MXPA00004775A - Portable telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone handset construction is provided, which has a moveable cover (22) which is articulable from a closed position to an open position. The articulatable cover remains contained within the telephone handset housing and does not extend from the housing when in an open position thereby precluding breakage or damage. When the cover is in the closed position, the cover overlays the input keypad and when in an one configuration it exposes the input keypad.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF PORTABLE ELEPHONIC HEADSET WITH RETRACTABLE KEYBOARD COVER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to portable earphone constructions powered by portable batteries, in particular, a headset construction that includes a retractable cover to alternately cover and expose the headset keyboard. A conventional telephone headset typically incorporates a numeric keypad on its face that allows the user to record the digits of a telephone number of a part from which the user wishes to call. The keyboard typically comprises a matrix of momentary contact mechanical or electronic switches that are physically operated by the user by pressing a button associated with each switch, be it a push button or a membrane keypad surface. The typical telephone handset incorporates a keyboard placed on the front face of the telephone and is consequently exposed when the telephone handset is powered and in a standby mode ready to receive an incoming call. A potential disadvantage of this prior art design is that objects may come into contact with the keyboard when the telephone handset is for example, in the user's bag, wallet, portfolio or even located on a table or desk where such Contact can operate the keyboard and execute unintentional commands. For example, the telephone handset may be hit by another object when it is stored in a portfolio which in turn may cause the telephone handset to turn on or off, dial an unwanted number or otherwise perform an unwanted operation that it can unnecessarily eliminate battery charge or cause the user to correct or disable unintended operations before the telephone handset can be used again. One prior art solution to avoid unintentional contact with the headset keyboard was to provide a relatively thin keyboard cover typically articulated at the bottom of the front face of the phone whose cover can be opened by pulling down to reveal the keypad of the handset. handset. The NOKIA 8100 cell phone is a prior art device that incorporates a keyboard cover that slides along the plane of the front surface of the phone to alternately cover and discover the keyboard in a telescopic fashion. A disadvantage of these designs is that they create a mobile structural member that can potentially be susceptible to damage or breakage. A further prior art solution was to allow the user to press a key sequence to "close" the handset keypad. In this manner, once closed the handset did not recognize any of the additional keys that were pressed until the headset was unlocked, typically "unlocked" by pressing another key sequence. A disadvantage of this design is that the user must manually unlock the keyboard before the headset can be used. When attempting to make a call while driving a motor vehicle the added step of having to record a predetermined sequence of numbers to unlock the handset is an additional potential distraction. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to protect the handset keyboard from unintentional operation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a retractable keyboard cover that when opened reveals the keyboard that remains within the earphone housing so that it does not break or become damaged. It is a further object of the present invention to allow one-handed operation of the keyboard cover to close a cover covering the headset's keyboard. A further object of the present invention is to provide the motorized operation of the keyboard cover to automatically cover and uncover the headset keyboard. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in the light of the present specification including the claims and drawings. The present invention is directed to a construction for a portable cell phone, although concepts can be incorporated into virtually any portable telephone headset. In particular, the telephone headset construction includes a movable cover or drum, which serves to provide a cover for the user input keypad of the handset, when the cover is in its closed position. A main body portion is provided to substantially contain the electronic functional components of the telephone handset and includes a user input keypad. The main body portion has a longitudinal axis, front and back regions extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, an upper region, a lower region, which substantially connects the front and rear regions and two opposite side regions. A hinged cover member is provided which is articulatable from a closed configuration that covers the input keyboard to an open configuration that discovers the input keyboard, relative to the region of the main body. The cover member is operably configured to substantially enclose and cover the front region while leaving the rear region uncovered when the cover member is in the closed configuration. The cover member is configured to move in a trajectory during articulation, which substantially follows the profile contour of the main body portion. One or more guide members are provided which are associated with the main body portion and serve to guide the path of movement of the cover member during articulation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention one or more guide wheels are in driven drive coupling operable with the drum in order to facilitate re-assembly of the drum from the extended (open) configuration to the retracted (closed) configuration. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention resides in a battery compartment that is formed in the rear region of the main body portion to contain a battery cell to supply electrical power to the telephone. Through the above construction, the battery compartment, and in turn the battery cell contained therein, can be accessed with the cover member in its closed configuration. & BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is an exploded top view of the telephone headset construction according to an embodiment of the invention, shown in its open configuration. Figure 2 shows the handset of the modality of Figure 1 in its fully assembled and closed configuration. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate partial schematic side elevations 10 of the handset embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a construction of a telephone handset according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-3, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2. Figure 7 is a section elevation of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-3, 20 taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2. Figure 8 are perspective views of portions of a drum, according to the embodiment of Figures 1-7, and a drum having an inverted configuration, in which the "teeth" are on the outer surface and can be provided with a transversely variable contour, . ? to improve the subjection or the decorative aspect. While this invention is susceptible of being presented in many different forms, they are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail in the present / specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present description is to be considered as an implementation of the principles of the invention and it is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated embodiments. The earphone 10 is shown in an exploded view on the upper floor in Figure 1, in its open configuration. Figure 2 shows the handset in its fully assembled and closed configuration. The headset 10 includes the main body portion I _ > , the left side enclosure 16, the right side enclosure 19 and the cover or drum 22. As shown, the antenna 14 extends from the side of the main body portion 13, although it will project through a notch. or suitable aperture in the right side enclosure 19, when the earphone is fully assembled, although the animal 14 can extend from the left side 16 or another portion of the earphone 10. As will be described elsewhere herein, while the The predominance of the electronic components of the telephone will preferably be contained within the main body portion, certain components may reside partially or completely in P1 drum and / or the left or right side enclosures. When in its open position, illustrated by the reference numeral 22a, the drum 22 reveals the keyboard 30 or alternatively the contact screen 31. In order to transport the information to the user when the drum 22 is in its closed position, certain Displays such as power, battery status, tracking functions and other functions that can be clired by a simple LED or by a multi-color LED (red to green for charging) can be accommodated by placing the requisite indicators (accompanied by any suitable markings) on the side enclosures, as shown by the numerals by reference 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 way known to those with experience in the art. An on-off power button 44 is provided for turning the telephone on and off and deactivating with the button 44 shown being placed on the right side enclosure 19. In one embodiment of the present invention a conventional push button keypad is provided for the user to record the digits of the telephone number of a part of the party to be called (Figures 3 &; ). The dialed number and / or other relevant information may be provided to the user on a conventional LED or LCD screen (not shown) as is known in the art. Alternatively, one or more regions of the drum can be made of a transparent or translucent material, to allow the conventionally arranged state indicated by the LED screen or main LCD screen and the like placed on the front face of the main body portion to be directly observed through the closed drum In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention an LCD touch screen 31 is provided in place of a "push button" keypad, the LCD touch screen 31 is shown in the position on the front of the the main body portion 13 for in one mode, presenting the user with a graphic display of a numeric keypad to allow the user to register the telephone number to be dialed or to operate other functions of 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 "displayed" keys 32. In such mode, the conventional screen is omitted since the necessary information can be transported to the user on the LCD contact screen 31. In addition to displaying a dial-up 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. Complementing the feature of the input device offered by the LCD touch screen 31, a writing input surface 35 is shown in Figure 1 positioned near the lower edge of the LCD touch screen 31. In a "telephone mode" the screen of the LCD contact screen would display a representation of a numeric keypad and in particular, the typical buttons 32 that are found in most telephone headsets. To dial a desired telephone number the user would make contact with the LCD 35 touch screen by touching the position of the surface of the screen that displays the desired number with a finger or stylus. As an alternative to contacting the LCD screen 35 to register a telephone number, the user can register a telephone number, digit by digit by "writing" the number with a finger or stylus on the writing input surface 35. The surface write input 35 op erated in combination with the handwriting 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 stylus or finger of the user as it traces a letter, number or symbol soote the writing input surface 35 pa to identify the input and record an associated associated data element, such as an alphabet-numeric character , or execute a default command, such as a "re-dial". The mechanical components of the mobile cover of the earphone 10 can be easily understood upon inspection of Figures 3-7. Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates a partial side elevation view of the handset embodiment of Figure 11 and shown with the drum 22 in its open orientation. Figure 4 illustrates a view in partial lateral schematic elevation of the headset embodiment of Figure 11 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 thereby protecting its surface and avoiding the unintentional operation of the device. As described herein, the drum 22 is a substantially flexible material of the inner surface that engages the driven wheel 28. As shown in Figure 11, the main body portion 13 of the telephone is contained inside an outer housing comprising side portions 19 and 16 which when assembled provide an opening on its front face through which the user can see operating the key buttons 0 or alternatively the touch screen 31. The buttons of ZJ 'keyboard 30 and the contact screen 31 are each illustrated centrally positioned on the upper surface of the main body portion 13. As illustrated, the left side portion 16 includes the rear panel 24 connecting the right side portion 19. Accordingly, in this alternative 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 carried within an outermost housing formed by the rigid rear panel 24. Although not shown in Figure 5 it is contemplated that side 16 and 19 each contain the tracking structures required to engage and transport the drum 22. One feature of this alternative embodiment is the capacity of the battery cells that it provides. the electronic energy for the telephone handset that are contained within a compartment on the surface rear of the main body portion 13, instead of being towed towards the rear surface 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 therefore gain access to the battery cell 50 when the drum 22 is in its closed position as long as it does not it overlaps the back surface of the telephone headset 10. It is contemplated that a door or the like located in the s * rear surface 24 can alternatively be opened or closed to allow access to battery cell 50 to exchange a fully charged battery instead of a discharged battery to thereby allow continuous operation of the telephone headset 10. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate partial lateral elevations of the handset embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The drum 22 is shown in its open orientation in Figure 3. The 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 with a on each side of the main body portion 13. Preferably, each guide wheel 28 is configured in the form of a gear of In this embodiment, the teeth 29 are dimensioned and spaced apart to engage with the slots / teeth 25 of the flexible drum 22, when a portion of the flexible drum 22 is folded around the main body portion 13 as illustrated in Figure 6. teeth on the guide wheels and the teeth of the flexible portion of the drum are shown being rectangular or square; however, the teeth of other configurations may be employed, as long as the drum 22 is held in place against the guide wheels, by the side enclosures as described herein., there being an impelled / driving relationship between the drum and the 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 manufactured to par complementary that will allow a satisfactory frictional coupling between them, with the drum that is held in such coupling against the guide wheels through 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 in Figure 7. Panel 24 comprises a rigid surface that forms the back panel of device 10 and protects the drum 22 and the main body portion 13. The panel 27 is an adjusted panel that forms the lower face of the telephone while the panel 26 forms the upper face of the telephone. As illustrated in Figure 2, the top panel 26 includes the high voice 33 that can be placed on the inner surface of the panel in a manner that will not be obstructed by the drum 22 and the panel 27 includes that of the microphone 38. The manner in which the drum is held in Coupling with the guide and guide wheels in their movement around the main body portion is illustrated, according to one embodiment of the invention, in Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation of the telephone handset of the embodiment of Figures 1-4, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2. As can be seen from Figure 1, in one embodiment of the invention, drum 22 has a side width of side which is slightly larger than the width of the main body portion 13, so that a quantity of the drum 22 projects laterally from each side of the main body portion 13. In order to provide a drum track 22 to follow a portion of the periphery of the left lateral enclosure 16 can be provided with an external tracking structure extending laterally 17 extending around the periphery to the right, cipher point A to point B. particular arrangements for points A and B are shown in Figure 6, it will be understood, that as the specific contours of the general housing can be varied by someone skilled in the art having the description before it, the particular locations of points A and B can be correspondingly changed too. When the appropriately configured coupling surfaces of the enclosure í-ü *. left side 16 are attached to the corresponding appropriately configured engageable surfaces of the main body portion 13, by any suitable method, such adhesive, sonic welding, fasteners, etc., a portion of the lateral width of the external tracking structure 17 will protrude (or will be suspended) from the portions of the drum enclosure 22. The left side enclosure 16 is also provided with the internal tracking structures 18 and 20, each projecting 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, while the tracking structures 16, 17, and 20 define the movement path of the drum, the main body portion 13 must adjust substantially in the defined and dimensioned space between the tracking structures 18 and 20. The right lateral enclosure ho 19 is also provided with corresponding configu- rated internal tracking structures projecting equally laterally from the inner surface of the right side enclosure 19 to the main body portion 13. When the cover is opened, the drum 22 will be pulled upwards in Removal from the bottom of the handset. 