Patent Publication Number: US-2005132292-A1

Title: Electronic device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to an electronic device providing switchable operating modes.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      Electronic products, such as mobile phone and Personal Digital AssistantS (PDAs) have become indispensable to many. Although originally intended for voice communication, mobile phones now provide a variety of functions including internet access, email, text messaging, and the like. Additionally, “smart phones” combine the features of a conventional mobile phone and a PDA. The PDA includes a touch screen and a stylus. Data are input to the PDA by the stylus via the touch screen, while data are typically input to a mobile phone via keypad. Hence, when combining a mobile phone with a PDA, there is a need to provide an interface that integrates the functions thereof.  
      In  FIG. 1 , a conventional smart phone P 1  has a monitor  11 , a plurality of keys  12 , a receiver  13 , a microphone  14  and an antenna  15 . The smart phone P 1  has a monitor  11  larger than a typical mobile phone monitor, and all functions of the smart phone P 1  are directly controlled by the keys  12 .  
      The smart phone P 1 , however, does not provide a stylus or other implements to input data, hence the smart phone must be controlled entirely by the keys  12 . Inputting data by the keys  12 , may be considered inconvenient or time-consuming, particularly when performing a search function.  
      In  FIG. 2 , a smart phone P 2  has a touch screen  21 , a function key  22 , a receiver  23 , a microphone  24 , an antenna  25 , a cover  26 , a main body  27  and a stylus  28 . The smart phone P 2  described herein provides a stylus  28  for inputting data to the PDA component and controlling the mobile phone by tapping the touch screen  21 . However, no keys for dialing are provided on the smart phone P 2 , and may be considered more inconvenient than a conventional mobile phone, particularly when dialing.  
      In  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a smart phone P 3  has a touching screen  31 , a plurality of function keys  32 , a receiver  33 , a microphone  34 , an antenna  35 , a cover  36 , a main body  37  and a stylus  38 . When the cover  36  is flipped open, the smart phone P 3  functions as a PDA. When the cover  36  is flipped closed, the smart phone P 3  functions as a mobile phone.  
      When the cover  36  is stylus, however, the cover  36  is easily flipped back to its original position relative to the main body  37  when acted on by a force. Additionally, it is inconvenient for the user to press the function keys  32  when the cover  36  is open.  
      Moreover, when opening the cover  36  abnormally or abruptly, cracks are easily generated on the cover  36 , especially in the regions near a hinge (not shown), potentially causing the cover  36  to become unhinged the main body  37 .  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an electronic device with a first operating mode (mobile phone) and a second operating mode (PDA), switchable therebetween by a movable case.  
      The invention provides an electronic device having a host and a case. The host is provided with a first index portion. The case is disposed on the host and movable between a first position and a second position. When the case moves to the first position, the electronic device is in the first operating mode and partially covering the first index portion. When the case moves to the second position, the electronic device is in the second operating mode. The first operating mode (mobile phone) and the second operating mode (PDA) of the electronic device can be operated simultaneously, preventing cracks or damage to the host or case.  
      A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a plane view of a first conventional mobile phone (P 1 );  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second conventional mobile phone (P 2 );  
       FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of a third conventional mobile phone (P 3 );  
       FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the mobile phone (P 3 )  FIG. 3   a , wherein the mobile phone (P 3 ) is controlled by a stylus ( 38 );  
       FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of an electronic device (E 1 ) according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electronic device (E 1 ) has a host ( 45 ) and a case ( 46 );  
       FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of the mobile phone (P 3 ) of  FIG. 4   a , wherein the electronic device (E 1 ) is controlled by a stylus ( 47 );  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the mobile phone (P 3 ) of  FIG. 4   a;    
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the mobile phone (P 3 ) of  FIG. 4   b , wherein the stylus ( 47 ) is disposed on the host ( 45 );  
       FIG. 7  is a rear view of the mobile phone (P 3 ) of  FIG. 6 ; and  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electronic device (E 2 ) according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electronic device (E 2 ) has a host ( 85 ), a case ( 86 ) and a stylus ( 87 ). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , in a first embodiment of the invention, an electronic device E 1  has a host  45 , a case  46  and a stylus  47 . The host  45  provides a first index portion  41 , and the case  46  is disposed on the host  45  and movable along the longitudinal direction of the host  45 . The stylus  47  inputs data and controls the host  45  by tapping the first index portion  41 .  
      The host  45  is a main body of the electronic device E 1  and provided with a processing unit (not shown). The first index portion  41  is a rectangular touching screen disposed on the upper surface of the host  45  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  45 . A receiver  43  is disposed on the host  45  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  45 . A first guide portion  48  is formed on the sidewall of the host  45  and/or electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  45 . In this embodiment, the first guide portion  48  is a longitudinal slot formed on the sidewall of the host  45 .  
