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
  • H04M1/22—Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• • 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
  • H04M1/27467—Methods of retrieving data
  • H04M1/27475—Methods of retrieving data using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
  • H04M1/677—Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2219/00—Legends
  • H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
  • H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
  • H01H2219/012—Liquid crystal programmable
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H2231/00—Applications
  • H01H2231/022—Telephone handset
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
  • H04M1/677—Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers
  • H04M1/6775—Preventing the dialling or sending of predetermined telephone numbers or selected types of telephone numbers, e.g. long distance numbers by providing access to preprogrammed keys

Definitions

• the invention relates to a mobile telephone comprising a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers and a number of selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke.
• Such a telephone is known from GB 2278756, which discloses a telephone which includes means by which it is determined how long a selection key is being pressed. If a selection key is pressed for a period of time less than a threshold value, the digit associated with that key is selected. If said key is pressed for a period of time equal to or exceeding the threshold value, a telephone number associated with that key is retrieved from the memory.
• GB 2278756 furthermore mentions the existence of two mobile telephones designated U IDEN CP 900 and OKI 830, which apparently include, respectively, three and two "dedicated one touch dialling keys" .
• Modern mobile telephones generally comprise a large number of functions and possibilities, which accordingly offer the user a large degree of freedom in configuring his or her telephone and which make it possible to use the telephone for a large number of purposes, such as keeping a diary and making modem connections.
• the object of the invention is to provide a mobile telephone which is very simple to operate, also by people whose reading or learning skills are diminishing.
• a mobile telephone of the kind referred to in the introduction which is characterised in that at least a number of said selection keys can be converted into numeric keys .
• This makes it possible to provide a (relatively) large number of selection keys, whilst the total number of keys remains limited, which makes the telephone more convenient and easier to operate.
• the efficient use of the available space makes it possible to make the selection keys extra large, so that said keys will be easy to find and to operate, whilst it is not necessary to select a quick-select menu or option first.
• the mobile telephone may include a switch, but preferably includes a selection key by means of which at least a number of the pre-selection keys can be converted into numeric keys.
• the selection key itself is also a numeric key, preferably the "0" key.
• the telephone comprises at least nine preselection keys that can be converted into numeric keys
• said keys after being converted into numeric keys and in combination with the numeric selection key, can function as the "0" - "9" keys.
• the mobile telephone it is possible to use the mobile telephone as an ordinary, fully fledged mobile telephone once the "0" has been pressed.
• a number of the selection keys can include means which facilitate the labelling of said keys.
• Said means may for example comprise a transparent window, behind which paper or another writable medium can be clamped. It is also conceivable to provide the selection keys with a small display, such as an LCD screen.
• Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the mobile telephone according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a front view of the telephone according to Fig. 1.
• Figs. 3A - 3E show five examples of messages that can be displayed in the display of the telephone according to Figs . 1 and 2.
• Fig. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the telephone according to the invention.
• Figs . 5A - 5G show seven examples of messages that can be displayed in the display of the telephone according to Fig. 4.
• Fig. 6 shows the telephone according to Fig. 4 in a second condition thereof.
• Figs. 1 and 2 schematically show a first mobile GSM (Global System (or Standard) for Mobile Communication) telephone 1 according to the invention.
• Said mobile telephone 1 comprises an on/off switch 2, which is preferably recessed and which must be depressed about half a centimetre in order to turn the mobile telephone 1 on, this in order to prevent unintentional activation of the mobile telephone 1.
• a disable switch 3 is provided, which is likewise recessed and which must be depressed about half a centimetre for disabling or enabling the other switches and keys on the mobile telephone 1.
• Mobile telephone 1 furthermore includes an antenna 4, a speaker 5 and a microphone 6. Possibly, a speaker capable of producing a larger volume than the usual speakers can be used.
• Mobile telephone 1 furthermore comprises a display 7 the functions of which will be discussed in more detail yet hereafter.
• the electronics present inside the housing 8 do not essentially differ from the electronics used in the mobile telephones that are currently known. Said electronics comprise, among other things, a transceiver, a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers, a battery and possibly an SIM card and a connection for a charger. Such electronics are known to those skilled in the art and, consequently, they need not be explained in more detail herein.
• Mobile telephone 1 comprises nine selection keys 9, by means of which it is possible, using a single keystroke, to select a telephone number from the memory, which can be programmed, for example, by the family doctor or by a relative of the owner of the telephone.
• the selection keys are numbered “1" - “9” and comprise a transparent window, behind which a piece of paper or a writable plastic can be clamped. On said paper or said plastic it can be indicated, for example by means of a felt-tip pen, what number can be selected with that selection key.
• the "1" key carries the designation "John", which indicates that John's telephone number will be selected from the memory when said key 1 is pressed.
• the selection keys light up upon being pressed. In this manner it is immediately apparent that a selection has been made. Said selection can then be confirmed in display 7. Directly or shortly after said selection, the "contact" key 10 will start to blink, so that it is made clear that this is the key that needs to be pressed next . The selection of a number from the memory can be cancelled by pressing the "stop" key 11. Said “stop” key 10 can furthermore be used to stop the dialling sequence, and also to terminate a subsequent call. In other words, the "stop” key functions as a central interrupter, by means of which the telephone can be switched to a neutral position at any desired moment. It is preferred that (all) the keys are provided with relief or braille so as to facilitate use by partially sighted or blind persons.
• Figs. 3A - 3E show five examples of messages that can be displayed in display 7.
• the time will be shown in display 7 (Fig. 3A) .
• the keys of the mobile telephone 1 are disabled by means of the disable switch 3 that is present on the upper side of the telephone, this is indicated in the display by means of a symbol 12 in the form of a padlock. Only incoming calls are possible in that case.
• the telephone When a call comes in, for example from the owner's daughter, the telephone will ring and the word "daughter" or another designation will be shown in the display 7 (Fig. 3B) .
• the contact key 10 will moreover start to blink.
• the display When a call is received from someone whose number is not stored in the memory, the display will show that caller's telephone number or the name of the municipality from which the call is made, or simply the words "caller unknown” . Also in that case the contact 10 will blink. When the telephone is located in a region where access is not possible, this will automatically be displayed in the display (Fig. 3D) .
• Mobile telephone 1 furthermore comprises a selection key by means of which the pre-selection keys 1 - 9 can be converted into numeric keys 1 - 9.
• Said selection key itself is a numeric key, for example the "0" key. After said key has been pressed, a "0" will be shown in the display and all numeric keys will light up. Then the rest of the number can be dialled. Once the tenth digit is shown in the display, contact key 10 will start to blink in order to indicate that the dialled number can be called.
• the selection keys with a small display, such as an LCD screen, in which individualised designations such as "John” can be displayed. Such designations can be obtained from the memory of the telephone, which usually contains a direct link between a designation and a telephone number already.
• the individualised designations are preferably replaced with numbers, e.g. 1 - 9, thus further reducing latent confusion.
• a battery indicator 13 Located beside the display is a battery indicator 13, which indicates the remaining capacity of the battery. When the battery is almost empty, a LED 14 will be activated.
• Fig. 4 shows a second mobile telephone 20 according to the invention. This variant differs from the mobile telephone 1 according to Figs.
• Mobile telephone 20 only comprises five selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke.
• keys 4 (marked "-") and 5 (marked “+”) can be used to browse through the memory of the mobile telephone 20. This makes it possible to increase the number of stored, readily accessible telephone numbers to a total of 10, for example, or another multiple of 5.
• the mobile telephone 20 can be fitted with a transparent lid 21, which provides access to an insert 22, for example made of paper or a writable plastic.
• an insert 22 for example made of paper or a writable plastic.
• the names associated with the stored numbers can be written.
• cover 21 When cover 21 is opened, a next series of numbers, for example numbers 6 - 10, may automatically be made available.
• a corresponding insert comprising space for elucidating telephone numbers 6 - 10 is presented then.
• the mobile telephone 20 furthermore comprises a second lid 23, via which a number of additional keys, such as alphanumeric keys 24 and navigation keys 25 become accessible. Said keys can be used, for example, for dialling telephone numbers which are not stored in the memory and for programming the memory.
• mobile telephone 20 comprises a display which includes a voicemail or written message indicator 23, by means of which the receipt of voicemail or of a written message can be indicated.
• a disable indicator 28 indicates that keys 1 - 5 are disabled.
• a signal indicator 29 is provided, which indicates whether an incoming call will be indicated by means of a ring signal or by means of a vibration signal.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
• Transceivers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=19770960

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2000
  • 2000-03-08 NL NL1014587A patent/NL1014587C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2001
  • 2001-03-05 RU RU2002126606/09A patent/RU2002126606A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-03-05 WO PCT/NL2001/000130 patent/WO2001067725A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2001-03-05 AU AU2001242852A patent/AU2001242852A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-03-05 EP EP01915904A patent/EP1262053A2/en not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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