Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication terminal that can suppress the deterioration of a gain of an antenna either in an opening state or in a closing state. The communication terminal includes a hinge part for connecting a first casing member (101a) to a second casing member (101b) so as to freely open and close, a second antenna (103b) provided near the hinge part in the second casing member (101b) and a flexible base for connecting together first and second printed circuit boards (116a) and (116b) respectively provided in the first and second casing members (101a) and (101b). The hinge part includes a first rotating shaft serving as an axis when the two casing members (101a) and (101b) rotate in opposed directions and a second rotating shaft serving as an axis upon rotating in a direction perpendicular to the rotating direction by the first rotating shaft.

Abstract: A communication headset (10) having an ear mount (12), a communication base unit (14), a hinge unit (16) that pivotally connects the communication base unit (14) to the ear mount (12) and allows the ear mount (12) to be rotated between an open position and a closed position relative to the communication base unit (14), an activation switch (18) that automatically activates the communication base unit (14) in the open position and automatically de-activates the communication base unit (14) in the closed position.

Abstract: A portable terminal device of the invention has a first casing that has a first display part and a second casing that has a key operation part. The first casing and the second casing are constructed in such a form as to be rotatable around a hinge portion, which has a second display part. In a state where the terminal device is open, the first display part is visually recognizable by the user, and in a state where the terminal device is closed, the second display part is visually recognizable by the user.

Abstract: A hinge positioning apparatus for a foldable mobile telephone has a shaft, a set angle device and a biasing member. A washer is mounted on one end of the shaft. The set angle device has a stationary sleeve with a concave groove and a retractable sleeve with a convex ridge. The convex groove of stationary sleeve is rotatably attached to the concave ridge of the retractable surface. The biasing member is mounted around the shaft and mounted between the retractable sleeve and the washer. With such a hinge positioning apparatus, the hinge positioning apparatus can be used for an extended life without permanently deforming the biasing member inside the hinge positioning apparatus.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a hinge device simple in structure, excellent is cost efficiency, and excellent in durability, and a cellular phone using the hinge device. To attain this object, the hinge device includes a tubular member 5, a catch 3 which includes engagement projected parts 38 each having a convex surface with a specified radius of curvature formed thereon, a energizing means 4, and a disk 2 which includes engagement recessed parts 32 engaged with the engagement projected parts in regions opposed to the engagement projected parts 32 of the catch, respectively, and which is rotatably connected with the catch, each of the engagement recessed parts 32 having concave surfaces with a radius of curvature larger than the radius of curvature of the engagement recessed parts formed thereon.

Abstract: A cover for covering electric or electronic components positioned on a board or plate. The cover has a first part attached to the board or plate and a second part, which is detachably attached to the first part. The second part has a lid part and one or more side parts. The attachment comprises a number of elements which are rotatable from an engagement position with the first part to a free position, where the rotation is performed around an axis positioned farther from the lid portion than the actual element so that the lid part and side part(s) are not deformed unnecessarily in order for the second part to be reusable.

Abstract: A hingeless folding mobile station. The mobile station includes at least two halves that is separate enclosures each holding a portion of the mobile station's internal components. A flexible connector connects the components housed in one section of the enclosure with the internal components housed in the other. The two halves of the mobile station are held together by a retainer such as an elastomeric band that is stretched around the outer end of each section and around a series of return points located near the inner end of each the mobile station enclosure sections. A series of grooves or extensions are formed in various locations about the mobile station in order to retain the elastomeric band in place. When in place, the elastomeric band has been stretched from its normal resting length so that a tension force is constantly applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable information apparatus, which is provided with a display section capable of displaying a color display and a dynamic display in a high image quality, and which consumes less electricity. When the portable information apparatus of a folder type is in a folded state, a display screen 100 is composed of an image display region and a non-image region, so that at least a part of the image display region can be seen via a transparent section 102.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a lifting cover open automatically, is applied in an electric product with a lifting cover. The apparatus includes a first magnetic device disposed on the main body of the electric product, a second magnetic device disposed on the lifting cover with respect to the first magnetic device, and a controlling device disposed on the main body for controlling switch on/off between the first magnetic device and power of the electric product. An inducing magnetic field is formed when the first magnetic device is connected to the power of the electric product, and the inducing magnetic field produces a repulsive force to the second magnetic device on the lifting cover so as to have the lifting cover open automatically.

Abstract: An opening and closing device includes a rotor pressed by a rotor spring and a reverse-rotor pressed by reverse-rotor spring, of which rotor cam and reverse-rotor cam are respectively placed at a certain position of stator cam. With this construction, rotor is urged in an opening direction in the opening condition and urged in a closing direction in the closing condition with respect to stator. A release cam pushes the reverse-rotor cam by moving a releaser along an axis, so that the device opens.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a folding section of a mobile communication device comprises: an upper cover; a lower cover rotatably connected to a main body and engaged with the upper cover; an engaging portion formed between the upper cover and the lower cover for connecting the upper and lower covers, wherein the engaging portion comprises: a hook part protruding from the inner surface of the upper cover; and a hook engaging part formed at the lower cover facing the upper cover for engaging the hook parts; and a cap inserted into the hook engaging part so as to prevent the hook part from releasing from the hook engaging part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for opening and closing a cover of a cellular phone in which a slide module capable of slidably opening and closing a cover of a cellular phone is constructed in a structure of using an elastic force of a spring, so that it is possible to precisely recognize an opening and closing operation of a cover, and an opening and closing operation of a cover is efficiently achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an auto-folder type cellular phone capable of opening and closing the folder automatically. Particularly, the present invention relates to an auto-folder type cellular phone with a variable opening and closing velocity, which enables a user to vary a driving voltage of the cellular phone whenever desired, whereby the user, unlike a conventional auto-folder type cellular phone having a fixed (or constant) driving voltage, now can open or close the cellular phone more quickly or slowly anyway he/she wants.

Abstract: A hand held electronic device (50) has a flip cover (52) movable between a latched closed position and an open position, the flip cover (52) being slidable in a closed position along a sliding axis between a latched position and an unlatched position whereby in the unlatched position the flip cover (52) is rotatable between a closed position and an open position about a rotational axis transverse to the sliding axis. The flip cover (52) is securable in a latched closed position and an unlatched open position by frictional engagement between gripping fingers at opposite ends of parallel tracks in which rollers attached to the flip cover hinge shaft are able to travel.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a cellular phone housing formed with a base made of a resin material by molding, wherein the base is coated with a metal multilayer including a lower metal layer formed on a surface of the base with metal plating and an upper metal layer formed on the lower metal layer with metal plating, and wherein the lower metal layer is made of a first metal which is ductile and the upper metal layer is made of a second metal which is brittle compared with that of the first metal.

Abstract: A portable information terminal device comprising: an enclosure 180 of the portable information terminal device, an imaging element 143 provided within the enclosure 180, a first lens 141 provided within the enclosure 180 for the imaging element 143, a second lens 142, which focal length is shorter than that of the first lens, provided within the enclosure 180 for the imaging element 143, a lens selection means 180, provided within the enclosure 180, for selecting one of the first lens 141 and the second lens 142 so that a focal point of a selected lens is at the imaging element 143, and a transparent plate 122 for pressing a tip of a finger 131 of an user of the portable information terminal device, wherein the imaging element 143 captures fingerprint of the tip of the finger 131 on the transparent plate 122 by the second lens 142 selected by the lens selection means 180.

Abstract: A flexible printed circuit board has first and second connection portions 18 and 19 where contacts are exposed and first and second path portions 16 and 17 where conductor patterns 11 are arranged that connect the contacts 11a and 11b of the first and second connection portions 18 and 19 together. The first and second path portions 16 and 17 are formed so as to have substantially symmetrical shapes with each other about a predetermined straight line, and the flexible printed circuit board is folded up along the straight line C1 and C2. Alternatively, a flexible printed circuit board has a conductor pattern 11 formed between first and second insulating sheets 12 and 13, and has a shielding conductor 14 fixed to the second insulating sheet 13. The flexible printed circuit board is folded up with the second insulating sheet 13 outside so that the conductor pattern 11 is enclosed inside the shielding conductor 14.

