Abstract:
A personal digital assistant (PDA)/telephone combination device comprising a base, a screen coupled to the base, and a keypad hingably mounted to the base. The keypad provides a partial view of the screen in a lowered position and a full view of the screen in a raised position. The keypad comprises a window that provides the partial view of the screen when the keypad is in a lowered position. A cover hingably mounts to the base wherein the keypad is located between the cover and the base. The cover rotates between an open position and a closed position. The screen displays telephone information when the keypad is in a lowered position. Control buttons coupled to the base are covered when the cover is in the closed position and uncovered when the cover is in an open position. In an additional embodiment, control buttons coupled to the base are uncovered when the cover is in both the closed position and the open position.

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/755,376, filed on Jan. 4, 2001, and claims priority to a provisional application entitled “Personal Digital Assistant/Telephone Combination Device”, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 14, 2000 and assigned Ser. No. 60/189,203, and also claims priority to an application entitled “Personal Digital Assistant/Telephone combination Device” filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office in Dec. 28, 2000 and assigned Ser. No. 2000-83700, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a portable terminal, and in particular, to a personal digital assistant (PDA)/telephone combination device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, portable terminals are categorized into a bar type, a flip type, and a folder type according to their outer appearances and into a wrist type and a neck wearable type according to where they are carried. Furthermore, portable terminals are divided into terminals for voice communication, for picture transmission, and for Internet access according to their functions. Although a large number of individuals carry portable terminals that can be classified into the bar type, the flip type, and the folder type in today&#39;s mobile society, it is expected that they will increasingly use such portable terminals as can be carried in diverse ways. 
     For example, a known folder-type terminal includes a main housing, a folder connected to the main housing, and a hinge means by which the folder can be opened to a predetermined angle from the main housing. The main housing may have a data input means therein and the folder may have a data output means thereon and vice versa. Typically, a microphone is in the main housing and a speaker is on the folder. 
     A keypad having a plurality of keys is used as the data input means and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) as the data output means. For the data input means a touch screen or a touch pad may also be used. 
     Along the developmental trend of portable terminals toward lightweight and miniaturization a main body, an LCD, and a keypad are being scaled down in size. However, as the LCD becomes smaller, it is more difficult to view displayed data and as the keypad becomes smaller, it is more difficult to enter data. These technological constraints set a limit on miniaturization of portable terminals. Satisfying miniaturization of a portable terminal while maintaining the size of an LCD and a keypad unchanged is a very challenging issue. 
     Furthermore in view of popular use of Internet communication and E-mail, the need for portable terminals to satisfy the above purpose is pressing. That is, what is needed is a PDA/telephone combination device that is easy to use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A general object of the present invention is to provide a portable digital terminal that incorporates cellular telephone capabilities and personal digital assistant capabilities. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable digital terminal having three housing portions connected by a single hinge in order to extend a data input function and increase user convenience. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable digital terminal having a key input unit housing between a main housing and a speaker housing. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable digital terminal where a wide screen LCD is covered in a main housing when the portable digital terminal functions as a cellular phone. 
     The foregoing and other objectives of the present invention are achieved by a personal digital assistant (PDA)/telephone combination device comprising a base, a screen coupled to the base, and a keypad hingably mounted to the base. The keypad provides a partial view of the screen in a lowered position and a full view of the screen in a raised position. The keypad comprises a window that provides the partial view of the screen when the keypad is in a lowered position. A cover hingably mounts to the base wherein the keypad is located between the cover and the base. The cover rotates between an open position and a closed position. The screen displays telephone information when the keypad is in a lowered position. Control buttons coupled to the base are covered when the cover is in the closed position and uncovered when the cover is in an open position. In an additional embodiment, control buttons coupled to the base are uncovered when the cover is in both the closed position and the open position. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, a PDA/telephone combination device includes a main housing, a speaker housing raised from and lowered to the main housing, hinge means by which the main housing is connected to the speaker housing, and a key pad housing that is connected to the hinge means, is disposed between the main housing and the speaker housing to be raised from and lowered to the main housing, and has a plurality of keys. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a PDA/telephone combination device with a cover opened and a telephone keypad raised to expose a PDA display: 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the cover in a closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the keypad raised so that it is flush with the cover; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the keypad lowered so that it is flush with the main housing; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with a keypad raised to expose a PDA display; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 5 with a cover in a closed position; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 5 with the keypad raised so that it is flush with the cover; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 5 with the keypad lowered so that it is flush with the main housing; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with a speaker housing in a closed position; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 9 with a key pad housing raised; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 9 with the key pad housing in an open position; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 9 with the speaker housing in an open position; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with a key top housing raised; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 13 with the key pad housing in an open position; 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 13 with the speaker housing in an open position; 
     FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with a key pad housing raised; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 16 with the key pad housing in an open position; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 16 with the speaker housing in an open position; and 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a PDA/telephone combination device with a key pad housing in an open position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a personal digital assistant (PDA)/telephone device  10 . The device  10  includes a base  12  with a keypad  14  and a cover  16  hingably mounted to one end of the base  12 . The telephone keypad  14  hingably mounts between the base  12  and the cover  16 , covering a display  18  when lowered and exposing the display  18  when raised. The device  10  includes a stencil (not shown) for contacting the display  18 . The display  18  is preferably a touch-screen display, while the keypad  14  is of the type conventionally used in cellular phones. 
