Abstract: In some examples, a mirror display device includes a mirror comprising a surface, and a display panel to display an image that is visible through the mirror, the display panel having a display area that is less than an area of the surface of the mirror. A touch controller is to detect a touch input on the surface, and determine whether the touch input is made at a location of the surface corresponding to the display area of the display panel, or at a location of the surface that is away from the display area of the display panel.

Abstract: A configurable apparatus includes a housing, a cradle, and a handset. In a first configuration, a first bracket is releasably attached to the cradle and to the housing such that the cradle is disposed next to a first side of the housing. In a second configuration, a second bracket is releasably attached to the cradle and to the housing such that the cradle is disposed next to a second side of the housing. The first and second brackets can include L-shaped brackets, which can be mirror images of each other. The communication system may be used in multi-story buildings or similar structures to facilitate communications among multiple stations (e.g., emergency response stations) within the structures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power card and base for charging and/or recharging electronic devices, including a method of authenticating an exclusive charging plug. The power card and base may include electronic components for charging and/or recharging electronic devices. The power card and base may include exclusive components configured to secure a connection between the power card and power base.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a latch guard includes a plug end configured for gripping a communication plug and a pull tab extending from the plug end. The pull tab can include an arm connected to the plug end and can further include a loop connected to the arm opposite the plug end. The plug end of the latch guard can include a hood configured for at least partially covering the latch of the communication plug when the latch guard is installed on the communication plug. The plug end of the latch guard can have at least three sides, and the communication plug can have a housing with at least one depression, where at least one of the sides of the plug end of the latch guard can include a tab for engaging at least one depression of the plug housing.

Abstract: An illustrative electronic assembly includes a housing and a wall plate, where the wall plate is releasably connectable to the housing. The housing and the wall plate may be configured such that the housing and the wall plate may be able to initially engage each other with the wall plate misaligned relative to the housing. The housing and the wall plate may be configured to guide one another into alignment as the housing and the wall plate are moved together.

Abstract: A communication wall panel includes an interior panel member to be attached to a room as an interior wall material thereof; an information obtaining part provided in the interior panel member and configured to obtain information associated with a person in the room; a notification part provided in the interior panel member and configured to notify the person in the room of information; a communication part provided in the interior panel member and configured to perform communication with a server installed in a location other than the room; and a control part provided in the interior panel member and configured to control the information obtaining part and the notification part. The communication part is configured to transmit information obtained from the information obtaining part to the server and to output information transmitted from the server to the notification part.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus includes a phone body and an earpiece that is removably placed upright in the phone body. A supporting leg having a mounting surface that contacts a desk in a desk mount mode and that contacts a wall in a wall mount mode is provided on a sloped back side of the phone body so as to be turnable around a pivot. When the supporting leg is in a first turn position, a lower end of the slope of the phone body is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. When the supporting leg is in a second turn position after having turned through about 180 degrees from the first turn position, an upper end of the slope of the phone body becomes substantially parallel to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A faceplate assembly includes a cover plate having a front wall and a rim surrounding a perimeter of the front wall. The rim has a rim opening therethrough. The front wall has a pair of mounting posts extending therefrom that are configured to be received in keyholes of a phone to support the phone. A subplate configured to be mounted to a wall outlet. The subplate has an end wall and a base with a base opening therethrough and the subplate is configured to hold a modular jack. The cover plate is coupled to the subplate such that the rim and base openings are aligned with one another and are configured to receive a patch cord therethrough.

Abstract: A wall mount telephone is for use with a socket panel that includes at least one socket receptacle selected from a power socket and a telephone socket. The wall mount telephone includes a base and a handset device. The base includes a mounting wall having a back side provided with a plug that is adapted for direct removable connection with the socket receptacle. The plug is one of a power plug and a telephone plug. The handset device is removably disposed on the base and includes a circuit board that is electrically coupled to the plug to receive a signal from the socket receptacle via the plug when the plug is connected to the socket receptacle.

