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Digital Camera Patent Abstract
A portable terminal is provided having a digital camera function
that includes a display main body having a display, a camera assembly
having a camera module for focusing on a subject and photographing
an image of the subject displayed on the display and a turning unit
to rotatably couple the display main body to the camera assembly.
A terminal main body may have an information processing function
and may being movably mounted on the display main body. A speaker
unit and a mike unit may transmit or receive voice information.
The portable terminal may have the digital camera function and allow
the user to perform voice communication and easily photograph a
still image or dynamic image of a subject. This may improve the
structural intensity in photographing.
Digital Camera Patent Claims
41. A portable terminal having a digital camera function, comprising:
a display body having a display; a main body; a camera assembly
having a camera module; and a turning unit coupled to the display
body to allow the camera assembly to move relative to the display
body and the main body.
42. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the camera assembly
includes at least one key.
43. The portable terminal of claim 42, wherein the at least one
key is a key related to operation of the camera module.
44. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the camera assembly
includes a photograph key.
45. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the camera assembly
includes a camera module lens on a first surface of the camera assembly
and at least one key on a second surface of the camera assembly.
46. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the display body
includes a key.
47. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the display body
includes a first surface having the display and at least one key.
48. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the display body
includes keys configured to control operations of the portable terminal.
49. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the main body includes
a plurality of keys on a one surface.
50. The portable terminal of claim 41, further comprising a mechanism
to couple the main body and the display body.
51. The portable terminal of claim 50, wherein the mechanism allows
sliding of the main body relative to the display body.
52. The portable terminal of claim 41, further comprising a speaker
and a mike to receive and output voice information so as to allow
a user to perform voice communication.
53. The portable terminal of claim 52, wherein the camera assembly
includes the speaker.
54. The portable terminal of claim 52, wherein the main body includes
the mike.
55. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the main body or
the display body is configured to move in a first direction and
the camera assembly is configured to move in a second direction
different than the first direction.
56. The portable terminal of claim 41, wherein the display body
is separate from the main body.
57. The portable terminal of claim 41, further comprising a sensing
device to sense movement of the camera assembly.
58. A portable terminal having a digital camera function, comprising:
a display body having a display; a main body; a camera body having
a camera; and a turning unit having a shaft to couple the display
body to the camera body and to rotate the camera body relative to
the display body or to rotate the display body relative to the camera
body.
59. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the camera body
includes at least one key.
60. The portable terminal of claim 59, wherein the at least one
key is a key related to operation of the camera.
61. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the camera body
includes a camera module lens on a first surface of the camera body
and at least one key on a second surface of the camera body.
62. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the display body
includes a key.
63. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the display body
includes a first surface having the display and at least one key.
64. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the main body includes
a plurality of keys on a surface.
65. The portable terminal of claim 58, wherein the camera body
includes a speaker.
66. The portable terminal of claim 58, further comprising a speaker
and a mike to receive and output voice information so as to allow
a user to perform voice communication.
67. The portable terminal of claim 58, further comprising a sensing
device to sense rotation of the camera body relative to the display
body or to sense rotation of the display body relative to the camera
body.
68. A portable terminal having a digital camera function, comprising:
a display body having a display and at least one control key on
a same surface; a main body having a key pad on one surface and
a battery receptacle on another surface; a camera assembly housing
having a camera and at least one key; and a turning unit having
a shaft to couple the display body to the camera assembly housing,
the turning unit to rotatably couple the display body to the camera
assembly housing.
69. The portable terminal of claim 68, wherein the camera assembly
housing includes at least one key.
70. The portable terminal of claim 69, wherein the at least one
key relates to operation of the camera.
71. The portable terminal of claim 69, wherein the camera assembly
housing includes a camera module lens on a first surface of the
camera assembly housing and the at least one key is on a second
surface of the camera assembly housing.
72. The portable terminal of claim 68, wherein the camera assembly
housing includes a speaker.
73. The portable terminal of claim 68, further comprising a speaker
and a mike to receive and output voice information so as to allow
a user to perform voice communication.
74. The portable terminal of claim 68, further comprising a sensing
device to sense rotation of the camera assembly housing relative
to the display body.
