GB2258974A

GB2258974A - Telephone

Info

Publication number: GB2258974A
Application number: GB9118238A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kam Chung Aslan Lam; Man Kit Raymond Lee; Yu Chung Edward Chao
Original assignee: ISCOLA Ltd
Current assignee: ISCOLA Ltd
Priority date: 1991-08-23
Filing date: 1991-08-23
Publication date: 1993-02-24
Anticipated expiration: 2011-08-23
Also published as: GB9118238D0; GB2258974B

Abstract

A telephone (10) comprises a body (14) having a screen (13), a sensor associated with the screen, and means provided within the body and arranged to control the screen (13) to display information stored in a memory unit of the telephone (10) and to receive by means of the sensor information or instructions from a user, which screen (13) is controllable by said means to switch from one particular display layout to another according to the functions to be provided by the telephone (10). A signature recognition means may be provided to control access to a particular function. Entered memorandum messages may be stored and recalled. The sensor may cooperate with a pen 20 containing circuitry for generating an electromagnetic signal. <IMAGE>

Description

TELEPHONE The present invention relates to a telephone.

According to the invention, there is provided a telephone which comprises a body having a screen, a sensor associated with the screen, and means provided within the body and arranged to control the screen to display information stored in a memory unit of the telephone and to receive by means of the sensor information or instructions from a user, which screen is controllable by said means to switch from one particular display layout to another according to the functions to be provided by the telephone.

Preferably, said means is arranged also to provide a keyboard displayed on the screen, and the keyboard arranged to be displayed on the screen is different from one display layout to another under the control of said means.

In a preferred embodiment, said means is arranged to control the screen to display a principal layout showing various functions of the telephone and subsequently to display one of a plurality of different subsidiary layouts corresponding to the functions in accordance with a selection instruction received from a user by means of the sensor while the screen is in the principal layout.

Advantageously, the screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

The telephone may further comprises a pointed device which is arranged to be brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen by a user in order to cause the sensor to receive information or instructions from a said user.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor comprises two layers of parallel lines of electrical conductor provided one upon but spaced apart from the other with the lines of one layer crossing substantially perpendicularly with those of the other layer.

Also, the pointed device is arranged to emit a magnetic or electro-magnetic signal in order to interact with the sensor when being brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen.

It is preferred that the memory unit is arranged to store, under the control of said means, information received from a said user by means of the sensor. The information may be in the form of a pattern made on the screen.

In a preferred embodiment, said means comprises recognition means for recognising the pattern received from a said user before performing a particular function. The pattern may be in the form of a signature of a said user.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a telephone in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing schcmatically the internal construction of a part, including a LCD display and a sensor, of the telephone of Figure 1; Figure 3 snows the general construction of the sensor of Figure 2, Figure 4 shows a principal display layout of the LCD display of Figure 2; Figures 5 to 7 show three subsidiary display layouts of the LCD display of Figure 2; Figure 8 is a flow chart showing the general operation of the telephone of Figure 1;; Figure 9 shows how a signature recognition function of telephone of Figure 1 is performed with a sample signature on the LCD display, and Figure 10 is a flow chart showing the general operation of the signature recognition function demonstrated in Figure 9.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a telephone 10 according to the invention, which telephone 10 comprises a base unit 11 and a handset 12 placed in a seat on the left side of the base unit 11. A glass panel 13 is provided on the right side of the base unit 11, which serves to protect the internal components and circuitries and to form as a part of body casing 14 of the base unit 11.

Directly underneath the glass panel 13, there is provided a LCD (liquid crystal display) display 15 having its control circuitry 16 on both sides and connected therewith by wirings 17. A sensor 18 is provided immediately underneath the LCD display 15, and below the latter there is a printed circuit board carrying the main telephone circuitry which includes, inter alia, a microprocessor and a memory unit.

