Communication device with mode change softkeys

• US 6,215,474 B1
• Filed: 07/27/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Shah, Ketan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Henry N.
• Application Number:
  US09/122,708
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/156, 345/901, 345/905, 340/311.1, 340/825.17, 340/825.46, 455/550, 379/55-- 5, 361/679, 361/680
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/901 Electronic book with display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A communication device (100) operates in first and second modes of operation including a dispatch mode of operation and a telephone mode of operation. The device (100) includes a main body (124) having a top surface (126) and a cover (102). The cover 102 selectively moves between at least a first position wherein at least a portion of the top surface (126) is covered to provide for selective operation in the dispatch mode and at least a second position wherein the top surface (126) is exposed to provide for selective operation is the telephone mode of operation. The cover (102) includes a see through section (108) covering at least a portion of the display section (114) when the cover (102) is in the first position in order to protect the display section (114) and simultaneously provide access thereto. The cover (102) also includes through access keys (106) which provide access to the keypad (116) even when the cover (102) is closed. The display section (114) includes soft key designation areas (502) and (504) whose textual contents change depending on the position of the cover (102).

Claims

1. An electronic device having first and second modes of operation, comprising:

a body housing element for accommodating electronic components including a display and a keypad, the housing having a top surface on which the display and the keypad are located;

a movable housing element for covering at least a portion of the top surface of the housing when in a closed mode and providing access to the display and the keypad when in an open mode, the cover including;

a see through section located substantially over the display in order to provide access thereto when the cover is in the closed mode; and

at least one activator to access the keypad in the closed mode;

wherein the display having at least one soft key designation visible through the see-through section, which designation changes from a first designation to a second designation depending on the mode of the cover;

the keypad including a soft key associated with said at least one soft key designation; and

wherein said at least one activator is utilized for activating said soft key.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first mode includes a telephone mode of operation.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first mode includes a messaging mode of operation.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first mode includes a dispatch mode of operation.

5. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the movable housing element is coupled to the housing element via a hinge.

6. The communication device of claim 1, further including an enunciator to indicate a received call independent of the position of the movable housing element.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the enunciator includes a vibrator.

8. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the movable housing element provides for the switching of one mode of operation to another.