MXPA00004250A - Portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable telephone handset apparatus is provided, which incorporates a handwriting input surface to permit a user to enter numeric digits of a telephone number to be dialed, digit by digit, by tracing each number with a finger or stylus on the handwriting input surface.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE PHONE HEADPHONE WITH INTEGRATED WRITING ENTRY SURFACE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed constructions of portable telephone headset powered by portable battery, in particular, a headset construction that includes an input surface for writing in place of, or complementary to, a standard input keyboard, whose input surface This type of writing allows a user to "record numerical and non-numeric data, such as the telephone number and name, by writing such data by hand directly on the input surface." A conventional telephone headset typically incorporates a numeric keypad on its face that allows the user registers the digits of a telephone number assigned to the part that the user wishes to call in. The keyboard typically comprises a matrix of mechanical or electronic momentary contact switches which are operated by the user physically by pressing a button associated with each switch, since be a push button or a membrane keypad surface. Consequently, to dial a telephone button a threshold level of manual dexterity is required to physically locate and press the desired key and not to inadvertently press the wrong adjacent key. In addition, as phones, and in particular cell phones, become smaller and smaller than "the ergonomics of the telephone keypad, it becomes more interesting as smaller keyboards require even more coordination and dexterity to ensure that press the desired digit of a phone number and that the wrong button is not pressed, such as when the adjacent button is pressed by mistake.In addition, the increased complexity of the user interface for telephones is required to take advantage and operate the features Expanded offerings in telephone headsets frequently require that the user be able to enter the alphabetic characters of the telephone and not just numbers.For example, a typical cellular telephone offers theuser the ability to associate in "electronic memory the name of a person, or other information, with a phone number that is "also stored in memory electronic telephone allowing the user to access a telephone number by name eliminating the need to memorize very long telephone numbers. However, most telephone devices, alphabetic and other non-numeric characters, can typically be recorded only by completing a complex and / or repetitive series of steps, which are supported "in a long-established convention of letters of association of the English alphabet with designated numbers on the telephone keypad For example, the letters "A", "B" and "C" are typically associated with the number "2" '; "D" "E" and "F" with the number "3" and so on To enter, a letter of the alphabet the user must first register in common an "alphabetic mode" such as the one of the telephone that will be instructed to recognize that the keys of the keyboard that are depressed will be accepted For entries such as letters of the alphabet and not as numbers, in addition, multiple keystrokes of a single key are required.For example, to register the letter "B" the number "2" is pressed twice as long as to register ~~ the letter "C" is pressed three times "the number key" 2". An additional potential disadvantage exists with respect to languages other than English where all the letters of a non-English alphabet can not be accommodated in the face of a keyboard, thus complicating the registration of alphabetic information in addition. A further aspect of the present invention relates to the merging of telephone devices with a computer and other devices based on microprocessors. For example, it may be desirable to integrate into a telephone the full or partial functionality of a personal digital assistant ("PDA") that can provide "calendar / agenda and phone book functions among others in a telephone handset." These additional functions require the increased capacity to record alphabetic and other symbolic information In addition to the numbers only, the requirement to press so many keys to register a non-numeric element is a significant impediment to the use of telephones that incorporate such additional features and functionalities.At least one telephone headset manufactured by NOKIA and incorporating such features and extended functions also incorporates a full alpha-numeric standard keyboard., the large number of numeric and alphabetic keys and the need to provide the user with the ability to. actuating individual keys results in a general size for the device that is relatively large compared to cell phones of the current art and does not allow the device to be as small as other "cell phone only" headsets. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to allow a user to register characters not only numerical but also alphabetic without the need to use a conventional pressure keyboard arrangement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a writing input surface to allow a user to register a telephone number that is viewed by the user. to mark, digit by digit, drawing each number with a finger or stylus on the writing input surface. Another object of the present invention will provide a writing input surface to allow a user to register alphabetic characters, tracing each letter with a finger or stylus on the writing input surface. This and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the light of the present specification including the claims and the drawings. The present invention is directed to a construction for a portable cellular telephone, although the "concepts can be incorporated in virtually any portable telephone headset." A main body part is provided to substantially contain the electronic functional components of the telephone handset. A user input keyboard is provided or controls the operation of the telephone headset.A write-in surface is electrically connected to the electronic functional components of the telephone.The write-in surface allows the user to register a telephone number that is going away. to