Abstract: An auto-released hinge for a mobile phone has a barrel with two open ends. The barrel has a first flange formed inside the barrel. A first spiral slot is defined in the first flange. Two stop slots are defined in the barrel and two second spiral slots are defined between the respective stop slots and the first flange. A pintle is rotatably received in the barrel, and has a first end extending out from the barrel and a second flange formed adjacent a second end of the pintle. A protrusion is formed at an outer periphery of the pintle and received in the first spiral slot. Two ridges are formed adjacent the second flange and respectively blocked in the stop slots. A resilient member is provided outside the second end of the pintle. A fastener is positioned in the barrel to fasten the pintle and the resilient member.

Abstract: A portable communication device, such as a personal digital assistant or wireless telephone, is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the portable communication device includes an input unit having a first coupling portion and an output unit having a second coupling portion. The first and second coupling portions are adapted such that the output unit is positionable with respect to the input unit. In addition, the output unit is rotatable about at least a first axis and a second axis.

Abstract: To provide a novel opening/closing structure for a flip provided to a portable phone, which is superior in evaluation on the market, a flip (3) that is rotatable in an opening direction from a condition where a phone operating portion (2) provided on a surface of a portable phone body (1) is covered by the flip to the condition where the phone operating portion (2) is exposed is provided at a predetermined position on the surface of the portable phone body (1).

Abstract: A flip screen magnifying system for a cellular telephone having a base portion and a top portion including an information screen. The base and top portions are hinged such that the top portion may be folded with the screen proximate the base portion in a closed position and opened to expose the base and the screen to the user in an opened position. A thin Fresnel lens magnifying film is secured to the top portion over the information screen by a pair of cantilever springs on opposite sides of the screen. The lens is movable between a contracted position proximate the screen in the telephone closed position, and a normally biased extended position spaced away from the screen to magnify information thereon in the telephone opened position. The lens may be manually adjustable to permit change of magnification when the telephone is in the opened position.

Abstract: A personal massaging method and apparatus constructed from a wireless cellular telephone, preferably provisioned for extended ring/vibrate, having either an attachable/removable, fixed, or integral stimulator on a surface of the telephone. When the telephone is called, the wearer or user receives a desirable level of stimulation when the stimulators are applied to a sensitive portion of the user's body. A variety of shapes, sizes and materials may be used for the stimulators to provide a wide array of stimulation or massage.

Abstract: A folder type mobile communication terminal includes a first housing and a second housing hingedly connected to the first housing. The second housing includes a second knuckle on the rotation axis where the second knuckle defines an opening hole inside thereof for insertion of a connection cable, a second hinge aperture formed in the axial direction of the rotation axis to allow the connection cable to insert therethrough, a projecting part at one end, and a structure at the opposite end which allows installation of a hinge spring assembly. The first housing includes first knuckles formed at both ends, where the first knuckles define a first hinge aperture that is directed to the direction of the second hinge aperture, and a first slot formed in the bottom of one of the first knuckles to enable the connection cable to insert therethrough.

Abstract: A foldable mobile phone hardset includes a first part and a second part which are pivotably connected by an elastic sheet. The sheet has a first end fixed in a curved slot in the first part and a second end fixed in a curved slot in the second part. The curvature of the sheet adds to the spring loading of the parts toward a stable open position of the phone, wherein the sheet has a uniform curvature along its length. The electronic components of the two parts are connected by an electronic element which is laid against the elastic sheet, the electronic element and the sheet being encased in an elastomeric sheath.

Abstract: A portable telephone to which additional function units, such as a flip unit and a slide unit, that provide additional functions for the main body of a portable telephone, are easily mounted on the case of a basic unit that includes only the essential units required for speech. One or more of an LCD bezel 40, a flip cover 50, a keypad bezel 60, grips 70, a keypad slide cover 80 and a slide cover 90, which are additional function units, are mounted on a basic unit 20. Therefore, this arrangement can cope with a request from a user who desires to alter a portable telephone he or she purchased to obtain a model he or she favors.

