HK1017543B - Keypad for telephones and the like - Google Patents

Description

Key-in device for telephone or the like

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a key-in device for telephones or similar devices in which a plurality of alphabetic characters must be typed in order to use a key-in device. Such key-in devices are used in stationary telephones, mobile telephones, cordless telephones, calculators and remote control devices and comprise manipulating means provided in or on a housing for stepwise movement thereof enabling selection from a plurality of symbols; and confirming means for confirming any selection of one of said symbols or consecutive ones of said symbols.

Background

Recently, mobile phones have become more and more popular, the most popular style being light and small, and users can easily carry it with them.

However, the keyer has proven to be a limiting factor for miniaturization. In the smallest phones in the market, the keypad has been found to be difficult to use, since its keys are too small.

An example of a previously known solution to this problem in a bracelet-mounted calculator is taught in us patent No. 4044242. In this patent the keys are replaced by two sliding means which slide on a scale to a position corresponding to a desired symbol and which are pressed to feed the symbol into the arithmetic part of the calculator at the same time as the symbol is displayed on a display means. In this known device, the means for transmitting the selected symbol to the calculator are connected to the sliding means so that when the sliding means is pressed, the transmission takes place. This is a very inappropriate solution, since inadvertent transmission of symbols may easily occur, especially when the device is placed in a pocket, in a bag or the like, i.e. not in use as described in the patent publication. This solution is therefore not suitable for mobile phones or similar handheld devices.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a keypad that can be used in a hand-held device such as a mobile phone, which makes it possible to make a mobile phone as small as a large pen, which can be used by anyone, even by persons with a relatively large finger, without any problem.

The invention provides a key-press of the type described above which avoids the disadvantages of previously known devices and is characterized in that the operating means and the confirmation means are formed by a common finger-operable operating key, wherein the key is a wheel which is rotatable relative to the housing so as to be able to select any one of the symbols, wherein the wheel is operable as confirmation means by pressing or bending the key for confirmation of the selected symbol, wherein the wheel is interactively operable with a moving mark or pointer on a display means for selecting the symbol represented on the display means, wherein the wheel moves the mark or pointer along a menu of symbols on the display means upon movement of the wheel, and wherein the confirmed symbols are successively represented on the display means; and the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.

The invention is also characterized in that the operating means and the confirmation means are formed by a common finger-operable operating key which is slidable relative to the housing, wherein the key is operable as confirmation means by its depressing action relative to the housing for confirmation of a selected symbol, wherein the key is interactively operable with a moving mark or pointer on a display means for selecting a symbol represented on the display means, wherein the key is slidable on a linear slot or curved track provided on the front face of the keyer means, wherein the key moves the mark or pointer along a menu of symbols on the display means upon sliding of the key, and wherein the confirmed symbols are successively represented on the display means; and the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.

The invention is further characterized in that the manipulating means and the confirming means are formed by a manipulating key operable by a common finger, the key being an toggle key, whereby the moving standard or pointer is moved along a menu of a plurality of symbols by pressing the toggle key, the toggle key being further pressed for confirming the selection, wherein the toggle key is interactively operable with a moving mark or pointer on a display means to select the symbol represented on the display means, wherein the toggle key moves the mark or pointer along the menu of symbols on the display means upon movement to its toggle movement position, and wherein the toggle key as the confirming means is operable by its depressing or pressing action with respect to the housing to confirm and represent the selected symbol on the display means; and the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.

In this design of the key-in, less material is used and there are fewer parts on the device, which means that they can be produced more cheaply. The key-in according to the invention not only allows the device to be made smaller, but also makes it possible to have an entirely new structure/design as mentioned above, for example a mobile phone shaped like a ball-point pen. As the housing becomes smaller, the hand-held device can be made lighter, which means that the hand-held device can be operated more easily with one hand. This makes it safer when using a mobile phone, for example in road traffic.

The key-in according to the invention can be used in most cases where a key-in with keys or buttons has been used so far to select a single number or letter. By way of example, the key-in may be made as a mobile phone, a cordless phone, a remote control for television and audio, etc. In principle, a mechanical remote control electronics with a key pad in the device can be used with the key pad according to the invention.

Another feature of the invention is that the housing includes an alignment indicia for selecting a desired number or symbol when the wheel is rotated in a stepwise manner.

Yet another feature of the present invention is that the slot or track provided on the front face of the applicator device is selected from a zig-zag configuration, a curved configuration and a straight configuration.

Drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a key pad in the form of a rotary keypad on a mobile telephone that looks like a ballpoint pen;

fig. 2a and 2b show two embodiments of a keypad in the form of a wheel keypad on a mobile phone that looks like a ball-point pen, respectively;

figures 3a and 3d show a key-in form of a sliding key of different embodiments connected to a mobile phone; and

fig. 4 shows a keypad in the form of arrow keys connected to a mobile phone.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the operating device comprises the actual housing of a telephone comprising an upper part 5 and a lower part 4 which are rotatable relative to each other. In the gap between the two housing parts 4, 5 there is provided a symbol scale 1 which, when the device is used as a telephone, are the symbols of a dial, i.e. those symbols which can be present in a telephone number. The scale 1 may be fixed to one of the housing parts 4, 5.

One of the housing parts may have a marker pointing towards the scale 1 so that when one housing part is rotated relative to the other, the marker will point towards the selected symbol. It is also possible to connect the rotating part to an electronic unit known per se which displays the respective selected symbol distinctly.

The selected symbol is sent to a display device 3 of a type that is already generally known and is used today in most mobile phones, operating an operating device suitable for the purpose. This actuating device may be an additional key for this purpose or may be a key which is mounted inside and which is actuated by bending one housing part relative to the other housing part. In this case, one housing part would be connected to the other in a hinge-like manner, so that when one housing part is bent relative to the other, a key in the housing is actuated.

The stepwise selected symbols automatically appearing on the display device can be automatically transmitted as a telephone number, as by selecting or transmitting the telephone number after the selection has been completed by actuating a key provided for this purpose.

For example, the lower part 4 of the telephone housing may also be provided with further keys 6 as required: a # key, an x-key, a clear key, etc. Despite these additional keys 6, the number of keys is still reduced so that this does not affect the size of the phone or the necessary keys.

The connections between the various operating means, keys and the actual telephone unit and the display means are considered to be technically obvious and can be realized in the construction of the telephone using commonly known techniques, and therefore will not be described in any more detail in connection with this embodiment or any of the following embodiments.

Fig. 2a and 2b show an embodiment of the keypad in the form of wheels 1', 1 "on a mobile phone that looks like a ball-point pen.

In fig. 2a, the wheel 1 ' is shown protruding from the upper part of the housing, with a symbol on the wheel 1 ' and an arrow mark 7 on the housing, which mark shows the selected symbol when the wheel 1 ' is rotated.

The wheel may also be sunk into the housing as shown in fig. 2 b. In this case, a scale 2' is provided which shows the selected symbol in the same manner as described with reference to fig. 1.

The symbols in the form of, for example, letters or numbers, can be determined by applying pressure to the wheels 1', 1 "or by using a separate button suitably mounted on the casing.

Both embodiments described herein may also have a display device 3 and additional keys 6 as shown with reference to fig. 1.

Fig. 3a to 3d show a keypad in the form of a sliding key 8 of different embodiments connected to a mobile phone.

In these embodiments, the manipulating means comprise a sliding means 8 which can be moved in a groove or along a sliding rod 9. The groove 9 may be straight (see fig. 3a and 3b), curved (see fig. 3d) or non-linear, an example of such a non-linear being shown in fig. 3 c. The groove or sliding rod 9 can be constructed as a part of the housing of the device, either as a more or less open groove 9, or in the form of a sliding rod mounted on the housing. Symbols may be marked on the housing along the groove or sliding bar 9, even on the actual display device 3, as shown in fig. 3 a. Confirmation of the selected symbol can be effected by pressing the slide 8, bending the slide upwards or downwards, or by operating a key provided for this purpose, that is to say, in principle, in the same way as in the embodiment described above.

Fig. 4 shows a keypad in the form of arrow keys connected to a mobile phone. The operating means are here of the toggle-key 11 type. By pressing the key 11 on the arrow to the left and to the right, respectively, the arrow 12 on the display 3 will move along the symbol shown. The symbol is selected by applying pressure against the center of the toggle key 11. Three keys may be used instead of the toggle keys 11.

Thus, by using only one of the three keys 11, it will be possible to move the arrow back and forth in a menu against the display device 3 to select a symbol in the display device. This operation as a whole requires much less space and less internal functionality than known key-presses, which require at least about ten keys of space.

The display device can be designed in many different ways. The symbols may be marked by using a logo, or by scrolling the symbol on the display device, or by highlighting the symbol in a color or shade. The solution of the display device can be changed as needed and desired. The display device may also be supported by sound signals originating from the device.

Claims (5)

1. A key-in device for use in stationary telephones, mobile telephones, cordless telephones, calculators and remote control devices, comprising:

an operating device provided in or on a housing for stepwise movement thereof to enable selection from a plurality of symbols; and

-means for determining any selection of one of said symbols or consecutive ones of said symbols;

characterized in that said manipulating means and said confirming means are formed by a common finger operable manipulating key, wherein said key is a wheel rotatable with respect to said housing to enable selection of any one of said symbols, wherein said wheel is operable as said confirming means by pressing or bending said key to make confirmation of the selected symbol, wherein said wheel is interactively operable with a moving mark or pointer on a display means to select the symbol represented on said display means, wherein upon movement of said wheel it moves said mark or pointer along a menu of said symbols on said display means, and wherein the confirmed symbols are continuously represented on said display means; and

the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.

2. The key applicator device according to claim 1 wherein said housing includes an alignment indicia for selecting a desired number or symbol when said wheel is rotated in a stepwise manner.

3. A key-in device for use in stationary telephones, mobile telephones, cordless telephones, calculators and remote control devices, comprising:

an operating device provided in or on a housing for stepwise movement thereof to enable selection from a plurality of symbols on a display device; and

-means for determining any selection of one of said symbols or consecutive ones of said symbols;

characterized in that said manipulating means and said confirming means are formed by a common finger operable manipulating key, said key being slidable relative to said housing, wherein said key is operable as said confirming means by a depressing action thereof relative to said housing for confirmation of a selected symbol, wherein said key is interactively operable with a moving mark or pointer on a display means for selecting a symbol represented on said display means, wherein said key is slidable on a linear slot or curved track provided on a front face of said key input means, wherein said key moves said mark or pointer along a menu of said symbols on said display means upon sliding of said key, and wherein confirmed symbols are successively represented on said display means; and

the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.

4. The key applicator device according to claim 3, wherein said groove or track provided on the front face of said key applicator device is selected from a zigzag configuration, a curved configuration and a straight configuration.

5. A key-in device for use in stationary telephones, mobile telephones, cordless telephones, calculators and remote control devices, comprising:

an operating device provided in or on a housing for stepwise movement thereof to enable selection from a plurality of symbols on a display device; and

-means for determining any selection of one of said symbols or consecutive ones of said symbols;

wherein said operating means and said validating means are formed by a common finger operable operating key, said key being an elbow key, whereby a moving standard or pointer is moved along the menu of the plurality of symbols by pressing the toggle-shaped key, which is further pressed for confirming the selection, wherein said toggle-like keys are interactively operable with a moving marker or pointer on a display device for selecting a symbol represented on said display device, wherein upon movement of the toggle key to its toggle-motion position it moves the sign or pointer along the menu of symbols on the display device, and wherein the toggle key is operable as the confirmation means by a depressing or pressing action thereof with respect to the housing to confirm and present the selected symbol on the display means; and

the key input device may be operated by one hand, wherein one finger operates the manipulation key.