mark number by number, drawing each number with a finger or stylus on the input surface of writing.The writing input surface also allows the user to register an alphabetic or other non-numerical character by tracing the character on the writing input surface . The writing input surface may comprise a touch-sensitive LCD panel that functions as a visual screen and input surface. The writing input surface may alternatively comprise a "mouse mat" type device as commonly found in portable computers and which is positioned adjacent to a screen or keyboard area of the portable telephone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded top view of the telephone headset construction according to one embodiment of the invention, shown in its open configuration, Figure 2 shows the earphone of Figure 1 in its full configuration assembled and closed, Figures 3 and 4 illustrate partial schematic side elevations of the handset embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a telephone headset construction according to one embodiment of the invention, Figure 6 is a sectional elevation view of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-3, taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 27; Figure 7 is a section elevation of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-3, taken along lines 7-7 of Figure 2, and Figure 8 is a block diagram of a telephone headset construction ion that incorporates "specifically a writing recognition surface. While this invention is susceptible to the embodiment in many different forms, various embodiments are shown in the drawings and various specific embodiments will be described in detail herein, with the understanding that the present description is considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention. the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated modes. The earphone 10 is shown in an exploded view on the upper floor in Figure 1, ° n its open configuration. Figure 2 shows the handset in its fully assembled and closed configuration. The headset 10 includes a main body portion 13, the left side enclosure 16, the right side enclosure 19 and the cover or drum 22. As shown, the antenna 14 extends from the right side of the main body portion 13, although it is projected through a notch or suitable aperture in the right side enclosure 19, when the earphone is fully assembled, although the antenna 14 may extend from the left side 16 or other portion__ of the earphone 10. Preferably, the predominance of the electronic components of the phone will be contained within the main body portion, certain components may reside partially or completely in the drum and / or the left or right side enclosures. In order to convey the information to the user with the drum 22 in its closed position, certain screens, such as ignition, battery status and signal capacity will each be directed by an LED or by a multi-colored LED (red a green for charging) placed together with suitable markings on the side enclosures, as shown by slabs reference numbers 40, 41, 42 in Figures 1 and 2. The necessary electrical connections are provided between LEDs 40, 41 and 42 and the main body portion 13, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Providing a power off button 44 for activating and deactivating the telephone without the button 44 being displayed positioned on the right side enclosure 19. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an LCD contact screen 31 is provided in place of a conventional pushbutton keyboard, the "contact screen" LCD 31 shown being placed on the front of the main body portion 13 to, in one mode, present the user with a graphic display of a telephone keypad 32 to allow the user registers the telephone number to be dialed, or operate other functions incorporated within the telephone. To dial a telephone number the user only touches or makes contact with the surface of the LCD contact screen 31 near the position of the "keys" displayed 32. In such mode, the conventional display is omitted since the necessary information can be transported to the user on the contact screen LCD_ 31. In addition to displaying a dial-up telephone keypad, the LCD 31 touch screen can serve to display a user interface for a number of other devices that can be integrated within the telephone, such as calculator or agenda. The dialed number and / or relevant information may be provided to the user on an LED or LCD screen (not shown) as is known in the art. Alternatively, one or more regions of the drum may be made of transparent or translucent material, to allow the main display placed in a conventional manner and the like, placed on the front face of the main body portion, to be viewed directly through the drum closed.

Upon completion of the feature of the input device offered by the LCD touch screen 31, there is a writing input surface 35 shown in Figure 1 positioned close to the lower edge of the LCD touch screen 31. The input surface 35 can be a designated portion of the LCD contact screen 31 or alternatively may be a separate input area such as a "mouse mat" device such as that found in laptops. As an alternative to contacting the LCD 31 contact screen to register a telephone number, the user can register a telephone number, the user can register a telephone number, digit by digit by "writing" each digit with a finger or stylus on the writing input screen 35. The writing screen 35 operates in combination with the writing recognition software. stored in the electronic components in the main body portion 13 of the telephone. The software serves to interpret the movement of the user's stylus or finger thereof as it traces a path corresponding to a letter, number or symbol on the write-in surface 35 to identify the entry and record an associated associated data item, such as an alpha-numeric character, or execute a default command, such as. the 7th-mark. "Software examples include" GRAFITTI ", a stenographic number-numeric that recognizes abbreviated movements and associates such movements with letters and symbols numbers.In the operation, the user can, for example, register the telephone number of the part that will be called "typing" the telephone number digit by digit using a stylus or finger Given the flexibility of programming the software, the software can