JP2003338857A - Mobile telephone set and stroboscope module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile telephone set in which a function module is added to an arbitrary type of the telephone set. <P>SOLUTION: In the mobile telephone set having a removable battery cover 30, the function module for adding a new function to the mobile telephone set 10 is packaged in the battery cover 30. When the mobile telephone set 10 has a camera function, the battery cover 30 can be used as a stroboscope module having a stroboscope 33. By exchanging the battery cover, the other function module is also available. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a configuration of a mobile phone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The functions desired by users of mobile phones have been increasing year by year.
In order to respond to the diversification, the functions of mobile phones provided by manufacturers are increasing. However, an all-in-one type mobile phone that incorporates all such functions is not realistic because it causes an increase in device size and cost.

For this reason, conventionally, a portable telephone model having several different functions has been prepared so that the user can select a desired one.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In such a form,
For some users, even if their desired functions are spread across multiple models, they have to select only one model. Therefore, in reality, various functions of each model cannot be used by one mobile phone.
In addition, for a user who selects a mobile phone with emphasis on design, the range of function selection can be further narrowed.

For other users, there are cases where even a model having such a limited function is attached with an unnecessary function, and in such a case, even for the unnecessary function. You are paying the price.

JP-A-4-117848 discloses a technique for detachably attaching a functional module such as a calculator or a watch to a protective cover in a mobile phone having a protective cover for protecting a switch section as a main operation section. Disclosure. According to this technique, it becomes possible to add new functions to the mobile phone after the fact. However, the types of mobile phones having a protective cover are limited, and there is a problem that the applicable range is limited. For example, a folding (two-fold) type mobile phone, which is relatively popular, does not include a protective cover. Many so-called straight (or stick) type mobile phones do not have a protective cover. Moreover,
In the technology disclosed in the publication, since the functional module is used with the protective cover opened, the operation of opening the protective cover each time the functional module is used is complicated,
It was not always easy to use.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a mobile phone capable of adding a function module to an arbitrary model.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a strobe module which can be selectively added to a mobile phone having a camera function.

[0009]

A portable telephone having a removable battery cover according to the present invention is mounted on the battery cover when a functional module for adding a new function is mounted on the portable telephone.

When the mobile phone is a foldable type, a first casing having a main operation portion, a second casing having a display portion,
A hinge portion that rotatably couples the first and second casings so that the main operation portion and the display portion face each other when folded, and is attached to and detached from a surface that is an outer side of the first casing when folded. And a battery cover that can be mounted, and a functional module that adds a new function to the mobile phone is mounted on the battery cover.

Alternatively, when the decorative cover is detachably mounted on the outer surface of the second casing when folded, a functional module for adding a new function can be mounted on the decorative cover. Is.

The functional module preferably has connection means for obtaining at least operating power from the main body of the mobile phone.

Further, preferably, a connection means capable of connecting to a plurality of types of functional modules is provided on the main body side of the mobile phone so that any functional module can be selectively mounted. In this case, it is desirable to provide a means for identifying the plurality of types of functional modules and a control means for performing a predetermined setting according to the identification result.

As a more specific mode, the mobile phone according to the present invention has at least one housing having a removable battery cover, a camera lens arranged on the surface of the housing where the battery cover exists, and a housing. In a mobile phone having a camera section arranged inside the body, a strobe module having a strobe function for the camera is mounted on the battery cover.

Further, as another aspect, a first casing having a main operation portion and a second casing having a display portion are provided, and the display portion is exposed to the outside when the both casings are superposed on each other. In a rotary slide type mobile phone, the back side of which overlaps the main operation unit in a closed state, a mobile phone is provided with a battery cover that is detachably attached to the outer surface of the first casing when stacked. It is also possible to mount a functional module that adds various functions on the battery cover.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the outer appearance of a mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This mobile phone 10
Is a so-called foldable model. The main body includes a first casing 11 and a second casing 12 that are swingably coupled to each other via a hinge portion 13. First
A main operation unit 16 including a ten-key pad, various operation keys, a jog dial, and the like is arranged on a main surface inside the casing 11, and a microphone 14 is arranged below the main operation unit 16.
A display unit 23 such as a liquid crystal display is arranged on the inner side surface of the second housing 12, and a speaker 20 is arranged above the display unit 23. In this example, the antenna 21 is the second housing 1
It is provided on the second side.

FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the back side of the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1 when folded. Usually, a battery cover 30 is detachably arranged on the main surface on the back side, and the cover is removed when the battery is replaced. In the present embodiment, the lens 31 of the camera is arranged on the outer main surface of the first housing 11. A shutter button 25 of the camera is arranged near the lens 31. This camera can shoot without a strobe in a bright place. Therefore, the strobe function is attached to the battery cover 30 as an option. Figure 2
In this example, the battery cover 30 includes a mirror 32 and a strobe 3.
3 and the light receiving section 34 are arranged. The mirror 32 is for confirming the camera position when the user of the mobile phone 10 photographs himself / herself. That is, the user views his / her face with this mirror 3 for so-called self-portraits.
If the photograph is taken in the state shown in 2, the photographer guarantees that he will be in the photographing range. When the entire surface of the battery cover 30 is mirror-finished, the mirror 32 may have a frame printed or recorded thereon. The light receiving unit 34 is an element for receiving the reflected light from the subject with respect to the light emitted from the strobe 33 and detecting the intensity of the received light.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the battery cover 30 of the mobile phone 10 of FIG. 2 is removed. The battery 45 is adapted to be housed in a cavity located behind the main operating portion 16 (FIG. 1) of the first housing 11 (the electric contacts are not visible in the figure). A plurality of connection terminals 41 and 42 are provided on the main surface on the back side of the housing 11 to which the battery cover 30 is attached. The connection terminal 41 is a terminal for supplying power to the functional module mounted on the battery cover 30 and for transmitting / receiving a control signal. The connection terminal 42 constitutes a part of a cover attachment detection unit for detecting whether or not the battery cover 30 is attached. That is, the mounting is detected by detecting a short circuit between the two connection terminals 42 due to the battery cover 30. However, the cover attachment detection unit is not limited to this configuration, and any existing attachment detection means such as a push switch may be used.

FIG. 4 shows the front surface (a) and the back surface (b) of the battery cover 30 incorporating the strobe module for the mobile phone 10. The battery cover 30 has lugs 36 that are erected inward from both sides of its long side from its main surface.
Have. The lug 36 has an engagement groove 37 extending along the longitudinal direction thereof so that the lug 36 engages with an engagement protrusion 44 (FIG. 3) on a side portion of the battery accommodating portion of the main body when the cover is attached. . The battery cover 30 also has a claw portion 35 protruding from the short side on the lens side, and this is adapted to engage with the opening 43 at one end of the battery housing portion of the main body when the cover is attached. It should be noted that such engagement means at the time of mounting the cover is merely an example, and any engagement means may be used.
As shown in FIG. 4B, on the back surface of the battery cover 30, connection terminals 39 that contact the connection terminals 42 on the main body side and connection terminals 38 that contact the connection terminals 41 on the main body side are provided. . Although it is not clear in the figure, at least one of the connecting terminals facing each other may have elasticity to ensure contact. Alternatively, the connection terminals may be composed of male and female connectors. The electric circuits constituting the functional module are integrated inside the battery cover 30.

