Patent Publication Number: US-2005125570-A1

Title: Portable communication devices

Description:
This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/763,874 entitled “PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES,” filed Jan. 23, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein, which is also related to and claims the benefit of the filing date of a provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/514,194, which was filed Oct. 23, 2003 by inventors Robert Olodort and Peter M. Cazalet under Attorney Docket No. 003256.P020Z. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to the field of portable communication devices and, in particular, to a compact digital processing device having mobile voice phone and PDA features.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have succeeded as electronic solutions for the replacement of conventional pen and paper type calendars and address books. Unlike notebook computers, PDAs are small enough to hold in the palm of one hand (e.g., grasped entirely within the fingers of one hand) or fit in a pocket. In today&#39;s wireless age, mobile or cellular phones, text-messaging devices, and pagers allow people to communicate from virtually any location. Many PDAs also have wireless capabilities, allowing users to surf the web and access email. The need for the features and flexibilities that these wireless devices provide often require users to carry around mobile (e.g. cellular) phones, text-messaging devices, and PDAs separately.  
      Attempts have been made to consolidate these features into a single, portable device, commonly referred to as a smartphone—a generic name for a voice-centric mobile voice phone with information capabilities. However, current smartphones possess practical and aesthetic problems that fail to strike a good balance between a mobile voice phone and a PDA.  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an example of a prior art smart phone.  FIG. 1A  shows a smart phone in a phone configuration having a “candy-bar” style with a display and keypad.  FIG. 1B  shows the smart phone in a PDA or portable computer configuration that is formed by flipping open a section of the phone to reveal a second, larger display and a miniature keyboard. The device is large and bulky, making it inconvenient for a user to carry in a pant pocket or on a belt holster. Holding such a bulky, substantially planar device to the ear during phone use is not aesthetically pleasing. Users may prefer the feeling of a conventional phone, that is, a receiver having a curved, narrow body that is contoured to fit the shape of a user&#39;s head from the ear to the mouth. Moreover, the candy bar style of many mobile voice phones do not have distinctive ear and mouth pieces, making it difficult for users to feel what the proper position of the phone should be during use. This may cause the user to constantly adjust the phone around the ear and mouth and vary the pressure to which the phone is held against the user&#39;s head. Another disadvantage of prior art smartphones is that the display and keypad of the phone are always exposed, making them susceptible to damage when carried around.  
       FIGS. 1C and 1D  illustrate another prior art smartphone that has a base section that rotates from the phone configuration of  FIG. 1C  to expose a thumb-style keyboard in the PDA configuration of  FIG. 1D . This prior art phone is further shown in published U.S. Patent Application Publication Number U.S. 2003/0087609. The mobile voice phone configuration has a candy-bar style that remains bulky and exposes the display and keypad to damage. In the PDA configuration, the key layout is not centered with respect the display screen, making it awkward for a user to quickly and accurately enter data because the user&#39;s hands would be in an unbalanced position. Moreover, the display size is a small fraction of the overall area of the phone, thereby limiting the amount of text or image that may be viewed.  
     SUMMARY  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable communication device includes a first position (e.g. a first configuration) to cover a display assembly and a keyboard assembly, a second position (e.g. a second configuration) to form a mobile voice phone and a third position (e.g. a third configuration) to form a personal digital assistant or to otherwise provide a mode or configuration in which a full keyboard is available for use. A display on the display assembly is (in this exemplary embodiment) in a portrait mode relative to said keyboard assembly in the second position and the display on the display assembly is in a landscape mode relative to said keyboard assembly in the third position.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with alphanumeric keys and a display assembly having a display, where the display assembly is coupled to the keyboard assembly and is moveable relative to the keyboard assembly between a first open position and a second open position, the first open position being for a voice phone mode and the second open position being for a full alphanumeric keyboard mode. The keyboard assembly and the display assembly are moveable relative to each other to a closed position in which the display and alphanumeric keys are protected and are not on an exterior surface in the closed position.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys arranged substantially in rows and columns, wherein the rows and columns are specified by a first up/down direction of a first set of indicia (e.g. the letters on the keys of a QWERTY keyboard) associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys and wherein there are more columns than rows and wherein the up/down direction of the first set of indicia is aligned substantially parallel with the columns and wherein a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia (e.g. the numbers 0-9 for a voice phone keypad), associated with at least another subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first up/down direction; and the portable communication device includes a display assembly which has a display and which is moveably coupled to the keyboard assembly from an open position which exposes the keyboard and the display to a closed position in which the display and the keyboard are protected and are not on an exterior surface in the closed position.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys arranged substantially in rows and columns, wherein the rows and columns are specified by a first up/down direction of a first set of indicia (e.g. the letters on the keys of a QWERTY keyboard) associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys and wherein there are more columns than rows and wherein the up/down direction of the first set of indicia is aligned substantially parallel with the columns and wherein a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia (e.g. the numbers 0-9 for a voice phone keypad), associated with at least another subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first up/down direction; and the portable communication device includes a display assembly coupled to the keyboard assembly, wherein the keyboard assembly has a first long side and a first short side and the display assembly has a second long side and a second short side and wherein in a voice phone mode, the first short side and the second short side are substantially abutting, and wherein in a full keyboard mode the first long side and the second long side are substantially abutting.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys arranged substantially in rows and columns, wherein the rows and columns are specified by a first up/down direction of a first set of indicia (e.g. the letters on the keys of a QWERTY keyboard) associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys and wherein there are more columns than rows and wherein the up/down direction of the first set of indicia is aligned substantially parallel with the columns and wherein a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia (e.g. the numbers 0-9 for a voice phone keypad), associated with at least another subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first up/down direction; and the portable communication device includes a display assembly which has a display and which is coupled to the keyboard assembly, the display having a first orientation in a voice phone mode in which text on the display is substantially parallel to the columns and a second orientation in which text on the display is substantially perpendicular to the columns, and wherein in the voice phone mode the display assembly and the keyboard assembly form an angle in a range of about 100° to about 170°.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a full alphanumeric set of keys and having a first long side and a first short side, and a display assembly having a display and being coupled to the keyboard assembly, the display assembly having a second long side and a second short side, and wherein the display has a first orientation in a voice phone mode in which text on the display is substantially parallel to the first short side and a second orientation in a full keyboard mode in which text on the display is substantially perpendicular to the first short side, and wherein in the voice phone mode, the first short side and the second short side are substantially abutting and/or parallel and wherein in the full keyboard mode the first long side and the second long side are substantially abutting and/or parallel.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys arranged substantially in rows and columns, wherein the rows and columns are specified by a first up/down direction of a first set of indicia (e.g. the letters on the keys of a QWERTY keyboard) associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, and wherein there are more columns than rows, and wherein the first up/down direction is aligned substantially parallel with the columns; and the device includes a display assembly which has a display and which is moveably coupled to the keyboard assembly to permit movement from an open position which exposes the keyboard and the display to a closed position in which the display and the keyboard are protected and are not on an exterior surface in the closed position; a microphone on the keyboard assembly, the microphone positioned near a lower, central portion of the keyboard assembly; and an earpiece on the display assembly, the earpiece positioned near an upper, central portion of the display assembly.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys arranged substantially in rows and columns, wherein the rows and columns are specified by a first up/down direction of a first set of indicia (e.g. the letters on the keys of a QWERTY keyboard) associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, and wherein there are more columns than rows and wherein the up/down direction is aligned substantially parallel with the columns; and the device includes a display assembly which has a display and which is coupled to the keyboard assembly, the display having a first orientation in a voice phone mode in which a line or a row of text on the display is substantially parallel to the columns and a second orientation in which another line or row of text on the display is substantially perpendicular to the columns, and wherein the keyboard has a unitary structure which is fully accessible when the display is in either of the first and the second orientations.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly having a keyboard with a plurality of alphanumeric keys. A first up/down direction of a first set of indicia is associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, and a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia, which is associated with at least some of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, is aligned substantially perpendicular to the first up/down direction. A display assembly has a display and is coupled to the keyboard assembly. The display has a first orientation in a voice phone mode in which a row of text on the display is substantially parallel to the first up/down direction and a second orientation (e.g. in a full keyboard mode) in which another row of text on the display is substantially perpendicular to the first up/down direction. In the voice phone mode, the display assembly and the keyboard assembly form an angle in a range of about 100° to about 170°.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a display assembly which has a display and a keyboard assembly which has a plurality of alphanumeric keys. The keyboard assembly is rotatably coupled to a base assembly which is coupled to the display assembly. The keyboard assembly has a first long side and a first short side. A first up/down direction of a first set of indicia is associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys and a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia is associated with at least some of the plurality of alphanumeric keys. The first up/down direction is substantially perpendicular to the second up/down direction. The portable communication device has a closed configuration in which the display and the keyboard assembly are protected and are not on an exterior surface in the closed configuration.  
      In another exemplary embodiment, a portable communication device includes a keyboard assembly and a display assembly which has a display and which is coupled to the keyboard assembly. The display has a first side that defines an edge of the display. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of alphanumeric keys. A first up/down direction of a first set of indicia is associated with at least a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric keys, and a second up/down direction of a second set of indicia is associated with at least some of the plurality of alphanumeric keys. The first up/down direction is substantially perpendicular to the second up/down direction. A row of text on the display, in a first mode of the device, is in a first orientation which is parallel to the first side, and another row of text on the display, in a second mode of the device, is in a second orientation which is perpendicular to the first side.  
      While many of the embodiments described herein use a keyboard to accept inputs from a user, it will be appreciated that the various embodiments may use additional input devices such as a touch sensitive screen or a scroll wheel. A touch sensitive screen may be controlled by a penlike stylus or by a user&#39;s finger; such a screen may be used to display a keypad which a user can touch with a finger or a stylus. A scroll wheel may be used to move a cursor around on the display; the scroll wheel may be rolled up or down to move a cursor up or down (or left and right) on the display. The scroll wheel may also be pressable to indicate a selection of an object on the display; in this case, the scroll wheel can be used to move the cursor on the display to position the cursor relative to an object (e.g. an icon or text button) on the display and then the wheel can be pressed to indicate a selection of the object.  
      Additional features and advantages of these embodiments and various other embodiments of the present invention and methods of using such devices will be apparent from the accompanying drawings, and from the detailed description that follows below.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not intended to be limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings.  
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a prior art smartphone in a phone configuration.  
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the prior art smartphone of  FIG. 1A  in a PDA configuration.  
       FIG. 1C  illustrates another prior art smartphone in a phone configuration.  
       FIG. 1D  illustrates the prior art smartphone of  FIG. 1C  in a PDA configuration.  
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one embodiment of a portable communication device in a mobile voice phone position.  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  in a PDA (or full keyboard) position.  
       FIG. 2C  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  in a closed position.  
       FIG. 2D  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  in a partially open position.  
       FIG. 2E  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  as the display is rotating between a voice phone position and a PDA position.  
       FIG. 2F  shows a side view of the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  in a voice phone position.  
       FIG. 3A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device in a mobile voice phone position.  
       FIG. 3B  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 3A  in a PDA (or full keyboard) position.  
       FIG. 3C  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 3A  in a closed position.  
       FIG. 3D  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 3A  in a partially open position.  
       FIG. 3E  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 3A  in another partially open position.  
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device in a mobile voice phone position.  
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the portable communication device of  FIG. 4A  in a PDA (or full keyboard) position.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged view of a particular exemplary keyboard assembly.  
       FIG. 6  shows an enlarged view of another exemplary keyboard assembly, showing rows and columns of keys and the relationship of text on a display assembly, in two different modes, relative to these rows and columns.  
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart which shows an exemplary method of using an example of a portable communication device, such as the device in  FIG. 2A  or the device in  FIG. 3A .  
       FIGS. 8A-8C  show an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIG. 9  shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device with an alternative keyboard layout in a full keyboard mode.  
       FIG. 10  shows a top of the portable communication device of  FIG. 9  in a voice phone mode.  
       FIGS. 11A, 11B , and  11 C show side views of another alternative portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 12A, 12B ,  12 C and  12 D show views of another alternative embodiment of a portable communication device which includes a hinge mechanism which allows the display assembly to be configured relative to the keyboard assembly in both a voice phone mode and a full keyboard mode.  
       FIG. 13  shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 15A, 15B , and  15 C show views of another alternative embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 16A, 16B  and  16 C show another implementation of a portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show two other implementations of portable communication devices.  
       FIGS. 19A, 19B  and  19 C show top views of another embodiment of a portable communication device in which a keyboard assembly rotates on a base assembly which is coupled to a display assembly.  
       FIGS. 20A, 20B  and  20 C show top views of another embodiment of a portable communication device which includes an extendible keyboard assembly.  
       FIGS. 21A, 21B  and  21 C show top views of another embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 22A, 22B ,  22 C and  22 D show top views of another embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIG. 23  shows an exemplary hardware implementation of an embodiment of a portable communication device.  
       FIGS. 24A-24D  illustrate another embodiment of a portable communication device that may alternate between a first communication configuration and a second communication configuration.  
       FIG. 25  illustrates a partial see-through view of a hinge assembly in the transitional configuration, as illustrated for the portable communication device in  FIG. 24C .  
       FIG. 26  illustrates an exploded view of a hinge assembly that also includes the components of first cam assembly.  
       FIG. 27  illustrates a partially see-through view of the first cam assembly disposed within the hinge assembly.  
       FIG. 28  illustrates another view of the hinge assembly that isolates the first cam assembly and the second cam assembly.  
       FIG. 29  illustrates another embodiment of a portable communication device having an alternative hinge assembly.  
       FIG. 30  illustrates an exploded view of the internal components of the hinge assembly illustrated in  FIG. 29 .  
       FIG. 31  illustrates a partial see-through view of the hinge assembly illustrated in  FIG. 29 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific, components, circuits, processes, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details need not be employed to practice the present invention. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. The term “coupled” as used herein means connected directly to or indirectly connected through one or more intervening components or circuits.  
      Embodiments of the present invention, which include a portable communication device, are described. In one embodiment, a portable communication device includes a display assembly and a keyboard assembly that form various operating and non-operating positions. The display assembly and the keyboard assembly may be coupled together with a hinge assembly that allows the portable communication device to alternate between closed and open positions. In a closed position, the display assembly and the keyboard assembly are covered and protected in a housing. The closed position includes a small form factor to protect the display and keyboard assemblies, as well as providing convenient portability. In this closed position, the display assembly and the keyboard assembly are not exposed as external surfaces. In a first opened position, the display assembly rotates open to form a mobile voice phone position. The mobile voice phone position has the shape and feel of a conventional phone (such as a flip-open, flip-closed cell phone) to provide a user with the familiarity, ergonomics and aesthetics of a handset receiver of a land line phone. In a second opened position, the display assembly rotates open to form a full keyboard or PDA position. The display on the display assembly may also have orientation capabilities. In one embodiment of the present invention, a display on the display assembly may be in a portrait mode in the mobile voice phone position and in a landscape mode in the full keyboard or PDA position. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a portable communication device has various positions that possess features of a smartphone.  
       FIGS. 2A-2F  illustrate various configurations or positions of one embodiment of the present invention. A portable communication device  200  alternates between at least two open positions that include a mobile voice phone position and a full keyboard or PDA position.  FIG. 2A  illustrates device  200  in a mobile voice phone position with display assembly  210  rotated open relative to keyboard assembly  220 . Hinge assembly  230  is disposed near a left edge  203  of keyboard assembly  220  and has an elongated first hinge  232  and a second rotating hinge  234  disposed near one end of first hinge  232 . As discussed in greater detail below, first hinge  232  and second rotating hinge  234  allow display assembly  210  to rotate open relative to keyboard assembly  220  into different open orientations, one to form a mobile voice phone position and a second to form a full keyboard or PDA position. In one embodiment of the present invention, display assembly  210  rotates open with first hinge  232  to form the mobile voice phone position, and rotates open with second hinge  234  to form the full keyboard or PDA position. Display assembly  210  is substantially rectangular in shape having a display assembly length  244  and width  246  where the length exceeds the width and thus the length is a long side and the width is the short side. Display screen  212  takes up a large surface area of display assembly  210  with display screen length  215  and width  217 . In this case, the display screen length  215  exceeds the display screen width  217 .  
      In the mobile voice phone position illustrated in  FIG. 2A , display assembly  210  is rotated about first hinge  232 . This mobile voice phone position is comparable to a flip style or clamshell style mobile (e.g. cellular) phone, with earpiece  216  disposed on display assembly  210  and microphone  218  disposed on keyboard assembly  220 . The earpiece  216  is positioned near an upper, central portion of display assembly  210  as shown in  FIG. 2A , and the microphone  218  is positioned near a lower, central portion of the keyboard assembly  220 . Display assembly  210  also includes a frame  211  that borders display screen  212 . The positions of earpiece  216  and microphone  218  simulate the relative positions on a conventional telephone handset. In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile voice phone position formed by portable communication device  200  has the look and feel of a conventional phone—that is, the mobile voice phone mode or position simulates a mobile phone handset. Keyboard assembly length  240  and display assembly length  244  have a combined length to position earpiece  216  (which may be a miniature speaker) near a user&#39;s ear and mouthpiece  218  comfortably near a user&#39;s mouth. Keyboard assembly width  242  and display assembly width  246  are narrow (smaller than) relative to lengths  240 ,  244  to provide a slim body that may be held comfortably with the user&#39;s fingers or palm. Display assembly  210  also rotates open to an angle between about 100 to about 175 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  220 . One angle which may be used is an angle of about 155 degrees. This angled orientation is better suited for the contoured shape of a user&#39;s head from ear to mouth, thereby providing comfort, aesthetics and better communications (due to the ear piece and mouthpiece being close to the user&#39;s ear and mouth, respectively).  
       FIG. 2F  shows a side view of the portable communication device of  FIG. 2A  in the voice phone position/mode/configuration in which the device is opened (usually at a fixed angle θ) for use as a voice phone. The display assembly  210  and the keyboard assembly  220 , in the opened position of  FIG. 2F , form an angle θ which may be a fixed angle in the range of about 100 to about 175 degrees. In one particular embodiment, the angle θ may be about 155 degrees. In the closed position of  FIG. 2C  the angle between the display assembly and the keyboard assembly is about 0 degrees. An antenna  220 A is shown in an extended position; the antenna may be extended from a retracted position from within the keyboard assembly  220 . It can be seen from this side view that the earpiece  216  and the microphone  218  may be positioned close to the ear and mouth respectively while the antenna  220 A is held farther away from the user&#39;s head than the typical position of an antenna on a “candy bar” style phone. Furthermore, the keyboard assembly  220  and the display assembly  210  shield, to at least some extent, the user from the emissions of the antenna  220 A (unlike the antenna on a typical “candy bar” style phone). In an alternative configuration of the device of  FIG. 2F , the antenna may be housed at least partially within the body of the keyboard assembly  220  and it may not be extendable from that body. The exterior surface of either (or both of) the keyboard assembly or the display assembly may include a display which is viewable when the phone is in a closed position; this display may show the status of the battery (e.g. remaining capacity) and the time and date and the status (e.g. received signal strength) of the radio signals between the phone and a cell tower.  
      In the mobile voice phone position, an image displayed on display screen  212  (in one exemplary embodiment in which the display is a non-square, rectangular shape) is oriented in a portrait mode (text or image is viewed across the shorter display width  217  relative to the display length  215  such that the text is arranged in a linear fashion in rows which are parallel to the shorter display width  217 ; this can be seen in  FIG. 2A ). A key layout  222  is disposed on a top surface of keyboard assembly  220 , with a phone keypad  224  also integrated with the keys of key layout  222 . In other words, in one embodiment of the present invention, certain keys of key layout  222  double as phone keypad  224  when in the mobile voice phone position. The keys associated with the voice phone&#39;s keypad have a dual function as indicated by the two different sets of indicia which are associated with each key of the voice phone&#39;s keypad. One function of each such key in the keypad is to provide a letter or symbol from a full alphanumeric keyboard such as a QWERTY keyboard in a full keyboard mode and another function is to provide a “0-9” number (or “*” or “#” symbol or other symbols) from a voice phone&#39;s keypad. Each key in the keypad has at least one indicia from a first set of indicia (e.g. a letter and possibly a punctuation symbol from a QWERTY keyboard) and has at least one indicia from a second set of indicia (e.g. a number from 0-9 or a “*” or “#” for use as a voice phone&#39;s keypad). As can be seen from  FIGS. 2A, 2B ,  2 E and  5 , the indicia in the first set of indicia are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the indicia in the second set of indicia. For example, the number “5” on the voice phone&#39;s keypad is associated with a key for the letter G (or the symbol “%” if an alternate “Alt” key is actuated/pressed while the G key is pressed) which is part of a full alphanumeric keyboard. The number “5” is substantially perpendicular to the letter G. Thus one activatable (e.g. it can be pressed to cause an input) key has 2 different indicia which are perpendicularly oriented relative to each other. For example, when the device is opened to phone mode, pressing the key associated with G and 5 would normally input a “5”, while in full keyboard mode, the same key would normally input a “G” when pressed.  
      Although phone keypad keys  224  would be used primarily in the mobile voice phone position, the other keys of keyboard array  222  may also be functional in the mobile voice phone position. For example, when in phone mode, a user may look up a person&#39;s phone number by first pressing a button on the side of the phone and then pressing the alphabetical keys associated with the person&#39;s name. In an embodiment of the present invention, the keys that form phone keypad  224  may be illuminated when in the mobile voice phone position or mode to distinguish from the non-phone keypad keys which do not illuminate in this mode. In another embodiment, the keys  224  may have a color or texture which is different than the color or texture of other keys in the array  222 . In yet another embodiment, the keys  224  may, in addition to being illuminated at least partially during the voice phone mode (while the rest of the keys in the array  222  are not illuminated in the voice phone mode), also have a color or texture which is different than the color or texture of the other keys in the array  222 .  
