US20130301205A1 - Magnetic slider mechanism for electronic devices and methods of use - Google Patents
Magnetic slider mechanism for electronic devices and methods of use Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20130301205A1 US20130301205A1 US13/931,944 US201313931944A US2013301205A1 US 20130301205 A1 US20130301205 A1 US 20130301205A1 US 201313931944 A US201313931944 A US 201313931944A US 2013301205 A1 US2013301205 A1 US 2013301205A1
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- main portion
- base portion
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- magnet
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Images
Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1615—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
- G06F1/1624—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0235—Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0237—Sliding mechanism with one degree of freedom
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/0202—Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets
- H04M1/0206—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings
- H04M1/0208—Portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts, e.g. hinged housings characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
- H04M1/0214—Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
- H04M1/0216—Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
- H04M1/72409—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories
- H04M1/72412—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
- H04M2250/02—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a Bluetooth interface
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/11—Magnetic
Definitions
- This disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devices and, more particularly, to a portable electronic device including a base portion and a main portion, the base and the main portion being separable from one another and held together through magnetic force.
- Portable electronic devices include, for example, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, tablet computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, digital cameras, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, and the like. Although some portable electronic devices are stand-alone devices, many feature wireless communication capability for communication with other devices. Some other portable electronic devices, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other portable devices, lack wireless communication capability.
- Many portable electronic devices are used for written communication, such as composing e-mail or text messages.
- the decrease in the size of the portable electronic devices and their display areas makes access to a full keyboard and maximum display area difficult.
- portable electronic devices have been developed where a top portion slides relative to a bottom portion.
- the top portion generally includes a display and the bottom portion generally includes keys and other input members.
- Such devices often require mechanisms to assist the sliding and to connect the top portion to the bottom portion.
- such devices may include a groove in the bottom portion with a narrow opening, into which a peg or other knobbed projection from the top portion fits. The knobbed portion of the peg is too large to fit through the narrow opening of the groove, keeping the top portion and the bottom portion together.
- FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments
- FIG. 2A is a topside perspective view of a closed portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments
- FIGS. 2B-2D are section views taken along plane 2 B- 2 B of FIG. 2A showing guide rails of a portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 3A is a topside perspective view of a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments
- FIG. 3B is a side outside view of a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 3C is a side section view taken along plane 3 C- 3 C of FIG. 3A showing a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 4A is a topside perspective view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 4B is a side view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 4C is a section view taken along plane 4 C- 4 C of FIG. 4A showing a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 5A is a topside perspective view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with other disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 5B is a section view taken along plane 5 B- 5 B of FIG. 5A showing the fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a flip motion of the main portion of the portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments
- FIG. 7A is a top view of the main portion of a portable electronic device capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 7B is a top view of the base portion of a portable electronic device capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 8A is a section view taken along plane 8 A- 8 A of FIGS. 7A and 7B , consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 8B is a section view taken along plane 8 B- 8 B of FIGS. 7A and 7B , consistent with disclosed embodiments;
- FIG. 9A is a topside view of a portable electronic device in a partially open position in a second direction, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 9B is a topside view of a portable electronic device in a partially open position, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- Disclosed embodiments provide, in an electronic device, a magnetic slider mechanism for allowing a base portion to slide relative to a main portion.
- the base and main portion are held together through magnetic force and separable when such force is overcome.
- Disclosed embodiments may include guide rails or grooves and ridges to provide a sliding direction.
- the main portion may slide in two defined sliding directions with respect to the base portion.
- the base portion may include a cavity into which the main portion drops at the end of a sliding motion, causing the main portion to sit at an angle with respect to the base portion.
- the main portion may operate as a portable electronic device when separated from the base portion.
- the base portion and the main portion may communicate using short wave wireless communication.
- the disclosure generally relates to a portable electronic device.
- portable electronic devices include mobile, or handheld, wireless communication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, netbooks, tablets, and so forth.
- the portable electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other portable device.
- portable electronic device 100 may include a main portion and a base portion.
- the elements of FIG. 1 may be included in the main portion, the base portion, or a combination.
- some of the components of FIG. 1 may be duplicated in the main portion and in the base portion.
- the main portion and the base portion may be separable, and the main portion may operate as an electronic device when separated from the base portion.
- Portable electronic device 100 includes multiple components, such as processor 102 that controls the overall operation of the portable electronic device 100 .
- Processor 102 may be, for instance, and without limitation, a microprocessor ( ⁇ P).
- Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through communication subsystem 104 .
- Data received by the portable electronic device 100 may be decompressed and decrypted by a decoder 106 .
- Communication subsystem 104 may receive messages from and send messages to a wireless network 150 .
- Wireless network 150 may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data wireless networks, voice wireless networks, and networks that support both voice and data communications.
- Power source 142 such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external power supply, power portable electronic device 100 .
- Processor 102 may interact with other components, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) 108 , memory 110 , and display 112 .
- Display 112 may have a touch-sensitive overlay 114 operably connected to an electronic controller 116 that together comprise touch-sensitive display 118 .
- Processor 102 may interact with touch-sensitive overlay 114 via electronic controller 116 .
- User-interaction with a graphical user interface may be performed through the touch-sensitive overlay 114 .
- Information such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on portable electronic device 100 , may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 via the processor 102 .
- display 118 is not limited to a touch-sensitive display and can include any display screen for portable devices.
- Processor 102 may also interact with one or more actuators 120 , one or more force sensors 122 , auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem 124 , data port 126 , speaker 128 , microphone 130 , short-range communications 132 , and other device subsystems 134 .
- Processor 102 may interact with accelerometer 136 , which may be utilized to detect direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces.
- portable electronic device 100 may use a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM) card 138 for communication with a network, such as wireless network 150 .
- SIM/RUIM Removable User Identity Module
- user identification information may be programmed into memory 110 .
- Portable electronic device 100 may include operating system 146 and software programs or components 148 that are executed by processor 102 and may be stored in a persistent, updatable store such as memory 110 . Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto portable electronic device 100 through wireless network 150 , auxiliary I/O subsystem 124 , data port 126 , short-range communications subsystem 132 , or any other suitable subsystem 134 . Short-range communications subsystem 132 may also allow the main portion of device 100 to communicate with the base portion, including when the main and base portions are separated.
- a received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download may be processed by communication subsystem 104 and input to processor 102 .
- Processor 102 may process the received signal for output to display 118 and/or to auxiliary I/O subsystem 124 .
- a subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail or text messages, which are transmitted over wireless network 150 through communication subsystem 104 .
- Speaker 128 may output audible information converted from electrical signals, and microphone 130 may convert audible information into electrical signals for processing.
- Speaker 128 , display 118 , and data port 126 may be considered output apparatuses of device 100 .
- Touch-sensitive display 118 may be any suitable touch-sensitive display, such as a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive display, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, and so forth, as known in the art.
- a capacitive touch-sensitive display includes capacitive touch-sensitive overlay 114 .
- Overlay 114 is an assembly of multiple layers in a stack including, for example, a substrate, a ground shield layer, a barrier layer, one or more capacitive touch sensor layers separated by a substrate or other barrier, and a cover.
- the capacitive touch sensor layers are any suitable material, such as patterned indium tin oxide (ITO).
- One or more touches may be detected by touch-sensitive display 118 .
- Processor 102 or controller 116 may determine attributes of the touch, including a location of a touch.
- Touch location data includes an area of contact or a single point of contact, such as a point at or near a center of the area of contact.
- the location of a detected touch may include x and y components, e.g., horizontal and vertical components, respectively, with respect to one's view of touch-sensitive display 118 .
- the x location component may be determined by a signal generated from one touch sensor
- the y location component may be determined by a signal generated from another touch sensor.
- a signal may be provided to controller 116 or processor 102 in response to detection of a touch.
- a touch may be detected from any suitable object, such as a finger, thumb, appendage, or other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature of touch-sensitive display 118 .
- Multiple simultaneous touches or gestures are also detected. These multiple simultaneous touches may be considered chording events.
- Portable device 100 may include input device 119 .
- An input device may include an optical trackpad, a mouse, a trackball, or a scroll wheel, for example.
- input device 119 may include an area of touch-screen 118 .
- Input device 119 may assist a user in selection and scrolling inputs.
- One or more optional actuators 120 may be depressed by applying sufficient force to a touch-sensitive display 118 to overcome the actuation force of the actuator 120 .
- Actuator 120 may provide input to the processor 102 when actuated. Actuation of the actuator 120 may result in provision of tactile feedback.
- a mechanical dome switch may be utilized as one or more of actuators 120 .
- tactile feedback is provided when the dome collapses due to imparted force and when the dome returns to the rest position after release of the switch.
- actuator 120 may comprise one or more piezoelectric (piezo) devices that provide tactile feedback for the touch-sensitive display 118 . Contraction of the piezo actuators applies a spring-like force, for example, opposing a force externally applied to the touch-sensitive display 118 .
- Each piezo actuator includes a piezoelectric device, such as a piezoelectric (PZT) ceramic disk adhered to a metal substrate. The metal substrate bends when the PZT disk contracts due to build up of charge at the PZT disk or in response to a force, such as an external force applied to touch-sensitive display 118 . The charge may be adjusted by varying the applied voltage or current, thereby controlling the force applied by the piezo disks.
- PZT piezoelectric
- the charge on the piezo actuator is removed by a controlled discharge current that causes the PZT disk to expand, releasing the force thereby decreasing the force applied by the piezo disks.
- the charge may advantageously be removed over a relatively short period of time to provide tactile feedback to the user. Absent an external force and absent a charge on the piezo disk, the piezo disk may be slightly bent due to a mechanical preload.
- Actuator 120 , display 118 , input device 119 , force sensor 122 , microphone 130 , and data port 126 are considered input apparatuses for device 100 .
- FIGS. 2A-2D are exemplary views of device 100 in a closed position.
- Electronic device 100 may include a main or top portion 210 and a base portion 230 .
- Main portion 210 may include an area of magnetically attractive material 215 .
- a magnetic area, such as magnetic area 215 may be composed of any material attracted to a magnet including an inherently magnetized material or non-magnetized materials such as ferromagnetic materials or ferrimagnetic materials.
- Ferromagnetic materials include steel, iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- Ferrimagnetic materials include magnetite and other oxides of metals such as aluminum, cobalt, nickel, manganese and zinc.
- Magnetic area 215 may be a strip located along the edge of both sides of main portion 210 , as shown in FIG.
- Magnetic area 215 may have a length that allows it to magnetically couple with magnet 232 or magnet 234 provided in the base portion 230 for the duration of a slide motion of main portion 210 with respect to base portion 230 .