Digital Camera Patent Description
[0001] The present application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 97904/2003, filed Dec. 26, 2003, the subject matter
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention may relate to a portable
terminal. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention
may relate to a portable terminal having a digital camera function
that allows the user to perform voice communication and to easily
photograph a still image or dynamic image of a subject.
[0004] 2. Background of Related Art
[0005] A portable terminal is a communication apparatus that a
user may easily carry to perform voice transmission/reception. Due
to rapid development of information and communication technologies,
portable terminals may have a function of photographing a still
image or dynamic image of a subject using a built-in camera, and
transmitting or receiving the photographed image to/from another
user as well as have functions relating to internet access and/or
TV reception. The continuous development of the information and
communication technologies may expand the application field of the
portable terminal.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable terminal
having a camera according to an example arrangement. Other arrangements
are also possible. As shown in FIG. 1, a portable terminal having
the camera may include a main body 10 for inputting information
and controlling communication, a folder 20 having a display (not
shown) for outputting the information as an image, a hinge coupling
device 30 for rotatably coupling the folder 20 to the main body
10, a camera unit 40 rotatably coupled to the hinge coupling device
30, and a battery 50 detachably coupled to the rear surface of the
main body 10. FIG. 1 also shows an antenna 60, a speaker 70, an
auxiliary display 22, and a lens 41 of a camera module.
[0007] Operation of the portable terminal having the camera will
now be explained. When the user telephones another user or answers
the phone, the user may open the folder 20 from the main body 10
as shown in FIG. 2. The folder 20 may be angularly rotated about
an axis by using the hinge coupling device 30 as an axis. When the
folder 20 is opened, the folder 20 may have a predetermined angle
relative to the main body 10. The user may telephone another user
or answer the phone in a state in which the user opens the folder
20 from the main body 10.
[0008] When the user photographs a still image or dynamic image
of a subject by using the camera, the user may open the folder 20
from the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 2. When the subject is the
user (i.e., when the user photographs himself/herself using the
camera), the user may position the display 21 of the folder 20 and
the lens 41 of the camera unit 40 in a same direction by rotating
the camera unit 40. The user may adjust his/her image focused by
the lens 41 and displayed on the display 21 by controlling the camera
unit 40, and photograph himself/herself.
[0009] On the other hand, when the user photographs another subject,
the user may position the lens 41 of the camera unit 40 and the
display 21 of the folder 20 in opposite directions by rotating the
camera unit 40. The user may watch an image of the subject focused
by the lens 41 and displayed on the display 21 by controlling the
camera unit 40 and photograph the subject. After photographing the
subject, the user may close the folder 20 to return to the original
position.
[0010] As described above, when the user photographs the still
image or dynamic image of the subject using the camera unit 40,
the user must open the folder 20 to photograph the subject. In addition,
the user may adjust the image of the subject displayed on the display
21 by rotating the camera unit 40. That is, the portable terminal
having the above-described camera may be disadvantageous in that
the photographing process is complicated.
[0011] When the user photographs the subject, the folder 20 and
the main body 10 may have a predetermined angle, and thus the display
21 for displaying the image of the subject may be inclined at a
predetermined angle. Accordingly, the user cannot easily adjust
the image of the subject to a desired composition. While the user
is photographing the subject, if the main body 10 or the folder
20 gets an impact, it may be easily broken because the older 20
is angularly opened from the main body 10.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention may solve at least
the above problems and/or disadvantages and provide at least the
advantages described hereinafter.
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a portable
terminal having a digital camera function that allows the user to
perform voice communication and/or easily photograph a still image
or dynamic image of a subject.
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a portable
terminal having a digital camera function that allows the user to
photograph a subject and that improves the structural intensity
in a photographing state to prevent damages based on an external
impact.
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a portable
terminal having a digital camera function. This may include a display
main body, a camera assembly, a turning unit, a terminal main body,
and a speaker/mike unit hereafter also called a speaker and a mike
unit). The display main body may have a display. The camera assembly
may have a camera module for focusing on a subject and photographing
an image of the subject displayed on the display. The turning unit
may rotatably couple the display main body to the camera assembly.
The terminal main body may have an information processing function
and may be movably mounted on the display main body. The speaker
unit and the mike unit may transmit and/or receive voice information.
