Portable phone with camera

IS 2 286 176 T3

DESCRIPTION

Mobile phone with camera.

Background of the invention

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mobile phone with a built-in camera and, more particularly, to a mobile phone with a camera having a rotating lens that allows users to focus on an object with a suitable rotational angle as wide as possible.

Description of Related Art

Generally, mobile phones include mobile phones or Personal Communication Systems (SCP) that have wireless communication capabilities. Today, as the need for video and image communication as well as voice communication arises, it can be assumed that a mobile phone with a camera can meet this demand.

Considering Fig. 1, a conventional mobile phone can be described as follows. Inside a main body 1 of the mobile phone, a camera 3 is mounted on the fixed location of an upper body. This type of camera mobile phone cannot focus on an object from various angles if the whole body is not rotated, since the camera lens is forming a body with the mobile phone. For example, since the camera lens is always oriented, with respect to the main body 1, in the same direction as a liquid crystal display (LCD), users cannot focus the lens on an object on the other side while they look at the LCD screen. Therefore, to shoot an object on the other side (away from the face of an LCD screen), it is necessary to rotate the main body 1 of the mobile phone. Then users cannot check the focus position of the camera lens as they cannot look at the main body's LCD screen. In short, by not facing the main body from the user's side, the user cannot see the image of the photograph through the LCD screen as it is done with the viewfinder of a camera. And also, it is difficult to use the functional keys of a control panel when it is rotated. This leads to one of the drawbacks.

Fig. 2 illustrates another example of conventional mobile phones with a camera. At an upper end of a main body 1 of this mobile phone there is installed a camera lens 3a separated from the main body I. In this case, the camera can only rotate with limited angles, for example by rotating up and down in a sense. This type of camera mobile phone has a limitation in that it rotates at narrow angles. As the camera lens is also exposed and protrudes from the edge of the main body 1, it is quite easy for it to get damaged and dirty.

Fig. 3 illustrates another example of conventional mobile phones. In Fig. 3, a camera is mounted on an upper end of a main body. This camera only rotates on a horizontal axis. In this case, by not being able to rotate on a vertical axis (from the front to the back of the main body 1), the rotational movement of the camera does not provide sufficient angles to shoot an object in a desired position. Unfortunately, this type of camera in a mobile phone cannot solve the problem in the previous example that the camera lens is easily damaged and dirty.

US 5,491,507 describes a conventional mobile phone with a camera mounted on the housing so that the angle can be altered. Summary of the invention

Consequently, the present invention is directed to a mobile phone with a camera that substantially obviates one or more problems due to the limitations and drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone with a camera that has a wide rotational angle for shooting an object at any location to one side of the mobile phone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile phone with a camera whose installation protects it better against damage and dirt.

To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, a mobile phone with a camera includes a main body having a control panel installed on a front face of the main body and a rotation support part formed at an upper end of the main body, a folding part that has a display screen and a speaker installed on a front face of the folding part and has a connecting part formed at a lower end of the folding part, the connecting part being rotatably coupled to the rotation support part, and a camera module being rotatably coupled to the inner sides of the rotation support part.

Furthermore, the axis of rotation of the camera module is not located on the axis of rotation of the folding part, the axes of rotation are not overlapping each other. A hole for the folding part, which fits into a connecting part of the folding part, is formed on the outside of the rotation support part, and a hole for fitting the camera module is formed inside the rotation support part for that has rotational movements. Inside the rotation support part and the connection part an air gap is formed in which flexible cables are installed. Also, the camera module has a cylindrical shape that has rotational movements of 360 degrees. Both sides of the camera module are formed by an axis of rotation, desirably at least one of those axes of rotation having an air gap.

According to one implementation of the present invention, a position locking method is installed between the camera module and the rotation support part, which fixes the camera module in a desired position. The position locking method installed on one side of the camera module comprises an elastic sub-part that creates an elasticity caused by rotating simultaneously with the camera module; and a bushing fixed inside the rotation support part that produces a force to transform elasticity when the chamber module is rotating.

One surface of the elastic subpart has a plate configuration formed by a protrusion. And one side of the elastic subpart is trimmed to rotate to form a body with the camera module. One circumference of the elastic subpart is partially cut away so that it rotates as a body with the camera module, and one side of the camera module is formed by a first concave part that fits into the elastic subpart, the pri2 coinciding.

ES 2 286 176 T3 mere concave part with the shape of the elastic subpart. And furthermore some of the area of ​​the first concave is further subdivided, desirably to form a second concave portion.

On the other hand, the bushing consists of: a contact part of a plate and a projection that forms a body with the contact part, the rotation support part formed by a lowered connection part, a contact part of the bushing seated in the connecting part, and the protrusion fitted into a hole for the camera module. Additionally, it is desirable that a contact portion of the bushing have grooves formed that engage the protrusions of the elastic subparts. And to fix the bushing on the rotation support parts, both sides of the contact part are cut away and it is assumed that a connection part of the rotation support part is formed with a configuration approximately identical to the contact part. Therefore, according to the present invention, a camera module of this mobile phone can be freely rotated and adjusted depending on the location of an object. And you can also prevent damage and fouling of the camera lens as well as providing a wide rotational angle to the camera module.

It should be understood that both the above general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Brief description of the drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a supplementary understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this application, illustrate one embodiment (s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. . In the drawings:

Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 illustrate front views of conventional mobile phones with a camera;

Fig. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a mobile phone according to the present invention as a schematic drawing;

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the mobile phone shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the camera module shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 illustrates a front view of a bushing shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the camera mobile phone having a closed folding portion according to the present invention;

Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the camera mobile phone having an open folding portion according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In the following, the fulfillment of the objectives of this camera mobile phone is described using the appropriate examples in the attached figures. Considering Fig. 4 to Fig. 6, a mobile phone according to the present invention includes a main body 10, a folding part 20 coupled with the upper main body 20, and a rotatable camera module 30 mounted on the main body 10. In Fig. 4, a front end of the main body 10 has a control panel (buttons and functional keys) placed thereon. At an upper end of the main body 10 there is a rotation support part rotatably coupled to a camera module 30. At a front end of the folding part 20 a loudspeaker and a display screen such as an LCD screen are installed. At a lower end of the collapsible part 20, a connecting part 26 is rotatably coupled to the rotation support part 14. And there is a rotational axis 32 inserted on both sides of the camera module 30. In this regard, it is desirable that the rotation support parts 14, a connecting part 26 and a rotation axis 32 of the camera module 30 are installed by pairs.

On the other hand, the folding part 20 is coupled on the main body 10 outside of the rotation support part 14. Camera module 30 is coupled within rotation support portion 14 and rotates separately from collapsible portion 20 to outside of rotation support portion 14. As seen in Fig. 5, it is desirable that the collapsible portion 20 and the camera module 30 have two different rotational axis alignments. The reason is that the general application of the folding part 20 in front of the camera module might require a different rotational angle. Therefore, it is necessary that the folding part 20 and the camera module 30 can rotate separately with respect to the main body of the folding part 20. Since the camera module 30 can rotate through an angle of 360 degrees about a rotational axis of the rotation support portion 14, users can focus the camera module 30 at any desired angle towards an object to be photographed.

The details relating to an overall structure of a main body 10, a collapsible portion 20 and a camera module 30 are explained explicitly below. First, as described above, the lower end of the collapsible portion 20 has a pair of connecting parts 26. Within the pair of connecting parts 26 an air gap 24 is left as appropriate. In at least one of the pair of connecting parts 26 a hinge element 26a is installed to have easy access to the folding and unfolding of the folding part. And furthermore, the other air space 24 of the connection part 26 serves as a space for the cables of some circuits. In short, the air gap 24 is used as a space for the data signal flex cables 52 to be connected between the display screen and the main body 10.

