. The rotary module has at least one protruding point positioned at the second end for contacting the first rib.

Abstract: A folding-type portable information device 120 provided with an image capturing function including a first housing 104 and a second housing 106 rotatably connected via a connecting unit 108, an image capturing unit 110 being provided in the second housing 106 or in the connecting unit 108, and an image display unit 112 for displaying an image captured by the image capturing unit 110 being provided in the first housing 104, wherein an image capturing direction control unit 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, or 140 for varying the image capturing direction of the image capturing unit 110 according to the folding angle between the first housing 104 and the second housing 106 is provided.

Abstract: A sliding/swing-type portable apparatus having a self-retaining function includes a main body; a battery cover coupled to the bottom surface of the main body in a predetermined position so that it can rotate about a first hinge axis toward or away from the main body and provided with a folding force, at less than a first angle relative to the bottom surface of the main body, in such a direction that it is folded on the main body, an unfolding force at the first angle or more, and a retaining force at a second angle for retaining the main body in an upright position, at a slant; and a battery pack attached to and detached from the battery cover.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. A V-shaped groove is provided adjacent an operation panel, the V-shaped groove containing 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. The V-shaped groove may contain a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus including an apparatus body having an angle-adjustment device and a sliding-cover is provided. The sliding-cover selectively covers an internal space of the apparatus body and forms a rotatable connection with the angle-adjustment device. By the angle-adjustment device, the sliding-cover rotated relative to the apparatus body at any angle greater the 0 degree is used as a base for holding the apparatus body in a stable state.

Abstract: Inclined plane is provided at the tip of rotor cam. On the other hand, inclined planes are also provided in specific positions of stator cam. Because of this structure, in the specific positions, the inclined planes are in resilient contact with each other. Thus, the load is increased only in the specific positions without an increase in the load of spring. This structure can provide an opening and closing device capable of securely holding only desired positions without affecting the feel of opening and closing operation of the entire device, and electronic equipment using the device.

Abstract: A portable digital communication apparatus including a first housing extending along a longitudinal direction; a second housing which is shorter than the first housing and which is adapted to be opened away from or closed on the first housing through sliding and rotation motions; and a dual-axis hinge device connecting the first and second housings to allow them to be rotated about a first hinge axis, which is provided in the first housing, and a second hinge axis, which is provided in the second housing and which is parallel to the first hinge axis, respectively, the dual-axis hinge device being adapted to be rotated to allow the upper and lower surfaces thereof can be reversed according to the sliding motion of the second housing.

Abstract: To provide a folding mechanism capable of securely holding its opened and closed positions and an electronic apparatus employing the same. The folding mechanism is constructed by disposing outer circumferential fixed cam on the outer circumferential side and inner circumferential fixed cam on the inner circumferential side of a side surface of fixed member and, further, disposing outer circumferential movable cam on the outer circumferential side and inner circumferential movable cam on the inner circumferential side of a side face of movable member in confronting relation with the fixed cams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable terminal including a first enclosure having a display unit; a second enclosure having an operation unit; a first connection unit foldably connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure by being rotated around a first center axis; and a second connection unit connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure and allowing the first enclosure to be rotated between a first position and a second position and around a second center axis perpendicular to the first center axis, the second center axis located in a position shifted by a predetermined amount from a center of the first enclosure. The first enclosure is displaced from the second enclosure corresponding to the second center axis when the enclosures are folded via the first connection unit in a state where the first enclosure is rotated to the second position in the second connection unit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having pivotal portions and having a hinge defining a hinge axis between the pivotal portions about which the pivotal portions are pivotal. A light source is associated with one of the pivotal portions and a light receiver is associated with the other pivotal portion. A first substantially rigid light pipe is mounted to the one pivotal portion and is configured to receive light from the light source and direct light therefrom along the hinge axis. A second substantially rigid light pipe is mounted to the other pivotal portion and configured to receive light from the first light pipe along the hinge axis and direct light therefrom to the light receiver.

