Orientation dependent functionality of an electronic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a housing having first and second housing segments;
a first module contained in the first housing segment, wherein the first module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the first housing segment;
a second module contained in the second housing segment, wherein the second module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the second housing segment for use with the second module and not the first module;
a sensor to detect an orientation of the electronic device;
a selection mechanism to automatically select at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device; and
wherein the one or more user-interface features of each of the first module and the second module includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device is provided that includes a housing, a plurality of modules, a sensor and a selection mechanism. The housing has multiple housing segments, with each segment housing one of the plurality of modules. The sensor detects an orientation of the electronic device. The selection mechanism automatically selects at least one, but nor all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An electronic device comprising:
-
a housing having first and second housing segments; a first module contained in the first housing segment, wherein the first module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the first housing segment; a second module contained in the second housing segment, wherein the second module includes one or more user-interface features provided with the second housing segment for use with the second module and not the first module; a sensor to detect an orientation of the electronic device; a selection mechanism to automatically select at least one, but not all, of the plurality of modules to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device; and wherein the one or more user-interface features of each of the first module and the second module includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22, 23)
-
-
13. An electronic device comprising:
-
a first module having a combination of logic and one or more user-interface features; a second module having a combination of logic and one or more user-interface features coupled to the first module; and an orientation detection mechanism to select one of the first and second modules for activation according to an orientation of the electronic device; wherein at least one of said first and second modules is configured to engage in at least one form of wireless communication; and wherein the one or more user-interface features of each of the first module and the second module includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 24, 25)
-
-
17. An electronic device comprising:
-
a housing having a first surface and a second surface; a first set of user-interface features provided on the first surface; a second set of user-interface features provided on the second surface; a detection mechanism to detect an orientation of the electronic device; a selection mechanism to automatically select one of the first or second set of user-interface features to be active, based on the detected orientation of the electronic device; and a common component that can be functionally engaged by the first set of user-interface features when they are active, and by the second set of user-interface features when they are active; and wherein each of the first set and second set of user-interface features includes at least one component to provide output to a user and one component to enable the user to enter input. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 26)
-
Specification