Folding type portable communication device

• US 20020009192A1
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Published: 01/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Futoshi
• Granted Patent: US 6,999,585 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/433.01
• 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 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones

Abstract

The present invention is intended to simplify operation of a folding type portable communication device 1 in making a switch or selection between a calling reception vibration mode and a calling reception sound mode. The device 1 has two communication units 2 and 3. A two-level switch 4 can detect an unfolded position or a folded position of the communication units 2 and 3, a causing a mode selector 5 to select a calling reception vibration mode or a calling reception sound mode. The mode selector 5 has a first circuit 14 for driving a vibrator 6 and a second circuit 15 for driving a sounder 7. The mode selector S has a controller 16. The controller 16 energizes one of the first and second circuits 14 and 15 in response to the selected mode upon reception of a calling.

Claims

1. A folding type portable communication device, comprising;

two communication units connected to each other in a foldable manner and having a folded position and an unfolded position;

a two-level switch for detecting which one of the folded and unfolded position the two communication units have, the switch providing a first level when the two communication units have the folded position and a second level when the two communication units have the unfolded position;

a vibrator;

a sounder;

a mode selector operatively coupled with the two level switch, the vibrator and the sounder for selectively providing setting for one of a calling reception vibration mode and a calling reception sound mode in response to the level provided by the two-level switch,

the mode selector including a first circuit for driving the vibrator when energized and a second circuit for driving the sounder when energized,

the mode selector including a controller for energizing the first circuit upon reception of a calling when the setting for the calling reception vibration mode is provided and the second circuit upon reception of a calling when the setting for the calling reception sound mode is provided.

2. A folding type portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller energizes the first circuit upon reception of a calling when the two-level switch provides the first level indicating that the two communication units have the folded position, and where the controller energizes the second controller upon reception of a calling when the two-level switch provides the second level indicating that the two communication units have the unfolded position.

3. A folding type portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller energizes the first circuit upon reception of a calling when the two-level switch provides the second level indicating that the two communication units have the unfolded position, and where the controller energizes the second controller upon reception of a calling when the two-level switch provides the first level indicating that the two communication units have the folded position.

4. A folding type portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mode selector includes a memory coupled with the controller, and wherein the memory stores the settings for the calling reception vibration mode and calling reception sound mode.

5. A folding type portable communication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two-level switch includes a magnet mounted within one of the two communication units and a detector mounted within the other communication unit for detecting a magnetic field provided by the magnet.

6. A folding type portable communication device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the magnet is brought into registry with the detector when the two communication units have the folded position.

7. A method of controlling a selection between a calling reception vibration mode and a calling reception sound mode of a folding type portable communication device that has two communication units connected to each other in a foldable manner and having a folded position and an unfolded position, the method comprising;

detecting which one of the folded and unfolded position the two communication units have;

providing setting for the calling reception vibration mode upon detecting the folded position; and

providing setting for the calling reception sound mode upon detecting the unfolded position.