[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages
of the present invention may become more apparent from the following
detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings
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 arrangements
and embodiments of the present invention and together with the description
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0018] The following represents brief descriptions of the drawings
in which like reference numerals represent like elements and wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portable terminal
having a camera according to an example arrangement;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a using state
of the portable terminal having the camera according to an example
arrangement;
[0021] FIGS. 3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating a portable
terminal having a digital camera function according to an example
embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a
camera assembly of the portable terminal having the digital camera
function according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a
turning unit of a portable terminal having the digital camera function
according to an example embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a disassembled perspective view illustrating a
sliding unit of a portable terminal having the digital camera function
according to an example embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating a using
state of the portable terminal having the digital camera function
according to an example embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] A portable terminal having a digital camera function in
accordance with example embodiments of the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIGS.
3 to 5 are perspective views illustrating a portable terminal having
a digital camera function according to an example embodiment of
the present invention. Other embodiments and configurations are
also within the scope of the present invention.
[0027] More specifically, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the portable
terminal having the digital camera function may include a display
main body 100, a camera assembly 200, a turning unit 300, a terminal
main body 400, a speaker unit 500 and a mike unit 600. The display
main body 100 may have a display 110. The camera assembly 200 may
have a camera module 210 for focusing on a subject and photographing
an image of the subject displayed on the display 110. The turning
unit 300 may rotatably couple the display main body 100 to the camera
assembly 200. The terminal main body 400 may have an information
processing function and be movably mounted on the display main body
100. The speaker unit 500 and the mike unit 600 may transmit and/or
receive voice information.
[0028] A sliding unit may move the terminal main body 400 in a
lengthwise direction of the display main body 100. The sliding unit
may be disposed in the terminal main body 400 and the display main
body 100.
[0029] The display main body 100 may include a main body casing
120 having a mounting unit 121 on which the terminal main body 400
is slidably positioned at its one side, and having circuit components
inside. The display 110 may be coupled to the main body casing 120.
Control buttons 130 may be formed at one side of the main body casing
120 for controlling the camera module 210.
[0030] The main body casing 120 may be formed in a hexahedral shape
having a predetermined width and length. The mounting unit 121 may
be formed on one surface of the hexahedral shape. The mounting unit
121 is formed on one surface of the main body casing 120 to have
a predetermined depth. The depth of the mounting unit 121 may correspond
to the height (or depth) of the terminal main body 400, and the
flat plate shape of the mounting unit 121 may correspond to the
flat plate shape of the terminal main body 400.
[0031] The display 110 may be coupled to the main body casing 120
on an opposite side as the mounting unit 121. The display 110 may
include a liquid crystal screen for displaying various image information
for calls as well as an image (or images) of a subject for photographing.
[0032] The plurality of control buttons 130 may be formed on one
surface of the main body casing 120. The control buttons 130 may
be disposed next to the display 110. The control buttons 130 may
have control functions for the camera module 210 such as zoom, photographing
definition and shutter speed. On the other hand, the control buttons
130 may have a call start/end function, a power on/off function
and a menu function as well as control functions for the camera
module 210 in photographing.
[0033] The camera assembly 200 may include a camera casing 220
formed in a predetermined shape. The camera module 210 may mounted
on the camera casing 220 and have a photographing button 230 mounted
on the camera casing 220 and a flash 240 for lighting.
[0034] The camera casing 220 may be formed in a hexahedral shape.
The width and height of the hexahedron may be identical (or substantially
identical) to those of the display main body 100. One surface of
the camera assembly 200 and one surface of the display main body
100 may be coupled to contact each other by way of the turning unit
300. One surface of the camera assembly 200 and one surface of the
display main body 100 contacting each other may be formed in the
same shape.
[0035] The camera module 210 may be mounted on one surface of the
camera casing 220. The surface on which the camera module 210 is
mounted may be vertical to the surface contacting the display main
body 100. As shown in FIG. 6, a coupling groove 221 may be formed
in the camera casing 220 in a predetermined shape and the camera
module 210 may be inserted into the coupling groove 221. The shape
of the coupling groove 221 may correspond to the shape of the camera
module 210. A through hole 222 may be provided on which a lens 211
composing the camera module 210 is formed on the surface of the
camera casing 220 positioned on a side of the coupling groove 221.
A protecting lens 212 for protecting the lens 211 of the camera
module 210 may be coupled to the through hole 222.
