Moveable Or Removeable Element (e.g., Cover) Patents (Class 379/433.11)
  • Patent number: 10880418
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a housing assembly for a terminal, and a terminal with the housing assembly. The housing assembly may include a middle frame, an electroacoustic assembly and decorative member. The electroacoustic assembly is arranged on the middle frame and defines a sound transmission hole. The decorative member defines an inner space. The at least portion of the decorative member faces the sound transmission hole. The decorative member is fixed to the electroacoustic assembly. The sound transmission hole directly communicates with the inner space of the decorative member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Binbin She
  • Patent number: 10785553
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a hinge for a case that stores wireless listening devices, including: a first shaft forming a first pivot point for the hinge; a second shaft forming a second pivot point for the hinge, the first shaft and the second shaft defining a conversion axis; a piston rod having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the second shaft and a second end opposite from the first end coupled to a stopper; a piston guide slidably coupled to the piston rod between the first end and the second end of the piston rod; a third shaft forming a third pivot point for the piston guide, the third shaft allowing the piston guide to rotate and maintain concentric alignment with the piston guide; and a spring positioned between the second shaft and the piston guide and wound around the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Haochuan Sang, Craig M. Stanley, Benjamin A. Cousins, Arun D. Chawan, Lee M. Panecki, Jason J. LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 10616489
    Abstract: Methods and devices for dynamically selecting an audio resource may include receiving a request to use at least one microphone on the computer device. The methods and devices may include determining, by the operating system, a dynamic orientation of a first device portion and a second device portion of the computer device based on sensor information. The methods and devices may include selecting at least one microphone for use based on the physical location information of the at least one microphone and the dynamic orientation of the first device portion and the second device portion, wherein the physical location information corresponds to a static orientation of the at least one microphone on the computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Maria Cheng Lei, Vishal Jain
  • Patent number: 10097676
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective mask of mobile phone comprising an upper cover body and a lower cover body. The upper and lower cover bodies can be joined with a front and a rear phone housing of a mobile phone, respectively, to effectively prevent abrasion of the mobile phone due to carelessness of a user, thereby preventing ill-favored scars on the mobile phone. Therefore, the deterioration of the quality of the mobile phone and the fall of its value can be avoided. Moreover, trend and fashion of the mobile phone can be achieved without the need of replacing the mobile phone. Therefore, waste of money can be avoided, and economic burden to the user can be lessened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventor: Kuan-Lin Peng
  • Patent number: 9860351
    Abstract: The disclosed device is a cover for a telephone that requires no tools to install. The cover includes multiple penetrations to provide access to buttons, displays, or speakers beneath the cover. A sidewall connects to all or substantially all of the perimeter of the cover. One or more locking teeth on the sidewall latch into a gap in the phone, locking the cover to the phone without the use of tools. Correspondingly, the cover is readily removable without the use of tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Ernie Darias, Jamie Wood
  • Patent number: 9609930
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a hard shell cover that fits over the electronic device. The protective enclosure includes a membrane that is attached to the hard shell cover, the membrane configured to cover a portion of the installed electronic device. The membrane is located proximate a sound feature of the electronic device and the membrane can include an acoustic screen attached to an opening of the membrane, the acoustic screen configured to allow the transmission of acoustical waves to or from the electronic device through the membrane while the electronic device is installed in the protective enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, Brian P. Thomas, Jamie L. Johnson, Jason M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9498033
    Abstract: A protective enclosure for an electronic device includes a hard shell cover and a stretchable cushion shaped to conform to an outer surface of the hard shell cover. The hard shell cover includes a back shell to correspond with the back and sides of the electronic device. The hard shell cover includes an opening that provides access to controls of the electronic device, and provides rigidity to the protective enclosure. The stretchable cushion provides cushioning to the hard shell cover and the enclosed electronic device. The stretchable cushion includes one or more gaps that expose at least a portion of the hard shell cover. The stretchable cushion also has an opening that corresponds to the opening of the hard shell cover. A retention structure of stretchable cushion is disposed to engage a corresponding retention structure of the hard shell cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, Brian P. Thomas, Jamie L. Johnson, Jason M. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9338266
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a housing part and a control part. Said housing part and said control part are configured to be moveable in relation with each other. Said housing part comprises a front surface and said control part comprises a front surface. Said front surface of said housing part and said front surface of said control part are configured next to each other, and the control part is configured to be movable in at least one dimension in relation with said housing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventor: Sami Saila
