Patent ID: 7728814
Filing Date: 2010-06-01
Classification: G06F,H04M

Abstract:
1. A mobile flip phone comprising: a processor; a memory communicably coupled to the processor; an enclosure including at least one external surface, the processor and memory housed within the enclosure, the at least one external surface defining a reference surface and a reference axis, the reference axis defined along a path substantially perpendicular to the reference surface; a flip cover; a flip base portion; a hinge between the flip cover and the flip base portion; a control arm disposed in the hinge, wherein the control arm is communicably coupled to the processor to receive user input, the control arm convertible between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the control arm defining a deployed length measured along the reference axis when the control arm is in the deployed configuration, the control arm further defining a stowed length measured along the reference axis when the control arm is in the stowed configuration, the stowed length less than the deployed length; the deployed control arm configuration communicates rotational commands to the processor when the control arm is twisted; the control arm that telescopes between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration, wherein the control arm is at least partially displaced into the hinge when the control arm is placed in the stowed configuration by separating the control arm into at least two components, and spreading the components substantially into a plane parallel to the reference surface; and the stowed control arm configuration not interfering with operations of the mobile phone; wherein the control arm is integral to the mobile phone; wherein, upon placing the control arm in the stowed configuration, the control arm length along the reference axis is reduced by at least partially reorienting the control arm, or a portion thereof; and wherein the control arm is placed in the stowed configuration by pivotally rotating the control arm.