Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8072427?dq=6,205,432
Timestamp: 2013-12-05 00:48:12
Document Index: 499841143

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 06114792', 'application No. 06114793', 'application No. 06114798', 'application No. 06114799', 'application No. 06114792', 'application No. 06114793', 'application No. 06114799', 'application No. 06114798']

Patent US8072427 - Pivoting, multi-configuration mobile device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion...http://www.google.com/patents/US8072427?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8072427 - Pivoting, multi-configuration mobile devicePublication numberUS8072427 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/421,185Publication dateDec 6, 2011Filing dateMay 31, 2006Priority dateMay 31, 2006Also published asUS20070279387Publication number11421185, 421185, US 8072427 B2, US 8072427B2, US-B2-8072427, US8072427 B2, US8072427B2InventorsVelimir Pletikosa, Jason T. Griffin, Norman M. Ladouceur, Robert LowlesOriginal AssigneeResearch In Motion LimitedPatent Citations (103), Non-Patent Citations (29), Referenced by (9), Classifications (30), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPivoting, multi-configuration mobile deviceUS 8072427 B2Abstract A mobile device 500 comprises a display portion 502 including a display screen, a first keypad portion 501, a second keypad portion 502, and at least one input device 508, 510-524, 531-544 associated with at least one of the first keypad portion 501, the second keypad portion 502, and the display portion 504. The first and second keypad portions 501, 502 are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion 502 to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be positioned on an upper level of the device 500 and the second keypad portion 502 may be positioned on a lower level of the device 500, with the display portion 502 being positioned in the middle of the device 500. The first keypad portion 501 may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion 502. Images(26) Claims(15)
a display portion including a display screen;
a first keypad portion having a first set of input devices;
a second keypad portion having a second set of input devices; and
at least one input device associated with at least one of the first keypad portion, the second keypad portion, and the display portion;
wherein the first and second keypad portions are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device;
wherein the plurality of operational configurations comprises a first configuration where the first keypad portion is superimposed over at least part of the display portion;
wherein the second set of input devices does not overlap the first set of input devices, and wherein the first set of input devices and the second set of input devices are subsets of a third set of input devices operable in a second configuration; wherein the display portion is located between the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion in the first configuration and is rotatable between different angles.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first keypad portion is positioned on an upper level of the device, the second keypad portion is positioned on a lower level of the device, and the display portion is positioned on a middle level of the device.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first keypad portion includes a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion includes a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion includes a third longitudinal axis, and, in a second configuration, the first keypad portion and the display portion have an angle of approximately 90 degrees between the first and third longitudinal axes, and the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion have an angle of approximately 180 degrees between the first and second longitudinal axes.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the first keypad portion includes a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion includes a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion includes a third longitudinal axis, and, in a third configuration, the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion have an angle between their respective first and second longitudinal axes of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 170 degrees.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the first keypad portion includes a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion includes a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion includes a third longitudinal axis, with the first and second longitudinal axes being parallel to one another, and the third longitudinal axes being perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a processor housed in the device operable to a run a plurality of software applications, wherein a preselected software application is associated with each of the plurality of operational configurations such that the preselected software application is automatically run when the device is in the corresponding operational configuration.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of operational configurations includes at least the first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, and a first software application is a telephony application that is run when the device is in the first configuration, a second software application is a text entry application that is run when the device is in the second configuration, and a third software application is a game playing application that is run when the device is in the third configuration.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein a first software application that corresponds to the first configuration is a telephony application.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the first set of input devices including a three by four telephone keypad.
10. The device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of operational configurations is a second configuration, the first keypad portion has a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion has a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion has a third longitudinal axis, with the longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the display portion having an angle relative to one another of approximately 90 degrees, and the longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion having an angle relative to one another of approximately 180 degrees, and one of the software applications is a second software application that is associated with a second operational configuration, and the second software application is a text entry application.
