Abstract:
Various embodiments of a compact personal communication device are wherein each embodiment provides a full-feature keyboard and/or gaming control. The device provides a user with voice and data communication. The device includes a display, a first unit and a second unit coupled to the display for providing the user with input controls, a first locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the closed position to securely hold the first unit in a closed position, and a second locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the open position in order to securely hold the first unit in an open position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/584,297; filed on May 31, 2000, entitled “Foldable keyboard for mobile communications device” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,580,932 issued on Jun. 17, 2003. The present application and said patent, at the time the claimed invention of the present application was made, were subject to an obligation of assignment to Nokia Mobile Phones Limited. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention generally relates to telecommunications devices and, more specifically, to a device with wireless communications with enhanced input device. 
     Typical cellular devices include an alphanumeric keypad with input functions and a display area. One problem faced by manufacturers of these devices is how to incorporate a full keyboard or gaming features in a limited space, and thus, maximize the key pad functions and number of features in the smallest space or volume possible. Current methods include a keypad layout with alpha and numeric properties, some type of navigational pad or dial, and various types of soft keys. Soft keys are unmarked keys positioned next to the display and, hence, soft keys derive their meaning or function from what is displayed in the display. 
     Even though the keypad may include some type of navigational pads or keys, the navigational keys have limited application or use. In addition to navigational keys, the keypad includes number pads. The number pads are typical numeric pads that are also used to designate or select alpha characters. For example, the numeric “2” pad can typically be used in alpha mode to represent the letters “A”, “B”, and “C”. Accordingly, if the user wanted to select and enter the letter “C”, then the user would press the numeric “2” pad three or four times until the letter “C” appeared in the display. Although inefficient, this is currently one option for entering one or two words; these alphanumeric pads are not suitable for typing more than two or three words due to the inefficiency inherent in the design nor are they suitable for use in relation to entertainment functions. 
     A current solution to the inefficiency of numeric pads is to include a full keyboard, such as a QWERTY keyboard. The problem face by manufacturers of personal communication devices or cellular phones is that the addition of a full keyboard or a gaming keypad results in a bulky portable device. 
     Another problem faced by manufactures of portable devices is how to make a device that is adaptable to the changing needs of users. The problem exists because the user may at one instant desire to use the device for voice related communication and at another instant desire to use that same device for data communication that requires a QWERTY style keyboard to input data. Consequently, the user can not easily adapt the device to the user&#39;s varying desires. 
     Therefore, what is needed is a compact device that is capable of adapting to the user&#39;s varying needs, which incorporates a full-feature keyboard and/or gaming control. 
     SUMMARY 
     A compact personal communication device is provided for wireless communication and entertainment that includes a full-feature keyboard and/or gaming control. The device provides a user with voice and data communication and includes a display, a first unit and a second unit coupled to the display for providing the user with input controls, a first locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the closed position to securely holding the first unit in a closed position, and a second locking mechanism for engaging the first unit in the open position in order to securely holding the first unit in an open position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective of a portable communications device in an open position in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 in a partially open position. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of a portable communications device in an open position in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 3 in a closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective of a portable communications device in an open position in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 5 in a partially open position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a personal communication device  10  provides a user with a dual mode cellular device with data communication capabilities in an open position as shown, or can act as a telephone in a closed position. In the closed position, the device  10  looks and operates like a standard mono-block cellular phone. When placed in the open position, the device  10  is converted into a data communications device for two hand operation, such as typing, with a full QWERTY keyboard, which typically has over 100 various input keys corresponding to function keys, the alphabet keys for upper and lower case, and various other input keys. 
     The device  10  includes a display  12  for visual presentation of information, such as information entered by a user using a right keypad  14  and a left keypad  16 . The right keypad  14  and the left keypad  16  correspond to the right and left half, respectively, of the QWERTY keyboard, which can include navigational and numeric keys. The device  10  can be used in either a telephone mode or a data communications mode with voice communication capabilities, as needed. 
     In the closed position, the device  10  is a telephone with a numeric keypad located on the opposite side of the right keypad  14 . To place the device  10  in the closed position and, thus, used it as a telephone, the user slidingly retracts the right keypad  14  in the direction AA. The right keypad  14  slides along reciprocating channels in an arm  18  of the device  10 . By slidingly retracting the keypad  14  in the direction AA, a pin  20  disengages from an open position bore (not shown) in a housing  22 , which is similar to a closed position bore  24  located on the opposite side of the housing  22  from the open position bore. Additionally, the pin  20  is reciprocatingly positioned within in a bore  26  of the arm  18 . 
