CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a PCT International Application of (and claims priority to) Korean Application No. 10-2008-0076423 filed August 5, 2008. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a portable communications device that can be slideably opened and closed, and more particularly to a movable user input device for use with a slideable portable communications device, such as a slide-to-open cellular phone.

BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information related to the present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.

[0004] Portable wireless communication devices {e.g., cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), etc.) have become increasingly popular. With increasing popularity, different types of portable communications devices have been introduced in an attempt to satisfy a diverse group of users. For example, a certain users may desire the portable communications device to open in a particular manner.

[0005] In this regard, some users may prefer a portable communications device that slides to open, as this style of portable communications device can be thinner than other portable communications devices. Generally, the slide-type or slideable portable communications devices can include two body parts, in which at least one of the body parts slides relative to the other to open or close the portable communications device. In one example, one of the body parts can contain a display screen, and the other can include a user input device, such as an alpha-numeric keypad, which can be viewed and accessed by sliding one or both of the body parts relative to the other. In certain instances, to facilitate user interactions with the alpha-numeric keypad, it may be desirable to move the keypad relative to at least one of the body parts.

SUMMARY

[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

[0007] Provided is a portable communications device. The portable communications device can include a first body. The portable communications device can also include a second body, which can be slideable relative to the first body between a first, closed position and at least a second, opened position. The portable communications device can further include a user input device, which can be coupled to the first body and can be movable relative to at least the second body. The user input device can be disposed within the second body when the second body is in the first position and can be movable to be substantially planar with a top surface of the first body or the second body when the second body slides from the first position to the second position.

[0008] Further provided is a portable communications device. The portable communications device can include a first body. The portable communications device can also include a second body, which can be movable relative to the first body between a first, closed position and a second, opened position. The second body can have an interior that can include at least one ramp. The portable communications device can further include a keypad, which can have a plurality of keys. The keypad can be coupled to the first body, and can include at least one roller, which can enable the keypad to move relative to the second body. The keypad can be disposed within the first body when the second body is in the first position. The movement of the second body from the first position to the second position can cause the at least one roller to contact the at least one ramp to raise the keypad between the first body and the second body.

[0009] Also provided is a portable communications device. The portable communications device can include a first body, which can be adapted to receive a display. The portable communications device can include a second body, which can be slideable relative to the first body between a first, closed position and a second, opened position. The second body can include a cavity and at least one ramp. At least a portion of the second body can be received within the first body in the first, closed position. The portable communications device can further include a keypad, which can be coupled to the first body and can be movable between a storage position within the cavity of the second body and a usage position outside of the cavity of the second body. The keypad can include at least one roller that can engage the at least one ramp to move the keypad from the storage position to the usage position. The movement of the second body from the first position to the second position can move the keypad from the storage position to the usage position. The movement of the second body from the second position to the first position can move the keypad from the usage position to the storage position.

[0010] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slideable portable communications device including a movable user input device according to various teachings;

[0013] Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the portable communications device of Fig. 1 ;

[0014] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the portable communications device of Fig. 1 , taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 , with the movable user input device in a first position;

[0015] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a portable communications device including the damping hinge of Fig. 1 , taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 , with the movable user input device in a second position; and

[0016] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the portable communications device of Fig. 1 , taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 , with the movable user input device in a third position. [0017] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but is nevertheless a routine undertaking of design, fabrication and manufacture for those of ordinary skill.

[0019] Although the following description is related generally to a movable user input device, such as a movable user input device for use with a slide-type or slideable portable communications device, it will be understood that the movable user input device, as described and claimed herein, can be used in combination with any appropriate system, component or device where it is desirable to raise one member relative to one or more members. Therefore, it will be understood that the following discussions are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

[0020] With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an exemplary movable user input device 10 is shown (Fig.2), which in one of various embodiments, can be employed with a portable communications device 12 (Fig. 1 ), such as a slide-to-open cellular phone. Generally, the portable communications device 12 can include a first body 14, a second body 16 and the user input device 10. In one embodiment, the second body 16 can slide relative to the first body 14, however, it will be understood that the first body 14 could slide relative to the second body 16, or both the first body 14 and the second body 16 could slide relative to each other. As shown in Fig. 3, the user input device 10 can be coupled to and disposed within the second body 16, such that as the second body 16 moves or slides relative to the first body 14 from a first, closed position (Fig. 1 , Fig. 3) to a second, opened position (Fig. 5), the user input device 10 can move from a first, storage position (Fig. 3) to a second, usage position (Fig. 5). In the usage position, the user input device 10 can be planar to at least a top surface of the second body 16, the first body 14 or combinations thereof, to facilitate use of the user input device 10 by a user. In this regard, by moving the user input device 10 planar with at least the second body 16, the user can easily and comfortably engage the user input device 10.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 2, in one example, the portable communications device 12 can include the first body 14, a support 18, the second body 16 and the user input device 10. The first body 14 of the portable communications device 12 can be adapted to receive, support or enclose a display device 14a, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one example, the first body 14 can be fixedly coupled to the support 18, via any suitable means, such as mechanical fasteners, forming, welding, press-fit, etc.

[0022] The support 18 can include a first end 20, a second end 22, one or more bores 24, one or more projections 26, and one or more flanges 28. The first end 20 can be coupled to and received within the first body 14. The first end 20 can define the bores 24, which can receive one or more mechanical fasteners, for example, to fixedly couple the first body 14 to the support 18. The second end 22 can support the user input device 10 and can include the projections 26 and the flanges 28. The user input device 10 can be movably coupled to the support 18, such that the user input device 10 can translate in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support 18 upon the movement of the second body 16, as will be discussed herein. The projections 26 can receive one or more mechanical fasteners, for example, to couple a portion of the user input device 10 to the support 18. The flanges 28 can slideably engage or cooperate with the second body 16 to enable the second body 16 to move relative to the support 18. In addition, if desired, the support 18 can include one or more biasing members, such as springs 30, to facilitate the movement of the second body 16, relative to the support 18.

[0023] With continuing reference to Fig. 2, the second body 16 can include one or more rails 32, a frame 34 and a housing 36. The rails 32 can be coupled to the frame 34. The rails 32 can generally be coupled to the frame 34 such that the flanges 28 can slideably engage or cooperate with the rails 32 to enable the second body 16 to move relative to the support 18.

[0024] The frame 34 can include a first end 38, a second end 40 and at least one ramp 42. The first end 38 can include one or more bores 38a, and the second end 40 can also include one or more bores 40a. A respective one of the rails 32 can be coupled to a respective one of the bores 38a and 40a. The at least one ramp 42 can typically be formed at a midpoint of the frame 34, or at a distance from the bores 40a substantially equal to a length of the user input device 10. With reference to Figs. 3-5, the at least one ramp 42 can have a positive slope 42a that terminates at a flat surface 42b, and can also include a bore 42c. The positive slope 42a can be sized and angled to enable the user input device 10 to gradually translate into the usage position, and the flat surface 42b can cooperate with the user input device 10 to support the user input device 10 in the usage position. The bore 42c can enable a respective one of the rails 32 to pass therethrough.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 2, the housing 36 of the second body 16 can have a first end 44 and a second end 46. The first end 44 can be generally planar, and can be coupled to the first end 38 of the frame 34, opposite the at least one ramp 42, as shown in Figs. 3-5. The first end 44 of the housing 36, and the first end 38 of the frame 34, can be received within the first body 14 such that the second end 46 of the housing 36 can be positioned adjacent to the first body 14 when the portable communications device 12 is in the first, closed position (Fig. 3). Generally, the first end 44 of the housing 36 and the first end 38 of the frame 34 can have a length such that when the portable communications device 12 is moved to the second, opened position, via the movement of the second body 16, the first end 44 of the housing 36 and first end 38 of the frame 34 can be adjacent to the second end 22 of the support 18 (Fig. 5).

[0026] The second end 46 of the housing 36 can define a cavity 46a, and can have a top surface 46b. The cavity 46a can substantially enclose the user input device 10 when the user input device 10 is in the storage position (Fig. 3). The second end 46 can also receive and be coupled to the second end 40 of the frame 34 to facilitate the movement of the second body 16 relative to the first body 14, and thus, the movement of the user input device 10 from the storage position to the usage position. The user input device 10 can be planar to the top surface 46b when the user input device 10 is in the usage position (Fig. 5).

[0027] With reference to Figs. 2-5, in one example, the user input device 10 can include a pad 50, a frame 52, at least one roller 54 and a biasing member or spring 56 (Figs. 3-5). The pad 50 in this example can comprise an alpha-numeric keypad with one or more keys 50a, however, the pad 50 could comprise a touch-screen display, one or more multi-function buttons, or the like, which can receive input from a user. The frame 52 can surround the pad 50, and can define an opening 52a. The pad 50 can be raised through the opening 52a when the pad 50 is moved from the storage position (Fig. 3) to the usage position (Fig. 5).

[0028] The at least one roller 54 can slideably engage the at least one ramp 42 of the second body 16. In this regard, as the second body 16 slides relative to the first body 14, the at least one roller 54 can travel up or down the positive slope 42a (Figs. 4 and 5). Generally, the movement of the second body 16 relative to the first body 14 is limited such that at the at least one roller 54 can rest on the flat surface 42b when the portable communications device 12 is in the second, opened position (Fig. 5). When the at least one roller 54 is on the flat surface 42b, the pad 50 can be positioned through the opening 52a, in the usage position, substantially planar to at least the top surface 46b of the second body 16.

[0029] The spring 56 can be coupled to the support 18 and to the pad 50, opposite the keys 50a. If desired, a spring support 56a can be coupled to at least one of the support 18 and the pad 50 to guide the movement of the spring 56. The spring 56 can bias the pad 50 towards the support 18, in a direction generally perpendicular to the movement of the second body 16. The spring 56 can assist in returning the pad 50 to the storage position (Fig. 3) from the usage position (Fig. 5).

[0030] With the portable communications device 12 fully assembled, and in the first, closed position, as shown in Fig. 3, the pad 50 can be disposed within the housing 36 of the second body 16. In order to access the pad 50, the user can move or slide the second body 16 relative to the first body 14. As the second body 16 moves, guided along a path defined by the rails 32, the user input device 10 can exit the cavity 46a of the housing 36, and the at least one ramp 42 can be brought into contact with the at least one roller 54, as illustrated in Fig. 4. With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, the continued movement of the second body 16 can cause the at least one roller 54 to advance up the at least one ramp 42, which can cause the pad 50 to move upwardly, through the opening 52a of the frame 52, against the bias of the spring 56. When the movement of the second body 16 terminates, the at least one roller 54 can be on the flat surface 42b of the at least one ramp 42 (Fig. 5). With the at least one roller 54 on the flat surface 42b, the pad 50 can be fully extended through the opening 52a, and thus, the user input device 10 can be planar with at least the second body 16.

[0031] Similarly, to move the portable communications device 12 from the second, opened position (Fig. 5) to the first, closed position (Fig. 3), the second body 16 can be moved or slid towards the first body 14. As the second body 16 advances towards the first body 14, the at least one ramp 42 can be moved such that the at least one roller 54 slides off the flat surface 42b, and down the positive slope 42a (Fig. 4). Typically, once the at least one roller 54 is off the flat surface 42b, the bias of the spring 56 can pull the pad 50 downward, and thereby facilitate the movement of the pad 50 into the storage position, and the movement of the second body 16 into the first, closed position (Fig. 3).

[0032] Terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "inwardly," "outwardly," and the like when used herein refer to positions of the respective elements as they are shown in the accompanying drawings, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited to such positions. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context.

[0033] When introducing elements or features and the exemplary embodiments, the articles "a," "an," "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of such elements or features. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements or features other than those specifically noted. It is further to be understood that the method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0034] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.