Telephone handset with thumb-operated tactile keypad
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
H04M-001/00
H04M-009/00
H04B-001/38
H04B-017/02
출원번호
US-0011383
(2001-10-30)
§371/§102 date
20010108
(20010108)
발명자
/ 주소
Langford, Fred
대리인 / 주소
Duane Morris LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
17인용 특허 :
8
초록▼
An improved cell phone arrangement has a centrally located orientation key, for referencing a location tactilely via the user's thumb, and the dialing keys arranged in a substantially circular arrangement around the orientation key, in an array having a relatively large diameter but within range of
An improved cell phone arrangement has a centrally located orientation key, for referencing a location tactilely via the user's thumb, and the dialing keys arranged in a substantially circular arrangement around the orientation key, in an array having a relatively large diameter but within range of motion of the thumb. The keys are shaped and spaced for tactile reference, i.e., for dialing without the need to look at the keyboard after becoming familiar with it. Cardinal compass-points can be marked by distinct keys, which extend radially outwardly from the central reference point and are of different shape and feel from the dialing keys. The phone housing has finger ridges on one or both sides, and optionally a distinct ridge or bump on the back of the housing, for repeatable positioning of the hand.
대표청구항▼
1. A cell phone configuration comprising:a housing with a keypad located within range of access with a user's thumb while holding the housing in a palm of a hand having said thumb; a plurality of keys positioned in a standard clock face arrangement, said plurality of keys being in a substantially ci
1. A cell phone configuration comprising:a housing with a keypad located within range of access with a user's thumb while holding the housing in a palm of a hand having said thumb; a plurality of keys positioned in a standard clock face arrangement, said plurality of keys being in a substantially circular array around an origin, comprising at least number selections one through nine and zero, arrayed on the keypad for dialing the cell phone, wherein number selections three-nine and six are at reference compass points East-West and South, respectively, and also in said standard clock face arrangement, and all selections between one through nine and zero are placed on one of the compass points or at a next adjacent selection position to one of the compass points; an orientation structure defining reference points for tactilely distinguishing at least one of said reference compass points, thereby establishing an orientation of the keypad relative to North-South and East-West, wherein selections of said keys at the compass points are tactilely distinct from selections of keys at each said next adjacent selection position by at least one of a distinct difference in size, shape, elongation, key surface characteristic and adjacent housing characteristic, whereby a user familiar with said standard clock face can operate the keypad without needing to look for the selections. 2. The cell phone configuration of claim 1, wherein the keys in the circular array comprise numerals one through nine arranged in a clock face and wherein said orientation structure comprises at least one tactilely distinct shape on the housing associated with at least one of said keys in the circular array, establishing said orientation of the keypad relative to North-South and East-West.3. The cell phone configuration of claim 1, wherein the plurality of keys contain four compass point keys, each of said compass-point keys radially extending outward from a centrally located orientation key having a shape defining an angular origin.4. The cell phone configuration of claim 1, further comprising finger grooves on the housing of said cell phone, wherein said finger grooves are placed on at least one lateral side of the housing to correspond to a position of fingers of a user, whereby the housing is positioned for support on the use's palm for operation using the user's thumb.5. A cell phone configuration comprising:a housing with a keypad located within range of access with a user's thumb while holding the housing in a palm of a hand having said thumb; a plurality of keys positioned in a standard clock face arrangement, said plurality of keys comprising at least number selections one through nine and zero, arrayed on the keypad for dialing the cell phone, said number selections comprising keys located in a substantially circular array, wherein number selections three-nine and six are reference compass points East-West and South in said standard clock face arrangement whereof recognized hour positions occur at four said compass points, and all selections between one through nine and zero are placed on one of the compass points or at a next adjacent selection position to one of the compass points; an orientation structure defining reference points for tactilely distinguishing at least one of said reference compass points, thereby establishing an orientation of the keypad relative to North-South and East-West, wherein the plurality of keys contain four compass point keys, wherein said orientation structure comprises at least one of the keys in the keypad being structured to be tactilely distinct from adjacent ones of the keys in the circular array, thereby establishing said orientation of the keypad relative to North-South end East-West; each of said compass-point keys radially extending outward from a centrally located orientation key having a shape defining an angular origin, wherein said compass-point keys are disposed on mutually perpendicular North-South and East-West lines terminating at least at number selections three, six and nine, whereby a user familiar with said standard clock face can operate the keypad without needing to look for the selections; and, wherein said compass point keys are oblong in shape and are distinct in shape compared to keys adjacent to said compass point keys. 6. The cell phone configuration of claim 5, wherein said compass point keys are elevated in relation to the centrally located orientation key.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (8)
Samulewicz Thomas (1311 Polo Run Dr. Yardley PA 19067), Circular tactile keypad.
Petz, Hubert; Vugts, Marinus Arnoldus Martinus; Bleeker, Michel; Opzeeland, Johannes Bernardus Valentinus Van; Mulder, Geert; Bodewits, Erwin, Method for manufacturing a housing element having a decorative covering and a grip layer.
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