The LCD display 15 serves to display information retrieved from the memory unit of the telephone 10 under the control of the microprocessor and co-operates with the sensor 18 to receive information and/or instructions from a user by using a pen 20 with its tip 21 bearing against the glass panel 13.

The pen 20 has a casing 22, in which there are housed a signal generating circuitry 23, a coil 24 located immediately behind the pen tip 21 and connected to the circuitry 23 for providing an electro-magnetic signal, and a battery 25 for supplying power to the circuitry 23. A specific electro-magnetic signal is generated by the circuitry 23 by means of the coil 24 whenever the pen tip 21 is lightly pressed by a user against the glass panel 13, said pen tip 21 serving as an ON/OFF switch. The position or the path of movement of the coil 24 or effectively the pen tip 21 on the glass panel 13 is to be detected by the sensor 18 by receiving the electro-magnetic signal.

The construction of the sensor 18 is best shown in Figure 3, which is formed on a printed circuit board 26. Two groups of evenly spaced apart parallel lines 27 and 28 of electrical conductor are provided on opposite sides of the printed circuit board 26, with the lines 27 on one side extending perpendicularly to the lines 28 on the other side. Circuit components 29 are provided on the printed circuit board 26 around the lines 27 and 28 to measure the variation of potential difference along the lines 27 and 28 under the influence of the electro-magnetic signal emitted from the pen 20. Such variation is dependent upon the location over the sensor 18 where the electro-magnetic signal is applied in relation to time.Such a sensor construction is generally known in the art.

Referring also to Figures 4 to 7, which show various display layouts for the LCD display 15 and each of them includes an array of usual telephone buttons or keyboard 34. Display layout 30 is essentially the principal layout normally appears on the LCD display 15, which are divided vertically into three sections 30a-c. The top section 30a displays various functions available to a user, which include, inter alia, memorandum represented by boxes 35, telephone directory represented by boxes 36 and calculator represented by box 37. The telephone directory and calculator functions are to be activated by a user touching with the pen tip 21 the glass panel 13 relative to the LCD display 15 at the corresponding boxes 36 and 37.

In the condition as shown in Figure 4, the telephone directory has been activated and the corresponding list of telephone numbers stored in the memory unit, either local or overseas, is retrieved and displayed in the second section 30b or window 38. The list can be scrolled up or down by the user activating the corresponding up-arrow or down-arrow box with the pen tip 21 Or be shifted to the left or right side by means of the left-arrow or riglit- arrow box. Once the wanted telephone number appears in the window 38, the user can then perform telephone dialling by activating the telephone number with the pen tip 21. In the case where the telephone directory function is not selected, the window 38 will appear blank.

In the memorandum function, memorandum messages can be entered into or retrieved from the memory unit and read via the LCD display 15. In order to enter a memorandum message during telephone conversation, the memorandum function is activated by means of the boxed 35 with the pen tip 20 by a user. The display layout 32 will appear on the LCD display 15, which shows the keyboard 34 in an enlarged size and an upper window 32s for memorandum message writing by the user using the pen 20. As soon as the telephone call is finished by hanging-up the handset 12, the written message will be automatically stored into the memory unit in a graphic mode. The stored message is referenced to with the date and time when the message is stored.

In order to retrieve and read a particular stored memorandum message, the user is required to activate by means of the pen 20 the boxes 35 in the principal LCD display layout 30 corresponding to the particular date. In response, the LCD display 15 will switch to the layout 31, as shown in Figure 5, which is similar to the layout 32 of Figure G. The upper window 31o will display the list of memorandum messages with corresponding time and length in minutes and seconds. The user is then required to select the wanted message by means of the pen 20 touching the corresponding row of data, and immediately thereafter the message will be displayed in the window 31s in the form as written.

