KR20080005241U - Portable electronic device including hinge assembly with user interface element - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable electronic device 100 of the present invention, for example, a cellular phone, includes a hinge assembly 106 that connects the first housing portion and the second housing portion to each other, the housing portion being about a respective pivot axis that is not collinear. Rotating pivotally, a user interface element, such as an image capture or display device, is disposed in the hinge assembly.

Description

Portable electronic device comprising a hinge assembly with user interface elements {PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING HINGE ASSEMBLY WITH USER INTERFACE ELEMENT}

The present invention relates generally to portable electronic devices and, more particularly, to portable electronic devices implemented as hinged housing assemblies, such as, for example, clam-shell style cellular telephone handsets, hinge assemblies. Includes one or more user interface elements and a hinge assembly thereto.

Portable electronic devices are generally known. Examples of such devices include mobile phones, voice and video playback devices, laptop computers, gaming devices, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The latest trend is to integrate many functions into a single device without adversely affecting portability. For example, it is common to integrate image capture and audio / video replay capabilities into portable wireless communication devices. Some portable electronic devices are compact and are implemented with clam shell style housings that users now consider to be stylish.

The first housing portion and the second housing portion of the cellular phone are pivotable in a range of approximately 360 degrees, and various user interface elements can be included in the hinge assembly.

Those skilled in the art will more clearly understand the various aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are simplified for clarity and need not necessarily be the same proportions.

The portable electronic device of the present invention,

A first housing part,

A second housing part,

A hinge assembly that connects the first housing portion and the second housing portion to each other, wherein an upper portion of the first housing portion is pivotably coupled to the hinge assembly about a first pivot axis and an upper portion of the second housing portion is hinged about a second pivot axis. A hinge assembly, pivotally coupled to the assembly, wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are not collinear;

A user interface element disposed on the hinge assembly.

The hinge assembly for pivotally coupling the first housing portion and the second housing portion of the present invention includes a first pivot connection portion having a first pivot axis, and a second pivot axis having a second pivot axis that is not collinear with the first pivot axis. The main body having a pivot connection part,

A first housing portion pivotably connected to the first pivot connection, and a second housing portion pivotally connected to the second pivot connection;

A user interface element coupled to the body portion.

The first housing portion and the second housing portion are pivotable in a nearly 360 degree range, with the effect that various user interface elements can be included in the hinge assembly.

1 is a diagram of a portable electronic device.

2 is a first view of a portable electronic device with a hinge assembly.

3 is a second view of a portable electronic device with a hinge assembly.

4 is an illustration of a standalone hinge assembly.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: portable electronic device

102: first housing part

104: second housing part

106: hinge assembly

107: keypad

202: main body (or housing)

204: first pivot axis

206: second pivot axis

208: first pivot connection

210: second pivot connection

1 illustrates a portable electronic device 100 including a first housing portion 102 and a second housing portion 104 connected to each other by a hinge assembly 106. In one embodiment, the first housing portion is a flip and the second housing portion is a base. The portable electronic device may be selected from the group comprising a multimedia playback device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a game machine. In another embodiment, the portable electronic device may be implemented in other forms such as a navigation unit, a receiver capable of receiving terrestrial or satellite signals, or a remote control device. The device may be implemented by a combination of the above-described type and other types of portable electronic devices. For example, mobile phones may include image capture, multimedia playback, gaming, satellite navigation, and information management capabilities.

2 illustrates a portion of a portable electronic device 100 that includes a hinge assembly 106. The assembly includes a body portion or housing 202 that includes one or more user interface elements to be described below. In FIG. 3, the hinge assembly includes a first pivot connection 208 disposed about the first pivot axis 204 and a second pivot connection 210 disposed about the second axis 206. The first and second pivot axes are not collinear. In FIG. 2, an upper portion of the first housing portion 102 may be pivotally connected to the first pivot connection of the hinge assembly, and an upper portion of the second housing portion 104 is pivotably connected to the second pivot connection of the hinge assembly. Can be connected.

The details of the pivot connection of the hinge assembly are not particularly important other than the fact that the hinge assembly pivotally connects the first housing portion and the second housing portion. The structural configuration of the pivot connection need not be limited to any particular form. In FIG. 1, according to another embodiment, the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104 are pivotably coupled by a hinge assembly having only one pivot axis 105.

In one embodiment, the first housing portion is a flip and the second housing portion is a base. In FIG. 1, the first housing portion or flip 102 includes a first display device 103 on a first side of the flip, and in some embodiments includes a second display device on a second side that is the opposite side of the flip. The second housing part or base 104 includes a keypad 107 on at least one side thereof. In wireless communication applications, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are typically radio transceivers, controllers or processors, one or more speakers, microphones, possibly touch screens, and other user inputs and outputs known to those skilled in the art. Include.

In some embodiments, the first housing portion and the second housing portion are relatively limited in the range of pivot movement. For example, in Figure 1, the flip 102 is open relative to the base 104 by pivoting in an angular range of 180 degrees or less. The hinge assembly typically includes a structure that limits the pivoting movement or stopping range to position the housing portion in one or more specific angular directions. In another embodiment, the hinge assembly may include a structure for biasing the flip so that the flip is open or closed, and in some embodiments may include a structure for damping the biased rotation of the flip. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the first housing portion and the second housing portion can pivot in a range of approximately 360 degrees.

