Portable device with versatile keyboards

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide devices and methods for providing versatile keyboards for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the device includes a display and a plurality of input means, each deployable in a different direction. The method includes deploying one of a plurality of input means, detecting which one of the plurality of input means is deployed, and orienting information presented on the display based on the deployed input means. In one embodiment, the device includes a first module layer movable in a first direction and a second module layer movably connected relative to the first module layer. Further, a third module layer is movably connected relative to the second module layer and movable in a second direction.

1 . A method for providing a versatile user interface for an electronic device, the device including a display and a plurality of input means, each deployable in a different direction, the method comprising: 
 deploying one of a plurality of input means;    detecting which one of the plurality of input means is deployed; and    orienting information presented on the display based on the deployed input means.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said input means includes a keyboard.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said keyboard is a phone keyboard.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said keyboard is a PDA keyboard.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said keyboard is a gaming keyboard.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said keyboard is a multimedia keyboard.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said orienting includes orienting information in landscape.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said orienting includes orienting information in portrait.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said deploying includes sliding the input means in vertical direction.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said deploying includes sliding the input means in horizontal direction.  
   
   
       11 . An electronic device, comprising: 
 a first module layer movable in a first direction;    a second module layer movably connected relative to the first module layer; and    a third module layer movably connected relative to the second module layer and movable in a second direction.    
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first module layer comprises a first set of functional components, the second module layer comprises a second set of functional components and the third module layer comprises a third set of functional components, and wherein the device comprises a first operational mode utilizing the first set of functional components, a second operational mode utilizing the second set of functional components and a third operational mode utilizing the third set of functional components, wherein each operational mode is actuated based on a predetermined relative position of the first module layer, the second module layer and the third module layer.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the first operational mode, the second operational mode and the third operational mode are selected from the group consisting of an audio communication mode, a textual communication mode, a personal digital assistant mode and a gaming mode, a global positioning system (“GPS”) mode, a remote control device mode, an audio player or recorder mode, a static or dynamic video player or recorder device, and a calculator mode.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the second set of functional components are exposable when the first module layer moves relative to the second module layer in the first direction and thereby defines the second operational mode.  
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the third set of functional components are exposable when the third module layer moves relative to the second module layer in the second direction and thereby defines the third operational mode.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a first connector connecting the first module layer and the second module layer, wherein the first connector allows at least linear movement substantially parallel to the first direction.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a second connector connecting the second module layer and the third module layer, wherein the second connector allows linear movement substantially parallel to the second direction.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially perpendicular.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a communications module having an input and an output respectively for receiving and transmitting a wireless signal.  
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising a display for presenting information to a user.  
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the information has a first orientation when the first module layer is moved in the first direction relative to the second module layer and a second orientation when the third module layer is moved in the second direction relative to the second module layer.  
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the second module layer further comprises a first input mechanism exposable when the first module layer moves in the first direction relative to the second module layer, and wherein the third module layer further comprises a second input mechanism exposable when the third module layer moves in the second direction relative to the second module layer.  
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 22 , further comprising a display for presenting information to a user, wherein the information has a first orientation when the first input mechanism is exposed and a second orientation when the second input mechanism is exposed.  
   
   
       24 . A portable electronic device, comprising: 
 a first component layer movable in a first direction;    a second component layer having a first set of functional components, the second component layer movably connected relative to the first component layer such that movement of the first component layer in the first direction exposes the first set of functional components and activates a first operational mode; and    a third component layer having a second set of functional components, the third component layer movably connected to one of the first component layer and the second component layer, the third component layer movable in a second direction relative to the second component layer to expose a second set of functional components and activate a second operational mode.    
   
   
       25 . A method of controlling relative movement between movable layers of an electronic device, comprising: 
 movably connecting a first module layer to a second module layer having a first functional component such that a relative movement of the first module layer in a first direction exposes the first functional component; and    movably connecting the second module layer to a third module layer having a second functional component such that a relative movement of the third module layer in a second direction exposes the second functional component    preventing movement of the third module layer in the second direction during movement of the first module layer in the first direction.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising preventing movement of the first module layer in the first direction during movement of the third module layer in the second direction.  
   
   
       27 . A method for providing a versatile user interface for an electronic device, comprising: 
 exposing a first set of functional components on a second module layer movably connected to a first module layer, where the first set of functional components is associated with a first operational mode of the electronic device; and    exposing a second set of functional components on a third module layer movably connected to the second module layer, where the second set of functional components is associated with a second operational mode of the electronic device.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising displaying information in a predetermined orientation depending on an operational mode of the electronic device.