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, there is a space between points A and B, and to the left of them, as seen in Figure 6, where the external tracking structure is completely absent, or extends laterally less than the portion between points A and B, and to the right thereof, so that the external tracking structure does not overlap the rigid portion of the drum. In such a case the left side enclosure 16 and the right side enclosure 19 will be placed together by a front panel structure that overlaps the top portion of the main body portion 13 and includes the opening through which the keyboard keys it can be extended and a visual screen can be visualized. Figure 7 is a section elevation of the telephone headset 10, taken along line 7-7 of Figure 2, and in view away from the top of the headset, so that the guide wheels are not the view Figure 7 is shown in the configuration in which the drum is in the closed deployed configuration. further, in the main body portion has been illustrated in simplified form and in separate lines, and the antenna has been omitted from this drawing for ease of illustration of this view. These protruding or suspended tracking structures 1 20 can be observed for lateral overlapping portions of the drum 22, which, in their deployed configuration, cover the front part of the main body portion (above and below, as seen in Figure 7) . 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 should be understood that, if desired, the contour of the drum could be selected to be the outer surface of the central region (not overlapped) 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 tracking guide structures having suitable spaces or apertures provided therein to accommodate the antenna structure projecting from the right side of the main body portion 13 as is illustrated in Figure 1. As previously mentioned, the guide wheels are in a driven / driving relationship with the drum 22 (either through the intermeshing teeth 25 on t-? a-íSi.- - * Í -tambler 22 and teeth 29 on guide wheels 28, or through frictional coupling of relatively uniform surfaces). In addition, the guide wheels 28 are rotatable, relative to the main body portion 13 of the telephone headset. While the guide wheels 28 could be connected to each other by an axle extending across the width of the main body portion, this would take up space inside the main body portion that could otherwise be occupied by the main body portion. electronic components and other elements of the phone in operation. Alternatively, the guide wheels may be rotatably mounted on short fixed or rotating idle shafts that arise from or attach to the side walls of the main body portion. The guide wheels could be configured to be free running 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 31 is provided. When the drum 22 is closed, the drum is pulled out along the guide tracking structures that would simply cause the guide wheels 28 to rotate. However, the drum 22 is opened by moving it within the main body portion 13 the flexible drum 22 can be driven to rotate or flex and may not be able to reliably operate the guide wheels. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide one or all of the guide wheels with motorized and non-motorized drive mechanisms in order to facilitate the movement of the drum. Many such mechanisms are known, such as the toothed spring deflection mechanisms employed in automotive window and / or residential awnings. In such mechanisms, the removal of the awning (or in the present invention, the drum) outwardly is achieved against the increasing force of a spring (usually a licoidal spring). A toothed mechanism prevents the awning (drum) from retracting, once the pulling force is released. However, once the awning (drum) has been pulled beyond a predetermined distance, the toothed device is released and the spring will rotate the guide wheels or remove the drum causing the drum to retract within its folded orientation or stored. 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 a toothed mechanism to prevent a sudden rewinding and therefore the opening of the drum. A pressure release button release mechanism such as is known in the art of automotive window awnings, can be provided to allow the drum to be retracted. The pressure button (for example button 23, the embodiment of Figure 5) can be mounted in the side enclosure, although it can couple a counter or retention lever 37 positioned on the surface of the side of the main body portion 13. Placing a spring deflection on the guide wheel 28 and providing 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. By pressing the release button 23, the retainer 37 can move out of engagement with the guide wheel, and the wheel will be free to move under the force of the spring (not shown) to open the drum 22. Again, such mechanisms are well known and consequently, 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 phone hosting. Other known stored energy drives can also be used. further, as an alternative method to effect the movement of the drum 22, if the internal space and the energy considerations allow it, a powered drive, such as a motor seivr connected to the guide wheels, can be used to understand and / or retract the drum. Such a powered drive system could be operated by suitable controls, the buttons for which they must, for example, be placed on the side enclosures, and connected to the main body unit by electrical contacts on the side enclosure coupling the counterpart contacts on the external lateral surface of the main body unit. The embodiment of Figures 1-7 shows a sliding cover or drum 22 (shown to itself in Figure 8 for comparison purposes), in which the outer surface of the drum is uniform, while the inner surface is provided. with a toothed surface, for coupling a toothed guide wheel, or alternatively a uniform surface for optionally coupling a uniform guide wheel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the outer surface may be provided with teseversal grooves which may be used to provide a textured surface. That is, the surfaces of the teeth can have a concave or connected contour proceeding from one lateral edge to the other. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the drum 22 is provided with the contoured and toothed outer surface, but with a uniform internal suface (which rests on frictional frictional coupling with the guide wheels). It can be easily understood that different combinations of toothed uniformity, or even fluted can be employed on any or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the drum, by someone skilled in the art, having the current description before and, without departing from the scope of it. In addition to the basic features described with respect to the embodiment of Figures 1-7, the construction of the telephone handset 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 telescopic antenna. This antenna can be extended and retracted by means of a central core which can be driven by a pair of pressure rollers placed properly or by a ball screw or worm gear coupling arrangement or the like, any of which can be easily placed in driven relation by engagement 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 1-8 is illustrated, for purposes of simplicity of illustration, as they are seen to have a relatively simple and rectangular configuration, apart 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 having a substantially straight front and rear faces, and semicircular contours at its top and bottom. It will be understood that these contours can be easily altered by someone with ordinary experience in the telephone headset design technique, having the present description before it, without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the earphone configuration of Figure 5 can be employed, which has a curved side elevation contour. The issue of providing a suitably guided drum 22 to encircle such an outline is a matter of ensuring that tracking of the side enclosures substantially follows the contours of the external surface of the earphone. Another feature incorporated within the earphone design of the present invention relates to the battery configurations that may be employed to power the headset. As shown in Figure 3, the headset is powered by a battery cell. A battery cell 50 can be received inserted inside the headset body. By providing a suitable opening 34 in the rear panel 24, and providing the locking and releasing structures (not shown) on the battery, the side enclosure and / or the main body, an operator can remove a worn battery and adjust a new one. Figure 7 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of telephone handset 10 taken along line 7-7 as shown in Figure 2 where the Drum 22 can be transported along the tracks along each inner surface of the respective sides 16 and 19. The battery cell 50 is shown transported within the main body portion 13. The access door to the battery 34 is sample located on the rear panel 24 which allows access to the battery cells 50 when the drum 22 is in its closed position. The above description and drawings only explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except as regards the claims annexes as limited, while those with experience in the art, having the present description before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. CLAIMS 1. A portable telne headset apparatus with integrated input writing surface, such apparatus comprising: a main body portion for substantially containing the electronic functional components of the telne headset including a user input keypad, the body portion main having a longitudinal axis, front and rear regions extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, an upper region, a lower region substantially connecting the frontal and posterior regions, and two opposite lateral regions; a hinged cover member, from a closed configuration covering the entry keyboard to an open configuration describing the input keyboard, relative to the main body region, the cover member that is operatively configured to encircle and substantially covering the front region of the main body portion leaving the rear region of the main body portion uncovered when the cover member is in its closed configuration, the cover member being operably configured to move in a path, during the articulation, which substantially follows the profile contour of the main body portion; one or more guide members, operably associated with the main body portion, to guide the path of movement of the articulatable cover member during the aligmentation.
2. 2. The telne headset according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a drive mechanism that when operated serves to move the hinged cover member from an open configuration to a closed configuration, relative to the main body portion.
3. 3. The telne headset according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive mechanism comprises a licoidal spring.
4. 4. The telne handset apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive mechanism comprises an electric motor. The telne headset according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a battery compartment formed in the rear region of the main body portion to contain a battery cell for supplying electrical power to the telne and thus the compartment The battery can be accessed when the cover member is in its closed configuration. The telne headset according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover member includes a transparent portion that allows the user to view the underlying main body portion when the cover member is in its closed position. -? [0111] A telne frame construction is provided, which has a movable cover that is articulatable from a closed position to an open position. The hinged cover remains contained within the telne receiver housing and does not extend from the housing when it is in an open position thereby preventing tampering or damage. When the cover is in the closed position, the cover overlaps the input keyboard and when it is in the open configuration it exposes the input keyboard.