Patent Application
20070268264
Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following Figures in which:
A schematic illustration of an electronic device 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in
The device 100 comprises two parts 10, 20 which are foldable about a folding axis 80. Hinge mechanisms 30 are used to allow the parts to be folded into a number of configurations. The parts 10,20 can be folded over one another such that the inner faces of the device touch in a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the parts 10,20 can be considered to have a zero folding angle between them, whereas in an open configuration, the parts 10, 20 have a non-zero folding angle defined between them. In this case, the device 100 can be opened to a nearly 360 degrees folding angle such that the inner faces of the device 100 in the closed configuration form the outer faces of the device 100 in the fully open configuration.
In this case, the parts 10, 20 are generally rectangular. Other embodiments may have different shaped parts 10, 20. The inner faces of the parts 10, 20 each comprise a respective electronic display 11, 21. Thus, the first part 10 has a first display 11 and the second part 20 has a second display 21. As such, these parts 10, 20 comprise respective first and second means for displaying with said first and second displays.
It will be appreciated that these displays 11, 21 are located on either side of the folding axis 80. In this embodiment, the displays 11, 21 are positioned in close proximity to the folding axis 80. Thus, the gap between the adjacent ends of the displays 11, 21 is quite small in a number of open configurations.
The first part 10 comprises a microphone port 12 and a number of user input elements 13. In this case, the user input elements are keys. The second housing 20 comprises a speaker port 22, and a camera 23. The device 100 is sized so that it is possible to handhold the device when making a telephone call.
The device 100 can be opened into many configurations. Two such configurations are shown in
The user can answer and/or make a call by opening the foldable device 100 into an open configuration. In some embodiments, the user may also be able to answer and/or make a call in the closed configuration. In one or more general embodiments, the device 100 is folded into an open configuration to allow access to one or more user input elements (e.g. 12, 11, 23) and/or output elements (11. 21, 22) located on one or more of the inner faces of the device 100.
When the device 100 is opened, the first display 11 is arranged to be a user input element (e.g. a touch sensitive screen). Thus, the user can control one or more of the functions of the device 100 by actuating one or more regions on the display 11. In this case, the display 11 provides one or more indications to one or more particular locations which should be actuated (e.g. by depressing) to control one or more of the operations/functions of the device 100.
In one embodiment, the user is given indications to actuate regions of the display 11. In other embodiments, the user may be given indications to actuate one or more user input elements adjacent the first display 11. In this way, for example, input elements 13 can be used as so-called “soft keys”, the function performed by them being indicated on an adjacent screen, the function depending on the particular location in the user interface program.
Thus, in the first configuration, the display 11 acts as a user input and/or gives indications to one or more adjacent user input elements 13 i.e. the device 100 operates in a first operating mode. In other embodiments, the adjacent user input elements may be on the other side of the hinge 30 on part 20.
As the device is further opened passed a critical folding angle αcrit, which in this case is 160 (+/−10 degrees), the device 100 is configured to move into a second operating mode. The detection of this critical folding angle can be done by using one or more mechanical/electrical/electromechanical sensors in the device 100.
In the second operating mode, both displays 11, 21 act as displays. In certain embodiments, one or more the displays may also act as user input elements and/or give indications to one or more adjacent user input elements.
In this embodiment, the folding angle β in the second configuration is 170-180 (+/−10 degrees). The second configuration folding angle β is such that the two adjacent displays 11, 21 are substantially in the same plane. The two adjacent displays can be used as a continuous single display. Thus, an image can be partially displayed on the first display 11, and the rest of the image can be displayed on the adjacent second display 21.
As the underneath of the device 100 is relatively flat, the device 100 can be placed on a support surface to be free-standing (
In the second configuration, the first display 11 may be useable to provide control over the image which is provided on the second display 21. This may also be true in the first configuration.
The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.
For example, aspects described in relation to the first display may be on the second display (and vice versa). The first display may not necessarily comprise a microphone port (or microphone functionality). In other embodiments, the radiotelephone functionality may not be linked with the first and configurations of the device. The second display 21 may be turned off or turned on in the first configuration. The device may or may not receive/transmit audio/video transmissions (including broadcast transmissions). The displays may or may not be the same size. The foldable parts may or may not be the same size. Many different mechanisms to detect the folding angle may be provided.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.
