United States Patent [19]
`Umezawa et al.
`
`[54] VIDEO TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Koichi Umezawa, Tokyo; Hiroyuki
`Kuriyama, Yokohama; Takanori
`Nishiyama, Mitaka; Kiyoshi Ishida,
`Yokohama; lwao Ishinabe, Koganei, all
`of Japan
`
`[73] Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd., Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 139,700
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`[30]
`
`Oct. 22, 1993
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`[JP]
`
`Japan .................................... 4-286467
`
`Oct. 23, 1992
`Int. Cl.6
`.................................................... H04M 11100
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI . ................................ 348/14; 379/433; 379/58
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 379/433, 434,
`379/93, 96-99, 90, 110, 58, 61; 455/89,
`90; 348/14, 20; H04N 7112, 7114
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`D. 297,734
`D. 297,735
`3,233,346
`4,796,288
`5,151,946
`5,177,784
`5,280,524
`
`9/1988 Soren et al ..
`9/1988 Soren et al ..
`2/1966 Cornberg .................................. 348/14
`1/1989 Busche et al ........................... 379/433
`9/1992 Martensson ............................. 379/433
`1/1993 Hu et al. ................................. 379/433
`111994 Norris ..................................... 379/430
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US005491507A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[ 45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,491,507
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`911991 France ................................... 379/433
`2659514
`2/1985
`Japan .
`60-21636
`61-104653
`711986
`Japan .
`511989
`Japan ..................................... 379/433
`1-120159
`8/1989
`Japan .
`774750
`9/1989
`Japan ..................................... 379/434
`1-227555
`3-109891
`511991
`Japan ............................... H04N 7114
`711991
`Japan ....................................... 455/89
`3-162024
`4-117849
`411992
`Japan.
`8909524 1011989 WIPO .................................... 379/433
`
`Primary Examiner-Wing F. Chan
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Evenson, McKeown, Edwards &
`Lenahan
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A handy type video telephone equipment which permits a
`user to transmit and receive pictures and speech with a
`casing held in one hand. A speaker is arranged at the upper
`end part of the front of the casing which is thin and vertically
`long, while a microphone is arranged at the lower end part
`thereof. A display panel and a control panel are interposed
`between the speaker and the microphone. A camera is
`mounted on the casing so as to be capable of altering its
`angle. The speaker is detachably mounted, and it is usable as
`an earphone when detached. The user's movements are not
`hampered during the transmission and reception, and the
`equipment can assume various communication or service
`attitudes conforming to the contents of information for the
`communications.
`
`0492748
`
`711992 European Pat. Off ................ 379/433
`
`12 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets
`
`6
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`Page 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13,1996
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`Sheet 1 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`F I G . l
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 2 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`Fl G. 2
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`21a
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`3
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`36
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`33
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`35a
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`9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 3 of 23
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`F \G. 3
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`17
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`3
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`90
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 4 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG. 4
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`Page 5
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 5 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG 6 5
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 6 of 23
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`FIG. 6
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 7 of 23
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 8 of 23
`FIG.S{A)
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 9 of 23
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13,1996
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`Sheet 10 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG. 10 (A)
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`Page 11
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 11 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 12 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`U.S. -patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sbeet 13 of 23
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`5,491,50'1
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`Sheet 14 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 15 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG.I5
`
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`
`53b
`
`51 a.
`
`56/
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`Sheet 16 of 23
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`5,491,507
`
`FIG .16 (A)
`
`FIG.I6(8)
`
`p
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 17 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`Page 18
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 18 of 23
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`f \G. \8
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`5,491,507
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`59
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`Page 19
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`Sheet 19 of 23
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`5,491,507
`
`FIG . I 9
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`Sheet 20 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG. 20
`
`59
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sheet 21 of 23
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`5,491,507
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`Page 22
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`

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`u.s. Patent
`
`Sheet 22 of 23
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`F \G • 2 2
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`5,491,507
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`Apple Ex. 1007
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`Sheet 23 of 23
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`5,491,507
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`FIG. 23
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`21
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`68
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`67
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`70
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`5,491,507
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`1
`VIDEO TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`40
`
`The present invention has been made in order to solve the
`drawbacks stated above, and has as its first object to provide
`a video telephone equipment which permits a user to trans(cid:173)
`mit and receive pictures and speech with the casing thereof
`held in one hand.
