WO2001067725A2

WO2001067725A2 - Mobile telephone

Info

Publication number: WO2001067725A2
Application number: PCT/NL2001/000130
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Wilhelm Blaes
Original assignee: George Wilhelm Blaes
Priority date: 2000-03-08
Filing date: 2001-03-05
Publication date: 2001-09-13
Also published as: WO2001067725A3; RU2002126606A; EP1262053A2; NL1014587C2; AU2001242852A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile telephone comprising a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers and a number of selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke. At least a number of said selection keys can be converted into numeric keys, preferably by means of the '0' key.

Description

Mobile telephone

The invention relates to a mobile telephone comprising a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers and a number of selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke.

Such a telephone is known from GB 2278756, which discloses a telephone which includes means by which it is determined how long a selection key is being pressed. If a selection key is pressed for a period of time less than a threshold value, the digit associated with that key is selected. If said key is pressed for a period of time equal to or exceeding the threshold value, a telephone number associated with that key is retrieved from the memory.

GB 2278756 furthermore mentions the existence of two mobile telephones designated U IDEN CP 900 and OKI 830, which apparently include, respectively, three and two "dedicated one touch dialling keys" .

Modern mobile telephones generally comprise a large number of functions and possibilities, which accordingly offer the user a large degree of freedom in configuring his or her telephone and which make it possible to use the telephone for a large number of purposes, such as keeping a diary and making modem connections.

In spite of the fact that many manufacturers and designers try to provide great ease of operation, it has become apparent that many people whose reading skills are limited or impeded or whose learning skills are low or diminishing frequently have trouble operating a mobile telephone. Thus, many older people, for example, will be put off by the multitude of keys and possibilities and refrain from using a mobile telephone. It is exactly this group of people who can derive benefit from being easy to reach by telephone and easily being able to make contact, for example in order to prevent loneliness or in order to set up and maintain a network of telephone contacts.

The object of the invention is to provide a mobile telephone which is very simple to operate, also by people whose reading or learning skills are diminishing.

This objective is accomplished by a mobile telephone of the kind referred to in the introduction, which is characterised in that at least a number of said selection keys can be converted into numeric keys . This makes it possible to provide a (relatively) large number of selection keys, whilst the total number of keys remains limited, which makes the telephone more convenient and easier to operate. In addition, the efficient use of the available space makes it possible to make the selection keys extra large, so that said keys will be easy to find and to operate, whilst it is not necessary to select a quick-select menu or option first.

The mobile telephone may include a switch, but preferably includes a selection key by means of which at least a number of the pre-selection keys can be converted into numeric keys. Preferably, the selection key itself is also a numeric key, preferably the "0" key.

If the telephone comprises at least nine preselection keys that can be converted into numeric keys, said keys, after being converted into numeric keys and in combination with the numeric selection key, can function as the "0" - "9" keys. In that case it is possible to use the mobile telephone as an ordinary, fully fledged mobile telephone once the "0" has been pressed. Furthermore, it is possible to fit the mobile telephone with a display and with at least one so-called "scroll" key. With such a key, several numbers can be selected from the memory and be shown in the display. As a result of the aforesaid efficient use of space, a number of the selection keys can include means which facilitate the labelling of said keys. Said means may for example comprise a transparent window, behind which paper or another writable medium can be clamped. It is also conceivable to provide the selection keys with a small display, such as an LCD screen. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which show two embodiments of the mobile telephone according to the invention.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the mobile telephone according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of the telephone according to Fig. 1.

Figs. 3A - 3E show five examples of messages that can be displayed in the display of the telephone according to Figs . 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the telephone according to the invention.

Figs . 5A - 5G show seven examples of messages that can be displayed in the display of the telephone according to Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows the telephone according to Fig. 4 in a second condition thereof.

Figs. 1 and 2 schematically show a first mobile GSM (Global System (or Standard) for Mobile Communication) telephone 1 according to the invention. Said mobile telephone 1 comprises an on/off switch 2, which is preferably recessed and which must be depressed about half a centimetre in order to turn the mobile telephone 1 on, this in order to prevent unintentional activation of the mobile telephone 1. Furthermore, a disable switch 3 is provided, which is likewise recessed and which must be depressed about half a centimetre for disabling or enabling the other switches and keys on the mobile telephone 1.

Mobile telephone 1 furthermore includes an antenna 4, a speaker 5 and a microphone 6. Possibly, a speaker capable of producing a larger volume than the usual speakers can be used. Mobile telephone 1 furthermore comprises a display 7 the functions of which will be discussed in more detail yet hereafter. The electronics present inside the housing 8 do not essentially differ from the electronics used in the mobile telephones that are currently known. Said electronics comprise, among other things, a transceiver, a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers, a battery and possibly an SIM card and a connection for a charger. Such electronics are known to those skilled in the art and, consequently, they need not be explained in more detail herein.

Mobile telephone 1 comprises nine selection keys 9, by means of which it is possible, using a single keystroke, to select a telephone number from the memory, which can be programmed, for example, by the family doctor or by a relative of the owner of the telephone. The selection keys are numbered "1" - "9" and comprise a transparent window, behind which a piece of paper or a writable plastic can be clamped. On said paper or said plastic it can be indicated, for example by means of a felt-tip pen, what number can be selected with that selection key. In this example the "1" key carries the designation "John", which indicates that John's telephone number will be selected from the memory when said key 1 is pressed. As is indicated in Fig. 2, it is also possible to select the number of specific frequently called organisations, such as the police or a taxi-control centre, using a single keystroke. The selected number can then be dialled by pressing the "contact" key 10.