be configured to recognize the user input and associate a partial entry with a previously stored data item For example, by registering the first three numbers of a telephone number in another complete form, the software can automatically display one or more complete telephone numbers of those numbers pre-stored in the phone's memory to allow the user Indicate that a desired number is dialed without the registered need of the full telephone number. The software can be similar in function to the retrieval of a telephone number from the memory of the device when the name of a desired called party whose number is stored in the memory has been recorded. LCD contact screens and writing input surfaces are well known as input devices and can be found in current portable laptops and personal digital electronic attendance organizers, such as the 3C0M / U device. S. ROBOTICS PALM. The mechanical components of the mobile cover of the earphone 10 can easily be understood by inspection of Figures 3-7. Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates a partial side elevation view of the handset embodiment of Figure 5 and is shown with the_ drum 22 in its open orientation. Figure 4 illustrates a partial schematic elevation view of the earphone of Figure 5 specifically illustrating the drum 22 in its closed orientation. Accordingly, it can be seen that the drum 22 serves to cover the contact screen 31 while protecting its surface and preventing unintentional operation of the device. As described herein, the drum 22 is a material substantially. flexible of the inner surface to which it is coupled with conductive wheel 28. As shown in Figure 4, the main body portion 13 of the telephone is contained within an outer housing comprising side portions 16 and 19 which when assembled in proportion in an opening on its front face through which the user can visualize and touch the contact screen 31 and the entrance surface 35. The contact screen 31_ and the entrance surface 35 are each illustrated in the form central on the upper surface of the "main body" portion 13. As illustrated, the left side portion 16 includes a rear panel 24 which connects to the right side portion 19. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the drum 22 does not serve to provide the rear outer surface of the telephone headset and instead the drum 22 transported within an external housing formed by rigid rear panel 24. Although not shown in Figure 5, it is contemplated that sides 16 and 19 each contain the required tracking structures required to engage and transport the drum 22 One feature of this embodiment is the capacity of the battery cells that provide the electronic energy to the telephone handset that is contained within a compartment on the back surface of the main body portion 13, instead of being transported to the surface. rear or inserted through a narrow opening in the side portion of the housing. In Figures 3 and 4, the battery cell 50 is shown to reside within the main body portion 13. The user can thus gain access to the battery cell 50 when the drum 22 is in its closed position as long as the battery cell 50 is in its closed position. that is not transposed to the back surface of the telephone headset 10. It is contemplated that a door or the like located on the rear surface 24 can be alternately opened or closed to allow access to the battery cell 50 through the exchange • ie battery fully charged by a discharged battery to allow in this way the continuous operation of telephone handset 10. Drum 22 is generally flexible and is made by the presence of transversely extending teeth / grooves 25. The main body portion 13 of the earphone 10 has one or more guide wheels 28, which are rotatable relative to the main body portion 13. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, two guide wheels 28 are provided, one on each side of the main body portion 13. Preferably, each guide wheel 28 is configured in the form of a toothed gear, wherein the gear 29 is dimensioned and spaced apart to engage the teeth / slot 25 of the flexible drum 22, when a portion of the flexible drum J22 is folded about the porous area. of the main body 13. The teeth on the guide wheels and the teeth of the flexible portion of the drum are shown being rectangular is or squares. However, the teeth of other "configurations" may be employed, whereas when the drum 22 is held in place against the guide wheels, by means of the side enclosures, as described herein, there is an impulse ratio driven between the drum and guide wheels 28. In an alternative embodiment, the guide wheels 28 and the drum 22 can be without teeth, if the guide wheels 28 and the drum 22 are made from complementary materials which will allow satisfactory frictional coupling between them with the drum that is held in such a coupling against the guide wheels by the side enclosures. . The left side enclosure 16 and the right side enclosure 19 can be joined with fitted panels 24, 26 and 27. As illustrated, the panel 24 comprises a rigid surface forming the rear panel of the device 10 and protects the drum 22 and the portion Main body 13. Panel 27 is an adjusted panel that forms the lower face of a telephone while panel 28 forms the upper face of the telephone. As illustrated in Figure 2, the top panel 26 includes a high-voice port 33 for communicating sound from a loudspeaker placed on the "inner surface of the panel that is located so as not to be obstructed by the drum 22 and panel 27 includes the microphone port 38. The manner in which the drum is held in engagement with the guide wheels and guided in its movement around the main body portion is illustrated, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, in FIGS. and 7. Figure 6 is a sectional side elevational view of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-5, taken along line 6-6 of Figures 2. As can be seen from the Figure 1, in an embodiment of the invention, the drum 22 has a side-to-side width that is slightly larger than the width of a main body portion 13, so that a quantity of the drum 22 projects laterally from each side of the portion of body 13. In order to provide a tracking for the drum 22 to follow a portion of the periphery of the left side enclosure 16 it may be provided with an external tracking structure extending laterally 17 around the periphery to the right from the point A to point B. Although the particular locations for points A and B are shown in Figure 6 it is understood that, as the specific contours of the general housing can be varied by someone skilled in the art having the description before Yes, the particular locations of points A and B, can be changed accordingly as well. When the suitably configured engaging surfaces of the left side enclosure 16 are joined to correspondingly appropriately configured engaging surfaces of the main body portion 13, by any suitable method, such as adhesive, unique welds, fasteners, etc., a portion of the lateral width of the external tracking structure 17 will protrude (or be suspended) and portions of the enclosure 22. * The left side enclosure 16 is also provided with tracking structures 18 and 20, each of which projects laterally, from the wall 21, to the main body portion 13. The thickness of the main body portion 13 is reflected in the construction of the left side enclosure 16. As long as the tracking structures 16, 17, and 20 define the path of movement of the drum 22, the main body portion 13 must fit substantially in space. defined and dimensioned between the tracking structures 18 and 20. The right side enclosure 19 is also provided with correspondingly shaped internal tracking structures projecting equally laterally from the inside surface of the left side enclosure 19 towards the Main body 13. When the cover is to be opened, the drum ^ _ will be pulled up and out from the bottom of the headset. With respect to Figure 6, this means that the drum 22 will be pulled to the right, as indicated by the arrow. In order to allow this to happen as seen. Figure 7 is a section elevation of the. telephone handset 10, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2, and away from the top of the handset, so that the guide wheels are not displayed. Figure 7 is shown in the configuration in which the drum is in its folded and closed configuration. In addition, the main body portion has been illustrated in simplified form and in dotted lines, and the antenna has been omitted for this drawing, for ease of illustration of the view. The protruding and suspended tracking structures 17, 18 and 20 can be observed for lateral translapping portions of the drum 22, which, in their unfolded configuration, cover the front portion of the main body part (above and below, as shown in FIG. see in Figure 7). Figure 7 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the telephone headset 10 taken along line 7-7 as shown in Figure 2 where the drum 22 can be seen being transported along the tracks along each surface internal of the respective sides 16 and 19. The battery cell 50 is shown transported within the main body portion 13. The battery access door is located on the rear panel 24 allowing access to the cell 50 when the drum 22 is in its closed position. While the drum 22 is illustrated in Figures 1-7 having a substantially uniform thickness from one side edge to the other, and therefore its outer surface is smaller (or larger) than the adjacent peripheral edges of the left and right side enclosures , it is understood that, if desired, the contour of the drum could be selected to be the outer surface of the central (non-overlapping) region of the drum level with the peripheral edges of the left and right side enclosures. The right side enclosure 19 may be provided with a substantially corresponding set of guide tracking structures having suitable spaces or openings provided therein for accommodating the antenna structure projecting from the right side of the main body portion 13. , as illustrated in "Figure 1. As previously mentioned, the guide wheels are in a driven / driving relationship with the drum 22 (either through midacoupling teeth 25 on the drum and teeth 29 on the guide wheels 28. , or through a frictional coupling of relatively uniform surface.) In addition, the guide wheels 28 are rotatable relative to the portion of the telephone receiver main body 13. While the guide wheels 28 may be connected to each other by an axle that extends across the width of the main body portion, this could accumulate in the space inside the main body portion that would otherwise be occupied by electronic components and other elements of the phone in. functioning. Alternatively, the guide wheels may be rotatably mounted on short fixed or "inactive" rotating shafts that arise from or are fixed to the sidewalls of the main body portion. The guide wheels can be configured for free bearing relative to the main body portion. This construction would not particularly affect the movement of the drum 22. To open and / or close the drum 22 it is only necessary to slide the drum 22 in the desired direction and for that the digital end grip 36 is provided. When the drum 22 is closed, the drum is drawn along the tracking structures zz guide which would simply cause the guide wheels 28 to rotate. However, when the open drum 22 is opened by movement thereof in the main body portion 13 the flexible drum 22 can be driven to flex bend and not be able to reliably drive the wheels, guide. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide one or more of the guide wheels with a drive mechanism in order to facilitate retraction of the drum "inside" the open position. Many such mechanisms are known, such as spring driven mechanisms that are used in residential automotive and / or window awnings. Erílla mechanisms, the extraction of the awning (or in the present invention), the drum is made to be out against the increasing force of a spring (usually a coiled spring). A drive mechanism prevents the awning (drum) from retracting, once the pulling force is released. However, once the awning (drum) has been removed beyond a predetermined distance, the actuator is released and the spring will rotate the guide wheel or withdraw the drum causing the drum to retract within its folded orientation or the hidden Such mechanisms are well known, and accordingly, a detailed description and illustration of such a mechanism is omitted from the drawings, since it is unnecessary for a complete understanding of the function of the telephone housing design. Alternatively, removing the closed drum can be achieved by winding against the deflection