"Two-Way Sliding Mobile Terminal" From Sony Ericsson

A while ago, Sony Ericsson has patented Dual-Sliding technology. It features a full-QWERTY keyboard layout as well as a numeric keypad.

FYI, Dual-Sliding mechanism is not a novelty and has already been used by several manufacturers, like Pantech (PN-810; C810), Samsung (SGH-F520) ...

For me, it's quite dexterous and would be great if Sony Ericsson could implement this concept into its devices in the nearest future. If we look at Sony Ericsson's last innovations and patented technologies, they are preparing something really good, or at least I hope so :)

Abstract from their patent application:

A mobile terminal that allows sliding between housing in two directions. The housing may be for PDA use with and alphanumeric keypad exposed and another position may be for phone use with a numeric keypad exposed. One housing may include pins that extend from one surface and another housing may include grooves in an opposing surface to receive the pins. At least one longitudinal groove may be provided, and in one embodiment two lateral grooves are provided to accommodate two longitudinally aligned pins. An overlay may be provided that may be exposed to cover keys with numbers or navigation indications when the housings slide longitudinally and may remain hidden when the housings slide laterally with respect to each other. A casing may be provided that substantially encloses the bottom housing when in the closed position.