GB2425676A

GB2425676A - A mobile telephone especially for the elderly or infirm

Info

Publication number: GB2425676A
Application number: GB0508888A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jocelyne Latinier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-30
Filing date: 2005-04-30
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Also published as: GB0508888D0

Abstract

The main body of the telephone is relatively wide so as to house a longer, wider display screen. This allows the use of a larger font to display telephone numbers and/or text messages. The telephone has a magnifying glass to further enlarge the display. The telephone also includes a simplified keyboard.

Description

AN OLD-FASHIONED LOOK ON THE MOVE

Having recently observed my elderly mother struggling with her newly and proudly acquired mobile I often think that the "G3" Third Generation terminology should have been applied to a user friendly mobile for older people ("3G") rather than technologically advanced models.

Couldn't a manufacturer produce a simplified model for this nonnegligible slice of the market.

The model would need to have: 1. Minimum basic functions 2. Easy to use keyboard 3. Easy to read screen.

1. Minimum basic functions: * Switching the handset on and off (onloff button) * Make and receive phone calls - (two keys Answer + call) * Send and receive text messages - (two buttons: send + receive) * Access to voice messages- (one key) * List of phone numbers in memory (one key) * Reduced amount of settings: - time / date (one key) - limited choice of ringing tones( 3 or 4 - one for each volume: low, medium, high, very high).(one key) 2. Easy to use keyboard with 22 keys: * Keys (1 - 0) as any other mobile but maybe slightly larger * One button for each of the function mentioned above to avoid confusion, plus * 4 distinct keys with arrow to move cursor * A clock key for adjusting date and time * A bell key for adjusting ring tone 3. Easy to read screen: a) The letters and digits appearing on the screen should be as large as possible.

To do so the handset could be designed the other way around. i.e. horizontally rather than vertically. Thus the screen could be longer allowing information on the screen to use larger fonts (See Fig I). (Any phone number can be seen in its entirety on the long screen using an adequate size font which can be a fixed font in the handset). And

MOST IMPORTANT: b) Include a magnifying glass over the screen to be able to read the digits or letters even when reading glasses are not at hand (bearing in mind that this handset is aimed at older people -and the not so old- who often need reading glasses and forget them).

Installation of the magnifying glass: The magnifying glass can be mounted either * on a swivel system (Fig. 1) or * be fitted at both en(Fig. 2) or * the glass of the screen itself could act as a magnifier. However this would mean that the screen is constantly magnified with no option to use it as and when necessary.

An optional protective lid may or may not be fitted over the glass or over the telephone as long as the magnifying glass is scratch resistant.

The swivelling magnifying glass could have the advantage of being used to read labels in shops or even restaurant menus. Many older people ask others in supermarkets to read labels or price and read them the menus in restaurants Note: According to the statistics, theft of mobile phones is the number one crime in UK and the elderly people are by nature more vulnerable. If they could use a mobile they can hold in the palm of their hand rather than having it sticking out of their hand I feel it would be more difficult to snatch away. And the second point is what young thief would be interested in stealing a mobile that is designed for the old ones". i'he incentive for stealing it would not be SO great!

Claims

1. A horizontally designed mobile handset in order to provide a longer screen display.

2. A mobile handset as claimed in Claim 1 where the letters and digits are showed in larger fonts for ease of reading.

3. A mobile handset as claimed in Claim I including a magnifying glass system. The magnifying glass can be fixed either on a swivel system or fixed at both its ends so that it can be lifted like a lid over the screen. The glass of the display itself can be a magnifier but this would not allow the user to have the option of using the facility only when required.

4. A mobile handset as claimed in Claim I with a minimum of sole function keys on keypad for ease of use.

5. A mobile handset substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. (fig 1 & Fig 2).