Referring now to Figure 8, which is a flow chart showing the general operation of the telephone 10 which is activated by picking-up of the handset 12 and/or operation of the pen 20 on the LCD display 15 (Box A). In the latter case, the pen 20 is then lightly pressed against the glass panel 13 (Box B) to select a telephone function (Box C) which is in this particular case the telephone directory function. In response, the appropriate telephone list is retrieved from the memory unit and displayed on the LCD display 15 in the form as shown in Figure 4 (Boxes D and E). In case where a different function is selected, the corresponding LCD display layout will be retrieved and displayed (Box D).

As soon as telephone dialling has been commenced for the first few digits, the call will be checked as to whether it is a local call or an internationsi/'overseas call (Box F).

In the case of a local call, the telephone line is permitted to be connected (Box G). A signature recognition function, as hereinafter described, will be automatically triggered if an overseas call is intended (Box H). After the signature recognition function has been performed, the LCD display 15 will 'se switched back to the principal layout 30 (Box I), and if successful the telephone line will be connected (Box G). In the course of telephone conversation, telephone functions may be activated, such as telephone directory function (Box K) and memorandum function (Boxes L and M). In either case, telephone numbers or memorandum messages can be read or entered which are stored (Box N) automatically immediately before the handset 12 is hung-up (Box O).

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, the telephone 10 has a signature recognition function which, in this particular embodiment, is to be initiated by a user attempting to make an overseas telephone call, either by direct keyboard dialling or through the telephone directory display as described above. The microprocessor is arranged to detect the initial overseas dialling code, such as "001" or "002", and upon detection of such a code the display layout 33 (Figure 7) will appear on the LCD display 15. The display layout 33 is divided principally into an upper section or window for the user to input or sign a signature and a lower section which is the keyboard 34 in an enlarged size.

The signature recognition function incorporates a coding algorithm, according to which the direction and displacement of the pen tip 21 relative to the LCD display 15 over a predetermined period of time are detected by the sensor 18. After a few trials of signature or initials signing over the LCD display 15, the algorithm will calculate and record the mean and standard deviation of the direction and displacement of the pen tip 21 over a certain period of time or the mean and standard deviation of the time taken for the pen tip 21 to travel a certain displacement. The algorithm will also calculate and record the mean and standard deviation of a certain number of regions over the LCD display 15 where the signature segments pass.

In Figure 9, D1 ... Dn stand for displacement segments over a certain period of time, T1 ... Tn stand for the length of time taken through a certain displacement, and Al ... An stand fo the regions where the signature segments pass or should pass through. The displacements made and regions passed by the segments of a particular signature are measured and stored in a chronological sequence.

In use, the user's signature signed over the LCD display 15 will be compared by the microprocessor according to the algorithm. If the data (specific value) measured or detected by the sensor 18 according to the signature match with the corresponding stored data (mean and standard deviation value), dialling is permit to continue, otherwise a message asking for re-trial is displayed, as shown in Figure 7.

In order to cater for the inevitable variation in the size and position of the signature every time given by a user, the algorithm will normalise the data measured from every signature specimen before storage or comparison.

The data measured from the latest signature will be used to modify the stored data, thereby producing a new set of mean and standard deviation value data for future signature recognition. Accordingly, the algorithm will cater for gradual changes in the signature of a particular user due to bio-nature.

The general operation of the signature recognition function is shown by the flow chart of Figure 10. The handset 12 is picked up (Box A) before a telephone call is made by a user. International or overseas direct calls begin with the appropriate dialling digits or code (Box B), and in response the appropriate display layout 33 (Figure 7) will appear on the LCD display 15, with a built-in message displayed tasking for a signature (Box C), and at the same time the telephone line is temporarily blocked. The user is then required to sign a name e initials over the LCD display 15 in reaction to the request for signature (Box E). Failing to receive a signature on the LCD display 15 for a specific period of time, the microprocessor will take a step back (Box B) to wait for the next telephone call to be made.

Tile input signature will be interpreted and compared with the stored data (Box F). If the signature does not match with any one of the sets of data stored in the memory unit, the message of request for signature will re-appear for retrial. Where the signature is found to be correct or matching, the blocked telephone line will be released (Box G) and the remaining digits of the telephone number will be accepted. Finally, the telephone line is collllected.

