CA2237202A1 - Telephone keypad adaptor - Google Patents
Telephone keypad adaptor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2237202A1 CA2237202A1 CA002237202A CA2237202A CA2237202A1 CA 2237202 A1 CA2237202 A1 CA 2237202A1 CA 002237202 A CA002237202 A CA 002237202A CA 2237202 A CA2237202 A CA 2237202A CA 2237202 A1 CA2237202 A1 CA 2237202A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- adaptor
- telephone
- keys
- keypad
- plate
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
- H04M1/23—Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
- H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
- H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
- H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
- H04M1/72475—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones specially adapted for disabled users
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
Abstract
A keypad adaptor (1) mounted on a conventional or preferably mobile telephone (2) by, e.g., a U-shaped bracket (7), comprises a keypad plate (6) over the telephone keypad (3) and includes buttons (8) above selected ones of the keys (4) of the telephone (2) so as to allow a user to call telephone numbers stored in a memory of the telephone (2). The buttons (8) are preferably larger and more spaced out than the keys (4), so as to facilitate their use by physically impaired persons.
Description
WO 98/10571 PCT/~:B97/02429 TELEPHONE KEYPAD ADAPI'OR
The present invention relates to a telephone accessory and e~uipment, and in particular to a telephone accessory and e~uipment for assisting physically impaired persons to use conventional and/or mobile telephones.
A problem often encountered by physically impaired persons, such as the elderly or disabled, is that the keys of a telephone are too small and close together for successful operation of the telephone. For example, a user may accidentally hit two keys together or the wrong key. This is a particular problem with mobile telephones, which are designed especially to be small and compact, and therefore to have small keypads and keys.
According to the present invention, there i8 provided a telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having a number storing facility, the adaptor comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys thereon arranged such that, when the adaptor is mounted on the telephone, the keys of the adaptor keypad are able to operate selected keys of the telephone keypad, including number retrieval keys of the telephone.
From a further aspect, the present invention provides a telephone keypad adaptor for a telephone having a number storing facility, which, when mounted on the telephone, provides a keypad having fewer keys than the normal keypad of the telephone, these adaptor keys operating keys of the telephone which enable numbers stored by the telephone to be called.
Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention provides a telephone with a number storing facility and a secondary keypad, the secondary keypad in use extending over the main keypad area of the telephone and having fewer keys than the main keypad of the CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 telephone, these keys of the secondary keypad operating keys of the main keypad that enable telephone numbers stored in the memory of the telephone to be called.
The keypad adaptor o~ the present invention is able to provide a keypad for a telephone having fewer keys thereon than the normal keypad of the telephone. This makes the telephone much easier to use, as the correct keys are much easier to press, and keys not o~ use may be masked by the adaptor pad so that they cannot be pressed by accident.
For a similar size of adaptor keypad to that of the telephone's normal keypad, the use of fewer keys enables the adaptor keys to be spaced further apart and/or allows them to be larger, 80 that there may be more of a strike area for each key and les5 chance of hitting an adjacent key by accident.
By focusing on the memory keys, not only can the keys be made larger and more spaced apart, but also the number o~ actions re~uired to call a number may be reduced compared to the number of actions required to actually dial a number. This again increases the ease o~ use.
By using a telephone with a memory, and by facilitating the use of such a telephone by selecting and highlighting the keys needed to call a number in the memory, and by enabling these keys to be larger in size and/or spaced ~urther apart, without necessarily increasing the size of the telephone itself to any great extent, the invention facilitates the use o~ telephones by those who would otherwise find their use very di~ficult, if not impossible.
As the invention is able to provide these features through the use of an accessory for telephones already on the market, it does not re~uire the manufacture of 3~ special dedicated telephones.
The invention is especially appropriate for use with mobile telephones. These tend to have memories with scroll functions, and, in such cases, the selected WO98/10571 PCT/GBs7/02429 keys of the telephone may comprise connect ("send"), disconnect ('~end"), memory scroll up, memory scroll down and select, as well as for example an on/o~ key and one of the digit keys, for example the digit ~ive, which would represent for example the number most frequently used and stored in the memory.
In use, a user may press e.g. the 5 key to obtain the most used telephone number, and scroll up or down to other less frequently used numbers (Preferably, these other numbers are listed in order o~ their usage, so that the next two most ~requent numbers are at memories 4 and 6, etc.). Once the required number has been located by scrolling, the user may press select and then press connect to call the number. Once ~inished, the user may press disconnect.
In the case o~ conventional telephones, e.g. those mounted on desks or walls and connected to a telephone point by a cable, these may ~or example store up to twenty numbers, using the keys 0 to 9 to give ten numbers, and the same digits and a "shi~t" key to give another ten.
The adaptor keypad may select only some o~ the keys of these O to 9 digits, e.g. four keys, strategically placed so that the adaptor keys are able to remain suitably spaced and sized when mounted above them.
Thus, the adaptor keypad for a conventional telephone may select a suitable number of the O to 9 digits as well as the shi~t key and pre~erably also a loudspeaker key.
O~ course, the precise keys selected by the adaptor keypad may be different ~rom the above depending on the telephone's operation and key arrangement.
The keypad adaptor keys and keypad may take any suitable ~orms to provide the required ~unctions.
The adaptor keys themselves may have strike areas o~ suitable sizes and ~hapes to enable knuckles or ~ists to be used to strike the keys. In addition, the keys may be shaped and sized to ~acilitate operation by an CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 pcTlGs97lo2429 operating tool, such as for example a rod held in the mouth of a user.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface of each adaptor key is concave to reduce the chances of a user's ~inger, hand, etc., or operating tool, from ~lipping from the key.
The adaptor keys may be colour-coded or otherwise marked and/or shaped, e.g. as up/down scroll arrows, so as for example to enable a user with limited sight to more easily select the correct keys.
The adaptor keys may be mounted directly above respective ones of the telephone keys, so that when pressed, they in turn press directly onto these respective telephone keys. This arrangement provides a particularly simple system. It would, however, be possible to have the adaptor keys offset from their respective telephone keys, if necessary, for example should two required keys be adjacent one another on the telephone keypad. This may be achieved in any suitable manner, such as for example by suitable mechanical lever means.
In one preferred embodiment, the keypad may comprise a plate having holes therein through which the adaptor keys are mounted, each adaptor key in use lying directly above a respective one of the selected keys of the telephone keypad.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having memory storing facilities, the adaptor comprising a plate; means for locating and securing the plate over the keypad of the telephone; and a plurality of buttons mounted in the plate which project through the plate and which are adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the buttons engaging keys of the telephone keypad that allow numbers stored in the telephone to be called, the buttons having a greater striking area and/or spacing than the keys of CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 PCTt~B97/02429 the telephone keypad.
Each adaptor key may have an upper portion ~or operation by the user and a lower portion which engages the selected telephone key when the adaptor key i8 pressed. For example, the adaptor keys may comprise a pad providing a striking area for the user on one side of the plate, a stem passing through the plate, and a second pad opposite to the selected key of the telephone keypad.
Means, such as spring means, may be provided ~or urging the adaptor keys out of contact with the telephone keys when they are not being pressed The keys may also be guided and prevented ~rom rotation, by for example providing splines along the key stems which engage in corresponding grooves in the holes in the plate, or for example by suitably shaping the plate holes and the stems of the keys to include e.g. a straight side, such as by using square or rectangular holes and stems.
The adaptor may be mounted on the telephone in any suitable ~ne~, e.g. in a clip-on or clamped manner.
In one preferred ~orm, one or more brackets are provided which connect with a plate of the keypad to hold the plate in place over the telephone keypad.
Alternatively, ~or example, the plate could be held in place by a strap, which could be elasticated, with spacer means for holding the adaptor keypad a suitable distance from the telephone keypad.
In the case o~ a mobile telephone, the adaptor may form part o~ a cradle in which the telephone is mounted, e.g., to the seat of a wheelchair or to a wall or a car mounting unit.
Preferably, the adaptor is removable from the telephone for e~ample to allow for cleaning of the telephone and adaptor, and to enable the telephone to be used normally or to be programmed or reprogrammed by a user or by a carer of the user. In the ca8e of a mobile telephone, removal o~ the adaptor may additionally CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 facilitate recharging of the battery It is preferable that the adaptor is configured so that it enables the continued use of any ear piece and/or microphone attachments, etc., where provided on the telephone.