Abstract: A buffer protection structure is provided in a mobile communication device which includes a housing and a flat light-emitting element having plural light tubes. The buffer protection structure is an elastic material and is provided between each inner wall of the housing and outer peripheries of the flat light-emitting element. Outer peripheries of the buffer protection structure are abutted respectively at each inner wall of the housing and inner peripheries of the buffer protection structure are abutted elastically by the outer peripheries of the flat light-emitting element to buffer an external force or impact, such that the light tubes can be prevented from being ruptured.

Abstract: A wall mount telephone is for use with a socket panel that includes at least one socket receptacle selected from a power socket and a telephone socket. The wall mount telephone includes a base and a handset device. The base includes a mounting wall having a back side provided with a plug that is adapted for direct removable connection with the socket receptacle. The plug is one of a power plug and a telephone plug. The handset device is removably disposed on the base and includes a circuit board that is electrically coupled to the plug to receive a signal from the socket receptacle via the plug when the plug is connected to the socket receptacle.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus includes a phone body and an earpiece that is removably placed upright in the phone body. A supporting leg having a mounting surface that contacts a desk in a desk mount mode and that contacts a wall in a wall mount mode is provided on a sloped back side of the phone body so as to be turnable around a pivot. When the supporting leg is in a first turn position, a lower end of the slope of the phone body is substantially parallel to the mounting surface. When the supporting leg is in a second turn position after having turned through about 180 degrees from the first turn position, an upper end of the slope of the phone body becomes substantially parallel to the mounting surface.

Abstract: A modified phone base and handset in which an individual can limit outgoing calls and limit external access to the phone. The phone base and handset could be used in either a residential or commercial setting.

Abstract: A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Abstract: A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Abstract: A telephone set includes a cradle for receiving a selected electronic device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The cradle comprises a cradle base and a cradle cover coupled to the cradle base. The cradle cover includes a support for selectively securing the selected electronic device thereto. Means for coupling the cradle to the telephone set, which preferably comprises a snap device, is provided. A connector is coupled to the cradle in order to enable communication between the selected electronic device and the telephone set. The cradle can be selectively removed from the telephone set by decoupling the cradle base from the telephone set.

Abstract: A telephone unit has a housing with a stand pivot mount on a bottom side and with an interaction surface at a top side. A single piece stand is provided with a first end connected to the housing via the pivot mount to allow pivoting relative to the housing about the pivot mount through a range of angular positions. The stand also has a second end with surface engagement areas for engagement with a support surface. A latch arrangement is provided for setting the stand in an angular position relative to the housing to set an angular position of the interaction surface relative to the support surface. The latch arrangement is provided as a resilient engagement member at the stand with an engagement surface and a fixing surface at the housing. The resilient engagement member has an engagement surface normal position and is flexible to move the engagement surface out of the normal position.

Abstract: A system and a method for docking a wireless communications device are provided. The system includes a docking station on which a wireless communications device is docked. A display on the docked wireless communications device provides the display for the docking system.

Abstract: A keyboard and a microphone for inputting information, a display screen and a speaker for viewing or hearing information, and a processor, all mounted to or within a housing in the form of a laptop computer or hand-held computer. A phone interface has a slot, channel, or other support member for holding the portable phone, with a phone port electrically connected to the processor. Alternative embodiments include a modem that is electrically connected to the processor and the phone port, and an adapter with a port that mates with the phone port and a port that mates with a selected phone. The phone wirelessly transmits data entered into the input components and transferred to the phone via the phone port, and wirelessly receives data to be transferred to the output components via the phone port for visual or audible output.

Abstract: A communication system comprises an electronic assembly. The electronic assembly includes a random access digital visual and audible data storage and playback device, a visual display and an audio amplifier coupled to the data storage and playback device, a local display speaker coupled to the audio amplifier, a programable logic device coupled to the data storage and playback device and adapted to select and play the appropriate visual and audible data, based upon the status of a plurality of outside world devices coupled to the logic device. Also provided is a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes an enclosure. The enclosure receives the visual display and the local display speaker. The housing assembly also includes a two-way mirror/one-way glass. The glass has a semi-reflective surface mounted in the enclosure. In this manner the semi-reflective surface faces exteriorly away from the visual display. In this manner the semi-reflective surface conceals the visual display until it produces light.

