Abstract:
A mobile terminal has a first body, a second body and a connector. The connector includes a ring assembly that is fixed to the second body and rotatably and slidably connected to the first body. The first body is capable of slidably moving along the ring assembly along a longitudinal axis relative to the second body. Additionally, the first body is capable of slidably moving along the ring assembly along the lateral axis relative to the second body, and the first body is further capable of rotatably moving about the ring assembly relative to the second body while maintaining electrical communication with the second body.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Mobile terminals are used today by a significant number of people. In addition, with advances made in circuit design and battery life, the size and weight of mobile terminals has decreased over the lifetime of this product. 
     Because of the size and weight limitations, designers of such devices have difficulty including as many desired features in any one device. For example, with respect to a device for use as a cellular telephone, it is a challenge to include in that device any additional features that would enable the user to operate the device as something else, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). This is due in part to the fact that a cellular telephone requires the use of a numeric keypad, while a PDA uses an alphanumeric keypad. To include both in one device requires miniaturization of parts and design. Thus there is a balance in providing as many advantageous features consumers want on a device, with the size and weight of the device so that it is not overly bulky or heavy. Often a compromise is made on the selection of some features in an effort to maintain a small, light weight design. Thus, the user is limited in the number of ways in which the device may be used. 
     Mobile terminals, such as cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), feature a variety of housing configurations. There are, for example, flip designs, “jack-knife” designs, and “candy bar” designs. Flip designs may include a flip portion mounted to an end of a housing with one or more hinges along the end of the housing. The operative faces of the flip and housing oppose each other when the flip is closed and are exposed when the flip is open. Jack-knife designs may include two housings, where one housing is rotatably mounted to the other housing with a pin-type connection made across the thickness of the housings, disposed at one end of the terminal when the housings are in the closed position. The operative face of one housing is always exposed, while the operative face of the other housing is hidden when the terminal is closed and is exposed when the terminal is open. Candy bar designs include a single housing, and are elongated, suggestive of a candy bar shape. However, with planar housings, the key pads are always exposed and may be activated accidentally. Also exposed keypads may wear out prematurely rendering the terminal unusable. 
     With respect to hinged and rotating designs, there is a challenge in ensuring that all the electrical contacts and power are provided throughout the housing to ensure effective operation of the device. For example, if the wiring does not have sufficient flexibility to move freely when the flip phone is flipped open, the wires will not allow the device to work properly or power may not be distributed to both sides of the terminal device and therefore render the device inoperative. 
     Many mobile terminals currently include full “qwerty” keypads, with numeric keys hidden within the keypad and accessible for use by depressing a function key first. Such a design reduces the number of keys required, but may make it difficult to identify and use the numeric keys. Most mobile terminals that include such keypads do so with the substantially planar, single housing design, and have the keypad and display on the same operative face of the housing. Incorporating a display and a keypad into the same face, however, results in a screen size substantially smaller than the face, possibly with keys too small to easily use with one&#39;s fingers. Many terminals with full keypads also do not have the form factor of a phone that users are accustomed to and may prefer. 
     It is a challenge to designers of mobile terminals to design a terminal that is of sufficient size to enable the user to operate the keys on the keypads effectively, yet make the device small enough so that it is easily mobile and may be carried in a pocket or handbag. In addition, because of the size limitations, there is a challenge to find sufficient space on the terminal body to provide the user with as many features as possible for the user to incorporate into the mobile device, while maintaining ease of portability. Also, where the terminal configurations are made of more than one part and move relative to each other. There is a further challenge to ensure that the wiring of the device is not compromised during movement and that current and power are properly distributed during operation of the device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a mobile terminal is provided. The terminal has a first body having a first upper surface and a first lower surface, and having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a second body having a second upper surface and a second lower surface; and a connector fixed to the second body and rotatably and slidably connected to the first body. The first body is capable of slidably moving along its longitudinal or lateral axis relative to the second body or rotatably moving relative to the second body, while maintaining electrical communication with the second body. 
