Sensing the screen positions in a dual screen phone

• US 9,904,501 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2012
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Original Assignee: Z124 LLC (Flexis)
• Inventors: Becze, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Steinberg, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US13/627,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20130076597A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,980 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345 11- 34
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00673 Supports for light guides
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/12 with two parallel pins and one arm
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1605 Multimedia displays, e.g. with integrated or attached speakers, cameras, microphones
• 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 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1643 the display being associated to a digitizer, e.g. laptops that can be used as penpads details related to the relative motion of the display enclosure with respect to the body enclosure, e.g. to move between laptop and tablet PC configuration G06F1/1615
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1647 including at least an additional display G06F1/1692 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1649 the additional display being independently orientable, e.g. for presenting information to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• 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: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1692 the I/O peripheral being a secondary touch screen used as control interface, e.g. virtual buttons or sliders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/51 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04803 : Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 : Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 : Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 : with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 : Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 : Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 : by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 : Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 : based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 : using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 : Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 : Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 : for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 : Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 : for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 : Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 : for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04897 : Special input arrangements or commands for improving display capability
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 : controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 : using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 : display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 : involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 : Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/00 : Arrangements for program control, e.g. control units program control for peripheral devices G06F13/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 : Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 : Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06G 1/00 : Hand manipulated computing devices planimeters G01B5/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/00 : Geometric image transformations in the plane of the image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/20 : Linear translation of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/40 : Scaling of whole images or parts thereof, e.g. expanding or contracting
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 1/00 : Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with cathode-ray tube indicators; General aspects or details, e.g. selection emphasis on particular characters, dashed line or dotted line generation; Preprocessing of datacathode-ray oscilloscopes G01R13/20; radar display arrangements G01S7/04; display of digital non-picture data in television systems H04N7/0255
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 : Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 : Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 : Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/00 : Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators image data processing or generation, in general G06T
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/12 : Synchronisation between the display unit and other units, e.g. other display units, video-disc players
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/14 : Display of multiple viewports
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/34 : for rolling or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/373 : for modifying the size of the graphic pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/377 : for mixing or overlaying two or more graphic patterns G09G5/02, G09G5/397 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 : Hand-held transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0206 : Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
• 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 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0266 : for a display module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 : by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 : Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 : Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/563 : of the wireless resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/046 : Surface mounting surface mounted components H05K3/341
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0017 : with operator interface units
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/04 : Metal casings
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/02 : Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1452 : Mounting of connectors; Switching; Reinforcing of back panels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 : Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts

Abstract

A handheld communication device includes first and second screens, a hinge to rotate the first and second screens between open and closed positions, and a position sensor to determine the relative position of the first and second screens. The position sensor can be a Hall-Effect sensor.

Claims

1. A handheld computing device, comprising:

adjacent first and second screens comprising first and second display panels, respectively, to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user;

a plurality of electronic components comprising a processor and memory, the plurality of electronic components generating an electromagnetic field during operation;

a hinge connected to the first and second screens, wherein the hinge moves between a closed position and an open position; and

first and second Hall-Effect sensors operable, at a selected time, to sense at least one of variations in and a strength of a selected magnetic field comprising a magnetic field component of the electromagnetic field generated by the plurality of electronic components, wherein the processor, based on the currently sensed at least one of variation in and strength of the selected magnetic field, determines a relative position of the first and second screens, wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the hinge connecting the first and second screens, wherein the first Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near a peripheral edge of the first screen, the peripheral edge being at an opposite edge of the first screen relative to the hinge, and the second Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near the hinge connecting the first and second screens, and wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second display panels when the first and second screens are in a fully closed position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned proximal to the first and second screens, respectively, wherein the at least one of variation in and strength of the selected magnetic field is proportional to a voltage difference across different sides of the Hall-Effect sensor, and wherein each of the first and second Hall-Effect sensors measure a respective voltage difference.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the selected magnetic field is the electromagnetic field produced by the plurality of electronic components.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one magnet to resist opening of the device when the hinge is in the closed position and wherein the selected magnetic field is the magnetic field of the at least one magnet.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnet comprises first and second magnets, the first magnet being proximal to the first screen and the second magnet being proximal to the second screen, wherein the first magnet is spaced from the first display panel and the second magnet is spaced from the second display panel, and wherein, when the hinge is in the closed position, the first magnet attracts the second magnet, thereby resisting opening of the device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second display panels comprise first and second active display areas and wherein the first and second screens have a range of rotation about the hinge of more than 180 degrees so that the device is foldable between an open position in which a first plane of the first screen is transverse to a second plane of the second screen and a closed position in which the first and second screens are oriented substantially back-to-back in adjacent planes.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the hinge is configured to enable a distance between the first and second active display areas, when the first and second screens are in the fully opened position, to be no more than about 10 mm.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the distance is no more than about 5 mm.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the handheld computing device has plural different physical states comprising at least a fully closed state in which the handheld device is fully closed and fully open state in which the handheld device is fully open, an opening transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning from the fully closed state to another state, a closing transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning to the fully closed state from another state, an easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a first orientation, in the first orientation the hinge is located above opposing edges of each of the first and second screens, the opposing edges of the first and second screens contacting a supporting surface, and a modified easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a second orientation, in the second orientation one of the first and second screens is contacting the supporting surface and the other of the first and second screens is not contacting the supporting surface, and wherein the current state of the handheld device is based on input from the at least one Hall Effect sensor, an accelerometer, and a timer.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein, in the fully closed state, each of the first and second display panels display at least one window and wherein the physical states further comprise one or more of an inbound/outbound communication state in which the handheld computing device is receiving an inbound call or making an outbound call and an image/video capture state in which the handheld computing device is capturing an image or video, and a docked state in which the handheld computing device is docked to another device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein in any of the physical states of the handheld computing device the handheld computing device can be in a portrait or landscape orientation.

12. A method, comprising:

providing a handheld computing device comprising first and second screens, the first and second screens comprising first and second display panels to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user, a plurality of electronic components comprising a processor and memory, and a hinge connected to the first and second screens, wherein the hinge moves between a closed position and an open position, and wherein the plurality of electronic components generates an electromagnetic field during operation;

sensing, at a selected time and by at least one position sensor, at least one of a variation in and strength of a selected magnetic field comprising a magnetic field component of said generated electromagnetic field; and

determining, based on the sensed at least one of a variation and strength of the selected magnetic field and by the processor, relative positions of the first and second screens, wherein the handheld computing device has plural different physical states comprising at least a fully closed state in which the handheld device is fully closed and fully open state in which the handheld device is fully open, an opening transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning from the fully closed state to another state, a closing transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning to the fully closed state from another state, an easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a first orientation, in the first orientation the hinge is located above opposing edges of each of the first and second screens, the opposing edges of the first and second screens contacting a supporting surface, a modified easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a second orientation, in the second orientation one of the first and second screens is contacting the supporting surface and the other of the first and second screens is not contacting the supporting surface, an inbound/outbound communication state in which the handheld computing device is receiving an inbound call or making an outbound call, an image/video capture state in which the handheld computing device is capturing an image or video, and a docked state in which the handheld computing device is docked to another device and wherein the current state of the handheld device is based on input from the at least one position sensor, an accelerometer, and a timer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one position comprises first and second Hall-Effect sensors positioned proximal to the first and second screens, respectively, wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the hinge, connecting the first and second screens, wherein the first Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near a peripheral edge of the first screen, the peripheral edge being at an opposite edge of the first screen relative to the hinge, and the second Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near the hinge connecting the first and second screens, and wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second display panels when the first and second screens are in the fully closed state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near a periphery of the first screen and the second Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near the hinge, wherein the at least one of variation in and strength of the selected magnetic field is proportional to a voltage difference across different sides of the respective Hall-Effect sensor, and wherein each of the first and second Hall-Effect sensors measure a respective voltage difference.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising at least one magnet to resist opening of the device when the hinge is in the closed position and said selected magnetic field further comprises a magnetic field of the at least one magnet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, in the fully closed state, each of the first and second display panels display at least one window, wherein the at least one magnet comprises first and second magnets, the first magnet being proximal to the first screen and the second magnet being proximal to the second screen, and wherein, when the hinge is in the closed position, the first magnet attracts the second magnet, thereby resisting opening of the device.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second display panels comprise first and second active display areas and wherein the first and second screens have a range of rotation about the hinge of more than 180 degrees so that the device is foldable between an open position in which a first plane of the first screen is transverse to a second plane of the second screen and a closed position in which the first and second screens are oriented substantially back-to-back in adjacent planes.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the hinge is configured to enable a distance between the first and second active display areas, when the first and second screens are in the fully opened position, to be no more than about 10 mm, and wherein the magnetic field is an electromagnetic field produced by the plurality of electronic components.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein, in the fully closed state, each of the first and second display panels display at least one window and wherein, in any of the physical states of the handheld computing device, the handheld computing device can be in a portrait or landscape orientation.

