Communication device having a movable front cover for exposing a touch sensitive display

Communication device

The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly a portable communication device.<u style="single">background</u>

As the popularity of portable electronic devices is increasing at any time, such as wireless phones and personal organizers, a higher priority is to design such devices in a light-weight, complete and easy-to-carry form. While users can enjoy the portability of such devices, they still need to carry several devices at the same time so that both parties can use language communication and data communication at will. The need to carry separate devices for wireless phones and personal organizers can be a burden to users. Moreover, such devices typically require separate chargers, and the confusion regarding multiple devices having multiple chargers often becomes quite inconvenient for users. Therefore, there is a need for a combined two-way language and data path to a portable communication device.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of a communication device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a second diagram of the communication device according to the present invention.

The drawing in FIG. 1 depicts a portable radio or earpiece 100 according to the present invention. The handset 100 described herein provides two-way language communication to follow a person organizer. In the preferred embodiment, the handset 100 is a second-generation wireless telephone (CT2) handset, and other communication devices, such as cell phones, can also apply the present invention. The earpiece 100 includes a casing 102 and a key board, or the face cover 104 is connected to the casing by a hinge 106. Many keys are included in the keypad 104 to provide dialing capabilities, menu drafts, and other similar wireless phone related functions. The antenna 110 is also included in the earpiece 100 for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, most of the keys 108 are included in the keyboard part and sandwiched between two layers of plastic to form the key board 104. Other materials, such as a single piece of rubber, can also be used to form the key plate 104 including the keys 108. Also included in the keyboard 104 is a display window for displaying the draft menu and the information generated by pressing the key 108. The pressure surface (shown in Figure 2) is located on the back of each key and travels a predetermined distance. When the key is pressed, it touches a touch screen (shown later) without hurting the screen.

A sensor switch is included in the hinge 106 to detect the movement of the keypad 104 between the first or open position and the second or closed position. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the keypad is in the closed position, the handset 100 is used as a CT2 phone, and the user can use the front keyboard as a typical CT2 phone function. When the keyboard is opened, the sensor switch in the hinge 106 sends a signal to the control part located in the casing 100 to instruct the earpiece to be placed in the personal organizer function as is known in the technical field.

Referring to Figure 2, the earpiece 100 is shown with the keypad 104 in the open position. Since the keyboard 104 is opened, the switch located in the hinge 106 senses the change in the position of the keyboard and sends a signal to the control part so that the display, or the lens 202 connected to the casing 102, can function as a personal organizer. With the keyboard 104 in the open position to expose all the displays 202, the user can access the complete writing provided by all the displays 202, and can write notes, store information, sketches and other data operations on it. The display 202 is preferably a touch-sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD) to respond to a minimum amount of pressure. The display 202 can be used for data input using a touch sensitive film or other similar methods. When the keyboard 104 is closed, the data is transferred to the display 202 via keystrokes, or the data is handwritten when the keyboard 104 is opened. The stylus 112 of the fixed sleeve 114, which is preferably located next to the earpiece 100, can be removed and used as a writing tool to send handwritten data to the display 202 when the keyboard 104 is closed.

As also shown in FIG. 2, it is the pressure surface 204 located on the inner side of the key plate 104. When the keyboard 104 is closed from the front action button 108, pressure is applied to the better tactile active area 206 via the pressure surface 204, which is equivalent to each button in the display 202. When the keyboard 104 is in the closed position, each pressure surface 204 is positively related to the active area 206. While the user touches the button, the pressure surface 204 travels a predetermined distance to come into contact with the related active area 206, and these active areas are only used to indicate the purpose of describing the function of the button when the keyboard 104 is closed. When the user opens the keypad 104, the active area 206 is no longer used as a keyboard. A buffer 208 preferably made of rubber material is also included in the key plate 104. When the key plate 104 is in the closed position, the buffer is used to set a predetermined distance between the key 108 and its related pressure surface from the surface of the lens 202. The buffer helps prevent wrong keystrokes and helps protect the lens 202 from breakage and scratches.

When the keypad 104 turns on the earpiece 100 to be used as a personal organizer, the signal information can still be received by the antenna 110, and the user can be alerted to incoming calls. The user then closes the keypad 104 and uses the handset as a wireless telephone to respond to the call.

According to the present invention, the earpiece is provided with two working modes by a joint two-way language communication and a personal organizer. Due to the combination of wireless handsets and personal organizers, the number of electronic devices that users must carry is reduced. The earpiece according to the present invention can also be charged from a single charger, thus eliminating the need for multiple chargers. When the cover or key plate is in the closed position, it provides added protection to the lens from damage and contamination.

While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is clear that the present invention is not limited thereto. Many modifications, changes, changes, substitutions and equivalents can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the scope of the attached patent application.