Abstract: A wiring device is used in a folding portable device including a hinge unit permitting an upper unit to fold/unfold and/or to rotate with regard to a lower unit. The wiring device comprises a rotative direction wound portion having a first central axis corresponding to a rotating axis of the hinge. A folding/unfolding direction wound portion has a second central axis corresponding to a folding/unfolding axis of the hinge. A FPC fixing member fixes a FPC holding member holding a predetermined part of a FPC to the hinge. The rotative direction wound portion is wound with a first part of a flexible printed cable that is continuous with one end of the predetermined part. The folding/unfolding direction wound portion is wound with a second part of the flexible printed cable that is continuous with the other end of the predetermined part.

Abstract: An improved mobile communication terminal (100) is obtained, which is easy to operate while protecting the main display (102) when not in use. This is realized in the invention by letting the display body part, i.e. the first body part (101), to be located within the main body part, i.e. the second body part (103), while in a first relative position, i.e. a closed state. This significantly reduces the risk of having the display (102) being subjected to dust and scratches. When the mobile communication terminal is in the open state, i.e. the second relative position, the display (102) is fully visible to provide a rich user interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge mechanism for allowing relative movement between a first and a second member of a device, the hinge mechanism arranged to connect the first device member about a first pivot axis and the second device member about a second pivot axis, and wherein the hinge mechanism comprises a synchronization mechanism having a strap arranged to provide connection of the first and second device members across an imaginary line between the first and second pivot axes to provide joint movement about both first and second pivot axes during operation of the hinge.

Abstract: A mobile communication device has a main body, a display unit, an input unit. The display unit is pivotally connected with the body unit by a joint, which is located on a rim of the display unit. The input unit has a lower input module and an upper input module. The lower input module is disposed on the main body. The upper input module is pivotally connected with the lower input module by a joint, located on a rim of both the upper input module and the lower input module.

Abstract: A mobile device having a protective user interface cover is provided. The mobile device includes a mobile device housing having a top surface. The user interface is preferably mounted within the top surface of the mobile device, and may include a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch surface, or any other type of user input and display apparatus. The protective cover comprises a protective surface and a positioning mechanism, wherein the protective cover is mounted to the mobile device housing such that the positioning mechanism positions the protective surface between a first position in which the protective surface covers the user interface in the top surface and a second position in which the protective surface does not cover the user interface in the top surface.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises a body. An at least partly covering lid is rotatably mounted to the body by a hinge slideably mounted to the body. The lid is rotatable to an open position, in which open position the lid reveals a key-pad of the electronic device positioned in a front side of the electronic device, above a display. The hinge is resiliently mounted to the body, so that the lid is rotatable to a closed position, in which closed position the hinge retreats to be generally invisible by the covering lid.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located 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.

Abstract: A cellular telephone designed specifically to be visually appealing and practical for the elderly and those with reduced dexterity. Although the keypad buttons on the cellular telephone are approximately 260 square millimeters and have large spaces between adjacent keys to reduce instances of pressing the wrong button and to optimize visibility of the character digits on the key, the entire cellular telephone is approximately three inches wide, is lightweight and folds into a compact space, and can be held in one hand by an elderly individual. A large display is present. At least three jumbo integer keys are present on each portion of the foldable interactive surface. Unnecessary technological function keys are eliminated. Pressing the “HELP” key on the reverse side of the telephone body calls a medical or rescue service and displays medical information on the display.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located 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.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located 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.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located 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.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located 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.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel, a V-shaped groove is provided 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder for a clamshell-type mobile phone with two parts connected to each other and foldable onto each other by a hinge. The holder includes a holding structure having two opposing sidewalls for releasably holding one part of the mobile phone. The holder includes a lower sidewall with a connector configured to connect to a corresponding connector of the mobile phone. The two opposing sidewalls and the lower sidewall together define an inside portion of the holding structure. The two opposing sidewalls respectively include a protruding element protruding towards the inside portion of the holding structure and configured to engage into respective apertures of the hinge of the mobile phone.

Abstract: A foldable cellular phone includes a first housing, a first protruding portion, a second housing, and a second protruding portion. The first housing includes a first hinge part, the first protruding portion being disposed on the first hinge part. The second housing includes a second hinge part, the second protruding portion being disposed in the second hinge part. The first hinge part and the second hinge part couple with each other as a hinge. When the second housing rotates around the hinge relatively to the first housing, the second protruding portion corresponding to the first protruding portion is capable of acting as a stopper to stop the movement of the first protruding portion. Subsequently, the second housing is in a flip position with a predetermined maximum angle.

