JP2002118633A - Folding portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding portable telephone having a structure in which an image display part can be confirmed even in a state that an enclosure is folded in a reception waiting operation and in which the enclosure can be formed in the same manner as a conventional portable telephone. SOLUTION: A rotating unit which connects an upper enclosure part 101 to a lower enclosure part 102 so as to be foldable is provided with a first rotating shaft 104a which is used when both enclosure parts are folded and a second rotating shaft 104b which is installed at right angles to the shaft 104a. The enclosure part 101 can be turned by 180 deg. or more around the rotating shaft 104b. When the enclosure part 101 is reversed and folded from a state that both enclosure parts are opened so as to be used, the image display part is situated so as to be visually recognized on the surface of the folded enclosure part 101. When the enclosure part 101 is folded as it is from the state that both enclosure parts are opened and used, the image display part is arranged and installed so as to be situated at the inside of the folded enclosure part 101.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a foldable portable telephone, and more particularly to a foldable portable telephone capable of visually recognizing and operating an image display unit even in a folded state.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, mobile phones have been equipped with various functions as e-mail, game functions, and Internet-compatible terminals, and the range of use of mobile phones has been expanding. The number of users who use e-mail with mobile phones increases, the use of Internet-enabled terminals as represented by "i-mode" increases, and the number of users who use information services through mobile phone sites increases. The number of users who play games is increasing. In addition, various forms of mobile phones have emerged, such as a colorized image display unit and a large screen, and with the colorization of the image display unit, a desired illustration or image is displayed on the screen during reception standby. , Animation and the like are increasing.

A conventional foldable mobile phone is a mobile phone that is smaller than a straight-type mobile phone by being divided into an image display section and a key input section and folded in response to an increase in screen size. It has an excellent form.

[0004]

This foldable portable telephone has advantages such as protection of the LCD display and dial keys and prevention of erroneous operation by folding during standby for reception, and low power consumption by turning off the LCD. . However, there is a disadvantage that the image display cannot be seen in the folded state. For this reason, while the phone is folded when waiting for reception, information such as whether or not there is an incoming mail, whether or not there is a missed call, whether or not there is an answering machine, etc. I had to check the display.

[0005] In addition, in the recently folded state, on the opposite side of the normal image display section, it is possible to confirm whether or not there is an incoming mail, whether or not there is a missed call, whether or not there is an answering machine, and to confirm the name and telephone number of the other party when receiving. Foldable mobile phones with additional small LCDs are available, but the increased number of additional small LCDs and the circuits that control them increase costs, and the additional small LCDs can be used to check e-mail content and browse mobile phone sites. There is a disadvantage that the game cannot be performed.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a foldable structure having a structure in which the image display section can be checked even when the casing is folded during reception standby, and can be folded in the same manner as a conventional mobile phone. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile phone. In addition, 4 is arranged on the same surface as the image display unit.
Offers a foldable mobile phone that allows users to easily check mail content, browse mobile phone sites, operate games, etc. without taking up space using only the minimum necessary operation units such as the direction key and enter key. I do.

[0007]

A foldable portable telephone according to the present invention comprises an upper housing having an image display section and a lower housing having an operation surface, which are foldably connected by a rotating unit. A telephone, wherein the rotating unit includes a first rotating shaft used to fold the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion, and a second rotating shaft provided orthogonally to the first rotating shaft. A shaft, and the upper housing part is 1 around the second rotation axis.
It is rotatable by 80 degrees or more, and when the upper housing and the lower housing are opened and used, the upper housing is turned around the second rotation axis and folded, and the upper housing is turned over. The image display section is located so as to be visible on the surface of the folded upper housing section, and when the upper housing section and the lower housing section are opened from use and the upper housing section is folded as it is, the upper housing section is opened. The image display section of the body is disposed so as to be located inside the folded upper housing section.

Further, at least a four-way key and an enter key may be provided on the surface of the foldable portable telephone on which the image display section is disposed, and the image display section of the upper housing section is disposed. The handset may be installed on both the side and the opposite side, and a magnet is arranged inside the operation surface of the lower housing part, and when the surface having the image display part of the upper housing part is folded, A reed switch that controls a power supply in response to the magnet when folded may be provided at a position corresponding to the magnet.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a portable telephone in which an upper housing having an image display section and a lower housing having an operation surface are foldably connected by a rotating unit, wherein the rotating unit comprises a lower housing. A first rotating shaft held on an end surface of one end of the body portion in a direction parallel to the end surface, a second rotating shaft held on an end surface of one end of the upper housing portion in a direction parallel to the end surface, The second rotation axis is connected to the rotation axis and the second rotation axis is held rotatably around the first rotation axis, and at one extreme point of the rotation, the operation surface of the lower housing unit and The surface having the image display portion of the upper housing portion abuts, and at the other extreme point of the turn, the surface opposite to the operation surface of the lower housing portion and the surface opposite to the surface having the image display portion of the upper housing portion. And a connecting rotator disposed so that the surfaces come into contact with each other.

