Sony Ericsson Flip Phone Patent

Instead of having two separate screens on a flip phone—one larger inside and one smaller outside—this patent allows one larger screen to rotate to be displayed both on the inside and outside. This means possibly having the screen auto swivel so you can see the same UI when the phone is closed as you do when it's open. It may allow you to dial just from the contact list when the phone's closed, instead of having to flip open the phone to make a call.

The upside is that you can keep your phone closed more often, but it exposes the screen to the elements. Sony Ericsson is also shooting at a broad target with this patent:

"The mobile terminal of the present invention is not so limited and may find utility in other electronics devices and applications...a Personal Communications System (PCS) terminal that may combine a cellular telephone with data processing, facsimile and data communications capabilities; internet/intranet access devices; organizers; a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, pager, internet/intranet access, Web browser, organizer, calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; wristwatch keypad devices; and a conventional laptop and/or palmtop receiver or other computer system that includes a display.

It'll be interesting to see what develops. – Jason Chen

Patent Application [USPTO via Mobile Scraper via Mobile Mentalism]

8:26 PM on Sat Jul 8 2006
By Jason Chen
5,167 views
8 comments

Comments

thespunk at 03:26 AM on 07/09/06
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Nowhere in that big blob of words did it mention drunk-dialing at all.

Will it be a drunk-dialing help or hindrance?

Americans want to know.
TheZodiac at 08:24 AM on 07/09/06
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There was a computer generated video made of this a few years back, and it wasnt Sony who came up wit it either. It looked sort of like this - hmm.. I bet Joel would remember.
blore40 at 10:24 AM on 07/09/06
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Is it called the NunChaku?
RiceBandit at 07:56 PM on 07/09/06
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Am I the only one who thinks all this flipping is getting out of hand? The more moving parts there are, the more damage is likely to happen.

If I wanted a transforming cellphone, I'd call Michael Bay, thank you very much!
Matters at 08:03 PM on 07/09/06
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That phone is as pointless as it gets.

Looks like a way to save a little money. Keep from having to put a screen on both sides of the phone.

If you want a screen on the outside you'll have to keep flipping the screen back around for every call you make or take. Annoying.

Plus it looks really easy to break. Drop it the wrong way and half your phone is gonna go flying across the room.

Is that little pivot point going to be where all the wires for electricity and other things go? Is it big enough?
Geisrud at 11:37 AM on 07/10/06
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Connectedness Index: 87
Brought to you by Acura TSX

I can't wait for them to use the Transformer's theme music for marketing: "The new Sony "Double-Flip" - More than meets the eye"
almattitude_v1 at 02:37 AM on 07/11/06
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This will be good for their P series... maybe the P1000 (or wateva) will use this type of screen...
rainfever at 03:29 PM on 07/11/06
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Kinda cool, i dont really see too much of an advantage, unless it were a PDA like device or maybe to watch movies on.

I like flip phones because they protect the screen...