Abstract:
A communication device including control circuitry with transceiver capabilities, input keys coupled to the circuitry for entering information, a display coupled to the circuitry for visual presentation of information, a chassis for securely holding the circuitry and the display, a sound generation unit coupled to the circuitry for providing audio presentation of information, and a retaining unit secured to the chassis for releasable retaining the sound generation unit in the inactive position, wherein the retaining unit is operated by a button, such that pressing the key causes the retaining unit to release the sound generation unit thereby allowing the sound generation unit to move from an inactive position to an active position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to portable communication devices, and more specifically to the mechanical features of a portable communication device with a deployable earpiece. 
     In general, portable communication devices have several common components, such as a transceiver unit controlled by circuitry, an input device coupled to the circuitry, a display unit coupled to the circuitry, and sound generation units working in conjunction with the transceiver unit. For example, known forms of generating sound in a portable communications device include the use of a speaker fixed in position, typically above the display unit. Each speaker unit requires a minimum volume of air for proper operation. Thus, the need to maintain a minimum volume of air in conjunction with the fact that the speaker is placed in a fixed position results in a minimum dimension for the device. Accordingly, manufactures of these devices are faced with the challenge of providing a compact and slim device while accommodating the air volume of the speaker unit. 
     Although the size of the speaker unit can be reduced, the problem faced by manufacturers is that reducing the size of the speaker unit results in poor sound quality and volume. Furthermore, due to the currently known and utilized geometric locations of the speaker unit on the device, if the device become too small or thin, then it is very difficult for the manufacturer to maintain the minimum volume needed for the speaker unit. Additionally, small speakers that result from the reduced air volume made it harder for the user to proximally align the speaker unit in an adequate manner with the user&#39;s ear. 
     Therefore, what is need is a speaker unit that is coupled to the circuitry of the device such that the volume of air needed by the speaker is not limited by the thickness of the device and the speaker unit can be adequately aligned in a sufficiently proximal location to the user&#39;s ear. 
     SUMMARY 
     A device is disclosed having a speaker system deployable and, thus, independent of the thickness of the device thereby allow the device to accommodate a larger speaker unit resulting in clearer sound production and obtaining adequate positioning of the device relative to the user&#39;s ear. 
     The device includes control circuitry for transceiver capabilities, a display coupled to the circuitry, an input unit for entering information, a chassis for securely holding the circuitry and the display, and a sound generating unit coupled to the circuitry for providing audio presentation of information, wherein the sound generation unit moves from an inactive position to an active position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective elevation of a device in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective elevation of the opposite side of the device of FIG. 1 showing an ear bud. 
     FIG. 3 is a more detailed perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with the ear bud in the inactive or closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is a more detailed perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 with the ear bud in the active or open position. 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed illustration of another embodiment of the mechanism used to move the ear bud of FIG. 1 from the parked position to the deployed position. 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 5 with the ear bud in the deployed position. 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of another embodiment of the ear bud in the parked position. 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 7 with the ear bud in the deployed position. 
     FIG. 9 is a detailed illustration of another embodiment of the ear bud in the parked position. 
     FIG. 10 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the ear bud in a partially deployed position. 
     FIG. 11 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 9 with the ear bud in the deployed position. 
     FIG. 12 is a detailed illustration of another embodiment of the ear bud in the parked position. 
     FIG. 13 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 12 with the ear bud in a partially deployed position. 
     FIG. 14 is a detailed illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 12 with the ear bud in the deployed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable communication device  10  includes a display unit  12  coupled to control circuitry and a keypad style input device  14  fixed to a chassis  16 . 
     An elastomeric interface unit  18  is removably attached to the chassis  16 . In addition to providing improved gripping features, the interface unit  18  is coupled to the control circuitry and provides a variety of interface features, such as a sound generating or speaker unit  20  for use when the device  10  is used in connection with various features provided. Additionally, it is contemplated that the interface unit  18  can include features such as special entertainment modules that interface with the control circuitry for enhance entertainment, such as gaming or DVD type interfaces. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of hardware and software components can be incorporated into the interface unit  18  for interfacing with the control circuitry to provide enhanced services to the user. 
     Soft keys  22  are included in close proximity to the display  12 . The soft keys  22  derive their function from the information displayed on the display  12 . The information can be varied so that in one instant any particular soft key  22  can be pressed for one function and then at another instant that same soft key  22  can be pressed for an entirely different function as determined by the information displayed on the display  12 . 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 2, a deployable speaker unit or ear bud  30  is movably secured to the chassis  16  of the device  10 . The ear bud  30  is shown in the parked position. The term “parked position” refers to or means that the ear bud  30  is in the closed position or the inactive position; this is the position in which the ear bud  30  is stored when not in use. The chassis  16  further defines an opening  32 . The opening  32  allows the ear bud  30  to move from the parked position to the activated position, as shown in FIG.  4  and discussed in detail below. Thus, when the user of the device  10  receives and incoming call or desires to make an outgoing call, then the user has a choice of either using the speaker unit  20  or the ear bud  30 . If the user chooses to use the ear bud  30  to carry out the call, then the user presses a release button  34  to cause the ear bud  30  to move from the parked position of FIG. 2 to a deployed or an active position of FIG.  4 . The term “deployed” refers to or means that the ear bud  30  is in the open or active position; this is the position of the ear bud  30  when the ear bud  30  is being used to conduct a call. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in an embodiment of the present invention, the ear bud  30  rotates or pivots about hinge arms  40 ,  42 , and  44  and retainably pivots about guide arms  46  and  48 . Although the terms “rotating” or “pivoting” is used in reference to the motion from the parked position to the deployed position, the invention is not limited thereby; the intent is to set forth and describe the concept of moving the ear bud  30  from a first position to a second position or as already mentioned to move from the parked position to the active position and back again irrespective of the label used or describe the motion. The chassis  16  defines an indentation  50  for matingly retaining the ear bud  30  in the parked position. The indentation  50  further defines a recess  52  for receiving the arms  40 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , and  48 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the defined shape of the recess  52  can be varied. Furthermore, the defined shape of the recess  52  is defined by the geometry of the arms of the ear bud and not limited to the shape disclosed herein. 