     In accordance to a second embodiment of the present invention, a mobile terminal is provided having a first body having a first upper surface and first lower surface, a slot located on the first lower surface, the slot having a longitudinal component and a lateral component, the longitudinal and lateral components being relatively perpendicular to each other. The second embodiment further provides for a second body having a second upper and a second lower surface. The second embodiment further includes a connector fixed to the second body and slidably received into the slot in the first body for slidable and pivotable engagement with the first body. The connector has a hollow central core. The second embodiment further includes electrical wires connected at a first end to the first body and at a second end to the second body. The electrical wires pass through the hollow central core of the connector. The second embodiment further includes a pair of spaced apart longitudinal grooves and a pair of space apart lateral grooves. The grooves are located on the first lower surface. Each groove has a groove length, a first groove endpoint, a second groove endpoint, and at least one recess along the groove length. The groove endpoints and functional recesses are made of an electrically conductive material, and the remaining length of the groove is made of a non-conductive material. The second embodiment of the present invention further includes at least one spring loaded pin mounted on the second upper surface. The pin is slidably and removably engaged in at least one groove. The pin is made of an electrically conductive material. The second embodiment further includes a terminal communication means for receiving electrical signals and sending electrical signals within the device. When the first body of the second embodiment, moves relative to the second body, at least one pin moves from a first position within the groove to a second position at a groove recess or at a groove endpoint. Such movement causes the pin to make contact with the electrically conductive groove material at the groove recess or groove endpoint. Such contact creates an electrical signal that is sent to the terminal communication means regarding the function to be adopted by the terminal in the assumed position. 
     A third embodiment of the present invention includes a mobile terminal having a first body having a first upper surface and first lower surface, the first upper surface having a screen thereon, the first lower surface having a camera lens thereon. The third embodiment further includes a slot located on the first lower surface, the slot having a longitudinal component and a lateral component, the longitudinal and lateral components being relatively perpendicular to each other. The third embodiment further includes a second body having a second upper and a second lower surface, the second upper surface having an alphanumeric keypad, a numeric keypad, a camera lens, a touch screen, and at least one pin recess thereon. The third embodiment also includes a connector fixed to the second body and slidably and rotatably received into the slot in the first body for slidable and pivotable engagement therewith. The connector has a hollow central core. The third embodiment further includes electrical wires connected at a first end to the first body and at a second end to the second body. The electrical wires pass through the hollow central core of the connector. The third embodiment further includes a pair of spaced apart longitudinal grooves and a pair of spaced apart lateral grooves. The grooves are located on the first lower surface and each have a groove length, a first groove endpoint, a second groove endpoint, and at least one recess along the groove length. The groove endpoints and recess are made of an electrically conductive material, and the remaining length of the groove is made of a non-conductive material. The third embodiment also includes at least one spring loaded pin mounted on the second upper surface. The pin is slidably and removably engaged in at least one groove, and made of an electrically conductive material. When the first body slides or pivots relative to the second body, at least one pin moves from a first position within the groove to a second position at a groove recess, a pin recess or at a groove endpoint, the contact of the pin with the electrically conductive groove material at the groove recess or groove endpoint, or pin recess, creates an electrical signal that communicates within the terminal to indicate the function to be adopted by the terminal in the assumed position of the terminal. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is a particular configuration of the third embodiment. This occurs when the first body slides relative to the second body in the longitudinal slot in a first direction, at least one pin moves from a first endpoint on the longitudinal groove to a first groove recess, and the numeric keypad on the second surface is exposed, signaling to the terminal to assume the function of a cellular telephone. 
     A second configuration of the third embodiment occurs when the first body slides relative to the second body in the longitudinal slot in a second direction, at least one pin moves from a second endpoint on the longitudinal groove to a groove recess signaling to the terminal to assume the function of a digital camera, such longitudinal movement exposes the camera lens on the lower first surface and the function buttons on the upper second surface, and activates the screen on the upper first surface as a camera viewfinder. 
     A fourth configuration of the third embodiment occurs when the first body slides relative to the second body in the lateral slot in a first direction, at least one pin moves from a first endpoint on the lateral groove to a groove recess signaling to the terminal to assume the function of a personal digital assistant, such lateral movement exposes the alphanumeric keypad on the upper second surface, and activates the screen on the upper first surface as a touch screen. 
     A fifth configuration of the third embodiment occurs when the first body slides relative to the second body in the lateral slot in a second direction, at least one pin moves from a second endpoint on the lateral groove to a groove recess signaling to the terminal to assume the function of a global positioning system, such lateral movement exposes the function buttons on the upper second surface, and activates the screen on the upper first surface. 
     A sixth configuration of the third embodiment occurs when the first body pivots relative to the second body about the connector and then the first body is slid relative to the second body along a portion of the length of the first body, at least one pin moves from a first position within a lateral or longitudinal groove to a second position received within the pin recess, signaling to the terminal to assume the function of a cellular video teleconferencing device, and such pivotal and longitudinal sliding expose the alphanumeric keypad, camera lens and touch screen on the second upper surface and activate the screen on the upper first surface. 
     Features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of an embodiment of a pivoting mobile terminal according to the present invention, in a first closed position. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the pivoting mobile terminal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the sectional view taken along line C-C of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed and the first body slid longitudinally relative to the second body into a second position. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed and the first body slid longitudinally relative to the second body into a third position. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed and the first body slid laterally relative to the second body into a fourth position. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the lid removed and the first body slid laterally relative to the second body into a fifth position. 
         FIG. 21  is a top view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the first body pivoted relative to the second body and slid longitudinally relative to the second body into a sixth position. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the first body pivoted relative to the second body and slid longitudinally relative to the second body into a seventh position. 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 27 . 
         FIG. 29  is a front view of the mobile terminal of  FIG. 27 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “inner,” “outer,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. It is understood that the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “mobile terminal” may include, among other things: a palmtop receiver or other appliance; a cellular radiotelephone with or without a multi-line display and with or without digital camera capability; a hand held phone; a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile and data communications capabilities and digital cameral capabilities; a personal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, Web browser, organizer, calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a calculator; a handheld game or controller; and a personal music playback system such as for CDs, minidisks, MP-3 files, memory sticks, or the like. In addition, the mobile terminal may include touch screens thereon for use with a stylus or with fingers. 
     Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows the first embodiment of the present invention in a closed or “home” position. The first embodiment of the present invention  10  includes a first body  12  and a second body  14 . In the home position, the first body  12  and second body  14  are situated proximate to each other and aligned with each other. The first body  12  and second body  14  are connected by a ring assembly  16  there between, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The ring assembly  16  has a hollow center section  18  through which wires (not shown) pass. As it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the wires are connected at their first ends to various points on the first body  12  and to various points on the second body  14  at their second ends. The hollow center section  18  of the ring assembly  16  acts as a harness to protect the wires from breakage as the first body  12  and second body  14  move relative to one another via the ring assembly  16 . 
     The first body  12  is made up of a lid  13  and a slotted member  15 . The lid  13  has a first upper surface  20  and a lid lower surface  21 . The slotted member  15  has a slotted upper surface  23  and a slotted lower surface  22 . The slotted member  15  also has a slot  24  extending through the body of the slotted member. The slot  24  includes a longitudinal component  26  and a lateral component  28  oriented perpendicular to one another. Together, the combined lateral and longitudinal components  26 ,  28  provide for a “cross-shaped” slot. As shown in more detail in  FIG. 5 , the ring assembly  16  includes a tubular section  30  having an upper end  32  and a lower end  34 . The ring assembly further includes a collar  36  fixed to the upper end  32  of the ring assembly  16 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the first body  12  has pair of lateral grooves  38  and a pair of longitudinal grooves  39 . The lateral grooves  38  and the longitudinal grooves  39  are located on the first lower surface  22  of the slotted member  15 . The lateral grooves  38  are parallel and located along the edges of the width first lower surface  22 . The longitudinal grooves are parallel and located along the edges of the length of the first lower surface  22 . 
     Turning now to the second body  14  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the second body  14  includes a second upper surface  42  and a second lower surface  44 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Returning to  FIG. 4 , spring loaded pins  40  are mounted on the second body  14  and extend upward from the second upper surface  42 . As shown in more detail in  FIG. 6 , the pin  40  includes an inner sleeve  46  and an outer sleeve  48 . The inner and outer sleeves  46 ,  48  are sized so that the inner sleeve can slide along the longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve  48  has an end cap  50  that is spherical or dome-shaped. Housed within the inner sleeve is a spring  52 . During installation, the pin  40  is placed within a pin recess  54  and the spring  52  is compressed in the pin  40  so that the outer sleeve  48  exerts an outward force on the end cap  50 . 
     As assembled, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the pins  40  are located along the opposed edges of the upper second surface  42  and are received into the lateral  38  and longitudinal grooves  39  of the first lower surface  22  of the slotted member  15 . The pins  40  are located approximately in the center of each length and width of the upper second surface  42 . Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the lateral  38  and longitudinal  39  grooves have groove recesses  56  therein. The groove recesses  56  receive the pins  40  at particular points along the length of the lateral  38  and longitudinal grooves  39 . The groove recesses are positioned along the length of the lateral  38  and longitudinal grooves  39  so that when the user is manipulating the device  10  for a particular use, the pins  40  are removably received into the groove recesses  56  which will help to keep the device in a relatively secured position. This feature will be explained in further detail below. Portions of the lateral and longitudinal grooves  38 ,  39  are made of electrically conductive material. Other portions of the grooves  38 ,  39  are made of non-conductive material. The importance of this feature will be discussed in more detail below. 
     A first configuration of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 8-11 .  FIG. 8  shows the first configuration in a perspective view. The first body  12  is slid relative to the second body  14  longitudinally along a portion of the length of longitudinal component  26  of the slot  24  as indicated by arrow  58 . As force is placed on the first body  12  in the direction of arrow  58 , the pins  40  move out of the home groove recesses  43  in the “home” position and travel along in their respective longitudinal grooves  39  until they reach a first longitudinal functional recess  64 , shown in  FIG. 7 . The pins  40  on both sides of the longitudinal groove  39  recede into their respective first longitudinal functional recess  64 . This enables the first body  12  to come to a removably secured position relative to the second body  14  so that the user may use the device  10  in this first configuration without the first body  12  moving relative to the second body  14 . 
     It should be noted that the pins  40  are recessed within the lateral grooves  38  at the “home” recesses  43 . When the pins are recessed, they are in an extended position. When the pins are traveling along the grooves, they are in a compressed position. As the first body  12  is moved from the home position into the first configuration, the pins  40  move out of their home recesses  43 , compress as they travel along the longitudinal grooves  39  and return to an extended position as shown in  FIG. 8  when the embodiment  10  is moved into its first configuration, and the pins  40  are received into the first longitudinal functional recesses  64 . 
     In this first configuration, it is anticipated that a numeric keypad  70  and microphone  71  would be exposed so that the invention may be used in a cellular telephone capacity. To further achieve this first configuration and the other configurations discussed in more detail below, the lateral  38  and longitudinal grooves  39  are preferably made of different materials along their respective lengths. In particular, both the lateral  38  and longitudinal grooves  39  further include home recesses  43  at a midpoint position of each groove. The longitudinal grooves  39  include first longitudinal functional recesses  64  at a first position along the length of each longitudinal groove. The longitudinal groove  39  further includes a second longitudinal functional recess  66  at a second position along the length of the longitudinal groove. 
