FR2790894A1 - Mobile phone with folding keypad cover has apertures enabling display screen and single key to be accessed whilst closed - Google Patents

Abstract

The flap protects both keys and screen whilst phone is being carried. The mobile telephone includes an elongate body (10) with a keypad (18) for entering information, and a display screen (20) situated in the region above the keypad. A rigid flap (30) is attached to the telephone body by a hinge (27) which extends across the bottom of the telephone, allowing the flap to pivot about the axis (X-X). The flap is able to close over the keys of the keypad, or open away from the keypad for use. The dimensions of the flap are such that it covers the keypad, and the screen, but the flap has a transparent window through which the screen can be seen, even when the flap is closed. There may be a further aperture (34) in the flap allowing access to one of the keypad keys (24).

Description

The present invention relates to a mobile telephone, of the type

  bearing, on the one hand, an elongated body provided with an information input keyboard, and a display screen arranged in the extension of the keyboard and, on the other hand, a rigid flap mounted movable between a covering position, in which it extends along the body above the keyboard, and a deployed position out of the way

of the keyboard.

  A telephone of this type is for example marketed in France

  under the reference MT30, by the company MUTSUBISHI.

  The shutter forms an articulated cover covering the keyboard when it is

  in its folded position. It thus provides protection thereof. It avoids our-

  especially the involuntary pressing of the keys on the keyboard when the telephone

  is in the user's pocket or in a carrying pouch.

  When in its deployed position, the flap forms a screen in front of the user's mouth, in order to provide them with increased comfort and improve the acoustic environment in the vicinity of the microphone which is provided at the base.

  of the body of the telephone in the vicinity of the axis of articulation of the flap.

  Mobile phones have a display screen on the side with the keyboard. This screen is provided opposite the articulation region of the flap. Below this screen are several keys for accessing the main telephone functions. These keys allow in particular the reception of a

  communication and access to email.

  The shutters of prior art mobile telephones have reduced dimensions. So when the flap is in the folded position, it does not cover the display screen or the keys for accessing the main functions,

  to allow their use without the need to deploy the shutter.

  The current trend is to reduce the bulk of phones

  mobile, in particular by reducing the length of the body.

  Because of the need to keep the access keys to the main functions and the display screen accessible, reducing the length of the body leads to further limiting the length of the flap. The latter is then no longer

  suitable for exercising its acoustic protection and comfort function during use

  tion of the telephone, since its length is then insufficient for it to extend

next to the mouth.

  The object of the invention is to provide a solution to this problem by

  putting to keep an effective shutter even on a mobile phone of reduced size.

  To this end, the invention relates to a mobile telephone, of the pre-

  cited, characterized in that the dimensions of the flap are adapted so that the flap extends over at least part of the display screen when the flap is in the covering position, and in that the flap comprises a transparent window extending above the display screen, when the shutter is in its covering position. According to a particular embodiment, the mobile telephone includes one or more of the following characteristics:

  - the surface of the window is larger than the surface of the display

chage,

  - the telephone has an articulation connecting the flap to an ex-

body end,

  - the length of the flap in its middle part is greater than me-

  third of the corresponding length of the body, - the length of the flap in its middle part is between 55 and% of the corresponding length of the body, - the keyboard comprises a multiple selection device, and the flap comprises an access for controlling the device multiple selection when the shutter is in the covering position, - the telephone includes means for selective display on the same screen, of a digital clock and an analog clock, and means for switching between the display of the digital clock and analog clock display,

  the switching means are adapted to cause the com-

  change between digital clock display and analog clock display

  logic depending on the position of the flap.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will

  follow, given only by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

  - Fig.1 is an elevational view of a mobile phone according to the-

  vention with the flap in its deployed position; and - Fig.2 is a view similar to that of Fig.1 of the telephone according to

  the invention with its flap in the folded position.

  The telephone, shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a mo-

  bile that can be used on a cell phone network.

  It comprises a body 10 of elongated shape whose upper end 12 is rounded. It has at this upper end, on its main face 13, an opening 14 for sound reproduction intended to be placed opposite

  the ear. The telephone further comprises at its upper end 12, an an-

closes 16.

