Handheld communication device with key-lock

• US 20070042816A1
• Filed: 08/15/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IDT Communication Technology Ltd. (IDT International Limited)
• Original Assignee: IDT Communication Technology Ltd. (IDT International Limited)
• Inventors: Chan, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US11/203,202
• Publication Number:
  US 20070042816A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/70 Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/70 Administration aspects, modify settings or limits or counter-check correct charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A handheld telecommunication device includes a housing, keys, a display, a speaker, a microphone, and an electronic operating circuit connected to and co-operable with the display, the speaker, and the microphone for performing various functions including telecommunication functions. The operating circuit includes a sensor for sensing placement of the housing close to a body part of a human user of the telecommunication device and within a relatively short distance, and a control for, in response to sensing of a body part within the relatively short distance, deactivating the keys for a period generally as long as the housing is held within the relatively short distance from the body part.

Claims

1. A handheld telecommunication device comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of keys on the housing;

a display on the housing;

a sound generator in the housing;

a microphone in the housing; and

an electronic operating circuit housed in the housing and connected to and co-operable with the display, the sound generators and the microphone for performing various functions including telecommunication functions, wherein the operating circuit includes;

a sensor for sensing placement of the housing within a relatively short distance from a body part of a human user of the telecommunication device; and

control means for, in response to sensing of a body part within the relatively short distance deactivating at least one of the keys for a period generally as long as the housing is held within the distance.

2. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is located at or adjacent to the sound generator.

3. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a contactless obstacle detector.

4. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a transmitter for transmitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the signal bounced back from the body part, the signal received having a strength indicative of distance of the housing from the body part.

5. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter transmits the signal generally forwardly from an earpiece of the housing associated with the sound generator.

6. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter and the receiver comprises an infrared receiver.

7. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter comprises an ultrasonic transmitter and the receiver comprises an ultrasonic receiver.

8. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means deactivates the at least one of the keys upon the sensor sensing placement of the housing within the relatively short distance from the body part and activates the at least one of the keys upon the sensor sensing placement of the housing beyond the relatively short distance from the body part.

9. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control means deactivates the at least one of the keys with a first time delay from when the sensor senses placement of the housing within the relatively short distance from the body part.

10. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control means activates the at least one of the keys with a time delay from when the sensor senses placement of the housing from beyond the relatively short distance from the body part.

11. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the control means activates the at least one of the keys with a second time delay longer than the first time delays from when the sensor senses placement of the housing beyond the relatively short distance from the body part.

12. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, having a “

talk”

mode of operation, wherein the sensor is operative only in the “

talk”

mode.

13. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the “

talk”

mode is an operating mode in which the operating circuit is connected to an external telephone line.

14. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the “

talk”

mode is initiated by one of a key press to answer a call and a key press to make a call and is terminated by disconnection of the operating circuit from the external telephone line.

15. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means includes an override to terminate the deactivating of the at least one of the keys before the period expires.

16. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the override is implemented by continuous pressing of a designated key on the housing.

17. The telecommunication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sensor comprises a contactless obstacle detector.