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, a large number of connection terminals 410 are provided on the battery cover mounting portion of the first housing 11. However, the number of terminals shown is an example. Figure 3
A terminal corresponding to the connection terminal 42 shown in 1 may be included. Depending on the module built into the battery cover, a larger number of signals may be used, so this modification requires that the number of connection terminals be adjusted to the maximum number required to support such a module. It is a thing. For example, when the connection terminal has a power line, a GND, a control line, a data line, and the like, TXDAT for transmitting and receiving data
A, RXDATA (both serial), GPIO, and terminals for SYNC, CLK, LATCH, etc. when synchronization is required. FIG. 5B shows this connection terminal 4
Battery cover 30 having connection terminals 380 corresponding to 10
5 is shown. Depending on the functional module mounted on the battery cover, there is no problem even if there are unused connection terminals. In other words, the unnecessary terminals on the main body side are always in the open state because the functional module does not have terminals corresponding to the unnecessary terminals and is insulated, and it is possible to take measures so that the terminal portion does not play a role. .

The power supply control of the functional module is performed by the main body of the mobile unit (selecting ON / OFF of the module power supply from the menu screen), or a power switch is provided on the functional module side.

FIG. 6 shows some other examples of functional modules mounted on the battery cover. FIG. 6A shows a battery cover 31 equipped with a sub display unit 311 of a mobile phone.
0 is shown. The date displayed on the sub display unit 311,
Information such as the time, whether an e-mail has arrived, and operating power are supplied from the main body.

FIG. 6B shows a battery cover 320 having a radio function. This radio module has
Basically, only the operating power needs to be supplied from the main body side.
However, when the time information and the preset information are given from the main body side, a connecting terminal for control can be used. The battery cover 320 includes a power switch 322, an operation button 323 as a channel selection section, and an operation button 324 as a volume control section.

FIG. 6C shows a battery cover 330 having an adapter for mounting a memory (storage medium) as an external storage device. As such a memory, for example, a memory stick (a trademark of Sony Corporation)
Is mentioned. In the illustrated example, a memory insertion port 332 and a discharge operation portion 331 are provided on the surface of the battery cover.
In the discharge operation unit 331, in the illustrated example, when a memory is inserted into the insertion port 332, a push button (not shown) appears in the discharge operation unit 331 from the inside, and when the push button is pressed, the memory is discharged so that it can be taken out. This memory attachment / detachment mode is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 7 shows the hardware configuration of the mobile phone 10 of FIG. 1 having a camera function in its main body.

The overall operation of the mobile phone 10 is the CPU 22.
Controlled by 0. The CPU 220 uses the control line 20
0, the communication circuit 203, the display control unit 209, the operation unit 206, the ROM 207, the RAM 208, the folding detection unit 218, the cover attachment detection unit 219, the camera unit 214,
It is connected to the connection unit 211 and the changeover switch 215 and controls these units. The communication circuit 203 is a part that performs transmission / reception processing of the mobile phone, and is connected to the base station via the wireless interface by the antenna 202. The display control unit 209 is a unit that controls the display of the display unit 210 (corresponding to the display unit 23 in FIG. 1). Operation unit 206 (Fig. 1
(Corresponding to the main operation unit 16) is a part that receives an input instruction from the user. The ROM 207 is a memory that stores a fixed program executed by the CPU 220 and fixed data associated with the fixed program. The RAM 208 is a memory that provides a temporary storage area and a work area for data used by the CPU 220. Folding detection unit 21
Reference numeral 8 is a known means for detecting the folded state of the main body, which can be used in coordination with the operation of the functional module. For example, if it is considered that the functional module is not used when the first and second housings are opened, the operation of the functional module is suppressed (for example, the power supply is cut off) when the folded state is detected. Such control can be performed. The cover attachment detection unit 219 is a portion configured to detect the folded state, which is configured by the connection terminal 42 and the like described above. The camera unit 214 is a unit that performs an imaging process using the lens 31. The connection part 211 is a part that interfaces with a functional module built in the battery cover. The figure shows a state in which the strobe module 212 corresponding to the battery cover 30 is connected. The changeover switch 215 is a part that switches the microphone 205 (corresponding to 14 in FIG. 1) and the speaker (corresponding to 20 in FIG. 1) in a time division manner.

