GB2440630A

GB2440630A - A secondary key pad for a telephone

Info

Publication number: GB2440630A
Application number: GB0714043A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher William Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-08-02
Filing date: 2007-07-19
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Also published as: GB0615333D0; WO2008015469A1; GB0714043D0

Abstract

A secondary key pad 200 for a telephone 100 comprises a unit with a set of keys 220 larger than a standard key pad 130, which may include Braille indicia or a high contrast surface with alpha-numeric characters. The unit may be connected to the base unit by a cable, or via a wireless link. The secondary unit may have a loud speaker 250 and a microphone 260. A speed dial key 330 allows emergency services to be contacted, and a panic button 320 may also be included. The unit may also indicate the battery level and when the unit is out of range of the base unit, and whether a call or text message has been received.

Description

y' Inteflectual roperty Office oc::o:J Fc' Crawt ad hmotIon AppIiation

No. GBO7 14043.7 RTM 25 October 2007 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Bluetooth UK Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office A D1 EFIVCE

TELEPHONE INTERFACE

The present invention relates to an interface for a telephone.

Technological advances with mobile communications and the trend for smaller, more portable handsets has increased rapidly over the last decade. Modem mobile telephones for example, contain a host of applications such as text messaging, internet access capability, video capture etc and these more powerful devices are typically housed in ever smaller casings.

However, these technological advances have not been universally accepted. Older persons, persons with visual disabilities and persons with dexterity problems face the problem of operating the telephone using the associated keypad.

The manual act of dialling a telephone number has become more difficult in light of the trend for smaller devices due to the smaller key sizes and the reduction in spatial separation between the keys. Industry's preference for more compact telephones has led to an increase in misdials and a tendency for people to shy away from the use of mobile telephones altogether.

I have now devised an interface which alleviates the above mentioned problems In accordance with this invention as seen from a first aspect there is provided an interface for a telephone, the telephone comprising first housing, the first housing comprising a first keypad, the first keypad comprising a first set of keys, the interlace comprising a second housing, the second housing comprising a second keypad, the second keypad comprising a second set of keys for entering at least one of a pluraflty of alphanumeric characters into the telephone, wherein the keys of the second set are larger in dimension than the keys of the first set.

Preferably, each of the second set of keys comprise a face portion having a surface area greater than the surface area of the face portion of each of the first set of keys.

It is also preferred that the spacing between each of the second set of keys on the second keypad is greater than the spacing between each of the first set of keys on the first keypad, since this further helps to reduce unintentional pressing of adjacent keys, when dialling a telephone number for example.

The interface preferably communicates with the telephone via communication means. Preferably, the communication means comprises a wireless link, such as an infra-red data association (IrDA) link or Bluetooth. The interface preferably further comprises an amplification unit for amplifying the communication signal.

The interface preferably comprises at least one transducer. Preferably, the at least one transducer comprises a loud speaker and/or a microphone. The loudspeaker preferably permits hands-free operation of the interface.

Preferably, the second set of keys comprise a black background with at least one white alphanumeric character printed thereon. Alternatively, the second set of keys comprise a white background with at least one black alphanumeric character printed thereon. The colour contrast between the character and its background improves the visual appearance of the character.

Preferably, at least one key of the second set of keys comprise the Braille equivalent of the at least one alphanumeric character associated with the key.

The telephone interface further comprises indication means for indicating the operative state of the telephone.

Preferably, the indicating means indicates that the interface is out of communicative range of the telephone, or that the telephone is receiving a call or text message.

Alternatively, the indicating means preferably indicates that a battery supply of the interface is low.

Preferably, the indicating means comprises an audible prompt.

Preferably, the indicating means comprises a vibration of the interface.

Preferably, the interface provides an audible confirmation when the keys are pressed.

The interface preferably further comprises memory means for recording information such as telephone numbers messages and verbal prompts.

Preferably, the interface comprises a panic button which, when pressed generates an audible alarm.

Preferably1 the interface comprises a key-Jock which, when activated disables the use of the keypad.

Preferably, at least one of the second set of keys comprises a speed dial key for dialling pre-stored telephone numbers.

Preferably, the interface comprises a key for direct dialling the emergency services.

In accordance with this invention as seen from a second aspect there is provided a communication system comprising a telephone and an interface according to the first aspect, the telephone comprising a first housing, the interface comprising a second housing, wherein the second housing is remote from the first housing Preferably, the telephone comprises a mobile telephone.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described by way of example only and reference to the accompanying drawing which provides a schematic illustration of the telephone interface of the present invention.

Referripg to the accompanying drawing, there is shown a mobile telephone 100 and the telephone interface 200 of the present invention.

The telephone 100 comprises a keypad 110 for operating the telephone 100 and a viewing window 120 for selecting and confirming applications associated with the telephone. However, the surface area of each of the keys 130 associated with the keypad 110 is typically too small and the keys 130 are arranged too closely together to enable persons with visual impairment and/or dexterity problems to operate the telephone.

The telephone interface 200 overcomes this problem by providing a keypad 210 comprising a set of keys 220 which are larger in dimension than the keys 130 associated with the telephone 100 and are further separated from each other to minimise any incon-ect pressing of the keys.

S

The interface 200 comprises a transmitter/receiver unit 230 for communicating with the telephone 100, for example via Bluetooth or lrDA, and to ensure that the telephone interface 200 remains in communication with the telephone 100, the interface 200 further comprises an amplification unit 240 for amplifying the communication signal.

The interface further comprises a loudspeaker 250 to generate audible prompts in response to the user selections, and a microphone 260 so that the user can hold a telephone conversation via the interface 200.

The keys 220 on the interface keypad 210 correspond to at least one alphanumeric character printed in a colour which contrasts the background colour of the key, for example black and white. In addition, each key comprises the Braille equivalent (not shown) of the associated at least one alphanumeric character to enable the telephone to be operated by persons with visual disabilities.

When a key 220 is pressed, the interface 200 generates an audible confirmation of the selection for the user via the loudspeaker 250. Similarly, if the battery supply 270 falls below a predetermined level, or if the interface moves out of range of the telephone 100, the interface will generate an audible prompt.

In use the mobile telephone 100 is typically left in the users pocket or bag and the user dials the desired telephone number remotely, using the interface keypad. The interface then communicates with the mobile telephone 100 to open a communication channel with the intended recipient. The user then uses the interface as a telephone in the normal manner. Alternatively, instead of dialling the number, the user may use a scroll button 280 to scroll between pre-stored numbers held in memory means 290, with voice prompts indicating the selected telephone number, or use speed dial buttons 300 which relate to a specific telephone numbers.

When receiving a call, the mobile telephone 100 will communicate with the interface causing the interface 200 to generate an audible ring, or other prompt such as a vibration of the interface 200 via the vibrating means 310. The user can then take the call via the interface 200 in the normal manner.

It is envisaged that the telephone interface may also comprise a panic button 320 which when pressed generates a loud audible alarm to alert members of the public.

Moreover, the interface 200 may further comprise a button 330 for direct dialling the emergency services.

When the interface is not in use, and/or is to be carried in the users pocket or bag, the keypad may be locked via a key-lock. It is envisaged that the key-lock may be activated and de-activated by pressing a timely sequence of keys.

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the telephone interface of the present invention provides a simplified operation of a mobile telephone for the visually impaired or persons with dexterity problems, by providing larger keys on a keypad with an increased spacing between the keys. -n

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An interface for a telephone, said telephone comprising first housing, said first housing comprising a first keypad, said first keypad comprising a first set of keys, said interface comprising a second housing, said second housing comprising a second keypad, said second keypad comprising a second set of keys for entering at least one of a plurality of alphanumeric characters into said telephone, wherein said keys of said second set are larger in dimension than said keys of said first set.

2. An interface according to claim 1, wherein each of said second set of keys comprise a face portion having a surface area greater than the surface area of the face portion of each of said first set of keys.

3. An interface according to claim I or 2, wherein the spacing between each of said second set of keys on said second keypad is greater than the spacing between each of said first set of keys on said first keypad.

4. An interface according to any of claims I to 3, wherein said interface communicates with the telephone via communication means.

5. An interface according to claim 4, wherein said communication means comprises a wireless link, such as an infra-red data association (lrDA) Fink or Bluetooth.

6. An interface according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising an amplification unit for amplifying the communication signal.

7. An interface according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one transducer.

An interface according to claim 7 wherein said at least one transducer comprises a loud speaker and/or a microphone.

9. An interface according to claim 7 or 6, wherein said at least one transducer enables hands-free operation of the interface.

10. An interface according to any preceding claim, wherein said second set of keys comprise at least one alphanumeric character printed thereon.

11. An interlace according to claim 10, wherein said second set of keys comprise a background colour which contrasts the colour of said at least one alphanumeric character.

12. An interlace according to claim 10, wherein at least one key of said second plurality of keys comprise the Braille equivalent of said at least one alphanumeric character associated with the key.

13. An interface according to any preceding claim comprising indication means for indicating the operative state of the telephone.

14. An interlace according to claim 13, wherein said indicating means indicates that said interface is out of communicative range of said telephone.

15. An interface according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said indicating means further provides an indication that a battery supply of the interface is low.

16. An interlace according to any of claims 13 to 15, wherein said indicating means indicates that said telephone is receiving a call or text message.

17. An interlace according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein said indicating means comprises an audible prompt and or a vibrating prompt.

18. An interlace according to any preceding claim, wherein said interface provides an audible confirmation when each of said second plurality of keys is pressed. 0\

19. An interface according to any preceding claim, further comprising memory means for recording information such as telephone numbers, messages and verbal prompts.

20. An interface according to any preceding claim, further comprising a panic button which, when pressed generates an audible alarm.

21. An interface according to any preceding claim, further comprising a key-lock which, when activated disables the use of the keypad.

22. An interface according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said second set of keys comprises a speed dial key for dialling pre-stored telephone numbers.

23. An interface according to any preceding claim, further comprising a key for direct dialling the emergency services.

24. An interface according to any preceding claim, wherein said telephone is a mobile telephone.

25. A communication system comprising a telephone and an interface according to any preceding claim, said telephone comprising a first housing, said interface comprising a second housing, wherein said second housing is remote from said first housing.

26. An interface substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

27. A communication system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.