Soft keys for a mobile communications device having moveable panels

• US 6,801,796 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• 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): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US10/285,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20030087663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90.1, 455/90.2, 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/557, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.4, 455/347, 379/433.01, 379/433.06, 379/433.11, 379/433.12, 379/433.13, 379/434, D14/137, D14/138
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• 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 1/1666 Arrangements for reducing the size of the integrated keyboard for transport, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F1/1664 takes precedence
• 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 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• 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 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• 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 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/18 including more than one keyboard unit

Abstract

A mobile communication device is provided with a body having a screen, a first panel fixed to the screen, and a second panel which mounted on said body for pivotable motion relative to said first panel. The second panel is either open or closed depending on the selected function of the device. A sensor generates a signal indicating the position of the second panel. Soft keys are provided which have alternative functions depending on the position of the second panel.

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 said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for 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 sensor for sensing the position of said second panel and generating a signal indicative thereof;

at least one soft key mounted on the device said soft key providing alternative functions depending on the position of said second panel.

2. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1, further comprising a control unit for controlling the function of the device wherein said control unit operates to receive the signal from said sensor and to adjust the function of the at least one soft key between its function in the closed position of said second panel and said alternative function according to the position of said second panel indicated by said signal.

3. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, according to claim 1 wherein said at least one soft key comprises:

an array of soft keys, each of said keys assigned at least one function of a set of key functions; and

wherein said at least one function is reassigned to a different soft key in said array upon the movement of said second panel from one position to the other.

4. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, according to claim 3, wherein said array is comprised of three soft keys positioned about the periphery of said screen and said set of functions is divided among said keys, said set of key functions comprising:

a first key function for accessing a first menu and scrolling through said first menu, said first menu having a first set of options;

a second key function for accessing a second menu and scrolling through said second menu, said second menu having a second set of options; and

a third key function for operating a power on/off switch.

5. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, according to claim 4, wherein said function keys for said first and second menus are positioned below the screen and said function key for said on/off operation is located adjacent an upper periphery of the screen.

6. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 5, further comprising a control unit for controlling the function of the device wherein said control unit operates to receive the signal from said sensor and to reassign said key functions of said set to maintain the relative position of said key functions.

7. 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 said body element;

a second panel mounted on the body element for 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 sensor for sensing the position of said second panel and generating a signal indicative thereof;

an array of soft keys, each of said keys assigned at least one function of a set of key functions, wherein said at least one assigned function is reassigned to a different soft key in said array upon the movement of said second panel from one position to the other;

a control unit for controlling the function of the device wherein said control unit operates to receive the signal from said sensor and to reassign said key functions of said set to maintain the relative position of said key functions to said screen in either of said positions of the second panel.

8. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, according to claim 7, wherein said array is comprised of three soft keys positioned about the periphery of said screen and said set of functions is divided among said keys, said set of key functions comprising:

a first key function for accessing a first menu and scrolling through said first menu, said first menu having a first set of options;

a second key function for accessing a second menu and scrolling through said second menu, said second menu having a second set of options; and

a third key function for operating a power on/off switch.

9. An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, according to claim 8, wherein said function keys for said first and second menus are positioned below the screen and said function key for said on/off operation is located adjacent an upper periphery of the screen.