Method for manufacturing and kit for assembling a personal entertainment device (PED) with double-opening flap

• US 7,054,146 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2004
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextroncis AP LLC
• Inventors: Sutton, Thomas, Diotti, Gabriele
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US10/781,399
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194276A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 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, 340/7.1, 340/571, 340/583, 400/489, 400/709.1, 400/715, 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: 361/679.28
• 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 touch-screen interfaces G10H2220/096
• 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 constructional features concerning the integration of cameras in portable phones H04M1/0264
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

In a method of manufacturing an electronic device, a first side edge of a first substantially planar panel including a display is hingedly coupled to a second substantially planar panel selected from a first set of panels. The second panel includes a first interface. A second side edge of the first panel is hingedly coupled to a third substantially planar panel selected from a second set of panels. The third panel includes a second interface. A kit to assemble an electronic device comprises three substantially planar panels. A first panel includes a display. A second panel includes a first interface and is configured to be hingedly coupled to a first side edge of the first panel. A third panel includes a second interface and is configured to be hingedly coupled to a second side edge of the first panel.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an electronic device comprising the steps of:

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

b. hingedly coupling a second substantially planar panel selected from a first set of panels to the first side edge of the first substantially planar panel, the second panel including a first interface; and

c. hingedly coupling a third substantially planar panel selected from a second set of panels to the second side edge of the first panel, the third panel including a second interface,

such that when the device is in a first position the first interface and the second interface are obscured wherein the second substantially planar panel partially covers the first substantially planar panel and the third substantially planar panel covers at least a portion of a remainder of the first substantially planar panel and when the device is in a second position the first interface and the second interface are exposed and further wherein an operator can selectively access the first interface alone, the second interface alone, and both the first interface and the second interface when the device is in the second position.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of operatively coupling the first panel to the second panel and the third panel, wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel are configured to exchange electronic data signals and further 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 display is selectively controllable by the first interface alone, the second interface alone, and both the first interface and the second interface.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a gamer device.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a music listening device.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, collectively forms a keyboard panel.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, collectively forms a gaming panel.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, collectively forms a PDA panel.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a personal entertainment device.

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

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second panel further includes the third interface.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the device is configured in one of the first position and the second position, the third interface is exposed.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, the third interface controls the display.

13. A kit to assemble an electronic device, the kit comprising:

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

b. a second substantially planar panel selected from a first set of panels, the second panel including a first interface and configured to be hingedly coupled to the first side edge of the first panel; and

c. a third substantially planar panel selected from a second set of panels, the third panel including a second interface and configured to be hingedly coupled to the second side edge of the first panel,

such that when the device is in a first position the first interface and the second interface are obscured wherein the second substantially planar panel partially covers the first substantially planar panel and the third substantially planar panel covers at least a portion of a remainder of the first substantially planar panel and when the device is in a second position the first interface and the second interface are exposed and further wherein an operator can selectively access the first interface alone, the second interface alone, and both the first interface and the second interface when the device is in the second position.

14. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the first panel is configured to be operatively coupled to both the second panel and the third panel, wherein the first panel, the second panel, and the third panel are configured to exchange electronic data signals, and further 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 display is selectively controllable by the first interface alone, the second interface alone, and both the first interface and the second interface.

15. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a gamer device.

16. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a music listening device.

17. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, is configured to collectively form a keyboard panel.

18. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, is configured to collectively form a PDA panel.

19. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, is configured to collectively form a gaming panel.

20. The kit according to claim 13, wherein a pair of panels, one selected from the first set of panels and one selected from the second set of panels, configures the electronic device to operate as a personal entertainment device.

21. The kit according to claim 13, wherein the device further comprises a third interface.

22. The kit according to claim 21, wherein the second panel further includes the third interface.

23. The kit according to claim 21, wherein when the device is configured in one of the first position and the second position, the third interface is exposed.

24. The kit according to claim 21, wherein when the device is configured in the first position, the third interface controls the display.