Patent ID: 7043284
Filing Date: 2006-05-09
Classification: H04M,H04N

Abstract:
1. A multimode electronic communication device comprising: a. a first substantially planar panel including a telephone interface and a display on a first face of the first panel, the first panel having a single axis of rotation perpendicular to the first panel; b. a second substantially planar panel including a keyboard interface on a first face of the second panel, the first face of the second panel rotatably and operatively coupled to the second face of the first panel for rotation about the axis such that the first panel is configured to rotate in only one plane relative to the second panel such that in a first rotational orientation the keyboard interface is obscured by the first panel, and, in a second rotational orientation the keyboard interface is exposed; and c. means for sensing a rotational orientation between the first panel and the second panel such that in the first rotational orientation the device operates as a telephone and input entered on the telephone interface are shown on the display, and, in the second rotational orientation the device operates as a messaging device and input entered on the keyboard interface are shown on the display.