Patent Publication Number: US-2006007139-A1

Title: Device and method for configuring a user operated screen controller

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to the field of electronic devices with a two-part housing. The invention is particularly useful, but not necessarily limited to, portable or hand held closeable electronic devices that have a two-part housing movable about a pivotal axis between a closed an opened position to facilitate usage.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Portable electronic devices, such as radio, cellular (mobile) telephone or other radio communications devices that are easy to transport are becoming commonplace. Such portable electronic devices come in a variety of different form factors and support many features and functions.  
      For purposes of convenience there is a general trend toward miniaturization of many types of portable electronic devices. Miniaturization generally makes it easier to carry the electronic device, including fitting the device into a user&#39;s pocket/purse or attaching the device to a user&#39;s belt.  
      While generally there is a requirement to reduce a device&#39;s form factor as much as possible, in several specific instances the extent to which the size of a device can be reduced is limited by other countervailing requirements. In some instances, the extent to which the size of a device can be reduced is limited by minimum size requirements that may be necessary for a person to conveniently use and/or interact with the device. For example, a keypad can only be reduced in size so far before it becomes difficult to operate. A keypad generally needs to accommodate the size of the user&#39;s hands and/or fingers. Similarly, devices that accommodate two-way communication generally need to accommodate a microphone proximate a user&#39;s mouth and a speaker proximate a user&#39;s ear.  
      In order to meet the above requirements, while otherwise attempting to minimize the device&#39;s overall size, many manufacturers have introduced devices having two part housings that fold with respect to one another, thereby allowing the device to fold open when being used and to fold closed when not being used. This allows a device, such as a cellular telephone, to be more conveniently stored when not being used, and allows the device to expand to a convenient size commensurate with usage needs.  
      Previous wireless communication devices have incorporated two part housings, which fold to an opened position when being used and fold to a closed position when not being used. In the opened position, a conventional user interface includes a communications speaker, a microphone, a display and a keypad all of which are operable and accessible to a user. Also, in the opened position, the device has a length that is sufficient to allow the ear and mouth of the user to align respectively with the speaker and microphone. In contrast, in the closed position some parts or all of the user interface may not be accessible to a user and the device is shorter in length. It is therefore relatively easy for a user to store the device in a convenient place such a pocket, bag, purse or holster.  
      One commonly used two part housing device has a flip-type or clam shell design, which generally includes a display screen mounted to one of two housing portions that is pivotally coupled together by a hinge. The two housing portions pivot with respect to one another along a pivotal axis that is substantially parallel to a plane of a viewing surface of the display screen.  
      Another previous two part housing device has two housing portions that rotate with respect to one another around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the viewing surface of the display screen. In at least one well-known device, the housing portions can rotate to an opened position in either a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. application identified by Ser. No. 09/826,180, entitled “Rotational Mechanism for a Wireless Communication Device”, filed Apr. 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
      When using the above two part housing devices, particularly devices with an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the visual display&#39;s viewing surface, the orientation or configuration of user screen controllers (i.e. cursor control keys) may become intuitively compromised (counter intuitive) depending upon the relative positions of the housing portions. Furthermore, the orientation of a visual representation displayed on the display screen may compound the counter intuitive orientation or configuration of the screen controller. For instance, when in a fully closed position an “up” function key is usually above a “down” function key. However when the housing portion to which these keys are mounted is rotated 180 degrees to a fully opened position, the “down” function key will be located above the “up” function key. Similarly, the locations of a “left” function key and “right” function key will be reversed when the housing portion to which they are mounted is rotated 180 degrees from a closed to an opened position. It would therefore be ergonomically beneficial to automatically change the function of a key based on at least the relative positions of the housing portions.  
      In this specification, including the claims, the terms ‘comprises’, ‘comprising’ or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a closeable electronics device comprising: a housing having at least two portions movably mounted to each other about a pivotal axis to allow relative positions of the portions to be selected between a closed position and an opened position; a processor housed within the housing; a display screen mounted to the housing; a position detector module operatively coupled to the processor; and a user operated screen controller mounted to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein in use the position detector module provides at least one position signal to the processor, the position signal being indicative of at least the relative positions of the two portions, and in response to the position signal the processor configures operation of the user operated screen controller to control movement of at least one object displayed on the display screen.  
      According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a closeable electronics device comprising: a housing having at least two portions movably mounted to each other about a pivotal axis to allow relative positions of the portions to be selected between a closed position and an opened position; a processor housed within the housing; a display screen mounted to the housing; a position detector module operatively coupled to the processor; and a user operated screen controller mounted to the housing and operatively coupled to the processor, wherein in use actuation of the user operated screen controller provides screen control signals that are processed by the processor to control movement of at least one object displayed on the display screen, the screen control signals being dependent on at least one position signal from the position detector module and the position signal being indicative of at least the relative positions of the two portions.  
      Suitably, the object is associated with an image displayed on the display screen.  
      Preferably, in use, orientation of the image displayed on the display screen is dependent on the position signal.  
      Suitably, the position detector module comprises a plurality of position detectors including relative position detectors providing at least one relative orientation signal detecting the relative positions of the two portions, wherein the position signal comprises the relative orientation signal.  
      Preferably, the relative position detectors provide the relative orientation signal that is indicative of a fully opened position and a fully closed position of the portions. Suitably, the relative position detectors provide the relative orientation signal that is indicative of intermediate positions disposed between the fully opened position and a fully closed position of the portions.  
      Preferably, the plurality of position detectors includes absolute position detectors for providing at least one absolute orientation signal for detecting absolute positions of the portions relative to the earth&#39;s surface, wherein the position signal comprises the absolute orientation signal.  
      Preferably, the display has a viewing surface that is transverse to the pivotal axis. The pivotal axis is preferably perpendicular to the viewing surface of the display screen.  
      Suitably, the user operated screen controller is a group of switches. The group of switches preferably include two opposing pairs of switches to provide up, down, left and right movement of the object displayed on the display screen.  
      Preferably, the object displayed on the display screen is a cursor or a pointer or an icon or any visual representation.  
      Suitably, the user operated screen controller may be a joystick.  
      Suitably, the user operated screen controller may be an input tablet.  
      According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method for configuring operation of a user operated screen controller of a closeable electronics device having a display screen and two portions moveably mounted to each other about a pivotal axis, the method comprising: determining relative positions of the two portions to provide a position signal; and configuring operation of the user operated screen controller based on the position signal to thereby control movement of at least one object displayed on the display screen.  
      Suitably, orientation of a visual representation displayed on the display screen is dependent on the position signal.  
      Suitably, the object is associated with an image displayed on the display screen. Preferably, the object displayed on the display screen is a cursor or a pointer or an icon or any visual representation.  
      Preferably, orientation of the image displayed on the display screen is dependent on the position signal.  
      Suitably, the position signal comprises: a relative orientation signal that detects the relative positions of the two portions; and an absolute orientation signal for detecting absolute positions of the portions relative to the earth&#39;s surface.  
      Preferably, the method is further characterised by the user operated screen controller being a group of switches. The group of switches preferably include two opposing pairs of switches to provide up, down, left and right movement of the object displayed on the display screen. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to a preferred embodiment as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating circuitry of a closeable electronics device in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 2  illustrates the closeable electronics device of  FIG. 1  when in a fully closed position;  
       FIG. 3  illustrates the closeable electronics device of  FIG. 1  when in a fully opened position and intermediate positions;  
      FIGS.  4 , 5 , 6  and  7  illustrate schematic operation of position detectors for the closeable electronics device of  FIG. 1 ;  
      FIGS.  8 , 9 , 10  and  11  illustrate further positions and orientations for the closeable electronics device of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 12  illustrates a method for configuring operation of a user operated screen controller of closeable electronics device of  FIG. 1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION  
      In the drawings, like numerals on different Figs are used to indicate like elements throughout. With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a closeable electronics device in the form a radio telephone  100  comprising a radio frequency communications unit  102  coupled to be in communication with a processor  103 . The radio telephone  100  also has a keypad  106  and a display screen  105  coupled to be in communication with the processor  3 . As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, screen  105  may be a touch screen thereby making the keypad  106  optional. There is also a user operated screen controller  130  and a housing position detector module  125 , operatively coupled to the processor  103  to provide housing position signals (PS), the position detector module  125  typically comprising a combination of mechanically actuated push button switches and accelerometers, however, the position detector module  125  can comprise any suitable detectors such as a magnetic sensors (reed switches), capacitance sensors, inductance sensors, potentiometers, hall effect sensors, gravity actuated biased switches or photo sensors.  
