Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Including keyboard
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-17
2001-10-30
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Including keyboard
C345S169000, C341S022000, C379S368000, C379S433020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310609
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to devices having manually operated push-buttons as part of a user interface, and more particularly to wireless communications units having a user interface which aids the user in operating the unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical mobile telephone units, both cellular and PCS, include a keypad and an LCD display for the user interface. The user of the mobile unit controls the operation of the telephone through the user interface, entering commands, characters, and phone numbers with the keypad. The user then views the commands entered and other information on the display. To facilitate the use of the keypad and display while the mobile telephone is operated in the dark, or in areas having limited ambient light, the display and keypad is often back-lighted.
The size of a mobile phone generally limits the size of the display, which in turn limits the amount of information that can be visually presented on the display at one time. The portion of the face of the telephone that is used for the display varies depending on the type of display and keypad. A common example of a mobile phone configuration has a liquid crystal display (LCD) having one to four lines capable of displaying text, each line having multiple character positions composed of a dot matrix. The dot matrix can also be used to display graphic images. A portion of the remaining area of the phone is occupied by the keypad. The keypad contains an array of individual push-buttons, or “keys”, which are used for either a fixed function or a soft function. A fixed function key has a single function, regardless of the actual configuration or status of the telephone. A soft function key is a key which is dynamically assigned a variety of functions from a pre-determined set of functions. Most fixed function keys will have some type of lettering or symbology which indicates its function. A soft function is usually marked to identify its dynamic functionality.
An example of a mobile phone having a display and keypad configuration is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,077 of Tsoi (issued on Jun. 12, 1995) for an invention entitled “Mobile Telephone User Interface Including Fixed and Dynamic Function Keys and Method of Using Same.” In the configuration disclosed by Tsoi, much of the front surface of the telephone is used for the display, and the control of the telephone is achieved using an array of soft-function keys.
FIG. 1
illustrates another example of a prior art telephone display and keypad configuration commercially known as the Nokia Model 2120. Referring to
FIG. 1
, the prior art telephone is shown and generally designated
100
. Telephone
100
includes display
102
, keypad
104
, microphone
106
, speaker
108
, antenna
110
, a speaker volume adjustment
112
. The telephone is turned on by pressing ON/OFF button
114
, which provides power to the telephone which in turn runs through its power-on testing sequence. Once the testing sequence has been completed, the telephone is ready for use.
Display
102
is formed with textual display areas
116
,
118
,
124
,
126
,
128
and graphical display areas
120
,
122
. In addition, cursor
130
is provided to allow the user to identify any selection from the menu by moving the cursor
130
from its initial position to alternative positions
132
and
134
within display
102
. Graphical display areas
120
and
122
are used to provide easy identification of the remaining battery life and the radio frequency signal strength.
The keypad
104
includes a pair of soft keys
138
and
140
, and a cursor movement key, or indexing key,
136
. These three keys
136
,
138
, and
140
allow the user to move through the complicated menu scheme by pressing soft key
140
to select the menu, then moving the cursor
130
within that menu using the indexing key
136
and selecting a particular menu entry by pressing the other soft key
138
. Keypad
104
also has the standard 10-key alpha-numeric keys such as keys
150
,
152
,
154
, and
156
, with the ABC, or alpha, key
144
allowing the user to enter alphanumeric characters. Also, a CLR key
142
is provided for correction of an erroneously entered key or command. A telephone number may be entered and SND key
146
is pressed to initiate a telephone call, and END key
148
is pressed to terminate the call.
Display
102
of telephone
100
shows a menu selection of the mode of the telephone, including an ANALOG mode shown in display area
126
, a DIGITAL mode shown in display area
128
, and a BOTH mode which incorporates both the analog and digital modes shown in display area
124
. In making the mode selection, cursor
130
may be moved from its original position to alternative positions
132
or
134
using indexing key
136
. Once the cursor is positioned within the desired display area, such as display area
124
, soft key
138
which corresponds to display area
116
, currently showing the word “OK”, is pressed thereby selecting the “BOTH” mode. Navigation through the various menu commands is often difficult, particularly when there are several levels of menu options in a nested, or hierarchical configuration. While it is possible to successfully operate the telephone using the written manual as a guide, this method of operation if often frustrating and time consuming.
The prior art telephone includes a number of fixed function keys and soft function keys. The fixed function keys are labeled descriptively with their respective functions, such as “SND” for sending a signal, “CLR” for clearing an input signal, and “PWR” for controlling the power to the telephone. The soft function keys are labeled with numbers, letters, or both since their function will be dynamic. In the Nokia telephone, most keys are made from material that is at least partially translucent so that lighting from the underside of the key will pass through to the top side and back light the labeling or marking on the upper surface of the key. Alternatively, the keys can be opaque, with the light being transmitted through the spaces between a key and the face plate, creating a halo around the key. Aside from simultaneous illumination of the markings on all keys, there is no functional information presented by or within the keypad area since most mobile phones typically provide indications of the functions, status or state of the telephone only within the display portion of the telephone.
A data processor, such as a microprocessor, is commonly used to process the inputs from the keypad and generate character or graphic information that is output on the display. This microprocessor is programmed to implement a particular menu structure within which the user can select functions, parameters or modes from a hierarchy of options. To select an option, the user will press a key to present the first level of menu options on the display, for example, a “menu” key. The user then views the available selections in the first level of options by pressing a key, for example, a “scroll” key, or an “up” and “down” key, causing a series of menu options to be sequentially displayed on the display. The option can then be selected by pressing another key, for example, a “store” key or “select” key. Many selection options will have a second level from which the user may choose. For example, a first level menu option selection of “ring volume” would lead to a second level selection wherein the user selects the ring volume desired from a list of ring volumes, for example, from the choices “1,” “2,” “3,” “4” and “5.”
Another example of a menu function is “keyguard” which, when activated, partially disables the keypad to prevent inadvertent key-presses from initiating any action or needlessly filling the display with numbers. In order to deactivate the “keyguard” function, the user presses a certain sequence of keys, for example the “menu” key followed by the “*” (star) key.
Due to the large number of menu options and specific key sequences necessary for performing the many functions available in the modern mobile phones, user
Brown Martin Haller & McClain
Dana, Jubin, Patel, Milan
Kovalick Vincent E.
Nokia Mobile Phones Limited
Shalwala Bipin
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