Apparatus for enabling a keypad in response to antenna extension

• US 5,987,311 A
• Filed: 12/27/1996
• Issued: 11/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Optis Cellular Technology LLC (Brevet Capital)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Phillips, John Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DUC M
• Application Number:
  US08/773,438
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575, 455/90.95, 455/129, 455/128, 455/347, 455/348, 455/351, 379/433, 379/442, 343/702
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3833 Hand-held transceivers
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means

Abstract

An antenna switch is provided on a portable telecommunication instrument, such as a cellular telephone, to enable operation of the keypad of the instrument when the antenna is extended. In one arrangement, an antenna switch comprises a pair of antenna position sensing contacts disposed on a printed circuit board at a position where electrical continuity is established between the contacts by an electrically conductive member on the antenna when the antenna is in an extended position. The present invention solves the problem of inadvertent activation of the instrument when the antenna is retracted. Thus, the instrument does not require a closeable cover over the keypad to prevent inadvertent actuation of the instrument.

Claims

1. A telecommunication instrument, comprising:

a keypad;

an RF circuit;

an antenna movable between a first position and a second position;

a first electrically conductive contact provided on said antenna at a position adjacent a proximal end of the antenna;

a second electrically conductive contact for coupling the antenna to the RF circuit;

an insulating layer separating the first electrically conductive contact from the second electrically conductive contact;

a printed circuit board;

a pair of electrical contacts on said printed circuit board at a position at which said electrical contacts are in common electrical communication with said first electrically conductive contact on said antenna when said antenna is at the first position, and completes a circuit to activate the keypad; and

an RF contact on said printed circuit board at a position at which said RF contact is in common electrical communication with said second electrically conductive contact or said antenna when said antenna is at the second position and completes a circuit to the RF circuit.

2. A telecommunication instrument, as set forth in claim 1, further including a switch electrically positioned between said keypad and said pair of electrical contacts, said switch for enabling the keypad despite a position of the antenna.

3. A telecommunication instrument, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna activation circuit compel switch that is closeable in response to activating said switch.

4. A telecommunication instrument, comprising:

a keypad;

an antenna movable between a retracted position and an extended position;

an electrically conductive member provided on said antenna at a position adjacent a provisional end of the antenna;

an electrical element adapted for coupling RF signals;

an insulating layer disposed between said electrical element and said electrically conductive member;

a printed circuit board; and

a pair of electrical contacts on said printed circuit board at a position at which said electrical contacts are in other than common electrical communication with said electrically conductive member on said antenna when said antenna is at the retracted position, thereby deactivating the keypad.

5. A telecommunication instrument, as set forth in claim 4, further including a bypass switch electrically positioned between said keypad and said pair of electrical contacts for enabling the keypad despite a position of the antenna.

6. A telecommunication instrument, comprising:

a keypad;

an RF circuit;

an antenna movable between a first position and second position;

a first electrically conductive contact provided on said antenna at a position adjacent a proximal end of the antenna;

a second electrically conductive contact for coupling the antenna to the RF circuit;

an insulating layer separating and insulating the first electrically conductive contact from the second electrically conductive contact;

a printed circuit board;

a pair of electrical contacts on said printed circuit board at a position at which said electrical contacts are in common electrical communication with said first electrically conductive contact on said antenna when said antenna is at the first position and completes a circuit to activate the keypad;

an RF contact on said printed circuit board at a position at which said RF contact is in common electrical communication with said second electrically conductive contact or said antenna when said antenna is at the second position and completes a circuit to the RF circuit; and

a switch electrically positioned between said keypad and said pair of electrical contacts, said switch for enabling the keypad despite a position of the antenna.