[0036] A mode select switch 250 may be formed on the camera assembly
200 for changing a photographing mode based on the photographing
conditions. The mode select switch 250 may be mounted on one surface
of the camera casing 220. The surface on which the mode select switch
250 is mounted may be an opposite surface as compared to the surface
contacting the display main body 100. The mode select switch 250
may be a rotary type switch. The user may change the photographing
mode into general photographing, clear day photographing, cloudy
day photographing, night photographing, outdoor photographing, indoor
photographing or close-up photographing, for example, by rotating
(or otherwise operating) the mode select switch 250. An optimum
shutter speed and an optimum exposure speed may be previously set
for each of the photographing modes under specific conditions such
as weather and brightness. Accordingly, the user may perform high
quality photographing. The photographing button 230 may be positioned
on the side of the mode select switch 250.
[0037] A direct perspective device 260 may be formed on the camera
assembly 200 to allow the user to see a subject with a naked eye
when he/she is not able to see the subject through the display 110
due to high illumination, for example. The direct perspective device
260 may include a passage 223 passing through the camera casing
220, and transparent lenses 261 mounted on the passage 223. The
transparent lenses 261 may be fixedly coupled to both surfaces of
the camera casing 220 composing the passage 223.
[0038] The flash 240 may be mounted on the camera casing 220 on
the side of the camera module 210.
[0039] The camera assembly 200 may include an auxiliary mike unit
270 for inputting photographing-related voice when photographing.
The auxiliary mike unit 270 may be positioned at the side of the
flash 240.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, the turning unit 300 may include a cylindrical
shaft 310, a fixing protrusion 320, a can holder 330, a can unit
332, a spring insertion unit 333, a spring 340 and a fixing member
350. The cylindrical shaft 310 may be formed in a cylindrical shape
on the display main body 100. The fixing protrusion 320 may be formed
at the side of the cylindrical shaft 310. The cam holder 330 may
be rotatably inserted onto the cylindrical shaft 310 and fixedly
coupled to the camera assembly 200. The cam unit 332 may be formed
at one side end of a cylindrical unit 331 having a larger inside
diameter than an outside diameter of the cylindrical shaft 310 and
a predetermined length. The spring insertion unit 333 may be formed
at the other side of the cylindrical unit 331. The spring 340 may
be inserted into the spring insertion unit 333 of the cam holder
330. The fixing member 350 may be fixedly coupled to the cylindrical
shaft 310 inserted into the cylindrical unit 331 of the cam holder
330 for fixedly supporting the spring 340.
[0041] The cylindrical shaft 310 may be formed on one surface of
the main body casing 120 of the display main body 100 contacting
the camera assembly 200. The cylindrical shaft 310 may be vertical
to the surface. A through hole (not shown) corresponding to an inside
diameter of the cylindrical shaft 310 may be formed on the surface
of the main body casing 120 on which the cylindrical shaft 310 has
been formed. Lines connecting the components of the camera assembly
200 to the components of the display main body 100 may be coupled
through the through hole.
[0042] The fixing protrusion 320 may be formed on one surface of
the main body casing 120 at the side of the cylindrical shaft 310.
[0043] The cam unit 332 of the cam holder 330 may be formed at
the end of the cylindrical unit 331 in a waveform shape having a
plurality of concave and convex parts. An angle of rotating the
cam holder 330 may be dependent upon a number of the waveform shapes.
When the number of the waveforms increases, the angle of rotating
the cam holder 330 may decrease.
[0044] The fixing member 350 may be a nut. A thread to which the
nut may be coupled may be formed on the outer circumferential surface
of the cylindrical shaft 310. The outside diameter of the fixing
member 250 may be equal to or larger than the outside diameter of
the spring 340.
[0045] Coupling units 334 having a predetermined thickness and
length may be formed at both sides of the outer circumferential
surface of the cylindrical unit 331 of the cam holder 330, respectively,
and through holes 335 may be formed on the coupling units 334. Screw
holes 224 corresponding to the through holes 335 of the coupling
units 334 may be formed on one surface of the camera assembly 200
contacting one surface of the display main body 100 (i.e., namely
one surface of the camera casing 220 of the camera assembly 200).
An insertion hole 225 into which the spring insertion unit 333 and
the cylindrical unit 331 of the cam holder 330 are inserted may
be formed between the screw holes 224.