`The second object of the present invention is to provide a
`video telephone equipment which can assume both a vocal
`telephonic communication attitude corresponding to speech
`and a visual telephonic communication attitude correspond(cid:173)
`ing to both a picture and speech, with the casing thereof held 45
`in one hand by a user, and which ensures good transmission
`and reception in each of the attitudes.
`The third object of the present invention is to provide a
`video telephone equipment which can assume both a carried 50
`telephonic communication attitude with the casing thereof
`held in one hand by a user and an installed telephonic
`communication attitude with the whole equipment installed
`on a table or the like, and which ensures good transmission
`and reception in each of the attitudes.
`The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a
`compact video telephone equipment which can transmit and
`receive pictures and speech with the casing thereof held in
`one hand by a user, and which can be favorably stored with
`the control panel and display panel thereof concealed.
`In one aspect of performance of the present invention,
`there is provided a video telephone equipment, comprising
`signal processing means for permitting at least either of a
`vocal communication and a visual communication; a
`speaker which emits received speech for the vocal commu- 65
`nication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-trans(cid:173)
`mitted for said vocal communication; a display panel which
`
`55
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to video telephone equip(cid:173)
`ment, and more particularly to a video telephone equipment
`of so-called handy type which permits a user to transmit and
`receive pictures and speech with its casing held in one hand.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`As a handy type video telephone equipment in the prior
`art, there has been proposed a video telephone set wherein
`a display panel, a control panel and a speaker are respec(cid:173)
`tively arranged in the upper part, middle part and lowermost 15
`part of the front of the thin body of the telephone set as
`disclosed in Japanese Design Registration No. 774750.
`Since the prior-art example is furnished with the display
`panel and the speaker, the user thereof can receive a picture
`and speech from the opposite party of a telephone conver(cid:173)
`sation. This example, however, is chiefly intended for visual
`communication and does not sufficiently have the transmis(cid:173)
`sion and reception of speech only taken into account.
`Especially, no measure is taken for a case where the user
`does not want nearby persons to hear the voice of the
`opposite party. Further, in the prior-art example the body
`cannot stand by itself when it is at such an angle that the user
`can easily see the display panel, so that the use of the
`telephone set on a table is not considered. Besides, since the
`display panel, control panel and speaker are always exposed,
`countermeasures against external shocks, dust and malfunc(cid:173)
`tions are not considered.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`2
`displays a received picture for the visual communication; a
`camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted for the visual
`communication; a control panel through which a user of the
`video telephone equipment gives an operation command to
`the signal processing means; and a casing which is provided
`with the display panel, the speaker and the microphone; the
`display panel being arranged between the speaker and the
`microphone on the casing.
`In this case, the video telephone equipment should pref-
`10 erably further comprise camera holding means for holding
`the camera in a snare in which an angular position thereof
`relative to the casing is alterable.
`In the second aspect of performance of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a video telephone equipment, com(cid:173)
`prising signal processing means for permitting at least either
`of a vocal communication and a visual communication; a
`speaker which emits received speech for the vocal commu-
`nication; a casing which is provided with the speaker; a
`microphone which accepts speech to-be-transmitted for the
`vocal communication; a display panel which displays a
`received picture for the visual communication; a camera
`which takes a picture to-be-transmitted for the visual com(cid:173)
`munication; a control panel through which a user of the
`video telephone equipment gives an operation command to
`the signal the speaker in a state in which it is detachable from
`the casing.
`In the third aspect of performance of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a video telephone equipment, com(cid:173)
`prising signal processing means for permitting at least either
`of a vocal communication and a visual communication; a
`speaker which emits received speech for the vocal commu-
`nication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-trans(cid:173)
`mitted for the vocal communication; a display panel which
`displays a received picture for the visual communication; a
`35 camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted for the visual
`communication; a control panel through which a user of the
`video telephone equipment gives an operation command to
`the signal processing means; a first casing in which the
`microphone is encased; a second casing in which the speaker
`is encased; and coupling means for coupling the first and
`second casings in a state in which angles thereof are alter(cid:173)
`able.
`In this case, the angle of the first casing should preferably
`be alterable both frontwards and rearwards with respect to
`the angle thereof at which the first casing is even with the
`second casing.
`Besides, the coupling means may well couple the first and
`second casings in a state in which the first casing is slidable
`perpendicularly to an axial direction of the coupling.