It is envisaged that the pen 20 may be designed to have an ON/OFF switch on the casing 22, away from the pen tip, such that the pen tip does not necessarily have to be pressed against or brought into contact with the glass panel 13 in order to interact with the sensor 18 so long as the ON/OFF switch is pressed by a user. Also, the pen 20 may be designed to emit continuously an electro-magnetic signal such that no ON/OFF switch is required. In a different embodiment, a pressure sensitive sensor may be used.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiment may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A telephone comprising a body having a screen, a sensor associated with the screen, and means provided within the body and arranged to control the screen to display information stored in a memory unit of the telephone and to receive by means of the sensor information or instructions from a user, which screen is controllable by said means to switch from one particular display layout to another according to the functions to be provided by the telephone.

2. A telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means is arranged also to provide a keyboard displayed on the screen.

3. A telephone as claimed in claim 2, wherein the keyboard arranged to be displayed on the screen is different from one display layout to another under the control of said means.

4. A telephone as claimed in any one of claims 1 to , wherein said means is arranged to control the screen to display a principal layout showing various functions of the telephone and subsequently to display one of a plurality of different subsidiary layouts corresponding to the functions in accordance with a selection instruction received from a user by means of the sensor while the screen is in the principal layout.

5. A telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

G. A telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, , further comprising a pointed device which is arranged to be brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen by a user in order to cause the sensor to receive information or instructions from a said user.

7. A telephone as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor comprises two layers of parallel lines of electrical conductor provided one upon but spaced apart from the other with the lines of one layer crossing substantially perpendicularly with those of the other layer.

8. A telephone as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pointed device is arranged to emit a magnetic or electro-magnetic signal in order to interact with the sensor when oeing brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen.

9. A telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the memory unit is arranged to store, under the control of said means, information received from a said user by means of the sensor.

10. A telephone as claimed in claim 9, wherein the information is in the form of a pattern made on the screen.

11. A telephone as claimed in claim 10, wherein said means comprises recognition means for recognising the pattern received from a said user before performing a particular function.

12. A telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A telephone a claimed in claim 11, wherein the pattern is in the form of a signature of a said user.

13. A telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A telephone comprising a body having a screen, a sensor associated with the screen, and means provided within the body and arranged to control the screen to display information stored in a memory unit of the telephone and to receive by means of the sensor information or instructions from a user, which screen is controllable by said means to switch from one particular display layout to a different display layout according to the functions to be provided by the telephone, both of the display layouts comprising corresponding dialling key-pads of different sizes.

2. A telephone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means is arranged to control the screen to display a principal layout showing various functions of the telephone and subsequently to display one of a plurality of different subsidiary layouts corresponding to the functions in accordance with a selection instruction received from a user by means of the sensor while the screen is in the principal layout.

3. A telephone as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the principal and subsidiary display layouts comprises a dialling key-pad.

4. A telephone as claimed in any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

5. A telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pointed device which is arranged to be brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen by a user in order to cause the sensor to receive information or instructions from a said user.

6. A telephone as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises two layers of parallel lines of electrical conductor provided one upon but spaced apart from the other with the lines of one layer crossing substantially perpendicularly with those of the other layer.

7. A telephone as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the pointed device is arranged to emit a magnetic or electro-magnetic signal in order to interact with the sensor when being brought into close proximity to or contact with the screen.

8. A telephone as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the memory unit is arranged to store, under the control of said means, information received from a said user by means of the sensor.

9. A telephone as claimed in claim 8, wherein the information is in the form of a graphic pattern made on the screen.

10. A telephone as claimed in claim 9, wherein said means comprises recognition means for recognising the pattern received from a said user before performing a particular function.

11. A telephone a claimed in claim 10, wherein the pattern is in the form of a signature of a said user.