Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-25
2001-08-21
Chang, Vivian (Department: 2682)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100, C455S090300, C345S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06278888
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to radiotelephones and methods of operation thereof, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for providing user input to radiotelephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Radiotelephone terminals typically include a radio transceiver integrated with a user interface mechanism within a handheld case. The user interface typically includes a plurality of keys similar to those provided. on conventional wireline telephones, as well as additional function keys for controlling functions associated with radiotelephone operations. The keys provide a means for entering commands, telephone numbers or other data for processing by the radiotelephone. A display may be used to display information a user has entered at the keys, e.g., telephone numbers, menu selections, and the like, as well as to display messages or other information received from a radiotelephone system with which the radiotelephone is communicating. The display may also be used to display information stored in memory located in the radiotelephone.
Commonly, the display is configured to display one or more graphical objects, e.g. a list of commands in a command menu or a list of telephone numbers that are stored in the radiotelephone memory that the user may select for communication. The graphical objects may be selectively displayed, for example, by displaying a selected number of entries in a list of telephone numbers or command options. The list may be “scrolled” in response to a user input to allow a large list to be displayed on a small display.
In some conventional radiotelephones, control of the scrolling of graphical objects on the display may be controlled by one or more keys, the operation of which may be similar to the “arrow” keys provided on computer keyboard. Other keys may be provided to invoke particular selections. In other conventional radiotelephone designs, a wheel-like input device may be mounted on the radiotelephone case that may be turned by a user to effect scrolling of graphical objects on the display. The wheel device may also be configured to select items on the display in response to user application of radial pressure to the wheel.
Each of these conventional techniques for control of a radiotelephone display has its limitations. Keys for scrolling and invoking display selections may be awkward to use, and may consume valuable space on the keypad of the radiotelephone. A wheeled input device may provide faster and more intuitive scrolling control, but such a device may take up an inordinate amount of space and require moving parts which may be more prone to failure. Accordingly, there is a need for improved input devices for radiotelephones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide radiotelephones and methods of operation thereof which provide reliable, intuitive and efficient display control.
This and other objects, features and advantages are provided according to the present invention by radiotelephones and methods of operation thereof in which control of a radiotelephone's display and/or radiotelephone communications transceiver is effected using a contact-sensitive transducer such as a resistive or capacitive touch strip mounted on the radiotelephone. The contact-sensitive transducer produces an output signal that characterizes contact, e.g., contact of an object such as a user's finger, with a surface of the transducer. The output signal may be processed by a controller to control display of information on the display and to initiate actions associated with displayed items. For example, the contact-sensitive transducer may be used to control display of graphical objects such as rows or columns on the display, and initiation of functions associated with the graphical objects. Preferably, the contact-sensitive transducer comprises an elongate strip and produces an output signal that characterizes contact with the strip along its elongate axis. In one embodiment, two of such elongate strips are mounted on respective sides of the radiotelephone. In another embodiment, an elongate strip is mounted on a front face of the radiotelephone.
Using a contact-sensitive transducer to control a radiotelephone offers several advantages. Because a contact-sensitive transducer may be configured to have a thin profile, the transducer may be mounted at a surface of the radiotelephone without taking up an inordinate amount of valuable space. Because characteristic types of contact with the transducer can be detected, such as swiping motions or taps, the transducer may be used to perform display movements such as scrolling or cursor movement, as well as for selection of items displayed on the display. In addition, because a contact-sensitive transducer may be fabricated without moving parts, reliability may be improved.
In particular, according to an aspect of the present invention, a radiotelephone includes a frame. The frame supports a radiotelephone communications transceiver and a display. A contact-sensitive transducer such as a resistive transducer, a capacitive transducer or a semiconductive transducer, is supported by the frame, e.g., mounted at a surface of a housing, and produces an output signal that characterizes contact along a contact-sensitive surface of the contact-sensitive transducer. A controller is responsive to the output signal and operatively associated with the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver, and controls at least one of the display and the radiotelephone communications transceiver according to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is configured to selectively display an image, e.g., a graphical object such as a row of alphanumeric characters, on the display responsive to the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The controller may include means for displaying of a plurality of graphical objects on the display, and means, responsive to the contact sensitive transducer, for identifying one of the displayed plurality of graphical objects based on the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer.
According to another embodiment, the controller comprises means, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, for determining a position of contact along the axis of the contact-sensitive transducer. Means are also provided, responsive to the means for determining a position of contact, for selectively displaying a graphical object based on the determined position of contact to thereby identify the graphical object, e.g., by highlighting one of a plurality of displayed graphical objects or by displaying a cursor that indicates one of a plurality of displayed graphical objects.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the controller is configured to cause the display or the radiotelephone communications transceiver to perform a plurality of actions. An action of the plurality of actions may be associated with an identified graphical object, and the controller may further comprise means, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, for initiating the action associated with the identified graphical object. The means for initiating an action may include means, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, for detecting a momentary contact with the transducer. Means may be provided, responsive to the means for detecting a momentary contact, for initiating the action associated with the identified graphical object. The means for initiating an action may include means for initiating the action in response to detection of a predetermined number of momentary contacts occurring within a predetermined time interval.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the controller includes means, responsive to the contact-sensitive transducer, for scrolling displayed rows along an axis of the display based on the output signal of the contact-sensitive transducer. The means for scrolling may include means, responsive to the output signal o
Hayes, Jr. John Joseph
Thornton Curtis Wayne
Appiah Charles N.
Chang Vivian
Ericsson Inc.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
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