Adaptors could be made specifically for one or more models of telephone, and different makes of telephone will often have similar dimensions and keypad arrangements, so that one adaptor may accommodate a range of models. The adaptor may also be adjustable to accommodate variations in telephone design, such as in respect of their thickness, width and key arrangements.
For example, the adaptor may have a keypad plate on which the keys are mounted, which has a number of holes therein, only some of which are used, with the particular holes used being dependent on the telephone keypad arrangement on which it i8 to be mounted. Also, these holes may be elongate, to allow for more accurate placement of the adaptor keys over the telephone keys.
Further, the adaptor may be mounted to the telephone by adjustable mounting means, which may accommodate different sizes, e.g. widths and thicknesses of the telephone, and also distances of the adaptor keypad from the telephone. For example, the mounting means could comprise a strap, which could be elasticated, and adjustable spacer means between the adaptor keypad and the telephone keypad.
The idea of a second keypad which allows larger keys to be used is itself inventive, without necessarily having to use only memory ~unction keys, and, viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a keypad adaptor for a telephone comprising keys o~ larger size than those of the telephone keypad, the adaptor keys operating respective ones of the keys o~ the telephone keypad. In this case, the adaptor keypad may include the same number of keys as the telephone keypad, or a significant number of them. The adaptor keypad may therefore be larger than the keypad o~ the telephone.
Also, the telephone need not then ~e one which stores telephone numbers, as the keys of the adaptor could be selected to operate the dialling digit keys of the telephone. As the adaptor keys would be larger, dialling would still be easier than when using the original telephone keypad without the adaptor The invention also extends to a telephone with such an adaptor.
An embodiment o~ the present invention will now be described, by way o~ example only, with re~erence to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fiy. 1 shows a plan view o~ an adap~or according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the adaptor of Fig. 1.
Referring to both figures, a keypad adaptor 1 is mounted on a mobile telephone 2.
The mobile telephone 2 has a keypad 3 comprising keys 4, and a display screen 5.
Adaptor 1 has a keypad plate 6 which is mounted on the telephone 2 by a U-shaped mounting bracket 7 shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2 in order that the other ~eatures of the adaptor 1 may be clearly seen.
Adaptor 1 includes 8iX buttons 8 mounted on the plate 6 above selected ones o~ the keys 4 of the telephone 2, the keys 4 being chosen so as to allow a user to call telephone numbers stored in a memory o~ the telephone 2.
Each button 8 of the adaptor comprises an outer portion 9 (shown in cross-section in Fig. 2), which the user presses to operate the corresponding opposite key 4 o~ the telephone, a central shaft lO passing through the plate 6, and an inner portion 9 which contacts with the opposing key 4 when the button 8 is pressed.
3~ Central shaft lO is cross-shaped in section, and is able to move relative to the plate 6 through a correspondingly cross-shaped hole in the plate 6. The cross-shaped section helps to guide the buttons 8 and to CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 prevent their rotation.
The inner portion lO is pre~erably ~ormed ~rom a resilient material such as rubber or the like. Means, such as a spring mounted between the outer portion 9 and the plate 6, may be provided to bias the buttons 8 up out o~ contact with the keys 4 when the buttons 8 are not pressed.
The striking sur~aces 12 of the buttons 8 are concave. Some users need to use an aid such as a rod held in the mouth to press the buttons 8, and the concave surfaces 12 help to prevent slippage of these rods.
In this embodiment, the keys 4 selected are the connect, disconnect, display list o~ memory numbers, scroll memory numbers up, scroll memory numbers down, and select memory number keys.
The contact sur~aces 12 o~ each button are larger and their centres more spaced apart than those of the keys 4 o~ the telephone, and thus enable a user to more easily make a telephone call without ~or example pressing a wrong key or two keys together. Keys not required are masked by the plate 6, and so cannot be pressed by accident.
The mounting bracket 7 may be connected to the plate 6 in any suitable manner, and may provide a clip-on and/or screw construction. It may ~orm part o~ a cradle by which the mobile telephone 2 is mounted to a vehicle seat, a wheelchair, wall or some other structure.
Various alternatives and modi~ications on the above design are o~ course possible, and the adaptor keypad and mounting means may take any suitable ~orms and be made ~rom any suitable materials. The mounting bracket 7 may ~or example be integral with plate 6, and/or plate 6 may be pivotally mounted to one side o~ the bracket 7.
Alternatively, the bracket 7 may be separate ~rom plate 6, but attached by screws, or in a clip manner or the like. The bracket 7 could be replaced e.g. by side arms CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 PCTIG~97/02429 on the plate 6 having flange portions which clip behind the body of the telephone, or could be replaced by an elasticated strap, with spacer means provide between the plate and the telephone.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in use with a mobile telephone, and this provides a particularly advantageous system. The invention is however also suited to use with a conventional telephone e.g. mounted on a desk or a wall and connected to a telephone point by a cable, suitable changes being made as appropriate, such as which keys are selected and the mounting arrangement used.
In a further variation, the adaptor keypad may have buttons 8 for the dialling keys o~ the telephone keypad, and possible other keys o~ the telephone also. This could make the keypad larger, but would still provide the advantage of larger press buttons.
The present invention relates to a telephone accessory and e~uipment, and in particular to a telephone accessory and e~uipment for assisting physically impaired persons to use conventional and/or mobile telephones.
A problem often encountered by physically impaired persons, such as the elderly or disabled, is that the keys of a telephone are too small and close together for successful operation of the telephone. For example, a user may accidentally hit two keys together or the wrong key. This is a particular problem with mobile telephones, which are designed especially to be small and compact, and therefore to have small keypads and keys.
According to the present invention, there i8 provided a telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having a number storing facility, the adaptor comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys thereon arranged such that, when the adaptor is mounted on the telephone, the keys of the adaptor keypad are able to operate selected keys of the telephone keypad, including number retrieval keys of the telephone.
From a further aspect, the present invention provides a telephone keypad adaptor for a telephone having a number storing facility, which, when mounted on the telephone, provides a keypad having fewer keys than the normal keypad of the telephone, these adaptor keys operating keys of the telephone which enable numbers stored by the telephone to be called.
Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention provides a telephone with a number storing facility and a secondary keypad, the secondary keypad in use extending over the main keypad area of the telephone and having fewer keys than the main keypad of the CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 telephone, these keys of the secondary keypad operating keys of the main keypad that enable telephone numbers stored in the memory of the telephone to be called.
The keypad adaptor o~ the present invention is able to provide a keypad for a telephone having fewer keys thereon than the normal keypad of the telephone. This makes the telephone much easier to use, as the correct keys are much easier to press, and keys not o~ use may be masked by the adaptor pad so that they cannot be pressed by accident.
For a similar size of adaptor keypad to that of the telephone's normal keypad, the use of fewer keys enables the adaptor keys to be spaced further apart and/or allows them to be larger, 80 that there may be more of a strike area for each key and les5 chance of hitting an adjacent key by accident.
By focusing on the memory keys, not only can the keys be made larger and more spaced apart, but also the number o~ actions re~uired to call a number may be reduced compared to the number of actions required to actually dial a number. This again increases the ease o~ use.
By using a telephone with a memory, and by facilitating the use of such a telephone by selecting and highlighting the keys needed to call a number in the memory, and by enabling these keys to be larger in size and/or spaced ~urther apart, without necessarily increasing the size of the telephone itself to any great extent, the invention facilitates the use o~ telephones by those who would otherwise find their use very di~ficult, if not impossible.
As the invention is able to provide these features through the use of an accessory for telephones already on the market, it does not re~uire the manufacture of 3~ special dedicated telephones.
The invention is especially appropriate for use with mobile telephones. These tend to have memories with scroll functions, and, in such cases, the selected WO98/10571 PCT/GBs7/02429 keys of the telephone may comprise connect ("send"), disconnect ('~end"), memory scroll up, memory scroll down and select, as well as for example an on/o~ key and one of the digit keys, for example the digit ~ive, which would represent for example the number most frequently used and stored in the memory.