Abstract: A rotational split adaptor for engaging with gold-plated contacts of a communication socket is introduced to comprise a common plug, a socket assembly and a rotational joint. The common plug further includes a plug end for engaging with the communication socket and an opposing first oblique surface. The socket assembly further includes a splitter and an opposing second oblique surface. The splitter has a plurality of parallel sockets electrically coupling with the communication socket, and the second oblique surface is used to pair with the first oblique surface. The rotational joint is constructed to pair the first oblique surface and the second oblique surface so as to provide angular sliding in between and thus to alter angling between the socket assemble and the common plug.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications device wall mounting adapter unit to be used for wall mounting a telephone instrument, cordless telephone base unit, or other communications device that has telephone standard mounting slots to affix to an existing flush wall jack converting it to a wall mount apparatus or as a stand alone unit comprising: a base plate having at least one centrally located rectangular hole; four extended sidewalls creating a cavity on the back side of tine plate; two screw or nail head type studs, each having a shank portion being in connection with the plate and the screw or nail head type portion extending above the plate; and, a plurality of horizontal and parallel slots and holes which can accept fastening devices.

Abstract: A wall phone filter housing unit adapted for interfacing between incoming telephone lines connected to a wall mounting plate and subscriber's network termination equipment is provided. The housing unit includes a base member, a cover member adapted for co-mating with the base member, and a PCB assembly having an impedance blocking filter mounted thereon disposed between the base member and the cover member. The housing unit further includes a first modular plug for connection to incoming telephone lines, a first filtered modular jack for connection to a telephone set, a second filtered modular jack for connection to an answering machine or Fax machine, and a third unfiltered modular jack for connection to DSL or HPN equipment devices.

Abstract: A baseplate for an electronic housing, containing a plurality of extendible feet. The baseplate includes a receptacle for each foot for accommodating the foot while retracted within the housing. Each receptacle includes guide slots for accommodating extension and retraction of the foot within the receptacle and guideslopes for preventing inadvertent extension of the foot but allowing easy extension when desired. The foot includes a plurality of compressible extensions. A first set of extensions includes locking tabs which lock against the baseplate to when the foot is in an extended position to prevent inadvertent retraction. Compression of the extensions moves the locking tabs clear of the baseplate to allow retraction of the foot. The locking tabs rest against the guideslopes when the foot is in a retracted position. A second set of extensions includes security tabs which extend against the baseplate when the foot is in an extended position to prevent inadvertent removal of the foot.

Abstract: A housing for a distributed filter removably mounts to a wall plate between the wall plate and a wall-mount telephone without the use of a tool. The housing includes a base and a cover attached to the base that together define a cavity. A filter circuit for filtering voice signals is disposed within the cavity. A phone jack and at least one auxiliary jack are also disposed in the cavity and accessible through the cover. In one embodiment, viewing windows are formed through the cover to permit an installer to view the mounting studs on the wall plate during installation. A slide lock is also provided to secure the housing to the wall plate. In another embodiment, a push-button lock is provided to secure the housing to the wall plate. The push-button is forced outwardly during installation when a mounting stud engages a slot formed in the base and is subsequently depressed to secure the housing to the wall plate.

Abstract: A telephone set includes a telephone component and a base component supporting the telephone component at a plurality of angles. The two components have nested curved portions allowing mutual angulation while maintaining the nested relation, thus allowing the telephone component to swing through a range of angulation with respect to the base component. The set includes a retention device for maintaining the portions in nested relationship, and a locking device for releasably securing the two components in any one of the plurality of mutual angulations.

