Computer interface method and system

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TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to methods and systems for processing and presenting information and, in particular, to methods and systems for processing and presenting information at a telephone station.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, extended telephone services are available using products offered by a number of service providers. Some of the most successful products include CompuServe, Dialog, Prodigy and AT&T Smart Phone 2100. These products permit a user to access a number of different information services using a telephone line and a remote computer.

While these products have had limited commercial success, they have significant disadvantages. These products generally require a user to establish communication with the service provider every time the user wishes to use the product. These products also require considerable training to educate a new user on the proper use of the product (i.e. commands). In addition, these products are based on textual input which require the user to use either a physical keyboard or a graphic on-screen keyboard.

A need therefore exists for a product which addresses the shortcomings of the products presently available. A need exists for a product which provides a user interface which is intuitive enough to permit a new user to begin using the product without extensive training. Furthermore, a need exists for a product which does not require the use of a keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention described and disclosed herein comprises a method and system for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station upon receiving input through a display screen adapted to cooperate with a pointing device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station using an intuitive user interface.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively simple and flexible method and system for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station which enhances one user's ability to communicate with other users.

In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a method is provided for processing and presenting graphic objects at a telephone station. The method includes the step of displaying background icons on the display screen of the telephone station. Each background icon represents an application category. The method also includes displaying foreground icons. Typically, the foreground icons are smaller than the background icons and the foreground icons are superimposed over the associated background icons. Each background icon represents a group of related applications. Each foreground icon represents an application having one or more functions. In some embodiments, the method might also include displaying an advertising window.

The method further includes selecting the foreground icon which represents the desired application using the display screen and the pointing device. It is preferable, although not necessary, to use a touch sensitive display screen. The pointing device could range from an electronic stylus to a human finger. Once the foreground icon is selected, the method requires displaying an application window on the display screen. The application window contains graphic objects such as buttons, icons, graphic tablets and text. Each graphic object represents a specific function.

In some embodiments, it may be necessary to redisplay the background and foreground icons in order to accommodate the application window. It may further be necessary to alter the size of the background and foreground icons to accommodate the application window. Preferably, once the application window is displayed, the selected foreground icon is visually highlighted.

Finally, the method includes the step of identifying the specific function to be performed by using the pointing device to select the appropriate graphic object on the display screen. In some cases, the user must supply additional data in order to complete the identified function. In this event, at least one input object will be displayed prompting the user to input the additional data. After the user has input the data using the pointing device, the preferred method includes transmitting the input data to the computer for processing. Input data can take many forms. The input data may be a hand written message created using the pointing device. The input data may also be analog audio data which is converted into digital audio data and transmitted to the computer.

In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a system is also provided for carrying out the steps of the above described method. The system includes the hardware and software necessary to implement the method and could include a touch sensitive screen and an electronic stylus.

The above objects and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Main Application Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Incoming Mail Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Voice Mail Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Electronic Mail (hereinafter "Email") Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Fax Mail Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Personal Directory Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 6a is a screen display hereinafter referred to as the directory edit screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Call Forward Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Call Log Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Telephone Services Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the News and Financial Services Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the White Pages Last Name Search Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the White Pages First Name Search Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Yellow Pages Category Search Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Yellow Pages Company Name Search Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Weather Services Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Banking Services Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a screen display hereinafter referred to as the educational reference center screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a screen display, hereinafter referred to as the Home Memo Screen illustrating the user interface method used by the present invention; and

FIG. 19 is a flow chart illustrating the method steps of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order to simplify the description of the present invention and to provide a concise description of the best mode for practicing this invention, it will be described in connection with a specific operating environment. This user interface is best implemented on a telephony device with either a gray-scale or color graphical display. The telephony device must employ an operating system capable of sending and receiving telephony switch signalling that enables services such as voice messaging, call waiting, three way calling, and other standard services. In addition, a protocol is necessary to provide the information services described in this document.

The telephony device must provide a way for the user to interact with the information on the screen. Possible modes of interaction include a mouse, a touch screen, an electronic stylus or a speech recognition device. The described interface is not dependent on a single interaction mode--rather, each mode can be used based on user preference.

The present invention may be implemented on any of a number of commercially available CPEs. Such CPEs include, for example, an Apple MacIntosh, a Sharp Wizzard with a communication card and a Radish CPE, commercially available for less than $200.00, manufactured by a company based in Boulder, Colo. The preferred CPE is an Apple MacIntosh.

The selection of a specific CPE is, to some extent, a marketing decision not a technical decision. Because the present invention can be implemented on any number of existing CPEs, the selection of a specific CPE may be based on what is commercially appealing. A commercially appealing CPE might be the most popular CPE, or it might be a CPE which supports functions, other than those required by the present invention, which users find desirable.

For the purposes of this description, selecting refers to a specific action performed by the user of the ATIS. To select an object, the user touches the object with the electronic stylus. To double-select an object, the user touches the object twice with the electronic stylus.

FIG. 1 shows the Customer Premises Equipment ("CPE") of the preferred embodiment displaying the Main Application Screen. The CPE comprises telephone station 102 connected to a display device 104. The telephone station 102 includes a telephone keypad 106 and a telephone handset 108. In order to assist the user in making intuitive selections without the need for reference materials or training, the display device 104 has a built-in microphone 109 and a display screen 110 which contains three background icons: an envelope icon 112, a telephone icon 122, and a reference icon 132.

Superimposed over each of the background icons, are a number of foreground icons. Each of these foreground icons represent an application which generally relates to the subject suggested by the background icon. The four foreground icons over the envelope icon 112 relate to mail services; the four foreground icons over the telephone icon 122 generally relate to telephone services; and the six foreground icons over the reference icon 13