U.S. patent application number 10/937244 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for portable game/communication device.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hong, Yun-Jung, Kim, Jong-Woo, Yoon, Young-Seok.
Application Number | 20050148395 10/937244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34567884 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050148395 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Jong-Woo ; et
al. |
July 7, 2005 |
Portable game/communication device
Abstract
A portable game/communication device that includes a first
housing having a first sliding side surface, a first swinging
housing having a second sliding side surface, the second sliding
side surface corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the
first swinging housing being connected to one side of the first
housing while being rotated about a first hinge axis, a second
swinging housing having a third sliding side surface, the third
sliding side surface corresponding to the first sliding side
surface, the second swinging housing being connected to the other
side of the first housing and being rotatable about a second hinge
axis, the second hinge axis being spaced apart from the first hinge
axis, and a second housing rotatably connected to the first housing
such that the second housing is rotatable near to and away from the
first housing.
Inventors: |
Kim, Jong-Woo; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Hong, Yun-Jung; (Chilgok-gun, KR) ;
Yoon, Young-Seok; (Anyang-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DILWORTH & BARRESE, LLP
333 EARLE OVINGTON BLVD.
UNIONDALE
NY
11553
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
GYEONGGI-DO
KR
|
Family ID: |
34567884 |
Appl. No.: |
10/937244 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/46 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/72427 20210101;
H04M 2250/52 20130101; G06F 1/169 20130101; G06F 1/1622 20130101;
H04M 1/0247 20130101; G06F 1/1666 20130101; H04M 1/0233 20130101;
G06F 1/1635 20130101; G06F 3/0216 20130101; H04M 1/03 20130101;
G06F 1/1686 20130101; G06F 1/1688 20130101; H04M 1/0218 20130101;
H04M 1/0231 20130101; H04M 1/0214 20130101; G06F 1/1616
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/046 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2004 |
KR |
2004/264 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable game/communication device, comprising: a first
housing including a first sliding side surface having a prescribed
radius of curvature; a first swinging housing including a second
sliding side surface having a prescribed radius of curvature, the
second sliding side surface corresponding to the first sliding side
surface, the first swinging housing being connected to one side of
the first housing and being rotatable about a first hinge axis; a
second swinging housing including a third sliding side surface
having a prescribed radius of curvature, the third sliding side
surface corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the second
swinging housing being connected to the other side of the first
housing and being rotatable about a second hinge axis, such that
the second swinging housing moves near to and away from the first
swinging housing, the second hinge axis being spaced apart from the
first hinge axis; and a second housing rotatably connected to the
first housing by means of a hinge unit, such that the second
housing is moveable near to and away from the first housing about
the hinge unit.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first housing
includes a first key array on a surface thereof, the first swinging
housing includes a second key array on a surface thereof, and the
second swinging housing includes a third key array on a surface
thereof.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second housing
includes a battery pack mounted on a surface thereof, and a single
speaker unit and a display unit mounted an opposite surface
thereof.
4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second
swinging housings include elastic members formed in prescribed
shapes, respectively, at the outer edges thereof.
5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the elastic members
are made of rubber.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hinge unit
includes a camera lens.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device is
arranged in the shape of an inverted "Y" when the first swinging
housing, the second swinging housing, and the second housing are
fully rotated away from the first housing.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing each include at least one
speaker unit mounted on a surface thereof.
9. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing are symmetrical to each
other.
10. The device as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing are arranged in a shape of
an inverted "V" when the first swinging housing and the second
swinging housing are fully rotated about the first and second hinge
axes from the first housing, respectively.
11. A portable game/communication device comprising: a first
housing including a first sliding side surface having a prescribed
radius of curvature; a first swinging housing including a second
sliding side surface having a prescribed radius of curvature, the
second sliding side surface corresponding to the first sliding side
surface, the first swinging housing being connected to one side of
the first housing and being rotatable about a first hinge axis; a
second swinging housing including a third sliding side surface
having a prescribed radius of curvature, the third sliding side
surface corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the second
swinging housing being connected to another side of the first
housing and being rotatable about a second hinge axis, such that
the second swinging housing is moveable near to and away from the
first swinging housing, the second hinge axis being spaced apart
from the first hinge axis; a connection member having one end
connected to a hinge unit, the connection member being rotated
about a hinge axis of the hinge unit, such that the connection
member is rotatable near to and away from the first housing about
the hinge axis of the hinge unit; and a rotary housing rotatably
connected to another end of the connection member and being
opposite to the other end of the connection member, such that the
rotary housing is rotated about another hinge axis perpendicular to
the hinge axis of the hinge unit.
12. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first housing
includes a first key array on a surface thereof, the first swinging
housing includes second key array on a surface thereof, and the
second swinging housing includes third key array on a surface
thereof.
13. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the rotary housing
includes a first speaker unit and a display unit mounted on the
bottom surface thereof.
14. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing include elastic members
formed in prescribed shapes, respectively, at prescribed areas of
the side surfaces thereof.
15. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the elastic
members are made of rubber.
16. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the hinge unit
includes a camera lens.
17. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the device is
arranged in a shape of an inverted "Y" when the first swinging
housing, the second swinging housing, and the rotary housing are
fully rotated away from the first housing.
18. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing each include at least one
speaker unit mounted on a surfaces thereof.
19. The device as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housings are symmetrical to each
other.
20. The device as set forth in claim 19, wherein the first swinging
housing and the second swinging housing are arranged in a shape of
an inverted "V" when the first swinging housing and the second
swinging housing are fully rotated about the first and second hinge
axes from the first housing, respectively.
21. A portable game/communication device comprising: a first
housing including a first top surface, a second top surface, which
is stepped from the first top surface, and a first sliding side
surface disposed between the first and second top surfaces, the
first sliding side surface having a prescribed radius of curvature;
a first swinging housing that is slidable and opposite to the
second top surface of the first housing, the first swinging housing
including a second sliding side surface having a prescribed radius
of curvature, the second sliding side surface corresponding to the
first sliding side surface, the first swinging housing being
connected to one side of the first housing and being rotatable
about a first hinge axis; a second swinging housing that is
slidable and opposite to the second top surface of the first
housing, the second swinging housing including a third sliding side
surface having a prescribed radius of curvature, the third sliding
side surface corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the
second swinging housing being connected to the other side of the
first housing and being rotatable about a second hinge axis such
that the second swinging housing is moveable near to and away from
the first swinging housing, the second hinge axis being spaced
apart from the first hinge axis; and a second housing rotatably
connected to the first housing by means of a hinge unit, such that
the second housing is rotatable near to and away from the first
housing about the hinge unit.
22. The device as set forth in claim 21, wherein the first housing
includes a first key array on a surface thereof, the first swinging
housing includes a second key array on a surface thereof, and the
second swinging housing includes a third key array on a surface
thereof.
23. The device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the first housing
includes at least one speaker unit on the second top surface
thereof.
24. The device as set forth in claim 22, wherein the speaker units
are disposed while being opposite to each other for generating
stereophonic sound.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to an application "Portable
Game/Communication Combination Device" filed in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 5, 2004, and assigned Ser. No.
2004-264, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a portable
communication device including cellular phones, personal digital
assistants, hand-held phones, digital communication devices, game
phones, etc. and more particularly to a portable digital
communication device that is usable as a game phone.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, "portable communication devices" identifies
devices that are portable and enable owners of the devices to
communicate in a wireless way. Such portable communication devices
have become increasingly small, slim, graspable, and lightweight,
whereby portability thereof is improved. Further, portable
communication devices have evolved to include multimedia
capabilities, whereby the devices have various additional
functions. More specifically, future portable communication
terminals will be miniaturized, lightweight, multipurpose terminals
with various functions, which will be easily adapted to various
multimedia and Internet environments.
[0006] Of these various functions, portable communication devices
can now operate in a game mode, i.e., be used to play video games.