`Further, the video telephone equipment should preferably
`comprise camera holding means for holding the camera
`adjacent to the first casing. The camera holding means may
`well hold the camera at coupled parts of the first and second
`casings.
`The camera holding means should preferably include
`angle keeping means for bringing an optic axis of the camera
`into a direction of an angle of 8/2 where 8 denotes an angle
`which is defined at the coupled parts by the first and second
`60 casings.
`It is preferable that, when the first and second casings are
`placed one over the other by altering the coupling angle,
`their surfaces which confront each other are substantially
`identical in shape and in area.
`In the fourth aspect of performance of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided a video telephone equipment, com(cid:173)
`prising signal processing means for permitting at least either
`
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`5,491,507
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`4
`3
`in which the casing is located in front of the user, but also
`of a vocal communication and a visual communication; a
`a vocal communication attitude which corresponds to only
`speaker which emits received speech for the vocal commu(cid:173)
`nication; a microphone which accepts speech to-be-trans(cid:173)
`speech and in which the speaker and the microphone are
`mitted for the vocal communication; a display panel which
`respectively located in the vicinities of the user's ear and
`displays a received picture for the visual communication; a 5
`mouth, so that the user can select the telephonic communi(cid:173)
`camera which takes a picture to-be-transmitted for the visual
`cation attitude which is suitable for the contents of the
`communication; a control panel through which a user of the
`information of the telephone conversation. Yet in addition,
`video telephone equipment gives an operation command to
`the equipment can assume, not only a carried telephonic
`the signal processing means; a first casing in which the
`communication attitude in which the casing is held in one
`microphone is encased; a second casing in which the speaker 10 hand by the user, but also an installed telephonic commu(cid:173)
`is encased; a third casing in which the display panel is
`nication attitude in which the casing Is installed on a table
`encased; first coupling means for coupling the first and third
`or the like, so that the user can select any of the multifarious
`casings; and second coupling means for coupling the second
`telephonic communication attitudes. Besides, in the working
`and third casings; at least the second one of the first and
`or service state of the equipment, the full length thereof can
`second coupling means being capable of altering an angle of
`15 be suited to the user's ear and mouth by exposing the control
`the coupling thereof.
`panel and the display panel, whereas in the stored state of the
`In this case, it is preferable that an angle of the first casing
`equipment, the full length thereof can be shortened with the
`is alterable both frontwards and rearwards at a part thereof
`control panel and the display panel being concealed, so that
`coupled by the second coupling means, with respect to an
`the storability and portability of the equipment are high.
`angle thereof at which the first casing is even with the third
`20 Further, since the speaker can be used in the detached state,
`casing.
`the equipment exhibits a high versatility in use.
`It is preferable that, when the first and third casings are
`BRIEF DESCRWTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`placed one over the other by altering an angle of the
`coupling, their surfaces which confront each other are sub(cid:173)
`stantially identical in shape and in area.
`The video telephone equipment should preferably further
`comprise a hood which intercepts external light entering the
`display panel; and hood fastening engagement means for
`fastening the hood in engagement with the second casing.
`The hood fastening engagement means should preferably 30
`fasten the hood in engagement in a state in which it is
`openably shut. In addition, the hood should preferably have
`a through hole extending between front and rear surfaces
`thereof.
`The video telephone equipment should preferably further 35
`comprise camera holding means for holding the camera
`adjacent to the second casing.
`In
`the video
`telephone equipment constructed as
`described above, the speaker and the microphone are so
`arranged that, when the former is held to the user's ear, the
`latter lies near his/her mouth. Besides, the display panel is
`arranged between the speaker and the microphone.
`In this case, the body of the equipment for encasing the
`speaker, microphone and display panel therein may be 45
`configured of either the single casing or the plurality of
`casings. In the latter configuration, when the individual
`casings are coupled by hinges in order that the angles
`between the respectively adjacent casings may be alterable,
`the equipment can assume a variety of attitudes according to 50
`circumstances, such as a storage attitude for storing the
`equipment and a visual telephonic communication attitude
`for permitting both the vocal and visual communications.
`By the way, since the movable camera is mounted on the
`casing, the user can transmit and receive pictures and speech 55
`with the casing held in one hand. Also, since the hood is
`comprised, the display panel can be prevented from being
`affected by the light falling thereon from outside the equip(cid:173)
`ment. Besides, the speaker is detachably held, and it is
`usable in both the attached state and detached state thereof.
