(12) United States Patent
`Cosgrove et al.
`
`USOO6304765B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,304,765 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`(54) FOLDABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`AND METHOD
`
`(75) Inventors: Steven John Cosgrove; Kim Hock
`Lim, both of Singapore (SG)
`(73) Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`5/1998 Mendolia ............................. 379/433
`5,751,804
`11/1999 Yasuda et al. ....................... 455/567
`5,995,852
`6,006,114 * 12/1999 Seppanen et al. ................... 455/567
`E. : 32: Ri - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - '5,
`2Y- - -2
`C. C. a.
`- - -
`6,151,486 * 11/2000 Holshouser et al.
`... 455/90
`6.215,993 * 4/2001 Ulveland .............
`... 455/415
`6,233,462 * 5/2001 in m 455/550
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Daniel Hunter
`ASSistant Examiner-Lana Le
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel R. Collopy
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A foldable communication device (10) with a housing
`having two portions (11,12) pivotably mounted to each other
`to allow relative movement therebetween. This relative
`movement is about an axis (13) and enabled by mounting
`portion (11) to two mounts (14.15) of portion (12). Device
`(10) has a transceiver (17) housed in the housing, an alert
`transducer (18) associated with transceiver (17) to provide
`an audible alert at a predetermined Volume when a commu
`nication call for device (10) is received by transceiver (17)
`and a controller (19) coupled to transducer (18). In response
`to the relative movement of portions (11,12), controller (19)
`reduces the volume of the audible alert without the com
`munication call being answered.
`
`18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/440,961
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 16, 1999
`(51) Int. Cl." ...................................................... H04M 100
`(52) U.S. Cl
`455/575; 455/550; 455/90,
`O X
`O
`-- O
`r
`s
`s
`58) Field of S
`to 757 340/7.58; so s'
`(58) Field o eart 90.575.566,340,757 , 7 50.
`/90, 575, 566; 7 6 2.379,433.434
`.62; 379/433,
`
`- - -
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`9/1983 Groff.
`8/1994 Shinozaki ............................. 379/418
`4/1995 Wavroch et al. .
`9/1995 Gershkovich et al. ................ 379/58
`6/1997 Hattori et al. ....................... 379/433
`
`(56)
`
`4,405,839
`5,337,356
`5,404,391
`5,448,620
`5,638,441
`
`
`
`26
`
`RECEIVING AN ALERT REQUEST
`
`27
`
`28
`
`HOUSING
`IN AN OPEN
`POSITION
`
`ES
`
`33
`YES
`
`PROVIDING A SHORTER
`AUDIBLE ALERT
`
`34
`
`SET MUTE FLAC
`
`REDUCING WOLUME OF
`AUDIBLE ALERT
`
`36
`
`
`
`CONNECT TO
`CALL
`
`38
`
`
`
`29
`
`
`
`
`
`PROVIDING AN
`AUDIBLE ALERT
`
`HOUSING
`IN AN OPEN
`POSIII
`
`CALL
`NO NSE
`
`
`
`
`
`40
`
`RESET
`UEFLAG
`
`ANOTHER CALL
`ONHOLD
`
`YES
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 1
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`
`
`10 N
`
`11
`
`Y
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 2
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`29
`
`PROVIDING AN
`AUDIBLE ALERT
`
`HOUSING
`IN AN OPEN
`POSITION
`
`
`
`CALL
`NO UNNER
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`27
`
`HOUSING
`IN AN OPEN
`POSITION
`
`34
`
`CONNECT TO
`CALL
`
`38
`
`RESET
`MUTE FLAC
`
`40
`
`
`
`ANOTHER CALL
`ON HOLD
`
`F. G. 3
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 3
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 4
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 16, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 5
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`1
`FOLDABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`AND METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to foldable communication devices
`Such as mobile phones or two-way radioS with alerts to alert
`users to communication calls for Such devices. In particular,
`this invention relates to foldable communication devices
`with two-part housings that are movable to automatically
`reduce volume of audible alerts when communication calls
`are received.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Communication devices, Such as mobile phones or two
`way radioS, are known to have alerts to alert a user to a
`communication call. These alerts can be audible, tactile,
`Visual alerts or a combination of Such alerts. Conventionally,
`alerts can be selected for a communication device according
`to a user's preferences. Once Selected, the alerts are then
`provided in response to communication calls addressing the
`device.
