Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-03
2001-03-27
Vo, Nguyen (Department: 2745)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100, C455S158400, C379S354000, C379S093230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208877
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for radiotelephone communications, in particular, to methods and apparatus for displaying information on a radiotelephone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cellular radiotelephones are commonly used to access many different types of systems, including voice mail and corporate information systems. Communications with these systems may often involve the entry of sensitive or proprietary information such as passwords from the keypad of the cellular radiotelephone.
Conventional radiotelephones typically display digits entered from the keypad as the keystrokes are performed. In addition, many conventional radiotelephones are able to recall previously entered digits. Because radiotelephones may often be operated in public places in which onlookers may view the radiotelephone's graphical display, or may be used by multiple parties, these features may lead to an unintended release of sensitive information.
Some conventional radiotelephones allow a user to manually clear display entries, as illustrated in FIG.
1
. Referring to
FIG. 1
, a typical sequence for a call transaction (Block
100
) may involve entering a number to dial (Block
110
), pressing a send key (Block
120
) and dialing the number (Block
130
). After a communications session is established (Block
140
), an additional transaction involving entry of sensitive information from the keypad may occur, e.g., entry of a personal identification number (PIN) (Block
150
). After the communication session is ended by pressing an “END” key (Block
160
) on the keypad, a “clear” (CLR) key on the keypad may be pressed (Block
170
) to blank the display (Block
180
).
In such a sequence, however, the PIN remains displayed until the call is terminated, allowing unauthorized onlookers to gain access to this sensitive information. In addition, should the user neglect to press the CLR key, others may gain access to the sensitive information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for displaying information on a radiotelephone which provide improved security for sensitive information entered from the radiotelephone keypad.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for displaying information on a radiotelephone which are convenient for a user of the radiotelephone.
These and other objects, features and advantages are provided according to the present invention by radiotelephone apparatus and methods in which display of information entered from a keypad of a radiotelephone is suppressed as it is entered. Preferably, the radiotelephone may be placed into a display-suppressed mode, either manually in response to entry of a command from the keypad or automatically in response to communication between the radiotelephone and a station external to the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone may be manually taken out of the display-suppressed mode by a similar keypad command, by another communication with the other station, or by termination of the communications session with the other station. The display may be suppressed by providing a blank display in response to keypad entries or by displaying information other than the entered information, such as by repetitively displaying a single character in response to a plurality of different keystrokes.
By suppressing display of keypad entries, the present invention can provide enhanced security for information entered by the user of the radiotelephone. Onlookers can be prevented from discerning entered information, as all they may see is a blank screen or a string of repeated characters. Because display of the information is suppressed as it is entered, the user does not have to wait until a call is terminated to clear the display. In addition, because the display can be automatically suppressed, the user does not have to remember to clear the display at the end of a call.
In particular, according to the present invention, information is selectively displayed on a graphical display of a radiotelephone by suppressing display of information entered into the radiotelephone from a keypad of the radiotelephone as the information is entered. The suppression may occur after the radiotelephone is placed in to a display-suppressed state. Display of the entered information may be suppressed by displaying information other than the entered information. For example, a single character may be repetitively displayed in response to a plurality of different keystrokes performed on the keypad, or a blank display may be provided in response to a plurality of different keystrokes performed on the keypad.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the radiotelephone is placed in the display-suppressed state, and display of information entered from the keyboard is subsequently suppressed until the radiotelephone is placed in a non-displayed-suppressed state. After placing the radiotelephone in the non-display-suppressed state, information entered from the keypad is displayed.
According to other aspects of the present invention, the state of the radiotelephone may be controlled manually or automatically, The radiotelephone may be placed in one of the display-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state by entering a predetermined command from the keypad. Alternatively, the information may be communicated between the radiotelephone and a station external to the radiotelephone to place the radiotelephone in one of the display-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state. For example, information may be communicated to establish a communication session between the radiotelephone and the station and the radiotelephone may be placed in the display-suppressed state in response to establishment of the communications session between the radiotelephone and the station. A communication session between the radiotelephone and the station may be terminated to place the radiotelephone in the non-display-suppressed state.
A radiotelephone according to the present invention includes a keypad, a graphical display and means, responsive to the keypad and operatively associated with the display, for suppressing display of information entered from the keypad on the graphical display as the information is entered. The radiotelephone may further include means for placing the radiotelephone in one of a display-suppressed state or a non-display-suppressed state, and the means for suppressing may include means for suppressing display of information entered from the keypad if the radiotelephone is in the display-suppressed state. The means for suppressing may include includes means for displaying information other than the entered information in response to entry of the entered information, such as means for repetitively displaying a character or means for providing a blank display in response to a plurality of different keystrokes performed on the keypad.
The means for placing the radiotelephone in one of the displayed-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state includes means for accepting a predetermined command from the keypad to place the radiotelephone in one of the display-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state. The means for placing the radiotelephone in one of the displayed-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state may include means for placing the radiotelephone in one of the display-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state in response to communication of predetermined information between the radiotelephone and a station external to the radiotelephone. The means for placing the radiotelephone in one of the display-suppressed state and the non-display-suppressed state may include means for placing the radiotelephone in the display-suppressed state in response to establishment of a communications session between the radiotelephone and the station. The radiotelephone may also include means for placing the radiotelephone in the non-display-suppressed state in response to term
Ericsson Inc.
Fuller Greta J.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
Vo Nguyen
LandOfFree
Methods and apparatus for selectively displaying information... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Methods and apparatus for selectively displaying information..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Methods and apparatus for selectively displaying information... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2438020