      The processor  103  includes an encoder/decoder  111  with an associated Code Read Only Memory (ROM)  112  storing data for encoding and decoding voice or other signals that may be transmitted or received by the radio telephone  100 . The processor  103  also includes a micro-processor  113  coupled, by a common data and address bus  117 , to the encoder/decoder  111 , a character Read Only Memory (ROM)  114 , a Random Access Memory (RAM)  104 , static programmable memory  116  and a removable SIM module  118 . The static programmable memory  116  and SIM module  118  each can store, amongst other things, selected incoming text messages and a Telephone Number Database TND (phonebook) comprising a number field for telephone numbers and name field for identifiers associated with one the numbers in the name field. For instance, one entry in the Telephone Number Database TND may be 91999111111 (entered in the number field) with an associated identifier “Steven C at work” in the name field.  
      The micro-processor  113  has ports for coupling to the keypad  106  screen  105  and an alert module  115  that typically contains an alert speaker, vibrator motor and associated drivers. Also, micro-processor  113  has ports for coupling to a microphone  135  and communications speaker  140 . The character Read only memory  114  stores code for decoding or encoding text messages that may be received by the communication unit  102 . In this embodiment the character Read Only Memory  114  also stores operating code (OC) for micro-processor  113  and code for performing functions associated with the radio telephone  1 .  
      The radio frequency communications unit  102  is a combined receiver and transmitter having a common antenna  107 . The communications unit  102  has a transceiver  108  coupled to antenna  107  via a radio frequency amplifier  109 . The transceiver  108  is also coupled to a combined modulator/demodulator  110  that couples the communications unit  102  to the processor  103 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3  there is illustrated a first embodiment of the closeable (foldable) electronics device in the form of the radio telephone  100  often referred to as a mobile or cellular telephone. The radio telephone  100  has a housing  200  with two portions  220 ,  230  movably mounted to each other to allow relative movement of the portions  220 , 230  between a fully closed position of  FIG. 2  and a fully opened position of  FIG. 3 . Housed, or partially disposed, in the housing  200  are the components of  FIG. 1  including the transceiver  108  and processor  103 .  
      The relative movement, as shown in this embodiment, is achieved by the portions  220 , 230  being pivotally mounted to each other about a pivotal axis A that is perpendicular to a viewing surface  207  of the display screen  105 . As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the viewing surface  207  is the surface of the display  105  facing a user when viewing the display  105 . In the fully closed position, indicated by reference numerals  210 , there are a group of switches or keys  235 , 236 , 237 , 238  comprising the user operated screen controller  130 , that is mounted to the housing  200 , and the display screen  105  are visible and accessible by a user. The switches or keys  235 - 238  and user operated screen controller  130  are disposed in portion  220 . In contrast, the keypad  106  includes a plurality of associated keys  330 , disposed in portion  230  and are totally hidden (sandwiched between portions  220 , 230 ) and inaccessible by a user when the housing  200  is in the fully closed position  210 .  
      The portion  220  is generally elongated and of a substantially planar shape. The portion  220  has a circular sub-portion  222  at one end and an extending sub-portion  224  extending away from the circular sub-portion  222 . In the fully closed position  210 , the circular sub-portion  222  and the extending sub-portion  224  are adjacent to, and overlay, portion  230 . Further, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, in this embodiment the display screen  105  is mounted to the housing  200 , more specifically the display screen  105  is fixed to portion  230 .  
      Some components of the radio telephone  100  are positioned proximal to the circular sub-portion  222  including an interchangeable cover  231  and the display screen  105 . The interchangeable cover  231  has a ring-like (annular) shape that may be attached to, and detached from, the radio telephone  100 . In addition, the interchangeable cover  231  may include selection buttons  232  that can be preferably associated with the user operated screen controller  130 , to provide additional functionality to the radio telephone  100 . For example, in this preferred embodiment there are three selection buttons  232 .  
      The display screen  105  may be any type of output device that provides a convenient display of text, menus and/or graphics to the user. Preferably, the display screen  105  is a liquid crystal display having a backlighting system to illuminate the display screen  105  when ambient lighting conditions are insufficient for adequate viewing by the user. A locking piece  240  is disposed inside the circular sub-portion  222  and functions as a lens to protect and hold in place the display screen  105 . The locking piece  240  also locks certain components of the radio telephone  100  together, which is explained in detail by referring to U.S. application identified by Ser. No. 09/826,180 incorporated herein by reference. The locking piece  240  also functions as a display lens to protect the display screen  150 .  