However, the conventional portable communication device has a
problem in that a key operation is very inconvenient in a game
mode. For example, many video games are played with both hands,
rather than one hand of a user, which the conventional portable
communication devices are designed for. Therefore, when a user uses
both hands to play the game, it is difficult to perform the key
operation quickly and accurately on the conventional portable
communication device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been designed in view
of the above and other problems, and it is an object of the present
invention to provide a portable communication device that enables a
user to conveniently perform a key operation using both hands when
playing a game.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
portable communication device enabling rapid, accurate, and
convenient key operation.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
above and other objects can be accomplished by a portable
game/communication device including: a first housing having a first
sliding side surface with a prescribed radius of curvature; a first
swinging housing having a second sliding side surface with a
prescribed radius of curvature, the second sliding side surface
corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the first swinging
housing being connected to one side of the first housing while
being rotated about a first hinge axis; a second swinging housing
having a third sliding side surface with a prescribed radius of
curvature, the third sliding side surface corresponding to the
first sliding side surface, the second swinging housing being
connected to the other side of the first housing while being
rotated about a second hinge axis such that the second swinging
housing is near to or away from the first swinging housing, the
second hinge axis being spaced apart from the first hinge axis; and
a second housing that is rotatably connected to the first housing
by means of a hinge unit such that the second housing is near to or
away from the first housing.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a portable game/communication device including: a
first housing having a first sliding side surface having a
prescribed radius of curvature; a first swinging housing provided
with a second sliding side surface with a prescribed radius of
curvature, the second sliding side surface corresponding to the
first sliding side surface, the first swinging housing being
connected to one side of the first housing while being rotated
about a first hinge axis; a second swinging housing having a third
sliding side surface with a prescribed radius of curvature, the
third sliding side surface corresponding to the first sliding side
surface, the second swinging housing being connected to the other
side of the first housing while being rotated about a second hinge
axis such that the second swinging housing is near to or away from
the first swinging housing, the second hinge axis being spaced
apart from the first hinge axis; a connection member having one end
connected to a hinge unit, the connection member being rotated
about a hinge axis of the hinge unit such that the connection
member is near to or away from the first housing; and a rotary
housing rotatably connected to the other end of the connection
member while being opposite to the other end of the connection
member such that the rotary housing is rotated about another hinge
axis perpendicular to the hinge axis of the hinge unit.
[0011] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a portable game/communication device
including: a first housing having a first top surface, a second top
surface stepped from the first top surface, and a first sliding
side surface disposed between the first and second top surfaces,
the first sliding side surface having a prescribed radius of
curvature; a first swinging housing slid while being opposite to
the second top surface of the first housing, the first swinging
housing being provided with a second sliding side surface having a
prescribed radius of curvature, the second sliding side surface
corresponding to the first sliding side surface, the first swinging
housing being connected to one side of the first housing while
being rotated about a first hinge axis; a second swinging housing
slid while being opposite to the second top surface of the first
housing, the second swinging housing being provided with a third
sliding side surface having a prescribed radius of curvature, the
third sliding side surface corresponding to the first sliding side
surface, the second swinging housing being connected to the other
side of the first housing while being rotated about a second hinge
axis such that the second swinging housing is near to or away from
the first swinging housing, the second hinge axis being spaced
apart from the first hinge axis; and a second housing rotatably
connected to the first housing by means of a hinge unit such that
the second housing is near to or away from the first housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a portable
game/communication device according to a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a bottom view illustrating the portable
game/communication device according to the first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention illustrating a second housing of the device fully
opened;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device of FIG. 3 illustrating first and second swinging housings of
the device fully rotated;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a portable
game/communication device according to a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating the portable
game/communication device according to the second preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device according to the second preferred embodiment of the present
invention illustrating a second housing of the device fully
opened;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device of FIG. 7 illustrating the second housing and first and
second swinging housings of the device fully rotated;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating a portable
game/communication device according to a third preferred embodiment
of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a bottom view illustrating the portable
game/communication device according to the third preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side view of the portable game/communication
device illustrated in FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device according to the third preferred embodiment of the present
invention illustrating a second housing of the device fully opened;
and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a front view of the portable game/communication
device of FIG. 12 illustrating first and second swinging housings
of the device fully rotated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail herein below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. In the following, a detailed description of known
functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted
when it may obscure the subject matter of the present
invention.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, a portable communication
device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention is a portable device usable as a game phone. In other
words, the portable communication device of the present invention
enables a user to use both hands when a game is played, thereby
accomplishing rapid, accurate, and convenient key operation.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the portable digital communication
device according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes a first housing 100, a first swinging housing
120 connected to one side of the first housing 100 while being
rotated about a first hinge axis, a second swinging housing 140
connected to the other side of the first housing 100 while being
rotated about a second hinge axis, such that the second swinging
housing 140 can be positioned near to or away from the first
swinging housing 120, and a second housing 180 that is rotatably
connected to the first housing 100 by means of a hinge unit 160,
such that the second housing 180 can be positioned near to and away
from the first housing 100.
[0029] The first housing 100 includes a first sliding side surface
104 that has a prescribed radius of curvature. Also, the first
housing 100 has a top surface 100a, on which a first key array 102,
which preferably includes a plurality of keys, is disposed.
[0030] The first swinging housing 120 includes a second sliding
side surface 126, having the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 104, such that the second sliding side surface
126 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 104. Also, the
first swinging housing 120 has a top surface 120a, on which a
second key array 122, which preferably includes a plurality of
keys, is disposed. The first swinging housing 120 is further
provided at the outer edge thereof with a first elastic member 124.
Preferably, the first elastic member 124 is made of rubber to
maximize the frictional force of the first elastic member 124. The
swinging operation of the first swinging housing 120 is easily
performed using the first elastic member 124.
[0031] The second swinging housing 140 includes a third sliding
side surface 146 with the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 104, such that the third sliding side surface.
146 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 104. Also, the
second swinging housing 140 has a top surface 140a, on which a
third key array 142 is disposed. The second swinging housing 140 is
further provided at the outer edge thereof with a second elastic
member 144. Preferably, the second elastic member 144 is made of
rubber to maximize the frictional force of the second elastic
member 144. The swinging operation of the second swinging housing
140 is easily performed using the second elastic member 144.
[0032] Rotating angles of the first and second swinging housings
120 and 140 are not necessarily restricted to approximately 30
degrees. For example, the first and second swinging housings 120
and 140 may have rotating angles of more than 30 degrees.
[0033] The first and second swinging housings 120 and 140 have
bottom surfaces 120b and 140b, on which a first speaker unit 128
and a second speaker unit 148 are mounted, respectively. The first
and second speaker units 128 and 148 generate stereophonic sound,
which is transmitted to a user of the portable communication
device.
[0034] The first key array 102 includes direction keys, menu keys,
a cancel key, and a communication key, and each of the second and
third key arrays 122 and 142 preferably includes numerical keys and
character keys.
[0035] The second housing 180 has a top surface 180a, on which a
battery pack 181 is disposed. The battery pack 181 is detachably
attached to the top surface 180a by means of a locking knob 183.
Also, the second housing 180 has a bottom surface 180b, on which a
single speaker unit 182 and a display unit 184 are disposed. The
display unit 184 is adjacent to the single speaker unit 182. The
display unit 184 may be an LCD, a touch screen, a holographic
screen, etc.
[0036] The hinge unit 160 further includes a camera lens 162. A
lens housing, in which the camera lens 162 is mounted, is rotatably
connected to the hinge unit 160 while being coaxial to a hinge axis
A of the hinge unit 160. The rotation of the lens housing is
performed in the range of prescribed angles
[0037] When the first and second swinging housings 120 and 140 and
the second housing 180 are fully rotated from the first housing
100, the communication device is arranged in the shape of an
inverted "Y" as illustrated in FIG. 4. The "Y"-shaped arrangement
of the first housing 100, the second housing 180, and the first and
second swinging housings 120 and 140 places the communication
device in a shape of video game control pad, thereby enabling a
user to conveniently perform a key operation with both hands. Of
course, some users may prefer to conveniently perform a key
operation in the arrangement of the communication device as
illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0038] When the first and second swinging housings 120 and 140 are
fully rotated about the first and second hinge axes from the first
housing 100, respectively, i.e., when the first and second swinging
housings 120 and 140 are swung such that the first and second
swinging housings 120 and 140 are farthest from each other, the
first and second swinging housings 120 and 140 are arranged in the
shape of an inverted "V".
[0039] The first hinge axis is arranged in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 100a of the first housing 100. The
second hinge axis is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the
top surface 100a of the first housing 100. The first and second
hinge axes are spaced a prescribed distance from each other.
Further, the first and second hinge axes are arranged in the
direction perpendicular to the hinge axis of the hinge unit.
[0040] FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate a portable communication device
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, in which a portable device is usable as a game phone.
The portable digital communication device according to the second
preferred embodiment of the present invention includes: a first
housing 200; a first swinging housing 220 connected to one side of
the first housing 200 while being rotated about a first hinge axis;
a second swinging housing 240 connected to the other side of the
first housing 200 while being rotated about a second hinge axis
such that the second swinging housing 240 can be positioned near to
and away from the first swinging housing 220; a connection member
270 rotatably connected to the first housing 200 by means of a
hinge unit 260 such that the connection member 270 can be
positioned near to and away from the first housing 200; and a
rotary housing 280 rotated while being opposite to the connection
member 270.
[0041] The first housing 200 includes a first sliding side surface
204 having a prescribed radius of curvature. Also, the first
housing 200 has a top surface 200a, on which a first key array 202
that includes a plurality of keys is disposed.
[0042] The first swinging housing 220 includes a second sliding
side surface 226 having the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 204, such that the second sliding side surface
126 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 204. Also, the
first swinging housing 220 has a top surface 220a, on which a
second key array 222, including a plurality of keys, is disposed.
The first swinging housing 220 is further provided at the outer
edge thereof with a first elastic member 224. Preferably, the first
elastic member 224 is made of rubber to maximize the frictional
force of the first elastic member 224. The swinging operation of
the first swinging housing 220 is easily carried out by means of
the first elastic member 224.
[0043] The second swinging housing 240 includes a third sliding
side surface 246 having the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 204, such that the third sliding side surface
246 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 204. Also, the
second singing housing 240 has a top surface 240a, on which a third
key array 242, including a plurality of keys, is disposed. The
second swinging housing 240 is further provided at the outer edge
thereof with a second elastic member 244. Preferably, the second
elastic member 244 is made of rubber to maximize the frictional
force of the second elastic member 244. The swinging operation of
the second swinging housing 240 is easily performed using the
second elastic member 244.
[0044] Rotating angles of the first and second swinging housings
220 and 240 are not necessarily restricted to approximately 30
degrees. For example, the first and second swinging housings 220
and 240 may have rotating angles of more than 30 degrees.
[0045] The first and second swinging housings 220 and 240 have
bottom surfaces 220b and 240b, on which a first speaker unit 228
and a second speaker unit 248 are mounted, respectively. The first
and second speaker units 228 and 248 generate stereophonic sound,
which is transmitted to a user of the portable communication
device.
[0046] Preferably, the first key array 202 includes direction keys,
menu keys, a cancel key, and a communication key, and each of the
second and third key arrays 222 and 242 includes numerical keys and
character keys.
[0047] The second housing 280 has a top surface 280a, on which a
battery pack 281 is disposed. The battery pack 281 is detachably
attached to the top surface 280a by means of a locking knob 283.
Also, the second housing 280 has a bottom surface 280b, on which a
single speaker unit 282 and a display unit 284 are disposed. The
display unit 284 is adjacent to the single speaker unit 282. The
display unit 284 may be an LCD, a touch screen, or a holographic
screen.
[0048] The hinge unit 260 may further includes a camera lens 262. A
lens housing, in which the camera lens 262 is mounted, is rotatably
connected to the hinge unit 260 while being coaxial to a hinge axis
A of the hinge unit 260. The rotation of the lens housing is
performed in the range of prescribed angles
[0049] When the first and second swinging housings 220 and 240 and
the second housing 280 are fully rotated from the first housing
200, the communication device is arranged in the shape of an
inverted "Y" as illustrated in FIG. 8. The "Y"-shaped arrangement
of the first housing 200, the second housing 280, and the first and
second swinging housings 220 and 240 allows a user to conveniently
perform a key operation with both hands. Of course, some users may
conveniently perform a key operation in the arrangement of the
communication device as illustrated in FIG. 7.
[0050] When the first and second swinging housings 220 and 240 are
fully rotated about the first and second hinge axes from the first
housing 200, respectively, i.e., when the first and second swinging
housings 220 and 240 are swung such that the first and second
swinging housings 220 and 240 are farthest from each other, the
first and second swinging housings 220 and 240 are arranged in the
shape of an inverted "V".
[0051] The first hinge axis A1 is arranged in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 200a of the first housing 200. The
second hinge axis A2 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to
the top surface 200a of the first housing 200. The first and second
hinge axes A1 and A2 are spaced a prescribed distance from each
other. Further the first and second hinge axes A1 and A2 are
arranged in the direction perpendicular to the hinge axis A of the
hinge unit.
[0052] FIGS. 9 to 13 illustrate a portable communication device
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 9 to 13, the portable communication device
includes: a first housing 300; a first swinging housing 320
connected to one side of the first housing 300 while being rotated
about a first hinge axis; a second swinging housing 340 connected
to the other side of the first housing 300 while being rotated
about a second hinge axis such that the second swinging housing 340
is near to or away from the first swinging housing 320; and a
second housing 380 rotatably connected to the first housing 300 by
means of a hinge unit 360 such that the second housing 380 is near
to or away from the first housing 300.
