Handset Structure Patents (Class 379/433.01)
  • Patent number: 7444173
    Abstract: A hand held mobile telephone is disclosed comprising a front face having a longitudinal extension greater than a lateral extension and having a plurality of openings therein, and a multiplicity of keys each having an upper surface bounded by side walls. Each key protrudes from one of the plurality of openings to provide its upper surface for tactile actuation by a user and a plurality of said multiplicity of keys are arranged along a common first axis, in the longitudinal direction. Further, at least one of said plurality of keys has a vertex, in the boundary of its upper surface, aligned on said first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Vertu Ltd.
    Inventors: Frank Nuovo, Justin Lyles
  • Patent number: 7440784
    Abstract: Disclosed is a portable communication apparatus. The portable communication apparatus includes a first housing including a plurality of keys, a second housing including a main display unit and being movable from the first housing about a first hinge axis and being rotated about a second hinge axis, which is perpendicular to the first hinge axis, and a swing hinge housing for allowing the second housing to rotate with respect to the first housing about the first and second hinge axes, which pass through the swing hinge housing. The swing hinge housing is provided at a lateral portion thereof with a camera lens. A bottom surface of the swing hinge housing is rotatably attached to an upper surface of the first housing so that the swing hinge housing is rotated together with the main display unit about the second hinge axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Mo Chung, Jong-Seong Lee, Chang-Hwan Hwang
  • Publication number: 20080247538
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a panel having a surface of three-dimensional patterns and the structure thereof, first of all, provides a piece body, on the surface of which plane panel patterns are arranged by means of ink printing process, and which is thermally pressed into a plurality of projected three-dimensional panels. The piece body having projected three-dimensional panels is then placed between a lower mould and a first upper mould. A material of hard resin is injected into the clearance between the lower mould and the three-dimensional panel surfaces, and thus a transparent cladding layer capable of wear-resistance and protection for three-dimensional panels is formed. Next, material of hard resin is again injected into the space between the inner wall surfaces of the three-dimensional panels and a second upper mould for forming a supporting layer for supporting the three-dimensional panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Che-Tung WU
  • Patent number: 7433466
    Abstract: A rear cover of a radio handset having a scooped recess for improving the ergonomics of the phone for single-handed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
    Inventor: Mark Robert Mason
  • Patent number: 7430067
    Abstract: A mobile phone device includes a chasis. A mobile phone casting is mounted on the chasis. Mobile phone circuitry and components are on the chasis and housed within the casing. A printing assembly is mounted on the chasis and housed within the casing. The casing and the printing assembly define a print media feed path through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7424306
    Abstract: An apparatus for temporarily storing phone numbers and short messages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing including electronics operable to receive an input and display a sequence of no more than seventeen characters in response to the input. The electronics include at least two electronic displays operable to display the sequence of no more than seventeen characters and a keypad operable to receive the sequence of no more than seventeen characters. The keypad includes twenty-six alphabetic keys, each alphabetic key representing a letter of the alphabet ranging from A to Z and ten numeric keys, each numeric key representing a single number ranging from zero (0) to nine (9). A clear key operable to clear the last character of the sequence of no more than seventeen characters and a processor is operably coupled to the at least two electronic displays and the keypad to convert the input into an alphanumeric character to be displayed by at least one of the two electronic displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Eichenbaum
  • Patent number: 7421286
    Abstract: A telephone alert system for remotely signaling a person when their mobile phone receives a call includes a vibration detection assembly adapted for detecting vibrations and sending a wireless signal when vibrations are detected. The vibration detection assembly is removably attached to the mobile phone. A vibrating assembly is adapted for receiving the wireless signal from the vibration detection assembly and vibrating when the wireless signal is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Silvia G. Sisto
  • Patent number: 7386330