11. The device of claim 6, wherein one of the plurality of operational configurations is a third configuration, the first keypad portion has a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion has a second longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion are positioned at an angle of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 170 degrees relative to one another.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the plurality of software applications includes a third software application that corresponds to the third configuration, and the third software application is a game playing application.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein in the third configuration the second set of input devices of the second keypad portion includes at least four keys that are used for directional input.
a keypad portion including at least a first set of input devices, a second set of input devices, and a third set of input devices; and
the keypad portion being rotatably coupled to the display portion between at least a first operational configuration, a second operational configuration, and a third operational configuration;
wherein in the first operational configuration the first set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user,
in the second operational configuration the second set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user, and
in the third operational configuration the third set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user; and
wherein the display screen of the display portion is partially concealed by the keypad portion in the first operational configuration;
wherein the input devices of the third set do not overlap the input devices of the first set; and
wherein at least some of the input devices of the first and third sets are also part of the second set; wherein the display is located between the first set and the second set in the first configuration and is rotatable between different angles.
15. The mobile device of claim 14, further comprising means for selectively lighting at least some of the first set of input devices, second set of input devices, and third set of input devices. Description
FIELD The technology described in this patent document relates generally to the field of user input mobile devices. More particularly, the patent document describes pivoting keypads and displays for use in a mobile device.
BACKGROUND Different standard keyboard arrangements are known. The most widely used English-language alphabetic key arrangement is the QWERTY arrangement. Other types of standard English-language alphabetic key arrangements include the QWERTZ arrangement, the AZERTY arrangement, and the DVORAK arrangement. Each of these arrangements, when presented as a full-size keyboard, utilizes 26 keys for 26 different characters.
Numeric characters are often presented along with alphabetic characters on keyboards of communication devices, such as telephones. One standard setting body, the International Telecommunications Union (�ITU�), has established phone standards for the arrangement of alphanumeric keys. One such standard, corresponds to ITU Standard E.161, entitled �Arrangement of Digits, Letters, and Symbols on Telephones and Other Devices That Can Be Used for Gaining Access to a Telephone Network� (also known as ANSI TI.703-1995/1999 and ISO/IEC 9995-8:1994). According to this standard, ten keys are used to present the alphabetic characters A-Z and the numbers 0-9. In order to enter alphabetic characters, the user may be required to tap the keys multiple times until the desired character appears on a display screen, among other known entry techniques.
SUMMARY A mobile device is disclosed herein having a display portion, a keypad portion and at least one input device. A processor is associated with the mobile device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of a first example mobile device in a first configuration;
FIG. 15 shows a frontal view of the sixth example mobile device in a third configuration; and
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Examples of mobile devices that are rotatably coupled and that are useable in two or more configurations are described and claimed below. A configuration is a set location for two or more movable parts of the example device in relation to each other. The example devices below have several ergonomic or other interface enhancing advantages. The examples described below can be equipped to automatically switch the application that is running on the device when the user manipulates the device into each configuration. Furthermore, each configuration may be tailored to be optimal for the associated application. A group of applications may also be tied to a certain configuration, rather than just a single application. For example, a first configuration could be optimized for a cellular telephone mode and FAX mode, and a second configuration could be optimized for web-browsing, e-mailing, and word processing. This enhances the user interface by making applications quickly and easily accessible and provides for better ergonomics and more intuitive use of the mobile device.
One aspect of the examples disclosed herein is that the keypad portion and display portion are rotatably coupled, so that the front side of the keypad portion and the front side of the display portion face toward the same direction while rotating. This rotation is about an axis that runs from the front of the device to the back of the device. This is opposed to some conventional mobile devices that �flip� open by rotating about an axis that runs from one side to another side of a device. The fact that the display portion and keypad portion face the same direction while rotating to two or more configurations allows the user to view the display while rotating and allows the display to be in multiple orientations and locations relative to the keypad and still be usable with the keypad in each of these configurations. It allows the user to turn the device on its side or upside down and have a screen that changes to an upright orientation.
Some of the teachings of this disclosure may also be applied to devices that �flip� open and closed on a side-to-side axis. Furthermore, each of the example devices may also include a hinge that allows the device to not only rotate but also to �flip� open and closed on a side-to-side axis.
In the first example device 1 both the telephony characters, �0-9, #,*� used primarily in the first configuration, and the text-entry characters, used primarily in the second configuration, are printed at an approximately 45 degree angle relative to the long axis of the keypad portion 2. In the second configuration, the example device 1 is preferably held at a 90 degree clockwise rotation from the first configuration. In this configuration, both the text and numerical indicia are at an approximately negative 45 degree angle from being upright with respect to the orientation of the display screen 6. This key indicia scheme allows both text and numeral indicia to be easily visible and associated with the correct keys in both configurations. The telephone character indicia on the keys 10-21 that correspond to the first configuration may be color coded so that they are all the same color, and different from the color of indicia that corresponds to other configurations.
