KR20060066136A - Two step activation of phone - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus having a first housing member pivotally coupled to a second housing member, a controller operable in a plurality of operation states, and a detector associated with the first and second housing members and connected to the controller. The detector is adapted to detect an angle position related to the first and second housing members and supply an angle position detection signal to the controller. The controller is adapted to enter one of a plurality of operating states when said angle position detection signal represents an angle position within one of a plurality of intervals, respectively. The invention further relates to a method comprising detecting the angle position related to the first and second housing members, and entering one of the plurality of operating states of the communication apparatus related to one of the plurality of intervals, respectively, for operating the communication apparatus.

Description

Two step activation of phone

The present invention relates to a communication device and a method for operating the communication device.

Handheld communication devices come in many shapes and form factors. Similar to the pleasant appearance, user ergonomics is one of the most important external factors when designers design such products. One aesthetically pleasing form factor utilizes an extendable portion, such as a flip or clamshell. One of the purposes fulfilled by these extendable parts is the protection of user interfaces, such as a keypad and a display. Another object is the spatial extension of the communication device to provide a sufficient length to cover the distance between the user's ear and mouth in the operating mode. These extendables have also been used to respond to an incoming call. When used in this way, the incoming call can be answered by simply opening the cover, and the user does not need to press the answer button to receive the call. The problem with these covers is that the operation of the product is significantly disturbed when the cover is in closed mode, where neither the keypad nor the display is accessible. To overcome this, some devices have an extra display, which makes the device more expensive. In addition, the extra display will still be exposed to mechanical wear when the communication device is folded. U. S. Patent No. 6,215, 474 discloses a device having a see-through section covering at least a portion of the display portion when the device is covered, and a cover with pass access keys providing access to the keypad when the cover is folded. To start. This approach also makes the device more expensive and further limits the freedom of design. Therefore, there is a need for the prior art to overcome the deficiencies.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a user friendly communication device.

Numerous other objects, together with the above object, will become apparent from the following detailed description, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a first housing member, a second housing member pivotally connected to the first housing member, a plurality of operating states. Is obtained by a communication device having a controller operable with a furnace and a detector associated with and connected to the first and second housing members. The detector is adapted to detect an angular position relative to the first and second housing members and to supply an angular position detection signal to the controller, the controller operating the first operation when the angular position detection signal indicates an angular position within the first section. In the state, it is suitable for entering the second operating state when the angular position detection signal indicates the angular position in the second section, and entering the third operating state when the angular position detection signal indicates the angular position in the third section.

The terms "first", "second" and "third" should be considered in this context as terms for differentiation between elements and not in terms of timing.

The detector is a means having at least one cam and at least one electromechanical switch, the cams being adapted to actuate the at least one electromechanical switch to generate the angular position detection signal directly representing the angular position section. It may comprise a means.

The controller may be adapted to accept (accept) the incoming signal under transition from the second state to the third state. The controller may further be adapted to accept an incoming signal under transition from the second state to the third state after the transition from the first state to the second state. The first state may be a state in which the first and second housing members are inherently folded. The detector may comprise a hall sensor and / or an electromechanical switch. The controller may be adapted to reject an incoming call under transition from the second state to the first state.

Numerous other objects, in conjunction with the above object, will become apparent from the following detailed description, in accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a communication device having a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally connected to the first housing member. It is obtained by the method of operating. The method includes detecting angular positions associated with the first and second housing members, and first, second and third states of the communication device respectively associated with the first, second and third sections of the angular position. Entering the field.

The detecting may include actuating the electromechanical switch by a cam and generating the angular position signal by the electromechanical switch. The method may include accepting an incoming signal under transition from the second state to the third state. The method may further include accepting an incoming signal under transition from the second state to the third state after the transition from the first state to the second state.

The method includes operating a display under transition from a first state to a second state, scanning a touch screen when the communication device is in a third state, and displaying the display under transition from the first state to the second state. Launching a presentation of information of a new message on and / or shutting down the display under transition from the second state to the first state. The method may further comprise running the presentation of the message under transition from the second state to the third state. The method may include running a presentation of the information of the incoming call on the display under transition from the first state to the second state. The method may include rejecting an incoming call under transition from the second state to the first state.

The technical effect of the present invention relates to the detection of an angular position between two housing members of a communication device, wherein the states of the communication device depend on the angular position, which states can be used to control the communication device.

A particular advantage of the present invention is the operation of the communication device with the functions used intimately without access to the keyboard.

Another advantage of the present invention is to minimize the risk of unintended hangups due to slippage when opening the cover of the communication device.

The above as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the illustrative, non-limiting detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings:

1 shows a block diagram of a telephone according to the invention;

2a to 2f show a communication device having different angular positions relative to the first and second housing members;

3 shows an angular position diagram in relation to a communication device, angular position thresholds, and angular position sections in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

4 shows an angular position diagram in relation to a communication device, angular position thresholds, and angular position sections according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

5a and 5b show a communication device according to a second embodiment having different angular positions relative to the first and second housing members;

6a and 6b show a communication device according to a third embodiment having different angular positions relative to the first and second housing members;

7 is a flowchart showing a method for operating a communication device;

8 is a state transition diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention;

9 is a state transition diagram according to a further embodiment of the present invention; And

10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method for operating a communication device.

In the description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration various embodiments in which the invention will be put into practice. It is understood that other embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Identical reference numerals are used for the same or similar subjects in the accompanying drawings that are available.

1 shows a block diagram of a telephone 100 according to the invention. The first housing member 101 includes a processor 10, a memory 112, a microphone 114, a keyboard 105, a speaker 116, and a camera 118 connected to the antenna 122 through a transceiver 120. It includes. The processing unit 110 is also connected to the display 107, which is included in the second housing member 103 of the telephone 100.

Alternatively, the display 107 is included in the first housing member 101, and the second housing member 103 is only a protective cover. Alternatively, the memory unit 112, the microphone 114, the keyboard 105, the speaker 116 or the camera 118, or any combination thereof, is included in the second housing member 103.

No detailed description will be given with regard to specific functions of other blocks of the phone 100. In short, however, as will be realized by those skilled in the art, the processing unit 110 controls the entire function of the functional blocks, in which the processing unit inputs the keyboard 105, the microphone 114. Coarse audio information and images passed through the camera 118 may be received, and appropriately encoded and modulated data is received via the antenna 122 and the transceiver 120. The processor 110 may also provide output in the form of sound through the speaker 116, an image through the display 107, and properly encoded and modulated data through the transceiver 120 and the antenna 122.

The second housing member 103 is mechanically connected to the first housing member 101 via a tilt hinge 109. The display 107 is electrically connected to the processing unit 110 via electrical connection means (not shown in FIG. 1). The telephone is configured to actuate the angular position detector 124 when it allows relative movement of the two housing members 101, 103. The detector 124 is connected to the processing unit 110, and can thereby transfer information about the relative position of the two body parts (101, 103). The detector 124 detects the angular position between the first and second housing members 101 and 103 and supplies the angular position detection signal to the central processing unit 110 operating as a controller operable in a plurality of operating states. do. The term 'angle position' is intended to indicate the relative position of the first and second housing members during operation of the telephone 100. Thus, the angle α is used for illustration in the description below, but the value of the angle α itself is not critical to the invention. However, relationships between other angles and angular positions are contemplated in the present invention. The controller is adapted to enter the one of the plurality of operating states when the angular position detection signal respectively represents the angular position in one of the plurality of sections. A more detailed description of the controller, detector 124 and the angular position detection function described above will be discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS.

Note that the other blocks described above are functional blocks and do not necessarily correspond in a one-to-one relationship to actual hardware units. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functionality contained in the blocks of FIG. 1 may be included in any mixture of programmable and non-programmable circuits, in whole or in part, in one or more integrated circuits.

2a to 2f show a communication device 1 provided with a first housing member 3 and a second housing member 5. The first housing member 3 and the second housing member 5 are aligned with the hinge 6 so that the housing members 3, 5 are pivoted about the axis AA of the hinge 6 in FIG. 2A. pivot). This communication device is folded when the housing members 3, 5 are side by side and in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. 2A.

2b shows an unfolded communication device 1 provided with a first housing member 3 and a second housing member 5. The communication device 1 is further provided with a keypad 7 and a display 9.

2C shows a communication device 1 having an angular position α relative to the first housing member 3 and the second housing member 5. A detector of the kind discussed above in relation to FIG. 1 is provided in the apparatus for detecting the angular position α between the first housing member 3 and the second housing member 5. Fig. 2C shows the communication device 1 when the housing members are almost folded or are just turned from the fully folded state to the unfolded state so that the angle α is small. Thus, the angle α of the communication device 1 as shown in FIG. 2A is zero (α = 0), and the angle α of the communication device 1 as shown in FIG. 2B is almost equal to that of the housing members 3 and 5. It is about 180 degrees because it is antiparallel.

Consider a first state (FIG. 2A, α = 0) of the communication device 1 in which the housing members 3, 5 are folded. In such a state, the display and keypad are not accessible to the user. Typically, the backlight of display 9 and keypad 7 is turned off to save power and increase latency. In addition, since the display 9 consumes a negligible amount of power, it is advantageous to turn it off, so that afterwards the user will not be able to see it anyway. Further power saving measures regarding inaccessible functions, for example scanning of the keypad 7 are also possible. However, when the user wants to use the communication device 1, the natural operation to be performed is to straighten the housing members 3, 5 of the communication device 1, whereby the keypad 7 or display ( 9) can be accessed. Therefore, when the angle α between the housing members 3, 5 exceeds the threshold angle α _T12 , the second state is entered. The threshold angle α _T12 is preferably between 5 degrees and 55 degrees, more preferably between 10 degrees and 50 degrees. The preferred threshold angle α _T12 is 45 degrees, thus minimizing the risk of unintended toggle between the first and second states due to slipping when the communication device 1 is extended. This state may involve turning on the backlight, display, keypad scanning, and the like. It should be noted that the determination of the angle α above the threshold angle α _T12 is preferably carried out by a controller connected to a detector, for example an electromechanical switch which detects the angular position at the hinge 6. The controller is preferably implemented by the central processing unit 110 shown in FIG. Alternatively, the detector is implemented by detecting that the hall sensor in one of the housing members is farther away from the magnet of the other housing member when the communication device is unfolded. Preferably, the detector is implemented by one or more cams arranged at or near the hinge and adapted to move relative to one of the housing members, and one or more electromechanical switches fixed relative to the other housing member. One or more cams operate one or more electromechanical switches to generate the angular position detection signal, thereby making it suitable for directly indicating the angular position section.

An alternative to an embodiment using a detector is to measure or estimate the angle α of the hinge using an angle sensor, such as an optical angle encoder or a magnetic angle encoder, schematically shown as detector 124 in FIG. 1.

As the housing members 3, 5 are more extended, the communication device 1 remains in a second state, and the housing members 3, 5 are angled with respect to each other, as shown in FIG. 2D. α ₁ allows access to the keypad 7 and the display 9. As shown in FIG. 2E, as the housing members 3, 5 are more extended, the angle or angular position is determined by the angle encoder, or the detector, and the controller to exceed the other threshold angle α _T23 , and the communication device (1) enters a third state in which the housing members 3, 5 extend from each other in a manner suitable for access to telephone calls or other telecommunication services.

Further functions, such as a voice control function or touch screen function, are preferably activated when entering the third state. The threshold angle α _T23 is preferably between 100 and 170 degrees, more preferably between 120 and 150 degrees. Preferred threshold angle α _T23 is 135 degrees. Therefore, the third state of the communication device 1 is maintained when the housing members 3, 5 are substantially fully extended as shown in Figs. 2b and 2f.

Messaging functions, such as short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), and e-mail service, preferably transmit information of a received message (SMS, MMS or e-mail) from a first state to a second state. The message itself is then activated on the basis of the transition of the operating states in the manner presented on the display and the message itself is presented on the basis of the transition from the second state to the third state.

3 shows an angular position view in relation to a communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention comprising a first housing member 11 and a second housing member 12. The first and second housing members 11, 12 are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge 13 so that the first and second housing members 11, 12 are at different angular positions α with respect to each other. Can be oriented as: Possible angular positions are divided into angular position segments 16, 17, 18 by threshold angular positions α _T1 14 and α _T2 15. A detector (not shown in FIG. 3) generates an angular position detection signal representing the current angular position section 16, 17 or 18, which means that the controller enters a corresponding operating state (S1, S2 or S3). .

4 shows an angular position view with respect to a communication device 80 according to a further embodiment of the invention comprising a first housing member 82, a second housing member 84. The first and second housing members 82, 84 are pivotally connected to each other by a hinge 86 such that the first and second housing members 82, 84 have different angular positions α with respect to each other. To be oriented in the Possible angular positions are divided into angular position segments 87, 89, 91, 93, 95 by threshold angular positions α _T21 (88), α _T12 (14), α _T32 (92) and α _T23 (94). . A detector (not shown in FIG. 4) indicates an angular position detection signal that indicates the current angular position section 87, 89, 91, 93, 95 and indicates that the controller is entering a corresponding operating state (S1, S2 or S3). Create Consider the communication device 80 in the first operating state S1. Angular position α is a communications apparatus 80 for that detector displays in each location region (87 or 89) is retained in a first operating state (S1), ten thousand and one detector is α> α _T12, that is, each If it is indicated that the position α is in the angular position section 91, the second operation state S2 is entered. Angular position α is one of the detector is shown to be within each of the position range (91 or 93), the communication device 80 is retained in the second operating state (S2), ten thousand and one detector is α> α _T23, i.e., angular position α If is indicated to be within the angular position section 95, the third operation state (S3) is entered. If the detector indicates that α <α _T21 , that is, the angular position α is within the angular position section 89, the first operating state S1 is entered. If the communication device 80 is in the third operating state S3 and the detector indicates that α <α _T32 , that is, the angular position α is within the angular position section 91, the second operating state S2 is entered. So little hysteresis is provided. The threshold angular position α _T21 88 is set slightly smaller than α _T12 90 to avoid unnecessary toggling between the first and second states when the angular position α between the housing members is near the angular position section boundary. Similarly, the threshold angular position α _T32 92 is slightly smaller than α _T23 94.

Preferably, the detector is implemented by one or more cams and one or more electromechanical switches located at or near the hinge. One or more cams are adapted to directly represent each position section by operating one or more electromechanical switches to generate the angular position detection signal. Hysteresis is simply realized by the dimensions of one or more cams that drive one or more electromechanical switches. Thus, the communication device 80 and an intuitively related method of operating the device will improve user friendliness.

5A and 5B show a communication device 21 according to a second embodiment in which a first housing member 23 and a second housing member 25 are provided. The first housing member 23 and the second housing member 25 are aligned with the hinge 26 so that the housing members 23, 25 can pivot about the B-B axis of the hinge 26. FIG. 5B shows the communication device 21 according to the second embodiment when the housing members are almost completely folded or about to be unfolded so that the angle α is small. Since the housing members 23, 25 are substantially antiparallel, the angle α between the housing members of the communication device 21 as shown in FIG. 5A is about 180 degrees.

6A and 6B show a communication device 31 according to the third embodiment, in which a first housing member 33 and a second housing member 35 are provided. The first housing member 33 and the second housing member 35 are aligned with a two-axis hinge 36 such that both of the housing members 33 and 35 have a CC axis and a DD axis of the two axis hinge 36. Can pivot around. 6B shows the communication device 31 according to the third embodiment when the housing members 33, 35 pivot about the D-D axis.

The detection, measurement or estimation of the angular position is performed in a similar manner as in the previous embodiments.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a communication device according to the above embodiments. The angular position between the first and second housing members is detected in detection step 51. Then, in step 53, a section to which each position belongs is determined. Regarding decision step 53, a first, second or third state is entered in steps 55, 57 and 59 respectively. Although the preferred embodiment relates to three states and three angular position segments, it is possible to have four or more angular position segments and states.

8 is a state transition diagram of an embodiment of the present invention showing three states 161, 162, 163 and state transitions 164, 165, 166, 167. In each state transition 164, 165, 166, 167, the cause of the state transition, i.e., the position comparison with the angular position thresholds or the detection of the angular position section, is indicated. When the existing state is the first state 161, the transition 164 to the second state 162 occurs when α> α _T1 . When the existing state is the second state 162, the transition 165 to the first state 161 occurs when α <α _T1 , or the transition 166 to the third state 163 refers to α> α _T2 . When it happens. When the existing state is the third state 163, the transition 167 to the second state 162 occurs when α <α _T2 .

9 is a state transition diagram of a further embodiment of the present invention showing three states 61, 62, 63 and state transitions 64, 65, 66, 67. In each state transition 64, 65, 66, 67, the cause of the state transition, i.e. the detection of angular position sections, preferably carried by one or more cams, preferably at or near the hinge, and one or more electromechanical switches. Or angular position comparison with angular position thresholds is indicated. One or more cams are adapted to directly display each position section by operating one or more electromechanical switches to generate the angular position detection signal.

When the existing state is the first state 61, the transition 64 to the second state 62 occurs when α> α _T12 . When the existing state is the second state 62, the transition 65 to the first state 61 occurs when α <α _T21 , or the transition 66 to the third state 63 is α> α _T23. Happens when When the existing state is the third state 63, the transition 67 to the second state 62 occurs when α <α _T32 .

10 is a flow chart showing a schematic example of a situation when the method and apparatus of the present invention provide intuitive and user friendly operation of a communication device, preferably a mobile telephone handset. In an incoming call step 71, a call comes in. The calling phone number is usually shown on the display, or if the received phone number is an item in the phone book of the communication device, the name of the caller is shown on the display. In the state check step 72, the communication device checks whether the existing state is the first state. If the existing state is any other state than the first state, the method proceeds to a second state check step 75. If the existing state is the first state, the method continues with angular position comparison step 73. As long as the angular position α is less than the threshold angular position α _T12 , the comparison step 73 is repeated. Since the communication device is folded, the display is not accessible. When the angular position α becomes larger than the threshold angular position α _T12 , the method continues to the state entry step 74. That is, the user opens the communication device and thus enters the second state. The user can then read the name or telephone number on the display and decide whether to accept or reject the call. This method proceeds to a second state check step 75. If the state is any other state than the second state, the method ends. If the state is the second state, the method continues with each positioning step 76. As long as the angle α is less than the threshold angle α _T23 and the threshold angle α _T21 or more, the angular positioning step 76 is repeated. If it is detected that the angle α is greater than the threshold angle α _T23 , the method continues to call acceptance step 77, in which the call is accepted by the controller. That is, the user can fully open the communication device and enter the third state to receive the incoming call. If the angle α is detected to be less than the threshold angle α _T21 , the method continues to call rejection step 78 where the call is rejected by the controller. That is, the user can fold the communication device and enter the first state again and reject the incoming call. As long as the communication device remains in the second state, the call is neither accepted nor rejected, thus giving the user time to decide whether to accept or reject the call. A preferred feature regarding incoming calls is that the buzzer turns off as the communication device enters the second state, thereby avoiding annoying sounds while determining whether to accept or reject the incoming call. Alternatively, the buzzer is turned off instead of rejecting the call at step 78.

Claims (19)

A first housing member, A second housing member pivotally connected to the first housing member, A controller operable in a plurality of operating states, and A detector associated with said first and second housing members and coupled to a controller, The detector is adapted to detect an angular position relative to the first and second housing members and to supply an angular position detection signal to the controller, The controller is in a first operating state when the angular position detection signal indicates an angular position in the first section, in a second operating state when the angular position detection signal indicates an angular position in the second section, and in an angular position detection signal. And a communication device adapted to enter a third operating state when the mark indicates each position within the third section. The angular position of claim 1, wherein the detector comprises means having at least one cam and at least one electromechanical switch, the cams actuating the at least one electromechanical switch to directly indicate the angular position section. A communication device adapted to generate a detection signal. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller is adapted to accept an incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the second state. 4. The communications device of claim 3 wherein the controller is adapted to receive an incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the third state after the transition from the first state to the second state. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first state is a state in which said first and second housing members are inherently folded. 6. A communications device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the detector comprises a hall sensor. 7. A communications device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the detector comprises an electromechanical switch. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the controller is adapted to reject an incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the first state. A method of operating a communication device having a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally connected to the first housing member, the method comprising: Detecting an angular position relative to the first and second housing members; And Entering first, second and third states of the communication device respectively associated with the first, second and third intervals of the respective position. The method of claim 9, wherein the detecting of the Actuating the electromechanical switch by a cam; And Generating an angular position signal by said electromechanical switch. 11. The method of claim 9 or 10, comprising accepting an incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the third state. 12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising receiving an incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the third state after the transition from the first state to the second state. How to. 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising actuating a display based on the transition from the first state to the second state. 14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, comprising scanning the touch screen when the communication device is in the third state. 15. The method of any one of claims 9 to 14, comprising launching a presentation of information of a new message on a display based on the transition from the first state to the second state. 16. The method of claim 15 including operating the display based on the transition from the second state to the third state. 16. The method of any one of claims 9 to 15, comprising actuating the presentation of the information of the incoming call on the display based on the transition from the first state to the second state. 18. The method of any one of claims 9 to 17, comprising shutting down the display based on the transition from the second state to the first state. 19. The method of any one of claims 9 to 18, comprising rejecting the incoming call based on the transition from the second state to the first state.

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