Telephonic communications – Terminal – Housing or housing component
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-03
2001-09-18
Chiang, Jack (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Terminal
Housing or housing component
C379S368000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292562
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a keypad for telephones and similar devices where it is necessary to key in several character symbols in order to use the device of the type having an actuating means provided in or on a housing for stepwise input of symbols and means for confirming the respective stepwise selected symbols.
BACKGROUND
Recently, mobile telephones have become increasingly common, and the most popular model is that which is light and small and which the user can easily carry around with him.
However, the keypad has proven be a limiting factor for miniaturisation. In the smallest telephones found on the market, the keypads have already been found to be difficult to use because the keys are too small.
An example of a previously known keypad which to a certain degree solves this problem on a bracelet-mounted calculator is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,242. The keys here are replaced by two sliding means which are slid into a position on a scale corresponding to a desired symbol, and by pressing the sliding means the symbol is fed to the calculating part of the calculator at the same time as the symbol is displayed on a display device. In this known device, the means for transferring the chosen symbol to the calculator is connected to the sliding means so that when the sliding means is pressed the transfer takes place. This is a rather unsuitable solution as unintentional transfer of a symbol can easily take place, which is especially the case when the apparatus is kept in a pocket, bag or similar, i.e., not used as prescribed in the patent publication. This solution is thus not suitable for mobile telephones or similar handcarried units.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide a keypad which can be used on handheld devices such as mobile phones, and which make possible the manufacture of, e.g., mobile phones as small as a fairly large pen, which can be used by anyone, even a person with quite large fingers without any problems.
The present invention provides a keypad of the type mentioned above which avoids the drawbacks of the previously known devices and which is characterised by only one means for stepwise input symbols, and wherein the confirmation means consists of the means for stepwise input or of a separate means, said latter means being actuatable using the same hand as that holding the telephone.
In this design of the keypad, less material is used and there are fewer devices on the apparatuses, which means that they can be produced more cheaply. The keypad according to the invention not only allows the apparatuses to be made smaller, but also makes possible completely new constructions/design as mentioned above, e.g., a mobile telephone shaped like a ball-point pen. Handheld apparatuses can be made lighter as the housing becomes smaller, which means that handheld apparatuses can more easily be operated with one hand. This results in greater safety, when using, e.g., a mobile telephone in road traffic.
The keypad according to the invention can be used in the majority of areas where keypads having keys or buttons have hitherto been used for selecting individual numbers or letters. By way of example, mention can be made of mobile telephones, cordless telephones, remote controls for televisions and hi-fi and so forth. The mechanics-tele-electronics that are used inside the apparatuses with known push keypads can in principle be used with the keypad according to the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4044242 (1977-08-01), Laesser
patent: 4272826 (1981-06-01), Deutsch
patent: 4726687 (1988-02-01), Gander
patent: 4739128 (1988-04-01), Grisham
patent: 5210790 (1993-05-01), Lin
patent: 5235636 (1993-08-01), Takagi et al.
patent: 5742912 (1998-04-01), Nishiyama et al.
patent: 5966671 (1999-10-01), Mitchell et al.
patent: 6-14092 (1994-01-01), None
patent: WO 95/01689 (1995-01-01), None
Browdy and Neimark PLLC
Chiang Jack
Telenostra AS
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