    Abstract: A support shaft is received in a socket for relative rotation. A first hollow space penetrates through the support shaft. A first hollow member extends in a first direction from the tip end of the support shaft. The first hollow member defines a second hollow space extending in the first direction. The second hollow space receives a rotation shaft. A second hollow member extends in a second direction opposite to the first direction from the tip end of the support shaft. The second hollow member defines a third hollow space extending in the second direction from the tip end of the first hollow space. The electronic apparatus allows penetration of the wire through the first and third hollow spaces. No additional space is required around the second hollow member for locating the wire. The electronic apparatus is thus allowed to enjoy a reduced size or volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hisamitsu Takagi
  • Patent number: 7383067
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device includes a housing and main circuit board carried by the housing and having circuitry thereon. A keyboard circuit board is carried by the lower portion of the housing and has a keyboard section and keyboard circuitry thereon connected to circuitry on the main circuit board. An antenna section on the keyboard circuit board is configured as an antenna and positioned at the lower portion of the housing and has a pattern of conductive traces forming an antenna circuit and connected to the circuitry on the main circuit board. The keyboard circuit board preferably comprises a flex circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Robert Phillips, Robert Campbell Yule
  • Publication number: 20080118057
    Abstract: A hinge apparatus for connecting a first housing and a second housing of a portable terminal is provided. The hinge apparatus includes a hinge housing and a damping member. The hinge housing is connected to the second housing and has an internal wall formed with one or more guide grooves extending in a circumferential direction of the hinge housing. The damping member is rotatably received in the hinge housing and rotates as the second housing rotates. The damping member has one or more frictional projections. In a first section corresponding to the position where the second housing is folded onto the first housing, the frictional projections contact the internal wall of the hinge housing. Similarly, in another section corresponding to the position where the rotation of the second housing is stopped after rotating away from the first housing, the frictional projections also contact the internal wall of the hinge housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Bok Son, Byung-Yeol Ko, Jong-Hwan Choi
  • Patent number: 7372958
    Abstract: A portable communication apparatus includes arrow keys for moving a highlight bar to select one of a plurality of information items displayed on screen and an Enter key for executing a selected information item. The arrow keys and the Enter key are disposed close to each other within one area on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Deguchi
  • Patent number: 7372413
    Abstract: A mobile communication device (100) includes a main body (110), a cover body (120) and a linking member (130). The cover body is coupled to the main body and is movable relative to the main body. The cover body includes a lens module (121), an image sensor module (122) and at least one elastic member (123). One of the lens module and the image sensor module has at least one protrusion (121a) thereon. The linking member has a first end portion (131) coupled to the cover body and an opposite second end portion (132) coupled to the main body. The first end portion includes a sloping portion (131a) interposed between the lens module and the image sensor module. The protrusion abuts against the sloping portion. The linking member is driven by movement of the cover body relative to the main body, thus adjusting a distance between the lens module and the image sensor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jen-Tsorng Chang
  • Patent number: 7372959
    Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device has a display and a keypad, with the keypad being movable among a number of configurations that enable the “real estate” occupied by the keypad to be increased or decreased, and to correspondingly enable the viewable area of the display to be relatively decreased and increased, respectively. In one aspect, a first keypad portion and a second keypad portion can be disposed substantially coplanar when the keypad is in a first position and disposed noncoplanar when in a second position. In another aspect, a device can include a keypad and a flexible sheet-like piece of covering material structured to overlie a display, with the keypad and the piece of covering material being connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Norman M. Ladouceur, Jason T. Griffin
  • Patent number: 7369655
    Abstract: A telephone handset universal connector is used to connect between a phone base having a set of four signal outlets, and a handset having a set of four corresponding signal ports. The telephone handset universal connector includes a universal circuitry and a selection switch. The universal circuitry has an electric output 101 for electrically connecting with the four signal outlets of the phone base and an electric output 102 for electrically connecting with the four signal ports of the handset, wherein the selection circuitry provides twelve connection combinations for selectively connecting between the four signal outlets and the four signal ports. The selection switch is electrically connected with the selection circuitry to selectively switch the selection circuitry within the twelve connection combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Intelli Innovations Ltd.
