Patent Application
20060148543
This invention relates generally to a mobile communication device, and more particularly to a mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system wherein the mobile terminal includes a display.
A mobile terminal is used for sending and receiving information in a wireless communication system, such as a mobile telephone in a cellular telephone system. A mobile telephone typically includes a display and input mechanisms, such as keypads, buttons, and the like, which are used to control the mobile telephone. The display is used for viewing information and the input mechanisms typically provide for data entry, as well as control of any multi-media interface including the display.
With the growing popularity of the internet, mobile telephones are being used as receivers for not only voice data, but also various forms of visual data viewable on the display, such as e-mail, faxes or other forms of processed documents, pictures, videos or web pages. Mobile telephones can also function as a gaming device. Further, some mobile telephones now also include a camera function for capturing images and satisfying the rising demand for video or image-based communication. Capturing images is typically accomplished by manually actuating the camera function via a shutter button or a specified sequence of key strokes.
As the various functions of a mobile telephone increase, so does the need for varying types of input mechanisms for each function. At the same time, finding ways to achieve additional space savings for mobile telephones is desirable to vendors and consumers alike. As mobile telephones become smaller, less area is available for the input mechanisms. For ergonomic reasons, there is a limit below which it is undesirable to decrease the size. For example, size limitations lead to difficulty in viewing the display while communicating over the mobile telephone or providing user input. Enlargement of the mobile telephone is not a solution, since increased size of the mobile telephone defeats the purpose of a compact, portable communication device.
The goal of maintaining the compactness of a mobile telephone is advanced by a “flip phone”, wherein the housing of the mobile telephone includes two body portions pivotally joined at one end such that one body portion serves as a “flip” cover. In this arrangement, the body portions of the housing are moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, a display and keypad are visible and accessible. In the closed position, the display and keypad are substantially concealed, which can be a disadvantage in using some of the functions of the mobile telephone. Another type of mobile telephone, sometimes referred to as a “jackknife phone”, has a housing including two body portions which pivot about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the housing. This configuration allows for the display to always be on the outside of the mobile telephone. However, the mechanical and electrical connections between the body portions is complex. Still another type of mobile telephone is sometimes referred to as a “slider”, wherein the body portions of the housing slide longitudinally relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. This configuration also allows for the display to always be on the outside of the mobile telephone. Unfortunately, this affords little protection for the display.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a mobile terminal for use in a wireless communication system which is adapted to efficiently accommodate multiple functions while maintaining compactness and portability. The new mobile terminal should allow the display to be selectively visible in a plurality of positions of the mobile terminal.
According to the present invention, a mobile terminal is provided for use in a wireless communication system. The mobile terminal comprises a housing including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the housing has an opening, an inner surface and an opposed outer surface. A module has an inner major surface and an outer major surface. The module is movably disposed in the opening of the first portion of the housing for movement relative to the first portion of the housing between a first position, where the inner major surface of the module is substantially coincident with the inner surface of the first portion of the housing, and a second position, where the inner major surface of the module is substantially coincident with the outer surface of the first portion of the housing.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.
As used herein, the term “camera” is used to mean an imaging device usually provided with an optical lens, or system of lenses, through which light from an object passes and forms an image, usually on a light-sensitive medium. The term “camera” includes an imaging device wherein an image is captured as a still picture, or a series of images are captured as in a movie camera or video camera.
As used herein, the term “keypad” is used to mean any type of input device including a touch sensitive area or areas, which may include predefined key positions or a gesture area. Further, the term “keypad” is not intended to be limited to a keypad based on contacting switch technology. Rather, “keypad” as contemplated by this disclosure is intended to refer to any type of input technology that might be referred to as such, including a non-contacting type more typically referred to as a “touchpad” in which the proximity of conductive bodies is sensed.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, a mobile terminal according to the present invention is shown in
The housing 22 includes an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26. The upper portion 24 of the housing 22 includes an ear piece 28, or speaker, for emitting sound and a display 30 for displaying alphanumeric text and graphics and other images. The display 30 can be monochrome or color. Menu keys 31, including soft keys or function keys, may be provided on the upper portion 24 of the housing 22 for receiving tactile input. The menu keys 31 may be used to interact with the image on the display 30. The lower portion 24 of the housing 22 includes a microphone 32 for inputting sound and a keypad apparatus 34 including alphanumeric and function keys 36 that can receive tactile input. The upper portion 24 and the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 are electrically connected so that the user can use the keypad 34 for tactile input to enter data, make telephone calls, interact with an image on the display 30, or otherwise control operation of the mobile terminal 20. Various other controls may also be provided on the housing 22, such as special purpose keys (not shown) that control one or more functional aspects of the mobile terminal 20. Because there are many types of mobile terminal housings 22 and associated components that are well known in the art and that may be utilized to practice the present invention, a more detailed description of these components is not required. It is understood that the present invention is not directed to any particular style of housing.
The upper housing portion 24 may also provide a camera function for the mobile terminal 20. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the upper housing portion 24 (
A main processor and a memory within the mobile terminal control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 20 and are together referred to herein as a “controller”, as is known in the art. Electrical and programmatic functions that are necessary to enable full use of the mobile terminal 20 are implemented through the controller. The controller, along with any microcode or other software instructions, comprise means for providing input to the mobile terminal 20. Certain embodiments of the present invention may be carried out by hardwired circuitry rather than by executing software, or by a combination of hardwired circuitry with software. Hence, it will be recognized that the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for software instructions.
The upper portion 24 and the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 are pivotally joined at one end such that the housing may function as a “flip phone”, as is conventional. In this arrangement, the upper portion 24 and the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 are moveable between a closed position, shown in
Referring to
The module 46 is pivotally mounted to the frame 42 at opposed pivoting connection points 50 at the longitudinal midpoint of the module 46 such that the module 46 is rotatable relative to the frame 42 about the connection points 50 through a range of up to at least about 180°. Accordingly, the module 46 is rotatable between a first position, shown in
Electrical contacts 52 may be provided on the frame 42 and the edge of the module 46. The contacts 52 engage in the first and second positions of the module 46 for electrically connecting the module 46 to the electronic components in the housing 22. Thus, when the module 46 is moved between the first and second positions, the ability to send and receive signals is automatically reinitiated when the module 46 reaches the new position. Electrical connection of the module 46 to the electronic components in the housing 22 could also be accomplished through the connection points 50. Alternatively, other means may be provided for electrically connecting the module 46 to the electronic components in the housing 22. For example, a switch, a relay or the like (not shown) could be operatively associated with the frame 42 and the module 46. A sensor could also be used to enable the determination of the relative position of the module 46 and the frame 42, eliminating the need for the separate switch. Signals may also be sent between the upper portion 24 and the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 via a Bluetooth or WLAN component in each portion of the housing 22. The antennas for the respective housing portions would preferably be located proximate to each other to allow for near-field coupling.
In the first position of the module 46 (
While the present invention is described herein in the context of a mobile terminal in the form of a mobile cellular telephone, it should be understood that the mobile terminal of the present invention is not so limited and may find utility in other electronics devices and applications. For example, the term “mobile telephone” as used herein may include a cellular radiotelephone with or without a multi-line display; landline and cordless telephones; a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular telephone with data processing, facsimile and data communications capabilities; internet/intranet access devices; organizers; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, pager, internet/intranet access, Web browser, organizer, calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; wristwatch keypad devices; and a conventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or other computer system that includes a display. Mobile telephones may also be referred to as “pervasive computing” devices. In one embodiment of the present invention, the invention may be implemented on a computer system having a memory circuit for storage of data, a display which acts to generate images, and a control circuit that is configured to control the flow of data between the memory and receiver.
Although the present invention has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that I do not intend to limit the invention to the embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. For example, the present invention is suitable for use in a number of portable and non-portable electronics devices and applications. Accordingly, we intend to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 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.