`In accordance with the present invention, various effects
`are brought forth as stated below. Since the equipment can
`transmit and receive pictures and speech with the casing
`held in one hand, the user's movements are not hampered
`during transmission and reception. In addition, the equip(cid:173)
`ment can assume, not only the visual communication atti(cid:173)
`tude which corresponds to both the picture and speech and
`
`FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the vocal
`25 communication attitude of a video telephone equipment in
`the first embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the vocal
`communication attitude of the first embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the interior functional
`modules of the video telephone equipment;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of the interior functional
`modules;
`FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing an ear pad;
`FIG. 6 is a right side view for explaining the turning
`operation of a camera;
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the visual commu(cid:173)
`nication attitude of the first embodiment of the present
`invention;
`FIGS. 8(A), 8(B) and 8(C) are a top view, a side view and
`a front view, respectively showing the vocal communication
`attitude;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the visual commu(cid:173)
`nication attitude of a video telephone equipment in the
`second embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are a fragmentary front view and
`a side view, respectively showing the operating states of the
`second embodiment;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude
`of the second embodiment;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the visual com(cid:173)
`munication attitude of the second embodiment;
`FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the visual com(cid:173)
`munication attitude of a video telephone equipment in the
`third embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude
`60 of the third embodiment;
`FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view showing a holding
`mechanism and hinges for a camera included in the third
`embodiment;
`FIGS. 16(A) and 16(B) are explanatory views showing
`the angular positions of the camera in the third embodiment
`in the state of a narrow open angle and in the state of a wide
`open angle, respectively;
`
`40
`
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`5,491,507
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`5
`FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the vocal commu(cid:173)
`nication attitude of a video telephone equipment in the
`fourth embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude
`of the fourth embodiment;
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the visual com(cid:173)
`munication attitude of the fourth embodiment;
`FIG. 20 is a view for explaining the operating states of the
`fourth embodiment;
`FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing the visual com(cid:173)
`munication attitude of a video telephone equipment in the
`fifth embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing the storage attitude
`of the fifth embodiment; and
`FIG. 23 is a view for explaining the operating states of the
`fifth embodiment.
`
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Now, the embodiments of handy type video telephone
`equipment according to the present invention will be
`described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 thru 23.
`FIG. 1 thru FIGS. 8(A)-8(C) illustrate the first embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the handy type video telephone equipment accord(cid:173)
`ing to the present invention.
`The exterior structure of this embodiment will be outlined
`with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are front and rear 30
`perspective views of this embodiment, respectively. The
`handy type video telephone equipment generally indicated
`by numeral 1 is mainly constructed of the body 2 thereof
`which is thin and fiat and which is in a vertically long shape,
`a camera 3 which is tumably mounted on the right side 35
`surface of the body 2, an ear pad 4 which is foldably
`mounted on the upper part of the front of the body 2, a
`speaker 6 which is arranged at the central part of the ear pad
`4, an antenna 21 which is mounted on the right side of the
`top surface of the body 2, and a battery assembly 9 which is 40
`detachably mounted on the lower part of the rear surface of
`the body 2. In addition, a grip 35 (chamfered parts 35a) is
`formed extending from the rear surface of the handy type
`video telephone equipment 1 to both the side surfaces
`thereof.
`A display panel 11, a transmission/reception key 12, a
`termination key 13, a control panel14, function keys 15, and
`a microphone 16 are arranged on the front surface of the
`body 2, in addition to the ear pad 4.
`Here, the schematic layout of functional modules inside
`the equipment 1 will be explained.
`FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the functional
`modules, while FIG. 4 is a schematic layout view of the
`functional modules. The handy type video telephone equip(cid:173)
`ment 1 is furnished with a main circuit board 17 which
`includes a processor and a memory, a communication device
`18 which includes a radio/video coded, a cord reel 19, the
`speaker 6, the display panel 11 which is comprised of a
`liquid crystal, a control circuit board 20, the microphone 16,
`a battery 90 which constitutes the battery assembly 9, the
`antenna 21, and the camera 3.
`The main circuit board 17 is arranged on the rear side of
`the upper part of the internal structure (shown in FIG. 4)
`inside the body 2. The communication device 18 and the
`display panel 11 are arranged in front of the main circuit
`board 17. The control circuit board 20 is arranged below the
`
`45
`
`10
`
`15
`
`6
`display panelll, and the microphone 16 is below the control
`circuit board 20.
`The battery 90 is located below the main circuit board 17.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the battery assembly 9 is detachably
`5 attached to a rear cover 8.
`The antenna 21 is arranged obliquely above the commu(cid:173)
`nication device 18 on the right side thereof. This antenna 21
`is mounted on a fixture 21a (refer to FIG. 1) which is formed
`on the right side of the upper part of a front cover 7.
`The camera 3 is arranged on the right side of the main
`circuit board 17 and the communication device 18, and on
`the lower side of the antenna 21. This camera 3 is tumably
`mounted at the right outside position of the front cover 7 as
`seen from FIG. 1.
`The cord reel 19 serves to take up a connection cord 5
`(refer to FIG. 5) which transmits a signal to the speaker 6.
`As best shown in FIG. 5, the cord reel19 is arranged in the
`state in which it is buried halfway in the ear pad 4. In this
`regard, the speaker 6 is detachably held on the rotary shaft
`20 28 of the cord reel 19.
`Next, the structures of the individual components will be
`explained in detail.
`The body 2 is externally configured of the front cover 7
`and the rear cover 8 as clearly shown in FIG. 2. Most of the
`25 components stated above are packaged between the front
`cover 7 and the rear cover 8. These covers 7 and 8 are joined
`through a rubber packing into a drip-proof structure.
`Besides, a receptacle 10 for receiving the ear pad 4 therein
`is provided in the front upper part of the front cover 7 (refer
`to FIG. 7).
`As shown in FIG. 1, the ear pad 4 is formed with a lug 26a
`at the middle part of the lower end thereof, and the lug 26a
`is tumably or swingably coupled to a socket 26b which is
`formed in the front cover 7. Thus, the ear pad 4 is freely
`opened and shut with a fulcrum at the lower end thereof
`(exactly, at a pin 26c shown in FIG. 5). In the state in which
`the ear pad 4 is shut, the rear part thereof is received in the
`receptacle 10 and is made to feel unitary with the body 2. On
`the other hand, in the state in which the eat pad 4 is opened,
`it can be utilized as a hood which prevents external light
`from entering the display panelll disposed underneath. The
`opened state of the ear pad 4 is indicated at broken lines in
`FIG. 5.
`As shown in FIG. 5, a concavity 27 centrally having the
`rotary shaft 28 is formed in the front surface of the ear pad
`4. The cord reel19 is fitted into the concavity 27, and is held
`so as to be rotatable about the rotary shaft 28. The front side
`of the cord reel19 is exposed or uncovered. Thus, when the
`50 exposed part 29 is rotated by hand, the cord 5 can be taken
`up into a cord takeup space 19a. Besides, the exposed part
`29 is in the shape of a mortar, and it is centrally formed with
`a recess in which the speaker 6 can be detachably received
`(hereinbelow, the recess shall be called the "speaker fixture
`55 30"). By the way, the depth of the speaker fixture 30 is
`smaller than the thickness of the speaker 6. This is intended
`to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the speaker 6
`owing to the fact that, even when the speaker 6 is received
`in the speaker fixture 30, the former is partially protruded in
`60 front of the latter. The construction of the ear pad 4 adapted
`to be openably shut, is intended to cause this ear pad 4 to
`function as the hood. Accordingly, when such a use as the
`hood is not considered, the ear pad 4 and the speaker 6 may
`well be fixedly arranged at the upper part of the front of the
`65 body 2.
`In addition, the speaker fixture 30 is furnished with a
`detector switch 30a which detects whether or not the speaker
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`5,491,507
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`15
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`20
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`7
`6 is attached. Thus, the attached or detached state of the
`speaker 6 is decided on the basis of a signal produced
`through the detector switch 30a, and the sound volume of
`the speaker 6 is automatically adjusted to an appropriate
`level corresponding to the state of use.
`It is also possible for the speaker fixture 30 and the
`speaker 6 to be respectively provided with contacts, and for
`a voice signal to be input to the speaker 6 through the
`contacts without the intervention of the cord 5. In this case,
`the speaker 6 can be supplied with the voice signal through 10
`the contacts when it is attached to the speaker fixture 30, and
`through the cord 5 when it is used as an earphone. Alterna(cid:173)
`tively, the speaker 6 can be rendered wireless. Incidentally,
`any drip-proof measure should also preferably be taken for
`the contacts.
