Qualcomm Incorporated

Daniel R Ervin

Jeffrey Jay Rhine

Steven J Lundgren

Jatupum Jenwatanavet

Thomas Kilpatrick, Ii

Sten Jorgen Ludvig Dahl

Pamela L Martin

Leif A Woodahl

Ronald Gulino

Gregg A Johnson

Jeffrey J Vaccaro

David M Bahnemann

Mark Christopher Doyle

Zachary Rattner

Robert Sean Daley

Neil Burns

Clayton Dumstorff

Steven R Altman

Ty R Aberle

Daniel H Weber

Steven Tom

Dave M Bahnemann

Robert B Stansell

Davis Gammage

John Orrell

Michele Maccollum

Thomas E Kilpatrick Ii

Methods and apparatus for automatically coupling stackable modular devices are described. The modular devices may be coupled using electromagnetic forces generated by precisely-timed pulses of electric current through electromagnetic materials that cause a first modular device to screw itself into a second modular device. The modular devices may exchange data through electrical or optical connections after coupling. A method includes detecting that a second modular device is proximately and coaxially located to a first modular device, activating a plurality of electromagnetic elements in an annular electromagnetic array according to a timed sequence, each electromagnetic element being activated at a different time than the other electromagnetic elements in the plurality of electromagnetic elements, detecting that the second modular device is communicatively coupled with the first modular device, and deactivating the plurality of electromagnetic elements after detecting that the second modular device is communicatively coupled with the first modular device.

Electromagnetic mating interface

Wireless emitter

Wireless identity transceiver

A multi-panel device with a configurable interface is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a hinge rotatably coupled to a first panel of the device via a first pin and rotatably coupled to a second panel of the device via a second pin. The first pin is engaged within a slot of the first panel to enable a lateral movement of the first panel relative to the second panel such that the first panel has a first range of motion relative to the second panel when the hinge is in an extended configuration and a second range of motion when the hinge is in a retracted configuration. The first range of motion is larger than the second range of motion.

Multi-panel device with configurable interface

A multi-panel device is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the device includes a first hinge coupled to a first panel and coupled to a second panel. The first panel includes a first display surface and the second panel includes a second display surface. The second hinge is coupled to the second panel and coupled to a third panel that includes a third display surface. The device also includes a sensor coupled to the first hinge to detect a relative orientation of the first panel to the second panel. The device includes a processor responsive to the sensor to detect a device configuration. The processor is configured to adjust a user interface displayed at the first display surface, the second display surface, and the third display surface based on the detected device configuration.

A method and apparatus for a folding wireless device is disclosed. The wireless device may have a first housing and a second housing. Each housing may have a keyboard and a display. The housings may be connected by a hinge assembly which is operable to position the wireless device in an open or a closed configuration. Each display may be connected to each respective housing by a display support assembly operable to position the displays in a retracted position or an extended position. The display support assemblies may be further operable to tilt the displays toward a longitudinal axis formed by the housings, which may be in the open configuration.

Folding mobile device

Driver interface unit

Portable telephone

Growing community of inventors

Escondido, CA, United States of America

Daniel R Ervin