Manual mobile-communication interface

• US 20020068605A1
• Filed: 08/08/2001
• Published: 06/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Stanley, Winfield Scott
• Original Assignee: Stanley, Winfield Scott
• Inventors: Stanley, Winfield Scott
• Application Number:
  US09/924,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20020068605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/001 Vehicle control means, e.g. steering-wheel or column
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 1/046 Adaptations on rotatable parts of the steering wheel for accommodation of switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03

Abstract

A mechanical user-interface for a wireless communications device (including cell phones, mobile phones, and computer-based wireless communications devices) enabling a motor-vehicle operator to keep both hands on the steering wheel while manually initiating, receiving, terminating, fielding or otherwise transacting wireless communications. This mechanical user interface (MUI) may be understood to operate as a cell-phone and/or wireless-communication keypad coupled to an automobile'"'"'s steering wheel. By use of the MUI, a vehicle operator may then manually initiate, receive, terminate, field, and otherwise transact phone calls/communications via a host or integrated cell-phone or other wireless communications device, thereby eliminating the need to take his hands from the wheel in the context of these operations. The MUI keypad includes, but is not limited to the many features of cell phone and computer-based communication devices. The MUI may then connect to a headset through use of infra-red sensors, rf signal, or direct-wire connect. The device enables a user to operate keypad functions, and speak on the phone without the need to withdraw his hands from the steering wheel while operating a motor vehicle. The mechanical user interface may house, but not be limited to housing, cell-phone transmit/receive circuitry.

Claims

1. A mechanical user interface (MUI) for a wireless communications device comprising:

a communications keypad coupled to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle

a visual operational display

a method inherent in physical design enabling operation by touch rather than sight

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a remote and/or direct communications link to a host cell-phone

a remote and/or direct communications link to a voice/speaker interface or headset

3. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a communications keypad coupled to a steering wheel

a remote and/or direct communications link to a host cell-phone

a remote and/or direct communications link to a voice/speaker interface or headset

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a remote and/or direct communications link to a cell phone

5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

wireless communication connectivity

6. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a remote and/or direct communications link to the internet

7. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

operational keys placed so as to be positioned on the backside of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle operator

8. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

operational keys placed so as to be positioned at the fingertips of the vehicle operator.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

raised lettering

10. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

raised lettering on keys placed off-center of key as tactile cue

11. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a visual operational-display which rotates, allowing it to be read vertically and horizontally

12. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a rotating visual operational-display capable of maintaining verticality independent of the plain maintained by the MUI control facial.

13. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a speakerphone

14. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless headset

15. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

wireless connectivity

16. The invention in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a rotating visual operational-display

wireless two-way connectivity

a wireless headset

a speakerphone

18. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

raised lettering on keys

19. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

raised lettering on housing

20. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

key placement positioned along the backside of steering wheel.

21. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

shape and patterning of key arrangement

22. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

shape of keys

23. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

angle of keys

24. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of hand along fascia

25. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of hand along housing

26. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

operational keys placed so as to be positioned at the fingertips of the vehicle operator.

27. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

operational keys placed so as to be positioned on the backside of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle operator

28. The invention in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

raised lettering on keys

patterning of key placement

shape of keys

angle of keys

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of user'"'"'s hand along fascia

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of user'"'"'s hand along housing

operational keys placed so as to be positioned on the backside of the steering wheel

operational keys placed so as to be positioned at the fingertips of the vehicle operator.

30. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

raised lettering on housing

31. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

key placement positioned along the backside of steering wheel.

32. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

shape and patterning of key arrangement

33. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

shape of keys

34. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

angle of keys

35. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of hand along fascia

36. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of hand along housing

37. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

operational keys placed so as to be positioned on the backside of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle operator

38. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

finger and/or hand positioning groove/s and/or ridges enabling user orientation by touch to key-pad

39. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

tactile operational cues not requiring visual cues for operation including,

raised lettering on keys

patterning of key placement

shape of keys

angle of keys

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of user'"'"'s hand along fascia

finger grooves and bumps for orientation of user'"'"'s hand along housing

finger and/or hand positioning groove/s and/or ridges

operational keys placed so as to be positioned on the backside of the steering wheel

operational keys placed so as to be positioned at the fingertips of the vehicle operator.

40. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

tactile design orientations on dialing fascia coupled to steering wheel enable a motor vehicle operator to maintain consistent hand contact with the steering wheel, while initiating, fielding, or terminating phone calls through the method of touch.

41. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

a dialing key pad coupled to a steering wheel whereon are placed raised numbers, symbols, and/or designators.

42. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

a dialing keypad placed on a steering wheel whereon tactile designators assign recognition value meaningful to the user for operating keypad functions on the basis of touch.

43. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

an input keypad coupled to a steering wheel

a visual display coupled to steering wheel

a headset coupled via a retractable cable

44. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

a visual display coupled to vehicle console

45. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

a visual display placed along a driver'"'"'s line of sight to the road.

46. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

a rotational visual operational-display capable of being read by the operator independently of the vertical or horizontal positioning of the MUI control fascia.

47. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

an interfacing link to a host wireless communications device

48. The invention in accordance with claim 29 further comprising:

an input keypad coupled to a steering wheel

an interfacing link between voice/speech interface, input keypad, and cell phone

17. A method for operation of a mechanical user interface (MUI) for a wireless communications device coupled to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle comprising:

placement of at least one hand on steering wheel in order that a user may initiate or otherwise transact wireless communication through the act of depression of keys on keypad.

tactile operational cues on fascia and housing designed for method of operation not requiring visual cues for operation.

keypad operation through the use of tactile cues on fascia and housing allowing through method and utility a vehicle operator'"'"'s train of vision to remain unimpeded.

29. A mechanical user interface (MUI) for a wireless communications device comprising:

a communications keypad coupled to the steering wheel of a motor vehicle

a communications keypad capable of being readily uncoupled from the steering wheel of a motor vehicle

keypad operation through the use of tactile cues on fascia and housing

tactile operational cues on fascia and housing designed for method of operation not requiring visual cues for operation