       FIG. 5  illustrates an enlarged view of keyboard assembly  520  for portable communication device  500 . In one embodiment of the present invention, keyboard assembly  520  may be used in one or more of the various portable communication devices described herein such as the one shown in  FIGS. 2A-2F . Keyboard assembly  520  includes a phone key pad  523  integrated with QWERTY key layout  522  which is an example of a full keyboard. In the examples of  FIGS. 2A and 5 , the voice phone&#39;s keypad, which is normally used in the voice phone mode or position, includes the keys V, F, R, B, G, T, N, H, Y, M, J and U from the alphanumeric keyboard. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the number 1 associated with the voice phone&#39;s keypad is also associated with the key for the letter V in the alphanumeric keyboard. In the mobile voice phone position (mode), key pad  523  may be active while the remaining keys of key layout  522  remain inactive, unless an activation button (not shown) is pressed. Key layout  522  may also include a cursor controller  530  and space bar  531  and other keys or buttons which provide voice phone functions. The cursor controller  530  may be used like a mouse or trackpad to move a cursor on a display.  
       FIG. 2B  illustrates portable communication device  200  in a full keyboard or PDA position. This mode may be used to enter text for an email or an instant message or a memo or a calendar entry or a contact or address book entry. An image on display screen  212  is oriented in a landscape mode (text or image is viewed across the longer display length  215  relative to display width  217  such that the text is arranged in a linear fashion in rows which are parallel to the longer display length  215 ; this can be seen in  FIG. 2B ). From the portrait mode image illustrated in  FIG. 2A , an image on display screen  212  is rotated approximately 90 degrees and reformatted to fit within the landscape screen dimensions. Display assembly  210  rests in a plane that is substantially parallel to keyboard assembly  220  in the full keyboard or PDA position. Moreover, a portion of display assembly  210  may overlap or abut the keyboard assembly to form a single unit. First hinge  232  may be locked in the full keyboard or PDA position to prevent display assembly  210  from rotating out. It can be seen from the two views of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  that the keyboard assembly  220  and the display assembly  210  have rectangular shapes where a length of each rectangle is longer than a width of each rectangle. Thus, the keyboard assembly  220  has a length  240  (a long side) which is longer than a width  242  (a short side), and the display assembly  210  has a length  244  (another long side) which is longer than a width  246  (another short side). It can also be seen that, in the voice phone mode (e.g.  FIG. 2A ), the short sides of the two assemblies abut each other and are also parallel to each other and the device is long and narrow (so that it can be comfortably fit within a hand for use as a phone), and in the full keyboard mode (e.g.  FIG. 2B ), the device is shaped more like a square, nearly planar object, and the long sides of the two assemblies are parallel to each other and also abut each other. In this latter mode, the device can be comfortably held by both hands, allowing for thumb typing with one or both thumbs. The device, at least in full keyboard mode, is well balanced for typing (e.g. thumb typing) given its size and shape. Full keyboard mode may be considered to be a mode of the keyboard in which a single activation of an alphabetical key in the mode causes the input of only one predetermined character, and repeated activations of the same key continues to input the same predetermined character, even if these repeated activations occur rapidly in sequence. In full keyboard mode, each of a set of alphabetic keys is associated with only one alphabetic character (which is different from keys on a phone&#39;s keypad, wherein a single key is typically associated with two or more alphabetic characters—e.g. the “5” key on the phone&#39;s keypad is associated with the alphabetic characters “J”, “K” and “L”).  
      In the full keyboard or PDA position illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the mobile voice phone features such as earpiece  216  and microphone  218  may be inactivated. However, keys of phone keypad  224  form part of the key layout  222  of keyboard assembly  220 . In one embodiment of the present invention, key layout  222  may be arranged in a conventional QWERTY arrangement, and may also be centered with respect to the relative position of display screen  212 . Key layout  222  may also be a thumb-style keyboard such that a user may quickly and accurately enter data using one or both thumbs. This resembles the manner of data entry commonly used on Research In Motion&#39;s BlackBerry. “QWERTY” is indicative of the keyboard layout in that the first six letters of the top row, in a direction from left to right, are Q-W-E-R-T-Y. In one embodiment, the thumb-style key layout may have a center-to-center spacing of about 8 mm. A thumb-style key layout  222  allows a user to enter data quickly and accurately.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, thumb-style keyboard array  222  may have keys that are disposed about 8 mm apart to provide sufficient spacing for accurate typing by preventing multiple keys from being pressed simultaneously. Each key of thumb-style keyboard array  222  may be structured to provide a certain amount of travel and a tactile feedback to provide feedback to a user that the desired key has been pressed. Each key may provide a tactile feedback by using an over the center buckling action of a dome under the key, thereby allowing a user to detect that a key has been pressed, no matter what portion of the key is actually touched. Alternatively, the feedback may be in the form of a “click” sound generated electronically by the system when the key is pressed.  
      In another alternative of the present invention, thumb-style keyboard array  222  may have a non-mechanical structure (i.e., no key travel) and be more akin to a membrane-type of keyboard in which each key includes a conventional membrane switch. In a membrane keyboard, the keys use at least one plastic membrane. The membrane is imprinted with a pattern that, when touched by a key, acts like the switch in a mechanical keyboard and sends the “key depressed” signal to the computer or processing system or phone subsystem. Each key may be flush or slightly below the top surface of keyboard assembly  220 .  
      Display screen  212  area may be maximized on display assembly  220 . In one embodiment of the present invention, display screen  212  may have a display screen size of 240 pixels (length  215 )×160 (width  217 ) pixels to provide a very comfortable and enlarged display for a user. Other sizes are also possible; for example, the display screen size may have a length of 320 pixels and a width of 240 pixels. The actual size of pixels in the display may be, for each pixel, in the range of about 0.4 mm to about 0.1 mm. Higher resolutions (with smaller pixels) may also be used.  
       FIG. 2C  illustrates portable communication device  200  in a closed position. From this perspective, device  200  has a front side  201 , a right side  202 , a left side  203 , a backside  204 , a top side  213 , and a bottom side (not shown). The display assembly  210  and the keyboard assembly  220  are protected within the interior of the device  200 . First hinge  232  overlaps a portion of display assembly  210  near top side  213 . In the closed position, display assembly  210  is rotated over keyboard assembly  220 . The dimensions of the keyboard and display assemblies are substantially similar such that in this closed position, display assembly  210  appears to stack on top of keyboard assembly  220  with all edges and corners flush with each other. As such, device  200  in a closed position forms a compact housing that protects the display screen  212  and key layout  222  when the device is not in use or is being transported. Because of the small form factor formed by device  200  in the closed position, it may be placed in a pant pocket or belt holster without being cumbersome and conspicuous. In one embodiment of the present invention, device  200  has a length  240  of about 94 mm and a width  242  of about 48 mm in the closed position (and each of the display and keyboard assemblies have about the same length and width as shown in  FIG. 2C ). Keyboard assembly  220  has a thickness  270  of about 15 mm and display assembly  210  has a thickness of about 8 mm.  FIG. 2D  illustrates display assembly  210  partially open relative to keyboard assembly  220  with first hinge  232 . This is an intermediate position before rotating open to form the mobile voice phone position as illustrated in  FIG. 2A . In one embodiment of the present invention, display assembly  210  may rotate up to about 180 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  220  about first hinge  232 .  
       FIG. 2E  illustrates another intermediate position for device  200  as display assembly  210  rotates about second rotating hinge  234  to form the PDA or full keyboard position illustrated in  FIG. 2B . Second rotating hinge  234  is disposed near a corner of keyboard assembly  220  and allows display assembly  210  to rotate in a plane parallel to keyboard assembly in the directions of the arrows shown. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, display assembly  210  does not rotate about second rotating hinge  234  unless display assembly  210  has first rotated open about first hinge  232  to a position that is substantially parallel (i.e., at least 180 degrees) with keyboard assembly  220 . As such, to form the full keyboard or PDA position, device  200  must first form the mobile voice phone position. In the full keyboard or PDA position, an edge along a length  244  of display assembly  210  aligns with an edge along a length  220  of keyboard assembly  210  (an example of this alignment is shown in  FIG. 2B ).  
       FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which a portable communication device  300  alternates between at least two open positions to form a mobile voice phone position and a full keyboard or PDA position.  FIG. 3A  illustrates device  300  in a mobile voice phone position with display assembly  310  rotated open (at an angle of less than 180° but more than 90°) relative to keyboard assembly  320 . Hinge assembly  330  couples display assembly  310  to keyboard assembly  320 . Hinge assembly  330  includes a first hinge  332  disposed near a left edge  303  and a second hinge  334  disposed near a back edge  304  of keyboard assembly  320 . As discussed in greater detail below, first hinge  332  and second hinge  334  allow display assembly  310  to rotate open relative to keyboard assembly  320  into different orientations, one to form a mobile voice phone position and a second to form a full keyboard or PDA position.  
      In the mobile voice phone position illustrated in  FIG. 3A , display assembly  310  is rotated about first hinge  332 . This mobile voice phone position is comparable to a flip style or clamshell style mobile voice phone, with earpiece  316  disposed on display assembly  310  and microphone  318  disposed on keyboard assembly  320 . Display assembly  310  also includes a frame  311  that borders display screen  312 . The positions of earpiece  316  and microphone  318  simulate the relative positions on a conventional telephone handset. The earpiece  316  (which acts as a speaker) may be near the upper end of display assembly  310  as shown in  FIG. 3A , and the microphone  318  may be near the lower end of the keyboard assembly  320  as shown in  FIG. 3A . In one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile voice phone position formed by portable communication device  300  has the size and look and feel of a conventional clamshell style cellular phone—that is, the mobile voice phone position simulates a phone handset. Keyboard assembly length  340  and display assembly length  344  have a combined length (e.g. about 170-200 mm in length in one exemplary embodiment) to position ear piece  316  near a user&#39;s ear and mouthpiece  318  comfortably near a user&#39;s mouth. Keyboard assembly width  342  and display assembly width  346  are smaller than lengths  340 ,  344  to provide a long, narrow body that may be held comfortably with the user&#39;s fingers or palm. Display assembly  310  also rotates open to an angle between about 100 to about 175 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  320 . This angled orientation is better suited for the contoured shape of a user&#39;s head from ear to mouth, thereby providing comfort and aesthetics. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the angle may be about 155 degrees.  
      Any image displayed on display screen  312  in the voice phone mode is oriented in a portrait mode (i.e., text or image is viewed across the shorter display width  317  relative to the display length  315 ). A key layout  322  is disposed on a top surface of keyboard assembly  320 , with a phone keypad  324  which is also integrated with the keys of key layout  322 . In one embodiment of the present invention, certain keys of key layout  322  double as phone keypad  324  when in the mobile voice phone position. Although phone keypad keys  324  would be used primarily in the mobile voice phone position, the other keys of keyboard array  322  may also be functional. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the keys that form phone keypad  324  may be illuminated when in the mobile voice phone position to distinguish from the non-phone keypad keys which are not illuminated in the mobile voice phone position.  
       FIG. 3B  illustrates portable communication device  300  in a second open position; specifically, display assembly  312  is rotated open relative to keyboard assembly  320  with second hinge  334  of hinge assembly  330 . Second hinge  334  is disposed along a length  340  of keyboard assembly  320 . In one embodiment of the present invention, this second open position forms a PDA or full keyboard mode. First hinge  332  is part of display assembly  310  and separates from keyboard assembly  320  in the PDA position. Second hinge  334  is integrated with keyboard assembly  320 . In one embodiment of the present invention, first hinge  332  and the second hinge  334  may be a continuous, unitary piece that forms hinge assembly  330 .  
      An image on display screen  312  is oriented in a landscape mode. The portrait mode image as illustrated in  FIG. 3A  has been rotated approximately 90 degrees and reformatted to fit within the landscape screen dimensions. In the PDA position, the mobile voice phone features such as earpiece  316  and microphone  318  may be inactivated. However, keys of phone keypad  324  form part of the key layout  322  of keyboard assembly  320 . In one embodiment of the present invention, keys in key layout  322  may be arranged in a conventional QWERTY arrangement, and may also be centered with respect to the relative position of display screen  312 . Key layout  322  may also be a thumb-style keyboard such that a user may quickly and accurately enter data using one or both thumbs. In one embodiment of the present invention, thumb-style keyboard array  322  may have keys that are disposed about 8 mm apart to provide sufficient spacing for accurate typing by preventing multiple keys from being pressed simultaneously. Each key of thumb-style keyboard array  322  may be structured to provide a certain amount of travel to provide tactile feedback to a user that the desired key has been pressed. Alternatively, the feedback may be in the form of a “click” sound generated by the system when the key is pressed. In another alternative embodiment of the present invention, thumb-style keyboard array  322  may have a non-mechanical structure (i.e., no key travel) and be more akin to a membrane-type of keyboard in which each key includes a conventional membrane switch. Each key may be flush or slightly below the top surface of keyboard assembly  320 .  
       FIG. 3C  illustrates portable communication device  300  in a closed position. From this perspective, device  300  has a front side  301 , a right side  302 , a left side  303 , a backside  304 , a top side  313 , and a bottom side (not shown). First hinge  332  overlaps a portion of display assembly  310  near top side  313 . In the closed position, display assembly  310  is rotated over keyboard assembly  320 . The dimensions of the keyboard and display assemblies are substantially similar such that in this closed position, display assembly  310  appears to stack on top of keyboard assembly  320  with all edges and corners flush with each other. As such, device  300  in a closed position forms a compact housing that protects the display screen  312  and key layout  322  when the device is not in use or is being transported. Because of the small form factor formed by device  300  in the closed position, it may be placed in a pant pocket or belt holster without being cumbersome and conspicuous.  FIG. 3D  illustrates display assembly  310  partially open relative to keyboard assembly  320  with first hinge  332 . This is an intermediate position before rotating open to form the mobile voice phone position as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In one embodiment of the present invention, display assembly  310  may rotate up to 180 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  320  about first hinge  332 .  FIG. 3E  illustrates display assembly  310  partially open relative to keyboard assembly  320  with second hinge  334 . This is an intermediate position before rotating open to form the PDA position as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . In one embodiment of the present invention, display assembly  310  may rotate up to 180 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  320  with second hinge  334 . In one embodiment of the present invention, a display controller may be disposed in first hinge  332  and second hinge  334 . The display controller may detect the direction or hinge about which display assembly  310  rotates open with respect to keyboard assembly  320 . For example, rotating open display assembly  310  about first hinge  332  to form the mobile voice phone position would orient an image on display screen  312  in a portrait mode. Alternatively, rotating open display assembly  310  about second hinge  334  to form the PDA position would orient an image on display screen  312  in a landscape mode.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, a portable communication device may change from a mobile voice phone mode to a PDA or full keyboard mode by rotating the display from the mobile voice phone position in a direction of rotation which is the same direction used when rotating the device from a closed position to the mobile voice phone position, as shown in  FIG. 4A . A controller for display screen orientation may be configured such that text or image is displayed in a landscape mode when the display assembly is rotated past a certain degree of rotation.  FIG. 4A  illustrates portable communication device  400  with display assembly  410  rotating open from approximately 150 degrees (a voice phone position) to 180 degrees (a full keyboard position) relative to keyboard assembly  420 . In one embodiment, device  400  may be similar to device  200  described above and includes an earpiece  416  and a microphone  418 . Here, display screen  412  changes and formats text from a portrait mode to a landscape mode when display assembly  410  rotates about hinge  432  of hinge assembly  430  past 175 degrees. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a controller may be configured to alter the mode of text displayed on display screen  412  at any rotation degree. Alternatively, a detector may be disposed within hinge assembly  430  to detect the degree of rotation of display assembly  410  with respect to keyboard assembly  420 . Analogously, the display mode may change from landscape to portrait when display assembly  410  is less than a certain degree relative to keyboard assembly  420 . In one embodiment of the present invention, display  412  is in a portrait mode or mobile voice phone mode when the display assembly forms an angle of less than or equal to 160 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  420 . Display  412  is in a landscape mode when the display assembly forms an angle of greater than 160 degrees relative to keyboard assembly  420 . In the PDA mode illustrated in  FIG. 4B , key layout  422  of keyboard assembly  420  is positioned next to (to the left of) display assembly  410 , as opposed to below the display assembly (e.g.,  FIG. 2B ). Key layout  422  remains in a comfortable and user-friendly position such that a user&#39;s hands can thumb-type with one or both thumbs.  
      With respect to the devices  200 ,  300 , and  400  discussed above, various wireless technologies may be implemented, including but not limited to Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”), Global System of Mobile Communications (“GSM”), General Packet Radio Service (“GPRS”), Bluetooth, and IEEE 802.11 (“WiFi”). Other components may be disposed within either the keyboard assembly or display assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, components disposed within the keyboard assembly may be coupled to other components in the display assembly using a flex circuit that runs through embodiments of the hinge assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable communication device may include one or more of hardware and software components found in commercially available notebook computers or PDAs such as a digital camera, MP3 player, or headset jack. A top surface (e.g., top surface  213 ,  313 ) may include a second display for showing time/date or calling ID information in the closed position.  
      While some of the embodiments described above have an arrangement of keys which are aligned in a nearly perfect linear row and linear column fashion (such as the key arrangement shown in  FIG. 5 ), other key arrangements in which the keys are aligned substantially in rows and columns may also be utilized, such as the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6 . In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 6 , the rows are slightly curved while the columns are generally nearly perfectly linear. The arrangement of keys shown in the device of  FIGS. 8A-8C  shows another example where the rows are slightly curved and the column of keys may be said to be slightly tilted from an orthogonal relationship relative to a long side of the keyboard assembly. The keys in the columns and/or rows may also have a staggered layout, like on a desktop or notebook computer&#39;s keyboard.  
      The keyboard assembly  620  shown in  FIG. 6  is part of a device  600  which includes the display assembly  610  shown in two different configurations  610 A and  610 B. It will be appreciated that the display assembly is coupled to the keyboard assembly  620  using one or more hinges or other mechanisms which may be used to couple the display assembly to the keyboard assembly. The keyboard assembly  620  includes a microphone  618  which is disposed at a lower, central portion of the keyboard assembly  620 . The keyboard assembly  620  has a length  640  which is larger than the width  642  such that the keyboard assembly  620  has a long side (length  640 ) and a short side (width  642 ). It can be seen from  FIG. 6  that the up/down direction  637  of the indicia associated with the phone&#39;s keypad is parallel with the long side. It can also be seen from  FIG. 6  that the up/down direction  638  of the letters, such as the letter P on the key  625 , is parallel to the short side (width  642 ). The keys are disposed in their arrangement  622  which includes a full alphanumeric keyboard (in this case a QWERTY keyboard) and also includes a phone&#39;s keypad, the indicia of which are oriented in a substantially perpendicular manner relative to the indicia on the full alphanumeric keyboard. The key arrangement  622  also includes keys used with alphanumeric keyboards such as the space key and an alternate (Alt) key  626  and a shift key  628  which is used to capitalize a letter. It will be understood that the Alt key is used to select the alternative indicia, such as the numeral 1 rather than the letter Q or the numeral 10 rather than the letter P when the key  625  is depressed or otherwise actuated. Cursor control arrow keys  627  allow for the control of the cursor in either voice phone mode or full keyboard mode. The phone keys  629  and  630  allow for the initiation of a voice phone call or the termination of a voice phone call, respectively. These keys are active during the voice phone mode in which the display  610  is shown in the orientation  610 A. The earpiece  616  is disposed in the upper central portion of the display assembly so that the earpiece  616  and the microphone  618  are at opposite ends of the device when it is extended in the long and narrow shape of the voice phone configuration or position. As can be seen from  FIG. 6 , the text (e.g. a line or row of text) that appears on the display in the voice phone mode (configuration  610 A) is parallel with the columns  636 A- 636 J, which columns are formed by the keys in the arrangement of keys  622 . The user may switch the device from the voice phone mode to the full keyboard mode by moving the display  610  so that it appears in the orientation shown as display  610 B as shown in  FIG. 6 . In this full keyboard mode, the text appears along rows which are perpendicular to the columns  636 A- 636 J. It can also be seen that the text in the rows of the display shown in the full keyboard mode (configuration  610 B) is parallel to the rows  635 A- 635 D, which rows are formed by the keys in the key arrangement  622 . It will be appreciated that in certain embodiments which use Asian characters (which may be oriented to read from top to bottom rather than from left to right), a row or line of text in Asian characters will appear, in voice phone mode, to be perpendicular to the columns  636 A- 636 J, and another row or line of text in Asian characters in full keyboard mode will appear to be parallel to the columns  636 A- 636 J.  
       FIGS. 8A, 8B  and  8 C show an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device, which embodiment is similar to the device shown in  FIGS. 2A-2F  except that a different key arrangement  822  is used on the keyboard assembly  220 . This key arrangement includes a voice phone keypad  853  which includes a second set of indicia (including the numerals 0-9 for the voice phone&#39;s keypad, as well as the “*” and the “#”). As can be seen from  FIGS. 8B, 8C  and  8 A, this second set of indicia is perpendicular to the orientation of the indicia for the full alphanumeric keyboard, which in this case is a full alphanumeric QWERTY keyboard. The keyboard also includes a space key and an alternate (Alt) key  854  and a shift key  855 . Arrow cursor control keys  850  allow for the control of the cursor in at least full text mode and also optionally voice phone mode. Send key  852  and End key  851  are used in the voice phone mode for initiating and terminating a voice phone call. It can be seen from the arrangement of keys shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C  that there are two sets of indicia which are oriented substantially perpendicular relative to each other and which exist on a single, unitary keyboard assembly which may be covered and thereby protected when the display assembly  210  is closed in the manner shown in  FIG. 2C . When the keyboard is not covered by the display, it is fully accessible and not partially covered. Thus, the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C  has a closed position which is similar to that shown in  FIG. 2C  as well as having a first open position which is a voice phone mode position shown in  FIG. 8A  as well as a full keyboard position or mode shown in  FIG. 8B .  FIG. 8C  shows the position of the display assembly  210  relative to the keyboard assembly  220  when the display assembly is being moved between these two modes.  
      A method for using one or more of the various devices described herein will now be provided with reference to  FIG. 7 . In operation  701  of  FIG. 7 , a user opens the device from a closed position. The device is opened into a voice phone mode in which the display assembly and the keyboard assembly define an angle between the two assemblies. In a typical embodiment the angle may be about 155 degrees. The user then, in operation  703 , places the earpiece near the user&#39;s ear and the microphone near the user&#39;s mouth and uses the device as a voice phone. Upon completion of a conversation, the phone call is ended and the user decides to move the display assembly relative to the keyboard assembly to enter a full keyboard mode. Thus, the user may move the display assembly  210  shown in  FIG. 2A  from the position shown in  FIG. 2A  to the position shown in  FIG. 2B  to thereby enter full keyboard mode in operation  705 . Then in operation  707 , the user enters text by thumb typing with one or both thumbs on the keyboard assembly. Alternatively, other fingers or a thumb and other fingers may be used to type on the keyboard. Upon completion of the desired tasks in full keyboard mode (e.g. sending an email or sending an instant message or entering a date in a calendar or an address in an address book or other uses which may occur in a keyboard mode), the user then decides to close the device (in operation  709 ) to protect the display and the keyboard so that they are not on an external surface of the device when it is in the closed position. One example of the closed position is shown in  FIG. 2C .  
       FIG. 9  shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. This device  910 , shown in a full keyboard mode in  FIG. 9 , has an alternative keyboard layout  900  which includes phone keys  902  (e.g. “send”) and  903  (e.g. “end”) to start and end a phone call, and a cursor controller  901  (which may be used like a mouse or trackpad to control the two-dimensional movement of a cursor on the display  914 ) and conventional full keyboard keys such as a space key  904  and a shift key  905  (e.g. for selecting a capital letter). The keyboard  900  includes an alternate key  907  which may be used to select an alternate function for one or more keys. For example, in full keyboard mode, an exclamation mark (“!”) may be typed by pressing the key  907  and then pressing the “A” key. If the key  907  is not pressed while or immediately prior to pressing the “A” key, then a press of the “A” key results in the input of an “A” (a lowercase “a” if key  905  is not pressed or an uppercase “A” if key  905  is pressed). The keyboard assembly also includes a microphone  911  for use in at least the voice phone mode, although the microphone may also be used in full keyboard mode (e.g. to record a sound or a voice memo which could be saved or sent as an attachment to an email or instant message). The display assembly  915  is shown with its long sides parallel to the long sides of the keyboard assembly; the display assembly includes a display  914  and an earpiece (e.g. a speaker) which may be used in phone mode for a phone call or in full keyboard mode to play back or listen to sounds (e.g. a voice memo or voicemail). An email user interface is shown on the display  914 . This email user interface includes a menu  920  of possible commands, including a “send” command  922  which is highlighted. A cursor  916  may be positioned by using the cursor controller  901  which may be implanted as a joystick type device or a trackpad or trackball or other known two-dimensional cursor control devices.  
       FIG. 10  shows the device  910  in its voice phone mode. Text on the display  914  is now in a portrait mode (unlike the landscape mode of  FIG. 9 ); the display  914  shows an example of a phone list (e.g. phone book) user interface. In this voice phone mode, the keys of the voice phone keypad  917  become active. Thus, pressing the “T” key will normally cause the input of a 7 (unless the user is in a text entry mode while also in voice phone mode, in which case a “T” can be inputted by pressing the “T” key).  
       FIGS. 11A, 1B  and  11 C show side views of a hinge mechanism on an embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. A similar embodiment is also shown in  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 11A  shows the portable communication device  1000  in a voice phone mode. In this mode, the display assembly  1003  forms an angle of about 150° with the keyboard assembly  1004 . A hinge  1001  includes a pivot  1002  which allows the display assembly  1003  to rotate from the voice phone mode (shown, for example, in  FIG. 2A ) to a full keyboard mode (shown, for example, in  FIG. 2B ). The pivot  1002  is about 15° from vertical in this example.  FIG. 11B  shows the display assembly  1003  as having been partially rotated in the direction of arrow  1006  between the phone mode of  FIG. 11A  and the full keyboard mode of  FIG. 11C . The hinge  1001  also allows the display assembly  1003  to be rotated, relative to the keyboard, from its open position in  FIG. 11A  to a closed position (by pushing the display assembly  1003  in the direction of arrow  1007 ) so that the display and the keyboard face each other (e.g., see  FIGS. 2D and 2C ).  
      The embodiment of  FIG. 14  is similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 11A-11C  in that the hinge mechanisms of both embodiments allow the display assembly to be rotated to a closed configuration so that the display and keyboard face each other (e.g. see  FIGS. 2D and 2C ) and also allow the display assembly to be rotated between a phone mode (e.g. see  FIGS. 11A and 2A ) and a full keyboard mode (e.g. see  FIG. 2B ). The portable communication device  1100  shown in  FIG. 14  includes a keyboard assembly  1101  which has a keyboard  1103  and a display assembly  1104  which has a display  1104 A. A hinge mechanism couples the keyboard assembly  1101  to the display assembly  1104 , and this hinge mechanism includes a rotating arm which is secured in an opening  1102  of the keyboard assembly  1101 . A hinge coupler  1105  engages the opening  1102  and allows the rotating arm to swing between about 0° and about 180° relative to the short side  1103 A of the keyboard; at the 0° position (of the rotating arm relative to the short side  1103 A), the device is in voice phone mode (with the display being at an angle of about 100° to about 170° relative to the keyboard) and at the 180° position (of the rotating arm relative to the short side  1103 A), the device is in full keyboard mode. A display receiving section  1106  on the rotating arm is disposed between the two ends of the rotating arm and is designed to receive a coupler section  1107  which extends from a short side of the display assembly  1104 . The coupler section  1107  fits between the two ends of the rotating arm, and at least one axle  1109  fits into a tubular opening  1108  on each end of the rotating arm and also fits within an opening of the coupler section  1107 . The axle  1109  couples the display assembly  1104  to the rotating arm and allows the display assembly  1104  to rotate relative to the rotating arm.  FIG. 14  also shows two different methods (flexible circuit  1115  or twisted bundle  1116 ) of electrically coupling the keyboard assembly  1101  (which may include substantially all the electrical components, such as those shown in  FIG. 23 , except for the display and the speaker) to the display assembly  1104 . The flexible circuit  1115  has one end coupled to a connector in the keyboard assembly  1101  and the other end coupled to a connector in the display assembly  1104 . There are several loops and a 45° fold in the flexible circuit  1115  between these two ends as shown in  FIG. 14 . The loops and fold allow the flexible circuit  1115  to be moved with the rotating arm, as it is swung between the 0° to 180° positions, and allow it to be moved when the display assembly  1104  is rotated between closed (e.g.  FIG. 2C ) and voice phone (e.g.  FIG. 2A ) positions. A twisted bundle  1116  (which may be formed from micro coax wire) may be used instead of the flexible circuit  1115 .  
      Another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device is shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C . This device  1130  includes a hinge mechanism which is similar to the hinge mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 1A-11C  and  14 . The hinge mechanism  1134  couples the base assembly  1131 , which includes a keyboard  1132 , to the display assembly  1133 , which includes a display  1133 A. The hinge coupler  1135  engages the opening  1136  in the keyboard assembly  1131  and allows the rotating arm of the hinge assembly to rotate between about 0° and about 180° relative to a short side of the keyboard  1132 . A display receiving section  1137  on the rotating arm is disposed between the two ends of the rotating arm and is designed to receive a coupler section  1138  which extends from a short side of the display assembly  1133 . The coupler section  1138  fits between the two ends of the rotating arm, and at least one coupling mechanism  1140  and  1139  rotatably couples the coupler section  1138  to the rotating arm. The coupler section  1138  is rotatably coupled to the display  1133 A by a rotatable coupler  1146 . This rotatable coupler  1146  allows the display  1133 A to be rotated around the axis  1133 B shown in  FIG. 15A ; this allows the display  1133 A to be rotated to face outwardly as shown in  FIG. 15C  which shows the display  1133 A on the exterior surface of the device while it is in a closed configuration. The device in this configuration may be used as a camera which has a lens  1149  on the “front” of the device (which is the outside surface of the keyboard assembly  1131 ). The display  1133 A in the closed configuration of  FIG. 15C  can function as a view finder before taking a picture and can show the result of a taken picture. The display  1133 A can also be rotated relative to the keyboard assembly  1131  so that it faces the keyboard in another closed configuration.  
       FIGS. 12A, 12B  and  12 C show another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device  1030  which uses an offset hinge mechanism. The device  1030 , shown in  FIG. 12A  in a full keyboard mode, includes a keyboard assembly  1031  which includes a keyboard, and a display assembly  1032  which includes a display. The display assembly  1032  is rotatably coupled to the keyboard assembly  1031  by an offset hinge mechanism which includes a rotating arm  1036  that is coupled to a washer-like element  1035 . The offset hinge mechanism further includes a frame  1033  which receives a pin  1034  which secures the washer-like element  1035  to the frame  1033  when the pin  1034  is positioned through the aligned holes in the frame  1033  and the washer-like element  1035 . The offset hinge mechanism allows the rotating arm and the display assembly  1032  to be rotated between the full keyboard mode shown in  FIG. 12A  to the voice phone mode shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 12B . A coupler section  1040  of the display assembly  1032  couples the display assembly  1032  to the rotating arm  1036 . The coupler section  1040  fits in a receiving section  1039  between the two ends of the rotating arm  1036 . At least one coupler mechanism  1037  and  1038  rotatably couples the coupler section  1040  (and hence the display assembly  1032 ) to the rotating arm.  FIG. 12C  shows a view of how the display assembly and its coupler section  1040  fit within the rotating arm  1036 .  
       FIG. 13  shows a partially exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. This device  1070  includes a keyboard assembly  1071 , which has a keyboard, and a display assembly  1072 , which has a display. A hinge mechanism couples the display assembly  1072  to the keyboard assembly  1071 . The hinge mechanism includes a rotating arm  1073  which is rotatably coupled to the keyboard assembly  1071  by a post  1075  which protrudes from the rotating arm  1073  and which engages a socket  1074  in the keyboard assembly  1071 . The rotating arm also includes a receiving section  1076  which is disposed between the two ends of the rotating arm and is designed to receive a coupler section  1077  of the display assembly  1072 . The coupler section  1077  fits between the two ends, and at least one coupling mechanism  1078  and  1079  rotatably couples the coupler section  1077  to the rotating arm. The display assembly  1072  can rotate relative to the rotating arm and the rotating arm (with the display assembly attached thereto) can rotate relative to the keyboard assembly  1071 . Thus, the display assembly  1072  can be rotated into a full keyboard mode as shown in  FIG. 13  and then can be rotated to a voice phone mode by rotating the display assembly  1072  about 180° around the rotating arm and then the rotating arm can be rotated about 180° (about the pivot formed by post  1075  and socket  1074 ).  
       FIGS. 16A, 16B  and  16 C show another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device  1170  which uses a slide out full keyboard. The device  1170  includes a display  1172  and a phone keypad  1171  on the same assembly as the display  1172 . The device  1170  further includes a microphone and a speaker on this assembly.  FIG. 16B  shows the full keyboard assembly  1173  after it is retracted from the side of device  1170 . This full keyboard  1173  is similar to the full keyboards shown above except that it does not include an integral phone keypad which is perpendicularly arranged relative to the keys on the full keyboard. As shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C , a phone keypad  1171  is separate from the full keyboard  1173 , and the set of indicia (e.g. 0-9 and “#” and “*” and other additional keys such as “send” and “end” and “menu,” etc.) in this keypad  1171  are oriented perpendicularly to the set of indicia (e.g. A, B, C, ?, etc.) on the keys of the full keyboard  1173 . A row of text on the display  1172  in the phone mode (which is the device  1170  shown in  FIG. 16A ) is oriented parallel to the short sides of the display  1172 , which are the sides which are parallel with the up/down direction of the indicia on the keys of the full keyboard  1173 . A row of text, on the display  1172 , in the full keyboard mode (which is the device shown in  FIG. 16C ) is oriented perpendicular to the short sides of the display  1172 . Thus, the orientation of the text on the display  1172  is different depending on the mode of the device.  
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show two other alternative portable communication devices.  FIG. 17  shows the device  1185  which is similar to the device  1170  except that the full keyboard  1188  rotates relative to (rather than slides out from) the assembly which includes the display  1186  and the phone keypad  1187  which is separate from the full keyboard  1188 . The full keyboard  1188  is coupled to this assembly by a conventional (e.g. piano) hinge. The device  1195 , shown in  FIG. 18 , is similar to device  1185  except that the full keyboard  1198  is coupled to the display assembly  1197  by an “X” hinge. The display assembly  1197  includes both a display and a phone keypad which is separate from the full keyboard  1198 . In the case of devices  1185  and  1195 , the text on the display will have one orientation in the voice phone mode and another orientation in the full keyboard mode. As shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , the set of indicia (e.g. 0-9 and “#” and “*” and other additional keys such as “send” and “end” and “menu,” etc.) in the phone keypads of devices  1185  and  1195  are oriented perpendicularly to the set of indicia (e.g. A, B, C, ?, etc.) on the keys of the full keyboards  1188  and  1198 . A row of text on the displays of devices  1185  and  1195  in the phone mode is oriented parallel to the short sides of the displays, which are the sides which are parallel with the up/down direction of the indicia on the keys of the full keyboards. A row of text on the displays of these devices  1185  and  1195 , in the full keyboard mode, is oriented perpendicular to the short sides of the displays. Thus, the orientation of the text on the displays is different depending on the mode of the device.  
       FIGS. 19A, 19B , and  19 C show another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device. The device  1200  shown in the top plan view of  FIGS. 19A, 19B  and  19 C may be implemented as either a candy bar style phone or a clamshell style phone. Also, it may be implemented with either a square or nearly square display (such as the display  1201 ) or a display which has a 4:3 aspect ratio or other non-square aspect ratios (such as those displays shown in  FIG. 2A  or  3 A or elsewhere). The device  1200  includes a display assembly which has the display  1201  and a base assembly  1202  which is rotatably coupled to a keyboard assembly  1203 .  FIG. 19B  shows how the keyboard assembly  1203  may be rotated (as shown by arrows  1204 A and  1204 B) relative to base assembly  1202  to achieve the two different operating positions shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19C .  FIG. 19A  shows a voice phone mode in which the up/down direction of the indicia of the phone&#39;s keypad is parallel with the long sides of the base assembly  1202 , and  FIG. 19C  shows a full keyboard mode in which the up/down direction of the “QWERTY” keyboard indicia of the full keyboard is parallel with the long sides of the base assembly  1202 .  
       FIGS. 20A, 20B , and  20 C show another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. The device  1230  includes a display  1231  which occupies most of the top surface of the device  1230 . The top surface also includes a microphone  1233  and a speaker  1232 .  FIG. 20A  shows, in a top plan view, this top surface of the device  1230  in a voice phone mode wherein a phone keypad has not been extended from a side of the device  1230 . The device  1230  may be used in the voice phone mode (e.g. to make and receive phone calls, etc.) without the phone keypad being extended. If the display  1231  is touch sensitive, an activatable phone keypad may be displayed and used on the display  1231  without extending the phone keypad.  FIG. 20B  shows the device  1230  after a phone keypad  1234  has been extended from a side of the device  1230 . The device  1230  in  FIG. 20B  is in a voice phone mode, and the display  1231  in both  FIGS. 20A and 20B  is in a portrait mode (with text in a portrait orientation). A full keyboard may be extended from a side of the device  1230  to allow the device to be used in a full keyboard mode.  FIG. 20C  shows an example of device  1230  being used in a full keyboard mode. A full keyboard  1234 A is shown extended from the side of device  1230 , and, in this example of  FIG. 20C , the full keyboard  1234 A includes the phone keypad  1234  so the user can select between voice phone mode or full keyboard mode by extending (e.g. by sliding out) the keyboard partially (to reveal only the phone keypad  1234 ) or completely (to reveal the entire full keyboard  1234 A). In full keyboard mode, the display has text in a landscape orientation. The keyboard  1234 A includes two sets of indicia which are substantially perpendicular to each other (e.g. the up/down direction of the “9” on the phone keypad is perpendicular to the up/down direction of the “X” on the full keyboard). It will be appreciated that an alternative embodiment of the device  1230  may have two different keyboards, one for the phone keypad and another for the full keyboard, each of which extend out from one or more sides of the device.  
       FIGS. 21A, 21B , and  21 C show another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. The device  1260  includes a display  1261  which occupies most of the top surface, shown in the top plan view of  FIG. 21A , of the device  1260 . This top surface also includes a microphone  1263  and a speaker  1262 .  FIG. 21A  shows the device  1260  in a voice phone mode without any keypad being extended from a side of the device. The device  1260  may be used in the voice phone mode (e.g. to start or receive a phone call, etc.) without the phone keypad being extended if the display  1261  is touch sensitive and displays an activatable phone keypad on the display.  FIG. 21B  shows the device  1260  after a phone keypad has been extended from a short side of the device  1230 . The device  1260  in  FIG. 21B  is also in a voice phone mode with the display showing text in a portrait orientation. A full keyboard may be extended from a long side of device  1260 , as shown in  FIG. 21C , to allow the device to be used in a full keyboard mode. The display  1261  in  FIG. 21C  shows text in a landscape orientation such that a row of text on the display is parallel with a long side of the display. In the example of  FIG. 21C , the full keyboard  1264 A includes the phone keypad  1264  so the user can select between voice phone mode or full keyboard mode by extending the same keyboard structure either out the short side (as in  FIG. 21B ) or out the long side (as in  FIG. 21C ). The keyboard  1264 A includes two sets of indicia which are substantially perpendicular to each other. It will be appreciated that an alternative embodiment of the device  1260  may have two different keyboards, one for the phone keypad and another for the full keyboard, each of which may extend out from one or more sides of the device.  
       FIGS. 22A, 22B ,  22 C, and  22 D show top plan views of another exemplary embodiment of a portable communication device of the present invention. The device  1300  includes a display assembly  1305  which has a display  1301  and an element  1303  which includes an enabled microphone (in the view of  FIG. 22A ) and a speaker  1302  (in the view of  FIG. 22A ).  FIG. 22A  shows the device  1300  in a voice phone mode without any separate, physical keypad except for a keypad which may be displayed on display  1301  if it has touch sensitive capabilities. The display assembly  1305  is rotatably coupled to an underlying keyboard assembly  1307  which is not visible in  FIG. 22A  but is visible in  FIG. 22B . The display assembly  1305  can be rotated relative to the keyboard assembly  1307 , as shown in  FIG. 22B , to expose the keyboard assembly.  FIG. 22B  shows the display assembly  1305  partially rotated between its position shown in  FIG. 22A  and its position shown in  FIG. 22C . In  FIG. 22C , the display assembly  1305  has been rotated into a position in which the display assembly  1305  appears to be aligned in a line with the keyboard assembly  1307 . The device of  FIG. 22C  is shown in a voice phone mode, and the text on the display is in a portrait orientation in  FIG. 22C , but, as can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 22C and 22B , the text has been rotated 180° from the orientation in  FIGS. 22A and 22B  to the orientation shown in  FIG. 22C . The keyboard assembly  1307  includes a keyboard  1304  and a microphone  1306  which is positioned on a front edge of the keyboard assembly  1307 . In the configuration shown in  FIG. 22C , the element  1303  includes an enabled (for this configuration) speaker while the microphone of element  1303  is disabled, and the speaker  1302  may be disabled. It can be seen from  FIG. 22C  that the keyboard  1304  includes two sets of indicia arranged substantially perpendicularly to each other; one set of indicia (for the phone keypad) has an up/down direction which is parallel with the up/down direction of text displayed in the voice phone mode (such as the text shown in  FIG. 22C ), and the other set of indicia (for the full keyboard) has an up/down direction which is parallel with the up/down direction of text displayed in the full keyboard mode (such as the text shown in  FIG. 22D ). It can be seen from  FIGS. 22C and 22D  that a row of text in the voice phone mode (in  FIG. 22C ) is parallel with two sides (in this case the two short sides) of the display  1301  and a row of text in the full keyboard mode (in  FIG. 22D ) is perpendicular to those two sides. While the example shown in  FIGS. 22A-22D  show a rectangular display which has two sides longer than two other sides (the “short sides”), alternatives of this embodiment may use a square or nearly square display. In a typical implementation of an embodiment shown in  FIGS. 22A-22D , a user may switch between voice phone mode and full keyboard mode (and thereby change the orientation of displayed text) by a keystroke or a selection of a menu command on the display.  
