Abstract: An adjustable keyboard having a number of keys is formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative-to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The adjustable nature of the keyboard reduces stress and discomfort to the user by reducing contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint is in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint. The surface of at least one of the ball and socket of the joint define a plurality of recesses or a plurality of projections, to provide increased resistance to joint movement.

Abstract: A mobile telephone equipped for activation of an emergency mode comprises a housing, a detection circuit triggered, especially interrupted, from outside the housing and a strap member cooperating with the detection circuit for triggering, especially interrupting, the detection circuit upon pulling the strap member off the housing. An electronic control unit of the telephone monitors triggering of the detection circuit, to activate an emergency mode in case of such triggering and to automatically perform emergency operations in the emergency mode. The strap member comprises a strap, a first connector attached to the strap and a bridging circuit portion. The housing comprises a second connector that cooperates with the first connector for fastening the strap member to the housing. The connectors are configured as mating snap-fit connectors, with the connector or of the strap member comprising at least two bridging circuit terminals.

Abstract: Telephone test sets include a telephone test set housing and at least one lead that extends away from the telephone test set housing. The lead is configured to be coupled to a telephone line. A light source, a data port and/or a display are integrated with the telephone test set housing. The light source is configured to project light away from the telephone test set to illuminate an area adjacent the telephone test set. The data port is configured to receive a data jack operatively associated with a communications device. The display is configured to display identification information associated with the telephone line. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A portable terminal device, which closes AV incoming call notification sound ringing at a headset when incoming call notification sound ringing processing through an AV profile competes with incoming call notification sound processing through a hands-free profile between a cellular phone and a headset, and when an in-band notification mode is set at the cellular phone, connects a sound link to perform communication through the hands-free profile, and starts ringing of an incoming call notification sound through the hands-free profile.

Abstract: A receiver may train its equalizer using consecutive pilot bursts, divide the traffic between the consecutive pilot bursts into multiple sub-segments, and interpolate the trained equalizer coefficients to obtain the coefficients for equalizing one or more of the sub-segments. The receiver may also determine signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) values based on each of the consecutive pilot bursts, and interpolate the SINR for decoding one or more of the sub-segments. The receiver may be an access terminal receiver operating in a code division multiple access (CDMA) cellular system.

Abstract: A portable terminal device, which closes AV incoming call notification sound ringing at a headset when incoming call notification sound ringing processing through an AV profile competes with incoming call notification sound processing through a hands-free profile between a cellular phone and a headset, and when an in-band notification mode is set at the cellular phone, connects a sound link to perform communication through the hands-free profile, and starts ringing of an incoming call notification sound through the hands-free profile.

Abstract: A mobile terminal apparatus requests a character be displayed which is assigned to a first key upon being pushed, and if operated continuously for a time span that exceeds a predetermined time, requests a next character be displayed which is assigned to the first key instead of the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed, if the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is a special character that has another variation, changes the character to a character of the another variation, and, when the time span exceeds the predetermined time and the character assigned to the first key and currently being displayed is not a special character, requests a new character be displayed right next to the character which is currently being displayed.

Abstract: Telephone terminal, in particular a mobile telephone having a housing and having a first input device for controlling all the implemented functions and for entering the digits of telephone numbers, having a second input device which is held in a snap-on module, can be fitted to the housing and, when in the fitted state, at least partially covers the first input device, for speed-dialing input for at least one predetermined telephone number.

Abstract: A keypad arrangement for an electronic device comprises a keypad comprising activatable keys. It comprises also input signal means (801, 802, 901, 1001, 1601) for bringing an electric input signal to the keypad, and signal conversion means (703, 705, 807, 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 818, 1208, 1206) for responding to a key activation by selectively converting the input signal into an electric output signal the value of which depends on the activated key. Additionally there are output signal detection means (902, 903, 904, 1002, 1602) for detecting the value of the electric output signal. The arrangement comprises a first electromagnetic coupling (706, 708, 709, 710, 803) between the input signal means and the signal conversion means, and a second electromagnetic coupling (707, 711, 804) between the signal conversion means and the output signal detection means.

Abstract: A user interface device for inputting and outputting information. The user interface device includes a plurality of keys slidably retained within a housing, each key being associated with a plurality of alphanumeric characters or functions. The keys are joined together to slide substantially in unison. The user interface device also includes a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure applied to one or more of the plurality of keys, a direction sensor configured to detect direction of motion of the plurality of keys, a selection component for selecting at least one of an alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion, and an output device for presenting the selected at least one alphanumeric character or function based on the sensed pressure and sensed direction of motion. The selected alphanumeric character or function is associated with the key where the pressure was sensed and with an associated direction closest to the sensed direction of motion.

Abstract: Articles and a method related to use of a biocide (e.g., triclosan) incorporated into communication and data transfer/entry products in order to provide cleaner, fresher and more hygienic surfaces by controlling a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and fungi on the surfaces of such products.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus includes arrow keys for moving a highlight bar to select one of a plurality of information items displayed on screen and an Enter key for executing a selected information item. The arrow keys and the Enter key are disposed close to each other within one area on the housing.

Abstract: An information terminal unit incorporating a cellular phone function and an ON/OFF-hook method is capable of simplify operating procedure, improve operability. The information terminal unit incorporating a cellular phone function has an information processing terminal portion, a cellular phone portion, a control portion, a cable connected with an earphone microphone for the cellular phone at a tip end portion and connected to an internal circuit of the information terminal unit at the other end, a cable take-up mechanism for taking up the cable, holding means for holding the cable take-up mechanism at an extraction end position of the cable, switch means for closing contacts by the cable take-up mechanism held by the holding means and opening contacts at the cable take-up mechanism, the switching means switching ON-hook and OFF hook of the cellular phone portion.

Abstract: A telephone that has dual keypads, wherein one of the keypads is a standard 12 number (1-9, 0, #, and *) keypad and the other keypad comprises a plurality of keys having a single character on each key. When a character key is pressed, it generates a DTMF pair corresponding to one of the 12 standard DTMF pairs.

Abstract: A pushbutton arrangement includes a pushbutton switch mounted on a substrate and the pushbutton switch has an actuating position. The pushbutton arrangement further includes a supporting member fixed to the substrate and a button operation member for pushing the actuating portion of the pushbutton switch. An elastic connection member is fixed to the supporting member at one end thereof and has the button operation member fixed at the other end thereof so that the button operation member is placed on the actuating portion of the pushbutton switch.

Abstract: A keypad enlarger kit (10) including a front cover plate (22), a plurality of large pushbuttons (24), a cushion pad (26), and a backing plate (28). Keypad enlarger kit (10) is adapted to be mounted to a front panel (15) of a conventional pay telephone (12) in a manner so that large pushbuttons (24) overly telephone keypad (14) and provide larger pushbuttons for selection by a user.

Abstract: Unwanted acoustic noise and environmental degradation associated with the use of a highly sensitive microphone in a telephone test set are eliminated by a microphone-integrated keypad laminate architecture, in which a microphone is snugly captured within a microphone holder molded into a pliable keypad unit and its leads sealed against the environment and case vibration. The keypad unit is supported by a keypad support structure adjacent to the test set's keypad face, so that the microphone holder is retained adjacent to an acoustic coupling port, and the keypad's keys are accessible by way of keypad apertures in the keypad face. A printed circuit board urges the keypad unit into engagement with the keypad support structure. The keypad unit and the printed circuit board have sealed aperture arrangements through which electrical leads of the microphone pass for connection to the circuit board.

Abstract: Emergency radio telephone apparatus includes a housing, a radio transceiver for receiving and transmitting modulated radio signals, an actuator connected to the housing for actuating the transceiver and initiating the process of making connection to a predetermined emergency phone number. The actuator may alternately be of modular construct, not permanently connected to the housing allowing easy replacement of the emergency call actuator with a modular construction telephone keypad and display, thereby converting the emergency-only radio telephone into a full-functioned radio telephone. A cover can be attached to the transceiver allowing access only to the emergency call actuator thereby restricting calls to only the emergency number. Cover, modular keypad, modular actuator, or transceiver can have a lock to prevent removal of modular components.

Abstract: A convenient versatile telephone handset and holder assembly are provided, which are particularly useful for business travelers in airplanes, trains, ships, and buses to link up to reservation systems and other data bases. The telephone handset preferably has one set of telephone activating keys and another set of computer control keys. The special telephone handset can also have a card-receiving slot and a recessed mouthpiece. The handset holder assembly has a sloping bottom portion and an elastomeric biasing member to facilitate quick removal fo the telephone handset. An overhead lock assembly can be provided to engage the credit card-receiving slot of the telephone handset in order to secure the handset when the handset is stored in the holder. A special reversible mount plate and bracket can also be provided to quickly and securely mount the handset to the left, right, or other portions of a chair, bulkhead, or other surface.

Abstract: An adaptor unit is designed to fit over the touch tone telephone pad of a cellular car phone. The adaptor unit has an electronic voice quality chip module in it so that when push buttons having numbers on them on the adaptor unit corresponding to the numbers on the touch tone pad are pressed, the voice module says the number. The adaptor unit has a built in speaker and battery supply so that it can be snapped over and attached to an existing telephone touch tone pad and does not require any wiring.

Abstract: A telecommunications terminal is provided which has a central unit (100) and a handset (200). The handset houses a microphone (210) and a speaker (220) and is connected to the central unit via a cord (300). The connecting cord has a plurality of wires (301-304) for conveying output signals from the microphone and input signals to the speaker. The telecommunications terminal incorporates at least one function under the manual control of its user. That function is controlled by a switching means (l1, l2; 230) housed in the handset, with the corresponding control signals being conveyed along said cord in the form of phantom D.C. voltages.

Abstract: A telephone installation has two talk-listen stations each comprising a telephone case adapted to receive talking and listening means housed in a common receiver case. At least one switch is provided on the telephone case or on the receiver case and is operable as a result of the raising and setting down of the receiver case on the telephone case. Each talk-listen station has a buzzer or like means and the listening means comprises an electroacoustic piezoelectric device with metallic electrodes arranged on either side of a piezoelectric material plate, one electrode being subdivided into two partial electrodes which are not interconnected in direct current-like manner. An oscillator arrangement is provided between the partial electrodes and the other electrode which produces a dial tone in one switching position of a switch and in the other switching position one of the partial electrodes and the said other electrode form the actual listening means, the other partial electrode being disconnected.