IP Library Granted Patent US 8,515,504
Granted Patent B2
US 8,515,504 · App. 11/835,729 · Granted Aug 20, 2013

Portable terminal with rotating display

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,515,504
App. No.
11/835,729
Granted
Aug 20, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a portable terminal including a first enclosure having a display unit; a second enclosure having an operation unit; a first connection unit foldably connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure by being rotated around a first center axis; and a second connection unit connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure and allowing the first enclosure to be rotated between a first position and a second position and around a second center axis perpendicular to the first center axis, the second center axis located in a position shifted by a predetermined amount from a center of the first enclosure. The first enclosure is displaced from the second enclosure corresponding to the second center axis when the enclosures are folded via the first connection unit in a state where the first enclosure is rotated to the second position in the second connection unit.

Claims (19)

1. A portable terminal comprising:

a first enclosure having a display unit,

a second enclosure having an operation unit,

a first connection unit foldably connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure by being rotated around a first center axis, and

a second connection unit connecting the first enclosure to the second enclosure and allowing the first enclosure to be rotated between a first position and a second position and around a second axis perpendicular to the first center axis, the second axis located in a position shifted by a predetermined amount from a line that is parallel to the second axis and is formed by uniting center points of first and second sides of the first enclosure that are perpendicular to the second axis and the line, wherein

the first enclosure almost overlaps the second enclosure when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are folded via the first connection unit in a state where the first enclosure is rotated to the first position in the second connection unit,

the first enclosure overlaps and is displaced from the second enclosure corresponding to the second center axis shifted by a predetermined amount when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are folded via the first connection unit in a state where the first enclosure is rotated to the second position in the second connection unit,

the first enclosure and the second enclosure have side surfaces inclined at a predetermined angle that is non-parallel and non-perpendicular with respect to planar top and bottom surfaces of the first enclosure and the second enclosure, and

the inclined side surfaces of the enclosures are located almost coplanar with each other when the first enclosure and the second enclosure are folded via the first connection unit in a state where the first enclosure is rotated to the first position in the second connection unit.

2. The portable terminal according to claim 1 , wherein

in a case where the inclined side surfaces of the first and second enclosures located almost coplanar with each other are mounted on a predetermined surface, a center-of-gravity position of the first enclosure and the second enclosure is shifted toward the predetermined surface from a center position when the enclosures are folded.

3. The portable terminal according to claim 1 , wherein

the first enclosure or the second enclosure incorporates a tuner to receive television broadcast signals.

4. The portable terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a television operation unit configured to operate the tuner to receive television broadcast signals, wherein

the television operation unit is located in a step portion formed between one side surface of the first enclosure and one side surface of the second enclosure in a case where the other side surface of the first enclosure and the other side surface of the second enclosure are located almost coplanar with each other.

5. The portable terminal according to claim 3 , further comprising:

a speaker configured to output voice received by the tuner, wherein

the speaker is located in a step portion between one side surface of the first enclosure and one side surface of the second enclosure in a case where the other side surface of the first enclosure and the other side surface of the second enclosure are located almost coplanar with each other.

Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 12, 2015
From: SONY CORPORATION; SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
To: SNAPTRACK, INC.
Reel/Frame 037027/0399 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 18, 2013
From: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS JAPAN, INC.
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 030239/0951 →
ASSIGNMENT OF PARTIAL RIGHTS Recorded Apr 18, 2013
From: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INC.
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030240/0064 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 20, 2012
From: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS JAPAN, INC.
To: SONY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS JAPAN, INC.
Reel/Frame 028078/0247 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 8, 2007
From: MASUDA, TAKEFUMI
To: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS JAPAN, INC.
Reel/Frame 019666/0308 →