Abstract:
A device may include a lower panel, an upper panel, bi-stable shaft, and guide link. The lower panel may include four sides, a first surface, and a second surface. The upper panel may include four sides, a third surface, and a fourth surface, where the fourth surface overlays the first surface of the lower panel when the device is in a first configuration. A first end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the lower panel. A second end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the upper panel. The guide link may include two ends, a first end rotatably attached proximate to the first side of the upper panel and a second end slidably inserted in a track parallel to the first side of the lower panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A slider permits a keyboard and display of a device to be stored in a compact space and covered for use. For example,  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate a tilting slider and a flat slider, respectively. In each case, a user may slide out a display relative to a base (e.g., keyboard), and position the display at a particular angle relative to the base for use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    According to one aspect, a device may include a lower panel having a track, an upper panel that overlays the lower panel when the device is in a first position and a guide link including a head, an interface portion, and a body connecting the head to the interface portion, the head rotatably affixed to the upper panel and the interface portion being slidably retained in the track on the lower panel. In addition, the device may include a cam shaft including a cam and a shaft rigidly connected to the cam, the cam rotatably affixed to the lower panel and an end of the shaft rotatably affixed to the upper panel. When the lower panel and the upper panel are in a second position between the first position and a bi-stable position, the cam shaft may move the upper panel toward the first position. When the lower panel and the upper panel are in a third position between the bi-stable position and a fully flat position, the cam shaft may move the upper panel toward the fully flat position. 
         [0003]    Additionally, the upper panel may include a display and a lower panel includes one of a keypad or a display. 
         [0004]    Additionally, the device may include a cellular phone. 
         [0005]    Additionally, the device may include another panel. 
         [0006]    Additionally, the device may include a component inserted about the head of the guide link, the component applying a torque to turn the guide link toward a surface of the upper panel when a force is applied to the upper panel. 
         [0007]    Additionally, the component may include one of a rubber band, pin, spring, or coil spring. 
         [0008]    Additionally, the cam or the end of the shaft may include one or more springs to cause the cam shaft to move the upper panel toward the first position when in the second position, or move the upper panel toward the fully flat position when in the third position. 
         [0009]    Additionally, the device may further include a first pin that rotatably affixes the guide link to the upper panel, a second pin that rotatably affixes the end of cam shaft to the upper panel, and a third pin that rotatably affixes the cam to the lower panel. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the interface portion may include a t-shaped portion that prevents the interface portion from moving out of the track. 
         [0011]    Additionally, the device may further include another guide link and another cam shaft located on an opposite side of the lower and upper panels. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect, the device may include a lower panel, an upper panel, a bi-stable shaft, a guide link, and a spring. The lower panel may include four sides, a first surface, and a second surface. The upper panel may include four sides, a third surface, and a fourth surface, the fourth surface overlaying the first surface of the lower panel when the device is in a first configuration. A first end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the lower panel, and a second end of the bi-stable shaft may be rotatably attached proximate to a first of the sides of the upper panel. The guide link may include two ends, a first end rotatably attached proximate to the first side of the upper panel and a second end slidably inserted in a track locate on the first side of the lower panel. The spring may be positioned about the first end of the guide link, the spring applying a force to the guide link toward the fourth surface of the upper panel when a force is applied to a second of the sides of the upper panel to place the upper and lower panels in a flat configuration. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the upper panel may include a keyboard or a display screen on the third surface. 
         [0014]    Additionally, the bi-stable shaft may include a cam about the first end of the bi-stable shaft, the cam applying a torque to the bi-stable shaft in one direction when the cam is in one rotational position and applying a torque to the bi-stable shaft in another direction when the cam is in a different rotational position. 
         [0015]    Additionally, the device may include one of a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a laptop, a notepad, an electronic tablet, a digital camera, a music playing device, an electronic book (e-book), or a netbook. 
         [0016]    Additionally, the guide link may include a t-shaped portion that slides in the track when the upper panel moves from the first configuration to the flat configuration. 
         [0017]    Additionally, the device may further include a second bi-stable shaft, a first end of the second bi-stable shaft rotatably attached to a third of the sides of the lower panel and a second end of the second bi-stable shaft rotatably attached to a third of the sides of the upper panel. The device may also include a second guide link having two ends, a first end of the second guide link rotatably attached to the third side of the upper panel and a second end slidably inserted in a track parallel to the third side of the lower panel. The third side of the lower panel and the third side of the upper panel may be parallel to the first side of the upper panel and the first side of the lower panel. 