- Magnetic area 215 may have a width that provides sufficient magnetic coupling with magnet 232 or magnet 234 to keep main portion 210 and base portion 230 together during the sliding motion.
- magnetic area 215 may be a strip running down the center of main portion 210 .
- magnetic area 215 may have a width extending between positions 237 and 239 . The strip may be visible on the exterior, incorporated into, or encased within the housing of main portion 210 .
- Main portion 210 may also include two additional areas of magnetically attractive material on each side, such as magnetic areas 212 and 214 .
- Areas 212 and 214 may be located at each end of magnetic area 215 .
- Areas 212 and 214 may be comprised of magnetic material that produces a stronger magnetic coupling with magnets 232 and 234 than the magnetic coupling between magnetic area 215 and magnet 232 .
- Areas 212 and 214 may be separate from magnetic area 215 , may be attached to area 215 , or may be incorporated into area 215 . In embodiments without areas 212 and 214 , area 215 may extend to the location of areas 212 and 214 , so that area 215 couples with magnet 232 and magnet 234 when device 100 is in a closed position.
- Areas 212 and 214 may, like area 215 , be visible on the exterior, incorporated into, or encased within the housing of main portion 210 .
- Main portion 210 may also include planar surface 205 , which may include display
- Base portion 230 may include on both sides magnet 232 and magnet 234 .
- Magnets 232 and 234 may be positioned so that a magnetic coupling with magnetic area 215 keeps main portion 210 connected with base portion 230 when main portion 210 slides open.
- a user may push on main portion 210 at the end that includes area 214 in a direction of area 212 , causing top or main portion 210 to slide with respect to base portion 230 .
- the sliding motion causes magnetic area 215 to move over magnet 232 resulting in magnetic coupling between magnetic area 215 and magnet 232 , as described below with respect to FIG. 3A .
- device 100 in a closed position may allow magnet 232 to magnetically couple with area 212 and magnet 234 to magnetically couple with area 214 .
- Magnets 232 and 234 may have a stronger magnetic coupling with magnetic areas 212 and 214 than with magnetic area 215 .
- more force is required to move main portion 210 out of the closed position, when magnet 232 is coupled with area 212 , than is required to slide main portion 210 with respect to base portion 230 , when magnet 232 is coupled with area 215 .
- Magnet 232 may be located at the top end of base portion 230 and magnet 234 may be located at the bottom end.
- magnet 232 may be a solid piece running along the top of base portion 230 from positions 237 ′ to 239 ′. In other embodiments, two magnets 232 and 232 ′ may be located at the top of base portion 230 , one at position 237 ′ and one at position 239 ′. In yet other embodiments, magnet 232 may be located in the center of the top of base portion 230 . Magnet 234 may be similarly located at the bottom of base portion 230 .
- base portion 230 may also include guides, such as guide rails 240 .
- Guide rails 240 may run partially or fully along the long side of base portion 230 .
- Guide rails 240 may not connect main portion 210 with base portion 230 , but may define a sliding direction when main portion 210 slides with respect to base portion 230 .
- guide rails 240 may define a slot in which main portion 210 fits between guide rails 240 .
- the guides may include grooves and rails with the rails fitting removably within the grooves and sliding within the grooves to define a sliding direction. For example, as shown in FIG.
- main portion 210 may include grooves and base portion 230 may include guide rails 240 ′ as ridges in base portion 230 .
- guide rails 240 ′′ may be ridges in main portion 210 and base portion 230 may include grooves into which each ridge fits.
- the location and configuration of guide rails 240 is not important so long as the configuration defines a sliding direction and does not prevent separation of main portion 210 and base portion 230 .
- FIGS. 3A-3C are exemplary views of device 100 in a partially open position.
- a user may slide main portion 210 with respect to base portion 230 by overcoming the magnetic coupling of magnet 232 with magnetic area 212 and magnet 234 with magnetic area 214 .
- the magnetic coupling may be between magnets 232 and 234 and magnetic area 215 .
- a magnetic coupling occurs between magnet 232 and magnetic area 215 , as shown at position 270 in FIG. 3B .
- This magnetic coupling keeps main portion 210 and base portion 230 together during the sliding motion.
- FIGS. 3A-3C show a coupling between magnet 232 and magnetic area 215 , it is understood that the main portion 210 may slide in the opposite direction, so that magnetic coupling occurs between magnet 234 and area 215 .
- FIG. 4A shows a topside view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with some disclosed embodiments.
- base portion 230 may define cavity 280 , as shown in FIG. 3C .
- Magnet 236 may be located proximate to cavity 280 , as shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C .
- the user may slide main portion 210 along base portion 230 .
- the bottom of main portion 210 reaches the cavity, the bottom may be pulled into the cavity 280 by magnetic attraction between magnet 236 and magnetic area 214 , creating a magnetic coupling shown at 275 in FIG. 4C .
- the magnetic attraction between magnet 236 and magnetic area 214 is greater than the attraction between magnet 232 and magnetic area 215 , thus overcoming the coupling between 232 and 215 and causing the bottom of main portion 210 to be pulled into cavity 280 .
- main portion 210 may sit at a predetermined angle with respect to base portion 230 , as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C .
- FIG. 5A shows a topside view of a fully open portable electronic device of another disclosed embodiment.