Abstract: A flip style cellular telephone includes a main housing, a microphone mounted in the main housing and a flip, pivotably mounted to the main housing by a hinge. The flip is formed with an acoustic pipe on a peripheral edge of the flip. The acoustic pipe extends from the free end to the hinged end of the flip, and includes a plurality of holes for a sound inlet at the free end of the flip. The hinge is hollow, and the acoustic pipe connects with the microphone through the hollow hinge. Sound of the user's voice is carried by the acoustic pipe from the inlet to the microphone. The acoustic pipe advantageously only minimally changes the profile and aesthetics of the telephone.

Abstract: In a hinge structure suitable for use in a foldable mobile phone, the initial unfolding action is effected by converting a pushing stroke of an operating member into a rotational movement of the hinge by using a cam/cam follower mechanism. Thereby, an unexpected reaction force resulting from the inertia force acting between the two parts that are to be unfolded relative to each other can be avoided, and a favorable unfolding action without a shock can be achieved. In particular, it may be arranged such that the hinge is normally urged in the unfolding direction while a clutch is kept engaged to retain the hinge in the fully folded state, and that the hinge is resiliently driven in the unfolding direction by pushing the operating member and thereby disengaging the clutch.

Abstract: A single-shaft hinge component is provided that can be made durable, of small size and light weight. The single-shaft hinge device is made up of a plurality of torque-generating sections wherein, a single-shaft hinge is formed of a single shaft 1, rotary cams 3 fitted onto this shaft 1 that are capable of rotation about the shaft 1 and axially moving on the shaft, fixed cams 4 fitted on the shaft 1 that are capable of axially moving on the shaft but incapable of relative rotation with respect to the shaft, and elastic members 5 arranged coaxially with the shaft 1 and that cause abutment of side faces of the rotary cam 3 and the fixed cam 4 against each other, the rotary cams 3 and fixed cams 4 being arranged coaxially with the single shaft 1 so that abutment of the rotary cam 3 and fixed cam 4 is achieved at their side faces at two or more locations.

Abstract: Disclosed is an opening/closing of a mobile terminal, which comprises: a housing having a polygonal section and being non-rotatably inserted into a hinge of a cover constituting the mobile terminal; elastic means inserted into the housing; a rotary cam shaft provided at one end with an insertion shaft which is inserted into the elastic means in a close contacting manner and non-rotatably contained within the housing, and at the other end with opposed cam faces, each of the cam faces being unintermittently constituted of an escarpment a, a top b and an inclination c; a shaft penetrating the rotary cam shaft, the elastic means and the housing in sequence, the shaft being provided at one end with a stepped recess into which a snap ring is fastened to prevent the shaft from being released from the housing.

Abstract: A microphone is arranged on the first surface of a first housing, which opposes a second housing in a close state. A first speaker is arranged on the second surface of the second housing, which opposes the first surface in the close state. A second speaker is arranged on that surface of the first or second housing, which is exposed to the outside in the close state. A detector detects whether the first and second housings are in the close state. When communication is being executed, the state of the first speaker when the first and second housings are not in the close state is a valid state, and the close state is detected by the detector, a control section invalidates both the microphone and the first speaker and validates the second speaker.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for opening a cover of a mobile phone, by which the cover of the mobile phone is easily opened, thereby providing convenience for the users of the mobile phone. The apparatus has an operation assembly 150 directly inserted in a pivoting section 4 of a cover 2 of a mobile phone 100, and a button 5 disposed at a predetermined portion of a phone body 1. The operation assembly 150 may be contained in a housing 13, which is inserted in the pivoting section 4. When a user pushes the button 5, the operation assembly 150 releases a compression force and a torsion force applied to a torsion-compression spring. Then, the force of restitution of the spring generates a pivotal movement of the cover 2 by a torsional operation, thereby opening the cover 2.

Abstract: A mobile phone with a hidden input device. The mobile phone comprises a main body, and an input device coupled to the main body to input data and rotatably connected to the main body between a first position and a second position by a rotating device, wherein the input device has a visible portion with a plurality of first input elements covered by the main body when the input device is fixed in the first position, and a hidden portion with a plurality of second input elements appearing when the input device is fixed in the second position.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a cellular phone holder, which could easily hold a standard type cellular phone as well as a collapsible type cellular phone having different sizes, respectively. Thus cellular phone holder is comprised of a lateral case capable of holding cellular phones of different width, and a longitudinal strap belt attached in a manner so as to intersect with the lateral case. Thus lateral case is formed of a single trunk member in which the trunk member is bent into a cylindrical shape and secured by Velcro tape attached in plural portions. A ring couples thus longitudinal strap belt to a plurality of strap belts and thus, a portion of the longitudinal strap belt is structured by an elastic material.

