U.S. patent application number 12/614556 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for clamshell-type mobile phone with camera.
This patent application is currently assigned to IPG ELECTRONICS 504 LIMITED. Invention is credited to Xavier Fourquin, Jamal Housni.
Application Number | 20100048243 12/614556 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35931809 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100048243 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fourquin; Xavier ; et
al. |
February 25, 2010 |
CLAMSHELL-TYPE MOBILE PHONE WITH CAMERA
Abstract
A mobile communication device includes a housing, which has a
first housing part and a second housing part each having an inner
surface and an outer surface. The first and second housing parts
are movable with respect to one another into open and closed
positions so that in the closed position, the inner surfaces of the
first and second housing parts face each other. A video camera is
fixed to the inner surface of the first housing part and exposed
through an opening in the second housing part when in the closed
position.
Inventors: |
Fourquin; Xavier; (Sevres,
FR) ; Housni; Jamal; (Courbevoie, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600, 30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Assignee: |
IPG ELECTRONICS 504 LIMITED
|
Family ID: |
35931809 |
Appl. No.: |
12/614556 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11633642 |
Dec 5, 2006 |
7616976 |
|
|
12614556 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/556.1 ;
455/575.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 7/142 20130101;
H04M 2250/16 20130101; H04M 2250/52 20130101; H04M 1/0214 20130101;
H04N 2007/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/556.1 ;
455/575.3 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/00 20060101
H04M001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 6, 2005 |
EP |
05111750.5 |
Claims
1. A mobile communication device comprising: a housing including a
first housing part and a second housing part each having an inner
surface and an outer surface, the first and second housing parts
being movable with respect to one another into open and closed
positions so that in the closed position, the inner surfaces of the
first and second housing parts face each other; and a video camera
fixed to the inner surface of the first housing part and exposed
through an opening in the second housing part when in the closed
position.
2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a
first display having a screen exposed from the outer surface of the
first housing part, the first display being configured to operate
as a viewfinder for the video camera when the housing is in the
closed position.
3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a
second display having a screen exposed from the inner surface of
the first housing part.
4. The mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein the second
display is configured to operate as a viewfinder for the video
camera when the housing is in the open position.
5. The mobile communication device of claim 3, wherein the second
display is configured to display a received video signal and the
video camera is configured to capture video when the mobile
communication device is in a videoconferencing mode.
6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the housing
is a clamshell type housing.
7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, further comprising a
lens fixed in the opening.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/633,642, filed Dec. 5, 2006, which claims
priority from European Patent Application No. 05111750.5, filed
Dec. 6, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein by reference as
if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This application is related to clamshell-type mobile phones
with cameras.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Today, several mobile phones are of the clamshell type,
i.e., present two parts linked to each other through a hinge,
either parallel to the longitudinal axis of the phone (the phone
can be thus open like a book, in landscape or portrait mode), or
orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (flip phone).
[0004] Generally, the camera is located on the external side of the
first part and is used when the mobile phone is in its open
position. Indeed, the user of the mobile phone can direct the
camera toward the scene he wants to capture while seeing the scene
on the first display. In these known solutions, however, it is not
very simple for the user to capture an image and/or a video of
himself since, in this case, he has to direct the camera toward
himself and, thus, cannot view the scene on the first display.
[0005] One possible solution to this problem would be to modify the
software of the mobile phone in order that a scene to be captured
can be seen either simultaneously on both displays, whatever the
current position (open or closed) of the mobile phone, or only on
first display when the mobile phone is open and only on second
display when the mobile phone is closed. This solution would be
satisfactory in case the camera is always used in relation with an
image and/or video capturing mode of the mobile phone, i.e., a mode
in which image or video is captured and then stored for later
playback.
[0006] However, this solution would be useless for cases in which
the camera is used for a videoconference mode of the mobile phone,
i.e., a communication mode wherein the user is in communication
with other persons through at least the associated mobile
communication network, and captured video of the user is to be sent
in real time to these other persons. Indeed, in this case, the
mobile phone must absolutely be held by the user in its open
position because the acoustic means for communications (namely
microphone and loudspeaker) are located inside the mobile phone. In
this case, the user cannot use the camera located on the external
side in the videoconference mode.
[0007] Another known solution consists of providing the mobile
phone with two cameras for capturing images and/or video in both
positions of the mobile phone. This solution is, however, a costly
solution.
[0008] Still another known solution consists of providing the
mobile phone camera with a single camera mounted on mechanical
means enabling the rotation of the camera depending on the scene
the user wants to capture. However, the user has to manipulate the
camera, and mechanical means are fragile.
