Radiotelephone having an auxiliary actuator and method for operating said radiotelephone
US5966671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/72469
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A unique actuator (130) and user interface preferably located on one side of a communication device enables one-handed operation of the device, such as a radiotelephone or other portable communication device. In particular, a multifunction rocker switch (302) may rotate around or slide along a particular axis to scroll up and down through functions, while the rocker switch could move in an orthogonal direction to select a function. Alternatively, three keys (124-128) could be employed in place of the multifunction rocker switch. Among other functions, the actuator will preferably provide the user access to menu features (604) to perform the confirmation or selection operation in most menu features and access to the name directory (610) to place calls when reviewing a number and to terminate a call when completed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.