Multi-function two pannel device with 360 relative motion

Abstract

A multi-function electronic device is designed to provide a wide variety of functions. The device consists of two panels attached for relative movement by a hinge. The hinge provides a range of movement of a full 360°. The various functions are accessed by moving the relative position of the panels from 0°, to 165°, to 180°, to 300°, to 360°. Particular functions are correlated to panel orientations which ergonomically suit the selected functions.

1 .- 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a first panel having front and back surfaces;    a second panel having front and back surfaces, said second panel connected to the first panel by means of a hinge, said hinge constructed to allow the relative movement of said first and second panels in a range of positions from 0° at which said front surfaces of said panels are facing each other to 360° at which said back surfaces of said panels are facing each other;    a plurality of electronic components arranged within the panels to provide multiple functions selectable by a user;    a microprocessor in said device connected to enable certain electronic components to provide at least one of said multiple functions as selected by the user depending on the relative position of the first and second panels and the user selection; and    wherein the relative position of the panels is adjusted, to allow a particular one of said multiple functions to be enabled.    
   
   
       23 . The electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein the hinge comprises a multi-axis hinge enclosed in a frame and further wherein at least one function key is mounted on the frame.  
   
   
       24 . The electronic device of  claim 22 , wherein the hinge comprises a synchronized, multi-axis hinge.  
   
   
       25 . The electronic device of  claim 22 , further comprising a clock radio module, said clock radio module being enabled when the relative position of the panels is in the range of 270° to 300°.  
   
   
       26 . The electronic device of  claim 25 , wherein the clock radio module further includes a photo display module.  
   
   
       27 . The electronic device of  claim 22 , further comprising a photo display module, said photo display module being enabled when the relative position of the panels is in the range of 270° to 300°.  
   
   
       28 . The electronic device of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 a keyboard constructed in the front surface of the first panel to allow a user to enter data and commands as required by the selected function;    a primary display screen constructed in the front surface of the second panel to allow the user to view data and images as required by the selected function;    a mobile communications module contained in the panels and connected to the microprocessor to provide a mobile communications function;    a digital camera module constructed in the device and connected to the microprocessor to allow the user to capture digital images in operative association with the display screen; and    a notepad module constructed in the device and connected to the microprocessor to allow the user to enter free formed notes.    
   
   
       29 . The electronic device of  claim 28 , wherein the mobile communications module is enabled when the relative position of the panels is in the range of 160° to 170° or at 180° or at 360° 
   
   
       30 . The electronic device of  claim 28  wherein the notepad module is enabled when the relative position of the panels is at 180° or 360°.  
   
   
       31 . The electronic device of  claim 28  wherein the camera module is enabled when the relative position of the panels is at 180° or 360°.  
   
   
       32 . The electronic device of  claim 28 , further comprising a clock radio module, said clock radio module being enabled when the relative position of the panels is in the range of 270° to 300°.  
   
   
       33 . The electronic device of  claim 32 , wherein the clock radio module further includes a photo display module.  
   
   
       34 . The electronic device of  claim 28 , further comprising a photo display module, said photo display module being enabled when the relative position of the panels is in the range of 270° to 300°.  
   
   
       35 . The electronic device of  claim 30 , wherein said primary display screen is constructed having at least a portion that is touch sensitive and wherein said touch sensitive portion is connected for operative association with said notepad module when said notepad module is enabled.  
   
   
       36 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a first panel having front and back surfaces;    a second panel having front and back surfaces, said second panel connected to the first panel by means of a hinge, said hinge constructed to allow the relative movement of said first and second panels in a range of positions from 0° at which said front surfaces of said panels are facing each other to 360° at which said back surfaces of said panels are facing each other;    a plurality of electronic components arranged within the panels to provide multiple functions selectable by a user;    a microprocessor in said device connected to enable certain electronic components to provide at least one of said multiple functions, as selected by the user, depending on the relative position of the first and second panels and the user selection;    a primary display screen constructed in the front surface of the second panel to allow the user to view data and images as required by the selected function;    a keyboard constructed in the front surface of the first panel to allow a user to enter data and commands as required by the selected function;    a mobile communications module contained in the panels and connected to the microprocessor to provide a mobile communications function;    a digital camera module constructed in the device and connected to the microprocessor to allow the user to capture digital images in operative association with the display screen; and    a lens for the digital camera module is constructed in the front surface of the first panel to provide a field of view extending outward from said first panel; and wherein the digital camera module is enabled, when the relative position of the panels is adjusted so that the field of view is away from the user.    
   
