United States Patent [19J
`J ahagirdar et al.
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006125286A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,125,286
`*Sep.26,2000
`
`[54] COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING
`MULTIPLE DISPLAYS AND METHOD OF
`OPERATING THE SAME
`
`9/1992 Metroka eta!. ........................ 455!563
`5,148,471
`5,574,772 11/1996 Scalisi eta!. ............................. 455!90
`5,761,610
`6/1998 Sorensen et a!. ....................... 455!575
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Ketan R. Jahagirdar, Palatine;
`William P. Alberth, Jr., Crystal Lake;
`Rolland R. Hackbart, Buffalo Grove;
`Rashid M. Osmani, Mundelein;
`Stephen V. Cahill, Palatine, all of Ill.
`
`[73] Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
`
`[ *] Notice:
`
`This patent issued on a continued pros(cid:173)
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53( d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/869,543
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Jun. 5, 1997
`
`Int. Cl? ....................................................... H04B l/38
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ............................. 455/566; 455/90; 379/433
`[58] Field of Search .............................. 455/575, 90, 566,
`455!550, 38.4, 351, FOR 121; 345/169-10,
`245; 379/428, 433, 455
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6-37697
`
`2/1994
`
`Japan .................................... 455/38.4
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Motorola Product, RSVP FLEX Numeric Pager, 1995.
`
`Primary Examiner-Doris H. To
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John Oskorep; Brian Mancini
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A portable communication device (102) includes a housing
`(105), a first display area (130), and a second display area
`(132). The first display area (130) is outwardly directed from
`a side (122) of the housing (105), and the second display
`area (132) is outwardly directed from a front (120) of the
`housing (105). The housing (105) may include a housing
`portion (114) movable to an open position and a closed
`position, where the second display area (132) is covered by
`the housing portion (114) when positioned in one of the first
`and the second positions.
`
`Re. 34,976
`
`6/1995 Helferich et a!. ....................... 455!556
`
`13 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`MICROSOFT EXHIBIT 1004
`
`

`

`F IG.f
`
`104
`
`F IG.2
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`154
`
`106 v
`122) 1
`130
`128
`
`100
`
`104
`
`BASE
`STATION
`
`100
`
`4--144
`
`114
`
`~144
`
`d •
`\Jl
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`'JJ.
`~ '?
`N
`~~
`N
`
`8 c
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ .....
`'"""' 0 ......,
`
`~
`
`0\
`....
`~
`N
`Ul
`....
`N
`00
`0\
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2000
`Sep. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`Sheet 2 0f 6
`
`6,125,286
`6,125,286
`
`
`
`CJ
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`..q-
`0
`
`C"-1
`0
`0)
`
`~
`
`C"-1
`I"")
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2000
`Sep. 26, 2000
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`Sheet 3 0f 6
`
`6,125,286
`6,125,286
`
`
`
`FIC.4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2000
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`6,125,286
`
`513
`
`130
`.-1
`
`132
`.-1
`
`r------J:~~-----,
`534
`I
`I
`)-1-...l....-1:-.1-..L...., I 52 4 ,....---''-----,_
`I 526
`...-~
`:
`52 8
`I
`I
`5o/T----- .J
`116
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`I
`
`DRIVER
`DISPLAY
`530
`2
`532
`2
`520
`L..---------------
`L..---------------------------------
`
`~36 ;---=--~:~~-_c~06
`
`FROM
`CONTROLLER
`
`FROM
`CONTROLLER
`
`602
`
`--'--..-! DRIVER ._1--.-~
`1
`
`130
`.-1
`
`132
`.-1
`
`DISPLAY
`2
`606
`L..---------------
`FIC.6
`r ________________ -:- _ _c,506
`~710 I
`.,, BACKLIGHT
`I
`-
`I
`(
`704~
`I
`1
`DRIVER
`DISPLAY :DISPLAY
`1
`1
`2
`1 1 b
`I
`[
`70~
`706
`L..------------r---r--.J
`F I C · 7
`132
`13o
`
`602
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2000
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`6,125,286
`
`FIG.BA
`
`TURN ON
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`....----....L..--_._, 8 0 4
`DISPLAY STATUS
`INFO IN
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`TURN OFF
`2ND DISPLAY
`
`SET 1ST
`~--~ TIMER
`IF ON
`
`TOGGLE
`BACKLIGHT
`
`.--...L.......=i818 r-----............_,816
`SET
`DISPLAY OTHER
`2ND
`INFO IN w-~
`TIMER
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`r-------L, 82 4
`
`.--------1.--;82 7
`DISPLAY STATUS
`INFO IN
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`'--'------~~
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep.26,2000
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`6,125,286
`
`FIG.BB
`
`830
`
`DISPLAY
`CALLER ID OR
`t.tESSAGE IN
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`833
`ANSWER --~ TURN ON
`2ND
`>---~
`CALL
`DISPLAY
`
`834
`
`DISPLAY
`CALLER ID OR
`t.tESSAGE IN
`2ND DISPLAY
`
`TURN OFF
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`N
`
`RECORD
`t.tESSAGE
`
`DISPLAY OTHER
`INFO IN
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`846
`
`TURN OFF
`2ND DISPLAY
`
`TURN ON
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`DISPLAY OTHER
`INFO IN
`1ST DISPLAY
`
`

`

`6,125,286
`
`1
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING
`MULTIPLE DISPLAYS AND METHOD OF
`OPERATING THE SAME
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to communication
`devices having multiple displays, and more particularly to
`portable radio communication devices having multiple dis(cid:173)
`plays.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`2
`housing may include a housing portion movable to an open
`position and a closed position, where the second display area
`is covered by the housing portion in one of the first and the
`second positions.
`FIG. 1 shows a communication system 100 comprising a
`mobile station 102 and a base station 104. Mobile station
`102 and base station 104 communicate via radio frequency
`(RF) signals to provide wireless communications and fea(cid:173)
`tures such as paging, telephone, and short messaging fea-
`10 tures. Preferably, communication system 100 provides cel(cid:173)
`lular telephone communications and additional
`communication services.
`Mobile station 102 comprises a housing 105, a user
`interface 106, and a user interface 108. To transmit and
`15 receive the RF signals to and from base station 104, mobile
`station 102 also includes an antenna 110. Mobile station 102
`may also include an accessory jack 158.
`Housing 105 includes a housing portion 112 and a hous(cid:173)
`ing portion 114. Housing portion 114 is movable between a
`first position and a second position. The first position may be
`referred to as an open position, such as that shown in FIG.
`1, and the second position may be referred to as a closed
`position, such as that shown in FIG. 2. Housing portion 114
`may be generally referred to as a movable element or a flap.
`25 Also, housing portions 112 and 114 may be generally
`referred to as lower and upper housing portions, respec(cid:173)
`tively. Housing 105 is made from a durable material, pref(cid:173)
`erably plastic.
`In the embodiment shown, housing portion 114 is coupled
`to housing portion 112 via a hinge 116 providing a rotation
`for housing portion 114 to and from the first and the second
`positions as indicated by an arrow 152. Other suitable
`mechanisms for providing movement are known in the art
`35 and may be used accordingly.
`Housing portion 112 defines a surface 120 (forming a
`front of housing 105), a surface 122 (forming a top side of
`housing 105), a surface 124 (forming a bottom side of
`housing 105), a surface 126 (forming a left side of housing
`40 105), and a surface 128 (forming a right side of housing
`105). Each of surfaces 122, 124, 126, and 128 meet with and
`are adjacent and generally perpendicular to surface 120.
`Widths of surfaces 122, 124, 126, and 128 are generally
`much smaller than a width of surface 120. For example, the
`45 width of surface 120 may be about four times that of each
`width of surfaces 122, 124, 126, and 128. Preferably, the
`width of surface 120 is about 5 centimeters and each width
`of surfaces 122, 124, 126, and 128 is about 1.25 centimeters.
`Housing portion 114 is sized and shaped similarly to that of
`50 housing portion 112 and includes similarly defined surfaces.
`Sized and constructed as described above, mobile station
`102 may be described as being "wearable," that is, it is sized
`to fit into a pocket or attach to clothing using a holster or a
`belt clip as will be shown and described further below in
`55 relation to FIG. 4.
