A portable electronic device including a first section having a first display on a first side of the first section; and a second section pivotably connected to the first section. The second section includes a second display on a first side of the second section. The second section comprises a second side opposite the first side of the second section. When the first and second sections are in a first folded configuration relative to each other the first side of the first section is located opposite the second side of the second section.
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16. A method of displaying images on displays of a portable electronic device comprising:
providing the portable electronic device with a first section having a first display and a second section having a second display, wherein the first section is pivotable relative to the second section; and
selecting an image to be displayed on the first display based, at least partially, upon pivoting of the second section to a folded configuration relative to the first section and an application selected or running on the second display, wherein when the second section is pivoted to the folded configuration the second display is concealed from view and the application continues to run on the second display; and
changing images displayed on the first and second displays by displaying sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the first and second sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
7. A portable electronic device comprising:
a first section comprising a first display;
a second section pivotably movable relative to the first section, wherein the second section comprises a second display;
a sensor for sensing movement of the first and second sections relative to each other; and
a system connected to the sensor for changing an image displayed on the first and second displays based upon movement of the first and second sections relative to each other;
wherein the system is configured to display a first page of an application on the first display, and wherein the system is configured to display a second different page of the same application on the second display when the first and second sections are pivotably moved relative to each other, and wherein the system is configured to display sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the first and second sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
20. A method of changing display of images in a portable electronic device comprising:
providing the portable electronic device with a cover section pivotably movable relative to a base section, wherein at least one of the cover section and base section comprise a display;
displaying a first one of the images on the display, wherein the first one of the images comprises a first page of an application; and
moving the cover and base sections relative to each other, wherein a second different one of the images is automatically displayed on the first display or a second display based upon the movement of the cover and base sections relative to each other, wherein the second different one of the images comprises a second different page of the same application; and
changing images displayed on the displays by displaying sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the base and cover sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
23. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodied with a computer program for performing operations to change images displayed on displays of an apparatus, the operations comprising:
displaying a first one of the images on a first display of the displays when the apparatus is in a first folded configuration, wherein the first display forms a front face of the apparatus when the apparatus is in the first folded configuration;
subsequently determining if a first section of the apparatus is pivotably moved relative to a second section of the apparatus; and
automatically displaying a second one of the images to a second display of the displays based upon determination that the first section has been pivotably moved behind the second section to a second folded configuration, wherein the second display forms the front face of the apparatus when the apparatus is in the second folded configuration; and
changing images displayed on the first and second displays by displaying sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the first and second sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
1. A portable electronic device comprising:
a first section comprising a first display on a first side of the first section; and
a second section pivotably connected to the first section, the second section comprising a second display on a first side of the second section, wherein the second section comprises a second side opposite the first side of the second section, wherein when the first and second sections are in a first folded configuration relative to each other the first side of the first section is located opposite the second side of the second section, wherein when the first and second sections are in the first folded configuration relative to each other the first display forms a front face of the device, and wherein when the first and second sections are in a second folded configuration relative to each other the second display forms the front face of the device;
a sensor for sensing movement of the first and second sections relative to each other; and
a system connected to the sensor for changing images displayed on the first and second displays based, at least partially, upon movement of the first and second sections relative to each other wherein the system for changing images displayed on the first and second displays is configured to display sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the first and second sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
2. A portable electronic device as in
3. A portable electronic device as in
0. 4. A portable electronic device as in
a sensor for sensing movement of the first and second sections relative to each other; and
a system connected to the sensor for changing images displayed on the first and second displays based, at least partially, upon movement of the first and second sections relative to each other.
5. A portable electronic device as in claim 4 1 wherein the system for changing images displayed on the first and second displays comprises means for selecting an application on the second display to be displayed on the first display when the first and second sections are subsequently moved from the first folded configuration.
6. A portable electronic device as in claim 4 1 wherein the system for changing images displayed on the first and second displays comprises means for displaying sequential page images of an application on sequential ones of the displays as the first and second sections are sequentially flipped relative to each other.