         [0018]    Additionally, the device may further include another panel with four sides, a fifth and sixth surfaces, the fifth surface overlaying the third surface of the upper panel when the device is in the folded configuration. 
         [0019]    According to yet another aspect, the device may include means for providing a first surface and a track and means for providing a second surface, the means for providing the second surface overlaying the means for providing the first surface when the device is in a first position. In addition, the device may include means for guiding the first surface. The means for guiding the first surface may include a head, an interface portion, and a body connecting the head to the interface portion, the head rotatably affixed to the means for providing the second surface and the interface portion being slidably retained in the track. Further, the device may include means for moving the means for providing the first surface relative to the means for providing the second surface when force is applied to the means for providing the second surface, the means for moving including a cam and a shaft rigidly connected to the cam, the cam rotatably affixed to the means for providing the first surface and an end of the shaft rotatably affixed to the means for providing the second surface. When the device is in a second position between the first position and a bi-stable position, the shaft may move the means for providing the second surface toward the first position. When the device is in a third position between the bi-stable position and a fully flat position, the shaft may move the means for providing the second surface toward the fully flat position. 
         [0020]    Additionally, the means for providing the second surface may include a display. 
         [0021]    Additionally, the device may include a cellular phone. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments described herein and, together with the description, explain the embodiments. In the drawings: 
           [0023]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a tilting QWERTY slider and a flat QWERTY slider, respectively; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 2A through 2E  illustrate an overview of exemplary operation of an exemplary fully flat slider; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a transparent side view of the fully flat slider of  FIGS. 2A through 2E ; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 4 through 6  are detailed transparent side views of the fully flat slider in the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 2B through 2D ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a detailed transparent side view of the fully flat slider in an intermediate position between those illustrated in  FIGS. 2D and 2E ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a detailed transparent side view of the fully flat slider in the position illustrated in  FIG. 2E ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of an exemplary guide link of  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0030]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are detailed transparent side views of the fully flat slider in reverse operation. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. As used herein, the term “communication device” may include: a mobile telephone; a cellular phone; a personal communications system (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, facsimile, and/or data communications capabilities; a laptop; a personal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a telephone; a music playing device; a gaming device or console; a peripheral (e.g., wireless headphone); a digital camera; an electronic tablet; an electronic book (e-book), a netbook; or another type of computational or communication device. 
         [0032]    In the following, a fully flat slider may be included in a communication device or another type of device (e.g., a wallet-like case, folding picture frame, etc.) that may provide for a fully flat position using few parts and little space. The fully flat end-position may be desirable to maximize usable surface, for example, of dual displays, a QWERTY keyboard, etc., depending on user preference or use of the slider (e.g., running an application whose input is most easily provided via a QWERTY keyboard or an application that requires a certain amount of display area, etc.). 
         [0033]      FIGS. 2A through 2E  illustrate an overview of exemplary operation of a fully flat slider  202 .  FIG. 2A  shows fully flat slider  202  in a folded or stored position. In some implementations, this position may correspond to use of the device in a tablet mode with a single display. As shown, fully flat slider  202  may include an upper panel  204  and a lower panel  206  that are stacked in the folded or stored position. In a different implementation, fully flat slider  202  may include additional panels that are stacked in the folded or stored position. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2B  shows fully flat slider  202  in a position resulting from applying a force to upper panel  204  relative to lower panel  206  in a direction indicated by an arrow  208 . The force may be applied to an edge located on upper panel  204  in the area shown by a dotted ellipse  210  (“push edge” hereinafter). As shown in  FIG. 2B , in the area near the edges located on upper and lower panels  204  and  206  in the area enclosed by a dotted ellipse  212  (“right side edges” hereinafter), upper panel  204  and lower panel  206  may include a guide link  214  (not fully shown) and cam shaft  216 . Guide link  214  and cam shaft  216  may guide or aid upper panel  204  in sliding relative to lower panel  206 , such that the right side edges remain in a plane parallel to the x-z plane shown in  FIG. 2B . Fully flat slider  202  may also include another guide link and cam shaft on the left side edges of upper and lower panels  204  and  206 , although they are not shown in  FIG. 2C . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2C  shows fully flat slider  202  with guide link  214  in an end position. Guide link  214  may reach the end position when guide link  214  may not further slide in the direction of arrow  208  due to a stop in a guide link track  218  in lower panel  206 . The guide link (not shown) on the left edges of upper and lower panels  204  and  206  may also reach a stop in a guide link track  220  in lower panel  206 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2D  shows fully flat slider  202  in a bi-stable position resulting from applying a force to upper panel  204  relative to lower panel  206  when fully flat slider  202  is in the position illustrated in  FIG. 2C . After reaching position illustrated in  FIG. 2C , fully flat slider  202  may reach the bi-stable position in  FIG. 2D  as guide link  214  rotates in the direction of arrow  222  about one end of guide link  214  abutting the stop in guide link track  218  in lower panel  206 . At the bi-stable position, depending on the direction of perturbation to its current position of upper panel  204 , cam shaft  216  may begin to push/pull upper panel  204  up or down. For example, assuming that upper panel  204  has reached the position shown in  FIG. 2C  due to a push in the direction of arrow  208 , carryover momentum may result in a torque about guide link  214  and partly downward force on upper panel  204 . Such a force may cause cam shaft  216  to begin moving downward along with upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  224 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 2E  illustrates fully flat slider  202  in the flat position resulting from cam shaft  216  moving downward from the bi-stable position of  FIG. 2D . In the flat position, a user may maximize usable surface, for example, of dual displays, keyboard, etc. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is a transparent side view of fully flat slider  202 . The cross section shows panels  204  and  206  in a folded/stored configured. As shown in  FIG. 3 , upper panel  204  and lower panel  206  of fully flat slider  202  may include guide link  214  and cam shaft  216 . In upper panel  204 , cam shaft slot  302  and guide link slot  312  may provide space for holding a long portion of L-shaped cam shaft  216  and a portion of guide link  214 , respectively. Similarly, in lower panel  206 , cam shaft slot  314  and guide link track  218  may provide space for holding a short portion of L-shaped cam shaft  216  and another portion of guide link  214 , respectively. 
         [0039]    In the folded arrangement illustrated in  FIG. 3 , one portion of guide link  214  may be positioned in guide link slot  312  of upper panel  204  and rotatably affixed to upper panel  204  by a pin  310 . Another portion of guide link  214  may be positioned in guide link track  218  in lower panel  206 . A spring (e.g., a coil spring) (not shown) that is disposed about pin  310  may apply a torque or force to guide link  214  in the direction illustrated by arrow  328 . That is, guide link  214  may be pre-loaded with the spring. In a different implementation, in pace of the spring, a rubber band or another component may be used to pre-load guide link  214 . 
         [0040]    In the same folded or stored arrangement, a long arm of cam shaft  216  may be positioned in cam shaft slot  302  and a short arm, which is adjoined to the long arm of cam shaft  316  at elbow  306 , may be positioned in cam shaft slot  314  of lower panel  206 . The ends of the long and short arms of cam shaft  216  may be rotatably affixed to upper and lower panels  204  and  206  via pins  308  and  318  inside cam shaft slots  302  and  314 , respectively. The shape of cam shaft  216  and/or a spring disposed around pin  318  may apply a torque or force to cam shaft  216  in the direction of arrow  334 . 
         [0041]    When in operation, a force may be applied to the push edge of upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  322 . The force may cause upper panel  204  to move in the direction of arrow  322  and tilt upwards in the direction of arrow  332 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4 through 6  are detailed transparent side views of fully flat slider  202  in the positions illustrated in  FIGS. 2B through 2D .  FIG. 4  is a detailed transparent side view of fully flat slider  202  in motion and in the position illustrated in  FIG. 2B . The position illustrated in  FIG. 4  may result from applying a force to upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  322 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0043]    In  FIG. 4 , as upper panel  204  moves in the direction of arrow  322  and tilts upward, the location of pin  308  may change, causing cam shaft  216  to rotate counter to the direction of torque about pin  318 . While upper panel  204  is in motion, an end of guide link  214  may slide in guide link track  218  of lower panel  206  in the direction of arrow  326 . The spring on guide link  214  may guarantee that guide link  214  moves with a leading angle (i.e., guide link  214  forms an acute angle relative to upper panel  204 ). The force applied by the spring located around pin  310  may help ensure that upper panel  204  stays tight or secure relative to lower panel  206 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a detailed transparent side view of fully flat slider  202  in motion and in the position illustrated in  FIG. 2C . The position may be reached when an end  502  of guide link  214  that has been sliding in guide link track  218  reaches a stop. Once the position is reached, the force on upper panel  204  may cause guide link  214  to rotate about end  502  in the direction of arrow  504 . The force needs to be large enough to overcome both the torques about pin  310  and pin  318 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  a detailed transparent side view of fully flat slider  202  in the bi-stable position illustrated in  FIG. 2D . The bi-stable transition position may be reached when the rotation of guide link  214  about end  502  results in guide link  214  forming a particular angle relative to the surface of lower panel  206  (e.g., 90° angle). In that position, the torque on cam shaft  216  about pin  318  may be such that cam shaft  216  is bi-stable. That is, if a perturbing force is applied to upper panel  204  and/or on cam shaft  216 , cam shaft  216  may begin to rotate either counter to arrow  604  or along arrow  604 , depending on the direction of the perturbation. 