Abstract: A telephone set having a reversible base which can be rotated to facilitate desktop or wall mounting. The reversible base includes tabs which are inserted into slots in a housing, the housing having a first pair of slots oriented for installation of the base in a desktop configuration and a second pair of slots oriented for installation of the base in a wall-mount configuration. Positive locking is achieved by a set of ramps and a protrusion adjacent to each slot, such that a tab sides up the ramps and over the protrusion to lock into place.

Abstract: A one piece stand is utilized with a telephone console to provide multiple console orientations with respect to a mounting surface. The stand includes two or more mounting surfaces, each of which can be mounted to the base of the console to provide a particular angular orientation. A biased handset hook is also included. The hook can be switched between wall mount and desk mount configurations without removal from the console by using an access port on the base of the console. A spring force maintains the hook in a desired position in a bayonet fitting. The spring-loaded hook can absorb the force from a handset by retracting into the console without breaking and returning to its normal position when the force is removed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a stand for housing a telephone electronics module and a cover for housing user interface components. There is a mechanical connector on the housing and a complementary mechanical connector on the cover, the mechanical connector and the complementary mechanical connector being engagable to connect the cover to the stand. An electrical connector on the stand is operable to communicate with the telephone electronics module. A complementary electrical connector on the cover is operable to communicate with the interface components. The electrical connector and the complementary electrical connector are placed in communication with each other when the mechanical connector is engaged with the complementary mechanical connector, to provide electrical communication between the telephone electronics module and the interface components.

Abstract: A cordless telephone is disclosed having a handset and a receptacle. The receptacle has a shape which adapts itself to the shapes of the front and back faces of the handset. The receptacle shape matches and completely contacts the shape of the handset back face. A fixing stop of the charger supports two receptacle charge contacts of the handset.

Abstract: The characteristics of a desktop telephone terminal can easily be enhanced or modified with the use of external devices such as personal computers. Different types of accessory interface cartridges are used for the different types of external devices. To facilitate attachment of the interface cartridges both electrically and mechanically, a stand is provided for supporting the terminal at different desired tilted positions and an accessory connection module (ACM) is mounted in the stand. The ACM has an electrical connection to the underside of the terminal and has one or more electrical connectors which are aligned with apertures in the stand. These apertures are accessible when the terminal is on the stand and permit plugging in of one or more of the cartridges.

Abstract: The angle of a desktop terminal such as a telephone can be easily adjusted with the combination of a stand and a tilt unit control device integrated within a lower surface of the terminal. The terminal is pivotally connected to the stand. The terminal is held at a particular angle by engagement of a tooth on the tilt unit control device, with a serration on a rear surface of the tilt unit of the stand. To change the angle of the terminal, the user depresses a handle of the tilt unit control device which pivots the tooth of the device away from the tilt unit thereby disengaging the tooth from the serration on the tilt unit. The user then pivots the terminal to the preferred angle and depresses the handle, thereby engaging the tooth with a different serration on the tilt unit.

Abstract: A personal digital assistant (PDA) having a multi-positional handset is disclosed. A PDA has a base with a recessed handset cradle and a handset with a shape complementary to the configuration of the cradle. A power storage device is included within the handset and a power supply device is included within the base. For on-the-road use, the handset is configured to be removably secured within the cradle in a substantially flush configuration with the base. For office use, the handset is configured to be removably secured to the base in a substantially non-flush configuration that is easy for a user to grasp. The power storage device can receive power from the power supply device when the handset is in either a flush or non-flush configuration.

Abstract: For use with communications equipment, a handset unit that does not require a mold solely for the preparation of a window member, does not incur increased manufacturing costs, can be manufactured without requiring a special step for mounting the window member only to a handset unit cover, and has a reinforced recess for engagement with a hook. The handset unit includes a window member (22B) and a body (22A) that are integrated to form a speaker holder (22). A recess (60) for engagement with a hook is provided at the lower end of the member (22). The window member is fixed to the handset cover near the recess (60).

