Foldable keyboard for mobile communications device

Claim 2

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function; and wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position, and said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 3

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1 , wherein said function keyboard comprises a full function QWERTY key array split in first and second portions constructed respectively in said first and second panels.

Claim 4

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1 , wherein said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 5

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1 , wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 6

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 1 , wherein said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position.

Claim 7

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 5 , further including a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 8

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6 , wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90° between said open and closed positions.

Claim 9

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 6 , wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

Claim 10

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 5 , wherein the communication device keypad is locked in an inoperative mode in the open position.

Claim 11

A function keyboard for use in a mobile communications device, said communications device having a body element, a communications keypad, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; wherein said communication keypad is constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position, and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 12

A function keyboard for use in a mobile communications device, said communications device having a body element, a communications keypad, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; wherein said communication keypad is constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position, and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 13

A mobile communications device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage; a screen constructed in the body open to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; a communication keypad constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 14

A mobile communications device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage; a screen constructed in the body open to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; a communication keypad constructed on the first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 15

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 16

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said first and second panels are in overlapping alignment in the closed position and wherein said first and second panels are on opposite sides of said screen in the open position.

Claim 17

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12 , wherein said portions of said function keyboard cooperate to form a full function QWERTY key array split in said first and second portions.

Claim 18

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12 , wherein said portions of said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 19

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12 , wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 20

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 12 , wherein, said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position.

Claim 21

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16 , further comprising a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 22

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16 , wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90° between said open and closed positions.

Claim 23

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 17 , wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

Claim 24

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 16 , wherein the communication device keypad is locked in an inoperative mode in the open position.

Claim 25

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function-keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 26

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function-keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 27

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 28

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 29

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; wherein said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 30

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications comprising: a body element having upper and lower faces relative to usage: a screen constructed in the upper face of said body element to provide a visible display of information to the user; a first panel fixed to the upper face of said body element; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; said first face accessible to the user in said closed position and said second face accessible to the user in said open position; and a function keyboard constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; wherein said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 31

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 23 , wherein the display on the screen is rotated 90° between said open and closed positions.

Claim 32

An electronic device for operation in multiple applications, as described in claim 23 , wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.

Claim 33

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said portions of said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 34

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said portions of said function keyboard comprises a game controller with multiple functions keys divided between said first and second panels.

Claim 35

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 36

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; and wherein said array of keys on said faces of said panels are offset to prevent interference between the keys of said faces in the closed position.

Claim 37

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; wherein, said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 38

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard comprising: a first panel fixed to the body element having upper and lower faces; a second panel mounted on the body element for pivotal motion thereon between open and closed positions, said second panel having first and second faces; and wherein said function keyboard is constructed in two portions, a first portion constructed in the second face of said second panel and a second portion constructed in the upper face of said first panel, each of said function keyboard portions having an array of keys consistent with a selected function, wherein said function keyboard is exposed for operative use in the open position; wherein, said device is mobile communication device and further comprises a communication keypad constructed on said first face of said second panel, said keypad being exposed for operative use in the closed position; and further wherein said mobile communication device comprises a control unit, said control unit operating to rotate the orientation of the display on the screen consistent with the functional position of the first and second panels so that it is aligned with said communication keypad in the closed position and aligned with said functional keyboard in said open position.

Claim 39

A function keyboard for use in an electronic device, said device having a body element, and a screen for displaying information to the user, said keyboard, as described in claim 28 , wherein said orientation is controlled by the position of the second panel.