Apparatus for a combination camcorder-handset device
A combination camcorder handset device in a clam-shell form factor that has at least two operational modes-one of which is a phone mode wherein the device is used by holding the device to the ear and talking, and another of which is a camera mode wherein the device is rotated on its side so the screen is pointed horizontally and the device is held in one hand just like a traditional camcorder. The angle of the device's clam-shell hinge determines the operational mode. The camera points in a direction perpendicular to the axis along which the keys on the keyboard keys move when pressed. The camera may be contained in a removable camera module. Straps on the keyboard half hold the device in place when the device is held with one hand during camera mode. Buttons along the side of the keyboard half perform functions such as shutter release, zoom-in, and zoom-out, and are within immediate access of the fingers of the hand that is holding the device.
1. A clam-shell handset device comprising:
a screen half that contains a display; and
a keyboard half that contains keys and, a camera lens, and an image sensor; and
a hinge coupled to a first side of the keyboard half that connects the screen half to the keyboard half and allows the two to rotate with respect to each other through a range of 0 degrees to 270 degrees; wherein the orientation of the image sensor is along a first axis that is perpendicular to a second axis that is pointed in the same direction as the direction the keys move when they are actuated, and further wherein the lens is located on a second side of the keyboard half that is both adjacent to the side with the keys and directly opposite from the first side of the keyboard half that is coupled to the hinge, and is on an opposite side of the device as the display; and
the lens is pointed orthogonal to the second side on which it is located, and wherein the image through the lens can be viewed on the display when the screen half is rotated 270 degrees relative to the keyboard half.
2. A clam-shell handset device comprising:
a screen half that contains a display; and
a keyboard half that contains a keyboard; and
a hinge that connects the screen half to the keyboard half and allows the two to rotate with respect to each other; and
a means for the clam-shell handset device to change its mode of operation depending on the angle of the hinge, wherein a first mode of operation is used to take a picture or video and a second mode of operation is used to make or receive a phone call and a third mode is picture browsing; and
the picture browsing mode shows images stored on the device; and
the picture browsing mode is activated when the hinge is moved from the camera mode angle to the angle for making or receiving a phone call.
3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the hinge contains a cam mechanism that encourages the hinge to stay at an angle that activates a mode of operation until a force is applied to the screen half that is greater than the force required to rotate the hinge when the hinge is not at an angle that activates a mode of operation.
4. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the keyboard half contains at least one strap to aid a user to hold the device.
5. The device as recited in claim 4 wherein the at least one strap has adjustable length.
6. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein picture browsing mode is activated only if the hinge was at the camera mode angle for at least a predetermined amount of time before being moved to the angle for making or receiving a phone call.
7. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein picture browsing mode is activated only if a picture was taken when the hinge was at the camera mode angle before being moved to the angle for making or receiving a phone call.