`In this manner, this embodiment is so constructed that the
`sound volume and tonal quality of the speaker 6 can be
`automatically altered in correspondence with the state of use
`thereof.
`As shown in FIG. 5, the connection cord 5 of the speaker
`6 is stored up in the cord takeup space 19a of the cord reel
`19 via an inlet 31. Incidentally, the inlet 31 is formed by
`cutting away part of the marginal edge of the concavity 27.
`In drawing out the speaker 6, the user of the equipment
`first pinches the speaker 6 and detaches it from the speaker
`fixture 30. Subsequently, he/she draws the speaker 6 toward
`him/her while pinching it. Then, the cord reel 19 is rotated,
`and the connection cord 5 is delivered out of the cord takeup
`space 19a. On the other hand, in setting up the speaker 6, the 30
`user rotates the exposed part 29 in the take up direction of the
`cord reel 19 by hand, thereby taking up the connection cord
`5 into the cord takeup space 19a. Lastly, he/she attaches the
`speaker 6 to the speaker fixture 30. Although, in this
`embodiment, the cord reel19 is partially exposed outside the
`ear pad 4 in order to manually perform the operation of
`taking up the cord 5, it may well be entirely contained in the
`ear pad 4 or the body 2 by providing an automatic takeup
`mechanism which includes, for example, a torsion spring.
`The camera 3 is endowed with an autofocusing function
`and an angle-of-view adjusting function (enlargement, tele(cid:173)
`scopy). As best shown in FIG. 1, the camera 3 has one end
`side thereof coupled with a pivot 32 which is mounted on the
`right side surface of the body 2 with respect to the display
`panel11 and which extends substantially perpendicularly to 45
`the side surface. Thus, the camera 3 is turnable frontwards
`and rearwards relative to the body 2. As indicated by
`dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 6, the turnable angles of the
`camera 3 are in a range of frontward 120° - rearward 120°.
`In addition, the pivot 32 is provided with radial ribs (not 50
`shown) at intervals of, for example, 5°, so that the camera 3
`can be fixed at any desired angle (though stepwise). Besides,
`the view points of the display panel 11 and the camera 3 are
`brought into coincidence to the utmost. The reason therefor
`is that, unless the camera 3 photographs the front of the 55
`person speaking, namely, the user, then the photographed
`person does not face frontways in a picture displayed on the
`video telephone set of the opposite person of the telephonic
`communication, so an unnatural impression is given.
`As shown in FIG. 6, a lens portion 24 provided at the 60
`distal end of the camera 3 is slidable in the longitudinal
`direction of this camera 3 relative to the body thereof. On the
`other hand, an indent 25 into which the foremost end of the
`lens portion 24 can be snugly fitted is formed at the lower
`end of the fixture 21a of the antenna 21 (refer also to FIG. 65
`1). In a case where the lens portion 24 is pulled up and is
`brought into engagement with the indent 25 in the state
`
`8
`(shown in FIG. 6) in which the longitudinal direction of the
`camera 3 agrees with that of the telephone equipment 1, the
`camera 3 can be fixed into a storage state. In the storage
`state, the lens portion 24 can be protected from waterdrops
`5 and dust (refer to FIG. 6).
`As shown in FIG. 1, a pause button 37 is provided at the
`rearrnost end of the camera 3. When the pause button 37 is
`depressed under the telephone conversation based on the
`visual telephonic communication function of the equipment
`1, the photographing operation of the camera 3 (or the
`transmission of a photographed picture) is temporarily
`stopped. Accordingly, when the pause mode is utilized in
`case of, for example, turning the camera 3 during the
`telephone conversation, an unwanted picture taken during
`the turning operation can be cut. In the case of suspending
`the photographing, the signal of a specified display picture
`(for example, a picture which is blue over the whole area
`thereof) may well be transmitted instead of the photo(cid:173)
`graphed picture.
`The display panel 11 is covered with a semitransparent
`plate 22 (refer to FIG. 1). The semitransparent plate 22
`serves for the protection of the display panel11, and so forth.
`It is provided to be even with the front cover 7.
`The control panel 14 in this embodiment is made of a
`liquid