In FIG. 3, the hinge assembly forms an upper portion 110 having an outer surface of the portable electronic device 100 when the first housing portion and the second housing portion are positioned in a closed configuration. In one embodiment, the user interface element is an image capture module disposed within or on the hinge assembly. In some implementations, at least some of the image capture modules are partially enclosed within the hinge assembly, or are captured by the hinge assembly. The image capture device may have a still image or moving picture capture capability. In embodiments that include video capture capability, the device may also include voice recording capability, where one or more microphones are located in the hinge assembly, or in other parts of the device such as, for example, one housing portion or all housing portions do.

In Figure 3, the image capture module includes a lens 306 that focuses the image on a sensor disposed in the hinge assembly. In some embodiments, the lens includes a structure that can change the focal length of the lens. The example image capture assembly also includes a flash element 308. In Fig. 3, the lens is disposed on the outer surface of the top 110 of the portable electronic device when the device is in the closed configuration. In this embodiment, the optical axis of the lens is substantially perpendicular to the first pivot axis 204 and the second pivot axis 206. In some embodiments, the orientation of the lens is adjustable within some limited range such that the optical axis is not completely perpendicular to the pivot axis.

In another embodiment, the user interface element of the hinge assembly is a display and / or touch screen device. In Figure 4, a display and / or touch screen device 402 is disposed on the outer surface of the top of the portable electronic device. In this embodiment, the plane of the display device is substantially perpendicular to the opposing opposite sides of the first housing portion and the second housing portion in the closed position. Therefore, in FIG. 3, if the outer surface of the top of the device had included the display device, the plane of the display device would be substantially perpendicular to the opposite sides 302, 304 of the housing portion.

In another embodiment, the user interface element is a tactile device such as, for example, a vibration transducer. 4 shows a vibration device 404 disposed within the hinge assembly. In another embodiment, the user interface element is selected from the group comprising a camera, a keypad, a flash, a touch screen, a battery, a head jack, a power connection, a scroll button, a voice converter, an input key, and the like. In some embodiments, it may include multiple user interface elements. In Figure 4, for example, the hinge assembly includes a display device and a vibrator.

In some embodiments, the hinge assembly includes an electrical interface coupled to a user interface element disposed on or within the hinge assembly, the electrical interface being coupled to the circuitry of one or both of the first housing portion and the second housing portion. Can be. In one embodiment, the electrical interface is implemented with a plurality of conductors such as, for example, conductor strips extending from the hinge assembly. In another embodiment, the electrical interface is a connector to which conductor strips extending from one or both housing portions are connected. In Figure 3, for example, the image capture module is electrically coupled to a controller or memory or other circuitry housed in a flip or base via an interface. The vibrator 404 includes an interface for providing a power source. The particular configuration of the interface depends on the type of user interface element disposed on or within the hinge assembly. Some elements require only a power source, while others may require a data bus or an address bus.

Although the best mode in the present invention has been described in order to facilitate the inventor's rights and to be manufactured and used by those skilled in the art, there are many equivalents to the example embodiments described herein, which are not limited in the example embodiments but are attached Modifications and variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (24)

A first housing part, A second housing part, A hinge assembly that connects the first housing portion and the second housing portion to each other, wherein an upper portion of the first housing portion is pivotably coupled to the hinge assembly about a first pivot axis and an upper portion of the second housing portion is hinged about a second pivot axis. A hinge assembly, pivotally coupled to the assembly, wherein the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis are not collinear; A user interface element disposed on the hinge assembly, The user interface element is selected from the group comprising a flash, a touch screen, a battery, a head jack, a power connection, and a vibrator. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises an electrical interface, the electrical interface coupled to a user interface element and a circuit of the first housing portion. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a touch screen. The hinge assembly of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly forms an outer surface of the top of the portable electronic device when the first housing portion and the second housing portion pivot into a closed position. The user interface element is a display device disposed on an outer surface of an upper portion of the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device of claim 4, wherein the plane of the display device is substantially perpendicular to the side facing the first housing portion and the second housing portion in the closed position. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a multimedia playback device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a gaming device. A hinge assembly for pivotally coupling the first housing portion and the second housing portion, A main body portion having a first pivot connection portion having a first pivot axis, a second pivot connection portion having a second pivot axis not co-linear with the first pivot axis; A first housing portion pivotably connected to the first pivot connection, and a second housing portion pivotally connected to the second pivot connection; A user interface element coupled to the body portion, The user interface element is a hinge assembly selected from the group comprising a flash, a touch screen, a battery, a head jack, a power connection, a liquid crystal display, a headset jack, a security interface and a vibrator. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the electrical interface is disposed in the body portion, the electrical interface is coupled to the user interface element, and the electrical interface can be connected to the housing portion circuit. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element comprises a user interface function control button. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a display device disposed on an outer surface of the top of the portable electronic device. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a touch screen. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a battery. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a display element. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a battery. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a secure interface. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a vibrator. 8. The hinge assembly of claim 7, wherein the user interface element is a headset jack. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a battery. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a display element. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a battery. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a secure interface. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a vibrator. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a headset jack. The portable electronic device of claim 1, wherein the user interface element is a flash.