Foldable keyboard for mobile communications device

• US 6,580,932 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2000
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Finke-Anlauff, Andrea
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Application Number:
  US09/584,297
• Time in Patent Office: 1,112 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90, 455/556, 455/550, 455/575, 455/566, 455/351, 379/433.01, 379/433.04, 379/433.07, 379/433.13, 379/434, 345/169, 345/168
• US Class Current: 455/566
• 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 1/0245 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A full function keyboard is provided for use with a mobile communication device. The keyboard is constructed in two portions which may be pivoted relative to the body of the device between two positions, one in which the keyboard is hidden and the keypad of the device is exposed for normal use and a second in which the two portions of the keyboard are positioned on opposite sides of the screen of the device to allow holding with both hands and operation with the thumb.

Claims

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 the upper face of said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal 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; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function; and

wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position, and said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

2. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said function keyboard comprises a full function QWERTY key array split in first and second portions constructed respectively in said first and second panels.

3. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

4. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

5. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, wherein said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position.

6. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 5, further including a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

7. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6, wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90°

between said open and closed positions.

8. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6, wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

9. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 5, wherein the communication device keypad is locked in an inoperative mode in the open position.

10. A function keyboard for use in a mobile communications device, said communications device having a body element, a communications keypad, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising:

a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces;

wherein said communication keypad is constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and

wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position, and

wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

11. A mobile communications device for operation in multiple applications comprising:

a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage;

a screen constructed in the body open to provide a visible display of information to the user;

a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal 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 communication keypad constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

12. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising:

a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and

wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

13. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12, wherein said portions of said function keyboard cooperate to form a full function QWERTY key array split in said first and second portions.

14. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12, wherein said portions of said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

15. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12, wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

16. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12, wherein, said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position.

17. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16, further comprising a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

18. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16, wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90°

between said open and closed positions.

19. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 17, wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

20. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16, wherein the communication device keypad is locked in an inoperative mode in the open position.

21. 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 the upper face of said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal 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; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function-keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

22. 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 the upper face of said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal 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; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

23. 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 the upper face of said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal 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; and

a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position;

wherein said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and

further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

24. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 23, wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90°

between said open and closed positions.

25. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 23, wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

26. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising:

a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and

wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said portions of said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

27. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising:

a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and

wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and

wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

28. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising:

a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces;

a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and

wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position;

wherein, said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and

further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

29. A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 28, wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.