  On its main face 13, the body 10 has a keyboard 18 and a

  display screen 20. The latter is arranged between the keyboard 18 and the opening 14.

  The keyboard 18 includes a set 22 of numeric keys or

  alphanumeric arranged in rows and columns. Between the set of all

  ches 22 and the screen 20, is provided along the median axis of the body, a device 24 for multiple selection. On either side of the latter are arranged, along a line transverse to the body, two keys 25 for accessing specific functions of the telephone.

  The multiple selection device 24 comprises a uniform manual member

  26 selection allowing the choice between five actions. This selection body

  tion 26 has an outward general shape of an ellipse. It has four directional arrows 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d angularly separated by 90. In the center of

  arrows is planned a 24th validation region.

  Under each of the marks appearing on the visible face of the selection member 26 is provided a contact connected to the internal circuits of the telephone. These contacts allow the detection of the operation of the selection member 26 in the direction of one of the arrows or the detection of the depression of the region.

of confirmation.

  Thus, the manual selection member 24 constitutes a "Joy stick" per-

  setting navigation in menus displayed on the screen 20 following the four

  directions indicated by the arrows 24a to 24d and the validation of a choice. The na-

  navigation and validation are carried out by selective pressing on the left areas,

  right, upper, lower or central of the exposed face of the separating organ

lection 26.

  The multiple selection device 24 allows access to the main functions of the mobile telephone, and in particular to the functions which must be able to be

  implemented quickly without using the keys 22 of the keyboard. These functions

  main items are for example: - access to the telephone directory and launching a call with a number from the directory; - access to the database containing short messages (SMS); or

  - adjusting the ringer volume and selecting the correct melody

respondent.

  At the lower end marked 27 of the body, the mobile telephone

  carries a microphone 28 opening onto the main face 13 of the body

underside of keyboard 18.

  In addition, the telephone has a flap 30 articulated at its lower end 27. The flap is articulated around a transverse axis X-X disposed under

the microphone 28.

  The flap 30 is movable between a deployed position shown in Figure 1 o the flap is away from the keyboard 18 and a folded or covering position, shown in Figure 2, in which the flap extends along the

  body above the keyboard 18 and at least partially above the screen 20.

  In its deployed position, the flap 30 defines an angle of approximately 150 with the

  main face 13 of the body. It then constitutes a sound screen.

  The flap 30 has a length measured in its middle part, greater than

  less than half the total length of the body 10. In particular, this length

  is advantageously between 55 and 85% of the total length of the body.

  In the embodiment shown, the flap covers completely

  the keyboard 18 and the display screen 20.

  The outer contour of the flap corresponds substantially to that of the main face of the body 10, the latter however being shorter in order to leave free

  The opening 14 when it is in the folded position.

  According to the invention, the flap 30 consists of a solid panel presented

  both a single light 34 whose dimensions and shape correspond to that

  those of the manual selection unit 26.

  The light 34 is positioned on the shutter, as shown in FIG. 2 in order to constitute an access to the multiple selection device 24 when

  the flap is in the folded position. In this position, the light 34 leaves appear

the selection body 26.

  In addition, the shutter includes a transparent window 36 provided in the region thereof covering the screen when it is in its folded position. The

  porthole 36 is formed by a region of the flap made of a transparent material.

  In the embodiment shown, the transparent region of the

  pane extends beyond the screen surface.

  It is understood that the presence of the light 34 allows access to the multiple selection device 24 even when the flap 30 is in its position

folded down and covers the keyboard 18.

  Thus, the main functions of the telephone remain accessible.

  The presence of the light 34 allows the flap 30 to have a substantial length despite the short length of the body 10. In particular, the length of the flap 30 according to the invention is much greater than the length of the occupied area

by the set of keys 22.

  The fact that the main functions of the telephone are grouped together

  on a single multiple selection device, allows a single hole to be mixed

swam on flap 30.

  Thus, despite the presence of light 34, the flap can exercise its

  protective role improving the acoustic environment and user comfort

sator.

