Foldable alphanumeric keypad for mobile phones

• US 6,876,876 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IBA Ibing GmbH
• Original Assignee: Gisela Uhlemann
• Inventors: Uhlemann, Gisela
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHU, SANH D
• Application Number:
  US09/804,276
• Publication Number:
  US 20010024946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 345/168, 345/169, 345/156, 345/173, 345/901, 379/446, 379/455, 379/449, 379/454, 379/433.07, 379/368, 455/66.1, 455/550.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.3, 455/351, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/566
• US Class Current: 455/575.3
• 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. Mobile communication device comprising a first housing component having front and back sides with a first keyboard arranged at the front side for entering communication numbers and a second housing having front and back sides with a second keyboard (1) arranged in the front side of the second (2) housing component, wherein the second housing component is connected mechanically by means of hinges (10, 11, 12, 13) to the first housing component, whereby the first and second keyboards can be arranged in a single plane by folding out the second housing component, characterized in that the keyboards are so arranged in the respective front sides of the first and second housing components that, when the second housing is folded back, the second housing component back side is on the back side of the first housing such that the second keyboard faces away from the first keyboard.

2. Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that after opening the keyboards are arranged side by side.

3. Mobile communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that at least the second keyboard comprises a keyboard including a film keyboard, a push button keyboard and/or a touchscreen display keyboard.

4. Mobile communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that several touchscreen display pages (6, 7, 8) are arranged aside the second keyboard (1, 9) and can be swiveled by means of hinges (10, 11, 12, 13).

5. Mobile communication device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second keyboard (1, 9), when it is opened or closed, respectively, is connected to or disconnected from the front side keyboard by means of a contact.

6. Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the second keyboard comprises a keyboard including a film keyboard, a push button keyboard and/or a touchscreen display keyboard.

7. Mobile communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that several touchscreen display pages (6, 7, 8) are arranged aside the second keyboard (1, 9) and can be swiveled by means of hinges (10, 11, 12, 13).

8. Mobile communication device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second keyboard (1, 9), when it is opened or closed, respectively, is connected to or disconnected from the front side keyboard by means of a contact.

9. Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second keyboard (1, 9), when it is opened or closed, respectively, is connected to or disconnected from the front side keyboard by means of a contact.

10. Mobile communication device according to claim 1, characterized in that several touchscreen display pages (6, 7, 8) are arranged aside the second keyboard (1, 9) and can be swiveled by means of hinges (10, 11, 12, 13).

11. Mobile communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that the second keyboard (1, 9), when it is opened or closed, respectively, is connected to or disconnected from the front side keyboard by means of a contact.