In the camera module 30 there is an image sensor 34 that receives the image signals, and the flexible cables transmit the image signals to a main board of the main body 10. And there is also a transparent window 36 installed on a surface of the module. camera 30. Camera module 30 has a cylindrical shape coordinated to rotate through a full 360 degree angle. It is desirable that at least one of the rotational axes 32 can be an air gap axis located on either side of the chamber module. Through the axis of an air gap, flexible cables 54 are connected between the image sensor 34 and the main board of the body.

10.

IS 2 286 176 T3

As described above with respect to main body 10, there is a pair of rotation support parts. The rotation support part 14 is positioned either parallel or at an angle to the body 10. In other words, an axis of rotation of the rotation support part 14 is located up or down with respect to a Front side of main body 10. Outside of rotation support part 14 there is a hole for connecting part 16. The hole for the connection part 16 is a location in which a rotation axis of the hinge member 26a is rotatably engaged. Within the rotation support parts 14 there is a hole for the camera module 18 into which a rotation axis of the camera module 30 is positioned and mounted. Furthermore, an air gap inside the rotation support portion 14, which leaves certain widths W1 and W2 is used as a space to connect the flexible cables 52, 54 with a main board of the main body 10.

On the other hand, it is desirable that the camera module 30 is not too loose so that it does not rotate by itself. The camera module should be securely held at any desired angle after it has been rotated by the user. Eventually, it is necessary to position a camera module 30 that is rotated to any angle of focus and subsequently fixed by the user, which constitutes the position lock procedure.

A position lock procedure is described below. The position lock procedure is installed at the location between the rotation support portion 14 of the main body 10 and the camera module 30. The position locking procedure includes an elastic subpart 44 that creates an elasticity (latitudinal sustainability) transformed by a rotation of the camera module 30, and a bushing 42 that transforms the elastic subpart 44 into a fixation inside the parts 14 of main body rotation bracket 10.

More details are explained below. A bushing 42 consists of an approximately plate configuration with a contact part 41 and a projection 43 that forms a single body with the contact part 41. The rotation support part 14 is formed by a connection part 41 a recessed and the contact part 41 of the bushing 42 sits in the connection part 41a. The boss is then inserted and mounted in a hole for the camera module 18. It is necessary that a rotation of the sleeve 42 does not interfere with a rotational movement of the camera module 30. Definitely, the sleeve 42 could be attached to the rotation support portion by an adhesive, although the convenience of mounting should be taken into consideration. To overcome this obstacle, it is necessary that the contact part 41 of the bushing 42 be non-circular in shape. For example, both sides of the contact part 41 of the bush 42 are cut away and the connection part 41 a of the rotation support part 14 must be shaped to match the shape of the cut bush 42.

On the other hand, it is desirable that the elastic subpart has an approximately circular configuration formed by a protrusion 44a towards the socket 42. With this arrangement, the camera module cannot rotate by itself due to the fact that the protrusion 44a of the subpart elastic 44 compressed and transformed by bushing 22 produces a lateral elastic thrust. However, although the camera module can be prevented from rotating by itself, the camera module 30 cannot be fixed in a particular position defined by the user. Therefore, it is desirable for the bushing 42 to have various grooves formed which coincide with the protrusions 44a on the side of the elastic subpart that touches the contact part 41. Once the various grooves described above are formed, the camera module 30 can be firmly fixed at the desired rotational angle when the protrusions 44a of the elastic subpart 44 engage the grooves.