  • Patent number: 9325816
    Abstract: A displaying method for a portable device is provided. The portable device includes a top body and a bottom body, wherein the top body is stacked on the bottom body. In the displaying method, a relative sliding movement of the top body sliding along a sliding direction corresponding to the bottom body is sensed. A gravity direction of the portable device is sensed. According to a direction relationship between the gravity direction and the sliding direction, a display on the top body displays an operation frame corresponding to the direction relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Sheng Wei
  • Patent number: 8989824
    Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with housings that can have smoother profiles and with switch assembly input components with knobs that can move along tracks in directions at least partially offset from the directions of anticipated resistive forces. The housings can include switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along linear tracks and switch assembly input components with knobs that may move along curved tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erik L. Wang, Tang Yew Tan, Adam Duckworth Mittleman, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Philip Michael Hobson, Andrew Lewis Johnston
  • Patent number: 8983559
    Abstract: An improved mobile phone case structure capable of standing, clamping and coiling, including a case. The case is to cover the back side of a mobile phone. And the surface of the case is configured with a rectangular opening. Inside the rectangular opening, a frame is embedded. One side of the frame is pivoted with the rectangular opening, while the other side of the frame is pivoted with a coiling plate. When unfolded, the frame forms a support for the case to stand. The coiling plate has an arc design. When unfolded, the frame can be clamped comfortably by two fingers, and can provide a function to neatly coil and fix the earphone. When not used, the coiling plate can be in flat contact with the back side of the mobile phone. The unique combination of frame and coiling plate designed by the present invention integrates multiple functions and is therefore a valuable innovation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Shi-Xun Chiu
  • Patent number: 8971974
    Abstract: A cover for a hand-held device, which has a device body and a speaker, includes a cover body configured for covering a portion the device body and for covering the speaker and a channel for positioning adjacent the device body. The channel is configured to form a sound duct when mounted adjacent the back side of the device body and to be in communication with the speaker when the cover is mounted to the hand-held device for redirecting at least a portion of the sound waves emitted from the speaker to a location remote from the speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: nflukz, llc
    Inventor: Robert B. Weaver, III
  • Patent number: 8965458
    Abstract: Disclosed is a protective case for an electronic device. The protective case has two layers, an inner cushion cover that surrounds a portion of the electronic device and an outer rigid shell. The outer rigid shell has curved flexible arms that engage and hold the cushion cover 104 on the electronic device. The cushion cover has reduced thickness portions so that the curved flexible arms are embedded in the cushion cover and provide a protective case having a substantially smooth exterior. The cushion cover is capable of absorbing shocks from impacts on the rigid outer shell. Coring on the inner portion of the cushion cover provides additional softness and the ability of the cushion cover to absorb shocks while using a higher density material, which is able to conform to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Otter Products, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis R. Richardson, Alan V. Morine, W. Travis Smith, John H. Loudenslager, Jamie L. Johnson, Matthew M. Glanzer
  • Patent number: 8958205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cover system for a portable communication device which is latched or separated according to pulling or pushing a cover unit so as to open/close a slot entrance of a portable communication device. The cover opening/closing apparatus includes a slot entrance formed on a body of the portable communication device; a cover unit for opening/closing the slot entrance, the cover unit being assembled with the slot entrance and latched to or separated from the slot entrance according to pulling or pushing the cover unit; a plurality of assembly units formed on the slot entrance; and a plurality of latching units formed on the cover unit, assembled to be inserted into and withdrawn from the assembly units, and latched to or separated from the assembly units according to pulling and pushing or lifting the cover unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Hong Park, Young-Suk Kim, Jung-Hee Go, Byung-Hun Cho, Seung-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 8954123
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make an inclination angle of a mobile type electronic device held surely without increasing components of the mobile type electronic device. A connector 201 is exposed on a surface of a chassis 102 of a cellular phone 101, and a cover member 103 covers the connector 201 to protect it. A plurality of cover members 103 are made of a non-slip member respectively, and are arranged at a corner 105 where at least two surfaces of the chassis 102 intersect. When the cellular phone 101 leans against a floor and a wall 202 in a state that the cellular phone 101 leans at a predetermined angle, the cellular phone 101 is held at the inclination angle through making the cover members 103 touch the floor and the wall 202 respectively. A television image or the like displayed on a display 104 is watched from a direction of an arrow A side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Limited (Hong Kong)
    Inventor: Kensaku Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8954120