- the device of FIGS. 5A-5B does not contain cavity 280 .
- magnet 232 ′ is located further from the top edge of base portion 230 and magnetic area 212 ′ is located further from the top edge of main portion 210 , as shown in FIG. 5A .
- Magnet 232 ′ and magnetic area 214 may have a stronger magnetic attraction than the attraction between magnet 232 ′ and magnetic area 215 ′.
- magnet 234 and magnetic area 214 are located further from the bottom edge of the base and main portions and magnet 232 ′ and magnetic area 212 ′ are located at the top edge of the base and main portions. Placement of magnets 232 ′ and 234 and magnetic areas 212 ′ and 214 are not important, so long as the magnetic force between magnet 232 ′ and magnetic area 214 keeps the main portion and the base portion coupled together, as shown in FIG. 5A , until a user slides main portion 210 back to the closed position or physically separates main portion 210 from base portion 230 .
- FIG. 6 is a side view of a flip motion of the main portion of the portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- a user may apply force to the top edge of main portion 210 , for example at the edge with magnetic area 212 .
- the user may push main portion 210 through positions 605 - 620 , shown with broken lines in FIG. 6 , until main portion 210 is once again in a closed position with respect to base portion 230 .
- the magnetic coupling between magnet 236 and area 214 keeps main portion 210 and base portion 230 together until main portion 210 generally reaches position 615 .
- main portion 210 reaches the edge of cavity 280 and the user is required to apply additional force to break the magnetic coupling between magnet 236 and area 214 to continue the flip motion.
- a magnetic attraction between area 212 and magnet 234 and area 214 and magnet 232 causes main portion 210 to slide into alignment with base portion 230 and achieve a closed position.
- main portion 210 is flipped, so that planar surface 207 , which was generally facing towards base portion 230 , is now facing away from base portion 230 , and towards the end of the motion, magnetic area 212 aligns with magnet 234 and magnetic area 214 aligns with magnet 232 .
- Guide rails 240 may help keep main portion 210 aligned with base portion 230 during the flipping motion, especially between positions 615 and 620 when the magnetic coupling between magnet 236 and area 214 is broken and before magnetic coupling between magnet 234 and area 212 is established.
- each planar surface of main portion 210 may contain different input and output apparatuses.
- a first planar surface 205 may contain a touch screen display 118 and a second planar surface 207 may contain a display 118 , actuators 120 used as input members, and input device 119 , such as a track ball or an optical track pad.
- the planar surface visible from the closed position may be changed by flipping main portion 210 , as shown in FIG. 6 .
- First planar surface 205 and second planar surface 207 may also be accessed by physically separating main portion 210 from base portion 230 . A physical separation may occur when the user lifts or slides main portion 210 away from base portion 230 so that the two portions are completely separate. For example, when physically separated, the user may hold base portion 230 in one hand and main portion 210 in the other.
- Using magnetic force to keep main portion 210 and base portion 230 together has several advantages.
- FIGS. 7-9 illustrate aspects of alternate embodiments of portable electronic device 100 that is capable of sliding main portion 210 in two separate directions with respect to base portion 230 .
- FIG. 7A is a top view of main portion 210 and
- FIG. 7B is a top view of base portion 230 of portable electronic device 100 capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments.
- main portion 210 may include magnetic areas 216 and 216 ′ in addition to magnetic areas 215 and 215 ′′.
- Main portion 210 may also include main-portion guide rails 705 and 710 along perpendicular edges, as shown in FIG. 7A .
- Main-portion guide rails 705 and 710 may form a right angle.
- Base portion 230 may include guide rails 715 and 720 along perpendicular edges rather than parallel edges, as shown in FIG. 7B .
- Guide rails 715 and 720 may form a right angle, with the vertex of the right angle formed by guide rails 715 and 720 located diagonally from the vertex of the right angle formed by main-portion guide rails 705 and 710 .
- Magnetic coupling between magnetic areas 216 and 216 ′ and magnets 232 ′′ and 234 ′ keep main portion 210 connected to base portion 230 when main portion 210 slides in the direction indicated in FIG. 9A .
- Guide rails 705 and 720 that run parallel to magnetic areas 216 and 216 ′ may help define the direction of this sliding motion.
- Device 100 as shown in FIG. 9B , may also be capable of sliding in a direction parallel to magnetic areas 215 and 215 ′′.
- Guide rails 710 and 715 that run parallel to magnetic areas 215 and 215 ′′ may define the direction of this sliding motion.
- Processor 102 may be configured to receive input from sensors located at magnets 232 and 234 to detect, for example, if magnet 232 is coupled with area 212 , area 215 , or not coupled at all. For example, processor 102 may cause output of one type of display when main portion 210 is closed, a different type of display when main portion 210 slides along magnetic area 215 and another type of display when main portion 210 slides along magnetic area 216 . Alternatively, using the device shown in FIGS. 5A-5B , processor 102 may be configured to cause output of one type when magnet 232 ′ and magnetic areas 214 or 215 ′ achieve magnetic coupling and another type of output when magnet 234 and magnetic areas 214 or 215 ′ achieve magnetic coupling.
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Abstract
Description
- This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 13/020,955, filed Feb. 4, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- This disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devices and, more particularly, to a portable electronic device including a base portion and a main portion, the base and the main portion being separable from one another and held together through magnetic force.
- Electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, have gained widespread use and often provide a variety of functions. Portable electronic devices include, for example, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, tablet computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, digital cameras, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, and the like. Although some portable electronic devices are stand-alone devices, many feature wireless communication capability for communication with other devices. Some other portable electronic devices, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other portable devices, lack wireless communication capability.
- Many portable electronic devices are used for written communication, such as composing e-mail or text messages. The decrease in the size of the portable electronic devices and their display areas makes access to a full keyboard and maximum display area difficult. To increase the display area while keeping a larger area for keys on a keyboard, portable electronic devices have been developed where a top portion slides relative to a bottom portion. The top portion generally includes a display and the bottom portion generally includes keys and other input members.
- Such devices often require mechanisms to assist the sliding and to connect the top portion to the bottom portion. For example, such devices may include a groove in the bottom portion with a narrow opening, into which a peg or other knobbed projection from the top portion fits. The knobbed portion of the peg is too large to fit through the narrow opening of the groove, keeping the top portion and the bottom portion together.
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 2A is a topside perspective view of a closed portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIGS. 2B-2D are section views taken alongplane 2B-2B ofFIG. 2A showing guide rails of a portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 3A is a topside perspective view of a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 3B is a side outside view of a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 3C is a side section view taken alongplane 3C-3C ofFIG. 3A showing a partially open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 4A is a topside perspective view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 4B is a side view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 4C is a section view taken alongplane 4C-4C ofFIG. 4A showing a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 5A is a topside perspective view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with other disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 5B is a section view taken alongplane 5B-5B ofFIG. 5A showing the fully open portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of a flip motion of the main portion of the portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 7A is a top view of the main portion of a portable electronic device capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 7B is a top view of the base portion of a portable electronic device capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 8A is a section view taken alongplane 8A-8A ofFIGS. 7A and 7B , consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 8B is a section view taken alongplane 8B-8B ofFIGS. 7A and 7B , consistent with disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 9A is a topside view of a portable electronic device in a partially open position in a second direction, consistent with disclosed embodiments; and -
FIG. 9B is a topside view of a portable electronic device in a partially open position, consistent with disclosed embodiments. - Disclosed embodiments provide, in an electronic device, a magnetic slider mechanism for allowing a base portion to slide relative to a main portion. The base and main portion are held together through magnetic force and separable when such force is overcome. Disclosed embodiments may include guide rails or grooves and ridges to provide a sliding direction. In certain embodiments, the main portion may slide in two defined sliding directions with respect to the base portion. In certain embodiments, the base portion may include a cavity into which the main portion drops at the end of a sliding motion, causing the main portion to sit at an angle with respect to the base portion. The main portion may operate as a portable electronic device when separated from the base portion. In certain embodiments, the base portion and the main portion may communicate using short wave wireless communication.
- Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. The embodiments may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the embodiments described herein.
- The disclosure generally relates to a portable electronic device. Examples of portable electronic devices include mobile, or handheld, wireless communication devices such as pagers, cellular phones, cellular smart-phones, wireless organizers, personal digital assistants, wirelessly enabled notebook computers, netbooks, tablets, and so forth. The portable electronic device may also be a portable electronic device without wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld electronic game device, digital photograph album, digital camera, or other portable device.
- A block diagram of an exemplary portable
electronic device 100 is shown inFIG. 1 . In disclosed embodiments, portableelectronic device 100 may include a main portion and a base portion. The elements ofFIG. 1 may be included in the main portion, the base portion, or a combination. Thus, some of the components ofFIG. 1 may be duplicated in the main portion and in the base portion. The main portion and the base portion may be separable, and the main portion may operate as an electronic device when separated from the base portion. - Portable
electronic device 100 includes multiple components, such asprocessor 102 that controls the overall operation of the portableelectronic device 100.Processor 102 may be, for instance, and without limitation, a microprocessor (μP). Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed throughcommunication subsystem 104. Data received by the portableelectronic device 100 may be decompressed and decrypted by adecoder 106.Communication subsystem 104 may receive messages from and send messages to awireless network 150.Wireless network 150 may be any type of wireless network, including, but not limited to, data wireless networks, voice wireless networks, and networks that support both voice and data communications.Power source 142, such as one or more rechargeable batteries or a port to an external power supply, power portableelectronic device 100. -