Abstract: The hinge with orthogonal pivot axes can be used with a cellular phone having a cover and a base and has a tilt hinge, an offset hinge and a turning hinge. The tilt, offset and turning hinges respectively comprise a rotating positioning element and a stationary positioning element. The rotating positioning elements of the tilt and offset hinges have protrusions corresponding to and simultaneously engaging detents in the stationary positioning element when the tilt and offset hinges are closed and opened. The rotating positioning element of the turning hinge has protruding limits formed on the rotating positioning element selectively abutting the positive stop on the stationary positioning element of the turning hinge when the turning hinge is rotated.

Abstract: A small-sized opening and closing device which relatively connects a first member and a second member with each other to open and close, and is composed of a shaft, a cam member attached to said shaft, a slider cam attached slidably to said shaft facing to said cam member; a compression spring wound around said shaft to push said slider cam toward said cam member side, and wherein said cam member and said cam slider each having two kinds of cam portions located on an axial core side and an outer circumferential side.

Abstract: An electronic device has a display housing (second body), an operation housing (first body), and a connection member connecting the display housing to the operation housing. A magnet is provided within an intermediate section of the connection member. A first magnetoresistive effect element is provided within the operation housing, and a second magnetoresistive effect element is provided within the display housing. The magnetoresistive effect elements and the magnet are disposed such that the magnetoresistive effect elements can sense a horizontal magnetic field to enable detection of both a open/closed state of the electronic device and a normal/reversed state of the display housing.

Abstract: In an opening/closing type portable terminal device having first and second box members that can be opened and closed and turned through a hinge, an object of the invention is to miniaturize the hinge and the device. A second turnable shaft (123) crosses a first turnable shaft (122) to turn together and is turnable with respect to the first turnable shaft (122). First and second guide members (126, 127) for controlling the turning angle of the second turnable shaft (123) are installed within the first turnable shaft (122). At a position across the first and second box members (101a, 101b), a flexible substrate (140) is interposed between the first turnable shat (122) and a first turnable shaft bearing (133) and is formed at one end thereof with a first winding (154a) to be wound on the outer periphery of the first turnable shaft bearing (133) and is turned together with the first turnable shaft (122).

Abstract: A rotary folder-type mobile communication terminal is provided, including a body part, a folder part, a folding hinge part mounted on a prescribed axis for opening/closing the folder part, and a rotating hinge part mounted on another prescribed axis different from the axis of the folding hinge part while being spaced apart from the holding hinge part for rotating the folder part.

Abstract: A slide type communication terminal designed to allow a sliding operation to be smoothly completed by means of a driving unit and a travel-enlarging member. In the communication terminal having a first body and a second body, a driving unit includes a motor and a pinion connected to the motor. A first hinge has a rack gear meshed with the pinion and a travel-enlarging member connected to the rack gear. A second hinge has a contact member protruded therefrom to contact the travel-enlarging member. Rotation of the pinion in response to the drive force of the driving unit is converted into a linear movement of the rack gear, and a distance of the linear movement of the rack gear is enlarged by means of the travel-enlarging member, so that the second body fixed to the second hinge is slid to an enlarged travel distance.

Abstract: Folding wireless communication devices (100, 700) comprise first parts (102, 1002) that are rotatably coupled to second parts (104, 1104). The first parts (102, 1002) can be moved from first positions in which the first parts (102, 1002) overlie the second parts (104, 1104) to second positions in which the first parts (102, 1002) extend upward away from the second parts (104, 1104). The first parts (102, 1002) comprise one or more buttons (302, 304, 306, 308 1010, 1012), e.g., a pair of directional buttons, such as “UP” and “DOWN” control buttons (302, 304, 1010, 1012). Hardware and/or software is used to change the function of the buttons (302, 304, 306, 308 1010, 1012) depending on the position of the first parts (102, 1002).

