Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-15
2001-01-09
Maung, Nay (Department: 2744)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S090300, C455S575100, C379S433020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173194
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to radiotelephones and, in particular, to mobile terminals, such as cellular telephones, that include a user interface having a user information entry device and a display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional mobile terminals, such as cellular telephones, have a multi-key keypad whereby the user is enabled to enter a phone number to be dialed. Many modern cellular telephones also include a display, normally a low power liquid crystal display (LCD), whereby information is displayed to the user. This information can include numbers, names, messages, menu functions, settings, and other application information (e.g., timers, etc.) realting to various operating parameters of the telephone. In this case the keypad can also be used for interacting with the display for selecting various ones of the menus and for entering data required by particular menu and other functions.
In all such devices an important aspect of the terminal's operation is the ease of use of the user interface (e.g., the size and accessibility of the keypad keys) and the size and readability of the displayed information. These considerations become especially important for those with impaired sight. However, the trend in designing such handheld communications equipment is to make the devices smaller and less obtrusive when carried by the user.
Since the user interface is a portion of the terminal that the average user interacts with on a regular basis, and may be the most familiar with, it is important that the user interface be seen as being as “user friendly” as possible, without, however, sacrificing the required functionality.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus a first object of this invention to provide an improved user interface for a mobile terminal.
It is a second object of this invention to provide a user interface for a handheld communications device that does not require a conventional multi-key keypad for entering information, such as a telephone number to be dialed.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a user interface for a handheld communications device that has a display capable of displaying information with a character size and orientation that enables an increase in a total amount of displayable information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other problems are overcome and the objects of the invention are realized by methods and apparatus in accordance with embodiments of this invention.
In accordance with one aspect of this invention a cellular telephone has a user interface comprised of an actuator for inputting information to the telephone. The actuator extends from a surface of the telephone and has multiple degrees of freedom for selecting at least individual ones of numeric digits 0 through 9, in addition to the characters * and #. Indicia representing individual ones of the numeric digits 0 through 9 in addition to the characters * and # are arrayed about the actuator, and preferably correspond to a clock face, wherein the indicia “1” corresponds to the 1:00 position, and wherein one of the indicia “*” and “#” corresponds to the 12:00 position.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention a cellular telephone has a user interface comprised of an actuator for inputting information to the telephone. The actuator extends from a surface of the telephone and has an axis of rotation about which the actuator is manipulated by a user for selecting at least individual ones of numeric digits 0 through 9, in addition to the characters * and #. Indicia representing individual ones of the numeric digits 0 through 9 in addition to the characters * and # are displayed to the user on a display, such as an LCD display, and manipulation of the actuator is used for positioning a cursor or other indicator for selecting individual ones of the displayed numeric digits and other characters. The displayed numeric digits and other characters can be arranged in a column, or arranged in an n by m matrix, such as a 4 by 3 matrix.
The actuator may have a further degree of freedom that is perpendicular to the surface for actuating a switch when depressed. By example, a depression of the actuator results in the initiation of a placement of a telephone call to a telephone number previously entered into the cellular telephone, and/or can be used for selecting a currently indicated numeric digit or other character.
In a preferred embodiment the actuator is disposed on a front or side surface of the cellular telephone. The cellular telephone may further include at least one user-depressible switch disposed on a side surface. This at least one user-depressible switch may be used as a menu function “soft-key” select switch.
Further in accordance with an aspect of this invention the user interface also comprises a display disposed on the surface. The display is capable of displaying characters with a non-perpendicular orientation (e.g., a diagonal orientation) relative to a longitudinal axis of the telephone.
In accordance with one method of this invention, in particular a method of dialing a telephone number with a radiotelephone, the following steps are executed: (a) manipulating a multiple degree of freedom actuator so as to select individual ones of indicia 0-9; and (b) storing numbers associated with selected ones of the indicia as individual numbers of a telephone number.
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Maung Nay
Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
Ohlandt Greeley Ruggiero & Perle LLP
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