Retractable rotatable camera module for mobile communication device and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A mobile communication device having a camera module and a method of operating a mobile communication device having a camera module. In one embodiment, the mobile communication device includes: ( 1 ) a main body and ( 2 ) a camera module, coupled to the main body and configured for movement with respect thereto between a retracted position and an exposed position and rotatable in the exposed position about at least one axis of rotation.

1 . A mobile communication device, comprising: 
 a main body; and    a camera module, coupled to said main body and configured for movement with respect thereto between a retracted position and an exposed position and rotatable in said exposed position about at least one axis of rotation.    
   
   
       2 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said camera module translates to move between said retracted position and said exposed position.  
   
   
       3 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one axis of rotation is essentially perpendicular to a direction of said movement.  
   
   
       4 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said camera module is rotatable at least from a front side position to a back side position in said exposed position.  
   
   
       5 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said camera module is rotatable about at least two axes of rotation in said exposed position.  
   
   
       6 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 5  wherein said two axes of rotation are essentially perpendicular.  
   
   
       7 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a user-releasable retainer for retaining said camera module in said retracted position.  
   
   
       8 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a spring mechanism that automatically ejects said camera module from said retracted position to said exposed position.  
   
   
       9 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1 , comprising detection means for detecting a position of said camera module relative to said main body.  
   
   
       10 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 9 , comprising a memory with at least one stored program and a microprocessor by which said program can be executed, said program being started automatically when said detection means detects a certain position of said camera module.  
   
   
       11 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a flash coupled to said camera module.  
   
   
       12 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a user-activatable self-timer that automatically takes a photograph after a certain delay time and an indicator that indicates an elapsing of said delay time.  
   
   
       13 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 12  wherein said indicator is a light-emitting diode (LED).  
   
   
       14 . A mobile communication device, comprising: 
 a main body having attaching means for attaching a camera module; and    a camera module having complementary attaching means to said main body, such that said camera module is movable with respect to said main body from a retracted position to an exposed position and is rotatable in said exposed position about at least one axis of rotation.    
   
   
       15 . The mobile communication device as recited in  claim 14  wherein said attaching means of said main body comprises means for moving the camera module from the retracted position to said exposed position and means for rotating said camera module in said exposed position about at least one axis of rotation.  
   
   
       16 . A camera module, comprising: 
 attaching means for attaching said camera module to complementary attaching means of a mobile communication device; and    a camera, coupled to said attaching means, said camera movable with respect to a main body of said mobile communication device from a retracted position to an exposed position and rotatable in said exposed position about at least one axis of rotation.    
   
   
       17 . A method of operating a retractable rotatable camera module, comprising: 
 deploying said camera module by releasing a user-releasable retainer, said camera module to move from a retracted position to an exposed position with respect to a main body of an associated mobile communication device; and    rotating said camera module about at least one axis of rotation.    
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 17  further comprising detecting a position of said camera module relative to said main body.  
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 18  wherein said detecting comprises detecting a rotational orientation of said camera module.  
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 18  further comprising automatically configuring a display of said mobile communication device for a particular application.