Handheld electronic device that has a keypad which can be rendered ineffective, and associated method

• US 8,199,032 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Ladouceur, Norman M., Griffin, Jason T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): MURPHY, JEROLD B
• Application Number:
  US11/944,708
• Publication Number:
  US 20090135029A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,660 Days
• Field of Search: 341 22- 33
• US Class Current: 341/22
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0213 Arrangements providing an integrated pointing device in a keyboard, e.g. trackball, mini-joystick for pointing devices integrated in a laptop computer G06F1/169; joysticks G05G9/047; constructional details of pointing devices G06F3/033
• 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: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• 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 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/677 Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

An improved handheld electronic device is movable among a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. Several different exemplary embodiments are described, some having two members, others having more. In one embodiment, certain features or objects are unavailable in a retracted configuration but are available in a deployed configuration or an overtravel configuration. A method of responding to predetermined events comprises detecting a movement of a handheld electronic device away from a first configuration toward a second configuration without reaching the second configuration.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a processor apparatus;

an input apparatus structured to provide input to the processor apparatus and comprising a keypad that comprises a plurality of input members;

an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus;

at least a portion of each of the processor apparatus, the input apparatus, and the output apparatus together forming a body that comprises a first member and a second member movably connected together, at least one of the first and second members being movable with respect to the other of the first and second members between a first configuration of the body and a second configuration of the body;

in the first configuration at least some of the input members each being incapable of an actuation that is detectable by the processor apparatus;

in the second configuration the at least some of the input members being capable of an actuation that is detectable by the processor apparatus; and

the plurality of input members comprising a plurality of actuators and a plurality of switches, in the second configuration at least some of the actuators each being engageable with an associated switch to complete a circuit, in the first configuration at least some of the actuators each being unengageable with the associated switch, in the second configuration at least some of the actuators are each aligned in an actuation direction with the associated switch, in the first configuration at least some of the actuators each being offset from the associated switch.

2. The handheld electronic device of claim 1 wherein the actuators are disposed on one of the first member and the second member, the switches being disposed on the other of the first member and the second member.

3. The handheld electronic device of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises a seal that is interposed between the first and second members in the first configuration.

4. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a processor apparatus;

an input apparatus structured to provide input to the processor apparatus;

an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus;

at least a portion of each of the processor apparatus, the input apparatus, and the output apparatus together forming a body that comprises a first member and a second member movably connected together, the body being movable among a first configuration of the body, a second configuration of the body, and a third configuration of the body;

an object disposed on one of the first and second members, the body in the first and second configurations being structured to resist removal of the object from the one of the first and second members, and the body in the third configuration being structured to be permit removal of the object from the one of the first and second members; and

the handheld electronic device having a number of operational characteristics which differ between the first configuration of the body and the second configuration of the body.

5. The handheld electronic device of claim 4 wherein the handheld electronic device has at least a first routine that is executable thereon in one of the first configuration and the second configuration that is not executable thereon in the other of the first configuration and the second configuration.

6. The handheld electronic device of claim 4 wherein the handheld electronic device movement of the body from the second configuration toward the third configuration is permitted in the environment of a satisfied security measure and is resisted in the environment of an unsatisfied security measure.

7. The handheld electronic device of claim 4 wherein the body further comprises a third member, one of the first, second, and third members of a pair of the first, second, and third members being movable with respect to the other of the pair between the first and second configurations of the body, one of the first, second, and third members of a different pair of the first, second, and third members being movable with respect to the other of the different pair between the second and third configurations of the body.

8. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a processor apparatus;

an input apparatus structured to provide input to the processor apparatus;

an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus;

at least a portion of each of the processor apparatus, the input apparatus, and the output apparatus together forming a body that comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, the first and second members being movably connected together, the second and third members being movably connected together, the first and third members each being translatable with respect to the second member along a common axis between a first configuration of the body and a second configuration of the body, the first and third members in the second configuration being disposed farther away from one another than when in the first configuration;

the second member comprising a mechanism that extends between the first and third members, the mechanism being structured to constrain the first and third members to translate simultaneously with respect to the second member between the first and second configurations;

the second member further comprising a base; and

the mechanism comprising a first structure disposed on the base and a pair of second structures, one of the second structures extending between the first structure and the first member, the other of the second structures between the first structure and the third member.

9. The handheld electronic device of claim 8 wherein the input apparatus comprises a keypad comprising a plurality of input members disposed on the first member, and wherein the output apparatus comprises a display disposed on the third member, the keypad and the display being disposed adjacent one another in the first configuration of the body.

10. A handheld electronic device comprising:

a processor apparatus;

an input apparatus structured to provide input to the processor apparatus;

an output apparatus structured to receive output signals from the processor apparatus;

at least a portion of each of the processor apparatus, the input apparatus, and the output apparatus together forming a body that comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, the first and second members being movably connected together, the second and third members being movably connected together, the first and third members each being translatable with respect to the second member along a common axis between a first configuration of the body and a second configuration of the body, the first and third members in the second configuration being disposed farther away from one another than when in the first configuration;

the second member comprising a mechanism that extends between the first and third members, the mechanism being structured to constrain the first and third members to translate simultaneously with respect to the second member between the first and second configurations; and

the first structure comprising a crank movably disposed on the base, and the second structures being links that each pivotably extend between the crank and one of the first and third members.