In addition, a magnet is arranged inside the upper housing,
A reed switch that controls a power supply in response to the magnet at the time of folding may be provided at each position corresponding to the magnet when the operation surface of the lower housing portion and the surface opposite thereto are folded. Since the upper housing can be folded upside down, the image display section can be viewed even when the housing is folded during standby for reception, and can be folded like a conventional mobile phone. . Further, since browsing of a mobile phone site can be easily operated with a four-way key and an enter key, the foldable mobile phone of the present invention provides an image display section, a four-way key, an enter key and the like in a folded state. Since only the minimum necessary operation units are arranged on the use surface, it is possible to easily check the contents of the mail, browse the mobile phone site, operate the game, etc. without taking up space.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention is opened to enable communication, and FIG. 2 is a foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the upper housing is rotated about a second rotation axis. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the image display unit is rotated outward by 180 degrees around the two rotation axes and closed on the lower housing unit around the first rotation axis, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a state in which an image display unit of the foldable mobile phone according to one embodiment is folded outward on a lower housing unit, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wiring connection structure in a rotary unit. It is a target partial plan view.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first rotating shaft 104a similar to that of a conventional foldable portable telephone used for folding an upper casing 101 and a lower casing 102, and furthermore, this first rotating shaft is provided. By providing the second rotation axis 104b orthogonal to 104a, the upper housing 101 is rotated 180 degrees to invert the image display unit, so that the image display unit is visible even when the housing is folded during reception standby. It is possible,
Further, it is characterized in that it can be folded inward without exposing the image display unit as in a conventional mobile phone.

As shown in FIG. 1, a foldable portable telephone according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an upper casing 101 and a lower casing 102, and an end of the upper casing 101 and a lower casing. The end of the housing 102 is connected to the rotating unit 103 so as to be openable and closable. An LCD 105 for displaying an image, a four-way key and an enter key 106, and a reed switch 1 embedded in the upper end portion are provided on one surface of the upper housing portion 101.
08, a receiver opening 110, and a dial key 107 on one surface of the lower housing 102, a magnet 109 buried inside the lower end, and a transmitter opening 111. The reed switch 108 is installed at a position that is sensitive to the magnetic force of the magnet 109 when folded with the image display unit of the upper housing unit 101 inside.

A rotating unit 103 used to connect the upper casing 101 and the lower casing 102 includes a first rotating shaft 104.
a and a second rotation axis 104b orthogonal to the first rotation axis 104a
And the upper housing 101 is rotated in two directions orthogonal to each other. The electrical connection between the upper housing unit 101 and the lower housing unit 102 is made by a conventional rotary structure in which the upper housing unit 101 and the lower housing unit 102 are folded about the first rotation shaft 104a. As in the case of the foldable mobile phone, as shown in FIG. 5, a flexible cable 122 is used to pass through the inside of the cylinder of the lower housing 102, and a relay board 125 in the lower housing is provided.
To enable the folding operation. FIG. 5 shows a structure in which the image display unit of the upper housing unit 101 is rotated by 360 degrees about the second rotation axis 104b.
As shown in the figure, the conductive part 1 is disposed annularly around the cylindrical part 126 fixed on the second rotation axis of the rotation unit 103.
27 to the relay board 125 by the internal wiring of the cylindrical portion 126.
Is connected to the substrate in the lower housing by a flexible cable 122 through the upper housing. The LCD 105, the four-way key, the enter key 106, and the like.

Next, the operation of the foldable portable telephone according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The foldable mobile phone according to the present invention includes the upper housing 10 shown in FIG.
2, the upper housing 101 is rotated 180 degrees around the second rotation shaft 104b so that the image display unit faces outward from a state in which the first housing 1 and the lower housing 102 are opened to talk. As shown in FIG. 3, the image display unit can be checked in the closed state as shown in FIG. 4 by closing the upper housing unit 101 with the display surface side outside and the first rotation shaft 104a as the center.