   
       37 . The electronic device of  claim 36  wherein the camera module is enabled when the relative position of the panels is adjusted so that the field of view is towards the user.  
   
   
       38 . An electronic device comprising: 
 a first panel having front and back surfaces;    a second panel having front and back surfaces, said second panel connected to the first panel by means of a hinge, said hinge constructed to allow the relative movement of said first and second panels in a range of positions from 0° at which said front surfaces of said panels are facing each other to 360° at which said back surfaces of said panels are facing each other;    a plurality of electronic components arranged within the panels to provide multiple functions selectable by a user;    a microprocessor in said device connected to enable certain electronic components to provide at least one of said multiple functions, as selected by the user, depending on the relative position of the first and second panels and the user selection;    a primary display screen constructed in the front surface of the second panel to allow the user to view data and images as required by the selected function;    a keyboard constructed in the front surface of the first panel to allow a user to enter data and commands as required by the selected function;    a mobile communications module contained in the panels and connected to the microprocessor to provide a mobile communications function;    a second display screen constructed in the back surface of said second panel to allow the user to view data and images as required by the selected function when the relative position of the panels obscures the primary display screen; and    a keypad constructed in the back surface of said second panel to allow the user to enter data and commands as required by the selected function when the relative position of the panels obscures the keyboard.    
   
   
       39 . The electronic device of  claim 38  further comprising a digital camera module constructed in the device and connected to the microprocessor to allow the user to capture digital images in operative association with the display screen;  
   
   
       40 . The electronic device of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 a lens for the digital camera module constructed in the back surface of the first panel to provide a field of view extending outward from the back surface of the first panel panel; and    wherein the digital camera module is enabled, when the relative position of the panels is adjusted so that the field of view is away from the user and wherein the second display is connected to display the image collected by the camera module.    
   
   
       41 . The electronic device of  claim 40  wherein the camera module is enabled when the relative position of the panels is adjusted so that the field of view is towards the user.  
   
   
       42 . A program product for controlling an electronic device wherein said electronic device is capable of providing mobile communication, and camera, functions, said electronic device further having a first panel with front and back surfaces, and a second panel with front and back surfaces, said panels connected to allow relative movement of said first and second panels in a range of positions from 0°, at which said front surfaces of said panels are facing each other, to 360° at which said back surfaces of said panels are facing each other, said program product comprising: 
 a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing a microprocessor in the electronic device to enable a communications function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to a position in the range of 160° to 170° or 180° or 360°; and    a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable a digital camera function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to a position of approximately 180° or 360°.    
   
   
       43 . The program product of  claim 42 , wherein the electronic device is further capable of providing a notepad function, and wherein the program product further comprises a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable a notepad function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to a position of approximately either 180° or 360°.  
   
   
       44 . The program product of  claim 42 , where in the electronic device is further capable of providing a PDA function, and wherein the program product further comprises a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable a notepad function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to a position of approximately either 180° or 360°.  
   
   
       45 . The program product of  claim 42 , wherein the electronic device is further capable of providing a clock function, and wherein the program product further comprises a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable the clock function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to a position of approximately 300°.  
   
   
       46 . The program product of  claim 42 , wherein the electronic device is further capable of providing a radio function, and wherein the program product further comprises a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable a radio function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to approximately 300°.  
   
   
       47 . The program product of  claim 42 , wherein the electronic device is further capable of providing a photo display function, and wherein the program product further comprises a computer useable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing the microprocessor in the electronic device to enable photo display function when the relative position of the panels is adjusted to approximately 300°.