User Interfaces and Associated Apparatus and Methods

• US 20100159993A1
• Filed: 12/19/2008
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Davidson, Brian, Barnett, Ricky
• Granted Patent: US 8,385,992 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0237 Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts

Abstract

Apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a base member, a user input interface, and a user output interface. The user output interface is configured to extend along mutually perpendicular longitudinal and lateral axes of the apparatus. The user input interface comprises a QWERTY input configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus is configured to provide a first configuration in which the user input interface is housed between the base member and the user output interface, and a second configuration in which the user input and output interfaces have been laterally slid in opposing directions with respect to the base member.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a base member, a user input interface, and a user output interface configured to extend along mutually perpendicular longitudinal and lateral axes of the apparatus, the user input interface comprising a QWERTY input configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis, the apparatus configured to provide a first configuration in which the user input interface is housed between the base member and the user output interface, and a second configuration in which the user input and output interfaces have been laterally slid in opposing directions with respect to the base member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the QWERTY input is activated for use on the user input interface when the apparatus is in the second configuration, and is not activated for use when the apparatus is in the first configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a motion coupler coupled between the user input interface and the user output interface, wherein the motion coupler is configured to apply a force to the user input interface when an external force is applied to the user output interface to change the configuration of the apparatus, wherein the force applied to the user input interface is in the opposite direction to the force applied to the user output interface.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion coupler comprises one or more rack and pinion mechanisms.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion coupler comprises:

a first pin connected to the base;

a second pin connected to the user input interface; and

a lever pivotally connected to the user output interface, wherein the lever comprises one or more slots configured to accommodate the first and second pins, such that movement of the lever about its pivot point as the apparatus changes configuration causes movement of the user input interface and user output interface in opposite directions.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user output interface is configured to conceal all of the user input interface when the apparatus is in the first configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein all of the user output interface is exposed when the apparatus is in the first configuration.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both of the user input interface and the user output interface overhang the base member when the apparatus is in the second configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein approximately half of the user input interface overhangs a first side of the base and approximately half of the user output interface overhangs a second side of the base when the apparatus is in the second configuration.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user output interface is configured to provide portrait and landscape modes of use, wherein the first configuration provides the portrait mode of use, and the second configuration provides the landscape mode of use.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein in the second configuration, the user input and output interfaces have been slid along the lateral axis, and the QWERTY input of the user input is for use with the landscape mode of use of the user output interface.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the user output interface is configured to align user output for viewing in an orientation in which the top of the user output is aligned with the longitudinal axis in the portrait mode of use.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the user output interface is configured to align user output for viewing in an orientation in which the top of the user output is aligned with the lateral axis in the landscape mode of use.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input interface and user output interface are configured such that they can be tilted relative to each other to define a third configuration, wherein the third configuration is a further landscape mode of use.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input interface is an input and output interface, and comprises a touch sensitive screen.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user output interface is an input and output interface, and comprises a touch sensitive screen.

21. A device comprising the apparatus according to claim 1.

22. A module for a device, the module comprising the apparatus of claim 1.

23. A method of assembling an apparatus according to claim 1.

24. A method of assembling a device according to claim 21.

17. An apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a base member, a user input interface, and a user output interface, the apparatus configured to provide a first configuration in which the user input interface is housed between the base member and the user output interface, and a second configuration in which the user input and output interfaces have been slid in opposing directions with respect to the base member to both overhang the base member.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, comprising mutually perpendicular longitudinal and lateral axes, and in the second configuration, the user input and output interfaces have been slid along the lateral axis.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the base member provides support for the user input and output interfaces in the second configuration.

20. An apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a base member, a user input interface, and a user output interface the user output interface configured to provide portrait and landscape modes of use, the apparatus configured to provide a first configuration in which the user input interface is housed between the base member and the user output interface with the user output interface providing the portrait mode of use, and a second configuration in which the user input and output interfaces have been slid in opposing directions with respect to the base member and the user output interface provides the landscape mode of use.

25. An apparatus for a portable electronic device, the apparatus comprising a base member means, means for receiving user input, and means for providing user output configured to extend along mutually perpendicular longitudinal and lateral axes of the apparatus, the means for receiving user input comprising a QWERTY input means configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis, the apparatus configured to provide a first configuration in which the means for receiving user input is housed between the base member means and the means for providing user output, and a second configuration in which the means for receiving user input and the means for providing user output have been laterally slid in opposing directions with respect to the base member means.