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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally related to a communication device, and
more particularly to a method and apparatus for actuating a function of a
communication device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As wireless communication devices have been significantly reduced in size,
they have become easier to transport and use in a variety of environments.
Conventional communication devices such as radiotelephones include the
standard telephone keys (0-9, *, #) as well as other functional keys to
implement various functions of the radiotelephone. However, the operation
of conventional radiotelephones is inhibited by the keypad layout. In
particular, current radiotelephones often require two hands to implement
functions of the radiotelephone. A user of a radiotelephone will typically
hold the device in one hand while actuating keys commonly located on the
surface of the radiotelephone.
Some conventional radiotelephones have included a pair of discrete keys for
controlling the volume of the radiotelephones. Other conventional
radiotelephones have added thumb wheels or thumb balls to improve the
operation of the device. However, such modifications merely reduce the
time required to cursor through a menu, but do not improve the ability to
implement functions of the radiotelephone.
Further, as the size of wireless communication devices decreases, the
surface area available for keys is significantly reduced. Conventional
radiotelephones have a keypad located on the front surface. Although some
conventional radiotelephones have added keys on a surface other than the
front surface having the main keypad, such keys have limited functionality
and must be used in conjunction with the main keypad.
Accordingly, there is a need for a novel method and apparatus for actuating
functions of a communication device.
Additionally, there is a need for novel method and apparatus for enabling
one-handed operation of a communication device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wireless communication device in a closed
position incorporating the invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wireless communication device of FIG. 1
in an open position;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an
actuator of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wireless communication device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is block diagram of a communication device incorporating the present
invention; and
FIG. 6 is a general state diagram showing the operation of the user
interface of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a general state diagram showing the call processing states of the
present invention.
FIGS. 8 and 9 are flow diagram showing the operation of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A unique actuator and user interface enables one-handed operation of a
wireless communication device, such as a radiotelephone or other portable
communication device. In particular, an actuator located on the side of
the radiotelephone separate from the main keypad enables one-handed
operation of frequently used features operations. For example, a
multifunction rocker switch may rotate around or slide along a particular
axis to scroll up and down through functions, while the rocker switch
could be pressed inward to select a function. Alternatively, three
discrete keys could be employed in place of the multifunction rocker
switch. In particular, an actuator button (hereinafter referred to as "the
smart button") could supplement two keys used for scrolling.
The communication device distinguishes between long and short press of the
smart button, and enters a state depending on the duration of the press.
In addition, the function of the smart button is dependent upon the
current state of the communication device. Long presses of the smart
button are preferably required to perform certain functions in order to
avoid inadvertent presses. Among other functions, the smart button
preferably provides the user access to the name directory and menu
subsystems. The smart button preferably provides the user with the ability
to place calls when reviewing a number, and to terminate a call when
completed. In addition, the smart button will perform a confirmation or
selection operation in most feature operations. A picture representation
such as a diamond may optionally be reproduced on a display to aid the
user in implementing a function. Additional features of the method and
apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail in
reference to the figures depicting the invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a wireless communication device
100 such as a cellular telephone having movable elements or other type of
radiotelephone incorporating the invention is shown in a closed position.
Although the method and apparatus could be incorporated in any
radiotelephone, the present invention finds particular application in a
foldable phone to enable operation when the phone is in a closed position
and the keypad is covered. A lower housing 102 is coupled to an upper
housing 104 having an outer housing cover 106 and a detachable battery
108. Lower housing 102 includes hinge elements 110 and 112 which
intercouple with hinge elements 114 and 116 of upper housing 104. A
cylinder 118 for routing conductors between lower housing 102 and upper
housing 104 is positioned within upper housing 104 between hinge elements
114 and 116. Cylinder 118 preferably enables conductors on a flex strip to
make a connection between electrical components located in the upper
housing and the lower housing. Lower housing 102 preferably includes an
external connector 120 for transmitting or receiving signals from an
external device, and an antenna 122 for transmitting or receiving radio
frequency (RF) signals. The communication device as shown can easily be
placed in a holster or other carrying device.
As shown in FIG. 2, the communication device can be opened, exposing a main
keypad 202 on a first, a display 204, a microphone aperture 206, and a
speaker 208. The display preferably includes indicator icons for the Menu
subsystem. The display also preferably includes dedicated signal strength
and battery meters and may include additional indicators such as light
emitting diodes (LED's) used for "In Use", "Roam", and "No Service". Also
shown in FIG. 2 is a cursor up key 124, a cursor down key 126 and the
smart button 128 of actuator device 130 on a second surface of the device.
An alternate embodiment of actuator device 130 is shown in FIG. 3. In
particular, an actuator 302 comprises a single piece having a thumb detent
304. The actuator could be rotated as shown by the curved arrows to enable
a cursoring function or pressed toward the phone to make a selection. A
clockwise rotation would enable cursoring through a name directory or a
main menu toward the top of the directory or menu, while a
counterclockwise rotation will enable cursoring to the bottom of the name
directory or the menu. Alternatively, the cursoring function could be
implemented by sliding the actuator up and down along the side of the
device (orthogonal to the direction for selecting). The selection function
of the actuator will be described in more detail in reference to the
remaining figures. Although the additional discrete keys or rocker switch
are preferably added to the side surface of the radiotelephone to enable
operation of certain functions in a holster, for example, the actuator
could be placed at any position on the device. Also, other types of
actuators such as dials which rotate around a first axis to cursor through
a menu and slide along a second axis could be employed. Also, while the
present invention finds particular application in a foldable communication
device where the main keypad would be covered when the device is closed,
the present invention could be used in any communication device, including
communication devices having a reduced keypad or communication devices
having no conventional telephone keypad but preprogrammed information.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a top plan view of the wireless communication device
of FIG. 1 is shown. An earpiece receptacle 402 is adapted to receive a
headphone jack for operation of the radiotelephone in the closed position.
Also shown is a status indicator 404 for providing visual feedback to a
user when a user is wearing the phone, in a holster for example. Status
indicator 404 is preferably a bi-colored LED mounted on the top of the
device to enable the user to check the status of device without removing
it from a holster or opening it if it is a foldable device. Status
indicator 404 will be illuminated whenever the radio is on and the phone
is closed, while the display will not be illuminated in this state. Status
Indicator 404 will be active while the phone is locked to give the user an
indication the phone is powered and in service at all times when the phone
is closed. Preferably, status Indicator 404 could indicate when the phone
initiates or is in a call with additional colors. The following table 1
provides an exemplary description of a dual color scheme which could be
employed according to the present invention:
TABLE 1
______________________________________
Red Red/Green Green Yellow
______________________________________
Slow Flash
No In Service
Roam on
25% DC 0.5 Hz
Service Home Type
System
Fast Flash
Roam on
50% DC 1.0 Hz
Non-Home
Type System
Alternate Incoming Call
500 ms each
Alert
color
______________________________________
Other actuating devices, such as a power button, could be placed on the top
surface of the phone to enable turning the device on or off when it is in
a holster or closed.
Turning now to FIG. 5, a block diagram of a wireless communication device
such as a cellular radiotelephone incorporating the present invention is
shown communicating with a base station of a wireless communication system
such as a cellular system. In the preferred embodiment, a frame generator
ASIC 501, such as a CMOS ASIC available from Motorola, Inc. and a
microprocessor 503, such as a 68HC11 microprocessor also available from
Motorola, Inc., combine to generate the necessary communication protocol
for operating in a cellular system. Microprocessor 503 uses memory 504
comprising RAM 505, EEPROM 507, and ROM 509, preferably consolidated in
one package 511, to execute the steps necessary to generate the protocol
and to perform other functions of the wireless communication device, such
as accepting input/output information by way of a connector 120, accepting
information from actuator 130 or a main keypad 202 according to the
present invention, writing to a display 204, controlling a frequency
synthesizer 525, or performing steps necessary to actuate a function
according to the method of the present invention. ASIC 501 processes audio
transformed by audio circuitry 519 from a microphone 206 and to a speaker
208.
A transceiver processes the radio frequency signals. In particular, a
transmitter 123 transmits through an antenna 122 using carrier frequencies
produced by a frequency synthesizer 525. Information received by the
communication device's antenna 122 enters receiver 527 which demodulates
the symbols using the carrier frequencies from frequency synthesizer 525.
The communication device may optionally include a message receiver and
storage device 530 including digital signal processing means. The message
receiver and storage device could be, for example, a digital answering
machine or a paging receiver. Although a single microprocessor is shown,
two microprocessors could be used. For example, a keyboard microprocessor
could detect depressions of the keypad and actuator and communicate with a
main microprocessor which performs other functions of the device.
Turning now to FIG. 6, a flow chart shows the general operation of the user
interface according to the present invention. The communication device
distinguishes between long and short press of the smart button, and enters
a state depending on the duration of the press. In addition, the function
of the smart button is dependent upon the current state of the
communication device. Long presses of the smart button are preferably
required to perform certain functions in order to avoid inadvertent
presses. A long keypress could be, for example, 750 msecs. Among other
novel features of the invention, the smart button enables access to and
call placement from the name directory, control of a call, such as
answering, originating, redialing, and ending, and access to the menu and
feature selection by using a single button, the smart button.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, the user interface is idle at a step
602. If FCN is selected followed by the smart button, the menu will be
entered at a step 604. The user can then scroll through the menu using the
up and down scroll keys at a step 606. At any point in the menu, the user
can select or toggle, depending upon the feature, at a step 608.
Alternatively, a short press to the smart button will enable access to the
name directory at a step 610. The user can then scroll through the
directory using the up and down scrolling keys at a step 612. At any point
when scrolling in a name directory, a long press of the smart button will
originate a phone call at a step 614. Finally, a long press of the smart
button when in the idle user interface will originate a call at a step 616
to a number in a scratchpad.
Turning now to FIG. 7, a flow chart shows the general operation of the
communication device for receiving, originating, or terminating calls
using the smart button. When the communication device is in the idle state
at a step 702, a long smart button key press will originate a call at a
step 704. Alternatively, a cellular order could be received which would
generate an alert at step 706. A press of the smart button would then
answer the call to enter a conversation at step 708. A long press of the
smart button could then be used to terminate the call. Optionally, the
user could be required to press the smart button for a second time at a
step 710 to terminate the call at a step 712. If a intercept or reorder is
received at a step 714, a press of the smart button would enter redial
mode at a step 716.
Turning now to FIG. 8, the operation of the circuit of FIG. 5 implementing
the present invention is shown. Microprocessor 503 monitors keypad 202 and
actuator device 130 at a step 802. If the smart button 128 is pressed at a
step 804, the microprocessor determines whether a keypad cover is present
at a step 806. If a keypad cover is present, the microprocessor determines
whether the phone is closed at a step 808. If the phone is closed, the
microprocessor then determines if a headset is present at a step 810. If
the phone is closed, but no headset is present, the microprocessor
continues to monitor the keypad at a step 802.
According to a novel feature of the invention, the smart button can be used
to answer incoming calls. In order to prevent inadvertent answering of
calls, a multiple-key answer feature (i.e. any key answer) which will
allow a single key selection other than SND to answer a call must be
enabled by the user. Multiple key answer operation with the smart button
enables the user to answer incoming calls without removing the phone from
the holster or opening the phone. If the keypad cover is not present at
step 806, the phone is closed at step 808, or the phone is open and the
headset is present at step 810, the microprocessor determines whether an
incoming alert has been received at a step 812. If an incoming alert has
been received, the microprocessor determines whether the multiple key
answer function has been enabled at a step 814.
If the multiple key answer has been activated, the smart button functions
as a send to answer the call at a step 816 and then continues to monitor
the keypad at step 802. However, if multiple key answer is not activated,
the microprocessor will continue further processing in FIG. 9. In a
communication device having a vibrator active, one press of the smart
button will stop the vibrator but will not answer the call. Two presses of
the smart button are preferably necessary when answering. This provides
the user the ability to stop the vibration without answering the call.
Another press of the smart button will END the call.
As shown in FIG. 9, the microprocessor will determine if the keypad cover
is present at a step 902. If a cover is present, the microprocessor
determines whether the phone is closed at a step 904. If no keypad cover
is present or the phone is closed, the microprocessor determines whether
redial is active at a step 910. If redial is not active, the
microprocessor determines whether reorder or intercept is active at a step
912. If a reorder or intercept is active, the smart button functions as a
send to redial at a step 914 and continues the monitor the keypad.
In addition to answering a call, it would be desirable to enable ending a
call without use of the phone keypad. In general, the user may press and
hold the smart button inward to end a call. In order to avoid
unintentionally terminating a call, a confirmation will preferably be
required. Accordingly, after the smart button is released, the user has 3
seconds to press the smart button again. If any other key is pressed, it
is processed accordingly. Referring particularly to FIG. 9, if a redial is
active or a reorder or intercept is not received, the microprocessor waits
for a time out or release at a step 916. If the smart button is not
released at a step 918, the microprocessor determines whether a time-out
has expired at a step 920. If the time-out has not expired, the
microprocessor continues to wait for time-out or release at step 916. If
the time-out has expired, the key tone will be provided and a confirmation
prompt will be displayed. The microprocessor then determines whether a
call is in progress at a step 922.
If no call is in progress, the microprocessor determines whether redial is
active at a step 924. If the redial is not active, the smart button
functions as a send to originate the call at a step 926 and continues to
monitor the keypad. Preferably, the SND operation will be allowed by
pressing and holding the smart button until visual and/or audible call
placement feedback is provided to the user when a call has been placed to
indicate to the user that the key has been pressed long enough to initiate
a call. In particular, the smart button can originate a call when
reviewing repertory locations within the name directory or when reviewing
the last number dialed stack. Preferably, the numeric portion of the
number used to access the network will be displayed in the visual feedback
message.
If redial is active, or if a call is in progress, the microprocessor
determines whether a second release (i.e. confirmation release) is
received at a step 930. If a release is received, the microprocessor waits
for a keypress at a step 934. In particular, the microprocessor determines
whether any key has been depressed at a step 936. If the smart button is
pressed, the call is ended. If no key has been depressed, the
microprocessor determines whether a time-out has expired at a step 938. If
the time-out has not expired, the microprocessor continues to wait for a
keypress at step 934. If the time-out has expired, the microprocessor
continues to monitor the keypad at step 802. If a key has been depressed
at step 936 before the time-out expires, the microprocessor determines
whether the smart button is depressed at step 940. If the smart button is
depressed, the smart button functions as an end to terminate the call. The
microprocessor will then continue to monitor the keypad for other key
depressions and process those key depressions.
If the microprocessor determines that the phone is closed at a step 904,
the smart button can still be used to terminate a call by requiring that
the smart button be selected for a predetermined period of time followed
by a confirmation selection. In particular, the microprocessor will wait
for a time-out or release at a step 950. If the smart button is released
at a step 952, the microprocessor continues to monitor the keypad at step
602. Otherwise, the microprocessor will determine whether a time-out has
expired at a step 954. If the time-out has expired, the microprocessor
will then determine whether the smart button has released at a step 930 to
wait for the appropriate confirmation.
If smart button is released at step 918 before a time-out expires, the
smart button will not function to end the call, but may function to enter
the name menu or transmit data. In particular, a short inward press of the
smart button will provide access to the Name Directory. This will provide
the user the ability to view the numbers stored within repertory. The
microprocessor first determines whether a call is in progress at step 960.
If a call is in progress, the microprocessor will determine whether the
phone is on a voice channel at a step 962. If the phone is not on a voice
channel, if will continue to monitor the keypad. Otherwise, the
microprocessor will determine whether data packets are available at a step
964. If data packets are available, the smart button will function as a
send to transmit at a step 968. The transmission of data packets is
accomplished according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,825, entitled METHOD FOR
MEMORY DIALING FOR CELLULAR PHONES, and filed by Pamela A. Dillard, Alisa
C. Chan and Robert K. Krolopp on Jul. 1, 1993 in the name of Motorola,
Inc., assignee of the present invention, the entire application of which
is incorporated herein by reference. If no data packets are available or
the call is not in progress, the microprocessor will enter the name menu
function at a step 966.
The FCN key followed by the smart button will also access the main menu.
The FCN key followed by the smart button followed by digit keys will
access the direct menu items. The cursor keys 124 and 126 will provide
scrolling functionality throughout the Menu subsystem. The smart button
will confirm selection of a menu item or toggle a menu item's status
(on/off). The following table provides a list of user functions which are
selected or toggled by the smart button, depending on the function:
TABLE 2
______________________________________
Menu Item Operation
______________________________________
Phone Book Smart Button To Select
Timers Smart Button To
Select
Tone Control Smart Button To Select
Lock Secure Smart Button To Select
Phone Options Smart Button To Select
Message Smart Button To
Select
Recall by Name Smart Button To Select
Recall by Location
Smart Button To Select
Store Number Smart Button To Select
Edit Smart Button To
Select
(Edit) By Location
Smart Button To Select
(Edit) By Name Smart Button To Select
(Edit) Name or Number Displayed
Smart Button To Select
(Edit) Name/Number manipulation
Smart Button to accept info
My Number Smart Button To
Select
Number Pref On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Name Pref On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
Reset Timer Smart Button To
Select
Indiv Timr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
