Multifunction mobile communications device with slidable display screen

• US 20030090468A1
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Finke-Anlauff, Andrea
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• 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 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• 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 1/0235 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 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22

Abstract

A text keyboard is provided for use with an electronic device. The keyboard in mounted on a surface on the body of the device. A panel slides over said recessed surface and the panel is constructed with a display screen for observation of the user. The panel is moved to an extended position in which the keyboard is exposed.

Claims

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

a body having upper and lower faces relative to usage and a longitudinal axis;

a text keyboard mounted for use on said upper surface;

a panel connected to the electronic device having a screen on its upper surface for presenting a display to the user for communicating information, said panel slidably mounted above said text keyboard for movement between a first position aligned with said body and a second position extending outward from said body, said panel covering said text keyboard in the first position and exposing said text keyboard in the second position; and

at least one side deck constructed in the body adjacent to text keyboard, said side deck providing a surface for mounting keys, buttons, and keypads for use with said device.

2. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said upper face of said body is constructed with a recessed surface with said keyboard mounted thereon and said panel is slidably mounted in said recess.

3. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said recessed surface is constructed intermediate between the ends of the body and two side decks are constructed on either side of said recessed surface.

4. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said text keyboard comprises a full function QWERTY key array.

5. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said panel is mounted for sliding movement transverse to the axis of the device.

6. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said panel is also mounted for pivotal movement in the second position.

7. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said device is a mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said at least one side deck.

8. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, further including a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of said display on said screen panel consistent with the operation of the device.

9. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 8, wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90°

between said first and second positions of said screen panel.

10. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 2, wherein said orientation is controlled by the positioning of the screen panel.

11. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 7, wherein the communication keypad is comprised of keys arranged in a circular pattern.

12. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6, wherein said pivot motion permits the raising of said panel to form an angle with the device to permit better viewing by the user.

13. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6, wherein said pivot motion permits the reversing of said panel so that said screen faces said recessed surface in a protected position.

14. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 7, wherein the communications keypad is arranged at a 45°

angle.

15. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 13, wherein the bottom of the device is provided with an auxiliary display window to reveal a portion of the display.