Soft keys for a mobile communications device having moveable panels
First Claim
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1. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising:
- a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage;
a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user;
a first panel fixed to said body element;
a second panel mounted on the body element for motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces;
said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position;
a sensor for sensing the position of said second panel and generating a signal indicative thereof;
at least one soft key mounted on the device said soft key providing alternative functions depending on the position of said second panel.
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Abstract
A mobile communication device is provided with a body having a screen, a first panel fixed to the screen, and a second panel which mounted on said body for pivotable motion relative to said first panel. The second panel is either open or closed depending on the selected function of the device. A sensor generates a signal indicating the position of the second panel. Soft keys are provided which have alternative functions depending on the position of the second panel.
30 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising:
a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage;
a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user;
a first panel fixed to said body element;
a second panel mounted on the body element for motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces;
said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position;
a sensor for sensing the position of said second panel and generating a signal indicative thereof;
at least one soft key mounted on the device said soft key providing alternative functions depending on the position of said second panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising:
a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage;
a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user;
a first panel fixed to said body element;
a second panel mounted on the body element for motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces;
said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position;
a sensor for sensing the position of said second panel and generating a signal indicative thereof;
an array of soft keys, each of said keys assigned at least one function of a set of key functions, wherein said at least one assigned function is reassigned to a different soft key in said array upon the movement of said second panel from one position to the other;
a control unit for controlling the function of the device wherein said control unit operates to receive the signal from said sensor and to reassign said key functions of said set to maintain the relative position of said key functions to said screen in either of said positions of the second panel. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
Specification