The data line 201 includes a communication circuit 203,
Display control unit 209, ROM 207, RAM 208, speaker 204, microphone 205, camera unit 214, connection unit 2
11, connected to the changeover switch 215 to provide a data transfer path between these arbitrary parts.

Normally, the rechargeable battery 45 is the first housing 1
A power supply circuit 213, which is replaceably mounted in the device 1, is connected to the battery 45 and supplies predetermined operating power to each part of the device.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of the flash module 212. This strobe module 212 includes a control unit 2
12a, a light emitting portion 212b whose light emission is controlled by this
(Corresponding to the strobe 33 in FIG. 2), a light receiving element 212d (corresponding to the light receiving unit 34 in FIG. 2) that receives reflected light from the subject,
It has a light amount control section 212c for feedback-controlling the operation of the control section 212a according to the output of the light receiving element 212d, and a connection terminal 212e for connection with the mobile phone body (for example, corresponding to the connection terminal 38 in FIG. 4). This strobe module 212
Configures an auto strobe that reflects the strobe light emitted from the strobe light emitting section 212b on the subject, receives the returning light by the light receiving element 66, and stops the emission of the strobe light when the appropriate light amount is reached.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing relating to the flash module 212 mounted on the mobile phone 10.

When the battery cover equipped with the strobe module is mounted, this is detected by the cover mounting detection unit 219 (FIG. 7) (S11). The mobile phone can detect whether or not the mounted functional module is the strobe module by transmitting / receiving a signal to / from the functional module as described later. Alternatively, it is possible to detect the difference depending on the connection terminal used. In any case, when the connection of the strobe module is detected, the setting of the camera module on the main body side is changed to strobe shooting (S12).

Next, power is supplied to the strobe module (S13). This starts charging the strobe module (S14). When charging is completed (S15, Y
es), the charging completion signal is output from the strobe module to the main body side (S16). In response to this, the main body side stops charging the strobe module (S17). As a result, the strobe module is ready to emit light (S1
8). When photographing is started by pressing the shutter button 25 (FIG. 2) (S19, Yes), a synchronization (SYNC) signal is output from the main body side to the module side to start light emission (S20). If it is determined that the appropriate light amount has been obtained according to the detection signal of the light receiving element described above (S21, Ye
s), the light emission is terminated (S22).

When the strobe module is removed from the main body or when the user instructs the main body side not to use the strobe module, the setting of the camera module is restored (S24). If not, the process returns to step S13, power is supplied to the strobe module again to be charged, and the next strobe light is prepared.

FIG. 10 shows a mobile phone 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as the mobile phone 105 shown in FIG. 5 except that it has no camera function. The same components as those of the mobile phone 10 are designated by the same reference numerals. Since there is no camera function, it does not make sense to use the battery cover 30 of the strobe module, but any other functional module (for example, the module 31 as shown in FIG. 6).
0, 320, 330) can be selectively used.

FIG. 11 shows the mobile phone 11 shown in FIG.
It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of 0. The configuration of the mobile phone 110 in this figure is similar to that of the camera unit 2 in FIG.
6 is the same as that of FIG. 6 except that the functional module 2 other than the strobe module is provided in the connection part 211.
16 can be selectively mounted.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the module-related processing of the mobile phone 110 shown in FIGS.

First, when the connection of the battery cover equipped with any module is detected (S31, Yes), power is supplied to the module (S32). Therefore, device authentication is performed by trying to exchange data with the module from the mobile phone body (S33). If the device cannot be authenticated, only the power is supplied, and thereafter the module performs the stand-alone operation (S37). In addition, when a battery cover without any module (without a connection terminal) is installed, the cover attachment detection unit 219 does not perform detection, so that power is not supplied.

Once the device has been authenticated, the GPIO (General Peripheral)
Input / output functions such as Input Output) are set (S3
5). After that, the mobile phone body sends and receives predetermined control signals and data signals to and from the module (S36).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to freely select a desired function by simply replacing the cover. Also, since the cover specifications are known in advance, when mounting a new part with a new function, there is no problem that it is difficult to determine whether it can be installed if the mechanical design of the set is not decided, and prior development at the part level is possible. It will be easy. In addition, normally, the power supply circuit 213 and the CPU
Since the control unit such as 220 is arranged in the first housing 11, if the functional module is arranged in the same first housing 11, newly required power supply, control, and data wiring are relatively short. And easy to do.

However, the present invention is not limited to this. FIG. 13 shows a decorative cover 5 such as a so-called dress-up panel on the outer surface (back side of the display portion) of the second housing 12.
3 shows a third embodiment in which a functional module is built in 0. Original dress-up panels having different colors and patterns are prepared to allow the user to select a favorite one. In the present embodiment, this decorative cover is used as a functional module arranging member. The functional module of the mobile phone 120 shown in the figure shows an example of the strobe module described above, and the same elements as those in the configuration shown in the above-mentioned figures are designated by the same reference numerals. Although not shown, the same connection terminal as that described above is arranged under the decorative cover 50. Further, the lens 31 and the shutter button 25 have been moved from the first housing 11 to the second housing 12. Similar to the first embodiment, not only the strobe module but also other functional modules can be selectively mounted.

Next, referring to FIGS. 14 to 17, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described. The illustrated mobile phone 13
Reference numeral 0 also includes a first housing 111 having a main operation portion and a second housing 112 having a display portion, but it should be called a rotary slide type instead of the two-fold type as in the previous embodiment. Has a morphology. In a state where the two housings are overlapped as shown in FIG. 14, the display unit 123 of the second housing 112 is exposed to the outside, and the key 121 as the sub operation unit is displayed on the display unit 1.
It is provided on the same surface as 23. As in the first embodiment, the speaker 124 is arranged near the display unit 123.

FIG. 16 shows a form in which a first casing 111 and a second casing 112 are connected in series when a normal telephone is used. In order to change from the superposed (closed) state of FIG. 14 to the serial state of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, the first housing 111 is rotated so as to slide on the surface of the first housing 121, with the area around the central key of the two housings 121 as the axis of rotation. As best shown in FIG. 16, a main operation unit 116 including various keys is arranged on the main surface inside the first housing 111, and a microphone 114 is also arranged. The plurality of protrusions 118 arranged around the same surface are the second protrusions when the two housings are superposed on each other.
The casing serves as a spacer for preventing the key of the main operation unit 116 from being pressed by mistake. The mobile phone 130 as described above has an advantage that it can be reduced in size except during a call as in the above-mentioned foldable type. What is different from the foldable type is that the display unit 123 is exposed to the outside even in a stacked state. Therefore, even in the overlapping state, the utility of the display unit 123 is improved by, for example, confirming the arrival of the electronic mail on the display unit 123.

The applicant of the present application has previously proposed a mobile phone of such a form as Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-63635. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17, the first housing 1 of this rotary slide type mobile phone is used.
The functional module is mounted on the battery cover 340 located behind the main operation unit 116 of 11. The battery cover 340 itself has substantially the same configuration as the battery cover 30 of the first embodiment and functions similarly. In this embodiment, since the display unit 123 is exposed on the surface opposite to the lens surface of the entire combined body in a state where both housings are overlapped with each other, the display unit 123 serves as a monitor screen of the camera. It is advantageous to use. Further, in the present embodiment,
Instead of providing the shutter button 25, it is also possible to use an existing operation unit (for example, one of the keys 121) at the time of shooting by the camera.

