IP Library Granted Patent US 7,016,711
Granted Patent B2
US 7,016,711 · App. 10/284,324 · Granted Mar 21, 2006

Multi-function portable data-processing device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,016,711
App. No.
10/284,324
Granted
Mar 21, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cellular phone of folded type has a cover panel and a base panel coupled by a hinge for swiveling of the cover panel between a folded state and a developed state. The base panel mounts thereon a touch-sensitive panel whereas the cover panel mounts an image projector for projecting an image of keyboard information onto the touch-sensitive panel. The keyboard information includes a label for each of the keypads for designating the function of the keypad, and switched based on the input mode of the cellular phone.

Claims (31)

1. A portable data-processing device comprising:

a panel body having a front surface used for an input operation;

an image projector for projecting a keyboard image including information of a keyboard onto said front surface;

a control unit for detecting a function specified by an input operation on said front surface based on a location of said input operation; and

a camera having a field of view overlapping an area of said keyboard image,

wherein said control unit detects the input operation based on an image signal obtained by said camera,

wherein said panel body includes a cover panel and a base panel coupled with a hinge,

said cover panel mounts said image projector and said camera, and said base panel mounts said front surface.

2. A portable data-processing device comprising:

a panel body having a front surface used for an input operation;

an image projector for projecting a keyboard image including information of a keyboard onto said front surface;

a control unit for detecting a function specified by an input operation on said front surface based on a location of said input operation; and

an arm for mounting said image projector, wherein said arm is coupled to said panel body for swiveling.

3. A portable data-processing device comprising:

a panel body having a front surface used for an input operation;

an image projector for projecting a keyboard image including information of a keyboard onto said front surface; and

a control unit for detecting a function specified by an input operation on said front surface based on a location of said input operation,

wherein said panel body includes a cover panel and a base panel coupled with a hinge, said cover panel mounts said image projector, and said base panel mounts said front surface.

4. The portable data-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein said image projector projects said keyboard image when an angle of said cover panel with respect to said base panel becomes a specified angle.

5. The portable data-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein said image projector includes a light source and a reflector having a plurality of micromirrors each controlled by said information of the keyboard.

6. The portable data-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein said portable data-processing device is a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant or a personal handy phone.

7. The portable data-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein said keyboard image includes images of keypads, pictures, sentences and/or labels for said keypads.

8. The portable data-processing device according to claim 1 , wherein said image projector projects a selected one of a plurality of keyboard images.

9. The portable data-processing device according to claim 2 , wherein said image projector includes a light source and a reflector having a plurality of micromirrors each controlled by said information of the keyboard.

10. The portable data-processing device according to claim 2 , wherein said portable data-processing device is a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant or a personal handy phone.

11. The portable data-processing device according to claim 2 , wherein said keyboard image includes images of keypads, pictures, sentences and/or labels for said keypads.

12. The portable data-processing device according to claim 2 , wherein said image projector projects a selected one of a plurality of keyboard images.

13. The portable data-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein said image projector includes a light source and a reflector having a plurality of micromirrors each controlled by said information of the keyboard.

14. The portable data-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein said portable data-processing device is a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant or a personal handy phone.

15. The portable data-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein said keyboard image includes images of keypads, pictures, sentences and/or labels for said keypads.

16. The portable data-processing device according to claim 3 , wherein said image projector projects a selected one of a plurality of keyboard images.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SECOND CONVEYING PARTY NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037209 FRAME: 0592. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 14, 2015
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION; COMMIX SYSTEMS, LLC
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037279/0685 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2015
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION; COMMIX SYSTEMS, LCC
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037209/0592 →
NOTICE OF TERMINATION Recorded Nov 14, 2014
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034244/0623 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2012
From: NEC CORPORATION
To: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029216/0855 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2002
From: KURAKANE, HIROSHI
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013444/0292 →