Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-13
2001-10-30
Le, Thanh Cong (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311076
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mobile communication devices and more particularly, though not necessarily, to mobile telephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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.
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
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.
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.
Preferably, the flexible electronic display is a flexible liquid crystal display.
Preferably, the display is coupled via a spring mounting to the housing, wherein the display can be withdrawn from the housing against the action of the spring mounting and, after withdrawal, the display can be retracted into the housing under the action of the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.
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.
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.
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 with 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 centre thereof.
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.
The device may have a transparent window provided in the housing and through which an active portion of the display may be viewed.
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.
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.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4948232 (1990-08-01), Lange
patent: 5016002 (1991-05-01), Levanto
patent: 5175759 (1992-12-01), Mefroka et al.
patent: 5260998 (1993-11-01), Takagi
patent: 5584054 (1996-12-01), Tyneski et al.
patent: 6067074 (2000-05-01), Lueders
“Electrophoretic Ink: A Printable Display Material”, Comiskey et al., Society for Information Display, May 1997 Digest, pp. 75-76, (ISSN0097-0966X/97/2801-0075).
Isotalo Mika
Peuhu Arto
Cong Le Thanh
Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
Perman & Green LLP
LandOfFree
Mobile communication devices does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mobile communication devices, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mobile communication devices will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2556419