However, the position of the shutter button 25 is not limited to the illustrated position, including the above-described embodiment. FIG. 18 shows the shutter button 2 of the mobile phone 130.
The position 5 is arranged on the side of the first housing 111. As can be seen from this figure, the form of superposition is almost equivalent to the form of a normal digital camera. The shutter button 25 is in a position to be operated by the left hand when the camera (mobile phone 130) is held by both hands with the lens facing away, but is operated by the right hand when photographing the user himself. Of course, the arrangement position on this side portion is not limited to that shown in the drawing.

The shutter button 25 of the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1 can also be provided on the side of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, the same applies to the mobile phone 105 shown in FIG.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims other than those mentioned above. For example, in the above embodiment, the lens and the camera module are provided on the main body side, but the camera module itself including the lens (whether or not there is a strobe function) may be incorporated in the cover portion. . Further, although only the mobile phone having the first and second housings such as the folding type and the rotary slide type has been described, the present invention may be applied to a so-called straight type mobile phone using a single housing. It is possible. Further, as the functions of the function module, a sound and image reproducing function such as that of a television and a music player, a remote controller (remote control) function for switching a TV channel having an infrared ray emitting section and operation buttons, a global positioning system (GP).
S), short-range wireless communication functions such as Bluetooth (trademark) and IrDA, NTSC input / output terminal, USB
(Universal Serial Bus), body fat meter, pulse meter, thermometer,
Various functions such as LSI, LED, microphone, speaker, etc. can be considered. As a cover part for which the power source is desired to be used, it is also possible to mount a cover such as an azimuth magnetic needle for knowing the azimuth. Further, there may be a battery having a battery on the cover side.

[0048]

According to the present invention, the following remarkable effects are exhibited. That is, since at least the battery cover is provided in most mobile phones regardless of the model, the present invention can be applied to any mobile phone.

By preparing modules having various functions that can be mounted as a cover, the user can select only desired functions and add them to his or her mobile phone. Also, the functions can be changed freely by simply replacing the cover. Since the cover is in the exposed position, it can be easily used regardless of the state of the mobile phone.

For the manufacturer, since the default mobile phone main body can have a very simple structure, it can be provided at a low price and the development efficiency becomes good. If the specifications of the cover are decided, new devices can be developed in advance even if the mechanical design of the mobile phone is not decided. If the module size of the functional module and the standard of the connection terminal (electrical contact) are standardized among the models, it becomes easy to deploy multiple models and the risk of residual materials can be avoided. By selling the functional module as an option, the set cost can be kept to the minimum necessary. Since the cover itself has little influence on the design of the main body, the functional module can be shared even if the mechanical design of the main body is diversified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an appearance of a mobile phone according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the back side when the mobile phone 10 shown in FIG. 1 is folded.

3 is a diagram showing a state in which a battery cover of the mobile phone of FIG. 2 is removed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a front surface (a) and a back surface (b) of a battery cover having a built-in strobe module for a mobile phone.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modification of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing some other examples (a), (b) and (c) of the functional module mounted on the battery cover according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 having a camera function in the main body.

8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a strobe module in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a flowchart showing a process related to a strobe module mounted on the mobile phone of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention which is the same as the mobile phone shown in FIG. 5 except that it has no camera function.

11 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing module-related processing of the mobile phone shown in FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third embodiment in which a functional module is built in a decorative cover such as a so-called dress-up panel on the outer surface (back side of the display unit) of the second housing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a superposed state of the mobile phones according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state of rotary sliding of the mobile phone of FIG.

16 is a diagram showing a form of a mobile phone of FIG. 14 in which a first casing and a second casing are connected in series when a normal telephone is used.

