MULTIPLE-FOLD PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20100157518A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Ladouceur, Norman, Griffin, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,864,524 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.90
• 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 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/022 The hinge comprising two parallel pivoting axes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

A multiple-fold portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device in one embodiment includes a first, second and third planar sections. The first and second planar section are connected by a first joint and foldable in relation to each other The second and third planar sections are connected by a second joint and foldable in relation to each other. Each planar section can include an input device or an output device or both.

Claims

1. A multiple-fold portable electronic device comprising:

a first planar housing having at least two sides;

a second planar housing having at least two sides and connected to said first planar housing via a first joint such that said first housing and said second housing are foldable in relation to each other between a shut position and an open position; and

a third planar housing having at least two sides and connected to said second planar housing via a second joint such that said second housing and said third planar housing are foldable in relation to each other between the shut position and the open position

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein each of said housings are substantially the same size such then when said electronic device is in said shut position and said open position said electronic device has the form factor of a hexahedron.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein said second planar housing is pivotable in relation to said first housing via said first joint such that said first housing and said second housing are rotatable in relation to each other between at least a first parallel position and at least a first perpendicular position.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein said third planar housing is pivotable in relation to said second planar housing via said second joint such that said second planar housing and said third planar housing are rotatable in relation to each other between at least a second parallel position and at least a second perpendicular position.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein said sides connected to said joints are rounded.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein said first planar housing comprises a first and a second surfaces, an input device disposed on said first surface, said second planar housing comprises a third and a fourth surfaces, a first display screen disposed on said third surface, said third planar housing comprises a fifth and a sixth surfaces, a second display screen disposed on said fifth surface, said first, third and fifth surfaces all face the same general direction when said device is in said open position.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 6 wherein said first joint comprises a first rounded side and a first side surface, and said second joint comprises a second rounded side and a second flat side, said first surface, third surface, fifth surface, first rounded side, and second flat side all face the same general direction when said device is in said open position.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 7 wherein said input device is selected from a group consisting of QWERTY keyboards, SURETYPE keyboards, and game controllers.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 8 wherein said at least display screens is a touch screen.

10. The portable electronic device of claim 8 wherein said first rounded side comprises a trackwheel.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 10 wherein said first rounded side further comprises a first and a second buttons disposed on either side of said trackwheel.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 11 wherein said second rounded side comprises a webcam.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 1 wherein said first planar housing comprises a first and a second surfaces, a first input device disposed on said first surface, said second planar housing comprises a third and a fourth surfaces, a display screen disposed on said third surface, said third planar housing comprises a fifth and a sixth surfaces, a second input device disposed on said fifth surface, said first, third and fifth surfaces all face the same general direction when said device is in said open position.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13 wherein said first joint comprises a first rounded side and a first side surface, and said second joint comprises a second rounded side and a second flat side, said first surface, third surface, fifth surface, first rounded side, and second flat side all face the same general direction when said device is in said open position.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14 wherein said first input device is the left half of a QWERTY keyboard and said second input device is the right half of said QWERTY keyboard.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 14 wherein said display screens is a touch screen.