JP4070520B2 - Foldable mobile terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication terminal such as a foldable mobile phone in which a lid case is connected to a main body case via a hinge mechanism, and more particularly to a foldable mobile terminal having a camera for video shooting.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, a foldable mobile phone has a main body case (1) having a plurality of operation keys (12) and a display (21) and an antenna (7) via a hinge mechanism (30). The lid case (2) having the above is connected.
In a foldable mobile phone provided with a CCD camera for video shooting, a camera is generally installed on the inner surface of the main body case (1) or the back surface of the lid case (2). As shown in FIG. There has been proposed a foldable mobile phone in which a cylindrical camera (8) is mounted on the same axis as the rotation axis of the hinge mechanism (30) so as to be freely rotatable about the rotation axis (for example, JP 2000-253124 [H04M1 / 21]).
According to the foldable mobile phone shown in FIG. 5, video can be taken in an arbitrary shooting direction by rotating the camera (8) to change the direction of the shooting window (81). For example, the user's own face can be photographed by directing the photographing window (81) to the inside of both cases with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) opened as shown. Further, if the photographing window (81) is directed to the rear of both cases with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) being closed, the front subject can be photographed.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional foldable mobile phone shown in FIG. 5, the camera (8) is freely rotatable within a range of 360 degrees, so that the direction of the photographing window (81) is the main body case (1) and the lid. Regardless of whether the case (2) is open or closed. For example, in a state where the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) are opened, the photographing window (81) may face the front of both cases, or may face the rear of both cases. In addition, with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed, the photographing window (81) may face the front of both cases, or may face the rear of both cases. .
Therefore, the user must check the current orientation of the photographing window (81) of the camera (8) every time photographing is performed, and perform an operation of directing the photographing window (81) in a desired photographing direction. The initial posture of 81) varies, which complicates the user's operation.
[0004]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the troublesome operation of adjusting the shooting direction when shooting using a camera in a foldable portable terminal equipped with a camera.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems]
In the foldable portable terminal according to the present invention, a cylindrical camera (4) is coaxial with the rotation axis of the hinge mechanism (3) for connecting the main body case (1) and the lid case (2). The camera (4) is arranged so that it can rotate freely. Between the opposing surfaces of the two cases (1) and (2) with the body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed. A projecting piece (43) to be sandwiched between the two is formed.
[0006]
In the foldable portable terminal of the present invention, in the process of closing the main body case (1) and the lid case (2), the projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) is connected to the main body case (1) or the lid case ( 2) In a state where both cases (1) and (2) are fully closed, the camera (4) has the projecting piece (43) sandwiched between the facing surfaces of both cases (1) and (2). Thus, the two cases (1) and (2) are held in a fixed rotational angle posture.
Also, in the process of opening both cases (1) and (2) from the state in which the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) are closed, the camera (4) is held in either one of the cases and the photographing is performed. The direction is maintained in a constant direction with respect to the case.
In this way, after the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) are completely closed, by opening both cases (1) and (2), the shooting direction of the camera (4) is always directed to a certain direction. Therefore, the user may rotate the camera (4) to a desired shooting direction based on the shooting direction as necessary.
[0007]
In a specific configuration, the projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) is such that the shooting direction of the camera (4) is in both cases (1) and (2) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed. Is provided in a predetermined direction, for example, at a position that faces the outside of both cases (1) and (2).
Therefore, the user can photograph the subject located in an arbitrary direction with the camera (4) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed.
[0008]
Further, in a specific configuration, the camera (4) has the photographing direction of the camera (4) directed forward of both cases (1) and (2) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) opened. It is possible to rotate from the first posture to the second posture facing both cases (1) and (2), and on the opposite surfaces of both cases (1) and (2), the first of the camera (4) Rotation restricting surfaces (16) and (24) with which the projecting pieces (43) abut in the posture and the second posture are formed.
Accordingly, the user is positioned in front of both cases (1) and (2) by rotating the camera (4) to the first position with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) opened. The subject, that is, the user himself / herself can be photographed, and the subject located behind both cases (1) and (2) can be photographed by rotating the camera (4) to the second posture.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
According to the foldable portable terminal according to the present invention, the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) are completely closed, or thereafter the main body case (1) and the main body case (1) are completely opened. Since the shooting direction of the camera (4) is uniquely determined, the operation for changing the shooting direction by further rotating the camera (4) is facilitated.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention applied to a foldable mobile phone will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foldable mobile phone according to the present invention is connected to a liquid crystal display (via a hinge mechanism 3) with respect to a body case (1) having a plurality of operation keys (12). 21) and a lid case (2) having a telescopic antenna (7).
[0011]
In the hinge mechanism (3), as shown in FIG. 3, a cylindrical first piece portion (13), a second piece portion (14), and a third piece portion (15) are projected from the main body case (1). On the other hand, a cylindrical first piece portion (22) and a second piece portion (23) are respectively projected from the lid case (2), and these piece portions are arranged coaxially and mesh with each other. Yes. The hinge member (31) penetrates into the central hole of the first piece portion (13) of the main body case (1) and the first piece portion (22) of the lid case (2), and the main body case (1). The hinge member (31) penetrates into the center hole of the third piece portion (15) of the lid and the second piece portion (23) of the lid case (2), and the hinge members (31) and (31) are centered. The lid case (2) can be opened and closed.
