US6587675B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hand-held computer and communications apparatus
Assignee: Therefore Ltd
•
Filing: 1997-10-28
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Granted: 2003-07-01
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Expires: 2017-10-28
Abstract
Abstract Combined computer and communications apparatus is described which is constructed with a two-part casing, the parts ( 1, 2 ) being hinged together. When folded together, the entire unit can act like a mobile phone (FIG. 1 ) and when unfolded (FIG. 2 ) a keyboard ( 5 ) is exposed enabling it to act as a palmtop computer. In accordance with the invention, the keyboard ( 5 ) is folded about a line running substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rows of keys. One casing portion ( 1 ) may have a window ( 4 ) through which a screen ( 3 ) mounted on the other casing portion ( 2 ) may be viewed when the unit is folded.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin P. Riddiford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:15
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/0206; H04M1/0208; H04M1/0214; H04M1/0216; H04M1/022; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1637; G06F1/1641; G06F1/1647; G06F1/1652; G06F1/1662; G06F1/1666; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A palmtop computer apparatus including a display screen and a foldable landscape format keyboard, both mounted in a two-part foldable casing, wherein the apparatus contains two hinge axes about which the parts of the casing and the keyboard fold are substantially perpendicular to the direction of rows of keys on the keyboard, and the keys of the keyboard are located on both parts of the two-part casing, wherein the two hinge axes comprise a plate, a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, with said first pivot axis being spaced from said second pivot axis such that each section of the two-part foldable casing pivots relative to the hinge axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A palmtop computer apparatus including a display screen and a foldable landscape format keyboard, both mounted in a two-part foldable casing, wherein the apparatus contains two hinge axes about which the parts of the casing and the keyboard fold are substantially perpendicular to the direction of rows of keys on the keyboard, and the keys of the keyboard are located on both parts of the two-part casing, wherein the two hinge axes comprise a plate, a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, with said first pivot axis being spaced from said second pivot axis such that each section of the two-part foldable casing pivots relative to the hinge axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
A combined computer and communications apparatus including a display screen and a foldable landscape format keyboard, both mounted in a two-part foldable casing, wherein the apparatus contains two hinge axes about which the parts of the casing and the keyboard fold are substantially perpendicular to the direction of rows of keys on the keyboard, and the keys of the keyboard are located on both parts of the two-part casing, wherein the two hinge axes comprise a plate, a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, with said first pivot axis being spaced from said second pivot axis such that each section of the two-part foldable casing pivots relative to the hinge axes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A combined computer and communications apparatus including a display screen and a foldable landscape format keyboard, both mounted in a two-part foldable casing, wherein the apparatus contains two hinge axes about which the parts of the casing and the keyboard fold are substantially perpendicular to the direction of rows of keys on the keyboard, and the keys of the keyboard are located on both parts of the two-part casing, wherein the two hinge axes comprise a plate, a first pivot axis and a second pivot axis, with said first pivot axis being spaced from said second pivot axis such that each section of the two-part foldable casing pivots relative to the hinge axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the two portions of the casing are of substantially equal size.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the keyboard is in the form of a continuous rubber resilient pad keyboard foldable generally about a line perpendicular to the rows of keys therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 further including switch means adapted to enable the apparatus to know whether the apparatus is folded closed or opened out flat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the keyboard is a full Qwerty keyboard for computer input and actuation pads for mobile telephone operation are formed as a single unit with the keyboard extending across a lower half of the casing when unfolded flat, and which is folded round to underlie the front of the casing when the casing is folded closed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 wherein one portion of the casing contains an aperture and one portion contains a screen, such that the entire screen is visible when the casing is opened to reveal the keyboard and at least part of the screen is visible through the aperture when the casing is in folded condition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein one portion of the casing includes an antenna slidable between a retracted and an extended position in a direction parallel to the axis of hinging.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising on the outside of one portion of the casing when in the closed folded condition a plurality of actuation buttons enabling the apparatus to be used as a mobile telephone.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-30 | 2006-12-30 | 2007-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-30 | 2010-12-30 | 2011-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-30 | 2014-12-30 | 2015-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |