U.S. patent application number 13/858344 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for mobile, handheld wireless communication device, smartphone, with improved functionality.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Ashmore Lumbard. Invention is credited to John Ashmore Lumbard.
Application Number | 20150011262 13/858344 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52133158 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150011262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lumbard; John Ashmore |
January 8, 2015 |
Mobile, Handheld Wireless Communication Device, Smartphone, With
Improved Functionality
Abstract
A folding, handheld wireless communication device that is
designed to be carried in a hip pocket like a wallet. The advent of
curved touch-sensitive glass will facilitate the design of wireless
devices that conform to the user's body. Wallets have much greater
interior volume and surface area than today's smartphones, which
are plagued by design compromises that result from the need to
tightly pack components into small spaces. The advantages of this
novel design include ruggedness, better antennae, a full QWERTY
keyboard with a complete set of symbols, a large and
removable/replaceable battery, a larger and more-functional
display, better speakers and sound, and space to accommodate extra
features such as earbuds and their wires.
Inventors: |
Lumbard; John Ashmore;
(Hollis, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lumbard; John Ashmore |
Hollis |
NH |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52133158 |
Appl. No.: |
13/858344 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/566 ;
455/575.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01Q 1/243 20130101;
H04M 1/0216 20130101; G06F 1/165 20130101; G06F 1/1616 20130101;
H04M 1/0279 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/566 ;
455/575.3 |
International
Class: |
H04M 1/02 20060101
H04M001/02 |
Claims
1) Any folding wireless communication device that is curved, at any
radius, for the purpose of carrying it in the user's hip pocket
like a wallet.
2) Any folding wireless communication device--with a flat and rigid
display screen--that is curved, at any radius, for the purpose of
carrying it in the user's hip pocket like a wallet.
3) Any folding wireless communication device--with a curved and
rigid display screen--that is curved, at any radius, for the
purpose of carrying it in the user's hip pocket like a wallet.
4) Any folding wireless communication device--with a flexible
display screen--that is curved, at any radius, for the purpose of
carrying it in the user's hip pocket like a wallet.
5) Any folding wireless communication device whose upper surface is
curved, at any radius, for the purpose of carrying it in the user's
hip pocket like a wallet.
6) Any folding wireless communication device whose undermost
surface is curved, at any radius, for the purpose of carrying it in
the user's hip pocket like a wallet.
7) Any wireless communication device that is curved to conform to
the buttocks of the user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N.A.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] N.A.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] N.A.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The design of wireless telephones has always involved
compromises, which mostly result from a desire to produce small
devices that will fit comfortably in a pocket. The advent of
touchscreen smartphones has exacerbated that problem, because users
want large screens. It is now possible to manufacture curved
touchscreen glass, thus allowing devices that conform to the user's
body. Flexible touchscreen glass is not yet available, but a
smartphone with a rigid, curved body would fit easily in a hip
pocket.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Many users already carry smartphones in their hip pockets,
despite an awkward fit and a risk of breakage. This design is for a
device that would fit comfortably in a user's hip pocket like a
wallet--an accessory that is far thicker than today's wireless
devices, and which offers far more surface area when opened.
Increased surface area and volume are the solution to the many of
the design compromises of today's wireless phones.
[0006] This design offers a full QWERTY keyboard; two display
screens (one large touchscreen, and a smaller electronic-paper
screen for writing messages without draining the battery); an
oversized, removable battery; better antennae and thus better
reception; and improved sound; all enclosed within a rugged
clamshell case that is designed to absorb the shock of a fall
without the "Spiderman" damage to the display that is common with
today's smartphones.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows the device when open. The large touchscreen of
the upper section, backed by a curved sheet of carbon fiber, is
clearly visible; as is the smaller electronic-paper screen of the
lower section. The user will be able to type messages while viewing
a document online. Below the smaller screen is a full QWERTY
keyboard, with a full set of the most-commonly-used symbols, all
with tactile rubberized buttons that facilitate rapid typing.
[0008] When speaking the user would put his or her ear to the
earphone in the top right corner of the device, as shown, and
speak--with privacy, in a manner similar to the old telephone
handset--into the microphone located in the middle of the keyboard.
The curve of the display screen will keep it free of the smudging
that is common to most of today's devices.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the device in a closed position, with a view of
the exterior of the top section. The crown and hinges are padded,
and the edges flex to absorb the shock of a fall. The cover for the
camera lens can be seen in the bottom left corner.
[0010] The user can speak into the phone when closed, via a
microphone at the hinge end. There are speakers in the side walls
of the phone, so it could be used in speakerphone mode while
carried in a breast pocket.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the underside of the device while in closed
position. The user would insert the smartphone into his or her hip
pocket with the hinges up, and sit on the tapered and flexible
corners shown at the bottom of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] This is a clamshell design; similar to the flip phones that
were popular in the years before smartphones were introduced, but
significantly larger. The additional size is made possible by the
curves of the phone, which allow it to be inserted comfortably in a
hip pocket rather than a front pocket. Greater width, length, and
thickness allow more display area, a full QWERTY keyboard, and
other advantages: [0013] 1) The antenna elements used for reception
in the 700 MHz band (commonly used for LTE transmission) should
ideally be 7.4'' to 8.5'' long. Current smartphones are not long or
wide enough for this ideal, and instead use cleverly-designed
antennae that are only 70% efficient. A wallet-like form factor can
easily offer this length, when opened. [0014] 2) Many smartphone
users already carry their devices, awkwardly, in their hip pockets.
The advent of curved touch-sensitive glass (such as Corning's
Willow Glass) will allow the design of wireless devices that
conform to the user's body. Curved does not have to mean flexible;
many years might pass before flexible displays become a reality,
but a curved and rigid screen can be well protected by a folding
device that has flexible edges for comfort and ruggedness. [0015]
3) The design allows a full QWERTY keyboard with tactile buttons.
The keyboard includes punctuation and symbols, delete and backspace
buttons, and a navigation button to easily place the cursor where
desired. [0016] 4) The design offers a large screen, comparable to
those in today's most-popular smartphones; as well as a smaller
electronic-paper screen, above the keyboard, which can be used to
create e-mails and text messages without draining battery power.
Alternately both screens can be used at once, to review a document
or web page while writing. [0017] 5) The wallet-like form factor
allows significant thickness, relative to current designs, and a
much-greater surface area for screens and for a full-featured
keypad. The additional volume can be used for a larger, removable
battery; better speakers; and other features. [0018] 6) The
old-fashioned telephone handset is still the gold standard for
comfortable handheld conversation. A carefully-shaped folding hip
phone can offer a comparable level of privacy and sound quality,
and end the practice of shouting into the air while talking. The
curve in the screen also prevents contact between the user's face
and the display, thus avoiding smudging. [0019] 7) The phone can be
carried in a shirt pocket, either for use in speakerphone mode or
for listening to music with the built-in MP3 player. [0020] 8)
Closing the clamshell at the end of a call terminates the phone
connection, and turns off power to the display with a certainty and
finality that is not found in today's smartphones. The latter
require two steps to take the same action, and are thus responsible
for a lot of unintended dialing. [0021] 9) When closed the
clamshell design will protect the two displays from scratches and
the "Spiderman" cracking that has become all too common. The
displays are mounted on curved-but-rigid sheets of carbon fiber;
the exterior shell of the phone is rigid and padded at the crown
and hinges, but flexible enough at the edges to absorb a drop from
chest level--regardless of orientation at landing.
* * * * *