`User interface 106 includes a display area 130 for dis(cid:173)
`playing information. User interface 106 may be referred to
`as a pager user interface. In the embodiment shown, display
`area 130 is carried on and outwardly directed from surface
`60 122. Display area 130 presents visual information directed
`in a direction indicated by an arrow 154 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
`Display area 130 may include a display window and display
`elements discussed in more detail below.
`User interface 108 includes a display area 132 for dis-
`65 playing information, a keypad 134, a speaker 136 disposed
`in housing portion 114, and a microphone 138 disposed in
`housing portion 112. User interface 108 may be referred to
`
`Many portable communication devices, such as cellular
`telephones, include housings defining relatively large front
`and rear surfaces with thin sides. Such a device may be thin
`enough to fit within a pocket of clothing or to carry on a belt
`or a holster. Typically, the front surface of the device has a
`user interface which includes one or more components such
`as a keypad or a display. When the device is carried as
`described above, the user interface may not be very accom- 20
`modating to a user. For example, when such a device is
`carried on a belt of a user, the user interface is completely
`or partially obstructed from the user's view.
`In addition, some devices have flaps which cover the user
`interface for protection against various elements such as dirt
`or rain, or for other reasons such as for protection against
`inadvertent actuations at the keypad. Although highly
`beneficial, such flaps may similarly or further inhibit view(cid:173)
`ing of the user interface.
`Accordingly, what is needed is a communication device
`having a user interface that is more accommodating to a
`user, and additionally one that does not substantially
`increase a power consumption or cost of the communication
`device.
`
`30
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a mobile station having a first
`display area and a second display area.
`FIG. 2 is an illustration of the mobile station of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is an illustration of an alternate embodiment of a
`mobile station.
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of the mobile station being worn
`in a holster by a user.
`FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of electrical circuitry
`of the mobile station.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a first alternate
`embodiment of display components of the electrical cir(cid:173)
`cuitry.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a second alternate
`embodiment of the display components.
`FIG. SA is a first part of a flowchart describing the
`operation of the mobile station.
`FIG. 8B is a second part of the flowchart describing the
`operation of the mobile station.
`FIG. 9 is an illustration of another alternate embodiment
`of a mobile station.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`According to the present invention, a portable communi(cid:173)
`cation device comprises a housing, a first display area, and
`a second display area. The first display area is outwardly
`directed from a side of the housing and the second display
`area is outwardly directed from a side of the housing. The
`
`

`

`6,125,286
`
`20
`
`3
`as a telephone user interface. Display area 132 is carried on
`and outwardly directed from surface 120. Display area 132
`presents visual information in a direction indicated generally
`by an arrow 156 of FIG. 1. Display area 132 may include a
`display window and display elements discussed in more 5
`detail below.
`When a user of mobile station 102 views display area 132
`and any visual information displayed therein, display area
`130 and any visual information therein is obstructed from
`view because of the particular orientations of display areas
`130 and 132 on housing 105, and/or because of the position
`of housing portion 114 relative to housing portion 112.
`Likewise, when the user views display area 130 and any
`visual information therein, display area 132 and any visual
`information therein is similarly obstructed from view for the
`same or similar reasons.
`Keypad 134 is carried on surface 120 and may include a
`plurality of telephone keys 140 and a plurality of function
`keys 142. The plurality of telephone keys 140 typically
`includes conventional telephone keys (0-9, *, and #) pro-
`vided for initiating telephone calls. The plurality of function
`keys 142 typically includes conventional cellular telephone
`function keys, such as an on/off key, a function key, a send
`key, and an end key. Keypad 134 is operable for use when
`housing portion 114 is positioned in the open position. 25
`Display area 132 typically displays alphanumeric characters,
`such as telephone digits, corresponding to actuations at
`keypad 134. In the embodiment shown, user interface 108 is
`covered when housing portion 114 is positioned in the
`closed position. Mobile station 102 also includes a plurality 30
`of keys 144 disposed on surface 128. Here, the plurality of
`keys 144 includes a key 146, a key 148, and a key 150.