One Min Timr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Repeat Timr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Single Timr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Beep at 0xx Secs Smart Button to accept
data
Ring or Vib Sel Smart Button To Select
Vibrate Only Smart Button To Select
Ring Only Smart Button To
Select
Vib On RingOn Smart Button To Select
Vib Off RingOff Smart Button To Select
Ringer On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
Ringer Style X Smart Button To Select
Keypad Tone On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Scrpad Tone On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Theft Alrm On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Theft Alarm Number Entry
Smart Button to accept entry
Auto Lock On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
Emergcy Call On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Secure Options Smart Button To Select
View LocCode Smart Button To Select
Change LocCode Smart Button To Select
Service Level X Smart Button To Select
1 Mem 1-20 Smart Button To
Select
2 Mem Only Smart Button To
Select
3 Keypd Only Smart Button To Select
4 Std Setting Smart Button To Select
5 Local Only Smart Button To Select
6 No Sto 1-10 Smart Button To
Select
7 Hide Range Smart Button To Select
(7 Hide Range) Range 1-xx
Smart Button to complete range entry
8 Hide Turbo Smart Button To Select
Master Reset Smart Button To Select
Master Clear Smart Button To Select
Change Number Smart Button To Select
Select Mode Smart Button To Select
Feature Review Smart Button To Select
Call Options Smart Button To
Select
Delay Call On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Delayed call, Enter Number num-
Smart Button to complete data entry
ber displayed
Delayed call, Delay xx Min
Smart Button to accept delay time
Cal Rev On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
Auto HF On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
MultKey Ansr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Auto Ansr On/Off Smart Button To Toggle
HF Auto Mute On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
HF Simplex/HF Full Display
Smart Button To Toggle
Turbo Dial On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Battery Options Smart Button Td Select
Vox On/Off Smart Button To
Toggle
Extend Talk On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
System Options Smart Button To Select
Display SID Smart Button To
Select
Signal Mtr On/Off
Smart Button To Toggle
Answer Machine Smart Button To Select
Play New Smart Button To
Select
Play All Smart Button To
Select
Play Announc Smart Button To
Select
Record Annouc Smart Button To Select
Ans Mac Options Smart Button To Select
Sel Ans or DTMF Smart Button To Select
Ans On DTMF On Smart Button To Select
Ans Mac Only Smart Button To
Select
DTMF Only Smart Button To
Select
Ans Off DTMF Off Smart Button To Select
Ans On X Rings Smart Button To Select
Ans Mac Audible/Silent
Smart Button To Toggle
Digital Message Smart Button To Select
(DMS) XX New or XX CIDU or
Smart Button To Select current
XX message
for review
(DMS) Clear? Smart Button To Confirm
Clear Entry
(DMS) Erase All? Smart Button To Confirm Clar
All
To Main Menu Smart Button To
Select
Non Menu Task Operation
Scrolling through repertory/
Press and Hold Smart Button to
recall
directory number into
scratchpad and place call
to
number
Scrolling through repertory/
Press and Hold Smart Button to
recall
directory number into
scratchpad and place call
to
number
Special Character Insertion Menu
Smart Button to select currently
Insert Pause or Insert Num 'N
displayed option and add it to
scratchpad
No task currently active
Press and Hold Smart Button
to dial
number
In reorder or intercept after
Smart Button to enter Redial mode
attempting to origninate a call
In a call on a voice channel with
Smart Button to transmit next packet
PIN code active or DTMF packets
to transmit
In a call or in Redial mode
Press and Hold Smart Button to
End
Call or Redial
In Alpha Entry mode to store to
Smart Button to complete entry
directory and save
At Full? Prompt (memory prtoect
Smart Button to confirm overwrite
feature)
Selectable System (RCL *)
Smart Button to Select current
option
Selectable System (RCL *),
Smart Button to complete data
entry
preferred SIDs of SID value
Lock? Smart Button
to confirm Locking
of
radio
Current NAM selection (RCL #)
Smart Button to Toggle
Additional Functionality
Operation
Entry of typed in AKEY
Dual Press of Smart Button
to
enter
value
Clear Repertory/Directory Entry
Smart Button to confirm
______________________________________
delete
In addition to providing increased functionality and ease of use, the
present invention enables the elimination of keys on the main keypad. Such
an improvement becomes particularly significant as the size of
communication devices decreases. According to an alternate embodiment of
the present invention, the main keypad would be reduced from having seven
functional keys to having four functional keys. In particular, the main
keypad would include a FCN key, a combined RCL/STO key, a combined CLR/END
key, and a SND key. Because the keypad layout contains both a combined
RCL/STO key, the primary operation is RCL while its secondary function
(i.e. when preceded by the FCN key) is store. The primary operation of the
combined CLR/END key changes based on the state of the | | |