      A free end  260  of the extending portion  224  includes speaker apertures  270  that, amongst other functions, direct sounds, generated by the communications speaker  140 , out of the housing  200 . In this embodiment, when in the fully closed position  210 , the keys  235 , 236 , 237 , 238  typically perform the following allocated functions: Key  235  is cursor move right; Key  236  is cursor move left; Key  237  is cursor move up; and Key  238  is cursor move down. However, as will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, the keys  235 - 238  form part of the user operated screen controller  130  and provides screen control signals, by user operation, that control movement of one or more objects (OB) displayed on the display screen  105 . Although in this embodiment the user operated screen controller  130  comprises the keys  235 - 238 , the screen controller  130  may comprise other user input technology such as a joystick or a touch sensitive tablet.  
      Hence, in addition to cursor movement, the keys  235 - 238  can control screen pointer movement or movement of any screen or object (OB) displayed on the screen  105 . For example, Keys  235 - 238  may move an object (OB) up, down, left or right as part of a game being played and displayed on screen  105 . From the above, it will be apparent that the group of switches or keys  235 - 238  include two opposing pairs of switches or keys to provide up, down, left and right movement of an object (OB) such as a cursor, pointer, icon or any visual representation displayed on the display screen  105 . One of these opposing pairs comprises keys  235 , 236  and the other opposing pair comprises keys  237 , 238 .  
      Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , the preferred embodiment of the radio telephone  100  is shown in the fully opened position indicated by reference numerals  310 . When in the fully opened position  310 , both the keys  330  and a microphone aperture  340  become visible, the microphone aperture  340  in use provides for directing sounds received from the user or other local sounds to the microphone  135 . Similar to the portion  220 , the portion  230  includes a circular sub-portion  322  and an extending substantially planar sub-portion  324 . In this fully opened position  310 , the circular sub-portion  222  of the sub-portion  220  is adjacent to, and positioned above, the circular sub-portion  322 . On the other hand, the extending sub-portion  224  is positioned opposite the extending sub-portion  324  on opposite sides of the circular sub-portions  222  and  322 . The keys  330  may include any layout of keys that provide convenient operation of the radio telephone  100  by the user.  
      The relative positions of the portions  220 , 230  are not restricted the fully opened position  310  and the fully closed position  210  described above. The preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  includes four functional positions, namely the fully opened position  310 , fully closed position  210 , and auxiliary or intermediate positions  360  and  370 . The intermediate positions  360  and  370  are positions that are partially opened positions between the fully closed  210  and fully opened positions  310 . Generally, the fully opened position  310  and the fully closed position  210  may respectively activate and de-activate functions of the radio telephone  100  such as answering an incoming call and terminating an existing call. Each of the intermediate positions  360  and  370  may also be set to activate a particular function of the radio telephone  100 . For example, intermediate position  360  may operate to illuminate the display screen  105  (without answering an incoming call, if one exists), and intermediate position  370  may operate to provide caller identification information about an incoming call that is not provided in the fully closed position  210 .  
      Another function that may be activated by the functional positions of the portions  220 , 230  includes changing between different modes of operation for a multimode device. For example, the relative position of the extending sub-portions  224 ,  324  may determine whether the radio telephone  100  operates as a pager, a network browser, an e-mail device, a personal digital assistant, a games playing device or an audio player.  
      As will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, when the relative positions  210 ,  310 ,  360 ,  370  of the portions  220 ,  230  are selected by pivotal movement thereof about the pivotal axis A, the choice of functions for each of the keys  235 - 238  may become counter intuitive. Also, depending on the absolute orientations of portions  220 , 230 , the orientations of images displayed on the screen  105  and keys  235 - 238  can be inconvenient and counter intuitive to use in prior art devices. In the rest of this specification, screen orientation reference directions up, down, left, right when portions  220 ,  230  are in the fully closed position  210  are indicated by respective arrows U,D,L,R. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the display screen  105  orientation remains unchanged since the portion  230  to which it is fixed remains in the same (upright) orientation.  
      Referring to FIGS.  4  to  7 , there are illustrated schematic representations the position detector module  125  operation. The position detector module  125  comprises relative position detectors that provide at least one relative orientation signal detecting the relative positions of the two portions  220 , 230 . In this embodiment, the relative position detectors are normally closed switches  440 ,  450  mounted to the extending sub-portion  224  adjacent and in a co-active arrangement with a cam  420  comprising a raised switch actuating track  430 . The position detector module  125  also comprises absolute position detectors  460 ,  470  for detecting absolute positions of the portions  220 , 230  relative the earth&#39;s surface. These absolute position detectors  460 ,  470  provide an absolute orientation signal and are typically accelerometers and use the earth&#39;s gravitational force as an absolute reference. As illustrated, the absolute position detector  460  is mounted to portion  220  and detects the absolute position in two directions illustrated by arrows W and X. Hence, if portion  220  is oriented such that either directions W or X are at an angle below a horizontal plane (i.e. pointing in a downwards direction) then absolute position detector  460  provides a signal (in this embodiment a logic 1) indicating that portion  220  is in a position other than upright. However, it should be noted that not all positions other than upright will result in the absolute position detector  460  providing the logic 1 signal.  
      Also, as illustrated, the absolute position detector  470  is mounted to portion  230  and senses the absolute position in two directions illustrated by arrows Y and Z. Hence, if portion  230  is oriented such that either directions Y or Z are at an angle below a horizontal plane (pointing in a downwards direction) then absolute position detector  470  provides an absolute position signal (in this embodiment a logic one) indicating that portion  230  is in a position other than upright. Again, it should be noted that not all positions other than upright will result in the absolute position detector  470  providing the logic one absolute position signal.  
      As illustrated, specifically in  FIG. 4 , the housing  200  is in the fully closed position  210 . Assuming that W is pointing vertically upwards, then absolute position detectors  460 , 470  provide logic zero absolute position signals to processor  103 . Also, both normally closed switches  440 , 450  are actuated by switch actuating track  430  thereby providing logic zeros relative position signals to processor  103 .  
      In  FIG. 5 , the relative positions of the portions  220 , 230  provide for the intermediate position  360  of the housing  200 . Position detector  460  provides a logic one absolute position signal to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103 . The normally closed switch  440  is no longer in contact with switch actuating track  430  thereby providing logic one relative position to processor  103 , whereas normally closed switch  450  is in contact with switch actuating track  430  thereby providing a logic zero relative position to processor  103 .  
      In  FIG. 6 , the relative positions of the portions  220 , 230  provide for the intermediate position  370  of the housing  200 . Position detector  460  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103 . The normally closed switch  450  is no longer in contact with switch actuating track  430  thereby providing logic one relative position to processor  103 , whereas normally closed switch  440  is in contact with switch actuating track  430  thereby a providing logic zero relative position to processor  103 .  
      In  FIG. 7 , the relative positions of the portions  220 , 230  provide for the fully opened position  310  of the housing  200 . Position detector  460  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103 . The normally closed switches  440 , 450  are not in contact with switch actuating track  430  thereby both providing a logic one relative position to processor  103 .  
      When considering the above description for absolute position signals, it will be apparent that other absolute position signals can be generated. A complete truth table list of useful relative and absolute positions of portions  220 ,  230  is provided in table 1 of this specification.  
      Referring to table 1, assuming keys  235 - 238  control a pointer PT displayed on the display screen  105 , then condition  1  corresponds to the fully closed position  210  in which the Screen Orientation indicated by arrow SO of a display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the up direction U. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer PT on display screen  105  to thereby move the Pointer PT in the right direction R, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the left direction L, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the up direction U and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D.  
      Condition  15  corresponds to the fully opened position  260  in which the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the up direction U. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer to move in the left direction L, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the right direction R, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the down direction D and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the up direction U.  
      Condition  11  corresponds to the intermediate position  360  in which the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the up direction U. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer to move in the down direction D, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the up direction U, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the right direction R and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the left direction L.  
      Condition  7  corresponds to the intermediate position  370  in which the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the up direction U. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer to move in the up direction U, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the left direction L and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the right direction R.  
      The above four conditions  1 , 7 , 11 , 15  are for the four functional positions as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However many other orientations of these relative four positions are possible resulting in the other conditions in table 1. It should be noted that in this embodiment condition  5  cannot occur (impossible condition). Four examples of other functional positions resulting four further ones of the conditions of table 1 are illustrated with reference to FIGS.  8  to  11 .  
      In  FIG. 8 , condition  6  is illustrated in which position detector  460  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103 . In this orientation, the intermediate position is position  370  but the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the L reference direction. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer PT to move in the right direction R, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the left direction L, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the up direction U and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D.  
      In  FIG. 9 , condition  10  is illustrated in which position detector  460  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103 . In this orientation, the intermediate position is position  360  but the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the R reference direction. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer PT to move in the right direction R, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the left direction L, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the up direction U and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D.  
      In  FIG. 10 , condition  14  is illustrated in which position detector  460  provides a logic zero absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103 . In this orientation, the fully opened position  310  is illustrated but the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the D reference direction. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer PT to move in the right direction R, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the left direction L, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the up direction U and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D.  
      In  FIG. 11 , condition  16  is illustrated in which position detector  460  provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103  and position detector  470  also provides a logic one absolute position to processor  103 . In this orientation, the fully opened position  310  is illustrated but the Screen Orientation SO of the display or image  205  displayed on the display screen  105  is aligned to the L reference direction. Also, key  235  is designated for controlling the pointer PT to move in the up direction U, key  236  is designated for moving is designated for moving Pointer PT in the down direction D, key  237  for moving the Pointer PT in the left direction L and key  238  is designated for moving Pointer PT in the right direction R.  
                                                   TABLE 1                       Condition   440   450   460   470   235   236   237   238   SO                                                                        1   0   0   0   0   Right   Left   Up   Down   U       2   0   0   0   1   Down   Up   Right   Left   L       3   0   0   1   0   Up   Down   Left   Right   R       4   0   0   1   1   Left   Right   Down   Up   D       5   0   1   0   0   #   #   #   #   #       6   0   1   0   1   Right   Left   Up   Down   L       7   0   1   1   0   Up   Down   Left   Right   U       8   0   1   1   1   Up   Down   Left   Right   L       9   1   0   0   0   Down   Up   Right   Left   R       10   1   0   0   1   Right   Left   Up   Down   R       11   1   0   1   0   Down   Up   Right   Left   U       12   1   0   1   1   Up   Down   Left   Right   L       13   1   1   0   0   Down   Up   Right   Left   R       14   1   1   0   1   Right   Left   Up   Down   D       15   1   1   1   0   Left   Right   Down   Up   U       16   1   1   1   1   Up   Down   Left   Right   L                  
 
      Referring now to  FIG. 12 , there is illustrated a method  600  for configuring operation of the user operated screen controller  130  of the closeable electronics device  100 . The method  600  is invoked by the position detector module  125  detecting movement at step  610 , this movement being either relative movement of the portions  220 ,  230  or absolute movement that is detected by a change from one of the conditions of table 1 to another one of the conditions. A determining step  620  then provides for determining relative positions of the two portions  220 ,  230  to provide a position signal. A controlling display screen orientation step  630  then controls the orientation of the image  205  displayed on display screen  105 . The orientation of the image  205  is dependent on the position signal that comprises the relative orientation signal (detecting the relative positions of the two portions  220 , 230 ) and the absolute orientation signal (the portions  220 , 230  relative the earth&#39;s surface).  
      The method  600  then effects a step of configuring  640  for configuring operation of the user operated screen controller  130  based on the position signal provided to the processor  103  to thereby control movement of the at least one object (OB) displayed on the display screen  105 . In other words, in use, actuation of the user operated screen controller  130  provides screen control signals that are processed by the processor  103  to control movement of the object (OB) displayed on the display screen  105 . These screen control signals are dependent on the position signal from the position detector module  125  that is indicative of the relative positions of the two portions  220 , 230 . The method then terminates at an end step  650  and will be invoked again by the position detector module  125  detecting movement.  
      Advantageously, the present invention provides for configuring or processing signals from the user operated screen controller  130  that taking into account the relative and absolute positions (orientations) of the housing  200 . This allows for an intuitive user operated screen controller  130  that is orientated to correspond to the orientation of the image  205  displayed on the display screen  105 .  
      The detailed description provides preferred exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For instance, the display screen  105  may be any shape or size and can be disposed anywhere on either of the portions ( 220 , 230 ).