Handheld mobile communication device

• US 20030073456A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason T., Ladouceur, Norman M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,743 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation

Abstract

A digital communications device with a reduced size, enhanced keyboard and large screen is disclosed. The mobile device has an auxiliary input such as a keyboard with a plurality of keys that is arranged in a first position to minimize the size of the device, and in a second position to enable the use of the auxiliary input in conjunction with other auxiliary inputs and the display. When in the first position, the keyboard is used to make telephone inputs and when in the second position, the keyboard is used to make textual inputs.

Claims

1. A handheld mobile communication device for transmitting and receiving data, the device comprising:

a display mounted in a first housing, for displaying information to a user; and

an auxiliary input mounted in a second housing, for inputting data, the second housing movable in relation to the first housing between a closed position, which situates the auxiliary input behind the display, and an open position, in which the auxiliary input and the display are positioned to allow simultaneous viewing and input;

wherein the auxiliary input is further operable for dialling a telephone number in the closed position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second housing includes a hinge for hingedly attaching the second housing to the first housing.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input and the display face opposing directions.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the hinge is also laterally rotatable.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input is inaccessible for receiving input.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the second housing is slidably attached to the first housing.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input is inaccessible for receiving input.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input is held in a recess on the back of the first housing.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input is flush with a rear face of the first housing.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein in the open position, the auxiliary input and the display are substantially in the same plane.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the auxiliary input is used as a telephone keypad.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein in the open position, the auxiliary input is used for inputting text messages.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary input is a keyboard.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display touchscreen.

16. A handheld mobile communication device for transmitting and receiving data, the device comprising:

an auxiliary input mounted in a first housing, for inputting data; and

a display mounted in a second housing, for displaying data, the second housing movable in relation to the first housing between a closed position, which situates the display behind the input, and an open position, in which the input and the display are positioned to allow simultaneous input and viewing;

wherein the auxiliary input is further operable for dialling a telephone number in the closed position.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second housing includes a hinge for hingedly attaching the second housing to the first housing.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein, in the closed position, the auxiliary input and the display face opposing directions.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the hinge is also laterally rotatable.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the second housing is slidably attached to the first housing.

21. The device of claim 16, wherein in the open position, the auxiliary input and the display are substantially in the same plane.

22. The device of claim 16, wherein the auxiliary input is a keyboard.

23. The device of claim 16, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

24. The device of claim 16, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display touchscreen.

25. A handheld mobile communication device for transmitting and receiving voice and data communication signals, the device comprising:

a first and second housing;

a transceiver for transmitting and receiving voice and data communication signals;

a keyboard mounted in the first housing for inputting data communication wherein the keyboard is further operable for dialling a telephone number in the closed position.;

a display mounted in a second housing above the first housing for viewing data communication;

a microphone and a speaker, wherein the microphone is mounted adjacent to the keyboard within the first housing and the speaker is mounted adjacent to the keyboard opposite the microphone within the first housing.