GB2384132A

GB2384132A - Multi-screen mobile telephone

Info

Publication number: GB2384132A
Application number: GB0200586A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Ormson
Original assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Current assignee: NEC Technologies UK Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-11
Filing date: 2002-01-11
Publication date: 2003-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-11
Also published as: GB2384132B; GB0200586D0

Abstract

An electronic mobile telecommunications device comprising at least two display screens 60, 130 each carried on a different face of the device. The operating keys are recessed (see fig 2).

Description

Multi-screen Communication Unit The present invention relates to a multi-screen communication unit.

Typical"slab"mobile communication units such as mobile telephones contain a single liquid crystal display (LCD) screen which is located on the same face as the keypad.

This face of the unit typically further includes the microphone and the speaker. By positioning the screen and keypad on the same face of the communication unit the user is easily able to control and select functions on the unit.

The introduction of third generation (3G) mobile telephone technology facilitates the transfer of large files of information between mobile communication units. In order to present this information to the user there is a growing requirement for larger LCD screens. Methods of increasing the screen size on a mobile unit by increasing the dimensions of the unit are commercially unacceptable due to the demand for smaller handsets. Furthermore, reducing the size of the keypad is also unacceptable since the keys must be sufficiently spaced to avoid erroneous key presses.

Significant efforts have been made to increase the screen size on mobile units in alternative ways. Mobile communication devices are widely available which include two or more portions which are mechanically connected together by hinges. Typically a keypad is positioned on one of the portions and the screen is positioned on a different portion. When not in use the portions are folded together to reduce the dimensions of the device.

When in use the device is unfolded to enable the user to

be able to view both the keypad and the screen simultaneously.

There are several problems associated with the hinged design. Firstly the design of the unit is complicated by the hinge mechanism and thus the cost of the casing is significantly increased. Furthermore the device is less robust than a slab unit and consequently is more prone to damage. Electrical connections must also pass between the two portions which require wires to pass through the hinges. The constant movement and bending of the wires can produce damage to the electrical connections.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention increase the area of screen available on a mobile communication unit by incorporating a second LCD display on a second face of the mobile communication unit. Typically a reduced number of keys will be positioned on the second face of the unit to enable a larger screen than the first screen to be accommodated.

The present invention is defined in its various aspects in the appended claims, to which reference should now be made.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la shows a first face of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1b shows a second face of a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1.

Figure la shows a view of a first face of a mobile communication unit such as a mobile telephone. The face 10 includes multiple keys including number keys 20, an 'on'key 30, an'off'key 40 to control the state of the unit and keys 50 to scroll between and select available functions. The face 10 further contains a display screen 60 which displays menus, available functions and information to the user. In further embodiments of the present invention the number and functions of the keys may vary. In some cases no keys may be provided at all.

Figure 1b shows a second face 100 of the mobile communication unit of Figure la. The face 100 is the reverse face of the unit. The second face 100 contains a smaller number of keys than the first face including directional keys 110, which enable the user to select between available menus and functions, and function select keys 120. Since the number of keys on the second face is fewer than the first face, a larger display screen 130 can be included on the second face than on the first face.

The number of keys on the second face may be varied and in some cases no keys may be provided at all.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view through the embodiment of figure 1. The mobile communication unit 200 includes a first screen 60, a first keypad 240 including multiple keys 250, a second screen 130 and a second keypad 260 including further keys 290. The internal components of the unit are not shown.

The first keypad 240 is positioned on the first face 10 of the mobile unit between the first screen 60 and the foot of the phone 280. The first keypad is positioned within a recess 242 in the mobile communication unit formed between the foot of the phone 280 and the portion of the phone that carries the screen 60. The keys 250 of the keypad 240 are at a lower cross sectional height than both the

foot of the phone 280 and the first screen 60. The keys 250 do not protrude above the height of the first screen 60 or the foot of the phone 280. On the second face 100 of the mobile communication unit the second keypad 290 is positioned within a second recess 262 in the mobile communication unit formed between the foot of the phone 270 and the portion carrying the screen 130. Again, the keys 290 do not protrude above the height of the foot of the phone 270 or the second screen 130. In further embodiments the recess can be positioned at other positions on the face of the unit e. g. between the top of the phone and the portion carrying the screen.

As a result of these recesses, when one of the faces containing keys is brought into contact with a flat surface (e. g. if the phone is placed with one of its faces on a table) the screen and foot of the mobile communication unit will contact the surface but the keys on that face will not contact the surface. Therefore, accidental depression of keys is avoided. The face of the mobile communication unit outside the recess is substantially flat and is able to lie flush to the surface. Therefore, the unit will remain physically stable when keys are depressed on the opposite face.

In order that a screen is not accidentally activated both keypads require a character code to be entered via the keypad to enable the keypad and corresponding screen. On enabling a first screen the second screen and keypad will automatically be locked to prevent erroneous key presses and command signals.

Further embodiments of the present invention do not require screens to be positioned on opposing faces of the mobile communication unit. Screens may be positioned on any face of the mobile communication unit, and thus, for

units of different shape to that illustrated in the figures, it may be appropriate to use e. g. adjacent faces.

Other embodiments of the present invention include alternative mechanisms for preventing the user from accidentally activating an unselected screen. Examples of mechanisms used to select which screen is active include a physical switch. Other alternatives could be used.

Furthermore, in further embodiments the action of enabling one screen will not automatically deactivate all other screens and keypads.

In certain embodiments of the present invention the screens on different faces of the mobile unit may be exclusively used for particular functions. For example one screen, usually the larger screen, could be used exclusively for internet access.

Further embodiments of the present invention include touch sensitive screens. These embodiments may require a reduced number of keys or no keys at all. Use of a touch sensitive screen for the larger display would enable substantially all of the face on which it is carried to be used for the display.

Claims

Claims 1. An electronic mobile telecommunications device comprising: at least two display screens each carried on a different face of the device.
2. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 1 wherein one of the screens is larger than the other.
3. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one of the screens is touch sensitive.
4. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claims 1,2 or 3 wherein the device includes at least one keypad.
5. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 1,2, 3 or 4 wherein the device includes a means for selecting one of the screens for use at a particular time.
6. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 5 wherein the selecting means is a switch.
7. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claims 5 or 6 wherein the selecting means is a code, input via a keypad.
8. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 4, 5, 6 or 7 wherein the keypad sits within a recess formed in the device.

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9. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 8 wherein the recess is positioned between the foot of the device and the portion of the device which carries the screen.
10. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the recess is positioned between the top of the device and the portion of the device which carries the screen.
11. An electronic mobile telecommunications device according to claim 8,9 or 10 wherein the height of the keys within the recess is less than the depth of the recess.
12. An electronic mobile telecommunications device substantially as herein described, with reference to the figures.