17 is an explanatory diagram of a functional module of a battery panel of the mobile phone of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a modification of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a modification of the mobile phone shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Mobile phone, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Housing, 13 ... Hinge portion, 14 ... Microphone, 16 ... Main operation portion, 20
... speaker, 21 ... antenna, 23 ... display part, 25 ... shutter button, 30 ... battery cover, 31 ... lens, 3
2 ... Mirror, 33 ... Strobe, 34 ... Light receiving part, 35 ... Claw part, 36 ... Lug, 37 ... Engaging groove, 38 ... Connection terminal, 39
... connection terminals, 41, 42 ... connection terminals, 43 ... openings, 4
4 ... Engaging projections, 45 ... Battery, 50 ... Decorative cover, 105
... mobile phone, 111 ... housing, 112 ... housing, 116 ...
Main operation part, 118 ... Protrusion, 120 ... Mobile phone, 121
... key, 123 ... display section, 124 ... speaker, 130 ...
Cellular phone, 219 ... Cover attachment detection unit, 305, 31
0,330,340 ... Battery cover

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroshi Shirakawa             1-8-15 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Sony             Ericsson Mobile Communication             Within Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 5K023 AA07 BB11 DD08 LL04 MM00                       MM25 PP12

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A mobile phone having a detachable battery cover, wherein a functional module for adding a new function to the mobile phone is mounted on the battery cover. 2. A foldable mobile phone, comprising: a first housing having a main operation section, a second housing having a display section, and the main operation section and the display section facing each other when folded. In addition, a hinge part for rotatably connecting the first and second casings and a battery cover detachably attached to a surface which is an outer side of the first casing when folded are provided to the mobile phone. A mobile phone characterized in that a functional module for adding various functions is mounted on the battery cover. 3. A foldable mobile phone, wherein a first housing having a main operation section, a second housing having a display section, and the main operation section and the display section face each other when folded. In addition, a hinge part for rotatably connecting the first and second casings and a decorative cover detachably attached to the outer surface of the second casing when folded are attached to the mobile phone. A mobile phone in which a functional module for adding various functions is mounted on the decorative cover. 4. The mobile phone according to claim 3, wherein the functional module has a connecting means for obtaining at least operating power from the mobile phone main body. 5. The mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein the main body of the mobile phone is provided with connection means capable of connecting to a plurality of types of functional modules, and any function module can be selectively mounted. 6. The mobile phone according to claim 5, further comprising: a means for identifying the plurality of types of functional modules and a control means for performing a predetermined setting according to the identification result. 7. A means for detecting attachment of the cover is provided,
The mobile phone according to claim 4, wherein power supply to the functional module is started when the attachment is detected. 8. At least one housing having a detachable battery cover, a camera lens arranged on the surface of the housing where the battery cover exists, and a camera unit arranged inside the housing. A mobile phone, wherein a strobe module having a strobe function for the camera is mounted on the battery cover. 9. The housing includes a first housing having a main operation portion and a second housing having a display portion, which are coupled to each other by a hinge portion, and the battery cover has the first casing. 9. The mobile phone according to claim 8, wherein the mobile phone is arranged on the back side of the main operation unit of the casing. 10. A back surface of a first housing having a main operation portion and a second housing having a display portion, the back surface of the housing being exposed to the outside when the two housings are superposed on each other. A mobile phone of a rotary slide type whose side overlaps with the main operation unit, which is equipped with a battery cover that is detachably attached to a surface that is an outer side of the first casing at the time of stacking, and provides a new function to the mobile phone. A mobile phone having an additional function module mounted on the battery cover. 11. A functional module comprising: a camera lens arranged on an outer surface of a first housing where the battery cover is present; and a camera section arranged inside the first housing. The mobile phone according to claim 10, wherein is a strobe module having a strobe function for the camera. 12. A strobe module as a battery cover or a decorative cover for a mobile phone with a camera, comprising: a light emitting means, a means for controlling light emission, and a connection terminal for receiving operating power and a control signal from the mobile phone body. Equipped with a flash module. 13. The strobe module according to claim 12, wherein the outer surface of the battery cover or the decorative cover is mirror-finished, and a frame serving as an index for framing is printed at a predetermined position. 14. The strobe module according to claim 12, further comprising a mirror arranged at a predetermined position on an outer surface of the battery cover or the decorative cover.