8. A portable electronic device as in
9. A portable electronic device as in
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a portable electronic device and, more particularly, to selection of images to be displayed with a portable electronic device.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0224832 A1 discloses a foldable cellular telephone having an upper portion and a lower portion connected by a hinge, and two displays; one display located on each of the upper and lower portions. The two displays face each other in a folded configuration. A lens positionable over one of the displays is also disclosed. This publication illustrates a basic idea that making some selection on a first display changes what is shown on a second display on a general level. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0212602 discloses a display device with two displays which face each other in a folded configuration. This publication illustrates that the user can turn a page by an open/close operation of a device with two displays and a hinge.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/877,525 filed Jun. 25, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a mobile communications device with rotating displays and cameras. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/421,278 filed Apr. 23, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a hinge for use in a portable electronic device.
Normal fold type phones are basically opening mono-blocks, where the mechanical movement does not really have an effect on the phone behavior. Opening the phone only reveals the phone and its functionalities and controls. There have been ideas around 360 degree movement hinges, and attempts to apply that technology to similar to existing folds, but without real benefits to usability.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a portable electronic device is provided including a first section having a first display on a first side of the first section; and a second section pivotably connected to the first section. The second section includes a second display on a first side of the second section. The second section comprises a second side opposite the first side of the second section. When the first and second sections are in a first folded configuration relative to each other the first side of the first section is located opposite the second side of the second section.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a portable electronic device is provided comprising a first section comprising a first display; a second section pivotably movable relative to the first section; a sensor for sensing movement of the first and second sections relative to each other; and a system connected to the sensor for changing an image displayed on the first display based upon movement of the first and second sections relative to each other.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method of displaying images on displays of a portable electronic device is provided comprising providing the portable electronic device with a first section having a first display and a second section having a second display, wherein the first section is pivotable relative to the second section; and selecting an image to be displayed on the first display based, at least partially, upon movement of the second section relative to the first section and an application selected or running on the second display.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of changing display of images in a portable electronic device is provided comprising providing the portable electronic device with a cover section pivotably movable relative to a base section, wherein at least one of the cover section and base section comprise a display; displaying a first one of the images on the display; and moving the cover and base sections relative to each other. A second different one of the images is automatically displayed on the first display or a second display based upon the movement of the cover and base sections relative to each other.
The foregoing aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
The device 10, in the embodiment shown, is a mobile communications device. In particular, the device 10 is a mobile telephone. However, features of the invention could be used in any suitable type of portable electronics device such as, for example, a portable gaming device, a PDA, or a laptop/notebook computer. The telephone 10 generally comprises a first section 12, a second section 14, and a connection section 16. In this embodiment the first section 12 forms a base for the telephone and the second section forms a cover. Referring also to
In this embodiment most of the electronics are located in the first section 12. However, the electronics could also be located in the second section 14 and connection section 16. Referring to
The second section 14 comprises a first side 38 and a second side 40. In this embodiment, the first side 38 of the second section 14 comprises a second display 32 which can function as part of the user interface (UI), such as a touch screen. However, the UI on the second section could comprise buttons, keys, a trackball and/or any other suitable type of user interface system. Thus, the second display does not need to be a touch screen. It could merely be a display screen. In addition, more or less than two displays could be provided.
Referring also to
The connection section 16 preferably comprises a sensor 46 to sense when the first and second sections are moved relative to each other. Alternatively, or additionally, the first and/or second sections could comprise the sensor(s). The sensor 46 is coupled to the controller 24. The controller 24 is adapted to change an image displayed on at least one of the displays 30, 32 based, at least partially, upon a signal from the sensor 46 that the first and second sections 12, 14 have been moved relative to each other, such as moved from the first folded configuration to the second folded configuration, and visa versa. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor 46 can also signal if that movement is a forward flipping movement (arrows 42, 44) or a reverse flipping movement (reverse to arrows 42,44).
The connection section 16 in this embodiment is merely shown as a hinge type of connection. However, in an alternate embodiment, the connection section could comprise a rotatable section to allow the two sections 12, 14 to be rotated 180° relative to each other orthogonal to the path of rotation illustrated in
Referring now also to
A second image 54 is displayed on the first display 30. The controller 24 determines what image to display as the second image. In particular, the controller 24 uses the input from the sensor 46 and the user's selection from the section display 32, before flipping occurs, to determine what image should be displayed on the first display 30. In this example, because the user selected the telephone icon 52, the second image comprises a telephone keypad image 54 with icons for the user to dial a telephone number.
