# US 7,746,406 B2 · Folded compact image capture apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,746,406 B2 - Document ID: US7746406B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/740,568 - Filed: 2003-12-22 - Published: 2004-07-08 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 1997-12-23 - Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Ji-yun Park - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746406B2 ## CPC - H04M 1/0218: {The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means} - H04M 1/0214: {Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position (combined with translation movement H04M1/0235)} - H04N 1/00307: {with a mobile telephone apparatus (constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00)} - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04M 1/0264: {for a camera module assembly} - H04M 2250/52: including functional features of a camera - H04N 2101/00: Still video cameras - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A digital still camera includes a main body; a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel coupled rotatably to an end portion of the main body of the camera in such a manner that a display portion thereof faces said main body; and a lens housing inserted rotatably and independently into a space formed in a portion where the main body and the LCD panel are coupled. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image capture apparatus, comprising: a main member having an inner face and a cover face opposite said inner face: a display support member having a front face and a back face opposite said front face, a display screen being disposed on said front face, said display support member and said main member being rotatably coupled together at a coupling end such that at least one of said display support member and said main member is rotatable so as to allow said image capture apparatus to be in a folded position, in which said inner face and said front face oppose each other in substantially parallel planes, and in an unfolded position, in which said cover face and said back face are angled relative to each other; and a lens housing having enclosed therein a lens for capturing an image of an object, said lens housing being rotatable independently of the rotation of at least one of said main member and said display support member so as to allow said lens to be visibly exposed when said image capture apparatus is in said folded position, wherein the rotation of the lens housing allows the lens to selectively be visibly exposed or not be visibly exposed when said image capture apparatus is in said folded position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image capture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said main member includes at least one operation key disposed thereon for controlling said image capture apparatus. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image capture apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: said at least one operation key comprises a capture key for initiating said capturing said image of said object. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image capture apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: said capture key is disposed on said inner face. ### Claim 5 An image capture apparatus, comprising: a main member having an inner face and a cover face opposite said inner face: a display support member having a front face and a back face opposite said front face, a display screen being disposed on said front face, said display support member and said main member being rotatably coupled together at a coupling end such that at least one of said display support member and said main member is rotatable so as to allow said image capture apparatus to be in a folded position, in which said inner face and said front face oppose each other in substantially parallel planes, and in an unfolded position, in which said cover face and said back face are angled relative to each other; and a lens housing having enclosed therein a lens for capturing an image of an object, said lens housing being rotatable independently of the rotation of at least one of said main member and said display support member so as to allow said lens to be visibly exposed when said image capture apparatus is in said folded position, wherein said lens housing is disposed in a cut-out portion formed in said main body member and said display member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The image capture apparatus of claim 5, wherein a shape of the cut-out portion conforms to a shape of the lens housing. ### Claim 7 An apparatus comprising: a first portion; a second portion having a display, next to the first portion; a lens; and a housing received within the first and second portions to house the lens, the housing being rotatable independent of the first and second portions, the housing and the first and second portions being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 8 An image capture apparatus, comprising: a main body having an end portion; a display panel having a display portion and coupled rotatably to the end portion of said main body so that said display portion faces said main body in a folded position; and a lens housing inserted into a space formed between said main body and said display panel where the main body and the display panel are coupled, said lens housing being rotatable independently of at least one of said main body and said display panel, the housing and the first and second portions being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 9 An apparatus, comprising: a first portion, comprising: a front face, and a back face; a second portion, comprising: a front face, a display on the front face of the second portion, and a back face; a lens; a housing to house the lens, the housing being inserted in a cutout extending from the front to the back faces of the first and second portions; and a rotating unit to allow independent rotation of the housing relative to the first and second portions, the cutout accommodating the housing and not the rotating unit, the housing and the first and second portions being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 10 An apparatus, comprising: a first portion, comprising: a front face, and a back face; a second portion, comprising: a front face, a display on the front face of the second portion, and a back face; a lens; a housing to house the lens, the housing being inserted in a cutout extending from the front to the back faces of the first and second portions; and a rotating unit to allow independent rotation of the housing relative to the first and second portions, the cutout accommodating the housing and not the rotating unit, wherein the rotating unit is not between the first and second portions, the housing and the first and second portions being rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 11 An apparatus comprising: a main body having a front face, a back face, and an end portion; a display panel having a display portion and being rotatably coupled to the end portion of the main body; and a lens housing positioned between the main body and the display portion to capture an image, the lens housing being rotatable to point in a direction of the front face and to point in a direction of the back face. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the front face of the main body includes at least one operational key. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cutout portion in the main body to expose the lens housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a cutout portion in the display panel to expose the lens housing. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: a main body having an end portion, the main body including at least one operational key; a display panel having a display portion and rotatably coupled to the end portion of the main body; and a lens housing positioned in a cutout space formed between the main body and the display panel to capture an image, the lens housing being rotatable independent of at least the main body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the main body has a front face including the at least one operational key and a back face, the lens housing being rotatable to point in the direction of the back face. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cutout space is formed in the main body to expose the lens housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cutout space is formed in the display panel to expose the lens housing. ### Claim 19 An apparatus comprising: a main body having a front face, a back face, and an end portion; a display panel having a display portion and being rotatably coupled to the end portion of the main body; and a lens housing positioned between the main body and the display portion to capture an image, the lens housing being independently rotatable relative to the main body and to the display panel, such that the lens housing is rotatable to point in a direction of the front face and to point in a direction of the back face. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a cutout portion in the main body to expose the lens housing. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a cutout portion in the display panel to expose the lens housing.