Preferably, the selection keys light up upon being pressed. In this manner it is immediately apparent that a selection has been made. Said selection can then be confirmed in display 7. Directly or shortly after said selection, the "contact" key 10 will start to blink, so that it is made clear that this is the key that needs to be pressed next . The selection of a number from the memory can be cancelled by pressing the "stop" key 11. Said "stop" key 10 can furthermore be used to stop the dialling sequence, and also to terminate a subsequent call. In other words, the "stop" key functions as a central interrupter, by means of which the telephone can be switched to a neutral position at any desired moment. It is preferred that (all) the keys are provided with relief or braille so as to facilitate use by partially sighted or blind persons.

Figs. 3A - 3E show five examples of messages that can be displayed in display 7. When the mobile telephone 1 is turned on, the time will be shown in display 7 (Fig. 3A) . If the keys of the mobile telephone 1 are disabled by means of the disable switch 3 that is present on the upper side of the telephone, this is indicated in the display by means of a symbol 12 in the form of a padlock. Only incoming calls are possible in that case.

When a call comes in, for example from the owner's daughter, the telephone will ring and the word "daughter" or another designation will be shown in the display 7 (Fig. 3B) . Preferably, the contact key 10 will moreover start to blink.

When a call is received from someone whose number is not stored in the memory, the display will show that caller's telephone number or the name of the municipality from which the call is made, or simply the words "caller unknown" . Also in that case the contact 10 will blink. When the telephone is located in a region where access is not possible, this will automatically be displayed in the display (Fig. 3D) .

Mobile telephone 1 furthermore comprises a selection key by means of which the pre-selection keys 1 - 9 can be converted into numeric keys 1 - 9. Said selection key itself is a numeric key, for example the "0" key. After said key has been pressed, a "0" will be shown in the display and all numeric keys will light up. Then the rest of the number can be dialled. Once the tenth digit is shown in the display, contact key 10 will start to blink in order to indicate that the dialled number can be called.

As mentioned, it is also conceivable to provide the selection keys with a small display, such as an LCD screen, in which individualised designations such as "John" can be displayed. Such designations can be obtained from the memory of the telephone, which usually contains a direct link between a designation and a telephone number already. Upon pressing the selection key, for example the "0" key, the individualised designations are preferably replaced with numbers, e.g. 1 - 9, thus further reducing latent confusion. Located beside the display is a battery indicator 13, which indicates the remaining capacity of the battery. When the battery is almost empty, a LED 14 will be activated. Fig. 4 shows a second mobile telephone 20 according to the invention. This variant differs from the mobile telephone 1 according to Figs. 1 and 2, inter alia as regards the following points. Mobile telephone 20 only comprises five selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke. When the button carrying the number 5 is held longer than four seconds, for example, keys 4 (marked "-") and 5 (marked "+") can be used to browse through the memory of the mobile telephone 20. This makes it possible to increase the number of stored, readily accessible telephone numbers to a total of 10, for example, or another multiple of 5.

As is shown in Fig. 6, the mobile telephone 20 can be fitted with a transparent lid 21, which provides access to an insert 22, for example made of paper or a writable plastic. On said insert 22, the names associated with the stored numbers can be written. When cover 21 is opened, a next series of numbers, for example numbers 6 - 10, may automatically be made available. Preferably, a corresponding insert comprising space for elucidating telephone numbers 6 - 10 is presented then. The mobile telephone 20 furthermore comprises a second lid 23, via which a number of additional keys, such as alphanumeric keys 24 and navigation keys 25 become accessible. Said keys can be used, for example, for dialling telephone numbers which are not stored in the memory and for programming the memory.

As can be seen in Figs. 5A - 5G, mobile telephone 20 comprises a display which includes a voicemail or written message indicator 23, by means of which the receipt of voicemail or of a written message can be indicated. A disable indicator 28 indicates that keys 1 - 5 are disabled. Furthermore, a signal indicator 29 is provided, which indicates whether an incoming call will be indicated by means of a ring signal or by means of a vibration signal. When a call comes in, the name of the caller as well as the number of the selection key associated with said caller is displayed, provided the caller's number is stored in the memory of mobile telephone 20. In other cases only the caller's number is displayed. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the telephone according to the invention is very easy to operate and, in the preferred embodiments thereof, practically guides the caller through the calling process.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, it stands to reason that it can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Thus, it will be possible to add the possibilities that the so-called Wireless Application Protocol or a Mobile Positioning System offer now and in the future. Such protocols and systems can be used, for example, for determining the location of the mobile telephone accurately to within a few metres .

Claims

1. A mobile telephone comprising a memory for storing a number of telephone numbers and a number of selection keys, by means of which a telephone number can be selected from the memory with a single keystroke, characterized in that at least a number of said selection keys can be converted into numeric keys.

2. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, comprising an additional key or switch, by means of which at least a number of said selection keys can be converted into numeric keys.

3. A mobile telephone according to claim 2, wherein said additional keys is a numeric key, preferably the "0" key.

4. A mobile telephone according to claim 3, which comprises at least nine selection keys, which can be converted into numeric keys, in such a manner that said keys, after being converted into numeric keys, form the "0" - "9" keys in combination with the numeric selection key.

5. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a display and at least one key, by means of which it is possible to browse through various telephone numbers from the memory and by means of which said numbers can be displayed.

6. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a number of the selection keys include means which facilitate the labeling of said keys .

7. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-selection key, by means of which a telephone number from the memory has been selected, lights up.

8. A telephone according to claim 7, which includes a "contact" key, by means of which a selected number can be dialled, wherein said "contact" key lights up after a telephone number from the memory has been selected.

9. A mobile telephone according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the selection keys are provided with a small display, such as an LCD screen, in which individualised designations can be displayed.

10. A mobile telephone according claim 1, wherein, upon pressing the selection key, preferably the "0" key, the individualised designations are replaced with numbers.