     In one embodiment, the keypad  14  has a lock that secures it to the base  12 . In another embodiment, the keypad  14  freely rotates. The keypad  14  has buttons  20  for operating the device  10  as a telephone. The cover  16  includes a speaker  22 , which a user may place against his ear in order to hear a conversation. An antenna  24  provides wireless radio transmission and reception for the device  10 . Operational buttons  26  mount to the base  12  and are used for phone and PDA functions. Wings  32  along either side of the cover  16  assist in raising and lowering the cover  16 . Function buttons  28  are on either side of the device  10 . A battery (not shown) is carried by either the cover  16  or the base  12 . 
     FIG. 2 shows the device  10  with the cover  16  in a closed position. In the closed position, the cover  16  protects the operational buttons  26 . In one embodiment, the cover  16  has a latch that keeps it closed, while in another embodiment the hinge  30  biases the cover  16  in an open or closed position. A microphone  31  is disposed along the bottom of the base  12 . 
     FIG. 3 shows the cover  16  and the keypad  14  in a raised position. This position is desirable for the device  10  to operate as a PDA, with the screen  18  fully exposed in an alternate embodiment, the device  10  functions as a phone with the keypad  14  in the raised position by transmitting information from a memory (not shown) stored in the device  10  to a recipient device using wireless communication. Speaker  22  remains uncovered. 
     FIG. 4 shows the cover  16  in a raised position while the keypad  14  is in a lowered position. An electrical connection through, for example, the hinge  30  supports communication and power between the keypad  14  and the base  12 . The device  10  functions primarily as a phone when the keypad  14  is in a lowered position. Information relevant to a phone call is displayed on the viewable portion  34  of the display  18  when the keypad  14  is in a lowered position. Thus, in this position, the device  10  is operated as a conventional cellular telephone, including the display of information, etc. 
     FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. A PDA/telephone combination device  36  includes a base  18  with a keypad  40  and a cover  42  hingably mounted to one end of the base  38 . The keypad  40  hingably mounts between the base  38  and the cover  42 , covering a display  44  when lowered and exposing the display  44  when raised. The display  44  is preferably touch-sensitive. 
     The base  44  has a clasp  46  that secures the keypad  40  to the base  38 . A clasp  47  also secures the cover  42  to the base  38 . The keypad  40  has buttons  48  for operating the device  36  as a telephone. The cover  42  includes a speaker  44 , which a user may place against his ear in order to hear a conversation. Operational buttons  50  mount to the base  38  and are used for phone and PDA functions. Wings  52  along either side of the cover  42  assist in raising and lowering the cover  42 . Function buttons  54  are on either side of the device  36 . A battery (not shown) is in either the cover  42  or the base  38 . 
     FIG. 6 shows the device  36  with the cover  42  in a closed position. One aspect of the present invention is accessibility to operational buttons  50  and  50   a  while the cover  42  is in a closed position. Button  50   a  is utilized to release clasp  46 . Preferably, a hinge  56  biases the cover  42  in an open or closed position. An antenna  58  provides wireless radio transmission and reception for the device  36 . A microphone  59  is disposed along the bottom of the base  38 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the cover  42  and the keypad  40  in a raised position. This position is desirable for the device  36  to operate as a PDA, with the screen  44  fully exposed. The device  36  functions as a phone with the keypad  40  in a raised position by transmitting information from a memory (not shown) stored in the device  36  to a recipient device using wireless communication. 