The open / close detection of the upper housing 101 and the lower housing 102 is performed when the image display unit of the upper housing 101 is folded inside by the first rotating shaft 104a with the image display unit inside in the talking state of FIG. When the reed switch 108 installed on the upper left side of the upper housing section 101 approaches the magnet 109 installed on the lower left side of the lower housing section 102, the reed switch 10
8 detects the magnetic force and turns on (closed) to stop the power supply to the image display unit. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing 101 is moved around the second rotating shaft 104b from the talking state of FIG.
When rotated by 0 degrees and folded so that the display surface of the upper housing unit 101 is on the outside, the reed switch 108 is at a position opposite to the magnet 109 as shown in FIG. , The image display is continued.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the image display section on the upper housing side is inverted around the second rotation shaft 104b, the elastic contact section 1
When the elastic member 123 comes into contact with the conductive portion 127 on the cylindrical portion fixed to the rotating unit 103 by the pressing of the rotating member 23, the electrical connection can be continuously maintained even when the rotating portion 103 rotates. Can be freely rotated 360 degrees without restriction on the rotation direction and the number of rotations.

In this foldable portable telephone, the image display section of the upper housing section 101 is folded outward during reception standby, so that the presence or absence of an incoming mail, the presence or absence of a missed call, and the presence or absence of an answering machine message are provided. This makes it possible to confirm the name and telephone number of the other party when receiving a call. When the image display unit of the upper housing unit 101 is folded inward during reception standby, the LCD 105 and the dial keys 10 are used as in the case of the conventional mobile phone.
7, the power consumption is reduced by turning off the power of the LCD 105, and the folded state of the upper housing can be selected according to the situation.

Further, an LCD is used on the surface of the upper housing 101 to be used.
By arranging only the minimum necessary operation units such as the 105 and the four-way key and the enter key 106, the contents of the e-mail can be confirmed without taking up space in the state where the display surface is folded outside, Browsing, games, and the like can be easily used.

Next, a foldable portable telephone according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the foldable mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention is opened so as to be able to talk. FIG. 7 is an upper housing part of the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an opening of the receiver of FIG. 8 when the foldable mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention is received in a folded state with the image display unit on the outside during reception standby. It is a typical perspective view showing the state when a case part is opened as it is.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when a reception is made in a state where the image display unit is folded outside during standby for reception, the first rotary shaft 104a as shown in FIG. The upper casing 101 is opened centering on the second rotating shaft 104b as shown in FIG.
Since it is necessary to reverse 01 by 180 degrees, two rotation operations are required, and there is a problem that a telephone call cannot be made immediately upon reception. For this reason, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the second receiver opening 2 is further provided on the surface of the upper housing 201 opposite to the first receiver opening 210 on the image display unit side.
12 is added, and a first speaker 213 and a second speaker 214 are respectively disposed, and a detection unit for detecting whether the image display unit of the upper housing unit 101 faces inward or outward is added. 7 has a function of switching between the first speaker 213 and the second speaker 214 installed inside the receiver opening of the upper housing 101 as shown in FIG. As a means for detecting the orientation of the image display section, for example, one semicircular conductive section 127 is added to the image display section side or the non-image display section side of the cylindrical section 126 in FIG. The orientation of the image display unit is determined based on whether or not one additional power is supplied.

Therefore, in the foldable portable telephone according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, when the reception is performed in a state where the image display unit is folded outside during standby for reception, FIG.
By simply opening the upper housing 201 around the first rotating shaft 204a as in the above, it is possible to make a call using the second receiver opening 212 provided on the non-image display unit side. It is possible to make a call faster than in the embodiment, and since the image display section is on the side opposite to the ear at the time of a call, it is possible to make a call without contacting the image display section with the ear, thereby preventing the LCD surface from being stained. A new effect can be obtained.

Next, a foldable portable telephone according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the foldable mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention is about to be folded with the display surface inside from the opened use state, and FIG. Foldable mobile phone with the upper housing part folded with the display surface inside, opened and used, and the upper housing part folded with the display surface outside on the back side of the lower housing part It is a typical side view which shows operation | movement of the rotation unit in 2 and 3.