[0046] The surface of the camera casing 220 contacting the display
main body 100 may be separated as an individual plate. FIG. 7 further
shows screws 281 and screw holes 282, 283.
[0047] The coupling operation of the turning unit 300 will now
be explained. The cylindrical shaft 310 may be inserted into the
cylindrical unit 331 of the cam holder 330. The spring 340 may be
inserted into the spring insertion unit 333 of the cam holder 330
and the fixing member 350 may be fixedly coupled to the end of the
cylindrical shaft 310 compressing the spring 340. The cam unit 332
of the cam holder 330 may adhere to one surface of the display main
body 100 by elasticity of the spring 340 and may be engaged with
the fixing protrusion 320. In a state where the spring insertion
unit 333 and the cylindrical unit 331 of the cam holder 330 are
inserted into the insertion hole 225 of the camera casing 220, the
coupling units 334 of the cam holder 330 may be fixedly coupled
to one surface of the camera casing 220 by a plurality of bolts
336.
[0048] The camera assembly 200 may be rotatably coupled to the
display main body 100 by the turning unit 300. When the camera assembly
200 is rotated, the cam unit 332 of the cam holder 330 and the fixing
protrusion 320 that form the turning unit 300 may adhere to each
other by the spring 340, and the cam holder 330 may be rotated.
[0049] A sensing device may be provided for sensing rotation of
the camera assembly 200. The sensing device may be formed on the
camera assembly 200 and the display main body 100. The sensing device
may include a magnet 391 mounted on the camera assembly 200, a sensor
392 mounted on one surface of the display main body 100 facing the
magnet 391 for sensing a magnetic field of the magnet 391, and a
signal line 393 for transmitting a signal sensed by the sensor 392.
[0050] As another example of the sensing device, a plurality of
magnets 391 may be circularly arranged at predetermined intervals
by using a rotation axis for a relative motion of the camera assembly
200 and the display main body 100 as a concentric axis.
[0051] When the camera assembly 200 is rotated, the sensor 392
of the sensing device may sense the magnetic field of the magnet
391 to detect a rotation number or angle of the camera assembly
200. Various signal input methods may be used according to rotation
of the camera assembly 200, or operation signals for turning on/off
power.
[0052] The speaker unit 500 may be installed on the camera assembly
200. More specifically, the speaker unit 500 may be installed on
one surface of the camera casing 220 on the opposite side to the
camera module 210.
[0053] The mike unit 600 may be installed on the display main body
100. More specifically, the mike unit 600 may be installed on the
main body casing 120 at sides of the control buttons 130. When the
user talks over the phone, the speaker unit 500 installed on the
camera assembly 200 and the mike unit 600 installed on the display
main body 100 are positioned on the same surface.
[0054] The terminal main body 400 may be formed in a hexahedral
shape having a predetermined thickness.
[0055] A keypad 410 for inputting information may be disposed on
one surface of the terminal main body 400 and a battery 420 may
be detachably mounted on the opposite surface thereof.
[0056] In FIG. 8, the sliding unit may include guide grooves 122
formed with a predetermined width and length on the mounting surface
of the display main body 100 on which the terminal main body 400
is mounted. A rack 123 may be formed on the mounting surface in
parallel to the guide grooves 122. Guide protrusions 430 may protrude
from one surface of the terminal main body 400 facing the mounting
surface of the display main body 100, and may be slidably inserted
into the guide grooves 122. A pinion 440 may be mounted on the terminal
main body 400 and engaged with the rack 123. A driving motor 450
may rotate the pinion 440.
[0057] The two guide grooves 122 may be formed in a length direction
of the display main body 100 at predetermined intervals. The guide
protrusions 430 may be press-fit into the guide grooves 122 and
formed in a hook shape having a slit groove 431 to be separated
from the guide grooves 122. The number of the guide protrusions
430 may correspond to the number of the guide grooves 122. That
is, when two guide grooves 122 are formed, two guide protrusions
430 may be formed.
[0058] The rack 123 may be formed in a length direction of the
terminal main body 400 and may be positioned between the two guide
grooves 122.
[0059] A through hole 124 having a predetermined area may be formed
on the mounting surface (i.e., one surface of the mounting unit
121 of the display main body 100). A through hole 460 corresponding
to the through hole 124 may be formed on one surface of the terminal
main body 400 facing the mounting surface of the display main body
100. The signal lines connecting the components of the display main
body 100 to the components of the terminal main body 400 may be
coupled through the through hole 124 of the display main body 100
and the through hole 460 of the terminal main body 400.