In use, a user may press e.g. the 5 key to obtain the most used telephone number, and scroll up or down to other less frequently used numbers (Preferably, these other numbers are listed in order o~ their usage, so that the next two most ~requent numbers are at memories 4 and 6, etc.). Once the required number has been located by scrolling, the user may press select and then press connect to call the number. Once ~inished, the user may press disconnect.
In the case o~ conventional telephones, e.g. those mounted on desks or walls and connected to a telephone point by a cable, these may ~or example store up to twenty numbers, using the keys 0 to 9 to give ten numbers, and the same digits and a "shi~t" key to give another ten.
The adaptor keypad may select only some o~ the keys of these O to 9 digits, e.g. four keys, strategically placed so that the adaptor keys are able to remain suitably spaced and sized when mounted above them.
Thus, the adaptor keypad for a conventional telephone may select a suitable number of the O to 9 digits as well as the shi~t key and pre~erably also a loudspeaker key.
O~ course, the precise keys selected by the adaptor keypad may be different ~rom the above depending on the telephone's operation and key arrangement.
The keypad adaptor keys and keypad may take any suitable ~orms to provide the required ~unctions.
The adaptor keys themselves may have strike areas o~ suitable sizes and ~hapes to enable knuckles or ~ists to be used to strike the keys. In addition, the keys may be shaped and sized to ~acilitate operation by an CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 pcTlGs97lo2429 operating tool, such as for example a rod held in the mouth of a user.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface of each adaptor key is concave to reduce the chances of a user's ~inger, hand, etc., or operating tool, from ~lipping from the key.
The adaptor keys may be colour-coded or otherwise marked and/or shaped, e.g. as up/down scroll arrows, so as for example to enable a user with limited sight to more easily select the correct keys.
The adaptor keys may be mounted directly above respective ones of the telephone keys, so that when pressed, they in turn press directly onto these respective telephone keys. This arrangement provides a particularly simple system. It would, however, be possible to have the adaptor keys offset from their respective telephone keys, if necessary, for example should two required keys be adjacent one another on the telephone keypad. This may be achieved in any suitable manner, such as for example by suitable mechanical lever means.
In one preferred embodiment, the keypad may comprise a plate having holes therein through which the adaptor keys are mounted, each adaptor key in use lying directly above a respective one of the selected keys of the telephone keypad.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having memory storing facilities, the adaptor comprising a plate; means for locating and securing the plate over the keypad of the telephone; and a plurality of buttons mounted in the plate which project through the plate and which are adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the buttons engaging keys of the telephone keypad that allow numbers stored in the telephone to be called, the buttons having a greater striking area and/or spacing than the keys of CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 PCTt~B97/02429 the telephone keypad.
Each adaptor key may have an upper portion ~or operation by the user and a lower portion which engages the selected telephone key when the adaptor key i8 pressed. For example, the adaptor keys may comprise a pad providing a striking area for the user on one side of the plate, a stem passing through the plate, and a second pad opposite to the selected key of the telephone keypad.
Means, such as spring means, may be provided ~or urging the adaptor keys out of contact with the telephone keys when they are not being pressed The keys may also be guided and prevented ~rom rotation, by for example providing splines along the key stems which engage in corresponding grooves in the holes in the plate, or for example by suitably shaping the plate holes and the stems of the keys to include e.g. a straight side, such as by using square or rectangular holes and stems.
The adaptor may be mounted on the telephone in any suitable ~ne~, e.g. in a clip-on or clamped manner.
In one preferred ~orm, one or more brackets are provided which connect with a plate of the keypad to hold the plate in place over the telephone keypad.
Alternatively, ~or example, the plate could be held in place by a strap, which could be elasticated, with spacer means for holding the adaptor keypad a suitable distance from the telephone keypad.
In the case o~ a mobile telephone, the adaptor may form part o~ a cradle in which the telephone is mounted, e.g., to the seat of a wheelchair or to a wall or a car mounting unit.
Preferably, the adaptor is removable from the telephone for e~ample to allow for cleaning of the telephone and adaptor, and to enable the telephone to be used normally or to be programmed or reprogrammed by a user or by a carer of the user. In the ca8e of a mobile telephone, removal o~ the adaptor may additionally CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 facilitate recharging of the battery It is preferable that the adaptor is configured so that it enables the continued use of any ear piece and/or microphone attachments, etc., where provided on the telephone.
Adaptors could be made specifically for one or more models of telephone, and different makes of telephone will often have similar dimensions and keypad arrangements, so that one adaptor may accommodate a range of models. The adaptor may also be adjustable to accommodate variations in telephone design, such as in respect of their thickness, width and key arrangements.
For example, the adaptor may have a keypad plate on which the keys are mounted, which has a number of holes therein, only some of which are used, with the particular holes used being dependent on the telephone keypad arrangement on which it i8 to be mounted. Also, these holes may be elongate, to allow for more accurate placement of the adaptor keys over the telephone keys.
Further, the adaptor may be mounted to the telephone by adjustable mounting means, which may accommodate different sizes, e.g. widths and thicknesses of the telephone, and also distances of the adaptor keypad from the telephone. For example, the mounting means could comprise a strap, which could be elasticated, and adjustable spacer means between the adaptor keypad and the telephone keypad.
The idea of a second keypad which allows larger keys to be used is itself inventive, without necessarily having to use only memory ~unction keys, and, viewed from a further aspect, the present invention provides a keypad adaptor for a telephone comprising keys o~ larger size than those of the telephone keypad, the adaptor keys operating respective ones of the keys o~ the telephone keypad. In this case, the adaptor keypad may include the same number of keys as the telephone keypad, or a significant number of them. The adaptor keypad may therefore be larger than the keypad o~ the telephone.
Also, the telephone need not then ~e one which stores telephone numbers, as the keys of the adaptor could be selected to operate the dialling digit keys of the telephone. As the adaptor keys would be larger, dialling would still be easier than when using the original telephone keypad without the adaptor The invention also extends to a telephone with such an adaptor.
An embodiment o~ the present invention will now be described, by way o~ example only, with re~erence to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fiy. 1 shows a plan view o~ an adap~or according to one embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the adaptor of Fig. 1.
Referring to both figures, a keypad adaptor 1 is mounted on a mobile telephone 2.
The mobile telephone 2 has a keypad 3 comprising keys 4, and a display screen 5.
Adaptor 1 has a keypad plate 6 which is mounted on the telephone 2 by a U-shaped mounting bracket 7 shown by dashed lines in Fig. 2 in order that the other ~eatures of the adaptor 1 may be clearly seen.
Adaptor 1 includes 8iX buttons 8 mounted on the plate 6 above selected ones o~ the keys 4 of the telephone 2, the keys 4 being chosen so as to allow a user to call telephone numbers stored in a memory o~ the telephone 2.
Each button 8 of the adaptor comprises an outer portion 9 (shown in cross-section in Fig. 2), which the user presses to operate the corresponding opposite key 4 o~ the telephone, a central shaft lO passing through the plate 6, and an inner portion 9 which contacts with the opposing key 4 when the button 8 is pressed.
3~ Central shaft lO is cross-shaped in section, and is able to move relative to the plate 6 through a correspondingly cross-shaped hole in the plate 6. The cross-shaped section helps to guide the buttons 8 and to CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 prevent their rotation.
The inner portion lO is pre~erably ~ormed ~rom a resilient material such as rubber or the like. Means, such as a spring mounted between the outer portion 9 and the plate 6, may be provided to bias the buttons 8 up out o~ contact with the keys 4 when the buttons 8 are not pressed.
The striking sur~aces 12 of the buttons 8 are concave. Some users need to use an aid such as a rod held in the mouth to press the buttons 8, and the concave surfaces 12 help to prevent slippage of these rods.
In this embodiment, the keys 4 selected are the connect, disconnect, display list o~ memory numbers, scroll memory numbers up, scroll memory numbers down, and select memory number keys.
The contact sur~aces 12 o~ each button are larger and their centres more spaced apart than those of the keys 4 o~ the telephone, and thus enable a user to more easily make a telephone call without ~or example pressing a wrong key or two keys together. Keys not required are masked by the plate 6, and so cannot be pressed by accident.
The mounting bracket 7 may be connected to the plate 6 in any suitable manner, and may provide a clip-on and/or screw construction. It may ~orm part o~ a cradle by which the mobile telephone 2 is mounted to a vehicle seat, a wheelchair, wall or some other structure.
Various alternatives and modi~ications on the above design are o~ course possible, and the adaptor keypad and mounting means may take any suitable ~orms and be made ~rom any suitable materials. The mounting bracket 7 may ~or example be integral with plate 6, and/or plate 6 may be pivotally mounted to one side o~ the bracket 7.
Alternatively, the bracket 7 may be separate ~rom plate 6, but attached by screws, or in a clip manner or the like. The bracket 7 could be replaced e.g. by side arms CA 02237202 1998-0~-08 WO98/10571 PCTIG~97/02429 on the plate 6 having flange portions which clip behind the body of the telephone, or could be replaced by an elasticated strap, with spacer means provide between the plate and the telephone.
The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in use with a mobile telephone, and this provides a particularly advantageous system. The invention is however also suited to use with a conventional telephone e.g. mounted on a desk or a wall and connected to a telephone point by a cable, suitable changes being made as appropriate, such as which keys are selected and the mounting arrangement used.
In a further variation, the adaptor keypad may have buttons 8 for the dialling keys o~ the telephone keypad, and possible other keys o~ the telephone also. This could make the keypad larger, but would still provide the advantage of larger press buttons.
Claims (28)
1. A telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having a number storing facility, the adaptor comprising a keypad having a plurality of keys thereon arranged such that, when the adaptor is mounted on the telephone, the keys of the adaptor keypad are able to operate selected keys of the telephone keypad, including number retrieval keys of the telephone.
2. The adaptor of claim 1, wherein the adaptor keys are spaced further apart than the keys on the telephone with which it is used.
3. The adaptor of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adaptor keys are larger than the keys on the telephone with which it is used.
4. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor keys have strike areas configured to enable a user to operate the adaptor using their knuckles or fists.
5. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor keys have strike areas configured to enable a user to operate the adaptor using an operating tool.
6. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface of each adaptor key is concave.
7 The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor keys are colour-coded.
8 The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein telephone keys not of use are masked by the adaptor.
9. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor is configured for use with a mobile telephone.
10. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the selected keys of the telephone include connect, disconnect, memory scroll up, memory scroll down and select keys.
11. The adaptor of claim 10, wherein the selected keys include one of the digit keys corresponding to one of the telephone numbers stored in the telephone.
12. The adaptor of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the selected telephone keys include keys of the 0 to 9 digits.
13. The adaptor of claim 12, wherein a shift key of the telephone is further selected.
14. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein a loudspeaker key is one of the selected telephone keys.
15. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor keys are mounted directly above respective ones of the telephone keys.
16. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor keypad comprises a plate having holes therein through which the adaptor keys are mounted, each adaptor key in use lying directly above a respective one of the selected keys of the telephone keypad.
17. The adaptor of claim 16, wherein keys are not mounted in all of the holes, with the particular holes used being dependent on the telephone keypad arrangement on which the adaptor is to be mounted.
18. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein each adaptor key has an upper portion for operation by the user and a lower portion which engages the selected telephone key when the adaptor key is pressed.
19. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein means are provided for urging the adaptor keys out of contact with the telephone keys when they are not being pressed.
20. The adaptor of any preceding claim, wherein the adaptor is mounted on the telephone in a clip-on or clamped manner.
21. The adaptor of any of claims 1 to 18, wherein one or more brackets are provided which connect with a.
plate of the keypad to hold the plate in place over the telephone keypad.
plate of the keypad to hold the plate in place over the telephone keypad.
22. The adaptor of any of claims 1 to 18, wherein the plate is held in place by a strap, with spacer means for holding the adaptor keypad a suitable distance from the telephone keypad.
23. The adaptor of any of claims 1 to 19, for use with a mobile telephone, wherein the adaptor forms part of or is mounted on a cradle in which the telephone is mounted.
24. A telephone keypad adaptor for a telephone having a number storing facility, which, when mounted on the telephone, provides a keypad having fewer keys than the normal keypad of the telephone, these adaptor keys operating keys of the telephone which enable numbers stored by the telephone to be called.
25. A telephone with a number storing facility and a secondary keypad, the secondary keypad in use extending over the main keypad area of the telephone and having fewer keys than the main keypad of the telephone, these keys of the secondary keypad operating keys of the main keypad that enable telephone numbers stored in the memory of the telephone to be called.
26. A telephone keypad adaptor for use with a telephone having memory storing facilities, the adaptor comprising a plate; means for locating and securing the plate over the keypad of the telephone; and a plurality of buttons mounted in the plate which project through the plate and which are adapted to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the buttons engaging keys of the telephone keypad that allow numbers stored in the telephone to be called, the buttons having a greater striking area and/or spacing than the keys of the telephone keypad.
27. A keypad adaptor for a telephone comprising keys of larger size than those of the telephone keypad, the adaptor keys operating respective ones of the keys of the telephone keypad.
28. A telephone and adaptor therefor, the adaptor comprising keys of larger size than those of the telephone keypad, the adaptor keys operating respective ones of the keys of the telephone keypad.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB9618800.8A GB9618800D0 (en) | 1996-09-09 | 1996-09-09 | Telephone accessory and equipment |
| GB9618800.8 | 1996-09-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2237202A1 true CA2237202A1 (en) | 1998-03-12 |
Family
ID=10799642
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002237202A Abandoned CA2237202A1 (en) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-09-09 | Telephone keypad adaptor |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0860074A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU4129497A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2237202A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9618800D0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998010571A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2000069153A1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2000-11-16 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Telephone terminal |
| GB2363592B (en) * | 2000-09-26 | 2002-10-09 | Constantinos Hadjisotiriou | Numerical-to-textual keypad converter |
| FI116344B (en) * | 2000-10-11 | 2005-10-31 | Nokia Corp | The communication device |
| EP1349354A1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2003-10-01 | Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB | Detachable mobile terminal cover with integrated memory |
| GB2400817A (en) * | 2003-04-22 | 2004-10-27 | Design Engineering Services Uk | Communications device handset having enlarged buttons |
| GB2404630B (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2006-09-27 | Research In Motion Ltd | Cover plate for a mobile device having a push-through dial keypad |
| FR2870426B1 (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2006-08-11 | Michel Villaneau | PORTABLE TELEPHONE FOR EASY USE |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA941532A (en) * | 1970-03-11 | 1974-02-05 | Akira Nishikiori | Operating device for push button-dialled telephone |
| US3778553A (en) * | 1972-04-05 | 1973-12-11 | M Rackman | Attachment for facilitating use of a push-button telephone set as a data terminal |
| DE3022877A1 (en) * | 1980-06-19 | 1981-12-24 | Manfred 4010 Hilden Kuhn | Telephone computer dialling unit attachment - has large keys for use of partially sighted or blind persons or by children |
| CA1316617C (en) * | 1988-07-11 | 1993-04-20 | Chihiro Fuse | Telephone |
| IL93998A (en) * | 1990-04-03 | 1996-01-19 | Schreiber Jacob | Pushbutton telephone dial keypad adaptor module |
| GB9116073D0 (en) * | 1991-07-25 | 1991-09-11 | Atkins Richard S | Programmable dialler |
| GB9203349D0 (en) * | 1992-02-17 | 1992-04-01 | British Telecomm | Keypad buttons |
| US5365570A (en) * | 1992-06-02 | 1994-11-15 | Boubelik Mark J | Emergency cellular telephone apparatus |
| US5444775A (en) * | 1993-11-09 | 1995-08-22 | Tobish; John J. | Telephone key selection aid |
| FI97507C (en) * | 1995-01-05 | 1996-12-27 | Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd | Speed dial on a mobile station |
-
1996
- 1996-09-09 GB GBGB9618800.8A patent/GB9618800D0/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-09-09 AU AU41294/97A patent/AU4129497A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-09-09 WO PCT/GB1997/002429 patent/WO1998010571A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-09-09 CA CA002237202A patent/CA2237202A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-09-09 EP EP97939073A patent/EP0860074A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9618800D0 (en) | 1996-10-23 |
| AU4129497A (en) | 1998-03-26 |
| WO1998010571A1 (en) | 1998-03-12 |
| EP0860074A1 (en) | 1998-08-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20000911 |