`Audible alerts can be annoying and disruptive to people
`attending, for example, meetings or classes. Although tactile
`or visual alerts are possible alternatives, Such tactile or
`Visual alerts are not effective when a user cannot sense them.
`For example, tactile or visual alerts are generally ineffective
`if, for example, a mobile phone with these alerts is placed
`out of the user's Sight or feel Such as in a handbag.
`Consequently, audible alerts are Sometimes preferred and
`the user will quickly answer a communication call to avoid
`the audible alerts annoying others.
`In Some communication devices, an electronic display is
`enclosed within folded or covered portions of a housing.
`Users of Such devices have to unfold or uncover Such
`portions in order to answer communication calls. To Shorten
`a time duration in which it takes the user to answer a
`communication call, unfolding or uncovering the portions to
`thereby reveal the display automatically connect the user to
`a calling party. However, there are times when the user
`wants to review indicia displayed on the display and identify
`the calling party before answering a communication call.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`According to one aspect of the invention, there is pro
`Vided a foldable communication device comprising:
`a housing having at least two portions pivotably mounted
`to each other to allow relative movement therebetween;
`a transceiver housed in Said housing,
`an alert transducer associated with Said transceiver;
`a controller coupled to Said transducer,
`wherein, in use, Said transducer provides an audible alert
`having a predetermined Volume when a communication
`call for Said device is received by Said transceiver and
`wherein, in response to Said relative movement, Said
`volume of said audible alert is reduced without said
`communication call being answered.
`According to another aspect of the invention, there is
`provided a method to control an audible alert of a foldable
`communication device, Said device having a housing with
`two portions pivotably mounted to each other, Said method
`comprising the Steps of:
`receiving an alert request in response to reception of a
`communication call for Said device;
`determining respective positions of Said portions based on
`relative movement of Said portions, Said positions
`being a closed position and an open position; and
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`2
`controlling, in response to Said Step of determining, a
`predetermined volume of an audible alert without said
`communication call being answered.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`In order to describe the invention and to put it into
`practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred
`embodiments of the invention as illustrated with reference to
`the accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable communication
`device in a closed position according to a first embodiment
`of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a Schematic block diagram illustrating basic
`electrical components of the device of FIG. 1:
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method to control an audible
`alert of the device of FIG.1;
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 in an open position;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a foldable communication
`device in accordance with a Second embodiment of the
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a cross section through A-A of the device of
`FIG. 5 in a closed position; and
`FIG. 7 illustrates the device as shown in FIG. 6 when in
`an open position.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective of a foldable
`communication device 10 in a closed position is shown
`according to a first embodiment of the invention. Device 10
`comprises a housing having two portions 11.12 pivotably
`mounted to each other to allow relative movement therebe
`tween. The relative movement is about an axis 13 and
`enabled by mounting portion 11 to two mounts 14.15 of
`portion 12 using two pivot pins (not shown). Also mounted
`to portion 12 is an antenna 16 to receive communication
`calls for device 10.
`The communication calls received via antenna 16 are
`processed within device 10. Basic electrical components of
`device 10 are illustrated with a schematic block diagram in
`FIG. 2. As illustrated, device 10 also comprises a transceiver
`17 housed in the housing, an alert transducer 18 associated
`with transceiver 17, and a controller 19 coupled to trans
`ducer 18. Transducer 18 provides audible alerts having a
`predetermined Volume when a communication call for
`device 10 is received by transceiver 17. Device 10 further
`comprises a user input 20, a detector 21 to detect the relative
`movement between portions 11.12 and an electronic display
`22 mounted to the housing for displaying indicia associated
`with the communication call. Such indicia include, for
`example, information identifying a calling party. User input
`20 can be a keypad from which the predetermined volume
`is adjustable by a user of device 10 as is known in the art.
`Detector 21 has an output coupled to controller 19 and can
`be implemented with, for example, a Switch coupled to the
`housing So that the relative movement of portions 11,12
`actuates the Switch to provide a signal to controller 19. One
`type of Switch that is Suitable for this purpose is a magneti
`cally activated Switch, Such as a reed Switch. This reed
`Switch can be mounted to portion 12 to coact with, for
`example, a magnet of a Speaker that is mounted to portion
`11 Such that it is activated when both portions 11.12 are close
`to each other.
