Handheld mobile communication device

• US 8,107,996 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Griffin, Jason T., Ladouceur, Norman M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ly, Nghi
• Application Number:
  US12/974,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092256A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/575.3, 455/575.8, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation methods for entering alphabetical characters per se G06F3/0237

Abstract

A display is mounted in a display housing for displaying information to a user. An input is mounted in an input housing for inputting data. The input housing is permanently attached to the display housing and movable relative to the display housing between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the input and the display face in the same direction to allow simultaneous input of the data and viewing of the information. In the closed position, the input is behind the display and facing away from the display and operable for inputting the data.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising:

a display mounted in a display housing, for displaying information to a user; and

an input mounted in an input housing, for inputting data, the input housing being permanently attached to the display housing and movable relative to the display housing between an open position and a closed position;

in the open position, the input and the display face in the same direction to allow simultaneous input of the data and viewing of the information; and

in the closed position, the input is behind the display and facing away from the display and operable for inputting the data;

wherein the display is in a front surface of the display housing, and, in the closed position, the input housing is held in a recess in a rear surface of the display housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said inputting of the data in input'"'"'s closed position includes dialing a telephone number.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a hinge by which the input housing is permanently attached to the display housing, and about which the input housing is pivotable between the open and closed positions.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the input housing has a front face in which the input is located and which, in the closed position, is flush with the display housing'"'"'s rear surface.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein, in the open position, the input and the display are substantially in the same plane.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein, in the open position, the input is usable for inputting text messages.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the input is a keyboard.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the display is a touchscreen display.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising a microphone and a speaker, both residing on the display housing, for use of the device as a telephone while the input device is in its closed position.