Telephonic communications – Supervisory or control line signaling – Substation originated
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-12
2001-04-24
Hudspeth, David (Department: 2641)
Telephonic communications
Supervisory or control line signaling
Substation originated
C379S355020, C379S356010, C379S216010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222921
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to displaying a name directory on a screen, and, more specifically, to displaying a name directory containing a plurality of directory names with each of them being associated with a plurality of numbers.
2. Related Art
A state of art telephone has the capability of storing a telephone directory containing a plurality of names, and displaying these names on the display screen of the telephone. Frequently, a name in a telephone directory may contain several numbers (including a home number, an office number, a fax number, a page number, and a cellular number, for example). Using control buttons on the control panel of a telephone, a user can select a number from a telephone directory to dial the selected number.
Conventionally, a typical available telephone displays all names and the associated numbers of a telephone directory together on a display screen. Such an approach makes it difficult for a user to locate a number of interest from the display screen, because the user may see several numbers under an identical name. Furthermore, when a telephone directory is displayed on a relatively small region, such as an LCD screen on a cellular telephone, it is even more difficult for a user to locate a particular number of interest.
There is, therefore, a need for a method and apparatus to display a plurality of names, which facilitates a user to select a specific number from the multiple numbers associated with the names.
There is another need for a method and apparatus to display a plurality of names on a relatively small display region, which facilitates a user to select a specific number from the multiple numbers associated with the names.
The present invention provides a method to meet these two needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a novel method and a corresponding apparatus to display a telephone directory.
To address the shortcomings of the available art, the present invention provides a novel method for displaying a telephone directory. The method comprises the steps of: on a first display screen, displaying a plurality of names, each of the names being associated with a primary number; from the first display screen, selecting one of the names; on a second display screen, displaying a primary number associated with the selected name and at least one secondary number; and on the second display screen, automatically selecting the primary number.
The present invention also provides an apparatus capable of performing the steps in the method described above.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Fong Bryan Lew
Liu Chris Shi-Chai
Mugura Katzuto
Crosby, Heafey Roach & May
Hudspeth David
Sony Corporation
Wieland Susan
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