Telephone-terminal combination with plural keyboards

A microprocessor-based telephone having a housing, a lower key panel positioned within a top portion of the housing, and an upper key panel hingedly mounted to the housing to swing away and reveal the lower key panel. The lower key panel carries an alphanumeric keyboard thereon to enable a user to perform alphanumeric data entry. The upper key panel carries a telephone keypad to enable a user to dial telephone numbers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to subscriber telephones and more 
specifically to subscriber telephones with special computer apparatus for 
implementing smart telephone functions. More specifically, this invention 
relates to subscriber telephones that combine a telephone keypad for 
telephone functions and an alphanumeric keyboard for computer functions. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Subscriber telephone instruments have become increasingly sophisticated in 
features and functions over the past several decades. Simple rotary dial 
telephones with primitive electromechanical components were obsoleted by 
push button dial telephones with primitive analog circuit components. The 
primitive push button dial telephones were obsoleted by sophisticated 
electronic telephones that use programmed microprocessor technology to 
implement basic telephone functions and to offer advanced features such as 
speed dialing, directory dialing, telephone call logging, and additional 
sophisticated features. This technical progress is shown in the following 
U.S. Patents: 
Lenaerts et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,926 Title: "Telephone data set 
including visual display means" 
Hoff et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,709 TITLE: "ELECTRONIC BUSINESS TELEPHONE" 
Warren U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,414 TITLE: "AUTOMATIC DIAL SYSTEM FOR A 
SUBSCRIBER TELEPHONE" 
Mallien U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,304 TITLE: "CONTROL CIRCUITRY FOR A RADIO 
TELEPHONE" 
The Warren and Mallien patents show the implementation of subscriber 
telephone features using programmed microprocessors. 
Parallel with the development of microprocessor based smart telephones, 
point of sale terminals which incorporate microprocessor based telephone 
and data terminal features were being developed. Examples of such systems 
are described in the following U.S. Patents: 
Borison et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,983,090 TITLE: "TERMINAL APATUS" 
Chang et al. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,788,420 and 5,019,696 TITLE: "SYSTEM AND 
METHOD FOR READING . . . " 
With cost-performance improvements in in microprocessor and memory systems 
it eventually became possible to integrate subscriber telephone and data 
terminal features into a single screen telephone instrument. Such 
sophisticated screen telephones include alphanumeric keyboards in addition 
to telephone keypads. They are capable of performing a number of telephone 
and home terminal functions. Examples of such screen phones are shown in 
the following U.S. Patents: 
Anderson et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,198 TITLE: "GENERAL PURPOSE ELECTRONIC 
TELEPHONE STATION SET" 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,533,791 TITLE: "INPUT/OUTPUT DEVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 
TERMINALS" 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,927 TITLE: "COMPUTER AND TELEPHONE APATUS WITH USER 
FRIENDLY COMPUTER INTERFACE INTEGRITY FEATURES" 
Lawlor et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,501 TITLE: "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REMOTE 
DELIVERY OF RETAIL BANKING SERVICES" 
While each of these patents shows the combination of an alphanumeric 
keyboard and a telephone keypad in a subscriber telephone, none of them 
provides a truly user friendly, reliable and simple integration of both 
types of key-in units in a single instrument. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is the principal object of this invention to provide an smart telephone 
apparatus which includes an improved combination of telephone keypad and 
alphanumeric keyboard. 
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION 
In broad terms this invention features a microprocessor-based telephone 
apparatus comprising a housing, a lower key panel positioned within a top 
portion of the housing, and an upper key panel hingedly mounted to the 
housing to swing away and reveal the lower key panel. The lower key panel 
carries an alphanumeric keyboard thereon to enable a user to perform 
alphanumeric data entry. The upper key panel carries a telephone keypad to 
enable a user to dial telephone numbers. 
One embodiment of such apparatus further includes means for detecting 
whether the upper key panel is in a closed position covering the lower key 
panel. In this embodiment, the telephone keypad carried on the upper key 
panel has individual keys mounted in positions to actuate a prearranged 
associated key of the alphanumeric keyboard carried on the lower key 
panel. In this manner, the alphanumeric keyboard is used for dialing 
telephone numbers when the upper key panel is closed and is used for 
alphanumeric data entry when the upper key panel is open. 
Preferably, the upper key panel is hingedly mounted to the housing at a 
forward portion of the housing and a forward portion of the upper key 
panel so that the upper key panel swings upwardly and forwardly away from 
the lower key panel. 
In a preferred embodiment, a hinge means is provided for hingedly mounting 
the upper key panel to the housing, and the telephone keypad includes an 
array of keys, circuit means for registering individual key presses, and 
cable means connected at one end thereof to the circuit means and 
extending through the hinge means into the housing. 