20. A tangible and non-transient computer readable medium comprising microprocessor executable instructions that, when executed by the microprocessor, causes the microprocessor to execute instructions comprising:

instructions to sense, at a selected time and by at least one position sensor, at least one of a variation in and strength of a selected magnetic field in a handheld computing device, the handheld computing device comprising first and second screen assemblies, the first and second screen assemblies comprising first and second display panels to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user, a plurality of electronic components comprising a microprocessor and memory, the plurality of electronic components generating an electromagnetic field, at least one magnet to resist opening of the device when the hinge is in the closed position, the selected magnetic field comprising a magnetic field of the at least one magnetic and magnetic component of the electromagnetic field generated by the plurality of electronic components, and a hinge connected to the first and second screen assemblies, wherein the hinge moves between a closed position and an open position; and

instructions to determine, based on the sensed at least one of a variation and strength of the selected magnetic field and by the processor, relative positions of the first and second screens, wherein the handheld computing device has plural different physical states comprising a fully closed state in which the handheld device is fully closed, fully open state in which the handheld device is fully open, an opening transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning from the fully closed state to another state, a closing transitional state in which the handheld computing device is transitioning to the fully closed state from another state, an easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a first orientation, in the first orientation the hinge is located above opposing edges of each of the first and second screens, the opposing edges of the first and second screens contacting a supporting surface, a modified easel state in which the handheld computing device is partially open and has a second orientation, in the second orientation one of the first and second screens is contacting the supporting surface and the other of the first and second screens is not contacting the supporting surface, an inbound/outbound communication state in which the handheld computing device is receiving an inbound call or making an outbound call, an image/video capture state in which the handheld computing device is capturing an image or video, and a docked state in which the handheld computing device is docked to another device and wherein the current state of the handheld device is based on input from the at least one position sensor, an accelerometer, and a timer.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein the at least one position sensor comprises first and second Hall-Effect sensors positioned proximal to the first and second screens, respectively, wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the hinge, connecting the first and second screens, wherein the first Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near a peripheral edge of the first screen, the peripheral edge being at an opposite edge of the first screen relative to the hinge, and the second Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near the hinge connecting the first and second screens, and wherein the first and second Hall-Effect sensors are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second display panels when the first and second screens are in the fully closed state.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the first Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near a periphery of the first screen and the second Hall-Effect sensor is positioned near the hinge, wherein the at least one of variation in and strength of the selected magnetic field is proportional to a voltage difference across different sides of the respective Hall-Effect sensor, and wherein each of the first and second Hall-Effect sensors measure a respective voltage difference.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 20, wherein, in the fully closed state, each of the first and second display panels display at least one window, and wherein, in any of the physical states of the handheld computing device, the handheld computing device can be in a portrait or landscape orientation.