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Compact palmtop computer system and wireless telephone with foldable dual ...

 Rich Gioscia et al
The present invention is a compact personal digital assistant (PDA) and cellular telephone with foldable dual-sided display. By utilizing flexible display technology, both a PDA and a cellular telephone are incorporated into one device. In a closed state, in one embodiment, the present invention...
Inventors: Rich Gioscia, Francis J. Canova, Jr.
Assignees: palmOne, Inc.
Primary Examiner: Simon Nguyen
Attorneys: Wagner, Murabito & Hao LLP

U.S. Classification
455/566; 455/575.3

International Classification
H04B 138; H04M 100

View patent at USPTO

Citations

Patent NumberTitleIssue date
5584054Communication device having a movable front cover for exposing a touch sensitive displayDec 10, 1996
5646649Portable information terminalJul 8, 1997
5734513Electronic apparatus with a foldable displayMar 31, 1998
5797089Personal communications terminal having switches which independently energize a mobile telephone and a personal digital assistant Aug 18, 1998
6047196Communication device with two modes of operationApr 4, 2000
6297945Portable electronic terminal apparatus having a plurality of displaysOct 2, 2001
6311042Apparatus and methods for imaging written information with a mobile telephone setOct 30, 2001
6331840Object-drag continuity between discontinuous touch screens of a single virtual desktopDec 18, 2001
6389267Folded type portable radio communication apparatus with functionalityMay 14, 2002
6393272Wireless answer and hold featureMay 21, 2002
6487396Electronic device and a control meansNov 26, 2002
6577496Non-rigid mounting of a foldable displayJun 10, 2003
6628962PDA antenna device for switching between antennae of a PDA unit based on detected use conditionSep 30, 2003

Referenced by

Patent NumberTitleIssue date
7043276Portable terminal apparatus and display control program thereofMay 9, 2006
7047038Computer and mobile communication systemMay 16, 2006
7187364Data processing device having multiple adjustable display and keyboard orientationsMar 6, 2007
7233813Portable terminal apparatus and display control program thereofJun 19, 2007
7280346Adjustable display for a data processing apparatusOct 9, 2007
7336270Display device and electronic apparatusFeb 26, 2008

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A electronic device comprising:

a first element comprising a first side and a second side, said first side bearing an interface operable to be used as a wireless phone, said second side comprising a first part of a display of a portable computing device; and

a second element comprising a third side and a fourth side, said third side comprising a second part of said display of said portable computing device; wherein

said first element is movably attached with said second element, and configurable in a first configuration for use as a wireless phone and configurable in a second configuration for use as a portable computing device.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said first configuration is a closed configuration in which said second side and said third side face each other and are not user accessible, and in which said first side and said fourth side are user accessible.

3. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said second configuration is an open configuration in which said second side and said third side are user accessible and fully visible as a complete display.

4. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein while converting from said first configuration to said second configuration, said electronic device places wireless communication on hold until said second configuration is achieved.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said electronic device automatically places wireless communication on hold in response to a conversion from said first configuration to said second configuration.

7. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein wireless communications are placed off hold in response to a user operating a feature on said electronic device.

8. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein wireless communications are placed off hold in response to a user operating an earbud.

9. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein said electronic device automatically places wireless communication off hold once said electronic device is returned to said first configuration.

10. The electronic device of claim 6 wherein said display indicates that said wireless communications are on hold.

11. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein said display is comprised of a flexible dual-sided display.

12. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said flexible dual-sided display implements electronic ink technology.

13. The electronic device of claim 11 wherein said first element further comprises a display window such that when said first element and said second element are operable in said first configuration, a portion of said flexible dual-sided display is visible through said display window.

14. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein said flexible dual-sided display is for showing phone-related information through said display window during operation while in said first configuration.

15. The electronic device of claim 14 wherein said phone-related information is displayed on the side of said flexible dual-sided display lying atop the surface of said second side and said third side upon converting from said first configuration to said second configuration.

16. An electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory unit coupled to said processor;

electronics coupled to said processor for wireless communication; and

a foldable housing that houses said processor, said memory unit and said electronics, said foldable housing comprising a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface, said first surface bearing an interface operable to be used as a wireless phone, said second surface comprising a first part of a display, said third surface comprising a second part of said display, wherein said foldable housing is configurable in a first configuration for use to allow wireless communication and configurable in a second configuration for use as a portable computing device.

17. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein said first configuration is a closed configuration in which said second surface and said third surface face each other and are not user accessible, and in which said first surface and said fourth surface are user accessible.

18. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein said second configuration is an open configuration in which said second surface and said third surface are user accessible and fully viewable as a complete display.

19. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein said portable computing device is a personal digital assistant.

20. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein said electronic device automatically places wireless communication on hold in response to a conversion from said first configuration to said second configuration.

21. The electronic device of claim 20 wherein wireless communications are placed off hold in response to a user operating a feature on said electronic device.

22. The electronic device of claim 20 wherein wireless communications are placed off hold in response to a user operating an earbud.

23. The electronic device of claim 20 wherein said electronic device automatically places wireless communication off hold once said electronic device is returned to said first configuration.

24. The electronic device of claim 20 wherein said display indicates that said wireless communications are on hold.

25. The electronic device of claim 16 wherein said display is comprised of a flexible dual-sided display.

26. The electronic device of claim 25 wherein said flexible dual-sided display implements electronic ink technology.

27. The electronic device of claim 25 wherein said first element further comprises a display window such that when said first element and said second element are operable in said first configuration, a portion of said flexible dual-sided display is visible through said display window.

28. The electronic device of claim 27 wherein said flexible dual-sided display is for showing phone-related information through said display window during operation while in said first configuration.

29. The electronic device of claim 28 wherein said phone-related information is displayed on the side of said flexible dual-sided display lying atop said second surface and said third surface upon converting from said first configuration to said second configuration.

30. An electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory unit coupled to said processor;

electronics coupled to said processor for wireless communication; and

a foldable housing that houses said processor, said memory unit and said electronics, said foldable housing comprising a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface, said first surface bearing an interface operable to be used as a wireless phone, said second surface comprising a first part of a display, said third surface comprising a second part of said display, wherein said foldable housing is configurable in a first configuration for use as a wireless phone and configurable in a second configuration for use as a personal digital assistant.

Drawings