US5572573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removable user interface for use with interactive electronic devices
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
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Filing: 1994-01-25
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Granted: 1996-11-05
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Expires: 2014-01-25
Abstract
Abstract An improved user interface for use in interactive electronic devices. The user interface eliminates the complexity and ambiguity problems encountered in conventional interfaces through the incorporation of a physical overlay designed for use in cooperation with a contiguous touch screen or a plurality of individual touch screens. The physical overlay delineates the touch screen or screens into a plurality of context sensitive task and information display regions which may be accessed by direct user manipulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Loren M. Sylvan
- 👤 Adam N. Marx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/0202; H04M1/026; H04M1/0266; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/27467; H04M1/27475; G; G06; G06F; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/048; G06F2203/04809; H01; H01H; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/018; H01H2217/038; H04M2250/00; H04M2250/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
For use with an interactive electronic device, a user interface, comprising: a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined function labels; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
For use with an interactive electronic device, a user interface, comprising: a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined function labels; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the raised overlay is a substantially rigid card having a predetermined thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A user interface as in claim 2 wherein the predetermined thickness is in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use with an interactive electronic device, a user interface, comprising: a plurality of touch screens; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for more precisely delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels so as to define a like plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
For use with an interactive electronic device, a user interface, comprising: a plurality of touch screens; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for more precisely delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels so as to define a like plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive electronic device is a telephone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive electronic device is a mobile telephone hand-set.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive electronic device is a calculator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive electronic device is a personal computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive electronic device is a Personal Digital Assistant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
A mobile telephone hand-set, comprising: an earpiece; a mouthpiece; a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined function labels; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
A mobile telephone hand-set, comprising: an earpiece; a mouthpiece; a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined function labels; and a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and location corresponding to the predetermined plurality of touch screen function labels, the plurality of apertures for delineating said plurality of touch screen function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task and information display regions and guiding the user to the appropriate region for direct user manipulated activation.
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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) | 1999-11-05 | 2000-05-06 | 2000-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-05 | 2004-05-06 | 2004-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-05 | 2008-05-06 | 2008-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |