Multi-function electronic device with nested sliding panels
View Patent ↗In a multi-function electronic device, consists of a display mounted on the body of the device and two slidable panels mounted in the body for extension and retraction into the body. The body includes a base panel extending outward. One panel contains a keypad for use in conjunction with the display. The other panel contains a portion of a full function keyboard that cooperates with another portion of the full function keyboard mounted on the base panel. The full function keyboard is provided for operation with the display.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a body adapted to enclose a plurality of electronic components arranged within the body to provide multiple functions selectable by a user;
a display screen mounted on the body to display data and images in operative association with the plurality of electronic components;
a first panel slidably mounted within the body for extension and retraction into the body, said first panel having at least a portion of a keyboard mounted thereon;
a second panel slidably mounted within the body, separately from said first panel for extension and retraction into the body, said second panel having a keypad mounted thereon;
wherein said first and second panels extend in parallel overlapping planes within the body; and
wherein said first and second panels form a user interface for the electronic device in operative association with the display.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the body further includes a base panel extending outward therefrom in the general direction of movement of the second sliding panel and below the second panel.
3. The electronic device according to claim 2 wherein said base panel includes a portion of a keyboard operatively associated with the at least a portion of a keyboard of the first sliding panel, said keyboard portion being operable when said second sliding panel is retracted and said first panel extended.
4. The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein said keyboard portions cooperate to provide a full function keyboard.
5. The electronic device according to claim 4 , wherein the full function keyboard is a QWERTY style keyboard.
6. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the keypad is a communication keyboard to provide a user interface in cooperation with the display for a communication application of the electronic device.
7. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the keyboard is a text style keyboard to provide a user interface in cooperation with the display for a data processing application of the electronic device.
8. The electronic device for according to claim 1 , wherein the display screen is arranged to be substantially coextensive with the top surface of the body to maximize the potential area on which data and images can be displayed.
9. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the display screen is touch sensitive.
10. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller adapted to coordinate the operation of the display with the position of the sliding panels such that the data and images displayed are oriented in parallel relation to the keyboard or keypad depending which is in use.
11. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the sliding motion of the panels are parallel to said longitudinal axis.
12. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the sliding motion of the panels is transverse to said longitudinal axis.
13. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the body has a longitudinal axis and the sliding motion of the panels is transverse to said longitudinal axis and further wherein the keyboard is arranged on the first panel in a parallel relation to said longitudinal axis.
14. The electronic device, according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller adapted to coordinate the operation of the device to provide multiple functions;
first program code for causing said controller to respond to signals received from the keyboard and keypads according to the function selected by the user and the position of the panels; and
second program code for causing said controller to display images on the display screen in response to the position of the sliding panels, wherein the data and images displayed are oriented in parallel relation to the keyboard or keypad in accordance with the selected function.
15. The electronic device, according to claim 14 , further comprising third program code for causing said controller to adapt softkeys mounted on the panels to provide predetermined functions in response to the position of the sliding panels.
16. The electronic device, according to claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a mobile communication device.
17. An electronic device comprising:
a body adapted to enclose a plurality of electronic components arranged within the body to provide multiple functions selectable by a user;
a display screen mounted on the body to display data and images in operative association with the plurality of electronic components;
a first panel slidably mounted within the body for extension and retraction into the body, said first panel having at least a portion of a keyboard mounted thereon;
a second panel slidably mounted within the body, for extension and retraction into the body, said second panel having a keypad mounted thereon;
wherein said first and second panels form a user interface for the electronic device in operative association with the display; and
wherein the first and second panels are linked such that when the first panel is extended the second panel is retracted and when the first panel is retracted the second panel is extended.