Abstract: A compact speakerphone apparatus is provided with an angled housing for a speaker and a directional microphone. The speaker and microphone are mounted in the housing such that the directional characteristics of the microphone minimizes feedback from the speaker. Additionally, the speaker is mounted to direct sounds away from a horizontal surface upon which the speakerphone may be placed in a just configuration. In a second configuration, the speaker may be mounted upon an elevating bracket for suspending the speaker at a rotated position whereby the directional microphone remains oriented toward a user's mouth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephone which can be reliably switched from a tabletop usage state to a wall-mount usage state by a simple operation. This telephone is equipped with a hook that protrudes when the telephone is mounted on a wall, and fits into a concave component provided to the handset. The hook is constructed such that it is able to slide, and does not protrude when the telephone is used on a tabletop. The hook is equipped with a locking mechanism on the inside, and the weight of the handset will not cause the hook to go down accidentally.

Abstract: A telephone base includes a base module and a rotatable base stand module. The base module may be elevated to a plurality of inclined positions by employing in the base stand modules the plurality of cantilever snap members each of which has a protruding locking member. The telephone base module includes a plurality of locking apertures which correspond to the locking members on the cantilever snap members. The desired inclined positions are obtained by rotating the base module around pivot elements in the base stand module and inserting the locking members on the cantilever snap members into appropriate ones of the locking apertures in the base module. Additionally, the base stand module may be rotated and locked in place to the base module by additional locking members to orient the telephone base for wall mounting. Advantageously all the elements required for the above features are integrally molded into the base module and the base stand module.

Abstract: A telephone includes a telephone body, a handset and a telephone network line hold mechanism. The telephone body includes a handset cradle on which the handset is placed, a plurality of operation buttons and the like. The telephone is placed in the offhook state when the user lifts the handset from the handset cradle and placed in the on-hook state when the user places the handset on the handset cradle. The telephone network line hold mechanism is energized when the user places the handset on the telephone body at its position in which the offhook state of the telephone is retained.

Abstract: The characters of liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) normally exhibit asymmetrical visibility or identifiability dependent upon the direction from which the display is viewed. The asymmetrical identifiability is controllable by the bias applied to the LCD. The contrast of a liquid crystal display device used in a telephone apparatus is automatically controlled by a position sensing switch in accordance with the spatial orientation of the telephone apparatus in order to select the bias that will effectuate the greatest identifiability for the characters of display.

Abstract: A telephone line connector for location between a telephone and a plurality of outlet sockets and in which the connector is connectable to a power cable. The connector has a plurality of input signal sockets and a common signal and power output socket. A pair of power input terminals are connected to the common socket. The common socket also has pairs of signal output terminals connected in such a way that the connector through the input signal sockets is connectable to a plurality of wall outlets, each of which may have a single pair or a plurality of pairs of lines connected to it. The connector is thus capable of transferring all of those lines, as required, to a telephone together with power.

Abstract: To provide an electronic equipment mounting device having flexibility in the mounting direction, the device is provided with a mounting jig on which a plurality of tongues are formed and a housing whose flat faces having different areas have slits in them, the tongues being inserted into the slits in a detachable manner. The mounting jig is mounted on, for example, the surface of a wall, and then the housing is coupled to the mounting jig by selectively using one of its side faces.

Abstract: A telephone includes a telephone body, a handset and a telephone network line hold mechanism. The telephone body includes a handset cradle on which the handset is placed, a plurality of operation buttons and the like. The telephone is placed in the offhook state when the user lifts the handset from the handset cradle and placed in the on-hook state when the user places the handset on the handset cradle. The telephone network line hold mechanism is energized when the user places the handset on the telephone body at its position in which the offhook state of the telephone is retained.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus (100) includes a base (102) and a handset (104) configurable in a desktop mode and a wall mount mode. Spring loaded detents (132, 134) in the base (102) engage recesses in the handset (104) in wall mount mode to securely retain the handset (104) in a pocket (101) in the base. The base includes a switchable detent mechanism (170) for retracting the detents (132, 134) in response to an actuator (150) when the base (102) is switched from wall mount mode to desktop mode. Thus, the detents (132, 134) do not interfere with the handset (104) when the handset (104) is placed in or withdrawn from the pocket (101).