`Use of device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3 with a flow
`diagram showing a method 25 to control an audible alert of
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 6
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`25
`
`35
`
`15
`
`3
`device 10. Starting at step 26, controller 19 receives an alert
`request in response to reception of a communication call for
`device 10 at step 27. With the alert request, controller 19
`determines at decision Step 28 whether the housing is in an
`open position. This open position is illustrated in FIG. 4 with
`portions 11.12 pivotably moved about axis 13 So that display
`22 is viewable and user input 20 is actuatable by a user of
`device 10. Relative movement of portions 11.12 from a
`closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position is
`detected by detector 21. In the closed position shown in FIG.
`1, display 22 is hidden from View and in the open position
`display 22 is viewable by the user. If the housing is not in
`the open position, then controller 19 activates transducer 18
`to provide an audible alert at step 29. From step 29, and upon
`providing the audible alert, controller 19 checks whether the
`housing is in the open position at decision Step 30. Decision
`step 30 indicates whether or not the user has opened the
`housing to answer the communication call. If “No” at
`decision Step 30, that is with the housing Still remaining in
`the closed position, controller 19 then determines whether
`the communication is to be regarded as an unanswered call
`at decision Step 31. Typically, the communication call is
`regarded as an unanswered call after a predetermined time
`period has expired. Hence, when the predetermined time
`period has expired, controller 19 proceeds with a “Yes” from
`decision Step 31 to end the communication call at Step 32.
`Otherwise, when the predetermined time period has not
`expired, method 25 loops back to decision step 30.
`Consequently, if the housing is in the open position as
`determined by controller 19 at either decision step 28 or
`decision step 30, method 25 proceeds to decision step 33 in
`which controller 19 determines whether a mute flag has been
`set. Proceeding with a “Yes” from decision step 33, con
`troller 19 then controls transducer 18 to provide a shorter
`audible alert than normally provided, Say, for example, at
`step 29. This shorter audible alert is at a reduced volume as
`the mute flag has already been set. Otherwise, with a “No”
`at decision step 33, method 25 proceeds to step 35 in which
`controller 19 sets the mute flag.
`Thereafter, method 25 proceeds to step 36 from either step
`34 or step 35. At step 36, controller 19 controls transducer
`18 by reducing volume of the audible alert. This volume can
`be reduced either gradually or by muting. From Step 36,
`method 25 continues to decision step 37 in which controller
`19 checks whether to end the communication call. If the user
`decides to answer the communication call, then controller 19
`connects to the communication call at Step 38 and loops back
`to decision step 37. Otherwise, if the user decides not to
`answer the communication call, method 25 then checks
`whether another communication call is on hold at decision
`Step 39. Checking for another communication call applies
`for device 10 having a feature commonly referred to as call
`waiting or call holding. If there is no other communication
`call on hold, controller 19 then resets the mute flag at step
`40 and ends the communication call at step 32. Otherwise,
`with another communication call on hold, controller 19 ends
`a current communication call and connects to the another
`communication call at step 38. Method 25 then loops back
`to decision Step 37 and continues as described above.
`In the first embodiment described in the above, the
`volume of the audible alert is reduced by controller 19
`60
`detecting the relative movement between portions 11,12. A
`Second embodiment in accordance with the invention will
`now be described in which the volume of the audible alert
`is mechanically muted. In describing the Second embodi
`ment shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, reference numbers used are the
`same as in device 10 for similar elements unless otherwise
`indicated.
`
`4
`Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 7, the second embodiment
`provides for a foldable communication device 45 having a
`cam 46 protruding from a surface 47 of portion 11. Cam 46
`is associated with an outlet 48 on a surface 49 of portion 12.
`The volume of the audible alert provided by transducer 18
`in device 45 is reduced with a mechanical shutter 50 that is
`movable in association with relative movement of portions
`11, 12 as will be described.
`A cross-section of device 45 in a closed position through
`A-A is shown in FIG. 6. At this closed position, cam 46
`is angled away from the housing and portion 11 is Substan
`tially parallel with portion 12. Within portion 12 is a circuit
`board 51 on which transducer 18 is mounted. A spring 52 has
`one end 53 mounted to an inner surface 54 of portion 12 and
`an opposite end 55 coupled to one end 56 of shutter 50. An
`opposite end 57 of shutter 50 is biased against a mounted
`section 58 of portion 11 by spring 52. Shutter 50 has a
`shutter opening 59 that is aligned to outlet 48 when device
`10 is in the closed position. Consequently, an audible alert
`from transducer 18 can be transmitted out of the housing
`through outlet 48 and opening 59 in this closed position.