      The various embodiments described herein have attributes of both a conventional mobile phone, such as a cellular phone, and a data processing system such as a handheld organizer or email processor. It will be appreciated that various different hardware and software implementations may be used to create the various embodiments.  FIG. 23  shows one example of an implementation of a portable communication device  1350 . The device  1350  includes a display  1380 , which may be a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode (LED) display, and a keyboard  1382 , which may be a thumb typing keyboard. The display  1380  is housed in a display assembly such as those shown and described herein, and the keyboard  1382  is housed in a keyboard assembly such as those shown and described herein. The device  1350  further includes a digital baseband and application processor (DBAP)  1352  which is coupled to the display  1380  to provide display data for display (and to receive inputs from the display if it is a touch sensitive display) and which is coupled to the keyboard  1382  to receive inputs (e.g. characters or cursor movements) from the keyboard  1382 . The DBAP  1352  processes inputs and prepares display data in a conventional manner and executes a software program (e.g. an operating system) which controls the DBAP  1352 . One or more software programs may provide the logic for sending and receiving emails or text messages and for managing a calendar or list of contacts or a “to do” list or a list of phone numbers and other information and for various other tasks, including controlling the operation of a phone in a voice phone mode. The software programs may be stored in memory in the DBAP  1352  and may also be stored in memory  1378  (e.g. flash memory) which is coupled to DBAP  1352 . The memory  1378  may also store a user&#39;s data (e.g. lists of contacts, phone numbers, email addresses, “to do” items, calendar entries, etc.). The DBAP  1352  also is coupled to a port for expansion modules (e.g. Smart Digital Cards, etc.) and an external interface  1376  (such as a USB interface). The expansion modules can add additional functionality to the system (e.g. by storing software and data on the modules for games or a dictionary or other useful features), and the external interface allows the device to exchange programs and/or data with other systems (e.g. a user can download an email address book from the user&#39;s desktop general purpose computer system, such as a Macintosh computer). The DBAP  1352  is also coupled to an Analog Baseband Controller (ABC)  1354  to exchange data and commands between the DBAP  1352  and the ABC  1354 . The ABC  1354  processes data from or for cellular phone signals and generates audio sounds for driving the speaker  1366  and codes audio input (e.g. from the microphone  1368 ) in order to provide conventional mobile phone functions. The ABC  1354  is also coupled to output devices  1364  to control these devices (e.g. the LEDs in the phone keypad which are turned on in the voice phone mode while the LEDs in the rest of the keys are off). A battery  1372  is coupled to all components in the device  1354  in order to provide power; normally the battery is rechargeable and has an input for being recharged. The ABC  1354  is coupled to an RF (Radio Frequency) transceiver  1356  to bidirectionally exchange data through a wireless medium (e.g. through antenna  1360 ). The RF transceiver  1356  and the Power Amplifier (PA)  1358  and the switch (SW)  1362  and the antenna  1360  may be conventional cellular telephone components. The device  1350  may further include a position sensor which automatically senses the position of the display assembly relative to the keyboard assembly and which, in response to detecting a change from voice phone mode to full keyboard mode, or vice versa, switches the orientation of text on the display in those embodiments which have such switches of orientation. The position sensor may be a set of electrical contacts or a post and a receptor (e.g. post  1135  and socket  1136  in  FIG. 15A ) which change the state of one or more switches (from open to closed or vice versa) as the user moves the display assembly relative to the keyboard assembly. The device can automatically perform the change in text orientation using known software techniques in response to this change of state. Alternatively, the user may cause the change in text orientation by a manually entered keystroke (or keystrokes) or by selecting a command from a menu on the display.  
       FIGS. 24A-24D  illustrate another embodiment of a portable communication device  2000  that may alternate between a first communication configuration and a second communication configuration. The first communication configuration may correspond to a voice phone mode, and the second communication configuration may correspond to a data interactive or personal digital assistant (PDA) mode. It should be noted that portable communication device  2000  illustrated in  FIGS. 24A-24D  are represented in a simplified form without showing many detailed elements, for the purpose describing with clarity the operation of the hinge assembly.  FIG. 24A  illustrates portable communication device  2000  in a closed mode or configuration (e.g., device  2000  is placed in a shirt/pant pocket during non-use), in which a display assembly  2005  is closed over input assembly  2010 . In one embodiment, display assembly  2005  is similar to the display assemblies described above (e.g.,  210 ,  310 ,  410 ), and having many of the features and elements discussed herein, such as a display screen and earpiece. Input assembly  2010  may also be similar to the input assemblies described above (e.g., keyboard assemblies  220 ,  320 ), and having many of the features and elements discussed herein, such a full keyboard, numeric keypad, microphone, etc. In the closed configuration, the exterior portions of the display and input assemblies form a protective housing for the portable communication device. In one embodiment, device  2000  may be a smart phone, having for example, voice phone and PDA capabilities, depending on the position of the display assembly  2005  relative to input assembly  2010 .  
      The exterior surfaces of device  2000  includes a display assembly  2005  having a first short side  2006  and a second short side  2007 , as well as a first long side  2008  and a second long side  2009 . Similarly, input assembly  2010  includes a first short side  2011 , a second short side  2012 , a first long side  2013 , and a second long side  2014 . Display assembly  2005  and input assembly  2010  are substantially similar dimensions, allowing for both parts to rest flush with each other in the closed configuration.  
       FIG. 24B  illustrates portable communication device  2000  in a voice phone mode (i.e., the first communication configuration), with display assembly  2005  rotated open relative to input assembly  2010 . In this view, hinge assembly  2020 , which couples display assembly  2005  to input assembly  2010 , is shown. As described in greater detail below, hinge assembly  2020  permits portable communication device  2000  to change into a number of different configurations or communication modes. In one embodiment, display assembly  2010  rotates open from the closed configuration about a first portion  2022  of hinge assembly  2020  to about 90 degrees to about 170 degrees to form the voice phone mode configuration (analogous to the configuration of device  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A ). With hinge assembly  2020  disposed between display assembly  2005  and input assembly  2010 , first short side  2006  of display assembly  2005  substantially abuts first short side  2011  of input assembly  2010 . First long side  2008  of display assembly  2005  is in a plane substantially similar to first long side  2013  of input assembly  2010 , and second long side  2009  of display assembly  2005  is in a plane substantially similar to second long side  2014  of input assembly  2010 .  
       FIG. 24C  illustrates a transitional or intermediate configuration of portable communication device  2000  as it changes from a voice phone mode of  FIG. 24B  to a keyboard or data interaction mode (i.e., the second communication configuration) as illustrated in  FIG. 24D . The mode associated with the second communication configuration may also be referred to as a PDA or text messaging mode. In order to change from the voice phone mode to the keyboard mode, hinge assembly  2020  swings outward approximately 180 degrees so that first short side  2006  of display assembly  2005  is substantially aligned with first short side  2011  of input assembly  2010 . In this position, a backside or exterior housing portion of display assembly  2005  is angled toward input assembly  2010  (i.e., a display or display screen side of display assembly  2005  faces away from input assembly  2010 ). To form the keyboard configuration of  FIG. 24D , display assembly  2005  rotates back toward first long side  2013  of input assembly  2010  so that first long side  2008  of display assembly  2005  substantially abuts or rests adjacent to first long side  2013  of input assembly  2010 . First short side  2006  of display assembly  2005  is in a plane substantially similar to first short side  2011  of input assembly  2010 , and said second short side  2007  of display assembly  2005  is in a plane substantially similar to second short side  2012  of input assembly  2010 .  
       FIG. 25  illustrates a partial see-through view of hinge assembly  2020  in the transitional configuration, as first illustrated for portable communication device  2000  in  FIG. 24C . As described in greater detail below, one or more cam assemblies disposed within hinge assembly  2020  allow portable communication device  2000  to rotate and alter between multiple communication modes and/or configurations. Hinge assembly  2020  includes a lower bracket  2030  coupled to input assembly  2010  and an upper bracket  2031  coupled to display assembly  2005 . Lower bracket  2030  and upper bracket  2031  may be secured to input assembly  2010  and display assembly  2005 , respectively, with one or more screws (not shown). A first cam assembly  2050  is disposed within a slot portion  2052  of lower bracket  2030  and a second cam assembly is disposed along a length of upper bracket  2032 . The first cam assembly  2050  allows for the rotation of hinge assembly  2020  (and in effect, display assembly  2005 ) from the configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 24B  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24C . That is, first cam assembly  2050  allows for the transition from voice phone mode to keyboard mode. The second cam assembly allows for the rotation of display assembly  2005  from the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24A  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24B , as well as from the configuration in  FIG. 24C  to the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 24D . That is, second cam assembly  2052  allows portable communication device  2000  to change from the closed, protective housing mode to the voice phone mode, as well as from the transition mode to the keyboard mode. It may be appreciated that although first cam assembly  2050  and second cam assembly  2052  are described separately, in one embodiment, both cam assemblies work together seamlessly to allow portable communication device  2000  to change communication configurations.  
       FIG. 25  also illustrates flex circuit  2060  extending from display assembly  2005  and routed through hinge assembly  2020  into input assembly  2010 . In one particular embodiment, a portion of flex circuit  2060  wraps partially around first cam assembly  2050  before extending into input assembly  2010 . A portion of flex circuit  2060  serves as a service loop area in which space is formed in the display assembly  2005  for flex circuit  2060  to partially fold or bunch up. For example, portable communication device  2000  may not require flex circuit  2060  to extend its full length while in the voice phone mode, but does require full extension in the keyboard mode. As such, an area in display assembly  2005  is reserved for the extra accumulation of flex circuit  2060  in the voice phone mode. It should be noted that “service loop” does not necessary indicate that flex circuit  2060  form a roll in a particular configuration, but may accumulate in forms of folds or overlapping segments.  
       FIG. 26  illustrates an exploded view of hinge assembly  2020  that also includes the components of first cam assembly  2050 . For purposes of clarity, components of second cam assembly  2052  are not shown with respect to  FIG. 26 . A slot or barrel portion  2045  of lower bracket  2030  supports first cam assembly  2050  which includes spring  2032 , hinge post  2034 , lower cam  2035 , and upper cam  2036 . Although hinge post  2034  is illustrated as positioned between spring  2032  and lower cam  2035 , hinge post may alternatively be disposed above lower cam  2035  and upper cam  2036  in the assembled configuration. In one embodiment of an assembled configuration, hinge post  2034  is keyed with upper bracket  2031 , upper cam  2036  is keyed to hinge post  2034 . Lower cam  2035  is disposed within lower bracket  2030  and allowed to slide up and down along a protrusion  2040  formed on the exterior surface of lower cam  2035 , and a detent  2042  formed along an inner surface of barrel portion  2045  of lower bracket  2030 . The up/down sliding or movement of lower cam  2035  corresponds to a turning of upper bracket  2031 . Because the upper cam  2036  is keyed to hinge post  2034  (which is coupled to upper bracket  2031 ), hinge post  2034  also turns in response to a movement of upper bracket  2031 . As discussed above, the movement or rotation of upper bracket  2031  corresponds to a communication mode change, in one embodiment, from a voice phone mode to a keyboard mode.  
      In one embodiment of assembling hinge assembly  2020 , hinge post  2034  is keyed into upper bracket  2031 , and mounted and secured together with screw  2037 . Upper cam  2036  is then placed over and keyed to hinge post  2034 . Spring  2032  is then disposed within barrel portion  2051  of lower bracket  2030 , and lower cam  2035  is then disposed above spring  2032 . The upper bracket/hinge post assembly is then mated with the lower bracket assembly (i.e., slide down into barrel portion  2051  of lower bracket  2030 ). An end portion of hinge post  2034  is exposed through a bottom of lower bracket  2030  which is coupled with a washer  2038  and retainer clip  2039  (e.g., an e-clip) to hold the entire assembly together. In one embodiment, the feel or tactile response of hinge assembly  2020  may be changed or altered using different types of cam surfaces. Alternatively, hinge assembly  2020  may also be changed by using different types of springs or spring materials (e.g., altering compression strengths of spring  2032 ).  
       FIG. 27  illustrates a partially see-through view of first cam assembly  2050  disposed within hinge assembly  2020 . Upper bracket  2031  is shown partially rotated with respect to lower bracket  2030  (e.g., rotating towards the transition configuration of  FIG. 24C ). Hinge post  2034  is keyed to upper bracket  2031  and secured with screw  2037 . Hinge post  2034  extends through upper cam  2036 , lower cam  2035 , and is secured to lower bracket  2030  with washer  2038  and clip  2039 . In the rotation position of upper bracket  2031  relative to lower bracket  2030 , upper cam  2036  moves with respect to lower cam  2035 . Upper cam  2036  and lower cam  2035  have curved or wave-like edges that complement each other when upper bracket  2031  is aligned directly over lower bracket  2031  (e.g., 0 degree position or voice phone mode configuration) and also when upper bracket  2031  extends along a line of lower bracket  2030  (e.g., 180 degree position or the transition/keyboard configuration). The wave-like edges bias the cam into either of the two positions so that the user feels a spring-like force of the hinge assembly from the voice phone mode to the keyboard mode, and vice versa.  
      In the position illustrated in  FIG. 27 , upper cam  2036  is rotated slightly so that the curved portions of upper cam  2035  and lower cam  2035  do not complement each other fully. As such, a bias towards the upper bracket  2031  rotating towards lower bracket  2030  exists. A user would have to apply enough force to overcome this bias to rotate upper bracket  2031  away from lower bracket  2030  (e.g., to change into keyboard mode). As described above, as upper cam rotates  2036  rotates relative to lower cam  2035 , lower cam moves up or down within lower bracket  2030 , in particular, with protrusion  2040  traveling along a detent formed within barrel portion  2051 .  
       FIG. 28  illustrates another view of hinge assembly  2020  that isolates first cam assembly  2050  and second cam assembly  2052 .  FIG. 28  may be viewed with respect to  FIG. 25  for the description provided herein. Second cam assembly  2052  controls the opening and closing of display assembly  2005  from the closed configuration to the voice phone mode configuration, as well as from the transition configuration to the keyboard configuration. In one embodiment, second cam assembly  2052  allows display assembly  2005  to rotate up to approximately 180 degrees. For example, display assembly  2005  may rotate open to about 160 degrees in the voice phone mode configuration, and then an additional 20 degrees in the keyboard configuration. Second cam assembly  2052  includes a cam housing  2070  that holds a spring  2074  and a cam  2076  therein. Cam housing  2070  is disposed along a length of upper bracket  2031  and is coupled to hinge assembly housing  2080  of hinge assembly  2020  with a protrusion or key portion  2072  that fits into a slot near one end of hinge assembly housing  2080 . In one embodiment, second cam assembly  2052  is positioned substantially perpendicular to first cam assembly  2050 .  
      Upper bracket  2031  is shown rotated approximately 180 degrees relative to lower bracket  2030 . As described above, this is the position of upper bracket  2031  for portable communication device  2000  in either the transition or keyboard configuration. In the voice phone mode configuration, upper bracket  2031  would be positioned above and substantially aligned with lower bracket  2030 . In one embodiment, a ridge  2062  may be formed along an exterior surface of barrel portion  2051 . Ridge  2062  serves to prevent upper bracket  2031  from rotating beyond about 180 degrees. Flex circuit  2060  is routed through upper bracket  2031  and around barrel portion  2051  of lower bracket  2030 . This particular routing of flex circuit  2060  provides the advantage of using a relatively short flex circuit and still allowing hinge assembly  2020  to move through a wide range of motion. In one embodiment, flex circuit  2060  is a patterned arrangement of printed wiring utilizing a flexible base material with or without flexible cover layers allowing for three-dimensional interconnections of electrical components (e.g., input assembly  2010  components to display assembly  2005  components). Flex circuit  2060  may be any one of those known in the art, and may be selected for high-frequency flexing (e.g., opening display assembly or rotating display assembly more than hundreds of times per day). In an alternative embodiment, a twisted wire bundle formed from micro coax wire may be used in place of flex circuit  2060  (e.g., twisted bundle  1116  described above with respect to  FIG. 14 ).  
      Hinge assembly  2020  provides several convenient and advantageous features for a user of portable communication device  2000 , particularly for that of a “smart phone” which integrates features of a voice phone communication device (e.g., a cellular mobile phone) with a non-voice communication device (e.g., PDA, text-messaging communicator, or web surfing device). In one embodiment, portable communication device  2000  is very robust, having minimal moving parts and a hinge assembly  2020  securely coupling display assembly  2005  and input assembly  2010 . The length of flex circuit  2060  is minimized because of the particular routing from display assembly  2005  to input assembly  2010 , as described above with respect to  FIGS. 25-28 . As such, less cabling is required while still allowing hinge assembly  2020  to move in wide range of motion in order to change from the voice phone configuration to the keyboard configuration. Flex circuit  2060  includes a portion that serves as a service loop in one configuration (e.g., the closed configuration) and extends in length as hinge assembly  2020  rotates away from input assembly  2010  to change into the keyboard configuration.  
      Another advantageous feature the portable communication device  2000  provides is the ability to interchange from the voice phone configuration to the keyboard configuration without portable communication device  2000  having to close first. For a user, this would be particularly inconvenient if while using device  2000  in the voice phone mode, he or she had to retrieve or input data in the keyboard mode. Prior art devices require that the user close and reopen the device in the PDA configuration for activation, essentially making the user disconnect the voice communication. Portable communication device  2000 , on the other hand, can easily interchange between configuration modes without closing (as described above with respect to  FIGS. 24A-24D ). Lastly, device  2000  is relatively small for having smart phone features, due in part to the design of hinge assembly  2020 , allowing display assembly  2005  to rotate easily with respect to input assembly  2010 .  
       FIG. 29  illustrates another portable communication device  2100  having an alternative hinge assembly  2120 . Portable communication device  2100  is shown in the closed position with display assembly  2105  folded over input assembly  2110  with certain components of hinge assembly  2120  shown in a partial see-through view. A hinge frame  2130 , which is coupled to display assembly  2105 , is disposed within hinge assembly housing  2180 . A mounting bracket  2131  couples hinge assembly  2120  to input assembly  2110 . Hinge assembly  2120  includes similar structural elements as hinge assembly  2020  described above but differs, in one aspect, in the manner in which flex circuit  2160  is routed from display assembly  2105  to input assembly  2110 . A portion of flex circuit  2160  extending from display assembly  2110  forms a coil within hinge assembly housing  2180  before extending towards and wrapping around a portion of hinge frame  2130  and coupling with input assembly  2110 .  
      As described in greater detail below, the coiled portion of flex circuit  2160  produces a torsion spring-like effect to aid in the rotation of hinge assembly  2120 . A first cam assembly  2150  is disposed within hinge frame  2130  and a second cam assembly  2152  is disposed near an opposite end of hinge frame  2130 . Analogous to first cam assembly  2050  and second cam assembly of  2052  of portable communication device  2000 , first cam assembly  2150  and second cam assembly  2152  allows portable communication device  2100  to change from the closed configuration of  FIG. 29  to a voice phone mode configuration and a keyboard configuration.  
       FIG. 30  illustrates an exploded view of the internal components of hinge assembly  2120  to show, in one embodiment, the assembly of first cam assembly  2150  and second cam assembly  2152  to hinge frame  2130 . Second cam assembly  2152 , which includes a clamshell spring and a cam disposed internally (not shown) is keyed on one end to hinge frame  2130  and keyed to display assembly  2105  on the opposite end. A slot or barrel portion  2140  of hinge frame  2130  supports first cam assembly  2150  which includes spring  2132 , hinge post  2134 , lower cam  2135 , and upper cam  2136 . In one embodiment of an assembled configuration, hinge post  2134  is keyed with hinge frame  2130 , upper cam  2136  is keyed to hinge post  2134 , and lower cam  2135  is disposed within hinge frame  2130  and allowed to slide up and down along a protrusion  2140  formed on the exterior surface of lower cam  2135  and a detent (not shown) formed along an inner surface of barrel portion  2145  of hinge post  2134 . The up/down sliding or movement of lower cam  2135  corresponds to a rotational movement of upper bracket  2031 . Because upper cam  2136  is keyed to hinge post  2134  (which is coupled to hinge frame  2130 ), hinge post  2134  also turns in response to a movement of hinge frame  2130 . An opposite end of hinge post  2134  extends through mounting bracket  2131 , which is coupled to the input assembly. As discussed above, the movement or rotation of hinge frame  2130  corresponds to a communication mode change, in one embodiment, from a voice phone mode to a keyboard mode.  
      In one embodiment of assembling hinge assembly  2120 , upper cam  2136  is placed over and keyed to hinge post  2134 . Spring  2132  is then disposed within barrel portion  2145  of hinge frame  2130 , and lower cam  2135  is then disposed above spring  2132 . An end portion of hinge post  2134  is exposed through barrel portion  2145  of hinge frame  2130  which couples with retainer clip  2139  (e.g., an e-clip) that holds the entire assembly together. An opposite end of hinge post  2134  extends through mounting bracket  2131 . Mounting bracket  2131  is coupled to the input assembly, and in one embodiment, may be secured with one or more screws. In one embodiment, the feel or tactile response of hinge assembly  2120  may be changed or altered using different types of cam surfaces. Alternatively, hinge assembly  2120  may also be changed by using different types of springs or spring materials (e.g., altering compression strength) for spring  2132 . Flex circuit  2160 , which extends from display assembly  2105 , is routed through hinge frame  2130 , with a portion of flex circuit  2160  wrapped around barrel portion  2145  of hinge frame  2130  near input assembly  2110 , and a portion that coils within hinge assembly housing  2180  as described above with respect to  FIG. 29 .  
       FIG. 31  is a partial see-through view of hinge assembly  2120  illustrating an enlarged view of first cam assembly  2150 , second cam assembly  2152 , and flex circuit  2160 . With respect to the display assembly  2105  and input assembly  2110  (not shown), hinge assembly  2120  is in a position for portable communication device to be in a closed configuration (i.e., display assembly  2105  closed over input assembly  2110  as illustrated in  FIG. 29 ). Flex circuit  2160  extends from the display assembly, forms a loop or coil  2163 , and extends along hinge frame  2130  toward first cam assembly  2150 . A portion of flex circuit  2160  wraps around barrel portion  2145  of hinge frame  2130  before extending towards the input assembly.  
      In one embodiment, coil  2163  operates as a service loop or jog for flex circuit  2160  as portable communication device  2100  changes from voice phone mode to keyboard mode. For example, in the closed configuration, flex circuit  2160  is in a relaxed state with some jog, with a relatively loose loop (i.e., coil  2163 ), and with one end fixed to the input assembly. As hinge assembly  2120  rotates, coil  2163  tightens, as a certain amount of flex circuit travel is necessary to allow hinge assembly  2120  to rotate fully (e.g., approximately 180 degrees). In an alternative embodiment, a twisted wire bundle formed from micro coax wire may be used in place of flex circuit  2160  (e.g., twisted bundle  1116  described above with respect to  FIG. 14 ).  
      In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.