The second configuration of the example device 1, shown in FIG. 2, is optimized for a text-entry application or group of applications. Examples of such applications include e-mail, internet browsing, instant messaging, text messaging, word processing, or any application where alphabetic characters are to be regularly input. Many of the keys 10-23, 31-42 of the second set of input devices 8-23, 25, 31-43 are set up in a text-entry keyboard configuration. The key layout in this example is a twenty-four key predictive text keyboard that is fully described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application, and which is incorporated herein by reference. Other key layouts, QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, Alphabetic, and/or Function layouts are also possible.
Arrow characters are visible on the controller keys 32, 35, 37, 40 to designate the respective directional input. The indicia �start� and �pause� are also visible on keys labeled 34 and 42. In this embodiment, lighting of indicia on the keys is utilized to draw attention to the indicia. The indicia may be lit up when the device is in the third configuration, and unlit in the first and second configurations. This enables the user to readily determine that certain keys are associated with the lit-up functions in the third configuration. The details of a method for selectively lighting up certain indicia on keys is described later in the specification. In addition, selective keys may be lit in each configuration. It is not required that all useable keys be lit. For example, in text entry mode, the space and return keys could be lit because they are frequently used. In addition, parts of one or more key may be lit while the remaining part of the key is not lit. This is useful where the keys have different functions in each configuration of the device. In one configuration, the top half of the key, for example, is lit, and in another configuration, the bottom half of the key is lit.
A key lighting signal may also be generated dependent upon the configuration of the device. This signal functions to notify the processor to light or unlight selective keys, such as the arrows and �start� and �pause� indicia on the keys 32, 34, 35, 37, 40, and 42 when the device is in the third configuration. Other keys may be lit in other configurations. The lighting and unlighting may also be accomplished more directly by a switch that opens and closes a circuit supplying power to the key lights.
Indicia corresponding to the numerals 0-9 and the characters * and # are printed on the twelve keys 111-114, 116-119, 121-124. The indicia is oriented at an approximately 45 degree angle with respect to the orientation of the display screen 106. Because these keys 111-114, 116 119, 121-124 are reused in other configurations for different applications, different character indicia, as shown in FIG. 4, may also be printed on the keys.
In the second configuration, the example device 100 is preferably held by a user in a 90 degree clockwise rotation from the first configuration. Accordingly, in the second configuration, the telephony character indicia are at an approximately negative 45 degree angle with respect to vertical axis of the display screen 106 in this configuration. This key indicia scheme allows the telephony character indicia to be easily visible in both configurations. The telephony function is the primary function of the keys in the first configuration, and it is a secondary function in the second configuration. The secondary function may, for example, be reached by holding down a �shift� key. The telephone character indicia on the keys 111-114, 116-119, 121-124 that corresponds to the first configuration may be color coded so that they are all the same color, and different from the color of indicia that corresponds to the second configuration.
Many of the keys 110-124, 127, 131-145 of the second set of input devices 108-125, 127-129, 131-148 are set up in a text-entry keyboard configuration. The key layout in this example is a traditional QWERTY keyboard. Other key layouts are also possible, for example, AZERTY, QWERTZ, Dvorak, Alphabetic, and/or Function layouts, as well as the twenty-four key predictive text keyboard that is fully described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application.
Just as in the second example device 100, the third example device 200 automatically runs a telephony application in the first configuration, shown in FIG. 6, and a menu to select a text-entry application in the second configuration shown in FIG. 7. It could also run a text-entry application directly without requiring a name call up. The third example device 200 also automatically switches the orientation of the visual display output to a tall, narrow orientation in the first configuration, and to a short, wide orientation in the second configuration.
Many of the keys 310-325, 331-345 of the second set of input devices 308-325, 327, 331-345 are set up in a text-entry keyboard configuration. The key layout in this example is a traditional QWERTY layout. Other key layouts are also possible, for example, traditional full-sized QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, Alphabetic, and/or Function layouts, as well as the twenty-four key predictive text keyboard that is fully described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application.
A display signal is also generated when the fourth example device 300 is in the first or second configuration. This signal functions to notify the processor to change the orientation of the visual output of the display according to what configuration the example device 300 is in.
Both the display signal and the application signal may be generated, for example, by a tilt switch that is activated when the fourth example device 300 is rotated to the first or second configuration. In other examples, the switch may be activated while in the midst of rotating between configurations. Other types of switches or techniques may also be used to generate the signal.
The keyboard provides a user interface that includes alphabetic characters comprising a standard alphabetic format, such as QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or DVORAK, among other known formats, for text entry. Current standard alphabetic keyboard formats utilize twenty-six keys for alphabetic characters, with each key representing a single alphabetic character. A preferred embodiment of the example device 400 presents alphabetic characters in a reduced key format, with fewer columns and keys than the standard format. Each of the twenty-six alphabetic characters are provided, hut in a reduced format such that each key on the keyboard represents multiple alphabetic characters.
This keyboard is designed to be used in two orientations, a first orientation where the longest dimension of the keyboard is upright and vertical with respect to the user, and a second orientation, a 90 degree counter-clockwise rotation of the device 400 from the first orientation. For purposes of describing this example keyboard the term �column� refers to one of the longer line of alphanumeric keys and the term �row� refers to one of the shorter line alphanumeric of keys.
In the depicted example, the alphabetic letters are arranged on the keys in a QWERTY layout. Keys on the first outer column of keys 410-414 have two raised surfaces each. The ten letters in the top row of a QWERTY keyboard, �Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P� each correspond to one of the ten raised surfaces of the five keys in the first outer column 410-414 as shown in FIG. 10. Keys in the middle column 415-419 have four raised surfaces each. The sixteen letters in the middle and bottom rows of a traditional QWERTY keyboard, �A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L, Z, X, C, V, B, N, M� each correspond to one of the twenty raised surfaces of the five keys in the middle column 415-419 as shown in FIG. 10. The letter �L� is the only letter on the key labeled 419, and letters �J, K, and M� are the only letters on the key labeled 41. Other alphabetic key layouts are also possible, for example, AZERTY, Dvorak, Alphabetic, and/or Function layouts, as well as the twenty-four key predictive text keyboard that is fully described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application. As an alternative to the 3�5 layout, a 2�5 layout could be utilized where the �Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P� are on the top part of the keys in the top row, the �A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L� are on the bottom part of the keys in the top row, and the �X, C, V, B, N, M� are on the top part of the keys in the bottom row. Alternatively, the �Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, P� could be positioned on the lower part of the keys in the upper row, with the �A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L� and �X, C, V, B, N, M� positioned on the upper and lower parts, respectively, of the keys in the bottom row.
There are also symbols and functions that correspond to several of the raised surfaces on the keys labeled 418-424 in the depicted example. On the key labeled 422 the �space� function corresponds to two raised surfaces. These symbols and functions are also represented on the keyboard by indicia, which may be positioned directly on the toggle keys 418-424, or positioned on the keypad portion 402 of the example device 400. These symbols and functions include those that are typically utilized with keyboards. Example symbols include �.�, �,�, �;�, �″�, �′�, �:�, �?�, �/�, �>�, �<�, �!�, �@�, ���, �$�, �%�, �^�, �&�, �(�,�)�, �_�, �−�, �+�, �=�, �[�,�]�, �{�, �}�, �|�, and �\�, among other known symbols. Example functions include �tab�, �caps lock�, �shift�, �control�, �alt�, �return/enter�, �backspace�, �insert�, �delete�, �home�, �end�, �page up�, �page down�, �end�, �escape�, �pause�, �break�, �send�, �end�, �txt�, �sym�, and �scroll lock�, among other known functions associated with text entry or telephony entry.
The toggle keys 410-424 of the example keyboard also include a center depressed surface that is lower than the raised surfaces. In this example device 400, telephony characters, which include the numbers 0-9 and the symbols # and *, each correspond to a center depressed surface on one of the keys 411-414, 416-419, 421-424. The keys depicted are either 3-switch or 5-switch keys. The telephony characters are arranged in a traditional three-by-four phone arrangement where the numbers �1, 2, 3� correspond to keys labeled 421, 416, 411, numbers �4, 5, 6� correspond to keys labeled 422, 417, 412, numbers �7, 8, 9� correspond to keys labeled 423, 418, 413, and the number �0� and symbols �*� and �#� correspond to keys labeled 414, 419, 424. Each number is positioned on its own key, as with a standard phone key pad. The standard numeric phone key arrangement corresponds to the International Telecommunication Union (�ITU�) Standard E.161, entitled �Arrangement of Digits, Letters, and Symbols on Telephones and Other Devices That Can Be Used for Gaining Access to a Telephone Network� (also known as ANSI TI.703-1995/1999 and ISO/IEC 9995-8:1994). The center depressed surface gives the user tactile information to help the user locate and differentiate the telephony key surfaces from the alphabetic and functional raised key surfaces.
In one example, the numeric phone key arrangement may also utilize a surface treatment on the surface of the center �5� key 417 in the form of a raised bump. This bump is typically standard on telephones and is used to identify the �5� key through touch alone. Once the user has identified the �5� key, it is possible to identify the remainder of the phone keys through touch alone because of their standard placement. The bump preferably has a shape and size that is readily evident to a user through touch. An example bump may be round, rectangular, or have another shape, if desired. Alternatively, raised bumps may be positioned on the housing around the �5� key and do not necessarily have to be positioned directly on the key, as known by those of skill in the art.
Other than the unique key layout, three other differences exist between the fifth example device 400 and the other example devices and are best depicted in FIG. 11: (1) the display portion 404 has an arm portion 403, (2) the display portion 405 is partially seated within the keypad portion 402, and (3) the display portion rotates in a jackknife manner.
In other examples a smaller angle between the two keypad portions 501, 502 may be appropriate for a larger device and a larger angle may be appropriate for smaller devices. This is because in a smaller device greater separation between the two keypads 501, 502 may be needed to accommodate ergonomic placement of the fingers without the fingers overlapping. One extra key 544 is exposed in the third configuration. This key 544 along with the input devices of the second set 508, 510-524, 531-543 form the third set of input devices 508, 510-524, 531-544.
The folded down keypad portions 501, 502 in this example device 500 provide a different hand grip than the other example devices 1, 100, 200, 300, 400. The sixth example device 500 in the third configuration is preferably held with both hands, and the keypad portions 501, 502 are preferably gripped with the fingers curled behind and to the inside of the keypad portions and the thumbs are held above the front of the keypad portions 501, 502. This is similar to how one would hold a bicycle handle, except the thumbs are extended toward the display screen 506. This configuration is somewhat similar to the controllers that are plugged into non-mobile video game consoles. Thus, this configuration is intuitive to users that are familiar with console video game controllers, and it is an ergonomic improvement for game playing applications on mobile devices.
Many of the keys 510-521, 531-542 of the second set of keys 508, 510-524, 531-543 are set up in a text-entry keyboard configuration. The key layout in this example is a twenty-four key predictive text keyboard that is fully described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application, and which is incorporated herein by reference. Other key layouts are also possible, for example, traditional QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, Alphabetic, and/or Function layouts.
The remaining input devices of the third set 508, 510-512, 514-515, 518-520, 524, 531-544 are also available for inputting commands to the video game application. Because the way the sixth example device 500 in the third configuration is designed to be held, the user's thumbs will have the most comfortable access to the keys that are nearest the rotational coupling 526, such as the keys labeled 524, 531, 535, 39, 543, and 544. The controller keys 513, 516, 521, 522 being on the left and the extra input keys 531, 535, 539, 543 on the right is a familiar layout that is intuitive and ergonomically favorable to right handed users. Left-handed users may find a configuration with the controller keys on the right, such as keys labeled 531, 536, 539, and 543; and extra input keys on the left, such as the keys labeled 522, 524, and 544, to be more favorable. To this end, the video game application could be user customizable to allow the user to select which keys they desire to use as extra input keys.
In a second configuration, shown in FIG. 17, the two keypad portions 606, 608 are rotated downward approximately 90 degrees, out of the recess 605. In this second configuration, the two keypad portions 606, 608 are aligned longitudinally with each other with the display portion 604 centered above them. There are twenty to thirty-six keys exposed in this configuration, depending on whether there are two or three columns of five or six keys on each keypad. Other numbers of keys are also possible. This number of keys allows a full QWERTY, AZERTY, DVORAK, or Alphabetic keyboard layouts or reduced keyboard layouts such as that described in �Keyboard Arrangement,� U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,790, which is owned by the assignee of the present application. The bottom rows 614, 616 of keys on each keypad portion 606, 608 are reused in both the first and second configurations and have a dual function of telephony and alphabetic character entry. The device preferably operates a text-entry application in this second configuration.
In each of the above-described examples, a pivot joint was utilized to connect the various parts of each device together. The pivot joint pivots or rotates in the x-y plane. The joint may alternatively be referred to as a hinge similar to the hinge mechanism in a prior art jack knife. The joint may include detents that align the rotational movement of the pivots at various steps, such as 90�, 180�, 270�, etc. The power connection between the parts can be a ribbon cable, a cable connection, or otherwise, and may or may not be part of the pivot joint. A swivel joint or ball joint could alternatively be used. A swivel or ball joint would allow movement in a third dimension or along a �Z� axis, allowing for three-dimensional movement.
In some examples the device may be user customizable so that the user can remap input devices to desired functions in one or more configurations. For example, in one configuration the user could choose among several applications to be automatically initiated when this configuration is reached. The user could then choose whether the keys are to be numeric, alphabetic, or shortcut keys for certain functions. For example, a user could customize one configuration to automatically access a stock trading website, and the user could configure some keys to run a macro that would automatically retrieve a stock quote for a certain ticker symbol.
Other keys could be designated by the user to buy and sell. An additional feature that may enhance any of the example devices discussed above 1, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is a spring loaded mechanism that would enable the user to press a button, and the device would automatically rotate to a different configuration.
The processing device 618, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications 630A-630N on the device 610. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications 630A and 630B, may be installed on the device 600 during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM is preferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application is also preferably capable of sending and receiving data items via a wireless network 640. Preferably, the PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network 640 with the device user's corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system. An example system and method for accomplishing these steps is disclosed in �System And Method For Pushing Information From A Host System To A Mobile Device Having A Shared Electronic Address,� U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,694, which is owned by the assignee of the present application, and which is incorporated herein by reference.
Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communication subsystem 700, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem. The communication subsystem 700 includes a receiver 750, a transmitter 752, and one or more antennas 754, 756. In addition, the communication subsystem 700 also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 758, and local oscillators (LOs) 760. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem 700 is dependent upon the communication network in which the mobile communication device 600 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile communication device 600 may include a communication subsystem 700 designed to operate with the Mobitex�, Data TAC� or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile communication device 600.
The short-range communications subsystem enables communication between the mobile communication device 600 and other proximate systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-range communications subsystem may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth� communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the selective illumination of key portions can equally be employed for illuminating key portions only in an active keyboard portion such as numeric portion 1110 of FIG. 20 when only a subset of keys in keyboard 1304 are needed. For example, in one implementation, a telephone dialer application would preferably cause only the numeric values of keys in keyboard 1304 to be illuminated. Additionally, the illuminated portion of the keys in keyboard 1304 would preferably change as the user used toggle key 1306 to switch between input modes. The user can preferably deactivate the backlight through use of backlight key 1308. In a refinement of this embodiment, the alphabetic and nonalphabetic values of the keys are illuminated by backlights of different colors. This allows the alphabetic and non-alphabetic input modes to be easily distinguished from each other by assigning a different color to each of the input modes, for example the alphabetic values may be illuminated by a blue light, while the non-alphabetic values are illuminated by a red light. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any arrangement of colors can be used, employing known color illumination methods. One such embodiment provides partial illumination of each key, with all related key sections illuminated by the same light source, and coloration provided through the use of filters in the keys. In an alternate embodiment, alphabetic key portions are illuminated by a colored light source, while the non-alphabetic key portions are illuminated by a differently colored light source. The light source in the above examples can be either local, or remote as described earlier.
A mobile device comprises a display portion including a display screen, a first keypad portion, a second keypad portion, and at least one input device associated with at least one of the first keypad portion, the second keypad portion, and the display portion. The first and second keypad portions are independently rotatably coupled to the display portion to provide a plurality of operational configurations for the device.
The first keypad portion may be positioned on an upper level of the device. The second keypad portion may be positioned on a lower level of the device. The display portion may be positioned on a middle level of the device. The plurality of operational configurations may comprise a first configuration where the first keypad portion is superimposed over at least part of the display portion.
The first keypad portion may includes a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion may include a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion may include a third longitudinal axis. In a second configuration, the first keypad portion and the display portion may have an angle of approximately 90 degrees between the first and third longitudinal axes, and the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion may have an angle of approximately 180 degrees between the first and second longitudinal axes. In a third configuration, the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion may have an angle between their respective first and second longitudinal axes of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 170 degrees. The first and second longitudinal axes may be parallel to one another, and the third longitudinal axes may be perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes.
A processor may be housed in the device that is operable to a run a plurality of software applications. A preselected software application is associated with each of the plurality of operational configurations such that the preselected software application is automatically run when the device is in the corresponding operational configuration. The plurality of operational configurations may include at least a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration. A first software application may be a telephony application that is run when the device is in the first configuration. A second software application may be a text entry application that is run when the device is in the second configuration. A third software application may be a game playing application that is run when the device is in the third configuration.
In the first configuration, the first keypad portion may be superimposed over at least part of the display portion, and a first software application that corresponds to the first configuration may be a telephony application. The first keypad portion may have a first set of input devices, the first set of input devices including a three by four telephone keypad.
In the second configuration, the first keypad portion has a first longitudinal axis, the second keypad portion has a second longitudinal axis, and the display portion has a third longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the display portion may have an angle relative to one another of approximately 90 degrees. The longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion may have an angle relative to one another of approximately 180 degrees. One of the software applications may be a second software application that is associated with a second operational configuration. The second software application may be a text entry application. The first and second keypad portions may include input devices that together are at least 26 keys for alphabetic text entry. One of the plurality of operational configurations may be a third configuration. The longitudinal axes of the first keypad portion and the second keypad portion may be positioned at an angle of approximately 30 degrees to approximately 170 degrees relative to one another.
The plurality of software applications may include a third software application that corresponds to the third configuration, and the third software application may be a game playing application. In the third configuration, the second keypad portion may have an input device in the form of at least four keys that are used for directional input, and the first keypad portion has at least one input device. The first and second keypad portions may be rotatably coupled to the display portion so that they lie in the same plane and face in the same direction as the display portion.
Another example mobile device comprises a display portion, at least one keypad potion, and at least one input device. The display portion includes a display screen having a first portion and a second portion. The keypad portion is coupled to the display portion. The at least one input device is associated with at least one of the keypad portion and the display portion. The keypad portion is rotatably coupled to the display portion so that the keypad portion and display portion can be rotated with respect to each other between at least a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the keypad portion covers the first portion of the display screen and the second portion of the display screen is exposed for viewing by a user.
A processor may be housed within the device. The processor includes at least one software application. In the first configuration, a software application may cause the display screen to automatically change the size and positioning of the visual output on the display screen to match the dimensions of the second portion of the display screen. In the second configuration, the software application may cause the size and positioning of the visual output of the display screen to automatically change to utilize both the first and second portions of the display screen.
Another example mobile device comprises a keypad portion and a display portion. The keypad portion includes at least a first set of input devices, a second set of input devices, and a third set of input devices. The display portion includes a display screen. The keypad portion is rotatably coupled to the display portion between at least a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration. In the first configuration, the first set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user. In the second configuration, the second set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user. In the third configuration, the third set of input devices is exposed so that they can be operated by a user. In one example, the input devices of the third set do not overlap the input devices of the first set. In another example, at least some of the input devices of the first and third sets are also part of the second set. The display portion may be at least partially concealed by the keypad portion in the first configuration. The device may also includes means for selectively lighting at least some of the first set of input devices, second set of input devices, and third set of input devices.
In a further example, a mobile device comprises a display portion including a display screen, a first keypad portion coupled to the display portion including a plurality of first input devices, and a second keypad portion coupled to the display portion including a plurality of second input devices. The first and second keypad portions and display portion are movable relative to one another into multiple configurations, including at least a first configuration and a second configuration.
The device may also include a processor housed in either the first keypad portion, the second keypad portion, or the display portion. The processor is operable to a run a plurality of software applications and to automatically select and run one of the plurality of software applications depending upon which configuration the device is positioned in. One of the first and second input devices may be operable to override the automatically run software application to allow a user to manually select a software application to run in a given configuration.
The first and second keypad portions may be rotatably coupled to the display portion at a single pivot point. When the device is positioned in the first configuration, the device may be configured such that rotation is blocked in one of either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the device is positioned in the second configuration, the device may be configured such that rotation is blocked in the opposite direction. The display portion and first and second keypad portions may face in the same direction while rotating between the first and second configurations.
In the first configuration, a first set of input devices may be exposed and available for operating by the user. In the second configuration, a second set of input devices may be exposed and available for operating by the user. The second set of input devices may include keys that are in one of a QWERTY, AZERTY, DVORAK, or Alphabetic layout. The first and second keypad portions may be rotatably coupled to the display portion. Rotation may be inhibited into and out of each configuration. Rotation may be about an axis that runs from the front of the device where the input devices are exposed for use, to the back of the device that faces opposite the front of the device.
In one of the configurations, at least one of the first or second keypad portions may be rotated approximately 180 degrees in relation to the display portion, and a microphone for a cellular phone application may be located in one of the first or second keypad portions. In the first configuration, the first set of input devices may be exposed for operation by a user, and in the second configuration, a second set of input devices may be exposed for operation by a user. A multiple-function set of input devices may include one or more input devices that are situated on the keypad portions, and input devices of the multiple-function set are part of both the first and second sets so that they are operable in both the first and second configurations. The display portion may include an opening on the sides. In at least one configuration, the first and second keypad portions are at least partially received in the opening disposed on the sides of the display portion.
In yet another example, a mobile device comprises a display portion including a display screen and at least one keypad portion. The display portion has a first portion and a second portion. The at least one keypad portion is rotatably coupled to the display portion such that the keypad portion and display portion can be rotated with respect to each other to multiple configurations, including at least a first and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the keypad portion covers the first portion of the display screen and the second portion of the display screen is exposed for viewing by a user, with the display portion and keypad portion facing in the same direction while rotating between the first and second configurations.
The mobile device may also include a processor that is housed within the device and is operable to a run a plurality of software applications. A first software application is a telephony application that is run when the device is in the first configuration, and a second software application is a text entry application that is run when the device is in the second configuration.
In the first configuration, a first set of keys may be available for operation by a user, and the first set of keys may be a three-by-four telephone arrangement. In the second configuration, a second set of keys may be available for operation by the user, and the second set of keys may include a keyboard with at least 24 keys for text-entry. The keyboard may be one of a QWERTY, AZERTY, DVORAK, or Alphabetic layout.
Another example mobile device comprises a display portion including a display screen and a keypad portion. The keypad portion includes at least a first set of input devices, a second set of input devices, and a third set of input devices, with the keypad portion being rotatably coupled to the display portion so that the keypad portion and display portion are rotatable with respect to each other to at least a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration. In the first configuration, the first set of input devices is exposed for operation by a user. In the second configuration, the second set of input devices is exposed for operation by a user. In the third configuration, the third set of input devices is exposed for operation by a user. The display portion and keypad portion face in the same direction while rotating to two or more of the configurations.
A rotatable coupling may connect the back side of the display portion to the front side of the keypad portion. The rotatable coupling may be located a distance from the center of the keypad portion in at least one direction. The device may also include means for inhibiting rotation into and out of each configuration.
One or more of the input devices in the first set of input devices are keys that include indicia. The indicia may be positioned substantially upright in relation to the display screen in the first configuration. One or more of the input devices in the second set of input devices are keys that include indicia. The indicia may be positioned substantially upright in relation to the display screen in the second configuration. One or more of the input devices in the third set of input devices are keys that include indicia. The indicia is positioned substantially upright in relation to the display screen in the third configuration.
The device may include a processor that includes programming such that when the device is rotated from one configuration to another, the orientation of the display screen is automatically changed to be upright with respect to the keypad portion in each configuration, and the size of the visual output is automatically changed to match the dimensions of the display screen when the screen orientation changes.
The device may also include a fourth configuration and a fourth set of input devices. In the fourth configuration, the fourth set of input devices is exposed for operation by a user.
In the first configuration, one or more of the second set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion and one or more of the third set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion. The input devices that are positioned behind the display portion are inoperable. In the second configuration, one or more of the first set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion, and one or more of the third set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion, with the input devices that are positioned behind the display portion being inoperable. In the third configuration, one or more of the second set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion, and one or more of the first set of input devices may be positioned behind the display portion, with the input devices that are positioned behind the display portion being inoperable.
A processor may be housed within either the keypad portion or the display portion and is operable to run a plurality of software applications. The plurality of software applications may include at least a first application corresponding to the first configuration, a second application corresponding to the second configuration, and a third application corresponding to the third configuration. The processor may be operable to automatically select and run either the first, second, or third software application depending on whether the device is positioned in the first, second, or third configuration.
The display portion may also include at least one input device. At least some of the first, second, or third input devices may be selectively lighted.
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