     FIG. 8 shows the cover in a raised position while the keypad  48  is in a lowered position. An electrical connection through, for example, the hinge  56  supports communication and power between the keypad  40  and the base  38 . The device  36  functions primarily as a phone when the keypad  40  is in a lowered position. Information relevant to a phone call is displayed through a window  60  on the viewable portion of the display  44  when the keypad  40  is in a lowered position. Thus, in this position, the device  36  is operated as a conventional cellular telephone, including the display of information, etc. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with a speaker housing in a closed position. Referring to FIG. 9, the device includes three housings  12 ,  14 , and  16  connected to a hinge  30 . Specifically, the three housings  12 ,  14 , and  16  are a main housing, a bi-directional key pad housing, and a speaker housing, where the keypad  14  is positioned between the main housing  12  and the speaker housing  16 , respectively. The three housings  12 ,  14 , and  16  can be raised to a predetermined angle for a conversation on a hinge axis A. The communication angle is an angle at which the speaker housing  16  or the bi-directional key pad housing  14  is rotatable with respect to the main housing  12 . As shown in FIG. 9, when the device is inoperative, the speaker housing  16  and the bi-directional key pad housing  14  are lowered to the main housing  12 . Thus, the device has the main housing  12 , the bi-directional key pad housing  14  hingably mounted to the main housing  12 , and the speaker housing  16  hingably mounted to the key pad housing  14 . When the bi-directional key top housing  14  is raised, the speaker housing  16  is also raised. 
     Referring to FIGS. 10,  11 , and  12 , the speaker housing  16  includes a top surface  201  and a bottom surface  202 . A speaker  210  is mounted at a predetermined position of the bottom surface  202 . The bi-directional key pad housing  14  has a first keypad  321  being an array of first keys  320  on its top surface  301  and a second keypad  351  being an array of second keys  350  on its bottom surface  302 . A first opening  310  is formed through the top surface  301  and the bottom surface  302  of the bi-directional key pad housing  14 . The first keypad  321  preferably includes a plurality of digit keys and keys such as a send key and a power key for the device as a cellular phone for voice communication. The second keypad  351  preferably includes character keys, scroll keys, and function keys in consideration of user friendliness for Internet communication and e-mail. However, since this is a mere exemplary application, the keys can be arranged on the first keypad  321  and the second keypad  351  in different ways. For example, the first keypad  321  may have primarily character keys, while the second keypad  351  may have digit keys. 
     The first opening  310  is used to view data displayed on a wide LCD  110  of the main housing  12  without raising the bi-directional key pad housing  14 . The data may include date, time, antenna reception sensitivity, battery state, etc., which are usually represented as icon images in an upper portion of the LCD  110 . Therefore, the first opening  310  is disposed at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the LCD  110 . 
     The main housing  12  has the wide LCD  110  across a large area on its top surface  101 . A touch screen can be used instead of the wide LCD  110 . In this case, a known touch-sensitive panel is provided. A user can input/output data through the wide LCD  110 . 
     When the speaker housing  16  is in a closed position, the main housing  12 , the bi-directional key pad housing  14 , and the speaker housing  16  are stacked sequentially. 
     To make a call, a user raises the speaker housing  16  from the bi-directional key pad housing  14 , as shown in FIG.  12 . For Internet access or e-mail, the user raises the bi-directional key pad housing  14  from the main housing  12 , as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     Referring to FIG. 12, the wide LCD  110  is covered in the main housing, thus being protected against the external environment. 
     Referring to FIGS. 13,  14 , and  15 , a PDA/telephone combination device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a first transparent window  710  in a speaker housing  70  and a second transparent window  810  in a key pad housing  80  in order to view data displayed on a wide LCD without raising the speaker housing  70 . The first and second transparent windows  710  and  810  preferably are identical in shape. The fourth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except for the first and second transparent windows  710  and  810 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 16,  17 , and  18 , a PDA/telephone combination device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention includes an opening  910  formed into a predetermined shape in a speaker housing  90  and another opening  951  in a key pad housing  95  in order to view data displayed on a wide LCD without raising the speaker housing  90 . The fifth embodiment is the same as the third embodiment except for the openings  910  and  951 . 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the PDA/telephone combination device with the bi-directional key pad housing  80  in an open position according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 19, in view of frequent use of character keys for Internet communication and e-mail, characters or symbols are marked on keys  961  of the bottom surface of a bi-directional key pad housing  96  in a horizontal direction when the device is unfolded right and left like a book in order to facilitate user data entry. Data input through a keypad  960  is also displayed in the same direction on a wide LCD. 
     As described above, a PDA/telephone combination device of the present invention is less bulky and has an extended data input/output function since three housings including a key pad housing are connected to one another by a single hinge. Particularly during voice communication, a wide LCD is protected from the external environment and Internet communication and e-mail are easy to do. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, more than three housings may be connected to one another by a single hinge and as more housings are added, more functions can be provided to a user. Therefore, the scope and spirit of the invention are defined by the appended claims.