  Since light 34 is unique, its presence has very little effect on the

  mechanical strength of the flap 30, so that it can be made simple-

and at low cost.

  In a variant not shown, the light 34 is closed by a transparent flexible film or on which are mentioned the information allowing the

  control of the multiple selection device 24.

  The closed light of the flexible film forms an access for controlling the device 24. Thus, the operation of the device 24 is always possible even

when the flap is folded down.

  The presence of the flexible film improves the protection of the front face of the

phone against dust.

  In addition, we understand that the presence of the transparent window 36 per-

  provides the user with the information displayed on the screen even when

  that the flap is folded down, while ensuring that the flap has a sufficient length

  health to exercise a role of acoustic protection and comfort, even if the mobile phone has small dimensions.

  In a variant not shown, the flap 30 is movable by sliding-

  ment relative to the body and not articulated on it.

  In addition, the articulation hinge advantageously comprises a flap position sensor. This sensor is for example formed of a contact

  carried by the body of the telephone, the flap comprising an action pin

  electrical contact when the shutter is in its covering position.

  This sensor is connected to the main telephone control circuit.

  The latter is suitable for displaying over the essentials of the surface of the display screen 20, an analog clock, that is to say a circular dial carrying twelve graduations and two rotary hands whose position relative to

  on the dial is representative of the time.

  The main circuit is also suitable for displaying on a part

  reduced from screen 20, a digital clock, that is to say digital information

  risk consisting of two digits, one corresponding to the hours, the other to the mid

nutes.

  Advantageously, means are provided for switching between two clock display points, one displaying the analog clock and the other

  the digital clock, depending on the position of the shutter detected by the sensor.

  In particular, when the flap is in its covering position, then

  the analog clock is displayed. On the contrary, when the shutter is in its posi-

  When deployed, the digital clock is displayed.

  The digital clock is then associated on the screen with other information.

  such as the nature of the network used and / or the number called.

  When the telephone is not in use, and the flap is in the covering position, the telephone holder has easily accessible and large time information. On the contrary, when using the telephone, the flap being open, only a small part of the screen is occupied by the clock

  digital, freeing up space on the screen for other useful information.

  As a variant, the switching between the two clock display modes can be controlled by other actions, in particular pressing

  a predefined key sequence from the keyboard.

Claims (8)

  1. Mobile telephone, of the type comprising, on the one hand, an elongated body (10) provided with a keyboard (18) for inputting information and a display screen (20) arranged in the extension of the keyboard (18), and, on the other hand, a rigid flap (30) mounted movable relative to the body (10) between a covering position, in which it extends along the body (10) above the keyboard (18), and a deployed position away from the keyboard (18), characterized in that the dimensions of the flap (30) are adapted so that the flap (30) extends over at least part of the screen d 'display (20) when the shutter is in the covering position, and in that the   flap has a transparent window (36) extending above the display screen   chage (20), when the flap (30) is in its covering position.   2. Mobile phone according to claim 1, characterized in that the   surface of the window (36) is greater than the surface of the display screen (20).   3. Mobile phone according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a hinge connecting articulation (30) at one end (26) of the body (10).   4. Mobile phone according to any one of the pre- claims   cédentes, characterized in that the length of the flap (30) in its middle part   is greater than half the corresponding length of the body (10).   5. Mobile phone according to claim 4, characterized in that the length of the flap (30) in its middle part is between 55 and 85% of   the corresponding length of the body (10).   6. Mobile telephone according to any one of the pre- claims.   , characterized in that the keyboard (18) includes a device (24) for   multiple lection, and in that the flap (30) includes a control access (34)   of the multiple selection device (24) when the flap (30) is in the covered position vrante.   7. Mobile telephone according to any one of the pre- claims.   , characterized in that it comprises means for selective display on the same screen (20), of a digital clock and an analog clock, and means for switching between the display of the digital clock and display of the analog clock.   8. Mobile phone according to claim 7, characterized in that the switching means are adapted to cause switching between   digital clock display and analog clock display in operation tion of the flap position (30).