Graphical user interface for a portable telephone

Details Graphical user interface for a portable telephone Graphical user interface for a portable telephone

1999-09-24

2001-08-28

Urban, Edward F. (Department: 2687)

Telecommunications

Transmitter and receiver at same station

Radiotelephone equipment detail

C345S169000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06282435

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to the field of portable communication devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to a user interface for a portable, hand-held telephone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cellular telephones are widely used and are becoming increasingly more commonplace in society. As the state of the art in cellular telephones advances, there is a trend toward incorporating more features and more advanced functions into the devices. Unfortunately, while incorporating more functions into these devices can make them more versatile, it can also make them more difficult to use for many users due to the added complexity. Many users dislike learning to use electronic devices with many functions or do not have the time to do so. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a portable cellular telephone which is capable of performing a wide variety of functions and which can be operated using an intuitive, easy-to-use user interface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a portable telephone, which includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving data, a display device, and control circuitry coupled to the transceiver and the display device. The control circuitry is configured to enable the portable telephone to send and receive electronic mail messages and voice messages. The control circuitry is also configured to cause a graphical user interface to be displayed, which allows the user to access both stored electronic mail messages and voice messages from the single display screen.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of allowing a user to reply to a stored message. A user input selecting the message is received. In response to the user input, an appropriate reply mode is automatically entered based on the source of the message.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of processing outgoing calls in a wireless handheld telephone communication device. User inputs specifying a destination telephone number are received for the purpose of initiating an outgoing call. In response to the user inputs, the destination telephone number is automatically referenced against a database to determine whether the destination telephone number is currently appropriate.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of conveying current call information to a user in a portable telephone communication device. The communication device includes a display device. In accordance with the method, an animated indication of the duration of a telephone call is displayed on the display device.
Another aspect of the present invention is a wireless portable telephone comprising control circuitry, a transceiver coupled to the control circuitry for transmitting and receiving data over a wireless medium, and a display coupled to the control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to automatically cause information to be scrolled across the display.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method, in a portable telephone, of allowing a user to transmit a message. In the method, previously requested data is received from a remote source. Information that is representative of the data is displayed on the display device. In response to a user input initiating a transmission mode, a form for a message to be transmitted is automatically selected based on the content of the displayed information at the time the user input is received.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method of allowing a user to transmit a message in a portable telephone in which data is received from a remote source. The content of the data is monitored for a predetermined content and when the predetermined content is detected, a mode is automatically entered to allow the user to transmit a message from the telephone.
Other features of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description which follows.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5146612 (1992-09-01), Grosjean et al.
patent: 5797098 (1998-08-01), Schroeder et al.
patent: 5966652 (1999-10-01), Coad et al.
patent: 5995592 (1999-11-01), Shirai et al.
patent: 6029072 (2000-02-01), Barber
patent: 6047196 (2000-04-01), Makela et al.

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