Abstract:
A portable electronic device includes a base segment, a sliding segment, and an input module. The base segment defines more than one indicator. The sliding segment is slidably connected to the base segment and defines a pointer operable to align with an indicator. The input module includes a first magnet, a second magnet, and a sensor. The first magnet is received in the base segment. The second magnet is fixed to the sliding segment to align with the first magnet, and is configured for applying a magnetic force to the first magnet. The sensor is connected to the first magnet to sense the magnetic force and convert the magnetic force into a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is inputted to the electronic device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to portable electronic devices and, particularly, to a portable electronic device having an additional input device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Current portable electronic devices such as mobile phones typically employ a keypad for inputting numerals and characters. Generally, the portable electronic devices include a numeric input mode and a character input mode for inputting numbers and characters respectively. However, when a combination of numerals and characters needs to be inputted, the input mode needs to be switched back and forth repeatedly, this is an inconvenience. 
     Therefore, it is desirable to provide a portable electronic device having an additional input device which can overcome the above-mentioned problems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an assembled, isometric, schematic view of a portable electronic device, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a partially sectioned, isometric, schematic view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric, schematic view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, isometric, schematic view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 , viewed at anther angle. 
         FIG. 5  is another partially sectioned, isometric, schematic view of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , a portable electronic device  100  includes a base segment  10 , a sliding segment  20 , and an input module  30 . In this embodiment, the portable electronic device  100  is a sliding mobile phone. 
     Also referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , the base segment  10  includes a bottom shell  12 , a main body  14  with various required components of the base segment  10  installed therein, and a positioning module  16 . 
     The main body  14  includes a substantially rectangular cover plate  142  and a keypad  144 . The cover plate  142  includes a first upper surface  1420 , a first bottom surface  1421  opposite to the first upper surface  1420 , a first side surface  1422  connecting the first upper surface  1420  and the first bottom surface  1421 , and five indicators  1423  defined on the first side surface  1422 . The cover plate  142  defines two rails  1424  in the first upper surface  1420  substantially along the length of the cover plate  142 , and a through hole  1425  through the first upper surface  1420  and the first bottom surface  1421 . The keypad  144  is substantially a rectangular hollow block protruding from one end of the first upper surface  1420 . In this embodiment, the cover plate  142  and the keypad  144  are integrally formed. The keypad  144  defines a receiving chamber  1440 , and includes a receiving frame  1442  received in the receiving chamber  1440 . The receiving frame  1442  defines a receiving slot  1444 . 
     The positioning module  16  includes a positioning frame  162 , a positioning member  164 , and a positioning spring  166 . The positioning frame  162  defines a positioning groove  1622 . The positioning member  164  includes a circular base plate  1642  and a circular positioning column  1644  extending upwards from the base plate  1642 . The distal end of the positioning column  1644  is semi-spherical in shape. The diameter of the base plate  1642  is greater than that of the through hole  1425 , while the diameter of the positioning column  1644  is a little smaller than that of the through hole  1425 . The length of the positioning column  1644  is a little longer than the depth of the through hole  1425 . The natural length of the positioning spring  166  and the thickness of the base plate  1642  are longer than the depth of the positioning groove  1622 . 
     The sliding segment  20  includes a substantially rectangular bottom plate  22  and a sliding body  24  with various required components of the sliding segment  20  installed therein. 
     The bottom plate  22  includes a second upper surface  222 , a second bottom surface  224  opposite to the second upper surface  222 , and two sliding blocks  226  mounted on the second bottom surface  224 . Each sliding block  226  is generally a rectangular block. The spacing of the two sliding blocks  226  is substantially equal to that of the two rails  1424 , and the width of the sliding block  226  is substantially equal to that of the rail  1424 . The bottom plate  22  further defines five positioning through holes  228  communicating with the second upper surface  222  and the second bottom surface  224 . The positioning through holes  228  are arranged in a straight line, and the pitch of the positioning through holes  228  is substantially equal to that of the indicators  1423 . The diameter of the positioning through hole  228  is substantially equal to that of the through hole  1425 . 
     The sliding body  24  is substantially a rectangular concave body. The length and width of the sliding body  24  is substantially equal to that of the bottom plate  22 . The sliding body  24  includes a second side surface  242 , and defines a pointer  244  on the second side surface  242 . 
     The input module  30  includes a first magnet  31 , a connecting spring  32 , a sensor  33 , a second magnet  34 , and a confirming button  35 . The first and second magnets  31  are rectangular blocks in shape. The sensor  33  is a pressure sensor. The length of the first magnet  31 , the natural length of connecting spring  32 , and the thickness of the sensor  33  are smaller than the length of the receiving slot  1444 . 
     In assembly, the positioning frame  162  is disposed on the first bottom surface  1421  and communicates with the through hole  1425 . In this embodiment, the positioning frame  162  and the cover plate  142  are integrally formed. The positioning spring  166  is received in the positioning slot  1622 . The base plate  1642  is connected to the positioning spring  166 , and the distal end of the positioning column  1644  is inserted through the through hole  1425 . The positioning spring  166  is compressed because the natural length of the positioning spring  166  and the thickness of the base plate  1642  are greater than the depth of the positioning slot  1622 . The first magnet  31 , the connecting spring  32  and the sensor  33  are received in the receiving slot  1444 . One end of the connecting spring  32  is connected to the first magnet  31 , and the other end is connected to the sensor  33 . The confirming button  35  is disposed on the keypad  144 . In practice, the sensor  33  and the confirming button  35  are further connected to a processing circuitry (not shown) of the portable electronic device  100 . Then, the main body  14  is disposed on the bottom shell  12 , and the first upper surface  1420  is exposed. The second magnet  34  is fixed (e.g., pasted) on the second upper surface  222  and aligned with the first magnet  31 . In this embodiment, the negative polarities of the first and second magnets  31 ,  34  face each other. The sliding body  24  is disposed on the second upper surface  222  to enclose the second magnet  34 . Finally, the bottom plate  22  is disposed on the first upper surface  1420 , and each sliding block  226  is slidably engaged into a corresponding rail  1424 . The pointer  244  points to the first side surface  1422 . 
     Further referring to  FIG. 5 , in use, the sliding segment  20  is pushed by a user to slide on the base segment  10 . The first and second magnets  31 ,  34  repel each other. The repulsion force applied on the first magnet  31  is transferred to the sensor  33  by the connecting spring  32 . The sensor  33  senses the repulsion force and generates electric signals correspondingly. Typically, a voltage of the generated electric signal is proportional to the repulsion force, and decreases with the increase of distance between the first and second magnets  31 ,  34  accordingly. Voltage ranges corresponding to the five indicators  1423  are pre-stored in the portable electronic device  100 . When the pointer  244  is pushed passed an indicator  1423 , the positioning column  1644  protrudes from the through hole  1425  due to the compression of the positioning spring  1666 , and is partially inserted into a corresponding positioning through hole  228 . At the same time, the sensor  33  generates a corresponding electric signal. When the confirming button  35  is pressed by the user for confirming input information represented by the indicator  1423 , the processing circuitry compares the voltage of the generated electric signal with the pre-stored voltage ranges to determine which indicator  1423  the pointer  244  is aligned with, and inputs the information represented by the determined indicator  1423 . However, if the indicator  1423  is not desired, the sliding segment  20  is pushed again and the positioning column  1644  is forced to move back to the through hole  1425  accordingly. Therefore, the user can input numerals via pushing the sliding segment  20  and input characters from the keypad  144 , and this is more convenient as compared with current portable electronic devices. 
     It should be mentioned that the sensor  33  is not limited to be a pressure sensor. Alternatively, the sensor  33  can be a tension sensor. Correspondingly, two opposite polarities of the first and second magnets  31 ,  34  are arranged to face each other such that the first and second magnets  31 ,  34  attract each other. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosures are illustrative only, and changes may be made in details, especially in matters of arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.