Physical configuration of a hand-held electronic communication device

Abstract

A hand-held, electronic, bi-directional, wireless electronic communication device having a physical configuration which includes a relatively large, constantly visible display and an alphanumeric keyboard that can be concealed until needed.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . A hand-held telecommunication device comprising: 
 a body portion, wherein said body portion has at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters, wherein said at least one set of keys are positioned in substantially a first plane;    a display portion postionable in at least two positions relative to said body portion;    a transitioning mechanism rotatably connecting said body portion and said display portion, wherein the axis of rotation of said transitioning mechanism is substantially perpendicular to said first plane;    wherein said transitioning mechanism is attached to said display portion so as to secure said display portion to said body portion in said at least two positions, and wherein said at least two positions include: 
 a first position wherein said display portion covers from view said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters and is positioned so as to be substantially parallel to said first plane; and  
 a second position wherein said display portion uncovers for view and operation of said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters and said display portion is positioned so as to be substantially parallel to said first plane; and  
   wherein said hand-held telecommunication device is sized so that said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters can be operated while said device is being supported in a user's hands.    
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said transitioning mechanism is fixedly attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said transitioning mechanism is hingedly attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said transitioning mechanism is slidably attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 additional input keys located on said body portion, wherein said additional keys are accessible by a user when said display portion is in either the first position or the second position.    
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 additional input keys located on said display portion.    
     
     
         22 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least one set of keys is selected from the group of a Qwerty, a Fitaly, a Dvorak or a twelve-key keyboard.  
     
     
         23 . A hand-held telecommunication device comprising: 
 a body portion, wherein said body portion has at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters, wherein said at least one set of keys are positioned in substantially a first plane;    a display portion postionable in at least two positions relative to said body portion;    a transitioning mechanism rotatably connecting said body portion and said display portion, wherein the axis of rotation of said transitioning mechanism is not parallel to said first plane;    wherein said transitioning mechanism is attached to said display portion so as to secure said display portion to said body portion in said at least two positions, and wherein said at least two positions include: 
 a first position wherein said display portion covers from view said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters and is positioned so as to be substantially parallel to said first plane; and  
 a second position wherein said display portion uncovers for view and operation of said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters and said display portion is positioned so as to be substantially parallel to said first plane; and  
   wherein said hand-held telecommunication device is sized so that said at least one set of keys for entering numbers and alphabetic characters can be operated while said device is being supported in a user's hands.    
     
     
         24 . The device according to  claim 23  wherein said transitioning mechanism is fixedly attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         25 . The device according to  claim 23  wherein said transitioning mechanism is hingedly attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         26 . The device according to  claim 23  wherein said transitioning mechanism is slidably attached to said display portion.  
     
     
         27 . The device according to  claim 23 , wherein said at least one set of keys is selected from the group of a Qwerty, a Fitaly, a Dvorak or a twelve-key keyboard.  
     
     
         28 . The device according to  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 additional input keys located on said body portion, wherein said additional keys are accessible by a user when said display portion is in either the first position or the second position.    
     
     
         29 . The device according to  claim 23 , further comprising: 
 additional input keys located on said display portion.