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a portable terminal device having an excellent operability in a voice communication. There are provided a receiver (106) provided on a surface (101g) of a first housing member (101a) which is opposed to a second housing member (101b) in a closing state, a speaker (107) provided on a surface (101i) of the second housing member (101b) which is opposed to the first housing member (101a) in the closing state and having a higher output level than the first voice output means, and a control portion (120) for deciding a positional relationship of the first housing member (101a) with the second housing member (101b) and setting an output source for a voice at the start of a voice communication to either the receiver (106) or the speaker (107) corresponding to a result of the decision.

Abstract: A sliding/swing-type portable digital communication apparatus including a main housing having a speaker unit positioned on its rear surface; key housings, each of which is positioned on a side of the main housing, the key housings being adapted to slide a predetermined distance toward or away from the main housing along a longitudinal direction for exposing or hiding the speaker unit according to whether or not the key housings have slid; and a swing housing adapted to rotate about a hinge axis, which is oriented perpendicular to the sliding direction of the key housings, within a predetermined range of angle while continuously facing an upper surface of the main housing and upper surfaces of the key housings for exposing and hiding predetermined areas of the key housings.

Abstract: A cellular terminal apparatus has a structure for folding an upper apparatus 2 and a lower apparatus 3 via a hinge portion 4. Printed circuit boards 5, 6 arranged in the upper apparatus 2 and the lower apparatus 3 are connected to each other by a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 7 and a connection cable 8 passing inside the hinge portion 4. At the boundary between the hinge portion and the upper apparatus 2 and the lower apparatus 3, the space between the FPC 7, the connection cable 8, and the external case is filled by a seal packing 9 in such a manner that the FPC 7 and the connection cable 8 are separate from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved hinge design for a mobile station or other electronic device that simplifies hinge assembly and thus, provides a more cost-effective manufactured product. Moreover, the improved hinge assembly complements the aesthetic appeal of the foldable mobile station and provides less stress on various internal elements. In particular, the present invention includes a foldable mobile station or other foldable electronic device having a first functional component that is coupled to a second functional component via a bi-stable structure. The bi-stable structure functions to bias the first and second functional components in either an open or closed position.

Abstract: A hinge device of a portable terminal couples a body and a folder of the portable terminal and enables rotation of the folder with respect to the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism (300, 400) and method (500) for rotating at least a first and second housing elements (120, 220) of a device (100) with respect to one another. The first and second housing elements (120, 240) have a common axis of rotation (190), which is substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the device (100). The mechanism (300, 400) includes a wheel (310, 410) having a rounded outer edge (312, 412), which engages a rounded surface (144) of a first housing element (220), which extends at least partly around the axis of rotation (190). The wheel (310, 410) is coupled to the second housing element (120) at a center point (316, 416) about which the wheel (310, 410) is adapted to rotate. The wheel (310, 410) further includes a contact point (318, 418) offset from a center point (316, 416).

Abstract: A portable terminal can provide stereo sound.

Abstract: A flip-cover mobile phone with cover-on talking capability. The phone has a plurality of buttons on the front surface of the phone but can be hidden away by the cover. The surface of the phone further includes a loudspeaker, a microphone, a communication on/off button and a touch-sensitive screen. Incoming calls can be received simply by pressing the communication on/off button so that talking is possible with the cover on. With the addition of a touch-sensitive screen, the phone may be operated without lifting the flip cover.

Abstract: In a folding portable terminal equipped with the imaging camera, in order to prevent deformation-induced damage to an imaging camera when the folding portable terminal is dropped and gets a strong shock, each face of a camera module housed in an imaging camera casing is retained in place in the camera casing by cushioning members made of a material having excellent shock absorbency, thereby preventing deformation-induced damage to the camera module.

Abstract: A direction-turning device for the lens of a camera phone contained in the rear side of the camera phone includes a lens base having a pivot at two sides respectively connected pivotally in an interior wall of the groove, a driving unit able to rotate the pivot for 180 degrees, and a positioning unit having an auxiliary gear fixed with the lens base and an elastic locking wire always stopping the auxiliary gear to keep the lens base positioned stably when moved to a position electronically or manually. The driving unit and the pivot of the lens base are linked by viscous oil, enabling the lens base driven by the driving unit or manually. The invention is totally hidden to keep the camera phone looked normally and able to shift the lens to face forward or backward with a self-shooting function.

Abstract: A folder type mobile having a main body and a folder coupled to each other through a hinge coupling section, the hinge coupling section comprising a first hollow cylinder for rotating the folder in a first direction, a second hollow cylinder coupled to a side surface of the first hollow cylinder for rotating the folder in a second direction, a dummy hinge shaft located in the first hollow cylinder, and a rotational shaft located in the second hollow cylinder, the rotational shaft engaging the dummy hinge shaft and capable of being rotated in the second direction when the rotational shaft is rotated in the first direction about the dummy hinge shaft at an angle in a predetermined angle range.

Abstract: A folding mobile telephone having an upper terminal body and a lower terminal body is provided. The upper terminal body has an upper part with a liquid crystal display and a base, such that the upper part and the base are connected to each other via lock mechanism. This lock mechanism permits the upper part and the base to be mounted and removed in a flipping manner. The upper terminal body also has communications devices to make electrical connections. The upper terminal body has an operating mechanism that allows prescribed operations to be performed using the upper terminal body when it is connected to its base and folded against the lower terminal body (i.e., the closed state).

Abstract: A handphone including a phone body and a cover and which is capable of inputting characters using both a keypad installed on the phone body and an extra keypad installed on the cover in the manner in which characters are input through a computer keyboard. The phone body has a display device and a keypad including a plurality of keys. The cover covers the phone body and includes a second keypad including a plurality of keys. The first and second keypads are functionally coupled together to input characters. The handphone has a keyboard structure, such as a computer keyboard, formed by functionally coupling the auxiliary keypad of the cover to the keypad of the phone body. In this structure, characters can be input similar to the way that characters are input through a computer keyboard, so that significantly faster character input is possible.

Abstract: In a case that a voice incoming or a mail is received at the folded condition of the portable terminal, the user can make the portable terminal conduct operations responsive to contents of the incoming or the received data, such as a voice talking or reading the received mail only by an operation for opening the portable terminal without doing off hook operation for the voice talking or operations for reading the mail.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile terminal and hinge device thereof. The mobile terminal comprises: a first keypad disposed with a plurality of keys in the upper face of the main body at one side from a central portion so that the keys can be exposed; a second keypad disposed with a plurality of keys in the upper face of the main body at the other side from the central portion so that the keys can be exposed; and a planar area disposed in the central portion of the upper face of the main body to which the sub-body is rotatably connected, whereby one of the first and second keypads is opened and closed according to rotation of the sub-body. The mobile terminal introduces a novel concept including design by coupling the sub-body to the main body in a manner horizontally rotatable with respect to the upper face of the main body to open/close the keypad at least at one side of the main body.

Abstract: A hinge device for a portable wireless terminal with a first housing and a second housing being rotatably connected to the first housing is provided, comprising a double hinge arm rotatably connected respectively to the first and second housings and a pair of hinge modules for stopping the rotation of the double hinge arm at various angles. The hinge device includes a pair of rotary axes, allowing one selected housing to be rotated about the other housing by 360°. A portable wireless terminal employing the hinge device can accommodate various units such as a display device, an inputting unit, among others, and the functions of the terminal are easily modified and extended. Furthermore, various information terminals are easily integrated as a single portable wireless terminal. Moreover, since a user can open or close the terminal at various angles, a portable wireless terminal employing the hinges is convenient to use.

Abstract: A sound baffle attached to a telephone handset comprises a pair of telescopically connected members shaped and dimensioned to act as a sound guide in combination with a reflecting cover plate that can be obliquely adjusted to direct the sound waves emitted by the user toward the handset microphone, and to muffle his conversation to the surroundings for improved privacy.

Abstract: A mobile device having a protective user interface cover is provided. The mobile device includes a mobile device housing having a top surface. The user interface is preferably mounted within the top surface of the mobile device, and may include a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a touch surface, or any other type of user input and display apparatus. The protective cover comprises a protective surface and a positioning mechanism, wherein the protective cover is mounted to the mobile device housing such that the positioning mechanism positions the protective surface between a first position in which the protective surface covers the user interface in the top surface and a second position in which the protective surface does not cover the user interface in the top surface.