     Once the pin  20  is disengaged from the open position bore of the housing  22  then the right keypad  14  can be pivoted about 180 degrees in the direction BB about a pivot portion  28  of the arm  18  to the closed position. With the right keypad  14  pivoted about  180  degrees way to the closed position, the right keypad  14  is then slidingly moved along the channels in the arm  18  in the direction AA to insert the pin  20  in the closed position bore  24  of the housing  22 . 
     In addition to providing a locking feature, the pin  20  also acts as a connector. Thus, control circuitry of the device  10  can recognize when the device  10  is in a closed or open position. Accordingly, the circuitry can activate the numeric keypad located on the opposite side of the right keypad  14 , or the right keypad  14  and the left keypad  16  to activate a full QWERTY keyboard for data communication features of the device  10 . Alternatively, the QWERTY keyboard could be enhanced to include or replaced by a full gaming keyboard with navigational, directional, and omni-directional joystick input devices. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a personal communication device  40  provides the user with data communication capabilities in an open position as shown, or can act as a telephone in a closed position. When placed in the open position, the device  40  acts as a data communication device with a full QWERTY keyboard and/or a full gaming keyboard for use with gaming functionality. The device  40  includes a display  42  for visual presentation of information, such as information entered by a user using a right keypad  44  and a left keypad  46 . The right keypad  44  and the left keypad  46  correspond to the right and left half, respectively, of the QWERTY keyboard or the gaming keyboard, which can include navigational and numeric keys. The device  40  can be used in either a telephone mode or a data communications mode with voice communication capabilities, as needed. 
     In the closed position, the device  40  is a telephone with a numeric keypad  48  located on the opposite side of the right keypad  44 . To place the device  40  in the closed position in order to use the device  40  as a telephone, the user slidingly moves the right keypad  44  away from the left keypad  46  to disengage the right keypad  44  from the left keypad  46 . Then the user rotates the display  42  about a hinge  50  in the direction CC. The display  42  is rotated about the hinge  50  until the display  50  is moved out of the rotational path of the right keypad  44 , which is in the direction DD. With the right keypad  44  separated from the left keypad  46  and the display  42  rotated out of the travel path of the right keypad  44 , the right keypad  44  is rotated about 180 degrees to a closed position. The right keypad  44  is then securely held in the closed position using a locking mechanism, such as a latch or a snap lock. The locking mechanism can also be incorporated as part of a housing  52  for the display  42 . Accordingly, when the housing  52  is returned to the closed position, then a right chassis portion  54  containing the right keypad  44  and the numeric keypad  48  is held in the closed position. 
     In addition to providing a locking feature, when the device  40  is in the open position, then the display  42  can be secured in a tilted position by a securing bracket  56   s . Thus, the display  42  can be adjusted to an angled position thereby providing better viewing and greater comfort for the user. Furthermore, with the display  42  tilted to an optimal viewing angle with respect to the position of the user, the illumination needed to illuminate the display  42  can be significantly reduced to conserve battery life. 
     Furthermore, the locking mechanism incorporated in the device  40  and/or tilting of the display  42  can be used to activate the corresponding features of the device  40 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a personal communication device  60  provides the user with data communication capabilities in an open position as shown, or can act as a telephone in a closed position. When placed in the open position, the device  60  acts as a data communication device with a full QWERTY keyboard and/or a full gaming keyboard for use with gaming functionality. The device  60  includes a display  62  for visual presentation of information, such as information entered by a user using a right keypad  64  and a left keypad  66 . The right keypad  64  and the left keypad  66  correspond to the right and left half, respectively, of the QWERTY keyboard and/or the gaming keyboard, which can include navigational and numeric keys. The device  60  can be used in either a telephone mode or a data communications mode with voice communication capabilities, as needed. 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 5, in the closed position, the device  60  is a telephone with a numeric keypad located on the opposite side of the right keypad  64 . To place the device  60  in the closed position in order to use the device  60  as a telephone, the user applied pressure to buttons  68  located on opposite sides of the housing  70 . In the open position the buttons  68  engage a top surface of a chassis  72 . As the user depressed the buttons  68 , the chassis  72  can pivot about pivot portions  74  of the chassis  72 . Once the buttons  68  are depressed then the chassis  72  can be rotated or pivoted approximately 180 degrees in the direction EE about the hinge portion  74 . As the chassis  72  is rotated over the buttons  68 , the buttons  68  are held in a depressed state until the chassis  72  allows the buttons  68  to return undepressed state for securing the chassis  72  in the closed position. 
     Although described in the context of particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a number of modifications to these teachings may occur. Thus, while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to one or more preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that certain modifications or changes, in form and shape, may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth above and claimed hereafter.