U.S. patent application number 09/023277 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for mobile communication devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARTO PEUHU, TA MPERE. Invention is credited to ISOTALO, MIKA, PEUHU, ARTO.
Application Number | 20010034249 09/023277 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8548262 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010034249 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PEUHU, ARTO ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Abstract
A mobile communication device has a housing 1 containing battery
and electronic component compartments 7. Located along a central
axis of the housing 1 is a spring mounted roller 4 to which is
attached a flexible liquid crystal display 9. The housing 1
contains a compartment between the roller 4 and the outer wall of
the housing 1 for storing the display 9 in a retracted position. An
elongate slot 12 extends axially along the housing 1 such that the
display 9 can be pulled through the slot 12 by a user to a
withdrawn position in which the display 9 is visible to the
user.
Inventors: |
PEUHU, ARTO; (TAMPERE,
FI) ; ISOTALO, MIKA; (TAMPERE, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PERMAN & GREEN
425 POST ROAD
FAIRFIELD
CT
064306232
|
Assignee: |
ARTO PEUHU, TA MPERE
|
Family ID: |
8548262 |
Appl. No.: |
09/023277 |
Filed: |
February 13, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
455/550.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/0268 20130101;
G06F 1/1652 20130101; G06F 1/1626 20130101; H04B 1/3833 20130101;
G09F 9/301 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
455/550 |
International
Class: |
H04M 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 1997 |
FI |
970755 |
Claims
1. A mobile communication device comprising a flexible electronic
display and a housing for the display, wherein the display is
movable between a retracted position within the housing and an
in-use position where the display is visible to a user.
2. A device according to claim 1, the electronic display comprising
a flexible liquid crystal display.
3. A device according to claim 1 and comprising a spring mounting
coupling the display to the housing, wherein the display can be
withdrawn from the housing against the action of the spring
mounting and, after withdrawal, the display can be retracted into
the housing under the action of the mounting.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the mounting comprises
locking means for locking the display in the in-use position and
associated release means.
5. A device according to claim 3, the mounting comprising switch
means for electrically activating the display when it is withdrawn
from the housing.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display is divided,
in the direction of withdrawal, into a number of segments each of
which is independently powered.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting for the
display is arranged so that the display can be withdrawn segment by
segment so that only those segments which the user requires to see
are visible and powered.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the display has one or
more touch-sensitive electronic elements which are accessible to
the user when the display is withdrawn.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the display comprises row
driver lines extending along edge regions of the display in the
direction of withdrawal of the display, these edge regions
comprising non-active display areas, touch-sensitive elements being
provided at these edge regions together with associated permanent
icons.
10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a
first compartment for containing the retracted display and a second
compartment within the first compartment for containing electrical
components, wherein said components are substantially surrounded by
the retracted display.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the housing is
substantially cylindrical and the first compartment is a
substantially annular space defined by the inner surface of the
housing and said electrical components.
12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a
transparent window provided therein through which an active portion
of the display may be viewed.
13. A device according to claim 1, the device being a mobile
telephone, and comprising switch means arranged to be activated
when the display is withdrawn from the housing to act as on
`off-hook` switch for the telephone.
14. A mobile telephone comprising a flexible electronic display and
a housing for containing the display, the display being movable
between a retracted position within the housing to an in-use
position where the display is visible to a user, the telephone
further comprising switch means actuatable by movement of the
display from the retracted position to the in-use position upon
receipt of a telephone call to take the telephone off-hook.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to mobile communication
devices and more particularly, though not necessarily, to mobile
telephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Mobile telephones are becoming increasingly popular due in
part to the dramatic miniaturisation of mobile telephones which has
occurred over the past decade. However, there remains a desire to
further miniaturise mobile telephones whilst also including
additional features, e.g. increased memory. A limitation on the
scale of miniaturisation which can be achieved is the necessity to
provide an electronic display which is large enough to provide
information (e.g. alphanumeric characters and icons) to the
telephone user. The need for displays also significantly affects
the weight and design of mobile phones. Typically, phone displays
are conventional liquid crystal displays (LCD) which may occupy up
to 25% of the front surface area of the telephone.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile
communication device which overcomes or at least mitigates certain
of the aforementioned disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a mobile communication device comprising a flexible
electronic display and a housing for containing the display,
wherein the display is movable between a retracted position within
the housing to an in-use position where the display is visible to a
user.
[0005] The provision of a flexible display may significantly reduce
the contribution which the display makes to the size and weight of
the device. It also becomes possible to provide a much larger
display area than is possible with conventional solid LCD's. Device
optimisation may provide for both reduced weight and size and
increased display area. The present invention may also give
increased flexibility to device design as the design is no longer
constrained by bulky and rigid conventional LCD's.
[0006] Preferably, the flexible electronic display is a flexible
liquid crystal display.
[0007] Preferably, the display is coupled via a spring mounting to
the housing, wherein the display can be withdrawn from the housing
against the action of the spring mounting and, after withdrawal,
the display can be retracted into the housing under the action of
the mounting. The mounting may also comprise locking means for
locking the display in the in-use position and associated release
means. The mounting may comprise switch means, for example
associated with the locking means, for electrically activating the
display when it is withdrawn from the housing. It will be
appreciated that such switch means may provide for reduced power
consumption, an important consideration where battery size and life
are critical.
[0008] The display may be divided, in the direction of withdrawal,
into a number of segments each of which is independently powered.
The mounting for the display may be arranged such that the display
can be withdrawn, and possibly retracted, segment by segment so
that only those segments which the user requires to see are visible
and powered. This provides for further economy of power
consumption.
[0009] The display may be provided with one or more touch sensitive
elements or `buttons` which are accessible to the user when the
display is withdrawn. It will be appreciated that the provision of
these elements may reduce or eliminate the need for mechanical
buttons elsewhere on the mobile device and may therefore provide
for further economies of size and weight. These elements may be
provided directly over active areas, over non-display areas, or
over a combination of both. Where the elements are provided over
active areas, the display controller may be arranged in use to
display in those active areas icons or messages which relate to the
function of the element. For elements over non-display areas,
permanent legends may be displayed under (if the elements are
transparent) or on the elements. Typically, the display may
comprise non-active display areas which lie over the routes which
the row driver lines for the display are grouped, e.g. along the
edges of the display in the direction of withdrawal, in which case
these areas may provide suitable locations for touch sensitive
elements with associated permanent icons or legends.
[0010] Preferably, the housing comprises first and second
compartments for containing the retracted display and electronic
components of the device respectively. More preferably, the second
compartment is substantially contained within the first
compartment. For example, the housing may be substantially
cylindrical, with the first compartment lying coaxially around the
second compartment. Alternatively, the first compartment may be
substantially U-shaped with the second compartment being located in
the center thereof.
[0011] In order to provide support for the flexible display there
may be provided a support member which can be extended from a
withdrawn position in which it is contained within or close to the
housing to an extended position in which it supports the display.
In one embodiment, this support member may also provide an
extendible antenna for the device.
[0012] The device may have a transparent window provided in the
housing and through which an active portion of the display may be
viewed.
[0013] The present invention is applicable in particular to mobile
telephones although it will be appreciated that other mobile
communication devices such as pagers and integrated mobile phones
and personal digital assistants (PDA) also fall within the scope of
the present invention. In the case of mobile phones, the display
mounting mechanism may comprise on/off switch means which is
activated when the display is withdrawn or retracted and which
causes the phone to be switched on or off. In certain circumstances
it may be unnecessary for the user to see the display in order to
use the phone, e.g. when an incoming call is received, and the
phone may therefore comprise additional switch means on the
exterior of the housing.
[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a mobile telephone comprising a flexible electronic
display and a housing for containing the display, the display being
movable between a retracted position within the housing to an
in-use position where the display is visible to a user, the
telephone further comprising switch means actuatable, by movement
of the display from the retracted position to the in-use position
upon receipt of a telephone call, to take the telephone
off-hook.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a mobile phone
having a flexible display, with the display in the retracted
position;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the phone of FIG. 1 with the
display in the withdrawn position;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view through the
phone of FIG. 1 taken on the line A-A;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a display mounting mechanism of the phone of
FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view through the mounting
mechanism of FIG. 4 taken on the line B-B;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows in more detail a display of the phone of FIG.
1;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a first modification to the phone of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a side view in partial cross-section of the
modification of FIG. 7; and
[0023] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a mobile phone
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] A mobile phone is shown schematically in FIGS. 1 to 5 and
comprises a circularity cylindrical housing 1 of rigid plastics or
the like. An antenna 2 (e.g. telescopic or fixed) and a belt clip 3
are provided in a known manner. In certain cases, the antenna 2 may
be internal to the housing 1. The housing 1 contains a cylindrical
roller 4 which is mounted coaxially within the housing 1 such that
the roller 4 can rotate about the central axis of the housing 1.
The mounting for the roller is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and
5 and comprises a pair of cylindrical mounts 5 into which
respective ends 6 of the roller 4 are located, the ends 6 being
rotatable within the mounts 5. Projecting ends of the roller are
received by locating recesses (not shown in the drawings) provided
in the opposing surfaces of adjacent compartments 7, which
compartments contain the battery supply for the phone and other
electrical components. The mounts are fixed to the opposing
cylindrical compartments 7. As is shown in FIG. 5, each mount 5
contains a spirally wound spring 8 which is secured at its
outermost end to the inner surface of the mount 5 and at its
innermost end to the roller 4.
[0025] A flexible rectangular LCD display 9 is electrically and
mechanically coupled to the center of the roller 4 by a short
length of ribbon cable 10, the roller 4 and the mounts 5 providing
a spring mounting for the display 9. The display 9 is also secured
to the mounts 5 in the same axial plane as the coupling to the
roller 4 (along regions A and B as shown if FIG. 4). The mounts 5
bias the roller so that, when no external force is applied to the
display and the mounts are not locked (see below), the mounts tend
to wrap the display 9 around the mounts 5 and the compartments 7.
An elongate slot 12 extends axially along the housing 1 and when
the display 9 is fully retracted only a small tab 13, fixed to the
display, projects through the slot 12. In order to withdraw the
display 9, a user must grasp the tab 13 and pull the display 9
through the slot 12 against the action of the mounts 5. A lock 35
is provided for the mounts 5 so that when the display 9 is fully
withdrawn automatic retraction is prevented. The lock 35 also
prevents the display 9 being damaged due to over withdrawal. The
lock 35 is engaged automatically following withdrawal of the
display 1 and is released by the user pressing that portion of the
lock 35 which projects from the housing 1.
[0026] A flexible LCD suitable for use in the embodiment described
here is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,232. A typical
layout for the display 9 is shown in FIG. 6. That part of the
display 9 which is located above the line 14 is always contained
within the housing 1 and is the location for the row and column
drivers of the LCD pixels. Column drivers 15 are located in the
central region of the display 9 whilst the row drivers 16 are
located at the two end regions. This arrangement allows the row
driver connections to be located along opposing edge regions 17 of
the display 9. Whilst these edge regions 17 are unusable as active
LCD display areas, permanent icons 18 overlaid with a matrix of
transparent touch-sensitive elements (not shown) can be located
there. In use, functions indicated by the permanent icons are
activated by touching the overlying elements.
[0027] The display 9 is coupled to a switch 29 within the housing
1, the switch 29 being switched from an off-condition to an
on-condition when the display is withdrawn from the housing 1. In
the off-condition, the switch isolates the display 9 from the
battery supply whilst in the on-condition power is supplied from
the battery supply to turn the display 9 on. When an incoming call
is received, withdrawal of the display 9 and the consequent
actuation of the switch 29 also causes the phone to be taken
`off-hook `. That is to say that the telephone is activated to
enable the user to hear and reply to the caller.
[0028] Transparent touch-sensitive elements (not shown) are also
overlaid on the active areas of the display 9. In use, icons or
text 20 is displayed by the control software under the icons and
again functions are activated or information entered by touching
these elements.
[0029] As is indicated by the dashed line 21 in FIG. 6, the display
9 can be sub-divided into a number of segments 22 (in this case
two) each of which is backlight independently. The outermost
segment 22b may for example be used to display the number of an
incoming call or the number of a dialled outgoing call. The
mounting for the display 9 may be such that the display lock
operates when only the outermost segment 22b is withdrawn from the
housing, causing this segment 22b to be backlight. If it is
necessary to view the innermost segment 22a, the lock may be
released and the display 9 withdrawn further with backlight being
supplied to the segments in sequence as they appear. In general,
the most used areas of the display 9 are located on the outer
segment whilst the least used areas are located on the inner
segment.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows a modification to the phone of FIG. 1 and in
which the housing 1 is provided with a transparent display window
23, adjacent to the slot 12. This window 23 allows a user to view
the outermost segment 22b of the display 9 without having to
withdraw it through the slot 12. Additionally, the antenna 2 of the
phone of FIG. 1 is replaced by a folding antenna 24 which can be
folded (position `F`) against the housing 1 or can be unfolded
(position `U`) to provide support for the display 9. FIG. 8 shows a
side view of the modified phone of FIG. 7 (with a cross-section
taken through the housing only) and in particular shows the
double-sided backlighting utilised. The transparent backlighting
strip 31 of the display 9 is attached to the inner surface of the
flexible LCD portion 32 so that the outermost display segment 22b
is backlight from both sides. This allows the outermost segment 22b
to be viewed from below (with reference to FIG. 8) through the
window 23 when the display 9 is retracted and from above when the
display 9 is withdrawn.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention in which the phone housing 25 is rectangular in
cross-section. A generally U-shaped compartment 26 is provided
within the housing 25 for storing the display 27. The battery 30
and other electrical components 31 are contained in a central
compartment 28 of the housing 25. The display 27 is arranged to be
spring mounted within the housing 25 so that it can be retracted
thereinto when not in use.
[0032] It will be appreciated by the skilled person that
modifications may be made to the embodiments described above
without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the
flexible LCD display may be replaced with a simple display
comprising a sheet of electroluminescent (EL) plastics material
having an opaque backing sheet attached thereto. Alphanumeric
characters are printed on the front of the EL sheet and the display
is electrically divided into segments so that each segment can be
individually illuminated to highlight the characters printed on the
segment. Such a display may be sufficient for indicating, for
example, the operating mode of the telephone, e.g. incoming call
received, calling, stand-by etc. Alternatively a flexible display
making use of electronically addressable ink material may be used.
Such a display is described for example in "Electrophoretic Ink: A
Printable Display Material", B. Comiskey, J. D. Albert, J.
Jacobson, Society for Information Display, May 1997 Digest, pp.
75-76, (ISSN0097-0966X/97/2801-- 0075).
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