Abstract: A telephone line connector for location between a telephone and a plurality of outlet sockets and in which the connector is connectable to a power cable. The connector has a plurality of input signal sockets and a common signal and power output socket. A pair of power input terminals are connected to the common socket. The common socket also has pairs of signal output terminals connected in such a way that the connector through the input signal sockets is connectable to a plurality of wall outlets, each of which may have a single pair or a plurality of pairs of lines connected to it. The connector is thus capable of transferring all of those lines, as required, to a telephone together with power.

Abstract: A wallhung arrangement for a cordless telephone of the present invention is generally made up of a wiring implement buried in a wall, and a connecting unit for connecting a communication line. The wiring implement has on the front thereof an outlet for supplying AC power, and at least one modular connector for connecting a communication line. The connecting unit has a power supply plug and at least one modular jack at predetermined positions on the rear thereof. The power supply plug and modular jack are respectively connectable to the outlet and modular connector of the wiring implement. The connecting unit is affixed to the wiring implement by an affixing device. The connecting unit is pressed against the wiring implement to insert the power supply plug and modular jack into the outlet and modular connector, respectively. At the same time, the connecting unit is affixed to the wiring implement.

Abstract: A recessed wall unit to accommodate a telephone, cordless telephone and/or an answering machine. The box for telephone devices of this invention consists of a generally rectangular box with an electrical outlet and a telephone jack internally mounted within the box. The outlet is supplied electrical power by typical wiring coming into the box through an inlet. Telephone wires are also feed to the internally mounted telephone jack through another inlet. A cover plate attaches to the front of the box to completely close and cover the front opening of the box. A telephone, cordless telephone or answering machine can be mounted on the front of the cover plate. The power supply for the telephone device can be plugged into the internally mounted outlet. The telephone device is connected to the internally mounted telephone jack. The power supply, outlet, power cord to the telephone device, telephone jack and all wiring is hidden from view behind the cover plate and within the box.

Abstract: A cordless telephone set including a first groove and a second groove on each of the side faces of a handset, the first groove having an open end at a front edge of the side face, the second groove having an open end at a rear edge of the side face, a pair of charging terminals at the ends of the first and second grooves opposite the open ends, and conducting terminals on both the inner side surfaces of a charger for charging the handset, the conducting terminals coming into contact with the charging terminals through the open ends of the first or second groove. With this structure, the charger is installable either on a desk or a wall without using a separate member, and charging the handset is available even when the handset is reversibly set on the charger installed on the desk or wall.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a base and a handset. An inclined cradle is provided on the base for receiving the handset and is shaped such that a handset placed thereon normally falls naturally into a fully seated position. A switch responsive to the presence or absence of the handset in the cradle places the apparatus in an "on-hook" or "off-hook" condition respectively. A co-operating arrangement respectively on the handset and the base permit the handset to be temporarily retained in a partially seated position on the cradle without activating the switch so as to permit the handset to be parked temporarily on the cradle without placing the apparatus in the "on-hook" condition.

Abstract: A telephone device for selective mounting on a substantially horizontal or substantially vertical surface includes a housing having a top panel, and a base portion which is adapted to be alternatively mounted on a substantially horizontal and vertical surface. The base portion includes a first base member fixed on the housing, and a wedge-shaped second base member removably coupleable to the first base member. The first base member has two mutually inclined surface portions which are inclined relative to each other and which intersect and meet at an angle A, each of the two mutually inclined surface portions has substantially the same dimensions, and the mutually inclined surface portions meet at an apex which faces away from the top panel of the housing.

Abstract: A low profile telephone set which may be used as a table type model or as a wall mount-type model. The telephone set includes a casing and a holder. The casing is formed with a front bottom surface and a back bottom surface forming a predetermined angle there between. The holder is secured to the front bottom surface or back bottom surface in a designated direction depending on the manner of usage.