Multi-function portable electronic device

• US 20060022950A1
• Filed: 09/20/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Friedrichs, Edward Charles IV
• Application Number:
  US10/945,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022950A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• 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 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0222 Foldable in two directions, i.e. using a two degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0241 using relative motion of the body parts to change the operational status of the telephone set, e.g. switching on/off, answering incoming call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/16 including more than one display unit

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide devices and methods for providing a multi-function electronic device. In accordance with one aspect, a disclosed method provides for detecting the direction the device is deployed and activating an operational mode based on the direction the device is deployed. In accordance with another aspect, a disclosed method provides for detecting the direction the device is deployed and orienting information presented on a display based on the direction the device is deployed.

Claims

1. A method for providing an operational mode for a multi-function electronic device deployable in different directions, the method comprising:

detecting a direction the device is deployed; and

providing an operational mode based on the direction the device is deployed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said operational mode includes a phone mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said operational mode includes a PDA mode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said operational mode includes a gaming mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said operational mode includes a multimedia player mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said direction includes vertical direction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said direction includes horizontal direction.

8. A method for presenting information on a multi function electronic device deployable in different directions, the method comprising:

detecting a direction the device is deployed; and

orienting information presented on a display based on the direction the device is deployed.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said orienting includes orienting information in landscape.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said orienting includes orienting information in portrait.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said direction includes vertical direction.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said direction includes horizontal direction.

13. An electronic device, comprising:

a first module layer movable in a plurality of directions; and

a second module layer movably connected relative to the first module layer, wherein the first module layer comprises a first set of functional components, and the second module layer comprises a second set of functional components, and wherein the device comprises a first operational mode utilizing the first set of functional components, a second operational mode utilizing a first subset of the second set of functional components and a third operational mode utilizing a second subset of the second set of functional components, wherein each operational mode is actuated based on a predetermined relative position of the first module layer and the second module layer.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the first operational mode, the second operational mode and the third operational mode are selected from the group consisting of an audio communication mode, a textual communication mode, a personal digital assistant mode, a gaming mode, a global positioning system (“

GPS”

) mode, a remote control device mode, an audio player or recorder mode, a static or dynamic video player or recorder device, and a calculator mode.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the first subset of the second set of functional components are activated when the first module layer moves relative to the second module layer in a first direction and thereby defines the second operational mode.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the second subset of the second set of functional components are activated when the first module layer moves relative to the second module layer in a second direction and thereby defines the third operational mode.

17. The device of claim 13, further comprising a first connector that connects the first module layer and the second module layer, wherein the first connector allows at least rotational movement in the first direction.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising a second connector that connects the first module layer and the second module layer, wherein the second connector allows at least rotational movement in the second direction.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.

20. The device of claim 13, further comprising a communications module having an input and an output respectively for receiving and transmitting wireless signals.

21. The device of claim 13, further comprising a display for presenting information to a user.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the information is presented in a first orientation when the first module layer is moved in the first direction relative to the second module layer and in a second orientation when the first module layer is moved in the second direction relative to the second module layer.

23. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a first component layer movable in a plurality of directions; and

a second component layer having a set of functional components, the first component layer movably connected to the second component layer such that movement of the first component layer in a first direction relative to the second component layer activates a first subset of the set of functional components for use with a first operational mode, and movement of the first component layer in a second direction relative to the second component layer activates a second subset of the set of functional components for use with a second operational mode.

24. A method of controlling relative movement between movable layers of an electronic device, comprising:

movably coupling a first module layer to a second module layer having a set of functional components such that a relative movement of the first module layer in a first direction activates a first subset of the set of functional components; and

movably coupling the first module layer to the second module layer such that a relative movement of the first module layer in a second direction activates a second subset of the set of functional components.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

preventing movement of the first module layer in the second direction during movement of the first module layer in the first direction; and

preventing movement of the first module layer in the first direction during movement of the first module layer in the second direction.

26. A method for providing a versatile electronic device, the method comprising:

sensing that an electronic device is deployed in one of a plurality of operational modes;

activating a set of functional components associated with the deployed operational mode of the electronic device; and

displaying information in a predetermined orientation depending on the deployed operational mode of the electronic device.

27. An apparatus for providing an operational mode for a multi-function electronic device deployable in different directions, comprising:

means for detecting a direction the device is deployed; and

means for providing an operational mode based on the direction the device is deployed.

28. An apparatus for presenting information on a multi function electronic device deployable in different directions, comprising:

means for detecting a direction the device is deployed; and

means for orienting information presented on a display based on the direction the device is deployed.

29. An apparatus for providing a versatile electronic device, comprising:

means for sensing that an electronic device is deployed in one of a plurality of operational modes;

means for activating a set of functional components associated with the deployed operational mode of the electronic device; and

means for displaying information in a predetermined orientation depending on the deployed operational mode of the electronic device.

30. An apparatus for controlling relative movement between movable layers of an electronic device, comprising:

means for movably coupling a first module layer to a second module layer having a set of functional components such that a relative movement of the first module layer in a first direction activates a first subset of the set of functional components; and

means for movably coupling the first module layer to the second module layer such that a relative movement of the first module layer in a second direction activates a second subset of the set of functional components.