    Inventor: Kong Ping Lau
  • Patent number: 7369884
    Abstract: A sliding assembly for a keypad protection cover of a telephone handset including at least one slide spring to urge the keypad protection cover in either the open or the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Hong-Jae Park, Nikolaj Bestle
  • Publication number: 20080084992
    Abstract: A system for remote handset diagnostics is provided. The system includes a plurality of handsets each having a diagnostic engine, and a carrier system having a plurality of encoder/decoder components. Each encoder/decoder component is operable to promote communication with at least one diagnostic engine to obtain diagnostic data. The carrier system further includes a diagnostic component that is operable to provide a common interface for diagnosing handsets. The diagnostic component is also operable to communicate with the plurality of encoder/decoder components and to facilitate diagnosis of the handset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Sudheer Kumar Peddireddy, Vani Budhati, Guoxin Fan, Sundararajan Chellappan, Rohit Kothari, Gary Bernitz
  • Publication number: 20080084993
    Abstract: A system for handset self diagnostics is provided. The system includes a handset and a diagnostic engine on the handset to obtain diagnostic data for the handset. The system also includes an application on the handset, and the application includes at least one user interface that uses the diagnostic data to assist a user of the handset to operate the handset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Sudheer Kumar Peddireddy, Vani Budhati, Sundararajan Chellappan, Rohit Kothari
  • Patent number: 7353053
    Abstract: A handheld electronic device having a slidable display is provided. A display unit is slidably connected to a body unit at two (or more) sliding joints. A mechanical linkage constrains motion at all of the sliding joints to be substantially equal. In this manner, binding of the slidable display is avoided, since binding occurs as a result of unequal motion at sliding joints. In one embodiment, the linkage includes a gear-axle-gear assembly disposed in a recess in the body unit and constrained to rotate as a unit about the axis of the axle. The gears of this assembly are engaged with linear gear racks on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: OQO, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Prichard, Jonathan Betts-Lacroix
  • Publication number: 20080069336
    Abstract: A telephone set suitable for sending and receiving calls and for affecting a display of call-related information on a user-viewable information display. The telephone set comprises a handset and a base. The handset includes a transmitter, a receiver, and an integrated pointing device. The integrated pointing device is configured to transmit a signal to the base in response to physical manipulation by a user. The base includes a numeric keypad for inputting phone numbers, an input for receiving the signal from the handset, and an electronic pathway that originates from the input and is directed toward the information display such that the physical manipulation of the integrated pointing device will affect the display of call-related information. Preferably, the telephone set is, by incorporation of a network interface, enabled to communicated and share call-related information through a packet-switched network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: 3Com Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Cannata
  • Patent number: 7343184
    Abstract: A protective cover for handheld devices. The protective cover containing a hardened plastic protective inner layer and a soft outer layer. The protective cover containing at least one cavity for mounting the associated segment of the handheld device therein and at least one fitted notch to secure the piece to the associated segment. The protective cover further containing at least one window for providing exposure to the surface of the associated segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Ramin Rostami
  • Publication number: 20080044005
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for displaying data or an image from a headset and acquiring data with a headset. In one example, a headset includes a processor, an acoustic transducer operably coupled to the processor, and a projector/scanner operably coupled to the processor for displaying an image on a surface exterior to the headset. The projector may also be used to acquire or capture data from a surface exterior to the headset. Advantageously, data and images may be displayed and acquired with a headset without requiring the headset to be taken off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy P. Johnston
  • Publication number: 20080044006
    Abstract: a remote control system for at least one electric device, each electric device having device identification data, has a handset comprising a handset transceiver, and a base unit having a telephone function to make a call. The base unit has a base unit transceiver that communicates with the handset wireless transceiver bidirectionally, and a primary remote-controller that communicates the electric device bidirectionally to control the electric device. The primary remote-controller has a remote-control transmitter and a remote-control receiver. The remote-control transmitter transmits control data to the electric device by using the device identification data, the control data being used for controlling the electric device. The remote-control receiver receives response data from the electric device in response to the control data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isamu Kitagawa
  • Publication number: 20080037770
    Abstract: A handset device (10) includes a laminated front sub-assembly (15) and a rear housing (20) supporting the laminated front sub-assembly. In addition, in one example, an integrated circuit substrate (24), a battery (28), and a speaker (32) are held adjacent to each other in a non-stacked arrangement in the rear housing. In one example, the laminated front sub-assembly may include a sheet (32) having operative indicia coupled therewith and a user interface substrate (56) operatively coupled to the sheet. The laminated front assembly 15 can also include a display (52), such as an electrophoretic display, held between the user interface substrate (56) and the sheet (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve C. Emmert
  • Publication number: 20080037771
    Abstract: A handset device (10) includes a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (78) and having a contact pad (266). An adhesive (60) is operatively coupled to the substrate (56). The adhesive (60) defines a second audio port portion (276) stacked with the first audio port portion (278) and defines a first electrical port portion (262). A speaker (32) having an electrical connector (238) is operatively coupled to the contact pad (266) through the first electrical port portion (262). The adhesive (60) is operative to seal the first and second audio port portions (278 and 276) from the electrical port portion (262). In addition, in one example, the handset device (10) may include a substrate (56) defining a first audio port portion (278), a speaker (32) operatively coupled to the substrate (56), and a rear housing (20) operatively coupled to the substrate (56) and defining an audio cavity (1104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Greg R. Black, Steve C. Emmert, Yi-Lin Pei
  • Publication number: 20080037769
    Abstract: A substrate (56) for a handset device (10) includes a keypad contact array (108) on the substrate (56) and a display electrode pattern (604) on the substrate (56). In addition, in one example, the substrate (56) for a handset device (10) may include a first surface and a second surface. A keypad contact array (108) and a display electrode pattern (604) may be included on the first surface (96) of the substrate (56). A display (52) may be operatively coupled to the display electrode pattern (604). A portion of the substrate (56) may define at least a portion of an audio port (274).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve C. Emmert, John P. Boos
  • Patent number: 7330547
    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 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Calin Turcanu
  • Patent number: 7321760
    Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and which reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is located a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Naoto Yamashita, Kazutoyo Inamitsu
  • Publication number: 20080013713
    Abstract: As a marking laser beam, a laser beam of wavelength 532 nm obtained by extracting by extracting second higher harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser or a laser beam of wavelength 355 nm obtained by extracting third higher harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser is used on a metal film formed on a plastic key top of a mobile telephone or the like, so that the metal film portion subjected to the beam is completely removed or only the surface portion of the metal film subjected to the beam is removed, thereby forming a planar set of very small concave points. Thus, it is possible to obtain a key unit having a metal film on which a character or symbol is directly marked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventor: Takehiro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7317932
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable phone using a sound receiving unit installed in the portable phone to receive a sound in the surrounding within an appropriate range, and then using a sound source playback device to play a sound after being amplified, so that a person having a hearing problem can just carry a mobile phone to concurrently have the basic functions of the mobile phone and use the sound amplification function of the mobile phone to supplement the deficiency of the hearing ability when talking to or communicating with others. The portable phone can be toggled between the regular telephone function and the hearing aid function, and thus concurrently serving as a hearing aid to the people who have a hearing problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Shing Lai, Yin-Shan Ji
  • Patent number: 7308288
    Abstract: A system and method for prioritized interface design are disclosed. In one embodiment of a system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure, a wireless-enabled device may include a display, a user input mechanism, and a housing component that at least partially defines an internal cavity. The device may have several engines including a display engine that can initiate presentation of a menu that has several selectable items displayed in respective menu positions. The device may also include a metric engine that tracks some selection metric for the selectable items and a priority engine that determines a prioritization level for the selectable items. In some embodiments, the prioritization level may be related to a selection metric. The device may also have a mapping engine that modifies assigned menu positions for the selectable items in response to changes in the prioritization level of the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: SBC Knowledge Ventures, LP.
    Inventors: Theodore Pasquale, Kurt M. Joseph, Scott H. Mills
  • Patent number: 7305248
    Abstract: An electronic device, in which accommodation space for a display can be extended over the space where a speaker might be provided. A portable terminal, as an example of an electronic device, is provided with a display/speaker section, an operating section, and a microphone on the front surface of its main body. The portable terminal does not have an independent speaker. A display cover located in front of the display/speaker section for protecting the display surface vibrates in response to an audio signal by a drive to output sound. Consequently, the display can be situated even over the space where a speaker might be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Ukyo Mori
  • Patent number: 7289627
    Abstract: In an opening/closing type portable terminal device having first and second box members that can be opened and closed and turned through a hinge, an object of the invention is to miniaturize the hinge and the device. A second turnable shaft (123) crosses a first turnable shaft (122) to turn together and is turnable with respect to the first turnable shaft (122). First and second guide members (126, 127) for controlling the turning angle of the second turnable shaft (123) are installed within the first turnable shaft (122). At a position across the first and second box members (101a, 101b), a flexible substrate (140) is interposed between the first turnable shat (122) and a first turnable shaft bearing (133) and is formed at one end thereof with a first winding (154a) to be wound on the outer periphery of the first turnable shaft bearing (133) and is turned together with the first turnable shaft (122).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Satoh, Fujio Arai
  • Patent number: 7289831
    Abstract: A cellphone system, cellphone flip or non flip types (10) removable or collapsible hand crank to dynamo (12) external dynamo attachment (14) external solar cell attachment (16) dynamo and solar cell attachment jack (18) solar cells (20) cellphone charging dock (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Inventor: Nick Trozzi
  • Patent number: 7286803
    Abstract: A mobile information terminal includes a case that is formed in tabular form and in the size of a palm, a display device that is stored such that the screen is exposed to the outside, an electronic circuit that is stored in the case and controls the display device, a protective frame that is arranged on the edge portion of the case and surrounds the edge portion, and a hooking portion that sticks out outward of the case from the protective frame, and is formed for fingers to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Hamasaki, Daisuke Iino, Makoto Fujimoto, Kazuhisa Watanabe, Atsushi Saso
  • Patent number: 7280854
    Abstract: A portable information terminal device cradle apparatus includes a recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing data using a recording disk, disposed in an inner space enclosed by an enclosure including an upper plate and a lower plate, a main part of a connector for a connection with a portable information terminal device and/or a cradle assembly placed on the upper plate, and a connector holding part for holding the main part of the connector such that the main part of the connector is rotatable with respect to the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignees: Olympus Corporation, Olympus Imaging Corp.
    Inventors: Ken Sugawara, Kunio Yamamiya, Keito Fukushima
  • Patent number: 7280847
    Abstract: A system for performing mobile transactions includes a mobile communication device connecting to a server device via a first network. The mobile communication device includes a subscriber identification module (SIM) card slot and a virtual subscriber identification (VSIM) interface connected to the SIM card slot and it provides subscriber identity authentication to the server device via the VSIM interface. The mobile communication device further includes a mobile transaction client application for managing the communication between the mobile communication device and the server device. The mobile transaction client application manages the communication between the mobile device and the server device utilizing the Bearer Independent Protocol as defined in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute document ETSI TS 101 267 (3GPP TS 11.14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Way Systems Inc
    Inventors: Scott Goldthwaite, Andrew Petrov, Andrei Doudkine
  • Patent number: 7269255
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a portable terminal device having an excellent operability in a voice communication. There are provided a receiver (106) provided on a surface (101g) of a first housing member (101a) which is opposed to a second housing member (101b) in a closing state, a speaker (107) provided on a surface (101i) of the second housing member (101b) which is opposed to the first housing member (101a) in the closing state and having a higher output level than the first voice output means, and a control portion (120) for deciding a positional relationship of the first housing member (101a) with the second housing member (101b) and setting an output source for a voice at the start of a voice communication to either the receiver (106) or the speaker (107) corresponding to a result of the decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyoshi Satoh, Kazuhiro Konishi
  • Patent number: 7260424
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a reconfigurable antenna and one or more wireless transceivers coupled to the antenna. The reconfigurable antenna can be dynamically configured to transmit and receive wireless signals at a plurality of frequencies and bandwidths. A processor core is coupled to the reconfigurable antenna and the wireless transceivers. The processor core dynamically controls the configurations of the reconfigurable antenna and processes the wireless signals transmitted and received at the plurality of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Inventor: Dominik J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7251510
    Abstract: A wireless communication terminal includes first and second case members coupled together by a coupling portion so that the positional relation therebetween can be changed, an external wireless communication antenna provided at the first case member, an external wireless communication control portion mainly controlling external wireless communication carried out through the external wireless communication antenna, a first internal wireless communication antenna, a first internal wireless communication control portion controlling internal wireless communication carried out through the first internal wireless communication antenna, a display part provided at the second case member, a second internal wireless communication antenna, a second internal wireless communication control portion controlling internal wireless communication carried out through the second internal wireless communication antenna, and an output power control portion controlling the output power of waves transmitted by the internal wireless c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Michio Irie
  • Patent number: 7248904
    Abstract: A mobile station including a cover assembly and a wireless telecommunications signal receiving and generating assembly. Included in the cover assembly is a belt that substantially extends around the signal receiving and generating assembly, and a connector to hold the belt closed about the signal receiving and generating assembly. The belt includes a pair of side edges which define side openings through which the signal receiving and generating assembly can be accessed. Advantageously, the belt is easily exchanged with other belts so as to vary the appearance of the mobile station. Further, the side edges are easily gripped by a user holding the mobile station. In another aspect, the belt includes an integrated key pad which overlies a plurality of key contacts of the signal receiving and generating assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Julian Gartrell, Robert A. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7242973
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to smoothen the loading of a battery pack, to ensure the electric connection between the battery pack and the main body of a mobile electronic apparatus, and to reduce the manufacture cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Saitoh, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Tadayuki Takanashi, Kanta Jyuudai
  • Patent number: 7236588
    Abstract: An assembly for a mobile terminal, or a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone or a personal digital assistant, is provided that includes a chassis with a locking perimeter and at least one covering, such as a front and/or a rear cover, with a locking edge. A cover may include a void or window for viewing a display of the electronic device and a keymat to control the electronic device. The chassis may include a convex groove in which a bracelet or wrap may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Julian Gartrell
  • Patent number: 7231039
    Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a body part (601) and a sleeve-like grip part (602) mounted to the body part (601) for longitudinal slidable movement between a retracted position and an extended position. Mechanically coupled to the body part (601) and the grip part (602) there is a spring (700, 1203) for effecting the longitudinal slidable movement. A locking mechanism (1004, 1006, 1007) is provided for detachably locking the body part and the grip part into the retracted position. There is also a user-actuatable releasing actuator (1005) for releasing the locking mechanism. The releasing actuator (1005) is located within the grip part (602).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mika Juhani Grönroos, Aulis Perttula, Ilpo Kauhaniemi, Antti Rönkkö, Pertti Savolainen, Jari Suutari
  • Patent number: 7231237
    Abstract: A wireless communication device (200) is provided, the wireless communication device (200) can include at least one antenna (240), the antenna (240) positioned beneath the face plate (252) and base plate (255) of a user interface (245) of the wireless communication device (200) in which the antenna (240) can be configured to communicate with a signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Christos L. Kinezos, Jan-Ove U. Mattsson, Lorenzo A. Ponce De Leon
  • Patent number: 7228111
    Abstract: A keypad structure. A mobile phone has a casing and an elastic sheet. The casing includes a plurality of resilient cantilever arms and a plurality of protrusions formed on the plurality of resilient cantilever arms. The elastic sheet includes a plurality of keypad buttons to press the plurality of resilient cantilever arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Yung-Fa Cheng, Hsiang-Lung Kao, Kuo-Hsiang Wu
  • Patent number: 7224945
    Abstract: A mobile station for receiving and generating wireless communications signals. The mobile station includes layers of translucent materials each having a visual characteristic and overlapping portions that define another visual characteristic. The layers can be used to define keys overlying pressure sensitive regions of a wireless communications signal processing assembly (e.g., dome contacts on a printed wiring board). Keys constructed of two layers have a first and second visual characteristics defined individually by the first and second layers, respectively, and a composite visual characteristic defined by the overlapping portions of the layers. For instance, the first and second visual characteristics may be two different colors that in the overlapping region form a composite color that is aesthetically attractive and distinguishes that portion of the key for easy identification during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Andrew Julian Gartrell
  • Patent number: 7194289
    Abstract: A cell phone includes a separate back cover containing a mirror. The back cover is removed or detached from the cell phone to expose a mirror. The back cover can then be attached back to the cell phone or otherwise secured or it can be left unsecured so that the user can use the mirror. Once the user is finished using the mirror, the back cover is secured to the cell phone, thereby protecting the mirror from any possible damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Bart Flores, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7187951
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile telephone in which content displayed in an auxiliary display area is operatively associated with content displayed in a main display area to make possible more effective utilization of the auxiliary display area. A function that presents a display in the main display area and a function that presents a display in the auxiliary display area can be selected to be the same function, whereby the content displayed in the main display area and the content displayed in the auxiliary display area can be operatively associated at all times. Accordingly, a function for which a display is being presented in the main display area is capable of utilizing the auxiliary display area, thereby making it possible to utilize the auxiliary display area effectively irrespective of whether the mobile telephone is open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Sou Kaida
  • Patent number: 7187956
    Abstract: In a portable communication apparatus of the invention, an inner wall (22) of an openable/closable member (2) faces the front face of a diaphragm of a close-talking microphone (5) via a sound path (64), and an outer sound hole (27) faces the rear face of the diaphragm of the close-talking microphone (5) via a sound path (65). An inner sound hole (26) is biasedly located in a position which is close to a free end of the openable/closable member (2), and the outer sound hole (27) is biasedly located in a position which is close to the center position of opening and closing movements of the openable/closable member (2), thereby obtaining a speech quality of a very high S/N ratio at a substantially same degree in both the cases where the openable/closable member (2) is opened, and where the member is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Sugino, Kouji Saitou, Toshiya Inubushi, Shushin Noda, Koji Nasu, Tomohiko Kamimura
  • Patent number: 7181253
    Abstract: A dual-wing folder radio telephone is provided. The dual-wing folder radio telephone includes a lower housing, a middle housing, and an upper housing that are connected to a hinge axis. The lower housing has hinge arms formed in one end thereof. Further, the lower housing has a battery mounted on the lower surface and a microphone mounted on the upper surface. The middle housing has hinge arms formed in one end thereof. Further, the middle housing includes a keypad, in which a plurality of keys are arranged, installed on the upper surface, and a main printed circuit board installed therein. The upper housing includes a hinge arm formed in one end, and an LCD and a speaker mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-Hun Kim