Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-29
2001-05-01
Urban, Edward F. (Department: 2683)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Having particular housing or support of a transceiver
C455S575100, C341S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226501
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to radiotelephones and, more particularly, to radiotelephones with flip covers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications devices, such as radiotelephones, have become increasingly popular for both personal and commercial use. However, with their increase in popularity, radiotelephones have also been undergoing miniaturization to facilitate storage and portability. Indeed, some contemporary radiotelephone models are only 11-12 centimeters in length.
Unfortunately, as radiotelephones become smaller, less area may be available for keypads that users utilize to operate radiotelephones. Accordingly, keypads have also become smaller, thereby causing the size and spacing of keys within keypads to decrease. However, for ergonomic reasons, there is a limit below which it may be undesirable to decrease the size and spacing of keys within a keypad. As a result, further miniaturization of radiotelephones may be constrained because of keypad ergonomic concerns. To accommodate radiotelephone miniaturization, it may become necessary to eliminate certain radiotelephone functions because of lack of space for keys to perform the functions. Alternatively, it may be necessary to require certain keys to perform more than one function. Unfortunately, multi-function keys may be somewhat difficult and confusing to users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to accommodate the miniaturization of electronic devices, such as radiotelephones, without compromising keypad functions available to users.
It is another object of the present invention to provide radiotelephones undergoing miniaturization with ergonomic keypads.
These and other objects of the present invention are provided by a radiotelephone including a flip cover hinged to a radiotelephone housing and including a secondary keypad configured to overlie a primary keypad of the radiotelephone. A flip cover is movable between a closed position wherein at least a portion of a primary keypad is covered, and an open position wherein a primary keypad is uncovered. A secondary keypad includes at least one key having a first end extending through a top portion of the flip cover and an opposite second end spaced apart from a primary keypad key when the flip cover is in a closed position. When a secondary keypad key is depressed by a user, a second end of the depressed key engages and depresses a respective primary keypad key.
A primary keypad key, when depressed, performs a first function when a flip cover is in an open position. The same primary keypad key, when depressed via a secondary keypad key, performs a second function when a flip cover is in a closed position. A radiotelephone incorporating aspects of the present invention is capable of detecting flip cover position. Furthermore, a radiotelephone incorporating aspects of the present invention is capable of changing a primary keypad key first function to a different second function in response to movement of a flip cover from an open position to a closed position. Conversely, a radiotelephone incorporating aspects of the present invention is capable of changing a primary keypad key second function to a first function in response to movement of a flip cover from a closed position to an open position.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a flip cover may include a door member having a body portion and a pair of arms attached to, and extending away from, opposite lateral portions thereof. Each pair of arms may be configured to pivotally mount a respective door member to a radiotelephone housing between a closed position and an open position. A secondary keypad extends through a door member body portion. Each key of a secondary keypad has an end configured to operably engage a respective key of a radiotelephone primary keypad when a door member is in a closed position.
Radiotelephones incorporating a secondary keypad within a flip cover according to the present invention may improve radiotelephone functionality without requiring additional primary keypad space. Furthermore, a secondary keypad according to the present invention may eliminate the need for confusing multi-function primary keypad keys. Secondary keypads according to the present invention do not require electronic components within a flip cover for operation. Accordingly, radiotelephone functionality may be improved utilizing existing electronic components.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4939514 (1990-07-01), Mayazaki
patent: 5507013 (1996-04-01), Weadon et al.
patent: 5659887 (1997-08-01), Ooe
patent: 5715524 (1998-02-01), Jambhekar et al.
patent: 5742894 (1998-04-01), Jambhekar et al.
patent: 5898758 (1999-04-01), Rosenberg
patent: 5933783 (1999-08-01), Kawakami et al.
Jennings William H.
Turner Samuel Kenneth
Weadon Mark William
Ericsson Inc.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
Urban Edward F.
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