Sony Ericsson patents phone with removable display

Abstract
A wireless communication device comprises a first housing detachably connected to a second housing in a first orientation and a second orientation. An electrical connector connects circuitry in the first and second housings regardless of whether the first and second housings are joined together in the first orientation or in the second orientation. A wireless interface connects the circuitry in the first and second housings when the first and second housings are separated.


Description
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RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/460,711, filed Jul. 28, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002]The present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices, and particularly to portable clamshell wireless communication devices having releasably coupled housings.

[0003]Wireless communication devices such as cellular telephones have been in use for many years. One particularly popular design is commonly referred to as a "clamshell" cellular telephone. Clamshell type cellular telephones typically include two housing sections that are pivotably connected by a hinge mechanism. To place or receive a call using a clamshell cellular telephone, a user pivots the housings to an open position. When the user is finished, the user may terminate the call by pivoting the housings to a closed position. Other popular designs include a "jackknife" cellular telephone in which the user rotates two housings between open and closed positions, and a "slide" phone in which the user slides two housings relative to one another between a contracted position and an extended position.

[0004]Many consumers use their cellular telephones to perform functions in addition to the communication functions. For example, consumers may employ their cellular telephones to capture images and/or video, gain entry to restricted areas, or to facilitate purchases from suitably equipped vendors. The designs of conventional cellular telephones, however, may not be the most appropriate for all circumstances.

SUMMARY

[0005]The present invention comprises a wireless communication device having first and second housing sections. The housing sections are detachably connected to each other such that the second housing section can be attached to the first housing section in either a first orientation or a second orientation. The housing sections may also movably connected to each other such that they move between a first position and a second position regardless of the orientation of the second housing. An electrical interface, such as an edge connector for example, operatively connects circuitry disposed in the first and second housing sections when the housing sections are joined together. A wireless interface, such as a short-range communication link for example, operatively connects the circuitry when the housing sections are separated.

[0006]In one embodiment, the circuitry within the first housing section includes radio frequency (RF) circuitry and an antenna that allows a user to transmit signals to and receive signals from a remote party via a base station subsystem (BSS) in a wireless communication network. The circuitry within the second housing includes baseband circuitry to process the transmitted/received signals. These interfaces allow the user to communicate with the remote party regardless of whether the housing sections are joined together, or separated. By way of example, the user could employ the device as a cellular telephone when the housing sections are connected. When separated, the user could attach the first housing section with the RF circuitry to their clothing. This would free the second housing section with the baseband circuitry to be placed in the user's pocket or purse, or carried around the user's neck using a lanyard.

[0007]The second housing section may be attached to the first housing section in either a first orientation or a second orientation. In the first orientation, a main display disposed within the second housing section faces towards the first housing section when the housing sections are in the second position. In the second orientation, the main display faces away from the first housing section when the first and second housing sections are in the second position. The first and second housing sections, however, remain pivotably attached regardless of the orientation of the second housing section.