`Mobile station 102 also includes a removable battery 128,
`carried on housing portion 114, provided for powering
`electrical circuitry, described below, of mobile station 102. 35
`Removable battery 128 includes battery contacts (not
`visible) which electrically couple to the electrical circuitry
`through hinge 116 via electrical conductors. Removable
`battery 128 includes a latching mechanism 202 (FIG. 2)
`which helps keep removable battery 128 attached to housing 40
`portion 114.
`FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a mobile
`station, in particular a mobile station 302. Mobile station
`302 includes a housing portion 304, a housing portion 306,
`a speaker 314 disposed in housing portion 306, a removable
`battery 312 carried on housing portion 306, a microphone
`315 disposed in housing portion 304, and a keypad 316
`carried on housing portion 304. Mobile station 302 also
`includes a display area 318 and a display area 320. Display
`area 318 is outwardly directed from a surface 310 of housing
`portion 304, and display area 320 is outwardly directed from
`a surface of housing portion 306.
`FIG. 4 shows a user wearing mobile station 102 in a
`holster 406. Here, the size of mobile station 102 is greatly
`exaggerated for illustration purposes only. Mobile station
`102 is inserted within a holding portion of holster 406, and
`holster 406 is attached to an item of clothing of the user via
`a belt clip (not visible) of holster 406.
`FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of electrical
`circuitry 500 of mobile station 102. Electrical circuitry 500
`includes a transceiver 502, a controller 504, display com(cid:173)
`ponents 506, a keypad circuit 507, a switch 508, an alert 509,
`a vibrator 511, a key circuit 513, microphone 114, and
`speaker 116. Preferably, most of electrical circuitry 500,
`including transceiver 502 and controller 504 which consume
`a large portion of physical space, is disposed in housing
`portion 112 on a printed circuit board (PCB).
`
`4
`Transceiver 502 is coupled to antenna 110 and includes a
`transmitter 510 and a receiver 512. Receiver 512 receives
`RF signals through antenna 110 and demodulates the RF
`signals. Controller 504 is coupled to and receives the
`demodulated information from receiver 512. Such informa(cid:173)
`tion includes control information and may include voice
`information which is processed and sent to speaker 116.
`Controller 504 is coupled to transmitter 510 and sends
`information thereto for transmission. Such information
`10 includes control information and may include voice infor(cid:173)
`mation received from microphone 114. Microphone 114 and
`speaker 116 are coupled to controller 504 through audio
`circuitry (not shown). A speaker and mic accessory 536,
`which includes an ear speaker and a microphone coupled to
`15 a plug via a cord, can insert into accessory jack 158 and
`couple to controller 504.
`Keypad circuit 507 provides signals to controller 504 in
`response to actuations of keys at keypad 134 (FIG. 1).
`Similarly, key circuit 513 provides signals to controller in
`response to actuations of the plurality of keys 144 (FIG. 1).
`Switch 508 provides signals to controller 504 in response to
`movements of housing portion 114 to and from the first and
`the second positions. Preferably, switch 508 comprises a
`magnetic switch. In response to receiving a call from a
`remote unit, controller 504 controls alert 509 to sound an
`audible alert signal or controls vibrator 511 to vibrate.
`In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, display components
`506 include a driver 514, a display element 516, a driver
`518, a display element 520, and a backlight 522. Controller
`504 generates display data to be displayed at display areas
`130 and 132. Controller 504 controls power to driver 514
`and display element 516 through a line 524. Similarly,
`controller 504 controls power to driver 518 and display
`element 520 through a line 530. Controller 504 selects one
`of drivers 514 and 518 to receive display data through a line
`526 (for driver 514) and a line 532 (for driver 518), and
`sends the display data via a data bus 528 coupled to both of
`drivers 514 and 518. Controller 504 controls power to
`backlight 522 through a line 534.
`Display elements 516 and 520 provide visual information
`in display areas 130 and 132, respectively, for a user of
`mobile station 102. Each of display elements 516 and 520
`may comprise any suitable display or displays such as a light
`45 emitting diode (LED) display or a liquid crystal display
`(LCD). In addition to having illuminating segments or
`pixels, such displays may include illuminating icons.
`Typically, display elements 516 and 520 are substantially
`planar and rectangular in shape and thus, for the embodi-
`50 ment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are positioned substantially
`perpendicular to one another in housing portion 112.
`Preferably, element 516 is a single line LCD and element
`520 is a multiple line LCD. Also preferably, display element
`520 has a resolution greater than a resolution of display
`55 element 516. If both of display elements 516 and 520 are
`LCDs, backlight 522 is preferably designed and positioned
`such that backlighting is provided for both of display
`elements 516 and 520. Also preferably, display components
`506 are mounted to a secondary printed circuit board (PCB)
`60 that is different from a main PCB holding a remaining
`portion of electrical circuitry 500 (such as transceiver 502
`and controller 504). Here, the secondary PCB is attached
`and coupled to the main PCB via a flex connector.
`FIG. 6 shows a first alternate embodiment of display
`65 components 506. Here, display components 506 include a
`driver 602, a display element 604, a display element 606,
`and a backlight 608. Display element 604 provides visual
`
`

`

`6,125,286
`
`5
`information in display area 130, and display element 606
`provides visual information in display area 132. Display
`elements 604 and 606 share driver 602. Preferably, driver
`602 and display element 606 are mounted on a secondary
`PCB and coupled to the main PCB via a first flex connector,
`and display element 604 is coupled and attached to the
`secondary PCB via a second flex connector. Since the
`second flex connector is flexible, display element 604 and
`display element 606 may be appropriately configured and
`positioned within housing portion 112.
`FIG. 7 shows a second alternate embodiment of display
`components 506. Here, display components 506 include a
`driver 702, a flexible display element 704, and a backlight
`710. Flexible display element 704 is indeed flexible, and
`comprises a display portion 706 and a display portion 70S.
`Display portion 706 provides information for display area
`130, and a display portion 70S provides information for
`display area 132. As can be understood from the configu(cid:173)
`ration of display areas 130 and 132 shown in FIG. 1, flexible
`display element 704 is bent or curved within housing portion
`112 such that display portion 706 is substantially perpen(cid:173)
`dicular relative to display portion 70S.
`FIGS. SA and SB show a flowchart describing a method
`of operating electrical circuitry 500 of mobile station 102.
`The method described here utilizes display components 506
`shown and described in relation to FIG. 5. Mobile station
`102 is in a standby mode of operation. At start block SOO,
`housing portion 114 is positioned from the open position to
`the closed position. Controller 504 enables power to driver
`514 and display element 516 through line 524 (step S02). 30
`Controller 504 enables driver 514 for data communication
`via line 526, and sends display data thereto. Driver 514
`sends data to display element 516 for displaying visual
`information, preferably status information, in display area
`130 (step S04). If power was previously enabled for driver 35
`51S and display element 520, controller 504 disables power
`thereto (step S06).
`Here, the status information may include date and time
`information, battery status information such as a battery
`level indication and/or a low battery warning indication, 40
`communication status information such as an "in use"
`indication and/or a roam indication, or any combinations of
`the above. Alternatively, the status information may include
`little or no information, where display area 130 is cleared.
`Controller 504 reads key circuitry 513 to detect actuations 45
`of the plurality of keys 144. If controller 504 detects an
`actuation of key 146 (step SOS), controller 504 toggles the
`on/off state of backlight 522 (step S10). That is, controller
`504 turns on backlight 522 if backlight 522 is off, and turns
`off backlight 522 if backlight 522 is on. If backlight 522 is 50
`turned on from step S10, controller 504 sets a timer (step
`S12) to turn off backlight 522 after an expiration of a
`predetermined time period (see steps S22 and S24).
`If controller 504 detects an actuation of key 150 (step
`S14), controller 504 sends display data to driver 514, which ss
`sends display data to display element 516. For displaying
`new visual information in display area 130. The new visual
`information includes information different from or in addi(cid:173)
`tion to the status information, and may include date and time
`information, battery status information such as a battery 60
`level indication and/or a low battery warning indication,
`communication status information such as an "in use"
`indication and/or a roam indication, or any combinations of
`the above. Controller 504 sets a timer related to the new
`display information (step S1S).