SUMMARY
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a camera
that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide a mobile phone of
the clamshell type wherein a single camera can be used whatever the
open or closed position of the mobile phone, without the drawbacks
of the known solutions.
[0011] To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance
with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, a mobile phone having a clamshell type housing includes
a first part, a second part linked rotating to the first part
through a hinge so that the mobile phone can be in a closed
position or in an open position, a first display which is
accessible to a user when the mobile phone is in the open position,
a second display which is accessible to a user on an external side
of the first part when the mobile phone is in the closed position,
and a camera on the first part, wherein the camera is located on an
internal side of the first part so that it is directed to a user of
the mobile phone when the mobile phone is in the open position for
capturing images and/or videos which are displayed on the first
display, and the second part includes an opening through which the
camera can capture images and/or videos when the mobile phone is in
the closed position that are displayed on the second display.
[0012] In another aspect, a mobile phone includes a first part and
a second part linked by a hinge to exist in one of a closed
position and an open position, a first display accessible to a user
when the mobile phone is in the open position, a second display
accessible to a user on an external side of the first part when the
mobile phone is in the closed position, and a camera on the first
part, wherein the camera is located on an internal side of the
first part so that it is directed to a user of the mobile phone
when the mobile phone is in the open position for capturing images
displayed on the first display, and the second part includes an
opening through which the camera can capture images when the mobile
phone is in the closed position that are displayed on the second
display.
[0013] In another aspect, a mobile phone includes a first part and
a second part linked by a hinge to exist in one of a closed
position and an open position, a first display accessible to a user
when the mobile phone is in the open position, a second display
accessible to a user on an external side of the first part when the
mobile phone is in the closed position, and a camera on the first
part, wherein the camera is located on an internal side of the
first part so that it is directed to a user of the mobile phone
when the mobile phone is in the open position for capturing video
images displayed on the first display, and the second part includes
an opening through which the camera can capture video images when
the mobile phone is in the closed position that are displayed on
the second display.
[0014] In another aspect, the camera is used for an image and/or
video capturing mode of the mobile phone whatever the open or
closed position of the mobile phone. In this case, the user of the
mobile phone, thanks to a unique camera, can easily capture images
or video of any scene, including himself.
[0015] In another aspect, alternatively, or in combination, the
camera can also be used for an image and/or video capturing mode of
the mobile phone when said mobile phone is in said closed position,
while said camera is used for a videoconference mode of the mobile
phone when said mobile phone is in said open position.
[0016] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in, and
constitute a part of, this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
[0018] FIGS. 1a and 1b respectively show front and rear views,
including an exemplary phone in a closed position according to the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary phone of FIGS. 1a and 1b in an
open position according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0021] FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 2 show a phone 1 with a housing of the
clamshell type. More precisely, said housing comprises a first or
front part 10 and a second or back part 11 linked rotating together
through a hinge 12. Phone 1 can be either in a closed position
(FIGS. 1a and 1b) or in an open position (FIG. 2).
[0022] Phone 1 also comprises a first display 13 accessible to a
user when phone 1 is in said open position and a second display 15
which is accessible to a user on an external side 10a of said first
or front part 10 when phone 1 is in said closed position (see FIG.
1a) and a camera 14 for capturing image and/or video. At last,
microphone M and loudspeaker L are accessible to the user when the
mobile is in its open position for communication via an associated
mobile network.
[0023] According to the invention, said camera 14 is located on an
internal side 10b of said first part 10 so that it can be directed
to a user of the mobile phone when mobile phone is in said open
position for capturing images and/or videos (see FIG. 2). Captured
images and/or video can be displayed on first display 13. For use
of the same camera while the mobile phone is in its closed
position, second part 11 comprises an opening 16 which faces said
camera when mobile phone is closed, as shown on FIG. 1b. Camera 14
can thus be also used in order to capture images and/or videos when
mobile phone 1 is in said closed position, said captured images
and/or video being then displayed on said second display 15.
[0024] Thus, according to the invention, it is possible to use the
same camera located inside the phone in order to capture images
and/or videos whatever the position (closed or open) of the
phone.
[0025] More precisely, when the phone is closed, camera 14 will be
used in an image and/or video capturing mode. When the phone is
open, camera 14 can be used either in an image and/or video
capturing mode. Consequently, the user can also take a picture or a
video of himself, or in a videoconference mode.
[0026] Advantageously, a lens can be fixed in opening 16 in order
to enable a zoom on the images to be captured only when the phone
is in closed position.
[0027] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the camera of the
present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover
the modifications and variations of this invention provided they
come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
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