Processor 102 may interact with other components, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) 108,memory 110, anddisplay 112.Display 112 may have a touch-sensitive overlay 114 operably connected to anelectronic controller 116 that together comprise touch-sensitive display 118.Processor 102 may interact with touch-sensitive overlay 114 viaelectronic controller 116. User-interaction with a graphical user interface may be performed through the touch-sensitive overlay 114. Information, such as text, characters, symbols, images, icons, and other items that may be displayed or rendered on portableelectronic device 100, may be displayed on the touch-sensitive display 118 via theprocessor 102. Although described as a touch-sensitive display with regard toFIG. 1 ,display 118 is not limited to a touch-sensitive display and can include any display screen for portable devices. -
Processor 102 may also interact with one ormore actuators 120, one ormore force sensors 122, auxiliary input/output (I/O)subsystem 124,data port 126,speaker 128,microphone 130, short-range communications 132, andother device subsystems 134.Processor 102 may interact withaccelerometer 136, which may be utilized to detect direction of gravitational forces or gravity-induced reaction forces. - To identify a subscriber for network access, portable
electronic device 100 may use a Subscriber Identity Module or a Removable User Identity Module (SIM/RUIM)card 138 for communication with a network, such aswireless network 150. Alternatively, user identification information may be programmed intomemory 110. - Portable
electronic device 100 may includeoperating system 146 and software programs orcomponents 148 that are executed byprocessor 102 and may be stored in a persistent, updatable store such asmemory 110. Additional applications or programs may be loaded onto portableelectronic device 100 throughwireless network 150, auxiliary I/O subsystem 124,data port 126, short-range communications subsystem 132, or any othersuitable subsystem 134. Short-range communications subsystem 132 may also allow the main portion ofdevice 100 to communicate with the base portion, including when the main and base portions are separated. - A received signal such as a text message, an e-mail message, or web page download may be processed by
communication subsystem 104 and input toprocessor 102.Processor 102 may process the received signal for output to display 118 and/or to auxiliary I/O subsystem 124. A subscriber may generate data items, for example e-mail or text messages, which are transmitted overwireless network 150 throughcommunication subsystem 104. For voice communications, the overall operation of the portableelectronic device 100 is similar.Speaker 128 may output audible information converted from electrical signals, andmicrophone 130 may convert audible information into electrical signals for processing.Speaker 128,display 118, anddata port 126 may be considered output apparatuses ofdevice 100. - Touch-
sensitive display 118 may be any suitable touch-sensitive display, such as a capacitive, resistive, infrared, surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch-sensitive display, strain gauge, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, and so forth, as known in the art. A capacitive touch-sensitive display includes capacitive touch-sensitive overlay 114. Overlay 114 is an assembly of multiple layers in a stack including, for example, a substrate, a ground shield layer, a barrier layer, one or more capacitive touch sensor layers separated by a substrate or other barrier, and a cover. The capacitive touch sensor layers are any suitable material, such as patterned indium tin oxide (ITO). - One or more touches, also known as touch contacts, touch events, or actuations, may be detected by touch-
sensitive display 118.Processor 102 orcontroller 116 may determine attributes of the touch, including a location of a touch. Touch location data includes an area of contact or a single point of contact, such as a point at or near a center of the area of contact. The location of a detected touch may include x and y components, e.g., horizontal and vertical components, respectively, with respect to one's view of touch-sensitive display 118. For example, the x location component may be determined by a signal generated from one touch sensor, and the y location component may be determined by a signal generated from another touch sensor. A signal may be provided tocontroller 116 orprocessor 102 in response to detection of a touch. A touch may be detected from any suitable object, such as a finger, thumb, appendage, or other items, for example, a stylus, pen, or other pointer, depending on the nature of touch-sensitive display 118. Multiple simultaneous touches or gestures are also detected. These multiple simultaneous touches may be considered chording events. -
Portable device 100 may includeinput device 119. An input device may include an optical trackpad, a mouse, a trackball, or a scroll wheel, for example. In some embodiments,input device 119 may include an area of touch-screen 118.Input device 119 may assist a user in selection and scrolling inputs. - One or more
optional actuators 120 may be depressed by applying sufficient force to a touch-sensitive display 118 to overcome the actuation force of theactuator 120.Actuator 120 may provide input to theprocessor 102 when actuated. Actuation of theactuator 120 may result in provision of tactile feedback. - In certain embodiments, a mechanical dome switch may be utilized as one or more of
actuators 120. In this example, tactile feedback is provided when the dome collapses due to imparted force and when the dome returns to the rest position after release of the switch. - Alternatively,
actuator 120 may comprise one or more piezoelectric (piezo) devices that provide tactile feedback for the touch-sensitive display 118. Contraction of the piezo actuators applies a spring-like force, for example, opposing a force externally applied to the touch-sensitive display 118. Each piezo actuator includes a piezoelectric device, such as a piezoelectric (PZT) ceramic disk adhered to a metal substrate. The metal substrate bends when the PZT disk contracts due to build up of charge at the PZT disk or in response to a force, such as an external force applied to touch-sensitive display 118. The charge may be adjusted by varying the applied voltage or current, thereby controlling the force applied by the piezo disks. The charge on the piezo actuator is removed by a controlled discharge current that causes the PZT disk to expand, releasing the force thereby decreasing the force applied by the piezo disks. The charge may advantageously be removed over a relatively short period of time to provide tactile feedback to the user. Absent an external force and absent a charge on the piezo disk, the piezo disk may be slightly bent due to a mechanical preload.Actuator 120,display 118,input device 119,force sensor 122,microphone 130, anddata port 126 are considered input apparatuses fordevice 100. -
FIGS. 2A-2D are exemplary views ofdevice 100 in a closed position.Electronic device 100 may include a main ortop portion 210 and abase portion 230.Main portion 210 may include an area of magneticallyattractive material 215. A magnetic area, such asmagnetic area 215, may be composed of any material attracted to a magnet including an inherently magnetized material or non-magnetized materials such as ferromagnetic materials or ferrimagnetic materials. Ferromagnetic materials include steel, iron, nickel, and cobalt. Ferrimagnetic materials include magnetite and other oxides of metals such as aluminum, cobalt, nickel, manganese and zinc.Magnetic area 215 may be a strip located along the edge of both sides ofmain portion 210, as shown inFIG. 2A .Magnetic area 215 may have a length that allows it to magnetically couple withmagnet 232 ormagnet 234 provided in thebase portion 230 for the duration of a slide motion ofmain portion 210 with respect tobase portion 230.Magnetic area 215 may have a width that provides sufficient magnetic coupling withmagnet 232 ormagnet 234 to keepmain portion 210 andbase portion 230 together during the sliding motion. In other embodiments,magnetic area 215 may be a strip running down the center ofmain portion 210. In other embodiments,magnetic area 215 may have a width extending betweenpositions main portion 210. -
Main portion 210 may also include two additional areas of magnetically attractive material on each side, such asmagnetic areas Areas magnetic area 215.Areas magnets magnetic area 215 andmagnet 232.Areas magnetic area 215, may be attached toarea 215, or may be incorporated intoarea 215. In embodiments withoutareas area 215 may extend to the location ofareas area 215 couples withmagnet 232 andmagnet 234 whendevice 100 is in a closed position.Areas area 215, be visible on the exterior, incorporated into, or encased within the housing ofmain portion 210.Main portion 210 may also includeplanar surface 205, which may includedisplay 118. -
Base portion 230 may include on bothsides magnet 232 andmagnet 234.Magnets magnetic area 215 keepsmain portion 210 connected withbase portion 230 whenmain portion 210 slides open. For example, a user may push onmain portion 210 at the end that includesarea 214 in a direction ofarea 212, causing top ormain portion 210 to slide with respect tobase portion 230. The sliding motion causesmagnetic area 215 to move overmagnet 232 resulting in magnetic coupling betweenmagnetic area 215 andmagnet 232, as described below with respect toFIG. 3A . - As shown in
FIG. 2A ,device 100 in a closed position may allowmagnet 232 to magnetically couple witharea 212 andmagnet 234 to magnetically couple witharea 214.Magnets magnetic areas magnetic area 215. Thus, for example, more force is required to movemain portion 210 out of the closed position, whenmagnet 232 is coupled witharea 212, than is required to slidemain portion 210 with respect tobase portion 230, whenmagnet 232 is coupled witharea 215.Magnet 232 may be located at the top end ofbase portion 230 andmagnet 234 may be located at the bottom end. In certain embodiments,magnet 232 may be a solid piece running along the top ofbase portion 230 frompositions 237′ to 239′. In other embodiments, twomagnets base portion 230, one atposition 237′ and one atposition 239′. In yet other embodiments,magnet 232 may be located in the center of the top ofbase portion 230.Magnet 234 may be similarly located at the bottom ofbase portion 230. - As shown in
FIG. 2B ,base portion 230 may also include guides, such as guide rails 240.Guide rails 240 may run partially or fully along the long side ofbase portion 230.Guide rails 240 may not connectmain portion 210 withbase portion 230, but may define a sliding direction whenmain portion 210 slides with respect tobase portion 230. As shown inFIG. 2B ,guide rails 240 may define a slot in whichmain portion 210 fits between guide rails 240. In other embodiments, the guides may include grooves and rails with the rails fitting removably within the grooves and sliding within the grooves to define a sliding direction. For example, as shown inFIG. 2C ,main portion 210 may include grooves andbase portion 230 may includeguide rails 240′ as ridges inbase portion 230. In other embodiments, as shown inFIG. 2D ,guide rails 240″ may be ridges inmain portion 210 andbase portion 230 may include grooves into which each ridge fits. The location and configuration ofguide rails 240 is not important so long as the configuration defines a sliding direction and does not prevent separation ofmain portion 210 andbase portion 230. -
FIGS. 3A-3C are exemplary views ofdevice 100 in a partially open position. A user may slidemain portion 210 with respect tobase portion 230 by overcoming the magnetic coupling ofmagnet 232 withmagnetic area 212 andmagnet 234 withmagnetic area 214. In embodiments withoutmagnetic areas magnets magnetic area 215. Once the magnetic coupling has been overcome, a magnetic coupling occurs betweenmagnet 232 andmagnetic area 215, as shown atposition 270 inFIG. 3B . This magnetic coupling keepsmain portion 210 andbase portion 230 together during the sliding motion. WhileFIGS. 3A-3C show a coupling betweenmagnet 232 andmagnetic area 215, it is understood that themain portion 210 may slide in the opposite direction, so that magnetic coupling occurs betweenmagnet 234 andarea 215. -
FIG. 4A shows a topside view of a fully open portable electronic device, consistent with some disclosed embodiments. In certain embodiments,base portion 230 may definecavity 280, as shown inFIG. 3C .Magnet 236 may be located proximate tocavity 280, as shown inFIGS. 3C and 4C . The user may slidemain portion 210 alongbase portion 230. When the bottom ofmain portion 210 reaches the cavity, the bottom may be pulled into thecavity 280 by magnetic attraction betweenmagnet 236 andmagnetic area 214, creating a magnetic coupling shown at 275 inFIG. 4C . In disclosed embodiments, the magnetic attraction betweenmagnet 236 andmagnetic area 214 is greater than the attraction betweenmagnet 232 andmagnetic area 215, thus overcoming the coupling between 232 and 215 and causing the bottom ofmain portion 210 to be pulled intocavity 280. When resting incavity 280,main portion 210 may sit at a predetermined angle with respect tobase portion 230, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C . -
