Personal entertainment device (PED) with double-opening flap

• US 6,989,984 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Sutton, Thomas, Diotti, Gabriele
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US10/781,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20050004692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/680, 361/681, 361/682, 361/683, 455/556, 455/560, 455/575, 455/575.1, 455/161.1, 455/184.1, 455/550.01, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/14.03, 348/14.04, 348/14.65, 345/168, 345/169, 345/172, 400/489, 400/709.1, 400/715, 340/7.1, 340/571, 340/583, 379/433.11, 379/433.12, 379/433.13, 379/433.04, 312/401, 312/405, 3123191-3196, 312/307, 312/324, 312326-329, 248917-923
• US Class Current: 361/679.16
• 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 1/1671 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 3/0221 Arrangements for reducing keyboard size for transport or storage, e.g. foldable keyboards, keyboards with collapsible keys G06F3/0216 takes precedence; for keyboards integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/1666
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2230/015 PDA [personal digital assistant] or palmtop computing devices used for musical purposes, e.g. portable music players, tablet computers, e-readers or smart phones in which mobile telephony functions need not be used
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/061 MP3, i.e. MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, lossy audio compression
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0257 Multisided remote control, comprising control or display elements on at least two sides, e.g. front and back surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/002 actuable from both sides
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/05 composed of hingedly connected sections
• 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 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• 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 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

An electronic device includes three substantially planar panels. The first panel has a first side edge and a second side edge, and includes a display. The second panel includes a first interface and is hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first panel. The third panel includes a second interface and is hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first panel. The device is configured in at least two positions. In a first position the first interface and the second interface are obscured and in a second position the first interface and the second interface are exposed. Such a device can be a gamer with a first gaming interface and a second gaming interface, or it can be an electronic device with PDA technology through a first keyboard and a second keyboard. Alternatively, the device can be a communicator or a music player.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a. a first substantially planar panel including a display, the first panel having a first side edge and a second side edge;

b. a second substantially planar panel including a first interface, the second panel hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel; and

c. a third substantially planar panel including a second interface, the third panel hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first substantially planar panel,

wherein in a first position the first interface and the second interface are obscured and in a second position the first interface and the second interface are exposed, and further wherein in the first position, the display is partially exposed through an opening between the second panel and the third panel and in the second position, the display is entirely exposed.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, no interface controls the display and when the device is configured in the second position the device is selectively controllable by the first interface alone, the second interface alone, and both the first interface and the second interface.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the device is configured in the second position, an entry made on the first interface is displayed on the display.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the device is configured in the second position, an entry made on the second interface is displayed on the display.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein when the device is configured in the second position, entries made on both the first interface and the second interface are displayed on the display.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device operates in a first mode when configured in the first position and operates in a second mode when configured in the second position.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first substantially planar panel is operatively coupled to the second panel and the third panel to allow an exchange of electronic data.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a portable handheld device.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is an entertainment device.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a music listening device.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a connector configured to couple the device to an apparatus.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a third interface.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the third interface is a music listening interface.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the second panel further includes the third interface.

15. The device according to claim 12, wherein when the device is configured in one of the first position and the second position, the third interface is exposed.

16. The device according to claim 12, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, the third interface controls the display.

45. The device according to claim 12, wherein the third interface is included on a back side of the second panel.

46. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

17. An entertainment device comprising:

a. a first substantially planar panel including a display, the first panel having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a third side edge;

b. a second panel including a first gaming interface, the second panel hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel;

c. a third panel including a second gaming interface, the third panel hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first substantially planar panel; and

d. a music listening interface on the third side edge of the first substantially planar panel,

wherein in a first position the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface are obscured and in a second position the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface are exposed.

18. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein in the first position, the display is partially exposed through an opening between the second panel and the third panel and in the second position, the display is entirely exposed.

19. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein in the first position, the display is completely obscured and in the second position, the display is exposed.

20. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, the device is controllable by the music listening interface and when the device is configured in the second position the device is selectively controllable by the first gaming interface alone, the second gaming interface alone, and both the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface.

21. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position an entry made on the first gaming interface is displayed on the display.

22. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position, an entry made on the second gaming interface is displayed on the display.

23. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position, entries made on both the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface are displayed on the display.

24. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein the device operates in a first mode when configured in the first position and operates in a second mode when configured in the second position.

25. The entertainment device according to claim 24, wherein the first mode is music player mode and the second mode is gamer mode.

26. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein the first substantially planar panel is operatively coupled to the second panel and the third panel to allow an exchange of electronic data.

27. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein the device is a portable handheld device.

28. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein the device includes a connector configured to couple the device to an apparatus.

29. The entertainment device according to claim 28, wherein the connector is included on a third side edge of the first substantially planar panel.

47. The entertainment device according to claim 17, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

30. An electronic device comprising:

a. a first substantially planar panel including a display, the first panel having a first side edge, a second side edge, and a third side edge;

b. a second panel including a first keyboard, the second panel hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel;

c. a third panel including a second keyboard, the third panel hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first substantially planar panel; and

d. a music listening interface on the third side edge of the first substantially planar panel,

wherein in a first position the first keyboard and the second keyboard are obscured and in a second position the first keyboard and the second keyboard are exposed.

31. The device according to claim 30, wherein in the first position, the display is partially exposed through an opening between the second panel and the third panel and in the second position, the display is entirely exposed.

32. The device according to claim 30, wherein in the first position, the display is completely obscured and in the second position, the display is exposed.

33. The device according to claim 30, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, the device is controllable by the music listening interface and when the device is configured in the second position the device is selectively controllable by the first keyboard alone, the second keyboard alone, and both the first keyboard and the second keyboard.

34. The device according to claim 30, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position, an entry made on the first keyboard is displayed on the display.

35. The device according to claim 30, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position, an entry made on the second keyboard is displayed on the display.

36. The device according to claim 30, wherein when the device is configured in the first position an entry made on the music listening interface is displayed on the display and when the device is configured in the second position, entries made on both the first keyboard and the second keyboard are displayed on the display.

37. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device operates in a first mode when configured in the first position and operates in a second mode when configured in the second position.

38. The device according to claim 37, wherein the first mode is music player mode and the second mode is data entry mode.

39. The device according to claim 30, wherein the first substantially planar panel is operatively coupled to the second panel and the third panel to allow an exchange of electronic data.

40. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device is a portable handheld device.

41. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device includes a connector configured to couple the device to an apparatus.

42. The device according to claim 41, wherein the connector is included on a third side edge of the first substantially planar panel.

43. The device according to claim 30, wherein the first keyboard and the second keyboard are both qwerty keyboards.

44. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device further comprises function keys.

48. The device according to claim 30, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

49. An entertainment device comprising:

a. a first substantially planar panel including a display, the first panel having a first side edge and a second side edge;

b. a second panel including a first gaming interface, the second panel hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel;

c. a third panel including a second gaming interface, the third panel hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first substantially planar panel; and

d. a music listening interface,

wherein in a first position the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface are obscured and in a second position the first gaming interface and the second gaming interface are exposed, and further wherein in the first position, the display is partially exposed through an opening between the second panel and the third panel and in the second position, the display is entirely exposed.

50. The entertainment device according to claim 49, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

51. The entertainment device according to claim 49, wherein the music listening interface is included on a face of the first substantially planar panel.

52. The entertainment device according to claim 49, wherein the music listening interface is included on a back side of the second panel.

53. The entertainment device according to claim 49, wherein the music listening interface is included on a third side edge of the first substantially planar panel.

54. An electronic device comprising:

a. a first substantially planar panel including a display, the first panel having a first side edge and a second side edge;

b. a second panel including a first keyboard, the second panel hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel;

c. a third panel including a second keyboard, the third panel hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first substantially planar panel; and

d. a music listening interface,

wherein in a first position the first keyboard and the second keyboard are obscured and in a second position the first keyboard and the second keyboard are exposed, and further wherein in the first position, the display is partially exposed through an opening between the second panel and the third panel and in the second position, the display is entirely exposed.

55. The device according to claim 54, wherein the device is a cellular phone.

56. The device according to claim 54, wherein the music listening interface is included on a face of the first substantially planar panel.

57. The device according to claim 54, wherein the music listening interface is included on a back side of the second panel.

58. The device according to claim 54, wherein the music listening interface is included on a third side edge of the first substantially planar panel.