Mobile Phone with Display Screen
The invention relates to phones and, in particular, is directed towards a mobile phone with a display screen.
The latest generation of mobile phones are capable of being used for voice, data and video and feature small display screens. Such phones may also be fitted with a small camera so as to be able to be used as video phones for surfing the internet and visual interaction with other users.
One of the disadvantages of the recent generation of mobile phones as mentioned above is that the screen is very small and the amount of data that can be shown at any one time is very limited. In addition, watching the screen to see the person one is talking to and trying to listen to what he or she is saying at the same time cannot be achieved in comfort without the use of an additional ear phone.
The present invention aims to overcome the above disadvantages .
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile phone comprising a case incorporating an outwardly facing display screen situated in an outer face thereof and an antenna, there being further provided a handset which can be carried within the case but which, in use, is arranged to be operated by a user holding the handset . Because the display screen is housed in a side panel of a separate carrying case, for instance a handbag, the display screen is not constrained to the minimalist dimensions of a conventional mobile phone handset. The increased size allows better user interaction with a much clearer, larger display being possible.
Preferably, the handset incorporates a speaker, microphone and dialling facilities, whereas the case houses the required mobile phone transceiver.
Preferably, the handset is linkable to the case by a wired connection. Alternatively, a wireless connection may be employed such as that available under "bluetooth" technology.
The handset may be voice activated.
A video camera may be incorporated, situated either in the case (preferably attached to the same face of the case as the screen) , or in the handset .
The display may have an auxiliary input so as to act as the display for, for instance, a DVD player.
In a case where a DVD player is provided, the DVD player may be carried inside the case.
The case may be, for instance, a ladies handbag, or a unisex case such as may be used for carrying money, parcels etc. The case may also be provided with interface means for allowing video presentations to be run and displayed utilising the display screen. A speaker may be included within the case.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic showing various elements of an embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention, wherein the case is a handbag.
Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown an LCD panel 1, forming a display screen of the apparatus, a transceiver 2 with retractable aerial 3, a video camera 4, a DVD player 5 and a handset 6.
Elements 1 to 4 are embodied within the case of the apparatus (not shown) . In use, the LCD panel 1 is formed in an outer face of the case, the transceiver 2 and retractable aerial are located at any suitable point in the case (preferably in their own dedicated housing compartment separate from a main compartment of the case with a tip of the retractable aerial being exposed so that it can be extended when required for use) , and the video camera 4 being either fixedly mounted to the case (preferably above the LCD panel 1) or being connectable to an interface of the apparatus by means of a small cable, so as to be available as an optional extra. For instance, there may be cases in which the video camera 4 is not actually required, such as when the case and handset are desired to be used simply as a mobile phone having internet surfing capabilities and when the user does not desire an image of himself or herself to be captured.
The DVD player 5 may also be regarded as an optional extra and can be carried around in the case and connected to an interface.
Handset 6 is generally shaped to have the form of a compact mobile phone, having a speaker arranged to form an earpiece of the handset, and a microphone arranged to form the mouthpiece of the handset, there also being provided the usual dialling keys etc. What the handset does not have however is a built in transceiver and retractable aerial as these are embodied in the case . By incorporating the transceiver and retractable aerial in the case, a more compact handset may be achieved and possible dangers relating to health hazards caused by microwave radiation avoided. The handset 6 may be connected to the case by means of by a simple wire connection, or alternatively may communicate with elements in the case by means of bluetooth technology. Such interconnection means are well known and are not illustrated in the drawing. The handset may be voice activated.
Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a representation of a case 7 incorporating the elements shown in Figure 1. As can be. seen from the external representation of the case 7, the LCD panel 1 is of a convenient size (for instance between 25cm2 and 180cm2 dependent on case size) and formed in an external face of the case and there is provided a small pouch 8 in which the handset may be stored when not in use.
Although not shown in the drawings, a protective panel or flap may be provided to cover up the LCD panel when not in use.
From the above, it can be seen that the apparatus of the present invention runs contrary to the current trend for providing more and more facilities on an increasingly small area by moving the display screen to the side panel of a personalised carrier such as a handbag to allow the handset to be the best ergonomic size and shape while providing a large and clear display means.
It will be evident to the skilled man that elements such as a power source and suitable device interfaces and interconnections are provided in the apparatus of the invention and that such elements will operate in a conventional manner. They are omitted from the drawings and this description in the interests of clarity.
The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s) . The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.