The preferred embodiment of this invention also incorporates handset 
mounting wells defined in a top wall portion of the housing at a position 
to the left side of the upper key panel, an alphanumeric display mounted 
in a top wall portion of the housing at a position to the rear of the 
upper key panel, and a magnetic stripe card reader mounted in a top wall 
portion of the housing intermediate the upper key panel and the 
alphanumeric display, including a card slot extending parallel to front 
and rear walls of the housing with a card insert portion of the card slot 
formed at a position to the right of the the handset mounting wells and a 
card exit portion of the card slot formed in a right sidewall of the 
housing and a card read station formed intermediate the card insert 
portion and card exit portion. 
Another aspect of this invention features a microprocessor-based telephone 
apparatus capable of performing transaction terminal functions and 
comprising a housing forming an enclosure, a microprocessor system mounted 
on a circuit board within the enclosure, a display screen interfaced to 
the microprocessor system, display screen function keys interfaced to the 
microprocessor system, a magnetic stripe card reader interfaced to the 
microprocessor system, a telephone keypad interfaced to the microprocessor 
system, and an alphanumeric keyboard interfaced to the microprocessor 
system. The microprocessor and interface circuitry are carried on a 
circuit board mounted within the housing. A lower key panel mounted to the 
housing carries the alphanumeric keyboard. An upper key panel hingedly 
mounted to the housing and carrying the telephone keypad between a panel 
closed position in which the telephone keypad overlies and covers the 
alphanumeric keyboard and a panel open position in which the alphanumeric 
keyboard is uncovered. 
The smart telephone apparatus of this invention has the advantage that the 
alphanumeric keyboard is hidden from view when the system in in operation 
as a smart telephone instrument with only the function keys needed for 
operating the smart telephone apparatus features. Yet the alphanumeric 
keyboard is readily accessible by swinging the telephone keypad away from 
the phone housing when needed to enter alphanumeric data during a phone 
programming session or a host interactive transaction session. The swing 
open arrangement is more reliable than a slide in-out arrangement of 
keyboards. The upper key panel protects the alphanumeric keyboard on the 
lower key panel when closed. The back surface of the upper key panel in 
the preferred embodiment serves as a palm rest when opened to expose the 
alphanumeric keyboard. The overlying keyboard arrangement provides good 
packing density for the components and reduces the size of the smart 
telephone apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION EMBODIMENTS 
A Preferred Embodiment (FIGS. 1-4) 
FIGS. 1-4 show a preferred embodiment of a smart telephone apparatus 10 in 
which housing 11 has a lower key panel 40, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
positioned within a recessed top portion of housing 11 and an upper key 
panel 20 which is hingedly mounted to housing 11 by a hinge means 28 
located at a forward position on both housing 11 and upper key panel 20. 
Upper key panel 20 swings on hinge means 28 upwardly and forwardly away 
from lower key panel 40 to reveal it for use. Bottom surface 29 of upper 
key panel 20 becomes a palm rest in this position. 
Lower key panel 40 carries an alphanumeric keyboard thereon for a user to 
perform alphanumeric data entry into smart telephone apparatus 10. Upper 
key panel 20 carries a telephone keypad thereon for a user to dial 
telephone numbers. 
Smart telephone apparatus 10 also has an alphanumeric display 14 which is 
preferably an LCD unit providing at least four lines of at least 20 
characters each. On either side of alphanumeric display 14 are two sets 
15, 16 of soft function keys aligned with the lines of the display. Two 
additional function keys 18, 19 are carried on housing 11 under 
alphanumeric display 14. A four way scroll key arrangement 17 is provided 
next to the set 16 of function keys. 
Between upper key panel 20 and alphanumeric display 14 is a card reader 22 
for reading a magnetic data stripe on a data card such as a VISA card or a 
bank ATM card. Card reader 22 has a card entry slot portion 23, a reading 
station 24 with a magnetic card reader head mounted thereat, and a card 
exit slot portion 25. A user can insert a data card at slot portion 23 and 
then manually swipe the card past reading station 24. This card reader 
arrangement enables smart telephone apparatus 10 to function as a private 
transaction terminal in a person's home or office. Smart telephone 
apparatus 10 may for example be applied to home ordering such as disclosed 
in Gorog U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,028, entitled "AUTOMATED ORDER AND PAYMENT 
SYSTEM." Other home terminal applications may also be implemented using 
the smart telephone apparatus 10 of this invention. 
Smart telephone apparatus 10 has a handset 12 connected to housing 11 via a 
cordset 13. A set of telephone function keys 26 is provided to the right 
side of upper key panel 20. These keys may be used to invoke telephone 
functions such as "MUTE" or "HOLD" or "FLASH" or to turn the speakerphone 
on and off. If a speakerphone feature is provided, a microphone and 
speaker are provided within housing 11. As shown in FIG. 4, handset 12 
rests in respective receiver and transmitter mounting wells 12A and 12B in 
housing 11. A speakerphone speaker 12D is mounted between these two 
mounting wells and a speakerphone microphone 12E is mounted on the right 
side of housing 11. A volume control knob 12F is shown in FIG. 2 on the 
right side of housing 11. 
FIG. 3 illustrates details of one form of structure for a telephone keypad 
on upper key panel 20 and a alphanumeric keyboard on lower key panel 40. A 
set of twelve key buttons 21 are positioned within apertures in a top 
panel surface 27. These keys are carried on a key support frame 30 with 
individual keys supported by thin resilient arms connecting the key 
structures. Any other form of key structure can be used. The rest of the 
telephone keypad structure comprises a membrane 31 with resilient 
deformable bumps positioned under each key. Membrane 31 overlies a key 
contact array on a circuit board 32. This type of key structure is quite 
well known in the art and need not be described in more detail herein. 
A ribbon cable portion 33, which is preferably an extension of a flexible 
circuit pattern providing the key contact array, extends through hinge 
member 28 to the interior of housing 11 to connect to a terminal structure 
44 carried on a circuit board 43 associated with the alphanumeric keyboard 
structure on lower key panel 40. The alphanumeric keyboard structure 
comprises a standard arrangement of individual keys 41 carried in 
apertures in a top panel surface 39, a bumped membrane 42 and a circuit 
board 43 carrying the key contact array and x-y matrix signal connections 
between individual key contacts in the array. Function keys 15, 16, 18, 
19, and 26 have similar structures and are all connected by cabling (e.g. 
cable 46) to circuit board 43 for interfacing through a multipin connector 
45 to a circuit board 35 which carries a microprocessor based computer 
system. 
An Alternative Embodiment (FIGS. 5-8) 
FIGS. 5-8 show an alternative embodiment of smart telephone apparatus 110 
in which housing 111 has a lower key panel 140 positioned within a 
recessed top portion of housing 111 and an upper key panel 120 which is 
hingedly mounted to housing 111 by a hinge means 128 located at a rearward 
position on both housing 111 and upper key panel 120. Upper key panel 120 
swings on hinge means 128 upwardly and rearwardly away from lower key 
panel 140 40 to reveal the alphanumeric keyboard on lower key panel 140 
for alphanumeric data entry. 
Lower key panel 140 carries an alphanumeric keyboard thereon alphanumeric 
display 114 upper key panel 120 a telephone keypad. An alphanumeric 
display 114 has functions key sets 115 and 116 arrayed next to it. A 
scroll key arrangement 117 is provided next to key set 116. Telephone 
function keys 126 are positioned on housing 111 forward of upper key panel 
120. A magstripe card reader 124 is positioned on housing 111 forward of 
upper key panel 120 and has card entry portion 123, card reading station 
124 and card exit portion 125. 
The structures of the telephone keypad on upper key panel 120 and the 
alphanumeric keyboard on lower key panel 140 may be the same as in the 
preferred embodiment. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the individual 
keys 121 in the telephone keypad may extend through the upper key panel 
120 to operate associated keys 141 in the alphanumeric keyboard on lower 
key panel 140. A microswitch 131 is provided to signal the microprocessor 
system whether the upper key panel 120 is open or closed so that key 
presses of the alphanumeric keyboard can be interpreted correctly. 
Electronics Supporting the Invention Embodiments 
While not specifically a part of this invention, the microprocessor system 
of FIG. 9 is typical of the electronics that support the smart telephone 
features of this invention. Many forms of microprocessor systems could be 
used. Microprocessor 150 operates in conjunction with program ROM 151 and 
data and program RAM 152 to provide the basic operational control of the 
system. These modules communicate via command and data pathways on a 
system bus 154 with LCD display 14 (114), telephone keypad and 
alphanumeric keyboard and function keys 20 and 40, modem 161, serial data 
communication circuits 158, card reader 22, bar code reader 156, telephone 
functions circuits (hold, line sense, etc.) 159, via data latches and 
other interfaces 157, 163, 164, etc. Interrupt control 153 is fed by a set 
of timers 155 and by inputs from card reader 22, etc. to signal the 
microprocessor system that these modules need servicing by system 
routines. The microprocessor system shown is based on Motorola 68EC00 
architecture and the associated published specs and data books on that 
architecture provide details on implementation. 
The above description of several invention embodiments are set forth as 
examples of the principles of this invention and it should be understood 
that numerous changes could be made by persons skilled in this art without 
departing from the principles and scope of the invention as claimed in the 
following claims.