Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
216qll7
Menu System
Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to menu systems and more
particularly to a user definable menu.
Background of the Invention
As radio communication devices become more complex,
including more features, it has become increasingly difficult to provide
a user-friendly interface which does not substantially hinder the user's
ability to access features. One man machine interface that has been
15 adopted is a menu system wherein menu items are displayed
sequentially on screens. The user employs a keypad associated with a
menu control processor to move through the menu items.
Although menu systems are relatively easy for users to utilize,
they have some disadvantages. Menus are long, often requiring that
20 the user scroll through an extensive number of items before finding a
particular item that they wish to use.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved menu
system.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a front and side perspective view illustrating a radio
telephone;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating the keypad of the radio
30 telephone according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a circuit schematic in block diagram form illustrating a
circuit in the radio telephone according to FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating a catalog of features of a menu
system;
21 69 1 l 7
FIGs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are charts illustrating menus and
items within the menu system of FIG. 4;
FIG. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are flow charts illustrating the
operation of the menu system;
FIG. 21 is a chart illustrating a volume and vibrator control;
FIG. 22 is a chart illustrating an alternate volume and vibrator
control; and
FIG. 23 is a chart illustrating another call alert control.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
A portable device includes a display which displays menu
information. The menu information includes a plurality of screens
which are sequentially displayed in a user definable order.
The invention is illustrated in radio telephone 100. Radio
telephone 100 is a GSM Cellular Telephone utilized with a smart
memory card 102. However, the menu system is applicable to other
radio communication device, such as personal communicators, pagers,
two-way radios, cordless telephones, and the like. Additionally, as used
herein radio telephones refer to portable, cellular, and cordless
telephones. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the
invention may be advantageously employed in landline telephones.
Accordingly, as used herein, "device" refers to all such equipment and
their equivalence.
A radio telephone 100 (FIG. 1) includes a body 102. A keypad, or
keyset 106 and a display 108, are positioned on the front face 110 of
housing 102. The illustrated radio telephone includes a slot 107 for
receipt of a smart card 105 used by radio telephone 100 to communicate
with base site transceiver 103. However, the cellular telephone could
be of the type which does not employ a smart card. A volume up
button 124 and volume down button 126 are positioned on the side 128
of radio telephone housing 102.
The keyset 106 (FIG. 2) includes an OK key 212, a clear key 214, a
menu key 216, an arrow right 218, and an arrow left key 220. The keyset
21 6q 1 1 7
also includes a power key 222, single button function keys 224 and 226,
and a hang-up key 228.
The keyset 106, including the volume up and volume down
keys, is connected to a processor 320 (FIG. 3) through a data bus 322.
5 The controller may be implemented using a suitable commercially
available microprocessor such as a Motorola HC11 or MC68332 or the
like. The controller is connected to display 108 through a databus 324.
The controller is also coupled through a bi-directional databus 330 to a
memory 332. The memory 332 is a dynamic memory storing the user
10 definable menu, and may be implemented using any suitable memory
device such as a commercially available electronically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a battery backed-up
random access memory (RAM), or the like. The processor is coupled to
transceiver 334 through a signal bus 336.
In operation, controller 320 is responsive to input signals from
the keyset 106 to selectively move through menu screens, represented
by boxes in FIG. 4. Each screen shows a single menu item in the
illustration of FIG. 4 due to the compact size of screen 108 (FIG. 1).
However, it is envisioned that screens could display two or more
20 menu items. The screens in FIG. 4 are sequentially displayed on the
display 108.
As used herein, a screen refers to the image which may be
displayed on display 108 (FIG. 1). If a single screen can not hold a menu
item, the single menu item can be scrolled across the display, and the
25 scrolling display of this single item would also be considered a screen
for purposes of this patent application.
The main menus of menu system 400 (FIG. 4) includes six
heading menu screens 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, and 414. Theses headings
are associated with six respective menu screen sequences 415-420 which
30 are not user definable, and extend downwardly therefrom in FIG 4. A
user definable menu 421 includes six menu items which are dynamic,
as described hereinbelow, such that the user can define the screen
sequence of items displayed in this menu. These items are under a
menu heading "MY MENU" in heading screen 402. Although this
35 menu includes six items, it is envisioned that the number of items in
'` 2169117
the MY MENU could be preset by a user, although it is preferred that
the menu have six items to keep the MY MENU display items readily
accessible in compact menu.
The menu 400 is navigated using the menu key 216 (FIG. 2), the
OK key 212 and the direction keys, which are the arrow right key 218
and the arrow left key 220. Upon initial actuation of the menu key, the
processor will either display the MY MENU heading screen 402 (FIG. 4),
if at least one item is stored in item screens MY MENU 1-6, or the
phone book menu heading screen 404, if no items are stored in MY
MENU 421. The user presses the arrow right key 218 to circle in a
clockwise direction and the arrow left key 220 to circle in a
counterclockwise direction. In the clockwise direction, the display 108
(FIG. 1) displays the phone book heading screen 404 (FIG. 4) after the
MY MENU heading screen 402, followed by the timer menu heading
screen 406, the tone menu heading screen 408, the secure menu
heading screen 410, the option menu heading screen 412, the message
menu heading screen 414, and then the MY MENU heading screen 402
again. If the arrow left key is pressed, the MY MENU heading screen
402 will be followed by the message menu heading screen 414, the
option menu heading screen 412, the secure menu heading 410, the
tone menu heading screen 408, the time menu key screen 406, the
phone book heading screen 404, and the MY MENU heading screen
402, each of which is sequentially displayed in display 108 each time the
arrow left key is actuated. The arrow left key thus allows the sequence
to progress in one direction through the menu system headings and
the arrow right key allows the progression to be in the opposite
direction through the menu system headings.
When a menu heading screen is displayed, such as the timer
menu heading screen 406 (FIG. 4), the user actuates the OK key 212
(FIG. 2) to move into that menu. Thus, the budget meter screen would
be displayed following actuation of the OK key from the timer prompt
heading menu screen in FIG. 4. Once in the timer menu, the user
actuates the arrow right key to move down the timer menu screen
sequence. Thus, the arrow right key will cause the menu item screen
sequence to be the sequence timer options screen, to the review timers
2l6qll7
screen, to the review units screen, to the reset timer screen, the one
minute timer off screen, the exit to menu screen, and back to the
budget meter screen. Conversely, the user actuates the arrow left key to
move from the budget meter screen, the exit to menu screen, the one
5 minute timer off screen, the reset timers screen, the review units
screen, the review timer screen, the timer options screen, and the
budget meter screen.
The user may return to the MY MENU screen 402 at any time by
pushing menu key 216. Additionally, the user can return to the menu
10 heading screen by actuating the OK key when the exit to menu screen
of the menu is displayed.
Movement through the menus has been generally described
with respect to FIG. 4. Specific menu item screens, and their associated
screens, are illustrated in FIGs. 5-12. FIG. 5 illustrates the phone book
15 menu 415 screen sequence. The phone book menu includes the recall
by name screen 502, and the screens associated therewith. This item
allows the user to recall stored telephone numbers by identifying the
name of the person to be called. The recall by location item screen 504
allows the user to recall telephone number by location. The store ~-
number item screen 506, and associated screens, are illustrated in FIG.
6. This item allows the user to store a telephone number in memory.
The edit menu item screen 508 allows editing of stored numbers. The
my number item screen 510 allows the user to enter their own phone
number. The exit to menus screen 512 returns to the phone book
menu heading screen when the OK key is actuated while screen 512 is
displayed.
The timer menu 416 is illustrated in FIG. 7. The timer menu
includes a budget meter screen 702, timer options item screen 704 with
associated screens extending to the left thereof, a review timer screen
706 with associated screens, a review unit screen 708 with associated
screens, a reset timer screen 710 with associated screens, and a one
minute timer off screen 712. The review timer item allows the user to
keep track of calls in individual, resetable, cumulative, home and roam
billing based on time of usage. The review units item allows the user
to review the number of units in the individual, resetable, cumulative
`` 216qll7
home, and roam. The reset timer is used to set the timer. The one
minute timer off enables or disables a one minute timer. The exit to
menus is selected using the OK key to return to return to the main
timer menu heading screen 406.
FIG. 8 illustrates the tone menu 417. The tone menu includes a
ring or vibrator select menu item screen 802 with associated screens
extending to the left. This allows the user to select vibrate only, ring
only, ring and vibrate, visual alert only and exit to menu. The ringer
style menu item screen 804 and associated screens is used to select a
particular ring style. The keypad tone on item screen 806 enables an
audible tone each time the keypad is actuated. The scrapped tone item
screen 808 is similarly used to provides an audible response to user
actuation. The exit to menu site screen 810 is used to return to the
main tone heading screen 408.
The secure menu 418 (FIG. 9) provides security features for the
radiotelephone 100 (FIG. 1). This includes a lock menu item screen 902
which is used enable and disable the radiotelephone lock. The secure
options item screen 904 and associated screens extending to the right
thereof in FIG. 9 include security levels. The exit to menus item screen
906 is used with the OK key to return to main secure menu heading
screen 410.
The option menu 419 (FIG. 10) provides the user with options as
indicated in screens 1002-1006 in FIG. 10. The status review item screen
1004, and associated screens, are illustrated in FIG. 11. The message
menu 420, including a pop-up message screen 1202, is illustrated in
FIG. 12.
The operation of the menuing system will now be described
with respect to Figs. 13 through 20. The menu system is provided by
processor 320 (FIG. 3), display 108, keyset 106 and memory 332. Upon
power up of the radiotelephone 100, the processor 320 is initialized as
indicated in block 1300. If the menu key 216 (FIG. 2) is actuated, as
determined in block 1302 (FIG. 13), the processor will proceed to
perform non-menu operations, as indicated in block 1304. Until such
time as the menu key is actuated, the processor will perform non-
menu operations. When the menu key 216 is actuated, the processor
21 6~ 1 1 7
-
determines whether any menu item screens from the phone book
menu 415 (FIG. 4), time menu 416, tone menu 417, secure menu 418,
options menu 419, or message menu 414, are stored in MY MENU 421.
If the processor determines that no menu item screens are stored in the
MY MENU 421, as indicated in decision block 1306, the processor
proceeds to block 1308 to display the first main menu heading screen,
i.e. the phone book menu screen 404. MY MENU 402 then becomes the
"last" menu screen displayed when progressing to the right using the
arrow right key. The processor will then proceed to the operations
described in FIG. 15, as described in greater detail herein below. If at
least one of item screens MY MENU 1-6 of the MY MENU 412 has a
menu item screen copied therein, the program will proceed to block
1400 in FIG. 14.
The processor 320 (FIG. 3) controls display 108 to display MY
MENU screen as indicated in block 1400 (FIG. 14). If the user does not
press the OK key, as determined in decision block 1402, or a direction
key (arrow right key or arrow left key), as indicated in decision block
1404, the processor will continue to display MY MENU heading screen
402. If the user selects the OK key, as determined in decision block 1402,
the processor will set N equal to one, as indicated in block 1406. N is
associated with the menu items, labeled 1 through 6, as shown in FIG.
4. The processor will then continue to block 1408, to display the menu
item screen "MY MENU N" (where N is one at this point. The
processor determines whether a direction key is pressed in decision
block 1410. If a direction key is pressed, the processor determines if it's
a right arrow key in decision block 1412. If it is the right arrow key, the
menu item number N is increased by one, as indicated block 1414. If
increasing the menu item by one causes the menu item to be greater
than six, the menu item N is set equal to one. This allows the screen
sequence to go from screen item MY MENU 6 to screen item MY
MENU 1, when progressing using the arrow right key.
If the MY MENU 6 is followed by the "Exit to Menu" screen, as
indicated in FIG. 4, the processor will control the display to display the
MY MENU heading screen 402 following actuation of the OK key.
Alternatively, the user may use the arrow right key to progress to item
21 6ql 1 7
screen MY MENU 1 or the arrow left key to move back to item screen
MY MENU 6. The processor will return to block 1408 if the user does
not opt to return to the MY MENU heading.
If it is determined in decision block 1412 that the right arrow key
was not actuated, the processor decreases N by one, as indicated in block
1416. If the result of decreasing N in block 1416 is less than one, the
processor sets N equal to 6. Again, if the exit to menu item screen is
provided in the sequence of screens, as indicated in FIG. 4, the user may
press the OK key while the Exit to Menu message is displayed to return
to the MY MENU screen 402. Scrolling right from the exit to menus
screen would return the user to item screen MY MENU 1 whereas
scroll left would return the user to item screen MY MENU 6. The exit
to menu provides the user with the means to return to the main menu
after scrolling through the menu. The user may also return to the MY
MENU heading at any time while in the menu system by actuating the
menu key 216. Thus, the menu key provides a ready return to the
main menu, and the exit to menu options provides a means of
informing the user that they have the option to return to the menu
heading. This facilitates the user screen sequence progression through
the menu for users who do not have ready access to a manual and do
not remember the scrolling method.
If it is determined in decision block 1410 that the direction key is
not actuated, the processor determines whether the OK key was
actuated in decision block 1418. If the OK key was actuated, the
processor displays the message "program item N", and the number N
flashes, as indicated in block 1420. Thus, if the user was on menu item
1 when the OK key was actuated, the number 1 will flash while the
user looks for a menu item screen to transfer to the MY MENU 421.
The processor will then proceed to the programming routine described
with reference to Figs. 16, 17 and 18. If it was determined in decision
block 1418 that the OK key was not actuated, the processor determines
whether the clear key is actuated in decision block 1422. If the clear key
was not actuated, the processor will return to decision block 1410, and
continue to wait for actuation of a direction key, the OK key or the clear
key. If the clear key is determined to have been actuated in decision
21 69 1 1 7
-
block 1422, the processor displays the message "clear menu location N"
as indicated in block 1424. This informs the user that they have the
option of clearing the item stored in item screen MY MENU N which
is currently displayed. If the user presses the clear key, as determined
5 in decision block 1426, the processor returns to display the menu item
at block 1408. If the clear key was not determined to have been actuated
in decision block 1426, the processor determines whether the OK key is
actuated in decision block 1428. Actuation of the OK key confirms that
the user wishes to clear the menu location. Actuation of the OK key
10 will control the processor to display the message "MY MENU location
N", indicating that no item is stored at menu location N, as indicated
in block L430. If the OK key was not actuated as determined in decision
block 1428, the processor returns to block 1426 and waits for the clear
key or OK key to be actuated.
Scrolling through the menu will now be described with respect
to FIG. 15. Initially, the processor has entered the scrolling mode
following actuation of one of the direction keys. The processor first
determines whether the right arrow key was pressed in decision block
1500. If the right arrow key was actuated, the processor will move
20 clockwise through the ~nain display screen sequence as indicated in
block 1502. If the right arrow key was not pressed, indicating that the
left arrow key was actuated, the processor progress through the screen
sequence of FIG. 4 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated in block
1504. Following movement to the new item screen, the processor waits
25 for the OK key to be actuated, as detected in decision block 1506, or a
direction key to be actuated, as detected in block 1508. If the OK key is
actuated, indicating that the user has entered the menu under the
main menu heading, the processor will display the menu item as
indicated in block 1509. If the OK key is detected in decision block 1510,
30 indicating that the user wishes to enter the menu item, the processor
will move into the menu item screen sequence, or toggle a menu item
having two states, as indicated in block 1512. When in the menu item,
the user may use the menu item as instructed by the menu. Use of the
menu could include entering a telephone number, recalling a
35 telephone number, selecting a security level, or any of the other items
`~ 21691 17
under the main menu headings 404 through 414. Inasmuch as the
specific menu item operations are not a part of the immediate
invention, these items are not described in greater detail herein.