As another example, if the user had selected the camera icon 56 (see
These examples illustrate that a selection on one of the displays (in these examples the second display 32) can change what is shown on the other display (in these examples the first display) when the first and second sections 12,14 are subsequently moved relative to each other. Views in a running application can also be changed based upon movement of the first and second sections 12, 14 relative to each other. For example, referring also to
When the user wishes to move on to another page of the application (in this example another page of the writing tablet application), the user can flip the first section 12 as shown in
Referring also to
The display being covered (i.e., the one that is passive in between of the two folding sections) can keep the second application open, resulting in the possibility to switch between the displays (and applications) so that the user always has the right application on the front display. As the user is finished writing he/she can save the document and can go back to the another application by changing the page/section or closing the first application. The invention enables virtually infinite pages to be created/turned/viewed. Also, this function supports the viewing of multi-paged calendar, e-mail list, etc. making “peeping” (quickly looking between pages and/or applications on different displays) possible while talking on the phone (multi-tasking) keeping the usability of the device very simple and clear.
An advantage of the invention is the ability of changing of the application views between the displays on the basis of the movement of the hinge or sections 12, 14 relative to each other. The invention enables multi-tasking (two applications open at the same time) and intuitive switching between applications. It basically presents a book metaphor (or similarity) for an electronic device user interface (UI). The invention can provide the advantages of intuitive and easy switching between applications and views.
One embodiment is basically constructed so that two displays are situated in opposite sides of each other, in separate blocks or sections 12, 14, when the device is imagined as “unfolded” (FIGS. 2 and 4-6). When the device is folded or enclosed (
With the invention, at least two modes (or applications) can be open at the same time. A normal book page-change metaphor can be provided. An application having multiple pages can be viewed, similar to a paper book, changing sections 12,14 to change pages. Also, switching between applications can be done similarly. A physical embodiment can comprise sections able to turn completely around; reminiscent to a paper note book with a spring-like back end. The concept makes the movement of the sections 12, 14 into efficient use and gives the user a metaphor that is natural and simple; similar to a book or memo book or steno book.
Referring also to
Referring also to
Referring also to
As evident from the description above, features of the invention could be incorporated into various different types of embodiments or applications. The hand-held portable apparatus could comprise two substantially equal size and shape block sections as the major sections of the frame. These block sections could be virtually the same, or could have minor or substantial differences relative to each other. The software of the apparatus could be configured such that there is no formal primary state of the first and second block sections relative to each other. Thus, regardless of whether the first block section is in front or the second block section is in front, at least some of the same functions could be provided or performed at whichever one of the two block sections are in front at that time. Preferably, the shapes of the block sections support a book-like use, such as a steno book, which is easy to open, provide enough grip for a “page/block section” turning and easy to hold in a single hand firmly.
One or both of the block sections could comprise a camera (still digital photo camera and/or video camera), an/or a camera could be provided in the hinge. One or both of the block sections, and/or the hinge, could comprise one or more camera mode specific buttons, such as a shutter button for example. The hinge could be part of the UI with a button or user actuated switch. As seen in
If no camera is provided, the apparatus can still be a multi-media device for viewing, browsing, writing, an electronic calendar, etc. for example. A stylus can be provided on one or both of the block sections and may be magnetically attached. A center technology display can be provided as part of the UI and can be touch sensitive. A lens could be provided over the display if desired. As one of the two displays may be always visible, a transparent cover could be provided over the displays or the displays could be slightly recessed inside the surrounding frames of the block sections.
As seen in
In another type of embodiment, one of the block sections could be smaller in length than the other block section. Thus, the software could be configured for different modes based upon whether the first block section is in front or the second block section is in front. In a first mode, such as with the longer/bigger block in front, the apparatus could be configured for telephone use with a touch screen based UI, a PDA mode, and simple call handling mode with the call handling keys. In the second mode, such as with the shorter/smaller block in front, the apparatus could be configured for a camera mode with a button or roller based UI or to answer an incoming call by flipping open. An “infinity” mode could also be provided such that the two block sections can be flipped over and over again relative to each other for features such as calendar, E-mail, document viewing-creation, gallery viewing etc.
Referring now to
As seen in
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.
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