Personal communication device with full keyboard and gaming feature

• US 6,748,242 B1
• Filed: 08/04/2000
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Dunleavy, Thomas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Temica M.
• Application Number:
  US09/632,740
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/575.1, 455/90.1, 455/575.4, 345/168, 345/169, 361/616, 361/680, 361/681, 379/433.11, 379/433.12, 379/433.13, 379/433.04
• 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 1/0235 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 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations

Abstract

Various embodiments of a compact personal communication device are wherein each embodiment provides a full-feature keyboard and/or gaming control. The device provides a user with voice and data communication. The device includes a display, a first unit and a second unit coupled to the display for providing the user with input controls, a first locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the closed position to securely hold the first unit in a closed position, and a second locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the open position in order to securely hold the first unit in an open position.

Claims

1. A personal communications device for providing a user with voice and data communication, the device comprising:

a display for visual presentation of information retained within a housing, the display pivots about a hinge to allow the display to be positioned at any position between the vertical and the horizontal with respect to the housing;

a first unit coupled to the display for providing the user with input controls, wherein the first unit pivots relative to the display about a pivot portion from an open position to a closed position;

a second unit secured and coupled to the display for providing the user with input control;

a first locking mechanism coupled to the display for engaging the first unit in the closed position for securely holding the first unit in a closed position;

a second locking mechanism coupled to the display for engaging the first unit in the open position for securely holding the first unit in an open position; and

wherein the display defines a first and second bore at opposite ends therein and wherein the first unit is reciprocatingly slidable relative to the display and includes a connector pin for engaging the first and second bore in the closed position and open position, respectively, such that the first locking mechanism comprises the connector pin engaging the first bore and the second locking mechanism comprises the connector pin engaging the second bore in the open position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the first and second locking mechanisms comprise a pressure-release latch for releasably securing the first and second units relative to the closed and open positions.

3. A multimedia personal communication device having circuitry to provide a user with transceiver functions including information in the form of voice and data communications, the device comprising:

a first portion coupled to the circuitry for providing the user with input control on an inside surface;

a second portion coupled to the circuitry for providing the user with input control on an inside surface, wherein the second portion pivots relative to the first portion about a hinge from a dosed to an open position, such that in the open position the first and second portions are releasably secured in place to form a platform;

a display coupled to the circuitry and movably secured to the first portion for visual presentation of the information, wherein the display can be pivoted relative to the platform from a first position to a second position, wherein the second position is at an angle relative to the platform and the first position is parallel to the platform; and

wherein the display defines a first and second bore at opposite ends therein and wherein the first unit is reciprocatingly slidable relative to the display and includes a connector pin for engaging the first and second bore in the closed position and open position, respectively, such that a first locking mechanism comprises the connector pin engaging a first bore and the second locking mechanism comprises the connector pin engaging the second bore in the open position.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein at least a numeric pad is located on an outside of the second portion opposite the input control such that the user is capable of using the numeric pad for initiating voice communications.