of a spring, with an actuator mechanism to prevent a sudden rewinding and therefore a drum opening from occurring. A pressure button type release mechanism as is known in the automotive window awning art can be provided to allow the drum to be retracted. The push button (e.g. button 23, the embodiment of Figure 5 can be mounted on the side enclosure, although it can engage a counter lever or stop 37 positioned on the side surface of the main body portion 13. Placing a spring that deflects on the guide wheel 28 provides a spring-loaded detent 37 for stopping the guide wheel 28 preventing it from retracting in an undesirable way, the drum 22 can be closed and will remain in that position. release 23, the detent 37 can be moved out of engagement with the guide wheel and the wheel will be released to move under the force of the spring (not shown) to open the drum 22. Again, such mechanisms are well known, and accordingly a detailed description and illustration of such a mechanism is omitted from the drawings, since it is unnecessary for a complete understanding of the design function of the telephone housing. Anisms driven by known stored energy can also be used. In addition, as an alternative method to effect the movement of the drum 22, if the internal space and energy considerations allow it, a powered drive, such as a servo motor connected to the guide wheels, can be used to extend and / or retract the drum. Such a powered drive system could be operated by suitable controls, the buttons for which "for example, they can be placed" on the side enclosures and connected to the main body unit by electrical contacts on the lateral side that engages the contacts of counterpart on the. External lateral surface of the main body unit. In addition to the basic features described with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 7, the telephone headset construction of the present invention can be modified to accommodate a variety of features. For example, the antenna structure, which extends from the side of the main body portion, can be an extendable telescope antenna. This antenna can be extended and retracted by a central core that can be operated by a pair of appropriately placed pressure rollers, or by an arrangement of ball screw or worm gear, or the like, any of which can be easily placed on gear-driven relationship towards the guide wheel on that side of the housing, so that the antenna is automatically extended when the drum is extended. Such mechanisms are generally known and as such the detailed illustrations thereof have been omitted for purposes of simplification of the illustration of the present disclosure. The telephone headset construction of Figures 1-7 is illustrated, for purposes of simplification of the illustration, having a relatively simple and rectangular configuration, separate from the presence of the antenna. From a front elevation view, the handset has a substantially rectangular outline. From a lateral elevation, the headset is illustrated as having a substantially straight front and rear face and semicircular contours at its top and bottom. It is understood that these contours can be easily altered by someone with experience in the technique of designing telephone headsets, having the present description before it, without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the earphone configuration of Figure 5 can be used, which has a curved elevation contour. The issue of providing a suitably guided drum 22 for circling the contour is a matter of ensuring that tracking of the side enclosures substantially follows the contours of the outer surface of the earphone. Figure 8 of the drawing is a block diagram illustrating the main functional components comprising a mode of the current portable handset construction with an integrated writing input surface. Specifically, the microcontroller 60 is shown electrically connected to the transmitter / receiver module 62 that forms the structure of a cellular telephone handset. Electrically connected to the L_ microcontroller 60, RAM61 is shown. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that other suitable memory forms such as immediate ROM and the like can be incorporated. The contact LCD 63 is shown electrically connected to the microcontroller 60. The LCD 63 contact screen serves to present the user with a graphic representation of the keyboard and serves to accept the user commands to mark the appropriate digits registered in sequence by means of which the user makes physical contact with the surface of the cuntct-63 screen. The write-in surface 64 is likewise electrically connected to the controller 60. The write-in surface 64 serves to allow the user to enter alphabetic numeric characters or = symbols and / or commands to the telephone headset by tracing the patterns using a stylus. digital or the like on the surface 64. The foregoing description or drawings _ explain and illustrate only the invention and is not limited thereto except as regards the appended claims as limiting it., while those with experience in the art having the description before them will be able to make modifications and variations thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (2)

1. Portable telephone headset device with. integrated writing input surface, the apparatus comprising: / a main body portion for substantially containing the electronic functional components of the telephone handset; / a user input keypad for controlling the operation of the telephone handset; a writing input surface electrically connected to the electronic functional components of the telephone handset apparatus to enable the user to register a telephone number to be dialed, digit by digit, by plotting each digit on the writing input surface.

2. A portable telephone headset apparatus with integrated writing input surface, the apparatus comprising: a main body portion for substantially containing the electronic functional components of the telephone handset apparatus; a user input keyboard, to control the operation of the telephone handset apparatus; a writing input surface electrically connected to the electronic functional components of the telephone handset apparatus to enable the user to register an alphabetic character by tracing the character, number on the writing input surface.