US7046287B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable information terminal equipped with camera
Assignee: RPX Corp
•
Filing: 2000-12-11
•
Granted: 2006-05-16
•
Expires: 2020-12-11
Abstract
Abstract The information terminal body may be designed to foldably pivot a pair of flat cases each having a display unit through a hinge which is equipped with a photographing optical system for the camera function unit of which optical axis of lens is perpendicular to an axial center of the hinge. The display units display information from communication channels and images taken in by the camera. The cases may have the display units such that the display units face outside in a folded state. At least one of the two display units may be a finder for photographers, while the other may be a finder for the subject persons. The terminal is equipped with a shutter button and a terminal operation button. The terminal operation button works also as a shutter button. The information terminal is also equipped with a viewfinder for the camera lens system.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaaki Nishino
- 👤 Masakatsu Takizawa
- 👤 Norihisa Mitsuyu
- 👤 Shuji Yamaguchi
- 👤 Satoshi Machida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/0206; H04M1/0208; H04M1/0214; H04M1/0216; H04M1/0218; H04M1/026; H04M1/0264; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/53; H04N23/531; H04N23/55; H04N23/57; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/78; H04N5/782; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/141; H04N7/142; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder having an optical axis parallel to that of a lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; wherein said hinge is attached to said housing; and wherein said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is position at another upper corner of the information terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder having an optical axis parallel to that of a lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; wherein said hinge is attached to said housing; and wherein said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is position at another upper corner of the information terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 1 , wherein said viewfinder is retractable into said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit in each of said pair of flat cases displays information from both transmission channels and images captured by said camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a shutter button for said camera; and a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, wherein said terminal operation button acts as said shutter button; wherein said portable information terminal further comprises: a viewfinder having an optical axis parallel to that of a lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information form transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; and wherein said hinge is attached to said housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a shutter button for said camera; and a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, wherein said terminal operation button acts as said shutter button; wherein said portable information terminal further comprises: a viewfinder having an optical axis parallel to that of a lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information form transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; and wherein said hinge is attached to said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 4 , wherein said terminal operation button is a scroll button related to said display unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 5 , wherein said scroll button has a vertically pressing function, and the function is caused to correspond to the function of the operation button for acting as said shutter button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said scroll button has a screen scroll operation in which said scroll button is pressed in a tilting movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 4 , wherein said terminal operation button functions as said shutter button, by function mode switching.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 8 , wherein said terminal operation button and said shutter button are positioned on different surfaces of said portable information terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 4 , wherein said terminal operation button is positioned on a surface equipped with said display unit; and wherein said shutter button is positioned on another surface perpendicular to said surface having said display unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein: a first step of pressing and terminal operation button sets said camera in a photographing preparation stage: and a second step of further pressing said terminal operation button release a shutter of said camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
137 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal; a camera; a shutter button for said camera; a housing for said camera; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein: each of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; said hinge is attached to said housing; an optical axis of a lens of said camera is perpendicular to an axis of said hinge; said display unit of said cases face outside in a folded state; said terminal operation button is positioned on a surface equipped with one of said display units; and said shutter button is positioned on another surface perpendicular to said surface on which said terminal operation button is positioned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
137 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal; a camera; a shutter button for said camera; a housing for said camera; and a pair of flat cases which pivot through a hinge; wherein: each of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or an image taken in by said camera; said hinge is attached to said housing; an optical axis of a lens of said camera is perpendicular to an axis of said hinge; said display unit of said cases face outside in a folded state; said terminal operation button is positioned on a surface equipped with one of said display units; and said shutter button is positioned on another surface perpendicular to said surface on which said terminal operation button is positioned.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The portable information terminal according to claim 12 , wherein one of said display units faces a subject and displays a mirror image of an image as taken in by said camera.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A portable information terminal according to claim 12 , wherein said display units are positioned such that the cases are opposite to each other when said display units are folded, while they face the same side when said display units are unfolded at 180°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 , further comprising a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to an optical axis of said lens of said camera, said lens and said viewfinder secured to said hinge and disposed along an axis of said hinge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said pair of flat cases are in a closed position in which the display unit of said first flat case and the display unit of said second flat case face opposite one another, with neither display unit exposed for viewing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
108 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a viewfinder; a shutter button; and first and second display units, both of which are used for viewing an image taken in by said camera; wherein the first display unit is opposite to said second display unit, and the first display unit is used to display said image and is visually seen from a subject side while said second display unit is used to display said image to a person taking a picture; and wherein said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is positioned at another upper corner of the information terminal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
A portable information terminal, comprising: a camera; a viewfinder; a shutter button; and first and second display units, both of which are used for viewing an image taken in by said camera; wherein the first display unit is opposite to said second display unit, and the first display unit is used to display said image and is visually seen from a subject side while said second display unit is used to display said image to a person taking a picture; and wherein said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is positioned at another upper corner of the information terminal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a lens for said camera; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to an optical axis of said lens of said camera; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, said lens and said viewfinder secured to said hinge and disposed along an axis of said hinge, wherein each of said pair of flat cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from at least one of (1) transmission channels and (2) images captured by said camera.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a lens for said camera; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to an optical axis of said lens of said camera; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, said lens and said viewfinder secured to said hinge and disposed along an axis of said hinge, wherein each of said pair of flat cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from at least one of (1) transmission channels and (2) images captured by said camera.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein, when said pair of flat cases are in a closed position, said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is positioned at the another upper corner.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein said viewfinder is retractable into a housing of said hinge.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a lens for said camera; a shutter button for said camera; and a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, wherein: said terminal operation button comprises a two-step pressing type button; and said terminal operation button acts as an alternate shutter button when said portable information terminal is operated in a photographing mode.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a lens for said camera; a shutter button for said camera; and a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, wherein: said terminal operation button comprises a two-step pressing type button; and said terminal operation button acts as an alternate shutter button when said portable information terminal is operated in a photographing mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus according to claim 21 , further comprising: a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to an optical axis of said lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, wherein at least one of said pair of flat cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from at least one of (1) transmission channels and (2) images captured by said camera; and said hinge is attached to said housing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein said terminal operation button comprises a scroll button for scrolling a display unit for said portable information terminal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein: said terminal operation button is positioned on a surface equipped with said display unit; and said shutter button is positioned on another surface perpendicular to said surface equipped with said display unit.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to the an optical axis of said lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, wherein: at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or images captured by said camera; and when said pair of flat cases are in a closed position, said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is positioned at the another upper corner.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a shutter button for said camera; a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to the an optical axis of said lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, wherein: at least one of said cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from transmission channels or images captured by said camera; and when said pair of flat cases are in a closed position, said viewfinder is positioned at an upper corner of the information terminal, while said shutter button is positioned at the another upper corner.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a shutter button for said camera; a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to the an optical axis of said lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, wherein: said terminal operation button functions as an additional shutter button; at least one of said pair of flat cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from at least one of (1) transmission channels and (2) images captured by said camera; and said hinge is attached to said housing.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus comprising: a camera; a portable information terminal; a shutter button for said camera; a terminal operation button for operating said portable information terminal, a viewfinder for said camera having an optical axis oriented parallel to the an optical axis of said lens of said camera; a housing for said camera and said viewfinder; and a pair of flat cases which pivots through a hinge, wherein: said terminal operation button functions as an additional shutter button; at least one of said pair of flat cases is equipped with a display unit for displaying information from at least one of (1) transmission channels and (2) images captured by said camera; and said hinge is attached to said housing.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein: said terminal operation button is positioned on a surface equipped with said display unit; and said shutter button is positioned on another surfaced perpendicular to said surface equipped with said display unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JP2587259B2
Cited
JPH05122575A
Cited
JPH06133081A
Cited
US5491507A
Cited
JPH06150069A
Cited
US5550754A
Cited
JPH0822343A
Cited
US5943603A
Cited
JPH1051665A
Cited
US6510325B1
Cited
US6441854B2
Cited
US5896600A
Cited
JPH10313452A
Cited
JPH1124567A
Cited
WO1999011058A1
Cited
JPH1169214A
Cited
US6069648A
Cited
JPH11126126A
Cited
JPH11136554A
Cited
US6628333B1
Cited
JPH11163996A
Cited
US6697117B1
Cited
JPH11205761A
Cited
JP2000078254A
Cited
US6308084B1
Cited
US6466202B1
Cited
JP2000253113A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-05-15 | 2009-11-14 | 2010-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-05-15 | 2013-11-14 | 2014-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-05-15 | 2017-11-14 | 2018-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |