Foldable keyboard for mobile communications device

• US 20020006815A1
• Filed: 05/16/2001
• Published: 01/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Finke-Anlauff, Andrea
• Application Number:
  US09/859,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20020006815A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/169 the I/O peripheral being an integrated pointing device, e.g. trackball in the palm rest area, mini-joystick integrated between keyboard keys, touch pads or touch stripes G06F1/1643 takes precedence; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A compact computer devise is provided with a display screen and a full function keyboard for use as a personal information manager or similar purpose. The keyboard is constructed in two portions positioned on opposite sides of the screen of the device to allow holding with both hands and operation with the thumb.

Claims

1. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising:

an enclosure having a top cover which provides the operational surface of the device;

a screen constructed at a central location in said operational surface to provide a visible display of information to the user, said screen dividing the operational surface into left and right panels; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in said left panel and a second portion constructed in said right panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative engagement by the user.

2. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said function keyboard comprises a full function QWERTY key array split in said first and second portions.

3. A function keyboard for use in a personal computer device, said computer device having an operational surface and a screen for displaying information to the user, said screen dividing said operational surface into left and right panels, said keyboard comprising:

a first array of keys mounted in said left panel;

a second array of keys mounted in said right panel; and

wherein said left and right arrays are positioned to allow operation thereof by use of thumbs while the device is held in the hands of the user.

4. A function keyboard for use in a personal computer device, said computer device having an operational surface and a screen for displaying information to the user, said screen dividing said operational surface into left and right panels, said keyboard, as described in claim 3, wherein said function keyboard comprises a full function QWERTY key array split in said left and right panels.