     With the ear bud  30  in the parked position, the user will depress the button  34  to cause the ear bud  30  to move from the parked position to the deployed position. In one embodiment, the button  34  can be specifically designated for the deployment and the retraction of the of the ear bud  30 . In an alternative embodiment the function of the button  34  can be incorporated into or as a part of the function of another button. For example, the function of the button  30  can be incorporated into the function of a typical “send” or “talk” key such that when the user presses the “send” or “talk” key the ear bud  30  is deployed from the parked position. It will be apparent, based on the teachings of the present invention, that the disclosure set forth herein is not limited by the key or the type of function of a key with which the function of the button  34  is combined. 
     For clarity the discussion herein will focus on the button  34  specifically designated to deploy the ear bud  30  from the parked position to the deployed position. Once the user presses the button  34 , the ear bud  30  moves from the parked position to the deployed position. In one embodiment, the ear bud  30  moves from the parked position to the deployed position under spring tension. As the user moves the ear bud  30  from the deployed position to the parked position, the guide arms  46  and  48  cause a spring or tension rod to be compressed. Alternatively or additionally, the hinge arms  40 ,  42 , and  44  can also be spring-loaded. Once the ear bud  30  is moved to the parked position a latch mechanism  54 , which is coupled to and operated by the button  34 , is engaged to retain the ear bud  30  in the parked position under tension. Thus, when the button  34  is pressed, the latch mechanism  54  is activated to release the ear bud  30  and the ear bud  30  is released such that the tension of the spring or rod forces the ear bud  30  to move from the parked position to the deployed position. In addition to spring loading the ear bud  30 , a dampening unit can be included to control the speed at which the ear bud  30  moves from the parked position to the deployed position under tension. 
     Alternatively or additionally, a motor unit can be included to move the ear bud  30  from the parked position to the deployed position. The motor unit is activated when the user presses the button  34  thereby causing the ear bud to be released from the parked position and then moved, under the control of the motor unit, from the parked position to the deployed position. The motor unit can be coupled to guide arms  46  and  48 . Alternatively or additionally, the motor unit may be coupled to the hinge arms  40  and  44 . 
     Generally stated, when in the deployed position the tension of the spring or the gearing of the motor unit is used to prevent motion of the ear bud  30  back toward the parked position. However, various locking mechanisms can be used to securely lock the ear bud  30  in the deployed position and prevent motion toward the parked position until the locking mechanism for the deployed position is released. The locking mechanism for the deployed position can be coupled to the button  34 . Alternatively, the locking mechanism for the deployed position can be coupled to the “end” key, such that when the user presses the “end” key the call session is terminated and the ear bud is released for return to the parked position; this can be set up to allow one press to terminate the call and release the locking mechanism for the deployed position or, alternatively, have a first press to terminate the call and a second consecutive presses to release the locking mechanism for the deployed position, which is similar to the double clicking feature of a mouse for a computer. 
     Various other devices or mechanisms are contemplated for the motion of the ear bud  30  from the parked position to the deployed position. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, arms  60  and  62  are used to allow the ear bud  30  to move from the parked position to the deployed position. As indicated above, some form of tension can be used to move the ear bud  30  from the parked position to the deployed position and/or a motor can be used. The action can be initiated using a button, such as the button  30  or the talk button that performs the deployment function as well initiating a voice communication session. Furthermore, in the deployed position, a locking mechanism can be used to retain the ear bud  30  in the deployed position. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an ear bud  70  is shown in the parked position and the deployed positions, respectively. Half of the ear bud  70  is parked in on one side of the chassis  16  and the other half of the ear bud  70  is parked on the opposite side of the chassis  16 . The ear bud  70  is released from the parked position by pressing a button, such as the button  34 , under spring tension and/or motorized movement. In the deployed position, the ear bud  70  has a skirt or membrane portion  72  that fans out when the device is deployed. In the deployed position, the skirt portion  72  is fanned out and serves several functions, such as protection against foreign objects. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9,  10 , and  11 , an ear bud  90  is shown in the parked, partially deployed or partially parked, and the deployed positions, respectively. In the parked position, the chassis  96  defines a recess  98  wherein the ear bud  90  is matingly seated. The ear bud  90  rotates about an arm  92  from the parked position to the partially deployed position. Then from the partially deployed position the ear bud  90  pivots about a hinge  94  to the deployed position. As indicated above the motion of the ear bud  90  may be achieved using, independently or on conjunction, spring tension and/or a motorized drive unit. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12,  13  and  14 , and ear bud  100  is shown secured to a slide  102 . Slide  102  moves along tracks located in a chassis  106 . In the parked position the slide  102  is secured in place using a locking mechanism, such as the locking mechanism  108  with a matingly corresponding catch secured on the slide  102 . The locking mechanism  108  can be controlled by a button, such as the button  34  of FIG.  1 . The scope of the invention as set forth herein and the following claims is not limited by the type of locking mechanism utilized. With the device in the partially deployed position, the slide  102  pivots or rotates about a hinge arm  110  from the partially deployed or partially parked position to the deployed position. The arm  110  defines a recess  1   12  for matingly seating of the ear bud  100  while in the ear bud  100  is in the parked and the partially parked positions. Additionally, as indicated above, the ear bud  100  can be moved manually, under spring tension, or by a motorized unit. 
     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.