In the meantime, the elastic subpart 44 should rotate as a single body with the camera module 30. Although the elastic subpart 44 may be attached to the camera module 30 by adhesives, considerations of ease of mounting must also be taken into account. That is, the elastic subpart 44 should be non-circular in shape. For example, as seen in Fig. 7, both sides of the elastic subpart have C parts cut off. Then, one side of the camera module 30 is formed by a first concave part that matches the shape of the elastic subpart 44 to be fitted therein. Once this process is done, the elastic subpart 44 can rotate as a single body with the camera module. Additionally, some parts of the concave part 32a are greatly lowered, so that a second concave part 32b is formed that can transform the elastic sub-part 44.

The lock-in-position procedure described is as follows. When the protrusions 44a of the elastic subpart 44 are initially engaged in the grooves of the bushing 42, the camera module 30 is in a rotationally fixed angular position mode. Then, to photograph an object, the user can adjust the focus angle of the camera by rotating the camera. This action causes the elastic subpart and the camera module to rotate simultaneously as a single body. As a consequence, the protrusions 44a of the elastic subpart 44 come out of the grooves of the bushing 42. And then the protrusions 44a of the elastic subpart 44 move to the flat area of ​​the bushing 42 where there are no indentations, so that the protrusions 44a are compressed. As soon as they are compressed, there is a transformation effect. Then a sustainability can be generated along one side equal to the transformation that takes place. At that time, the second concave part 32b, formed on the side of the chamber module 30, has the task of not presenting any resistance to the transformation of the elastic sub-part 44. As the chamber module 30 continues to rotate, the protrusions 44a they are fixed in the next adjacent grooves after the flat zone. This causes the lock in the next desired rotational angular position. As mentioned above, the camera module 30 does not rotate on its own because it is locked, in a desired rotational angular position, when the protrusions 44a of the elastic subpart are engaged in the grooves 42a of the bushing 42. Considering the angular positions rotationals in which there must be firm locking, it is desirable to have a corresponding number of grooves 42a formed. Additionally, a pair of protrusions 44a with a symmetrical pattern depicted in FIG.

IS 2 286 176 T3

7. And furthermore, the grooves 42a formed in the bushing 42 should have a corresponding number of pairs to match the protrusions 44a. And furthermore, by spacing the slits on the bush 44, rotational angular movements between adjacent slits can be varied for locking the camera module 30 in the rotational positions.

Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show a design example of the camera module. That is, a pair of protrusions 44a is formed in the elastic subpart 44 and three pairs of grooves are formed in the bushing 42. Furthermore, an angle theta 1 between one reference slot and the next adjacent one in a clockwise direction measures approximately 120 degrees. Therefore, a user can tilt the collapsible part and fix the camera module 30 in a first rotational position after rotating it 30 degrees counterclockwise. The angle of rotation between adjacent grooves in the bushing varies according to the number of grooves formed therein. In practice it can be modified according to design considerations.

Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 illustrate a mobile phone with a camera according to the present invention. First, according to the present invention, since the camera module has a full 360 degree rotational movement relative to a main body, users can shoot an object in any angular position by rotating the camera module itself, as used to take pictures, instead of going back through the whole body of the mobile phone to search for an image. Eventually, an image search with this mobile phone becomes more manageable, and particularly when taking a photo. Since the camera module, aimed at the object to be shot, can be rotated on the bottom of the folded down part (the camera lens pokes out from the back side of the main body), a display screen on the front side as the camera's viewfinder, just like a conventional digital camera. Consequently, users can see on a display screen how they are taking the picture while trying to shoot an object. And secondly, the camera module is located between the rotation support parts of the main body. Precisely, both the left and right sides of the camera module, supported by the main body, are more protective than others. Consequently, the use of this mobile phone with a camera is very durable and reliable against external impacts. Third, according to the present invention, the camera module can be rotated such an angle that the lens cannot be exposed to the outside when the user is carrying it or not wearing it. This is why this mobile phone has the advantage of the resistance of the camera lens to damage and dirt, since it can be left facing the inside of the main body. Accordingly, it also prevents the photo quality from deteriorating due to damage or scratches on the camera module window.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, the present invention is intended to cover modifications and variations of this invention so long as they are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.