Foldable alphanumeric keypad for mobile phones

• US 20010024946A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 09/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IBA Ibing GmbH
• Original Assignee: Gisela Uhlemann
• Inventors: Uhlemann, Gisela
• Granted Patent: US 6,876,876 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0247 comprising more than two body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

The invention relates to an alphanumeric keypad (1), especially foldable alphanumeric keypad, which is stored on the back of a mobile phone. The alphanumeric keypad (1) (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages) is stored in such a way that it closely follows the shape of the mobile phone. When needed, this keypad is folded out (3) and functionally connected to the front keypad by means of a switching contact. Now, the message can be quickly typed in and sent. After the message has been transmitted, the keypad is folded back and the connection disabled. The touchscreen display pages can be used for interactive communication (keypad) or for displaying internet pages.

Claims

1. Keypad (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages), especially alphanumeric keypad connected to the mobile phone, characterized in that this keypad FIG. 1 (1) is installed separately in a housing component FIG. 1 (2) and placed near the housing on one of the sides of the cellular phone housing, especially the back of the mobile phone FIG. 2.

2. Keypad (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages), especially alphanumeric keypad connected to the mobile phone, characterized in that one housing component, incl. keypad, can be folded by means of hinges FIG. 1 (3).

3. Keypad (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages), especially alphanumeric keypad connected to the mobile phone, characterized in that several touchscreen display pages, one to six pages, especially four touchscreen display pages FIG. 3 (6, 7, 8, 9) can be folded via hinges FIG. 3 (10, 11, 12, 13).

4. Keypad (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages), especially alphanumeric keypad connected to the mobile phone, characterized in that a keypad, when unfolded, is functionally connected to the front keypad by a contact.

5. Keypad (membrane keys, pushbuttons and/or touchscreen display pages), especially alphanumeric keypad connected to the mobile phone, characterized in that a keypad, when folded back, these keys are disabled via a contact.