Mousepad telephone

• US 6,369,795 B1
• Filed: 04/05/2000
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Mobile LLC (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Lester, Leland, Iglehart, David, Coons, Larry W., Duncan, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/543,605
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/173, 345/156, 345/905, 379/90, 379/110, 379/61, 379/428.01, 379/429, 709/225, 248/127, 248/118, D14/458, D14/459
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/02 Constructional features of telephone sets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0289 Telephone sets for operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6033 for providing handsfree use or a loudspeaker mode in telephone sets arrangements for preventing acoustic echo H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

An improved mousepad (100) includes a telephone integrated therewith. A keypad (108) for the telephone is disposed beneath a mylar layer (130). The keypad (108) includes a plurality of capacitive switches (108a, 108b) disposed just beneath the mylar layer. In a mousepad mode, a mouse may be moved around the surface of the mylar in the standard fashion. In a telephone mode, the user may activate the keypad (108) by pressing the buttons which are viewable beneath the mylar.

Claims

1. An electronic system comprising:

a personal computer having a keyboard; and

a separate associated mousepad device, the mousepad device comprising;

working area disposed to receive a mouse thereon; and

a control unit with device controls including an integrated audio device, said control unit adapted to be used as a wrist rest,

wherein said control unit interfaces to said personal computer to provide telephone audio functionality through said integrated audio device.

2. An electronic system according to claim 1, further including a serial interface for interfacing said mousepad device to said computer.

3. An electronic system according to claim 2, wherein said computer includes a telephony card, and said mousepad device is adapted to transmit and receive audio signals with said telephony card.

4. An electronic system as recited in claim 3, said working area including an integrated keypad.

5. An electronic system as recited in claim 4, said computer adapted to provide a virtual telephone keypad.