`Also shown in FIG. 6 is a guide 60 for guiding movement
`of shutter 50 within portion 12.
`Operation of shutter 50 to mute the audible alert starts
`when the user perceives the audible alert and moves portions
`11, 12 to the open position of the housing. In the open
`position as illustrated with a cross-section of device 45 in
`FIG. 7, cam 46 is now rotated to an inner position to coact
`with end 57 and thereby bias shutter 50 towards inner
`Surface 54 and against Spring 52. In this open position,
`shutter opening 59 is not aligned with housing outlet 48.
`Consequently, the audible alert from transducer 18 is
`blocked from being transmitted out of the housing as a result
`of shutter 50 covering, at least partially, outlet 48. Hence, the
`audible alert is muted and is therefore less likely to annoy
`others in the vicinity of device 45. When the housing returns
`to the closed position shown in FIG. 6, Spring 52 again
`biases shutter 50 to align with outlet 48.
`Advantageously, the invention enables a user to reduce or
`mute audible alerts from devices 10.45 simply by moving
`portions 11.12 of their respective housings to the open
`position. Therefore, the problem of the audible alerts annoy
`ing or disrupting others during meetings or classes is alle
`Viated as Such alerts are reduced or muted by the user. Also,
`the user can continue to use audible alerts instead of using
`tactile or visual alerts.
`Additionally, with this invention, the user does not need
`to answer a communication call when moving portions
`11, 12 to the open position. In the open position, a commu
`nication call is not connected unless the user chooses to do
`So via actuating user input 20. Thus, the user is able to
`review indicia displayed on display 22 to thereby identify a
`calling party without noisy disruptions from the audible
`alerts. Thereafter, the user can choose whether or not to
`connect to the communication call.
`Further, when connected to a current communication call,
`the user is not interrupted at the predetermined Volume of an
`audible alert by another communication call. In this
`Situation, the user will be alerted to the another communi
`cation call by a shorter audible alert at a reduced Volume.
`Although the invention has been described with reference
`to the above embodiments, it is to be understood that the
`invention is not restricted to the embodiments described
`herein.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 7
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`US 6,304,765 B1
`
`S
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A foldable communication device comprising:
`a housing having at least two portions pivotably mounted
`to each other to allow relative movement therebetween;
`a transceiver housed in Said housing,
`an alert transducer associated with Said transceiver;
`a controller coupled to Said transducer,
`wherein, in use, Said transducer provides an audible alert
`having a predetermined Volume when a communication
`call for Said device is received by Said transceiver and
`wherein, in response to Said relative movement, Said
`volume of said audible alert is reduced without said
`communication call being answered.
`2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein Said relative
`movement is between a closed position and an open posi
`tion.
`3. The device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising an
`electronic display, wherein Said display is hidden from view
`in Said closed position and wherein Said display is viewable
`when in Said open position.
`4. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
`detector to detect Said relative movement.
`5. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detector
`has an output coupled to Said controller.
`6. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein Said detector
`is a Switch.
`7. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said Switch
`is a magnetically activated Switch.
`8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said prede
`termined Volume is adjustable by a user of Said device.
`9. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
`mechanical shutter, said shutter being movable to at least
`partially cover an outlet of Said housing, Said outlet being
`asSociated with Said transducer.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`6
`10. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
`mechanical shutter is movable in association with Said
`relative movement.
`11. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said volume
`is reduced Such that Said audible alert is muted.
`12. A method to control an audible alert of a foldable
`communication device, Said device having a housing with
`two portions pivotably mounted to each other, Said method
`comprising the Steps of:
`receiving an alert request in response to reception of a
`communication call for Said device;
`determining respective positions of Said portions based
`on relative movement of Said portions, Said positions
`being a closed position and an open position; and
`controlling, in response to Said Step of determining, a
`predetermined volume of an audible alert without said
`communication call being answered.
`13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step
`of controlling comprises the Step of reducing Said Volume.
`14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step
`of controlling comprises the Step of muting Said audible
`alert.
`15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step
`of controlling comprises the Step of determining whether a
`mute flag is Set.
`16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said step
`of controlling further comprises the Step of Setting Said mute
`flag.
`17. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said step
`of controlling further comprises the Step of checking
`whether to end Said communication call.
`18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said step
`of controlling further comprises the Step of resetting Said
`mute flag when said communication call is ended.
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2015, p. 8
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`