[0012]
Between the second frame part (14) of the main body case (1) and the first frame part (22) of the lid case (2), a cylindrical CCD camera (4) is connected to the hinge mechanism (3). It is installed to be rotatable on the same axis as the rotation axis. A photographing window (41) is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the camera (4).
Convex portions (42) and (42) are formed on both end faces of the camera (4), and both convex portions (42) and (42) are rotated relative to the second piece portion (14) and the first piece portion (22), respectively. The camera body is rotatably supported by being engaged. A protrusion (43) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the camera (4), and the camera (4) has a rotation restricting surface (16) in which the protrusion (43) is recessed in the body case (1). The rotation is free between the first posture in contact and the second posture in contact with the rotation restricting surface (24) recessed in the lid case (2).
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 4, the first flexible lead (51) extending from the main body substrate (5) incorporated in the main body case (1) is electrically connected to the lid substrate (6) incorporated in the lid case (2). The display operation of the display (21) is controlled by the control circuit on the main board (5).
A second flexible lead (52) extending from the main board (5) is electrically connected to the camera (4), and the photographing operation of the camera (4) is controlled by a control circuit on the main board (5). .
[0014]
In the above foldable mobile phone of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the process of closing the lid case (2) with respect to the body case (1) ((1) → (2) → (3) → (4) ), The projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) is pressed by the lid case (2), and the camera (4) rotates as the lid case (2) rotates. When the lid case (2) is finally completely closed (4), the projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) is opposed to the main body case (1) and the lid case (2). The camera (4) is held between the two cases (1) and (2) when the shooting direction (the direction indicated by the direction of the triangle in the figure) is outside the two cases (1) and (2). It is held in a rotation angle posture facing the direction of the user held in the.
[0015]
The movement of the camera (4) in the direction of the user by closing the lid case (2) in this way is taken by the camera (4) with the main body case (1) opened ((1)). Reproduced regardless of direction (initial posture).
Therefore, the user can take a picture of himself / herself without rotating the camera (4) while holding the closed main body case (1) and lid case (2) in his / her hand.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the process of opening the lid case (2) from the closed state of the body case (1) and the lid case (2) ((1) → (2)), the camera (4) Since the friction between the body case (2) and the second piece (14) of the body case (1) is larger than the friction between the body case (2) and the first piece (22), there is no rotation. , Hold a certain orientation.
Therefore, with the lid case (2) fully opened ((2)), the camera (4) can photograph the subject located in front of both cases (1) and (2), that is, the user himself. .
At this time, the shooting direction of the camera (4) can be finely adjusted by rotating the camera (4) slightly forward and backward.
[0017]
Then, with the lid case (2) fully opened ((2)), the camera (4) is rotated approximately 180 degrees ((2) → (3) → (4) → (5)) The shooting direction of the camera (4) (indicated by a triangular orientation in the figure) can be directed from the gap between the cases (1) and (2) to the rear of the case (front as viewed from the user). At this time, the projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) is received by the lid case (2).
Therefore, in this state (5), the camera (4) can shoot a subject located behind both cases (1) and (2).
[0018]
When the camera (4) is rotated as described above, since the camera (4) is always held in a constant initial posture (2), the user can remove the projecting piece (43) from the initial posture. The camera (4) has only to be rotated at a constant angle until it contacts the case (2), and the operability is good.
[0019]
In addition, each part structure of this invention is not restricted to the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the technical scope as described in a claim. For example, by changing the protruding direction of the projecting piece (43), the shooting direction of the camera (4) is changed to the inside of both cases (1) and (2) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed. The camera (4) can also be stored between both cases (1) and (2).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable mobile phone according to the present invention in a closed state.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cellular phone in an opened state.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the mobile phone.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an electrical connection structure between a main body substrate, a lid substrate, and a camera.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a conventional foldable mobile phone.
FIG. 6 is a series of side views showing the closing operation of the folding mobile phone according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a series of side views showing the opening operation of the folding cellular phone and the rotation operation of the camera according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
(1) Body case
(12) Operation keys
(13) First piece
(14) Second piece
(15) Third piece
(16) Rotation restriction surface
(2) Lid case
(21) Display
(22) First piece
(23) Second piece
(24) Rotation restriction surface
(3) Hinge mechanism
(4) Camera
(41) Shooting window
(42) Convex
(43) Projection

Claims (3)

In a foldable portable terminal device in which a lid case (2) is connected to a main body case (1) via a hinge mechanism (3), a cylindrical camera (4) is coaxial with the rotation axis of the hinge mechanism (3). Are arranged freely around the rotation axis, and both cases (1), (2) are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the camera (4) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed. A foldable portable terminal characterized in that a projecting piece (43) to be sandwiched between the opposing surfaces is formed. The projecting piece (43) of the camera (4) has a predetermined shooting direction with respect to both cases (1) and (2) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) closed. The foldable portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the foldable portable terminal is provided at a position facing the direction. The camera (4) is in both cases from the first position in which the camera (4) is directed forward of both cases (1) and (2) with the main body case (1) and the lid case (2) opened. (1) It can be rotated to the second position facing backward in (2), and the opposite surfaces of both cases (1) and (2) are respectively in the first position and the second position of the camera (4). The folding portable terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a rotation restricting surface (16) (24) with which the projecting piece (43) is to contact is formed.

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