`If controller 504 detects an incoming call (step S20), the
`method continues in FIG. SB. Controller 504 controls alert
`
`6
`509 to sound an audible alert signal (step S2S). Alternatively
`at step S2S, controller 504 may control vibrator 511 to
`vibrate. Receiver 512 demodulates the received RF signals
`and generates data signals such as caller ID or short mes-
`s saging data. Controller 504 receives such data, generates
`display data and sends it to driver 514 via line 52S for
`displaying visual information in display area 130 corre(cid:173)
`sponding to such data. For example, display area 130 may
`display caller ID data in a manner similar to that shown in
`10 FIG. 2. When a large amount of information is to be
`displayed, controller 504 may control driver 514 such that
`display element 516 scrolls the information (from left to
`right, for example) or periodically flashes new information.
`Controller 504 detects a control signal from switch 50S
`15 when housing portion 114 is moved from the closed position
`to the open position (step S32), which here signifies an
`intention to answer the call. In response to such detection,
`mobile station 102 answers the call (step S33). Controller
`504 enables power to driver 51S and display element 520
`20 corresponding to display area 132 via line 530 (step S34).
`Controller 504 enables driver 51S for data communication
`via line 532, and sends the display data to driver 51S via data
`bus 52S. Driver 51S sends data to display element 520, and
`visual information is displayed in display area 132 (step
`25 S36). Controller 504 powers off driver 514 and display
`element 516 via line 524, thereby turning off display area
`130 (step S3S).
`Preferably, the visual information corresponding to step
`S36 includes the caller ID or short messaging data obtained
`upon receipt of the call. For example, the visual information
`may include the caller ID data and may be displayed as
`shown in FIG. 1. Since display area 132 is preferably larger
`or is capable of displaying more visual information than
`display area 130, display area 132 may display the visual
`information in its entirety, whereas display area 130 may
`have had to display the visual information by scrolling or
`other methods known in the art.
`At step S32, when speaker and mic accessory 536 is
`inserted in accessory jack 15S, an actuation of one of the
`plurality of keys 144 may answer the call without having to
`move housing portion 114 to the open position (and also
`without having to remove mobile station 102 from a holster).
`After the call is completed, an actuation of one of the
`plurality of keys 144 may terminate the call.
`If the call is a two-way call, such as a two-way telephone
`or telephone-like call, the user of mobile station 102 uses
`microphone 114 and speaker 116 for voice communication.
`Controller 504 detects a control signal from switch 50S
`when housing portion 114 is moved from the open position
`to the closed position (step S40). In response to such
`detection, controller 504 performs tasks to terminate the call
`(step S41). In addition, controller 504 powers on driver 514
`and display element 516 via line 524 (step S42). Controller
`504 enables driver 514 for data communication via line 526
`and sends display data thereto via data bus 52S. Driver 514
`sends data to display element 516 to display visual infor(cid:173)
`mation corresponding to such data in display area 130 (step
`S44). Controller 504 disables power from driver 51S and
`display element 520, thereby turning off display area 132
`(step S46). The method continues back at step S1S of FIG.
`SA.
`The visual information corresponding to step S44 may be
`the same as that described in relation to step S04 (time, date,
`65 etc.). Preferably, the visual information corresponding to
`step S44 includes information regarding the two-way call,
`such as the duration of the call, "units" of time used for the
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`6,125,286
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`7
`call, the amount of money charged for the call, or any
`combination of the above. Such information may be real or
`approximated; base station 104 may send this information to
`mobile station 102 and/or mobile station 102 may be
`equipped with a real time clock (not shown). Also 5
`preferably, if such preferred information is displayed, dis(cid:173)
`play area 516 displays similar or the same visual information
`as that described in relation to step S04 (time, date, etc.) after
`an expiration of a predetermined time period (see steps S26
`and S27 of FIG. SA) or after an actuation of one of the 10
`plurality of keys 144.
`At step S32, housing portion 114 may not be opened after
`a detection of the incoming call, and thus controller 504 may
`not detect the control signal from switch 50S. Controller 504
`may detect an actuation of one of the plurality of keys 144 15
`via key circuit 513 (step S4S). In response thereto, controller
`504 initiates an immediate forwarding of the incoming call
`to voice mail or to an answering device with memory, where
`a synthesized message is played to a caller and a voice
`message may be recorded (step S50). Other information may 20
`then be displayed in display area 130 (step S52), and the
`method continues back at step S1S of FIG. SA
`At step S4S, none of the plurality of keys 144 may be
`actuated after a detection of the incoming call, and thus
`controller 504 may not detect any signals from key circuit 25
`513. Controller 504 continues to monitor detection of sig(cid:173)
`nals from switch 50S and key circuit 513 in steps S32 and
`S4S.
`The option described in relation to steps S4S and S50 may
`be preferred when it is not desired to answer the incoming
`call (perhaps upon viewing the visual information in display
`area 130) and to hear or feel signals from alert 509 or
`vibrator 511 for a long duration of time.
`Mobile station 102 may operate display areas 130 and 132 35
`in response to other input signals. For example, FIG. 4
`shows a view 400 of a holster 40S having a holster surface
`410. Mobile station 102 has electrical contacts 404 (also
`FIG. 4) on a surface 402 (forming a rear of housing 105)
`thereof. On an inside of holster 410, holster surface 40S has 40
`a conductive element 412 having a contact 412 and a contact
`414. When mobile station 102 is outside of holster 40S,
`display area 130 is powered off and display area 132 is
`powered on (if exposed). When mobile station 102 is
`inserted into holster 40S, two of electrical contacts 404 are 45
`shorted from conductive element 412 and, in response to
`this, display area 130 is powered on by controller 504 while
`display area 130 is powered off.
`FIG. 9 shows another alternate embodiment of a mobile
`station, in particular a mobile station 900. Mobile station 50
`900 includes a housing portion 902 and a housing portion
`904 coupled together via a hinge 905, where housing portion
`904 is movable from open and closed positions. In FIG. 9,
`housing portion 904 is shown in the open position. Mobile
`station 902 also includes a retractable antenna 906 out(cid:173)
`wardly extendible from housing portion 902, a speaker 90S
`disposed in and outwardly directed from housing portion
`902, a microphone 910 disposed in and outwardly directed
`from housing portion 904, and a keypad 912 carried on
`housing portion 902.
`Mobile station 902 includes a display area 914 outwardly
`directed from a front of housing portion 902, and a display
`area 916 outwardly directed from housing portion 904.
`When housing portion 904 is moved to the closed position,
`display area 914 is obstructed from view, whereas display
`area 916 is available for viewing. Display area 914 prefer(cid:173)
`ably includes a single line LED display, and display area 916
`
`8
`preferably includes a large graphics LCD. Mobile station
`902 operates similarly or in the same way as mobile station
`102 as described in relation to the flowchart of FIGS. SA and
`SB.
`While particular embodiments of the present invention
`have been shown and described, modifications may be
`made. For example, display area 130 of FIG. 1 may be
`placed along any suitable side of housing portions 112 and
`114 for displaying visual information to a user. It is therefore
`intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes
`and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope
`of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A portable electronic device configured to be held in a
`holster having electrical contacts to connect to the device
`located therewithin, comprising:
`a housing, said housing including a movable element
`movable between an open position and a closed posi(cid:173)
`tion;
`a radio transceiver, said radio transceiver disposed in said
`housing, said transceiver configured to detect a call
`from a calling unit and receive information correspond(cid:173)
`ing thereto;
`a first user interface, said first user interface including a
`first display area, said first display area viewable when
`said movable element is in the closed position;
`a second user interface, said second user interface includ(cid:173)
`ing a second display area and a plurality of telephone
`keys, said second display area and said plurality of
`telephone keys viewable when said movable element is
`in the open position, said second display area and said
`plurality of telephone keys obstructed from view when
`said movable element is in the closed position; and
`a controller, said controller coupled to said transceiver,
`said controller to control said first display area for
`displaying the information therein, wherein when an
`incoming call is detected by said transceiver and said
`movable element is moved from the closed position to
`the open position said portable electronic device oper(cid:173)
`ates to connect to the incoming call, transfer the infor-
`mation displayed in the first display area to the second
`display area, and turn off the first display area, wherein
`when the portable electronic device is outside of the
`holster the first display area is powered off by the
`controller and the second display area is powered on if
`the movable element is in the open position, and
`when the portable electronic device is inserted into the
`holster the first display area