      The case  46  is hollow and provided with an opening  460 . A plurality of second index portions  42  and a microphone  44  are disposed on an outer surface of the case  46  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  45 , and a second guide portion  71  is formed on an inner surface of the case  46 . In this embodiment, the second guide portion  71  is a rail, and the second index portions  42  are function keys.  
      Referring also to  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7 , a front view of  FIG. 5 , a side view of  FIG. 6  and a rear view of  FIG. 7  of the electronic device E 1  clearly illustrate how the case  46  and the host  45  are assembled.  
      In  FIG. 7 , a detecting element  72 , such as a sensor, is disposed on the host  45  with respect to the case  46  and electrically connected to a processing unit of the host  45 . A receiver  470  is an opening formed on the host  45 . A plurality of lead wires  73 , disposed on the inner surface of the case  46 , connect the second index portion  42  and the microphone  44  to the processing unit of the host  45 , such that signals or commands transmitted from the second index portion  42  and the microphone  44  are transmitted to the processing unit of the host  45  through the lead wires  73 . A holding device (not shown), disposed in the host  45  and connected to the processing unit, clamps or releases the stylus  47  when the stylus  47  is placed in the receiver  470 . Thus, the stylus  47  disposed in the receiver  470  controls the first index portion  41  of the host  45 , and the detecting element  72  detects the position of the case  46  and transmits signals to the processing unit of the host  45  when the case  46  moves between the first position I and the second position II.  
      When the case  46  and the host  45  are assembled, the host  45  is fitted into the opening  460  of the case  46  and partially covered by the case  46 , and the first guide portion  48  of the host  45  is then engaged with the second guide portion  71  of the case  46 . The position of the case  46  disposed on the host  45  in  FIG. 4   a  moves to a first position I, i.e., the case  46  is kept at an upper limit position by the limitation between the first guide portion  48  and the second guide portion  71  which are engaged. The position of the case  46  disposed on the host  45  in  FIG. 4   b  moves to a first position II, i.e., the case  46  is kept at a lower limit position by the limitation between the first guide portion  48  and the second guide portion  71  which are engaged.  
      When the first index portion  41  of the host  45  in  FIG. 4   a  is partially covered by the case  46 , i.e., when the housing  46  moves to the first position I, the electronic device E 1  functions in a first operating mode (mobile phone). Thus, data is input by pressing the second index portions  42  and the result is output from the first index portion  41 .  
      When the first index portion  41  of the host  45  in  FIG. 4   b  (second position II) is not covered by the hosing  46  (fully open), the detecting element  72  transmits a signal to the processing unit of the host  45  to directing the electronic device E 1  to function as PDA and control the holding device to release the stylus  47 . That is to say, the electronic device E 1  functions in a second operating mode (PDA) and the stylus  47  is removed from the receiver  470  when the case  46  moves to the first position II.  
      Referring to  FIG. 8 , in a second embodiment of the invention, an electronic device E 2  has a host  85 , a case  86  and a stylus  87 . The host  85  is provided with a first index portion  81 , a receiver  870  and a processing unit (not shown). The case  86  is disposed on the host  85  for moving along the longitudinal direction of the host  85 . The stylus  87  inputs data and commands to the host  85  by tapping the first index portion  81 .  
      A first guide portion  88  is formed on the sidewall of the host  85  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  85 . In this embodiment, the first guide portion  88  is a longitudinal slot. A plurality of second index portions  82  and a microphone  84  are disposed on an outer surface of the case  86  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  85 , and a second guide portion  71 ′ is formed on an inner surface of the case  8 . In this embodiment, the first index portion  81  is a touching screen, the second index portions  82  are function keys, and the second guide portion  71 ′ is a rail.  
      The electronic device E 2  differs from the electronic device E 1  in that a button switch  89  is provided. The button switch  89 , disposed on the host  85  and electrically connected to the processing unit of the host  85 , controls ejection the stylus  87  when the case  86  moves to the second position II.  
      When pressing the button switch  89  and moving the case  86  to the second position II, the stylus  87  is stationary even if switch  89  is turned on. Then, the first index portion  81  is controlled manually, and the electronic device E 2  functions as a PDA and is controlled by pressing the second index portions  82 . When the button switch  89  is not pressed and case  86  is moved to the second position II, the stylus  87  is ejected as mentioned in the first embodiment.  
      It is noted that the detecting element  72  and the lead wires  73  mentioned in  FIG. 7  are also provided in the second embodiment, but not shown in figures.  
      Thus, in the electronic device E 1 , for example, the first operating mode I (mobile phone) and the second operating mode II (PDA) of the electronic device E 1  are operated simultaneously. Because the case  46  is an element sliding on the host  45 , cracks or damage to the host  45  or case  46  is presented. Further, due to the host  45  and the case  46  being kept on the same plane, i.e., the first index portion  41  (touching screen) and the second index portions  42  (function keys) being located on the same plane, control of the first index portion  41  (touching screen) and the second index portions  42  (function keys) is simplified.  
      While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to accommodate various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.