US5241583A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable radio telephone which terminates an electronic keypad lock function upon sensing an incoming call
Assignee: Ironworks Patents LLC
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Filing: 1991-04-17
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Granted: 1993-08-31
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Expires: 2011-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A portable radio telephone has a keypad including a plurality of externally accessible keys. The keys can be disabled (i.e. the keypad can be locked) to prevent accidental actuation thereof by performing a predetermined order of keystrokes using two of the keys which ordinarily have an alternative function associated therewith. Thus, for example, depression of the # key followed by the ON/OFF key temporarily enables the keyboard lock. The lock can be disabled simply by repeating the same keystrokes.
Inventors
- 👤 Nils E. Martensson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/66; H04M1/667; H04M1/67; H04M1/673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus comprising a keypad having a plurality of externally accessible and individually actuable keys, means for sensing the actuation of a first and second one of said keys respectively in a unique predetermined order, means responsive to said sensing means for disabling at least some of the other keys of said keypad, and means for automatically interrupting key disablement responsive to sensing an incoming call.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus comprising a keypad having a plurality of externally accessible and individually actuable keys, means for sensing the actuation of a first and second one of said keys respectively in a unique predetermined order, means responsive to said sensing means for disabling at least some of the other keys of said keypad, and means for automatically interrupting key disablement responsive to sensing an incoming call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensing means disable all the keys other than said first and second keys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the responsive means alternately re-enables and disables said other keys in response to subsequent actuations of said first and second keys in the predetermined order.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined order of key actuation involves depressing said first and second keys simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetermined order of key actuation involves depressing said first and second keys successively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said other keys is disposed between said first and second keys on said keypad.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus comprising a keypad having a plurality of externally accessible and individually actuable keys, means for sensing the actuation of a first and second one of said keys respectively in a unique predetermined order, said first and second keys being associated with at least one alternative function respectively, means responsive to said sensing means for disabling at least some of the other keys of said keypad, and means for automatically terminating key disablement when circuitry in the apparatus senses an incoming call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus comprising a keypad having a plurality of externally accessible and individually actuable keys, means for sensing the actuation of a first and second one of said keys respectively in a unique predetermined order, said first and second keys being associated with at least one alternative function respectively, means responsive to said sensing means for disabling at least some of the other keys of said keypad, and means for automatically terminating key disablement when circuitry in the apparatus senses an incoming call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensing means disable said first and second keys in relation to said alternative functions respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the sensing means disable all the keys other than said first and second keys.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the responsive means alternately re-enables and disables said other keys in response to subsequent actuations of said first and second keys in the predetermined order.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said predetermined order of key actuation involves depressing said first and second keys simultaneously.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said predetermined order of key actuation involves depressing said first and second keys successively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A portable radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of said other keys is disposed between said first and second keys on said keypad.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-30 | 1997-03-01 | 1997-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-30 | 2001-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-30 | 2005-03-01 | 2005-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |