Communications device having an interchangeable helmet user-interface

• US 6,556,183 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2000
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Gartrell, Andrew Julian, Finkbeiner, Tanja, Curtis, Alastair Stuart
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Kent
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sheng, Tom V.
• Application Number:
  US09/590,513
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 248/593, 248/606, 248/609, 248/917-924, 361/600, 361/679-693, 361/686, 345/700, 345/713, 345/717, 345/718, 463/29-31, 463/46
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• 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 1/1679 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 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera

Abstract

A compact device for communication and entertainment needs that include combining various functions performed by different keypads and units into a single pad or unit. The device includes circuitry with transceiver capabilities, a chassis, a display two arms secured to the chassis that can rotate from an open position to a closed position, and a user-interface that provides the user with navigational control and image conversion.

Claims

1. A handheld device having circuitry, which includes transceiver and multimedia functions, that allows a user to transmit and receive information, the device comprising:

a chassis for securely holding the circuitry;

a display secured to the chassis and couple to the circuitry for visual communication of information;

a user-interface removably secured to the chassis and coupled to the circuitry for activating functions associated with the user-interface;

a unit rotatably secured to the chassis for providing navigational control and image conversion, the unit defining a bore therein and the unit comprising;

a lock mechanically coupled to the unit, wherein the lock restricts the range of motion of the unit when the lock is engaged and allows a greater range of motion when the lock is released;

a release button pressably secured in one end of the bore and mechanically coupled to the lock for releasing the lock; and

a camera secured at an opposite end of the bore and electrically coupled to the circuitry for converting at least one image into electronic data.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the unit is barrel shaped with a plurality of grooves on the surface of the unit adjacent the release button for improving control of the unit during navigational operation.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the user-interface includes soft keys corresponding to functions associated with the user-interface.

4. A handheld device having circuitry, which includes transceiver and multimedia functions, that allows a user to transmit and receive information, the device comprising:

a chassis for securely holding the circuitry;

a display secured to the chassis and couple to the circuitry for visual communication of information;

a user-interface removably secured to the chassis and coupled to the circuitry for activating functions associated with the user-interface;

at least two arms movably secured to the chassis, wherein the arms can rotate from a closed position to an open position, such that the user can grip the arms to hold the device when the arms are in the open position; and

an elastic piece removably secured at opposite ends to each of the arms for securing the arms in the open and the closed position.