[0060] The pinion 440 may be positioned inside the through hole
460 of the display main body 100, and may be externally protruded
to be engaged with the rack 123 when the terminal main body 400
and the display main body 100 are coupled. The driving motor 450
may be mounted inside the terminal main body 400.
[0061] In the sliding unit, when the driving motor 450 is rotated
in a forward or backward direction, the pinion 440 coupled to the
driving motor 450 may be rotated in a forward or backward direction.
When the pinion 440 is rotated in the forward or backward direction,
the rack 123 engaged with the pinion 440 may perform a linear motion
in one direction or in an opposite direction. As the rack moves
123, the terminal main body 400 and the display main body 100 perform
a relative motion so that the terminal main body 400 can slide to/from
the mounting unit 121 of the display main body 100. The terminal
main body 400 may perform a linear motion within a limited distance
based on the guide grooves 122 and the guide protrusions 430.
[0062] According to another example of the coupling structure of
the display main body 100 and the terminal main body 400, the terminal
main body 400 may be hinge-coupled to one side of the display main
body 100 by a hinge device.
[0063] An open/close switch 470 may be provided for operating the
driving motor 450. Operational effects of the portable terminal
having a digital camera function in accordance with an example embodiment
of the present invention will now be described. The user may answer
the phone by pressing one of the control buttons 130 and phone another
user by pulling the terminal main body 400 from the display main
body 100 by the sliding unit and using the keypad 410 and the control
buttons 130 of the terminal main body 400. When the user answers
the phone or phones another user, the speaker unit 500, the display
110 and the mike unit 600 are positioned on the same surface. The
display 110 may display image information.
[0064] When the user presses the open/close switch 470, the terminal
main body 400 may slide to/from the mounting unit 121 of the display
main body 100 by the sliding unit.
[0065] On the other hand, when the user photographs a subject as
shown in FIG. 9, the user may position the camera module 210 and
the display 110 in the opposite directions by rotating the camera
assembly 200. The camera module 210 may be rotated by the turning
unit 300. In this state, the user may see an image of the subject
focused by the camera module 210 and displayed on the display 110,
and photograph the wanted image of the subject. Here, the camera
module 210 and the display 110 may be positioned at different angles
such as at an angle of 180.degree. with respect to each other.
[0066] When the user photographs a subject in a lighted place,
the user may not clearly distinguish the image of the subject displayed
on the display 110. Accordingly, the user may photograph the subject
seeing the subject with the naked eye through the direct perspective
device 260.
[0067] When the user photographs himself/herself, as shown in FIG.
10, the user may position the camera module 210 and the display
110 in the same direction by rotating the camera assembly 200. The
user may see his/her image focused by the camera module 210 and
displayed on the display 110, and photograph the wanted image.
[0068] The user may photograph a still image or dynamic images
of the subject or the user himself/herself when the terminal main
body 400 slides to/from the mounting unit 121 of the display main
body 100.
[0069] In embodiments of the present invention, the portable terminal
having the digital camera function may allow the user to perform
voice communication and photograph the subject or the user himself/herself
by rotating the camera assembly 200 or the display main body 100.
Therefore, the photographing process may be simplified. Conversely,
the portable terminal may not be convenient since the user may have
to open the folder 20 to photograph the subject or the user himself/herself.
[0070] In addition, when the user is not able to clearly see the
subject through the display 110 in a lighted place, the user may
easily photograph the subject seeing the subject with the naked
eye.
[0071] Furthermore, the display main body 100 and the camera assembly
200 may be arranged in a straight line to improve the structural
intensity. The portable terminal having the digital camera function
may allow the user to perform voice communication and to easily
photograph still images or dynamic images resulting in the user's
satisfaction.
[0072] When the user photographs still images or dynamic images,
the portable terminal having the digital camera function shows high
structural intensity in the photographing state to prevent damages
by an external impact and improve reliability. As a result, the
portable terminal allows the user to freely photograph still images
or dynamic images with high satisfaction.
[0073] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary
and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The
present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.
The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative,
and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications,
and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In
the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the
structures described herein as performing the recited function and
not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.
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