The foldable portable telephone according to the third embodiment of the present invention has an upper casing 30 as shown in FIGS.
1 and a lower housing part 302, and an end of the upper housing part 301 and the lower housing part by a rotating unit 303 having a first rotating shaft 304a, a second rotating shaft 304b, and a connecting rotating body 304c rotating in the same direction. The end of the body 302 is connected to 3
It is configured so that it can be opened and closed by 60 degrees. The rotating unit 303 includes a first rotating shaft 304 a held on an end face of one end of the lower housing part 302 in a direction parallel to the end face, and an upper housing part 3.
01, the first rotating shaft 304a and the second rotating shaft 304b are connected to the second rotating shaft 304b held in a direction parallel to the one end surface of the first rotating shaft 304b. It is held rotatably as the center, and the operation surface of the lower housing part 302 and the surface having the image display part of the upper housing part 301 abut on one extreme point of the rotation, and the lower end point of the other extreme point of the rotation. The surface opposite to the operation surface of the housing 302 and the upper housing 30
And a connecting rotator 304c arranged so that the surface having the one image display portion and the surface opposite thereto come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 9, an LCD 305 for displaying an image on one surface of the upper housing portion 301, a four-way key, an enter key 306, and a magnet 309 embedded inside the upper end portion.
And a receiver opening 310, a dial key 307 on one surface of the lower housing 302, a first reed switch 308 embedded inside the lower end, and a transmitter opening 311. A second reed switch 312 is provided on the opposite side of the body 302.

The first reed switch 308 is located at a position receiving the magnetic force of the magnet 309 when the image display portion of the upper housing portion 301 is folded toward the dial key, and the second reed switch 308 is placed when the image display portion is folded to the opposite side. The reed switch 312 is installed at a position to receive the magnetic force of the magnet 309. For this reason, when the image display unit is folded to the side opposite to the dial key 307, when it is recognized that the image display unit is closed by the second reed switch 312, the dial key 307 is locked to prevent malfunction.

In the opening / closing operation of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the upper housing 301 applies a force in the direction of the rotation operation M from the folded state with the image display section inside during reception standby. By rotating the upper housing portion 301 and the lower housing portion 302 in a dogleg shape by rotating about the second rotation shaft 304b as a center and stopping at the stopper 313, the angle becomes an optimum angle for a call. Further, by applying a force in the direction of the rotating operation N, the second rotating shaft 304b is rotated by 180 degrees or more around the first rotating shaft 304a, and the upper housing part 301 is further rotated around the second rotating shaft 304b. Thereby, the image display unit can be folded with the image display unit on the outside.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the reception is performed in a state where the image display unit is turned outside and the image display unit is folded at the time of standby for reception, the communication can be performed by rotating in one direction. In this case, it is possible to obtain an effect that a call can be made earlier at the time of reception as compared with the case of the embodiment.

Further, as an application in the first, second and third embodiments, the combination of the reed switch and the magnet used for the open / close detecting means is replaced with a push switch or a slide switch, and the combination is mounted on the side of the housing. The provision may be made so that the power ON / OFF of the LCD can be switched regardless of the opening / closing operation. In addition, a shortcut button to a frequently used mail function or the like may be arranged in addition to the four-way key and the enter key provided on the image display unit side to improve convenience. Further, in the first and second embodiments, the upper casing 1 is arranged around the second rotating shafts 104b and 204a.
The structure in which the image display units 01 and 201 are freely inverted by 360 degrees allows one inversion operation to be performed and then the next inversion operation to be performed. It is possible to do
The operation may be limited so that it can be rotated only 0 degrees, and the second inversion operation may be configured to be able to rotate only in the reverse direction of the first inverted direction. In this case, the wiring connection structure shown in FIG. 5 is not used. Thus, the upper casing and the lower casing can be connected directly and flexibly.

[0030]

As described above, the foldable portable telephone according to the present invention has the following advantages. That is, the first effect is that the screen can be viewed without performing the opening / closing operation even when in the folded state in the reception standby state,
On the screen, it is possible to immediately confirm whether there is an incoming mail, whether there is a missed call, whether there is an answering machine or not.
This is because the display surface can be folded outward with the display surface facing outward.

The second effect is that, in the folded state, the contents of the mail can be easily checked, a mobile phone site can be browsed, and a game can be used without taking up space. This is because the minimum required operation unit is arranged on the use surface.

The third effect is that, when folded,
It can be easily operated using only the four-way key and the enter key necessary for browsing the mobile phone site, and unnecessary keys such as dial keys are in the way when playing the game. The operation can be performed without any trouble, and a malfunction due to a key input unnecessary for the operation can be prevented, so that the operability is improved. This is because only the image display unit and the direction key are arranged on one side.

A fourth effect is that when a call is received in a folded state, the name and telephone number of the other party can be immediately confirmed without opening / closing operation, so that it does not take much time to judge whether or not to talk. That is, if the user wants to reject the call, the opening and closing operation can be omitted. This is because the display can be folded with the display surface outside.

The fifth effect is that, since the image can be displayed even in the folded state, the user can enjoy his / her favorite illustration, image, animation, etc. on the screen in the standby for reception. This is because the display can be folded with the display surface outside.

The sixth effect is to turn off the LCD with the image display section inside to extend the battery life.
If the user wants to check the image display section even in the folded state, it can be selected to be outside according to the user's need. This is because it is possible to select whether to fold the image display unit of the upper housing inside or to fold it outside during standby for reception.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a foldable mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention is opened so as to be able to talk.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which an upper housing of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention is rotated about a second rotation axis.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the upper housing is rotated by 180 degrees around a second rotation axis, and the image display is turned outward; It is a typical perspective view which shows the state closed on a lower housing | casing part as a center.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the image display unit of the foldable mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention is folded on a lower housing unit with the image display unit facing outward.

FIG. 5 is a schematic partial plan view showing a wiring connection structure in the rotation unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the foldable mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention is opened so as to be able to talk;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of an opening of a receiver in an upper housing of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the upper housing is opened as it is when the foldable mobile phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention is received in a folded state with the image display unit facing outward during reception standby. It is a typical perspective view.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the foldable mobile phone according to the third embodiment of the present invention is about to be folded with the display surface inside from the opened use state;

10 illustrates a state in which the upper housing of the foldable mobile phone in FIG. 9 is folded with the display surface inside, a state in which the upper housing is used when open, and a lower housing with the upper housing facing the display surface outside. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the operation of the rotating unit in a state where the rotary unit is folded to the back side of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 201, 301 Upper housing part 102, 202, 302 Lower housing part 103, 203, 303 Rotation unit 104a, 204a, 304a First rotation axis 104b, 204b, 304b Second rotation axis 105, 205, 305 LCD 106 , 206, 306 Four-way key and enter key 107, 207, 307 Dial key 108, 208 Reed switch 109, 209, 309 Magnet 110, 310 Handset opening 111, 211, 311 Handset opening 122 Flexible cable 123 Elastic contact Units 124, 125 Relay board 126 Cylindrical unit 127 Conductive unit 210 First receiver opening 212 Second receiver opening 213 First speaker 214 Second speaker 304c Connecting arm 308 First reed switch 312 Second reed switch 313 topper

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone in which an upper housing having an image display section and a lower housing having an operation surface are foldably connected by a rotating unit, wherein the rotating unit is provided in the upper housing. A first rotation axis used when folding the part and the lower housing part, and further comprising a second rotation axis provided orthogonal to the first rotation axis, the second rotation axis The upper housing part can be rotated by 180 degrees or more around the center, and the upper housing part and the lower housing part are opened and the upper housing part is centered on the second rotation axis from a state in which the upper housing part and the lower housing part are used. When folded upside down, the image display section of the upper housing section is located so as to be visible on the surface of the folded upper housing section, and the upper housing section and the lower housing section are opened and used. When the upper housing portion is folded as it is from the folded state, the upper housing portion in which the image display portion of the upper housing portion is folded Are arranged so as to be positioned inside, the folding mobile phone, wherein the. 2. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein at least a four-way key and an enter key are provided on a surface of the upper housing of the foldable mobile phone on which the image display unit is arranged. . 3. The handset according to claim 1, wherein a handset is provided on each of the surface of the upper housing portion of the foldable mobile phone on which the image display portion is arranged and the opposite surface thereof. The foldable mobile phone as described. 4. A magnet is arranged inside the operation surface of the lower housing portion, and is responsive to the magnet at a position corresponding to the magnet when the surface having the image display portion of the upper housing portion is folded. 4. The foldable mobile phone according to claim 1, further comprising a reed switch for controlling the power supply. 5. A mobile phone in which an upper housing portion having an image display portion and a lower housing portion having an operation surface are foldably connected by a rotating unit, wherein the rotating unit is provided in the lower housing. A first rotating shaft held on an end surface of one end of the portion in a direction parallel to the end surface, a second rotating shaft held on an end surface of one end of the upper housing portion in a direction parallel to the end surface, One rotation axis and the second rotation axis are connected to each other, and the second rotation axis is rotatably held around the first rotation axis. At one extreme point of the rotation, the lower housing portion The operation surface of the upper housing portion and the surface of the upper housing portion having the image display portion abut on each other, and at the other extreme point of the turn, the surface opposite to the operation surface of the lower housing portion and the image display of the upper housing portion. A connecting rotating body disposed such that the surface having the portion and the opposite surface abut against each other;
A foldable mobile phone comprising: 6. A magnet is arranged inside the upper housing part,
The reed switch for controlling a power supply in response to the magnet at the time of folding is provided at each position corresponding to the magnet when the operation surface of the lower housing portion and the surface opposite thereto are folded. The foldable mobile phone as described.