     The material within and immediately surrounding the first longitudinal functional recesses  64 , second longitudinal functional recesses  66  and home recesses  43  is that of an electrically conductive material. The other material comprising the lateral and longitudinal grooves is made of a non-conductive material. Thus when a user moves the first body  12  relative to the second body  14  along the longitudinal grooves  39 , the pins  40  move out of the home recess  43  and travel along a length of the longitudinal groove  39 . During this time, the device is not electrically activated. This is done so that during the physical manipulation of the device  10 , the device will not accidentally become activated and so that manipulation from one configuration to another configuration requires an electrical disconnection of the function of the device and a reconnection of the electrical power to the device in a different mode or function. In addition, by creating a signal to the device when the device has assumed a particular configuration, the various features of the devices, such as screens and function buttons, may be used in different capacities as the function of the device changes. For example, a particular set of function buttons may be used as camera buttons when the device is in one configuration but the same function buttons may be used to operate the device as a video teleconferencing device in another configuration. The details of this feature will be explained with particularity below as each configuration is described separately. 
     In the first configuration, during the travel along the length of the longitudinal groove  39  after the pins  40  have moved out of the home recesses  43 , they move along the longitudinal grooves on non-conductive material. Then, the pins  40  encounter the first longitudinal functional recesses  64 . The pins  40  are expandably received into the first longitudinal function recesses  64 . As a result, the pins  40 , which are made of an electrically conductive material, contact the first longitudinal function recess  64 . This contact results in generating a signal within the device  10  so as to indicate to the device the function to be assumed in this first longitudinal function recess  64 , as well as to distribute power to the device in this first configuration. For example, it is anticipated that as the first body  12  is moved relative to the second body  14  in the direction indicated by arrow  58 , the first configuration would be a cellular telephone. Thus, the electrical contact made between the pins  40  and the first longitudinal function recesses  64  would signal to the device  10  that the device should assume the function of a cellular telephone when it is in that particular position. Thus, in this position, the upper surface of the lid  13  is a lid touch screen  96 . This lid touch screen  96  would be activated and would conform to a cellular telephone screen for viewing and use by the user. In addition, in this first configuration, the numeric keypad  70  and microphone  71  are activated and ready for use as part of the cellular telephone configuration. 
     A second configuration of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 12-15 . In this configuration, the first body  12  is slid from the “home” position relative to the second body  14  along the longitudinal grooves  39  as indicated by a second configuration arrow  78 . The pins  40 , sliding along longitudinal grooves  39 , encounter a second longitudinal function recess  66 . In this position, a different portion of the upper surface of the main housing  41  is exposed. It is anticipated that second configuration functional buttons  80  may be located in this area. Moreover, in this second configuration, a camera lens  45  is located on the lower surface  22  of the first body  12 , as shown in  FIG. 15A . When activated in this configuration, the lid touch screen is activated to be used as a view finder. The function buttons  80  are used to perform the functions of a digital camera. 
     A third configuration of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 16-19 . In a third configuration of the invention, the first body  12  is slid relative to the second body  14  in a lateral fashion as indicated by third configuration arrow  82 . Prior to the first body  12  being slid relative to the second body  14 , the pins  40  are initially at rest within home recesses  43 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Once the first body  12  begins to slide relative to the second body  14 , the pins  40  move out of the home recesses  43  and along the lateral grooves  38 . The pins  40  continue to move along the lateral grooves  38  until the come to the first lateral groove recess  76 . At this point, the pins  40  are received into first lateral groove functional recesses  76 . In this configuration, a portion of the second upper surface  42  of the main housing  41  is exposed. It is anticipated that at least a portion of this surface will contain an alphanumeric keyboard  84  substantially similar to that of a computer keyboard. The upper surface of the lid  13  would include the lid touch screen  96  to display and interact with the user for creating and sending such messages, documents, etc. In this third configuration, it is anticipated that the device will be used as a personal digital assistant (PDA). 
     A fourth configuration is shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . In a fourth configuration of the invention, the first body  12  is slid from a “home” position laterally relative to the second body  14  in a direction opposite that described above with respect to the third configuration and as indicated by a fourth configuration arrow  86 . During such movement, the pins  40  move from a home recesses  43  to a second lateral groove functional recess  88 . At such time, a portion of the upper surface  42  of the main housing  41  is exposed displaying a set of fourth configuration function buttons  90 . It is anticipated that these fourth configuration function buttons could be designed to be used in a number of different ways, depending on consumer demands. For example, it is anticipated that such buttons could be designed to be used as functional buttons for use in this configuration as a global positioning system (GPS). In this configuration, the lid touch screen  96  would function as screen. The function buttons  90  would be used to operate the device in this fourth configuration. 