         [0046]    For example, assuming that upper panel  204  has reached the position shown in  FIG. 6 , any carryover momentum from the motion depicted in  FIG. 5  may result in movement of upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  602 . The force may cause cam shaft  216  to begin rotating in the clockwise direction about pin  318 . Once cam shaft  216  passes the bi-stable transition point, a torque may develop about pin  318  and rotate cam shaft  216  about pin  318  in the direction of arrow  604 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a detailed transparent side view of fully flat slider  202  in an intermediate position between those illustrated in  FIGS. 2D and 2E . The intermediate position may be reached as cam shaft  216  rotates about pin  318 . Because of the torque about the head of guide link  214  caused by, for example, the spring located around pin  310 , guide link  214  is prevented from sliding back in guide link track  218 . Because the bi-stable transition point has been passed, cam shaft  216  may continue to rotate in the clockwise direction around pin  318 , pulling upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  702 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a detailed transparent side view of fully flat slider  202  in the flat position illustrated in  FIG. 2E . The flat position, or the end position, may be reached when the rotation of cam shaft  216  in  FIG. 7  ends with the edge surface  802  of upper panel  204  abutting or contacting the edge surface  804  of lower panel  206 . In the end position, the bottom surface of guide link track  218  may prevent guide link  214  from further rotating about end  502  as well as provide support for guide link  214 . Guide link  214  may be dimensioned such that there is little or no gap between upper and lower panels  204  and  206 . The angle that edge surfaces  802  and  804  form against a z-y plane, illustrated as β, may aid in supporting and/or stabilizing upper panel  204  against lower panel  206 . In addition, β may allow guide link  214  to be short. As β approaches 0, the guide link length may need to be increased if tight fitting between upper panel  204  and lower panel  206  is to be obtained. 
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of guide link  214 . As shown, guide link  214  may include a head  902 , body  904 , and link-track interface  906 . Head  902  may provide for guide link  214  to be rotatably affixed to upper panel  204 , as well as provide for an installed spring to exert a torque to guide link  214  relative to upper panel  204 . Body  904  may adjoin head  902  to link-track interface  906 . Link-track interface  906  may move along guide link track  218 . The T-shape of the link-track interface  906  may prevent link-track interface  906  from moving out of guide link track  218 . 
         [0050]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are detailed transparent side views of fully flat slider  202  in reverse operation (e.g., closing operation). The position in  FIG. 10A  may be reached when a force is applied to upper panel  204  or to cam shaft  216  in the direction of arrow  1002 . The force may need to be strong enough to overcome the torque about pin  318  of cam shaft  216  in the clockwise direction. In the position, because of the torque applied to guide link  214  in the direction of arrow  326 , as upper panel  204  moves up, guide link  214  may rotate about end  502  as indicated by arrow  1004 , and not slide in guide link track  218  in the direction of arrow  1006  (as indicated by the “X” in  FIG. 10A ), until guide link  214  has rotated past the bi-stable transition point. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10B  shows the movement of upper panel  204  relative to lower panel  206  after guide link  214  passes, in the reverse operation, the bi-stable position (e.g., the vertical orientation). Due to the torque applied to cam shaft  216  in the direction of arrow  334 , cam shaft  216  may push upper panel  204  in the direction of arrow  1008 . Upper panel  204 , in turn, may direct guide link  214  in direction of arrow  1006 . Eventually, fully flat slider  202  may return to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0052]    In the foregoing description, a fully flat slider may provide for a fully flat position using few parts and little space. The fully flat end-position may be desirable to maximize usable surface, for example, for use with dual displays, a QWERTY keyboard, compartments, etc., depending on user preference or use of the slider (e.g., running an application whose input is most easily provided via a QWERTY keyboard or an application that requires a certain amount of display space, etc.). 
         [0053]    While the foregoing description of implementations provides illustration, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the teachings. For example, in the above description, torque may be applied about pin  318  to cam shaft  216 . In different implementations, torque to provide the bi-stability to cam shaft  216  may be applied about pin  308  to cam shaft  216 , or about each of pins  308  and  318  to cam shaft  216 . 
         [0054]    It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. 
         [0055]    No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the implementations described herein unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.