    Abstract: Provided is a cradling apparatus for a portable communication device to allow the portable communication device to slide and be inclinedly cradled through pressurization. To this end, a cradling apparatus for a portable communication device includes a first housing, a second housing, and link portions provided between the first housing and the second housing to slide and inclinedly cradle the second housing. The apparatus further includes guide portions coupled to both sides of the first housing, guide members slidably coupled with the guide portions, hinge portions protruding from the guide members, the hinge portions being rotatably coupled with the second housing, and pressurizing portions provided on one ends of the hinge portions to pressurize the hinge portions and the guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Keun Yoo, Yun-Cheol Kang
  • Patent number: 8843184
    Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal, a main body configured to receive a battery, and a cover body detachably covered to the main body. Further, the cover body includes a first cover part formed to cover the battery, a second cover part, and a sliding unit configured to slidably couple the second cover part to the first cover part and allow the second cover part to slide and tilt away from the first cover part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoungyong Kim, Yongjin Hwang, Yonghee Lee, Dongyoup Han
  • Patent number: 8774878
    Abstract: An Ultra Mobile Communicating Computer, that can have all of the features and capabilities of a smart phone and pocket computer combined and more, plus many other features such as hands free carrying, one-hand and desk free, walk & type, ready to use operation, a fast, multi finger, one or two hand keyboard with full set of large, soft touch keys, large bi-directional screen, photo cell pads and others, and that can be made disintegrable, reconfigurable, custom made, in particular to be a talking machine for speech challenged, an car for deaf, a crime prevention device, computer remote control, translator, musical instrument and multi party game gadget, in addition to a thin earpiece, an ear borne music player, video player, radio and or TV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Ahmad Amiri
  • Patent number: 8718725
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a first hinge member, and a second hinge member. The housing includes a first housing section and a second housing section. The first hinge member is connected to the first housing section by a first slide mechanism. The second hinge member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is connected to the first hinge member. The second portion is connected to the second housing section by a second slide mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pasi Kemppinen
  • Patent number: 8700099
    Abstract: There are provided a hinge unit and portable terminal, even when a display housing is inverted to respond to demands for thin and light weight structure and high design quality, its display housing is always in a proper position. The display housing 1 has a display device 2 at its display housing front 1a. The display device 2 is made up of, for example, a liquid crystal display device and performs predetermined displaying. The shaft fitting section 3 is fitted in an end terminal region of one side of the display housing. A shaft 4 is inserted into the shaft fitting section 3 to support the display housing 1 in a manner to be freely inverted and fitted to the shaft fitting section 3 so that an axial center of the inverting axis forms a predetermined angle with a display surface of the display device 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sakai, Toshiki Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8634548
    Abstract: A free-stop hinge apparatus employed in a folding-type mobile terminal preferably includes: a hinge housing; a driving part for providing a free-stop operation, which is received in the hinge housing. A hinge shaft restrains the driving part in the hinge housing, and the driving part includes a rotating driving actuating cam and a driven sliding cam slides according to rotation of the driving actuating cam. The driving actuating cam includes an inner cam formed on one surface of a body, and an outer cam confronting the inner cam, and the driven sliding cam includes an inner valley which is disposed to confront the inner cam and slides together with the inner cam, and an outer valley which is disposed to confront the outer cam and slides together with the outer cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Jun Jung, Hae-Won Sung, Sung-Sun Park
  • Patent number: 8625286
    Abstract: A housing of a portable electronic device includes a first frame unit, a second frame unit, and a panel unit. The first frame unit includes a plurality of retaining members. The second frame unit includes a plurality of fastening members. The panel unit includes a plurality of holding members corresponding to the retaining members and a plurality of assembling members corresponding to the fastening member. The retaining members and the holding members are correspondingly assembled together to assemble the first frame unit to the panel unit, and the fastening members and the assembling members are correspondingly assembled together to assemble the second frame unit to the panel unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Jun Shen, Hai-Feng Zhu, Ping Gao, Quan-Long Chen
  • Patent number: 8600043
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a housing for an electronic device. The housing comprises: a back housing defining an interior compartment of the device; a receptacle to receive a first locking feature from a cover for the electronic device; and at least one moveable second locking feature in the receptacle to engage the first locking feature to hold the cover to the back housing. In the back housing the second locking feature is selectively moved from a first engaged position with the first locking feature to a second disengaged position with the first locking feature when a predefined force is applied at a specific location at the back housing or the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Wayne Moskowitz, Sophia Scipio, Jean-Charles Mas
  • Patent number: 8554288
    Abstract: A front case at a display section side of frame shape is formed of metal material having strength and a bathtub-shaped draw frame formed by drawing metal plate is fixed at the external side of the front case at the display section side by heat adhesive to be integral with the front case at the display section side. Two L-shaped frames formed by bending metal plate materials are fixed at the internal side of the front case at the display section side by two heat adhesives to be integral with the front case at the display section side. The front case at the display section side, the two L-shaped frames, and the bathtub-shaped draw frame are integral with each other to have sandwich structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Nakao, Yasuyuki Honma
  • Patent number: 8542316
    Abstract: An electronic device (e.g., an imaging apparatus) is implemented to obtain excellent sound effects while miniaturization and slimming down are achieved. An electronic device (e.g., an imaging apparatus) has a casing; a sound emitting device that has a sound emitting portion and is provided inside the casing; a movable member provided to the casing to have a gap between the movable member and the casing; and a communicating portion that communicates between the sound emitting portion of the sound emitting device and the movable member inside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 8532721
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device comprises a housing having a keyboard support member on a front thereof and a base defining a cavity therebetween, wherein light generated within the cavity can be viewed from a front of the housing; a display assembly slidably mounted to the housing and comprising a display screen on a front face thereof, the display assembly being slidable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a lower portion of the display screen is received within the cavity underlying the keyboard support member and an upper portion of the display screen is viewable outside of the cavity, and in the extended position the lower portion and the upper portion of the display screen are viewable outside of the cavity, wherein the display screen is a light emitting diode display screen comprising a plurality of pixels that are selectively illuminatable to display an image; a processor configured to control operation of the display screen; and a position sensor for
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Blackberry Limited
    Inventor: Jason Tyler Griffin
  • Patent number: 8503970
    Abstract: An exemplary portable communication device and system comprises interchangeable speaker modules allowing different speakers to be used with a portable communication device assembly. The speaker modules and the portable communication device assembly form portable communication devices when the speaker modules are secured to the portable communication device assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, a slim speaker module includes a speaker suitable for operation during proximate communications where the portable communication device is placed near the user's ear. An extended speaker module includes a larger speaker providing improved performance during non-proximate communications where the portable communication device is positioned away from the ear such as during a push-to-talk (PTT) call or when a speaker phone option is invoked. In the exemplary embodiment, the speaker modules also perform the function of a battery compartment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Chad Tyler Uyehara
  • Patent number: 8483784
    Abstract: A mobile communication device may include at least a lid member and a base member which are hingeably coupled together by a linkage mechanism. The device may include additional interface elements on an interface surface accessible when the device is in the closed position. A mobile communication device is provided which further comprises a rotatable member having an interface surface. The linkage mechanism actuates movement of the rotatable member from a first rotation state, such that the interface surface is accessible when the device is in a closed position, to a second rotational state, such that the interface surface is positioned between and concurrently viewable with inner surfaces of the lid and base members when the device is in an opened position. The linkage mechanism actuates the movement of the rotatable member responsive to movement of the device from the closed to the opened position and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Martin Riddiford, James Reeves, Julia Allwright
  • Patent number: 8477930
    Abstract: A case assembly for electronic appliance includes a first case having a plurality of engaging members and each engaging member includes two clamping protrusions. Each clamping protrusion includes a supporting portion and a protruding portion. A space is defined between the two clamping protrusions. A second case includes multiple ports and each port has a shoulder defined in an inside thereof and the shoulder is located corresponding to the protruding portions of the clamping protrusions. Multiple positioning members each have an insertion portion and a head. A transverse width of the opening of the space is smaller than a width of the insertion portion. When the insertion portion of each of the positioning members is inserted into the space corresponding thereto, the clamping protrusions are expanded outward by the positioning member, and the protruding portions are engaged on the shoulder of the second case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: King Slide Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Pin Chen, Shu-Chen Lin, Shan-Yao Chen
  • Patent number: 8452004
    Abstract: A mobile media device case can include: (a) a first portion, the first portion comprising a first back wall and one or more first sidewalls, the first back wall and the one or more first sidewalls at least partially define a first interior of the first portion and a first exterior of the first portion, the first interior is configured to receive and partially cover at least a first part of the back section and the one or more side sections of the mobile media device; and (b) a second portion, the second portion comprising a second back wall and one or more second sidewalls, the second back wall and the one or more second sidewalls at least partially define a second interior of the second portion and a second exterior of the second portion. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Belkin International, Inc.
    Inventor: Edmund S. Lee
  • Patent number: 8412279
    Abstract: A handheld electronic communication device includes a body including an input device and a display assembly including a display. The display assembly is connected to the body and moveable relative to the body, between a first position in which a first portion of the display is covered by the body and a second portion of the display is exposed, and a second position in which the display assembly is displaced such that the first portion of the display and the second portion of the display are exposed and the display assembly is generally flush with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Jason Tyler Griffin, Todd Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 8396518
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and a controlling method thereof are disclosed, by which reception performance of the mobile communication terminal can be enhanced while SAR is reduced. According to an embodiment, the terminal includes a body part comprising a circuit board having radio communication parts mounted thereon and a display to output images of prescribed information; a grounded part for selectively grounding at least one of the circuit board and the display; and a ground controlling part configured to enable at least one of the circuit board and the display to be selectively connected to the grounded part for grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electroncics Inc.
    Inventors: Je Kwang Park, Jae Hoon Jun
  • Patent number: 8385055
    Abstract: An electronic device and a display panel thereof are provided. The electronic device includes a first display panel and a casing. The first display panel has a first displaying part and a second displaying part. The first display panel includes a first bending mechanism which is disposed between the first displaying part and the second displaying part to bend or spread the first display panel. The casing has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The casing includes a rail mechanism which is disposed on the second surface. The second displaying part is slid on the rail mechanism to shift the first display panel relatively to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chi-Jen Kao, Yi-Kai Wang, Yu-Rung Peng, Tsung-Hua Yang, Tarng-Shiang Hu
  • Patent number: 8374659
    Abstract: A sliding mechanism with changeable paths and a cellular phone are disclosed. The sliding mechanism comprises a sliding plate, a V-shaped resilience device, and a fixed plate. The sliding plate is fixed to a sliding portion of the cellular phone, and the fixed plate is fixed on a holding base of the cellular phone. When the sliding plate is pushed to move a predetermined distance, the sliding plate can be driven by the resilient force of the V-shaped resilience device to automatically slide with respect to a V-shaped support having a turning ring and along guiding slots and guiding edges on the fixed plate. The sliding plate can automatically slide through a remaining portion of a path when the sliding plate is first pushed to move a predetermined distance, thereby enabling answering or hanging up of the cellular phone semi-automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hsin-Chih Chen, Alan C. Lin
  • Patent number: 8369909
    Abstract: Disclosed are a sliding opening and closing device and a portable terminal having the same. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, a slide plate is linked to a main plate to be slidable in one direction. Also, the main plate supports an elastic part so as to generate an elasticity power in one direction. A power transformation member receives the elasticity power of the elastic member, and transmits the elasticity power to the slide plate in the direction of the opening or the closing according to the position of the slide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jae-Young Park, Jun-Hong Lee, Chun-Soo Park
  • Patent number: 8355763
    Abstract: An overlapping type portable radiotelephone includes a first housing having at least a display section and speakers, and a second housing having at least a main operation section and a microphone. The first and second housings are coupled each other so as to be opened and closed. The main operation section is covered with the first housing in a closed state and exposed outside in an opened state. A display screen in the display section and the speakers are exposed outside both in the closed state and in the opened state. With this overlapping type portable radiotelephone, conversation can be effected even in the closed state, and there is further provided a communication control section for enabling the conversation to be continued, even though the portable radiotelephone is brought into the opened state from the closed state while the conversation is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Yajima
  • Patent number: 8279598
    Abstract: A semi-auto sliding mechanism is provided, including a first member, a second member, a first rack, a second rack, a pinion gear pivotally connected to the second member, and a clockwork spring connecting the pinion gear to the second member. The first and second racks are disposed on the first member. When the first member is moved relative to the second member to a first position by an external force, the pinion gear rolls along the first rack, and an elastic potential energy is stored in the clockwork spring. When the external force is released, the clockwork spring impels the pinion gear to rotate along the second rack, such that the first member moves relative to the second member from the first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Jing Liao, Ying-Hao Yeh, Ying-Yen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8265721
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first housing; a second housing slidably connected to the first housing along a substantially straight linear path between a first position and a second position; and a biasing system configured to alternatively bias the second housing towards the first position and the second position. The biasing system includes a linkage connected to the first and second housings and a spring connected between the first housing and the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Amano
  • Patent number: 8213599
    Abstract: A spring employed in a semi-automatic sliding device of a sliding-type portable communication terminal is provided. The spring includes a first spring including a first coil spring having a first end and a first other end connected to the first end by means of a first link spring and arranged at a center of the first coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time, a second spring including a second coil spring having a second end and a second other end connected to the second end by means of the first link spring and arranged at a center of the second coil spring in the form of being wound at least one time and a connector for integrally fixing the first and second coil springs to the connector. The spring assists in the opening and closing of the portable terminal, allows the portable terminal to be made thinner and is simple to manufacture based on having few parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ho-Su Kim, Jae-Gab Lee
  • Patent number: 8165646
    Abstract: The present invention provides an earphone line retracting device, and an automatic line retracting earphone having the earphone line retracting device, a non-radiation wire mobile phone having the earphone line retracting device, and an electronic device having the earphone line retracting device. The earphone line retracting device at least comprises: a winder, drive means driving the winder, and signal connector means, characterized in that the earphone line retracting device further comprises shift gear means, by which the drive means drives the winder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Xinjiang Tiandi Group
    Inventor: Daqing Zheng
  • Patent number: 8140055
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for performing a digital broadcasting service in a dual-hinge type mobile terminal including a main housing and a folder, in which the folder is closed and opened with respect to the main housing in such a manner that the folder moves closely to or away from the main housing about a first hinge and a second hinge, and the mobile terminal has a first display mode and a second display mode according to an opening direction of the folder, the method including informing a user about reception of a call, when the call is received during while a digital broadcasting service is being performed in the first display mode; stopping the digital broadcasting service and connecting the call, when a mode transition from the first display mode to the second display mode is performed according to an opening direction of the folder; and releasing a call connection and re-performing the digital broadcasting service upon request of call disconnection by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kang-Wook Kim, Hyoung-Rae Cho
  • Patent number: 8139762
    Abstract: In a folding electronic device, a pair of micro-speakers is mounted in the upper housing, and a vibrating actuator is mounted in the lower housing. Both these micro-speakers and the vibrating actuator reproduce sound. The vibrating actuator causes the lower housing and external housing to vibrate, and in particular supplements the acoustic characteristics of the micro-speakers in the low-frequency region. Furthermore, in cases where sound is reproduced using the mobile terminal device constituting this electronic device, sound is reproduced by mounting the mobile terminal device in an external housing, charging device, or cradle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Kuroda, Yukio Murata, Ukyou Mori, Yasuhiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8108016
    Abstract: A portable communication device includes a base assembly, a flip assembly and an intermediate assembly operatively coupled to the base assembly and the flip assembly by a dual sliding flip hinge assembly. The dual sliding flip hinge assembly is configured to facilitate sliding motion of the intermediate assembly along a first direction and along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The dual sliding flip hinge assembly further facilitates rotation of the intermediate assembly upon sliding along the second direction. The base assembly, flip assembly and intermediate assembly may be configured to include respective displays and/or touch-input devices to provide a portable communication device with increased display area and/or control area with a smaller footprint often associated with conventional clamshell or slider portable communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: David W. Gaddy
  • Patent number: 8099145
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first module, a second module, and a connecting member. The first module includes a bottom plate having a first slot and a rail corresponding to the first slot. The second module includes a top plate having a second slot and a slide bar overlapping a portion of the second slot. The connecting member passes through the first slot and the second slot and connects the rail and the slide bar. When the first module slides relative to the second module from a first position to a second position in a direction, the connecting member slides along the rail, and when the first module slides relative to the second module from the second position to a third position in the direction, the connecting member forces the slide bar to slide along the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Shan Yeh
  • Patent number: 8090136
    Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device has a case with an elongated cavity formed therein. An audio transducer is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a number of sound openings are formed in the case and are in fluid communication with the cavity and with the atmosphere surrounding the handheld electronic device. The sound openings are generally spaced from a central region of the audio transducer to space the sound openings generally farther from an edge of the case than the audio transducer. The cavity is configured to form a Helmholtz resonator that enables the communication of sound through the cavity between the audio transducer and the sound openings. The spacing of the sound openings from an edge of a case helps a user to form a seal between the case and the user's ear to enable sound from the sound openings to enter the ear and to be perceived by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Ilan Rashish, Robert Phillips, Larry Hawker
  • Patent number: 8086285
    Abstract: Carrying cases are disclosed for portable communication devices such as iPhones and cell phones. There is a case housing for receiving a portable communication device therein, and a sound reflector linked to the housing so as to be movable between an extended position and a recessed position. The carrying case enables the device to be used as a speaker phone with enhanced sound quality, while still in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: TJM Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Theodore J. McNamara, Mark A. Hargarten
  • Patent number: 8078217
    Abstract: A multi-sided radio (200) includes an audio centric side (210) including a speaker (208) operationally independent of functions on an opposing side, a data centric side (220) on the opposing side of the audio centric side, and a top controller side (250) having at least one control function (202 or 204). The audio centric side can include an option module (242) for placement as an insert enabling additional functions including camera functions, environmental sensors, WLAN transceivers, audio upgrades, and bar code readers as examples. The data centric side can include a keypad (214 and 216) and a display (218). The speaker can reside behind the display of the data centric side and has full porting out of the audio centric side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge L. Garcia, Eric D. Brooks, Scott H. Richards, Steven E. Young
  • Patent number: 8060157
    Abstract: An apparatus including a first housing section having a first one-piece housing member; a second housing section having a second one-piece housing member; and a hinge rotatably connecting the first and second housing sections to each other. The hinge includes the first housing member forming a first hinge section at a first end of the first housing section which is pivotably connected to a second hinge section formed by the second housing member at a second end of the second housing member. The first and second hinge sections form opposite outer lateral ends of the hinge. The first and second hinge sections are spaced from outer lateral sides of the first and second housing sections. An axis of rotation of the hinge extends generally between the outer lateral sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Bell, Jukka Kallio, Justin Lyles, Jonathan Dry
  • Patent number: 8045997
    Abstract: A mobile phone with a stepless motion function is provided and includes a mobile phone body, an upper cover which can be movably provided outside the mobile phone body, and a pushing device including a first end part and a second end part, wherein the first end part is fixedly provided at the upper cover, and the second end part is fixedly provided at the mobile phone body, whereby the upper cover can move at a constant velocity from a first position to a second position relatively to the mobile phone body. Therefore, the mobile phone with a stepless motion function of the invention enables the upper cover to move at a constant velocity at the mobile phone body to increase the tactile sensation of the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Ho Pan, Shu-Ting Kuo
  • Patent number: RE44260
    Abstract: A telephone comprises a first body part with a first keypad and a second keypad located on opposite sides of the first body part, and a second body part having a display. As the first body part is swiveled to bring the second keypad to the front of the phone the processing circuitry may switch over to only accept input from the keypad that has been brought up. This input is used to control the applications currently running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Mobilemedia Ideas LLC
    Inventor: Calin Turcanu