     A fifth configuration is shown in  FIGS. 24-26 . A fifth configuration is achieved by the user turning the first body  12  relative to the second body  14  from the “home” position so that the first body  12  is relatively perpendicular to the second body  14 . This is accomplished by the first body  12  pivoting on the ring assembly  16  which is fixed to the second body  14 . This enables the first body  12  to turn relative to the second body  14 . Once the first body  12  is approximately perpendicular to the second body  14 , the user slides the first body  12  relative to the second body  14  in the direction indicated by fifth configuration arrow  92  until the ring assembly  16  encounters the slot endpoint  94 . At this point, the pins  40  are able to recess into the longitudinal grooves  39  at third longitudinal recess  47 . It should be noted that in this fifth configuration, the pins  40  on either side of the width of the second body  14  both recede into the same longitudinal groove  39 . Thus the third longitudinal recess  47  is located at two points along the length of the same longitudinal groove  39 . Once the device is in this fifth configuration, a portion of the second upper surface  42  of the main housing  41  is displayed, as shown in  FIG. 25 . It is anticipated that elements that will be displayed in this configuration will include a housing touch screen  98 , as well as the numeric keypad  70  and microphone  71  and fifth configuration functional elements  100 . It is anticipated that at least one of the fifth configuration functional elements will include a second lens  102  so that the device  10  could function as a video conferencing device. In this position, the user would have access to the numeric keypad  70 , as well as a view of the lid touch screen  96 . The second lens  102  would work to obtain an image of the user and transmit it to the other participating members of the conference. In addition, it is anticipated that the user could view the image taken by the second lens  102  in the housing touch screen  98  located on the second upper surface  42  of the second body  14 . The image of the other party or parties participating in the video conference would be displayed on the lid touch screen  96 . 
     A sixth configuration of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 27-30 . To obtain this position, the first body  12  is turned relative to the second body  14  as described above with respect to the fifth configuration. However, at that point, the first body  12  is slid relative to the second body  14  along the longitudinal component  26  of the slot  24  to its endpoint. This results in the configuration shown at  FIGS. 27 and 30 . Here the pin  40  moves from its home recess  43  to a discreet recess  106  located on the lower first surface  22  of the first body  12 , shown in  FIG. 7 . It is anticipated in this sixth configuration, the alphanumeric keyboard  84  will be displayed along with other functional buttons and elements. In this configuration, it is anticipated that the function buttons  80  would operate for use as navigational keys for use in a game context. It is further anticipated that in this sixth configuration, that the lid screen  96  would be illuminated and display the game for the user. 
     It may be noted that function button  110  in  FIG. 27  may be used for a particular configuration. Alternatively, the same space on the device may be occupied by a microphone, speaker or other device as is deemed appropriate by the designers. 
     It is anticipated that there may be other features that may be included in the invention such as a stylus and stylus holder, receptors for earphones, and the like. The description above with respect to the various configurations is meant as an illustration of the potential uses for the terminal device in the various configurations and is not intended to be a limitation on the potential combinations and permutations of the additional of known features that may be included in such a device. 
     In addition, it is further anticipated that the terminal device described above may have more than the six configurations herein described. It is anticipated that the groove and recess configuration described and shown in  FIG. 7  may have additional recesses thereon to support additional configurations for the terminal device. Such further configurations may be created by the addition of recesses along the lateral  38  or longitudinal grooves  39  or located discreetly on the first lower surface  22 . 
     One of ordinary skill in the handheld communication and electrical device arts will quickly recognize that the invention has other applications in other environments. It will also be understood by someone of ordinary skill in the art that the functionality of mobile terminals may vary widely. In fact, many embodiments and implementations are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described. In addition, the recitation “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element in a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for,” are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if they otherwise include the word “means.” It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing modifications as well as various other changes, omissions and additions may be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.