GB2396769A

GB2396769A - Mobile communications device with retractable sliding keypad

Info

Publication number: GB2396769A
Application number: GB0230148A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byron Bakaimis
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-12-24
Filing date: 2002-12-24
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Also published as: GB0230148D0; KR100605958B1; KR20040058068A

Abstract

A mobile communications device, mobile telephone or PDA, comprising a casing 105, a display 103 and a flexible input device 101, such as a keypad or touch pad. The keypad 101 is located inside a cavity 107 and may be extended to make the keypad 101 available for use whilst obscuring the display 103, or retracted to make the display 103 fully visible. The position of the keypad 101 may be sensed and the positioning determines which of a plurality of modes the keypad 101 and display 103 are in. The keypad 101 may be manually movable or motorised.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

The present invention relates to mobile communication devices, and in particular the positioning of the input device of the mobile communication 5 device. Mobile communication devices, such as mobile telephones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), have several problems associated with finding a balance between having a large visible display allowing the user to see as much information as possible, and providing a suitably large input 10 device, such as a keypad or touch pad, in order to allow the user to input information into the device with ease. Consumer's desire that the size of these mobile communication devices is kept to a minimum.

Further to finding a solution to the above problems it is also necessary to take into account that, due to the small size of these devices, limited battery 15 power is available.

Known systems, for example US patent 6,064,734, use keypads that may be extended outwards from a housing of the device by sliding the keypad out of the device casing. However, this solution has the disadvantage of increasing the overall size of the device.

20 The present invention aims to overcome at least alleviate some or all of the aforementioned problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication device comprising a casing, a display and an input device,

wherein the input device is movable to a position whereby part of the input device is internal to the casing, and the position of the input device determines the visible region of the display.

The present invention provides the advantage of having an input 5 device that may be moved by the user so the user can select how much of the display is available to be viewed, while at the same time selecting how much of the input device is available for use.

An embodiment of the present invention provides the advantage of saving battery power by only activating the part of the display visible to the l O user and/or the part of the input device that is in a position where the user can use it.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 15 Figures la-lc are sectional side elevations that show the general principle behind an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a mobile communication device for use in embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3a shows a side view of the first embodiment, indicating the 20 internal workings of the device.

Figure 3b shows a top view of the internal workings of the device according to the first embodiment.

Figure 3c shows a three-dimensional view of the first embodiment.

Figures 3d-3e show alternative sliding devices.

Figures 3f-3g show an alternative keypad device for use in embodiments of the present invention.

Figures 4a-4b show a second embodiment of the present invention; 5 Figure 4c shows an alternative arrangement to the second embodiment; Figures 4d shows a front internal view of the second embodiment; Figure 4e shows a top view of the second embodiment; Figures Sa-5d show a third embodiment of the present invention; 10 Figures 6a-6d show alternative arrangements to the third embodiment; Figures 7a-7b show a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a mobile communication device for use in the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figures 9a-9c show a front view of a mobile communication device as 15 an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures la-lc show the general principle behind the following embodiments described below, and in particular show a mobile communication device, such as mobile phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), which incorporates an input device 101, such as a keypad or a touch 20 pad, a display 103 and a casing 105.

As shown in Figure la, the main part of the keypad 101 is located inside a cavity 107, with a portion of the keypad 101 extending out of the cavity 107. The cavity 107 is located within the casing 105 of the mobile

communication device. The cavity 107 is shown in this embodiment as being a slot with a curved opening portion for receiving the keypad 101. The slot is a J-shaped channel as viewed internally from the side of the device.

Alternatively, the slot may be of any other shape capable of receiving and 5 storing the keypad.

With the position of the keypad 101 as shown in Figure la, the display 103 of the mobile communication device is fully visible, as the keypad 101 does not obscure any part of the display 103.

A user of the mobile communication device may move the keypad 101 10 in a direction as indicated in Figure lb, so that the keypad 101 is moved out of the cavity 107 and the display 103 becomes partially obscured by the keypad 101. Therefore, at the same time, more of the keypad 101 becomes available for use by the user than that shown in Figure l a.

Figure lc shows the keypad 101 placed in a position such that the 15 majority of the keypad 101 is outside of the cavity 107. In this position most of the display 103 is obscured but the keypad 101 is fully available for use by the user.

The keypad lot may also be moved back into the cavity 107 when the user no longer requires the use of the input device but requires full visibility 20 of the display 103.

Although only three positions are shown in Figures la-lc it will be clear that any number of different positions may be realised.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

Figure 2 shows an example of a mobile communication device system that includes a power supply 201, such as a battery, and a transmitting and receiving means 203 for sending and receiving data via a wireless 5 communication channel utilising a system such as, for example, UMTS, GPRS or GSM. The device further includes a smart card 205, such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module), a controller 207 and a memory storage device 209, such as an E2PROM. All the components work in conjunction with each other in order for a user to communicate with users using other devices.

10 Figures 3a and 3b show a keypad 301 that incorporates two sliding lugs 311. Each of the lugs 311 of the keypad 301 are attached to, and located on, either side of the keypad 301 so that they extend out of the casing 305 of the mobile communication device and are movable along a channel 309. This ensures the keypad movement is only along a single plane.

15 The lugs 311 are located within a linear sliding channel 309 within the casing 305. This allows the user to manually move the keypad 301 to any desired position, by applying a force to the lugs 311, or the keypad 301, in one direction, thereby obscuring or showing the amount of the display 303 required by the user. As the keypad 301 exposes the display 303 at the end of 20 the keypad 301 where the lugs 311 are provided, the other end of the keypad 301 enters into the cavity 307 internal to the casing 305 of the mobile communication device. Thereby, a user of the device can choose how much

of the display 303 is visible, while at the same time choosing how much of the keypad 301 is available for use.

As the keypad 301 is fed internally into the cavity 307 of the casing 305, the amount of space required for storing the keypad 301 is kept to a 5 minimum. This ensures the overall size of the mobile communication device is also kept to a minimum.

An alternative arrangement to this first embodiment is shown in Figure 3d.

The keypad 301 of the mobile communication device includes a 10 sliding bar 313 attached to the side edges of the keypad 301 as an alternative to the lugs 311. The sliding bar 313 is incorporated on the two outermost edges of the keypad 301, and is located within a sliding channel 309. The sliding bar 313 enables the user to move the keypad 301 to any desired position by pressing down upon the keypad 301, and further exerting pressure 15 in the required sliding direction. The sliding bar 313 further provides support to the keypad 301 and ensures that the keypad 301 is rigid within the casing 305. A further alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 3e, wherein the sliding bar 313 is attached to the keypad 301 from beneath the keypad 301.

20 Thus allowing increased support of the keypad when the user presses down on to the keypad in order to move it.

Yet a further alternative to the embodiment described above is shown l in Figure 3f, wherein a keypad holder 321 comprises rows of physically

interconnected slats 315 locked together. The slats 315 are locked together using flexible plastic links 317 as shown in Figure 3g. The plastic links 317 locate within holes 319 situated at either side of each slat 315 allowing the slats 315 to be interconnected in a flexible manner so the keypad may be 5 moved along in one direction whilst being directed into the cavity 307 of the device. A flexible plastic keypad is then fixed to the surface of the keypad holder 321 using an adhesive. The flexible keypad may be fixed by any other alternative means suitable, such as semi permanent fixings using plastic snap on connections. Alternative ways of connecting the slats together may also be 10 used, such as, for example, using flexible moulded plastic strips formed between each slat to produce a single moulded plastic device.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Figures 4a-4b show a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4a shows a mobile communication device with a keypad 401, a 15 display 403, a casing 405 and a cavity 407.

The keypad 401 further incorporates two keypad locators 413 attached to either side of the keypad 401, and situated between the keypad 401 and the top surface of the casing 405. The top surface of the casing 405 includes retaining portions 415 situated in line with the direction of the keypad. The 20 j retaining portions 415 are plastic portions formed on the lower surface of the sliding channel (not shown). The retaining portions 415, as indicated in Figures 4a and 4b, are shown in this embodiment as triangular shaped

portions but may also be any other suitable shape, for example, a cylindrical or rectangular shape.

The keypad locators 413 are plastic portions formed on the underside of the keypad as shown in Figure 4b, and are shown in this embodiment as a 5 partial disc shape with a flat edge for securing to the underside of the keypad.

However, the keypad locators 413 may be of any other suitable shape, for example, a triangular or rectangular shape The retaining portions 415 and the keypad locators 413 may be, for example, any type of resilient or deformable plastic material.

10 The keypad 401 may be moved and locked into position by the user of the device by moving the keypad 401 using, for example, the sliding lugs 311 shown in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, or the sliding bar 313 shown in Figure 3d or Figure 3e. Each of the keypad locators 413 will slide over and come to a stop between two of the retaining portions 415 until the user is happy with the 15 position of the keypad 401. Once in the required position the keypad 401 is fixed by the keypad locator 413 and retaining portions 415. This makes it possible for the keypad 401 of the mobile communication device to have a preset number of keypad positions, enabling the user to choose one of these positions for using the keypad 401 of the mobile communication device.

20 Figure 4b shows a close-up three-dimensional view of the retaining portions 415 shown in Figure 4a.

Alternatively, the retaining portions 415 may be situated within the cavity 407 of the casing 405, with the keypad locator 413 attached to the end of the keypad 401, as shown in Figure 4c.

Figures 4d and 4e show an alternative to using the sliding lugs 311 5 whereby the keypad locator 413 is external to the cavity 407 and is used in conjunction with the sliding bar 213, as discussed above. Figure 4d shows a cross sectional front view of the device, while Figure 4e shows a view from the top of the device indicating the internal components.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

10 Figures 5a, 5c and 5d show a side view of the internal workings of a mobile communication device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. For clarity purposes, the sliding arrangements for the keypad are not shown, but may include any of the sliding means discussed above.

The device includes a keypad 501, a display 503, a casing 505 and a 15 cavity 507.

The third embodiment further includes a rotating device 521, which is incorporated within the cavity 507 of the mobile communication device. The rotating device 521 has a thumbwheel 519 attached to it and located through a central axis of the rotating device 521 such that when the thumbwheel 519 is 20 rotated, the rotating device 521 also rotates. Between the keypad 501 and the rotating device 521, a friction means is supplied so that the keypad 501 attaches itself to the rotating device 521. Therefore, as the thumbwheel 519 is rotated by the user of the device, the rotating device 521 turns in the same

direction as that of the thumbwheel 519 being rotated by the user. The keypad 501 is thus moved in and out of the cavity 507 situated within the casing 505 of the mobile communication device.

The thumbwheel 519, as shown in Figure 5b is external to the casing 5 505, but alternatively may be removed. The rotating device 521 may then be rotated by means of an electric motor (not shown). The motor may, for example, be actuated through the pressing of a predetermined button upon the keypad 501 of the device.

Alternatively, the user may push down upon the keypad and initiate 10 movement of the keypad, the movement then being taken over by the motor after suitable sensors detect this movement.

Figures 5c and 5d show the movement of the keypad 501 as it is rotated around the rotating device 521 due to the movement of the thumbwheel 519. The Figures indicate that the keypad 501 may be moved to 15 any position required by the user, thus allowing the user to determine how much of the display 503 is visible for viewing, and also allowing the user to choose how much of the keypad 501 is available for use.

Figures 6a-6d show various rotating devices that may be used as an alternative to the third embodiment shown in Figures 5a-5d.

20 Figure 6a shows a rotating drum 627 with drum teeth 629. The drum teeth 629 locate within a keypad recess 635 on the keypad 601. Also, keypad teeth 625 on the keypad locate within a drum recess 631 of the rotating drum 627. Thus, as the drum 627 is rotated by turning a thumbwheel 619 situated

centrally through the axis of the rotating drum 627, the teeth and recesses of the drum and keypad interlock and allow a rotational movement of the keypad 601 such that it is moved around the rotating drum 627 and is moved in and out of the cavity of the mobile communication device.

5 Figure 6b shows a front view of a rotating drum 627. It can be seen that the thumbwheel 619 is external to the rotating drum 627, however, alternatively the thumbwheel 619 may be removed and the rotating drum 627 may be rotated by use of a motor as discussed above Figure 6b shows that the teeth 629 of the rotating drum 627 may be 10 situated along the whole external width of the drum 627 so that they may interlock with the relevant teeth 625 and recesses 635 of the keypad 601 along the full width of the keypad 601.

Figure 6c shows a further alternative arrangement to the teeth and recess layout of the rotating drum 627. In this configuration, the teeth 629 15 and the recesses 631 of the drum 627 do not extend along the whole width of the drum 627 but are situated only on each edge of the rotating drum 627.

Thus, the keypad 601 is only required to have keypad teeth 625 and keypad recesses 635 located at either side of the keypad 601 in order to lock into the teeth 629 of the rotating drum 627.

20 Figure 6d shows an alternative arrangement to the rotating means. A rotating drum 627 is rotated either through manual movement of a thumbwheel 619 or alternatively through use of a motor, as discussed above.

The keypad 601 is attached to the rotating drum 627 through the use of a

fixing 633. The keypad 601 is then wrapped around the rotating drum 627 within the cavity of the mobile communication device.

The fixing 633 may be any suitable fixing such as permanent fixing, for example glue, or may be a semi-permanent fixing such as a plastic snap fit 5 connection or a screw.

FOURTH EMBODIMENT

Figures 7a and 7b show a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Any of the arrangements discussed above may be used in conjunction with the following embodiment. For example, sliding bars or sliding lugs 10 may be used, with or without keypad retaining portions, which may be internal or external to the cavity. Also, the keypad may be moved into and out of the cavity by utilising the rotating drum devices discussed in the third embodiment, or by merely being pushed into the cavity as discussed in the first and second embodiments.

15 Figure 7a shows a number of sensors 717, which are used in conjunction with a keypad locator 713 situated external to the cavity 707 of the mobile communication device casing. This allows the keypad 701 to be moved and locked into a position chosen by the user, and for the sensors 717 to provide signals indicating the position of the keypad locator 713.

20 Figure 7b shows an alternative arrangement wherein the sensors 717 are situated near to the cavity 707 of the mobile communication device casing. Alternatively, the sensors may be situated in any suitable position such as the top part of the device casing (not shown).

A block diagram of a mobile communication device for use with the sensors 717 described above is shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8 shows a mobile communication device block diagram including a transceiver 805 for receiving and sending data over an air 5 interface, a SIM card 807, a controller 809 for controlling data flowing from the SIM card 807 to and from a memory device such as an E2PROM 811.

The device further includes sensors 817 that send positional data to a detection device 813. The detection device 813 determines the position of the keypad 801 relative to the display 803 and sends the positional data to 10 respective display and keypad controllers (815 & 819). The controllers (815 & 819) then control the data sent, and the power applied, to the display 803 and the keypad 801 as discussed below.

As the position of the keypad 801 changes, the sensors 817 provide a signal to the detection device 813. The detection device 813 provides signals 15 relative to the location of the keypad to a display power controller 815, which in turn sends control information to the display so that the amount of power applied to the display 803 is controlled, and therefore controls how much of the display is active. Therefore, the only part of the display 803 that becomes fully active is the area of the display that the keypad 801 is not positioned 20 above and so obscured by the display 803.

Therefore, a power saving arrangement is provided whereby the display 803 is not being powered up unnecessarily. Therefore, the power of

the battery within the mobile communication device is not used unnecessarily and so is able to provide power to the device for longer.

Alternatively, it would also be possible for the sensing means 817 to provide signals that switch on and off the power to the keypad 801 depending 5 upon the position of the input device locator 813 relative to the sensors 817.

Therefore, parts of the keypad may only be activated when those parts of the keypad are situated outside of the cavity. The keypad activation is based upon signals sent from the detection device 813 to a keypad controller 819.

This provides further power savings through not providing power to those 10 parts of the keypad 801 that may not be used by the user, i.e. those parts of the keypad that are situated within the cavity.

As the size of the display changes, as discussed in the fourth embodiment of the present invention above, it also becomes desirable to adjust the data to be displayed on the display in order that it fits on the display 15 and is displayed clearly and legibly. For example, as the visible portion of the display changes in size, the display controller 819 adjusts the data being sent to the display so that the data is remapped to the display in order to provide larger or smaller pictures and text sizes, which are capable of being viewed on the visible display. The reader is referred to co-pending UK application 20 GB0215055.5 for more details.

EXAMPLES OF USE

An example of a mobile communication device utilising any of the previously discussed embodiments of the present invention is shown in

Figures 9a-c. These Figures show how the visibility of the display 903 varies as the keypad 901 is moved into different positions.

For example Figure 9a shows that the keypad 901 is at a 'minimum use' position, so the display 903 is fully visible. This configuration could be 5 useful if the user requires use of the Internet and wishes to view web pages.

For example, with the display at a maximum size, the screen is capable of showing a web page and associated menus of the web page. The keypad can have associated navigation keys active so that the user is able to navigate the web page with ease. Also, other keys may be available for inputting 10 necessary data into any web sites that require user information.

Figure 9b shows a configuration where a user may, for example, wish to read or send SMS (Short Message Service) messages using the mobile communication device. The configuration shows enough of the display 903 for the user to read the SMS message, while allowing use of the necessary 15 keys 935 on the keypad 901 for receiving and entering text messages.

Figure 9c shows a further example configuration wherein the mobile communication device may be used for talking to a user with another mobile telephone. In this configuration it is not necessary to have the display 903 fully visible, whereas all the keys 935 may be required for dialling relevant 20 telephone numbers.

Alternatively, the keypad 901 may be moved so that it completely covers the display. This will protect the display from any damage while it is

being stored away in a user's bag or pocket from, for example, any sharp objects that may scratch the display.

FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that embodiments of the present invention are 5 described by way of example only, and that modifications may be made, and alternatives may be used, without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will further be understood that the display may be moved relative to the keypad, as well as the keypad moving relative to the display. For example, the keypad may be in a fixed position with the display arranged to 10 move over the top of the keypad into various different positions such that the amount of visible display and the amount of keypad available for use changes relative to the display position. The display is moved such that it enters the cavity within the casing of the mobile communication device.

It will further be understood that the mobile communication device 15 may be any type of mobile communication device, such as a personal digital assistant or mobile telephone, or indeed any other mobile communication device where there is a requirement to be able to adjust the amount of input device available for use while at the same time keeping the overall size of the mobile communication device to a minimum.

20 It will further be understood that the input device may be gathered up internally into the casing of the mobile communication device by any other suitable means, for example the input device may be in a sectional

configuration where it can be gathered into the cavity of the device in a concertina fashion.

It will further be understood that different types of sensors may be used, such as analogue or digital. Also, the sensors may be any type of 5 suitable sensor such as microswitches, optical, pressure sensitive, inductive or magnetic sensors.

It will further be understood that the display may be a standard liquid crystal display (LCD), or any other type of display. The display may also be a combination of a display with a touch sensitive screen and a separate keypad.

10 It will further be understood that the input device may be a touch pad, keypad or combination thereof.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device comprising a casing, a display and an input device, wherein the input device is movable such that at least 5 part of the input device is located internal to the casing, whereby the position of the input device determines the visible region of the display.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1 further comprising a sensing means that produces signals in relation to the position of 10 the input device.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein the signals provided by the sensing means determine which of a plurality of modes the input device is in.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 3 wherein a first portion of the input device is active in a first mode and additional portions of the input device become active in any second and subsequent modes.

20 5. The mobile communication device of claim 2 wherein in the signals provided by the sensing means determine which of a plurality of modes the display is in.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 5 wherein a first portion of the display is active in a first mode and additional portions of the display become active in any second and subsequent modes.

5 7. The mobile communication device of claim 4 or claim 6 wherein the different modes of the input device and display allow the active regions of the input device and display to change relative to each other.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 7 wherein only the 10 part of the display not obscured by the input device is active.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the input device is movable by a manually operated means.

15 lo. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the input device is moveable by an electrically operated means.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10 wherein the electrically operated means is a motor.

12. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a keypad.

13. The mobile communication device of claim 1 wherein the input device is a touch sensitive pad.

14. The mobile communication device of any preceding claim 5 wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile telephone.

15. A mobile communication device as substantially herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10 16. A mobile communication device comprising a casing, a display and an input device, wherein the input device is movable in a direction of movement between an extended and a retracted position and is flexible perpendicular to the direction of movement allowing the input device to move along a U-shaped locus.