Communications device having an interchangeable helmet user-interface and method for doing same

Abstract

A compact device and method for communication and entertainment needs that include combining various functions performed by different keypads and units into a single pad or unit. The device includes circuitry with transceiver capabilities, a chassis, a display, two arms secured to the chassis that can rotate from an open position to a closed position, and a user-interface that provides the user with navigational control and image conversion. The method for reducing the number pads on a keypad of the device, which has the circuitry, includes providing a chassis for securely holding the circuitry, securing a user-interface to the chassis, coupling the user-interface to the circuitry, limiting rotation of the user-interface to a first range of rotational motion using a locking mechanism to provide navigational control, and releasing the locking mechanism to allow rotation of the user-interface beyond the first range of rotational motion to provide image conversion.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device having circuitry, which includes transceiver and multimedia functions, that allows a user to transmit and receive information, the device comprising: 
 a chassis for securely holding the circuitry;    a display secured to the chassis and coupled to the circuitry for visual communication of information; and    a user-interface removably secured to the chassis and coupled to the circuitry for activating functions associated with the user-interface.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a unit rotatably secured to the chassis for providing navigational control and image conversion.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a lock mechanically coupled to the unit, wherein the lock restricts the range of motion of the unit when the lock is engaged and allows a greater range of motion when the lock is released.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the unit defines a bore therein and the unit comprises: 
 a release button pressably secured in one end of the bore and mechanically coupled to the lock for releasing the lock; and    a camera secured at an opposite end of the bore and electrically coupled to the circuitry for converting at least one image into electronic data.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the unit is barrel shaped with a plurality of grooves on the surface of the unit adjacent the release button for improving control of the unit during navigational operation.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least two arms movably secured to the chassis, wherein the arms can rotate from a closed position to an open position, such that the user can grip the arms to hold the device when the arms are in the open position; and  
 an elastic piece removably secured at opposite ends to each of the arms for securing the arms in the open and the closed position.  
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the user-interface includes soft keys that corresponding to functions associate with the user-interface.  
     
     
         8 . A method of activating special functions associated with a user-interface of a device and altering the appearance of the device having circuitry for transceiver and multimedia functions, the method comprising: 
 providing a chassis for securely holding the circuitry;    removably securing the user-interface to the chassis;    coupling the user-interface to the circuitry in order to recognize the user-interface; and    activating at least one function associated with the user-interface.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 rotatably securing an image unit to the chassis, wherein the image unit provides navigational control when rotated within a limited range of rotational motion; and  
 releasing the image unit to allow rotation beyond the limited range of rotational motion to provide image conversion.  
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of releasing comprises pressing a release button coupled to a lock to allow rotation beyond the limited range of rotational motion.  
     
     
         11 . A device having a chassis for securely holding electronic circuitry, which includes transceiver capabilities and multimedia functions, that allows a user to transmit and receive information, the device comprising a user-interface defining a cavity, wherein the chassis is received within the cavity to secured the user-interface to the chassis and couple the user-interface to the electronic circuitry for activating special functions associated with the user-interface.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a unit secured to the chassis and coupled to the electronic circuitry, wherein the unit acts as a navigational tool when rotated within a first range of motion and acts as a camera within a second range of motion.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising a lock secured to the chassis and coupled to the unit, wherein the lock restricts the range of motion of the unit to the first range of motion when the lock is engaged.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein disengaging the lock allows motion within the second range of motion.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a release button pressably secured in one end of the bore and mechanically coupled to the lock for releasing the lock; and    a camera secured at an opposite end of the bore and electrically coupled to the electronic circuitry for converting at least one image into electronic form.    
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising at least two arms rotatably and removably secured to one end of the chassis and coupled to the circuitry for providing input control, wherein the outer perimeter of each of the arms are coupled to opposite ends of an elastic piece.