Abstract: A communication device with an extending hinged flip apparatus includes three interconnected movable housings. A base housing includes a user interface and most of the electronics of the device. A flip housing is coupled by a hinge assembly to the base housing. An extendable housing is configured to slideably engage the base housing. A latch mechanism mechanically coupling the flip housing to the extendable housing in a latched position. When the latched is released, the flip housing rotates out and the extendable housing extends to provide a device with a length that is effectively more than double the device length in the latched position.

Abstract: A hinge device of an information terminal, wherein the information terminal comprises a main body, a sub-body to be opened away from or closed to the main body while rotating about a hinge axis extending in one direction of the main body, and the hinge device for rotatably coupling the main body to the sub body. The hinge device comprises a driving part generating a driving force for rotating the sub body, and a clutch part for rotating the sub-body by the driving force of the driving part. When the sub-body rotates by external force, the clutch part prevents rotating force of the sub-body from being transmitted to the driving part. Such a hinge device configured as stated above allows the user to automatically open and close the sub-body of the information terminal by virtue of a driving motor provided therein, as well as to manually open and close it. Further, the user can freely adjust an opening angle of the sub-body to various angles, resulting in improvement in convenience of use.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a hinge device which may be mounted with one action without fixing and mounting the hinge device with any other discrete part and is superior in mounting work, in which a cam portion 4 is provided within a mounting case body 3 in a rotation preventing manner, the cam portion 4 is provided slidably movably within the mounting case body 4 against an engagement biasing spring 5 provided within the mounting case body 3, a cam engagement portion 6 for engaging with the cam portion 4 by the engagement biasing spring 5 is provided in confrontation with the cam portion 4, the cam engagement portion 4 or a mounting portion provided in the cam engagement portion 6 is provided projectingly on one side of the mounting case body 3, the mounting case body 3 is provided in a fixed condition to the first member 1, the cam engagement portion 6 or the mounting portion provided in the cam engagement portion 6 is provided in a fixed condition to the second member 2, when the second member 2 is

Abstract: A portable cellular phone is provided which is capable of surely detecting a state of folding of phone bodies by detection of a weak magnetic field produced by a receiver. A first phone body has a Hall integrated circuit (IC) adapted to detect a magnetic flux formed by a receiver. When the first phone body and a second phone body are folded closed, a magnetic flux density of the magnetic flux that is formed by the receiver and passes through the Hall IC is changed by a magnetic material placed in the second phone body.

Abstract: In a folding portable telephone comprising a first housing (11), a second housing (12), and a hinge portion (13) which is fixed on the first housing (11) and which is for rotatably coupling the second housing (12) to the first housing (11). The hinge portion (13) comprises an operating portion (16). The second housing (12) is opened from a first angle position for indicating a closed condition to a second angle position for indicating a predetermined angle position, responsive to an operation of the operating portion (16). On the contrary, the second housing (12) is kept at one of the first angle position, the second angle position, and a third angle position between the first and the second angle positions, when an operation of the operating portion (16) is not available.

Abstract: A folding portable cellular phone includes a first box member and a second box member. The first box member includes: an upper case having a window for a display unit; an upper substrate on which electric parts are mounted; an upper hinge frame; and an upper cover on which these components are mounted. The second box member includes: a lower cover in which key holes are formed to provide a key console unit; a lower substrate including a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) on which electric parts are mounted; a lower hinge frame; and a lower case on which these components are mounted.

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.

Abstract: The handheld personal electronic device has a first body having a display, a second body having a plurality of manual inputs, the second body capable of attachment to the first body, the personal electronic device having an open position wherein the display of the first body and the manual inputs of the second body are accessibly exposed. And, the personal electronic device having a closed position wherein the display of the first body is protected by the second body and the manual inputs of the second body are accessibly exposed.

Abstract: A folding device contains a stationary part, a movable part disposed to be rotatable in flip-up (unfolding) and flip-down (folding) directions, a force-applying section disposed between the two parts, which urges the movable part in either direction according to a state of the movable part, a reversing section for allowing the force-applying section to change a direction of urging of the movable part into the flip-up (unfolding) direction when the movable part is in a folded state, and an actuator for operating the reversing section. Pressing the actuator being in the folded state allows the reversing section to switch the direction of urging of the movable part into flip-up (unfolding) direction. In the electronic equipment of the present invention, the stationary and the movable housings are connected to the stationary and the movable parts of the folding device, respectively.

Abstract: A flip or calm-shell style mobile terminal comprises a mechanical hinge that doubles as an inverted-F antenna for auxiliary communication purposes such as with a Bluetooth transceiver or a GPS receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a rotational lens housing and a folder-type telephone therewith are provided. The apparatus for mounting a camera lens housing of a telephone including a body housing, a folder, and a hinge for rotatably connecting the body housing to the folder includes a hinge arm arranged in a direction of one side hinge axis of the body housing, a lens housing with a camera lens assembly, a connector, around which a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) of the camera lens assembly is wound at least once and through which the FPCB passes so that the FPCB of the camera lens assembly is connected to a main printed circuit board (PCB), the connector for rotatably confining the lens housing to the hinge arm within a predetermined angle, and a latch for confining the lens housing and the connector in a direction of a hinge axis.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal device with a camera, in which orientation of the camera can be easily adjusted in association with opening and closing motions of an upper case, and the camera can be protected from the exterior in association with a motion for folding the cases of the mobile terminal device, after photographing operation of the camera has been finished. The mobile terminal device with a camera according to the present invention includes a lower case 1 provided with an operating part, an upper case 2 provided with a display part, a hinge part 3 for connecting the upper case 2 with the lower case 1 in a foldable manner, and a photographing part 6 rotatably an association mechanism 7 by which the photographing part 6 is rotated in association with opening and closing motions of the upper case 2.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an electrical transceiver module having a peripheral device connector to receive copper plugs having a profile equal to or larger than the outer profile of the standard module housing profile. An embodiment of the invention provides an RJ-45 receptacle as the peripheral device connector of an SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) transceiver. An embodiment of the invention provides a receptacle outer profile being larger than the main transceiver body outer profile in at least one dimension. An embodiment of the invention provides for a transceiver having a latch member and a latching point point disposed on a main body between a first end and a second end of the housing.

Abstract: A radiotelephone capable of visual communication, having a main body, a folder and a hinge device for rotatably coupling the folder to the main body. The main body includes first and second cylindrical side hinge arms, and the folder includes a cylindrical center hinge arm mounted between the first and second side hinge arms in a direction of a hinge axis. A rotary cylindrical lens housing is coupled to the first side hinge arm in the direction of the hinge axis. The lens housing includes a camera lens assembly and an opening through which a lens of the camera lens assembly is exposed to the outside. A flexible printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connects the camera lens assembly to the main body.

Abstract: A portable information terminal device comprising: an enclosure of the portable information terminal device, an imaging element provided within the enclosure, a first lens provided within the enclosure for the imaging element, a second lens, which focal length is shorter than that of the first lens, provided within the enclosure for the imaging element, a lens selection means, provided within the enclosure, for selecting one of the first lens and the second lens so that a focal point of a selected lens is at the imaging element, and a transparent plate for pressing a tip of a finger of a user of the portable information terminal device, wherein the imaging element captures a fingerprint of the tip of the finger on the transparent plate by the second lens selected by the lens selection means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism and method 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, 220) have a common axis of rotation (705), which is substantially perpendicular to a front surface of the device (100). The mechanism includes a tension device (300) having a first end coupled to the first housing element (120) and a second end coupled to the second housing element (220) at a point which travels around the axis of rotation along a path, where the path extends at least partly around the axis of rotation at a distance from the axis of rotation. The tension device (300) biases the rotational relationship of the first (120) and second (220) housing elements toward an opened position. The mechanism additionally includes a mechanical stop (600), that limits the further rotation of the first (120) and second (220) housing elements beyond an opened position.