FIG. 5A shows a topside view of a fully open portable electronic device of another disclosed embodiment. The device ofFIGS. 5A-5B does not containcavity 280. Instead, as compared to the embodiment ofFIGS. 2A-2B , 3A-3C, and 4A-4C,magnet 232′ is located further from the top edge ofbase portion 230 andmagnetic area 212′ is located further from the top edge ofmain portion 210, as shown inFIG. 5A .Magnet 232′ andmagnetic area 214 may have a stronger magnetic attraction than the attraction betweenmagnet 232′ andmagnetic area 215′. In other embodiments (not shown),magnet 234 andmagnetic area 214 are located further from the bottom edge of the base and main portions andmagnet 232′ andmagnetic area 212′ are located at the top edge of the base and main portions. Placement ofmagnets 232′ and 234 andmagnetic areas 212′ and 214 are not important, so long as the magnetic force betweenmagnet 232′ andmagnetic area 214 keeps the main portion and the base portion coupled together, as shown inFIG. 5A , until a user slidesmain portion 210 back to the closed position or physically separatesmain portion 210 frombase portion 230. -
FIG. 6 is a side view of a flip motion of the main portion of the portable electronic device, consistent with disclosed embodiments. Withmain portion 210 sitting incavity 280, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C , a user may apply force to the top edge ofmain portion 210, for example at the edge withmagnetic area 212. By continuing to apply force in this direction, the user may pushmain portion 210 through positions 605-620, shown with broken lines inFIG. 6 , untilmain portion 210 is once again in a closed position with respect tobase portion 230. During the flip motion, the magnetic coupling betweenmagnet 236 andarea 214 keepsmain portion 210 andbase portion 230 together untilmain portion 210 generally reachesposition 615. Generally atposition 615,main portion 210 reaches the edge ofcavity 280 and the user is required to apply additional force to break the magnetic coupling betweenmagnet 236 andarea 214 to continue the flip motion. Generally atposition 620, a magnetic attraction betweenarea 212 andmagnet 234 andarea 214 andmagnet 232 causesmain portion 210 to slide into alignment withbase portion 230 and achieve a closed position. - Through this motion,
main portion 210 is flipped, so thatplanar surface 207, which was generally facing towardsbase portion 230, is now facing away frombase portion 230, and towards the end of the motion,magnetic area 212 aligns withmagnet 234 andmagnetic area 214 aligns withmagnet 232.Guide rails 240 may help keepmain portion 210 aligned withbase portion 230 during the flipping motion, especially betweenpositions magnet 236 andarea 214 is broken and before magnetic coupling betweenmagnet 234 andarea 212 is established. - In such an embodiment, each planar surface of
main portion 210 may contain different input and output apparatuses. For example, in some embodiments, a firstplanar surface 205 may contain atouch screen display 118 and a secondplanar surface 207 may contain adisplay 118,actuators 120 used as input members, andinput device 119, such as a track ball or an optical track pad. The planar surface visible from the closed position may be changed by flippingmain portion 210, as shown inFIG. 6 . Firstplanar surface 205 and secondplanar surface 207 may also be accessed by physically separatingmain portion 210 frombase portion 230. A physical separation may occur when the user lifts or slidesmain portion 210 away frombase portion 230 so that the two portions are completely separate. For example, when physically separated, the user may holdbase portion 230 in one hand andmain portion 210 in the other. - Using magnetic force to keep
main portion 210 andbase portion 230 together has several advantages. First, physical connections between a base portion and a top portion add thickness to the portable electronic device because of the need to accommodate the mechanical connectors. Connection through magnetic attraction allows multiple sliding directions without adding to the thickness of the device. Magnetic attraction allows for multiple slide motions while removing the physical mechanisms required to accomplish a sliding motion, thus freeing up space for additional internal components or for reducing the physical size of the device. Further, magnetic attraction makes a flip motion of the main portion possible. -
FIGS. 7-9 illustrate aspects of alternate embodiments of portableelectronic device 100 that is capable of slidingmain portion 210 in two separate directions with respect tobase portion 230.FIG. 7A is a top view ofmain portion 210 andFIG. 7B is a top view ofbase portion 230 of portableelectronic device 100 capable of sliding in two directions, consistent with disclosed embodiments. As can be seen inFIG. 7A , for example,main portion 210 may includemagnetic areas magnetic areas Main portion 210 may also include main-portion guide rails FIG. 7A . Main-portion guide rails Base portion 230 may includeguide rails FIG. 7B .Guide rails guide rails portion guide rails - Magnetic coupling between
magnetic areas magnets 232″ and 234′ keepmain portion 210 connected tobase portion 230 whenmain portion 210 slides in the direction indicated inFIG. 9A .Guide rails magnetic areas Device 100, as shown inFIG. 9B , may also be capable of sliding in a direction parallel tomagnetic areas Guide rails magnetic areas -
Processor 102 may be configured to receive input from sensors located atmagnets magnet 232 is coupled witharea 212,area 215, or not coupled at all. For example,processor 102 may cause output of one type of display whenmain portion 210 is closed, a different type of display whenmain portion 210 slides alongmagnetic area 215 and another type of display whenmain portion 210 slides alongmagnetic area 216. Alternatively, using the device shown inFIGS. 5A-5B ,processor 102 may be configured to cause output of one type whenmagnet 232′ andmagnetic areas magnet 234 andmagnetic areas - The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
- Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.
Claims (22)
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US20120200990A1 (en) | 2012-08-09 |
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