[0053] The first housing 100 has a first top surface 300a, a second
top surface 300c stepped from the first top surface 300a, and a
first sliding side surface 304 disposed between the first and
second top surfaces 300a and 300c. The first sliding side surface
304 has a prescribed radius of curvature. On the first top surface
300a of the first housing 300 is disposed a first key array 302
that includes a plurality of keys. On the second top surface 300c
of the first housing 300 are disposed a plurality of speaker units
330 and 332. Preferably, the speaker units 330 and 332 are disposed
in a pair while being opposite to each other such that stereophonic
sound is transmitted to a user of the communication device.
However, an alternate construction could also only use one of
speakers 330 or 332.
[0054] The first swinging housing 320 includes a second sliding
side surface 326 having the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 304, such that the second sliding side surface
326 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 304. Also, the
first swinging housing 320 has a top surface 320a, on which a
second key array 322 comprising a plurality of keys is disposed.
The first swinging housing 320 is further provided at the outer
edge thereof with a first elastic member 324. Preferably, the first
elastic member 324 is made of rubber, such that the frictional
force of the first elastic member 324 is maximized. The swinging
operation of the first swinging housing 320 is easily performed
using the first elastic member 324.
[0055] The second swinging housing 340 includes a third sliding
side surface 346 having the same radius of curvature as the first
sliding side surface 304, such that the third sliding side surface
346 corresponds to the first sliding side surface 304. Also, the
second swinging housing 340 has a top surface 340a, on which a
third key array 342 that includes a plurality of keys is disposed.
The second swinging housing 340 also includes a second elastic
member 344 at the outer edge thereof. Preferably, the second
elastic member 344 is made of rubber, such that the frictional
force of the second elastic member 344 is maximized. The swinging
operation of the second swinging housing 340 is easily performed
using the second elastic member 344.
[0056] Rotating angles of the first and second swinging housings
320 and 340 are not necessarily restricted to approximately 30
degrees. As indicated above, the first and second swinging housings
320 and 340 may have rotating angles of more than 30 degrees.
[0057] The first and second swinging housings 320 and 340 have
bottom surfaces 320b and 340b, on which a first speaker unit 328
and a second speaker unit 348 are mounted, respectively. The first
and second speaker units 328 and 348 generate stereophonic sound,
which is transmitted to a user of the portable digital
communication device.
[0058] Preferably, the first key array 302 includes direction keys,
menu keys, a cancel key, and a communication key, and each of the
second and third key arrays 322 and 342 includes numeric keys and
character keys.
[0059] The second housing 380 has a top surface 380a, on which a
battery pack 381 is disposed. The battery pack 381 is detachably
attached to the top surface 380a by means of a locking knob 383.
Also, the second housing 380 has a bottom surface 380b, on which a
single speaker unit 382 and a display unit 384 are disposed. The
display unit 384 is adjacent to the single speaker unit 382. The
display unit 384 may be an LCD, a touch screen, or a holographic
screen.
[0060] Additionally, the hinge unit 360 may further include a
camera lens 362. A lens housing, in which the camera lens 362 is
mounted, is rotatably connected to the hinge unit 360 while being
coaxial to a hinge axis A of the hinge unit 360. The rotation of
the lens housing is performed in the range of prescribed
angles.
[0061] When the first and second swinging housings 320 and 340 and
the second housing 380 are fully rotated from the first housing
300, the communication device is arranged in the shape of an
inverted "Y" as illustrated in FIG. 13. The "Y"-shaped arrangement
of the first housing 300, the second housing 380, and the first and
second swinging housings 320 and 340 allows a user to conveniently
perform a key operation with both hands. Additionally, some users
may prefer to conveniently perform a key operation in the
arrangement of the communication device as illustrated in FIG.
12.
[0062] When the first and second swinging housings 320 and 340 are
fully rotated about the first and second hinge axes from the first
housing 300, respectively, i.e., when the first and second swinging
housings 320 and 340 are swung such that the first and second
swinging housings 320 and 340 are farthest from each other, the
first and second swinging housings 320 and 340 are arranged in the
shape of an inverted "V".
[0063] The first hinge axis is arranged in the direction
perpendicular to the top surface 300a of the first housing 300. The
second hinge axis is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the
top surface 300a of the first housing 300. The first and second
hinge axes are spaced a prescribed distance from each other.
Furthermore, the first and second hinge axes are arranged in the
direction perpendicular to the hinge axis A of the hinge unit.
[0064] As is apparent from the description above, the present
invention provides a portable game/communication device that
enables a user to conveniently perform a key operation when a game
is played. Further, the portable game/communication device provides
a wide display unit, which is useful for gaming.
[0065] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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