If it is determined in decision block 1510 that the OK key is not
5 actuated, the processor determines whether a direction key was
actuated in decision block 1513. If the left or right arrow keys are
actuated, the processor will determine which key was actuated in
decision block 1514. If the right arrow key was actuated, the processor
will move clockwise through the menu items under the main menu
10 heading, as indicated in block 1516. If the arrow left key was actuated,
the processor will move counter clockwise through the menu item
sequence, represented in FIG. 4, under the main menu heading, as
indicated in block 1518. If the menu item exit screen is not displayed, as
determined at decision block 1520, the processor will return to decision
block 1510. If it is determined at decision block 1520 that the menu
item exit screen is displayed, the processor will determine whether the
OK key is actuated, in decision block 1522. Actuation of the OK key
when the menu item exit screen is displayed will cause the processor to
display the main menu heading, as indicated in block 1524 and return
20 to block 1506. If the OK key was not determined to have been actuated
in decision block 1522, the processor determines whether a direction
key is actuated, in decision block 1526. If the direction key is not
actuated, the processor will wait for the OK key or the direction key to
be actuated. If it is determined at block 1524 that the direction key is
25 actuated, the processor will return to block 1514 to continue progressing
through the screen sequence under in the selected menu.
The copying or defining mode, which is the copying of item
screens from the menus 415-421 to MY MENU 421 locations, will now
be described with reference to FIGs. 16 through 18. Initially, the
30 processor determines whether the menu key is actuated in decision
block 1600. If the menu key is actuated, the processor will move to the
main menu, represented by block 1700 in FIG. 17. If the menu key is
not actuated as determined in decision block 1600, the processor will
determine whether the OK key is actuated in decision block 1602. If the
35 OK key is actuated, the processor will display the message "copied to
21 6'~ 1 1 7
-
MY MENU item n", as indicated in block 1605. The processor then
waits for actuation of any key, as determined in decision block 1606, to
return to decision block 1602.
If the OK key is not actuated, as detected in decision block 1602,
the processor determines whether a direction key was actuated in
decision block 1604. If the decision key is not actuated, the processor
returns to block 1600. If the direction key is actuated, the processor
determines whether the right arrow key was actuated in decision block
1606. If the right arrow key was actuated, the processor scrolls clockwise
to the next menu item screen in the MY MENU as indicated in
decision block 1608. If the right arrow key was not actuated, the
processor scrolls counterclockwise to the previous MY MENU item
screen as is indicated in decision block 1610. Following blocks 1608 and
1610, the processor determines whether the OK key was actuated in
decision block 1612. If the OK key is not actuated, the processor returns
to block 1600. If the OK key was actuated, the processor displays "copy
MY MENU location N" as indicated in block 1614. This informs the
user that the user has the option of copying the menu item screen in
another location of the MY MENU to the MY MENU location currently
being defined. If the user actuates the OK key, as determined in
decision block 1616, the item is copied from the old location to the
menu location currently displayed, as indicated in block 1618. The
processor then moves to the MY MENU location being programmed as
indicated in block 1620, displays the current menu screen, and returns
to block 1408 in FIG. 14.
If the OK key is not actuated, as determined in decision block
1616, the processor determines whether the clear key is actuated in
decision block 1622, or if the direction key is actuated in decision block
1624. The processor will wait for the OK key, the clear key, or a
direction key to be actuated. Upon actuation of the clear key, the
processor will return to decision block 1612. Upon actuation of a
direction key, as determined in decision block 1624, the processor will
return to decision block 1607 to continue movement through the MY
MENU. Thus, in summary, FIG. 16 represents movement through the
MY MENU in the copying or defining mode, and copying of item
11
21 6q 1 1 7
screens from one MY MENU location to another MY MENU location.
It should be noted that following such copying of items in the MY
MENU, the item will appear in two MY MENU locations. The ability
to copy one items within the MY MENU location to another allows the
user to manually relocate item screens in the MY MENU according to
their use, as the user changes their use thereof.
If the user actuates the menu button while in the copying mode,
the processor will move to the main menu headings as indicated in
block 1700 (FIG. 17). The processor will determine if a direction key is
actuated in decision block 1702 or the OK key is actuated in decision
block 1704. Actuation of a right or left arrow key moves the processor
through the main headings. Thus, if the processor detects a right arrow
key as determined in decision block 1706, the processor will move to
the next clockwise menu heading and display it as indicated in block
1707. If the processor does not detect the right arrow key in decision
block 1706, indicating that the left arrow key was actuated, the processor
moves to the next counterclockwise menu heading screen, and displays
this information in display 108 as indicated in block 1708. The
processor then returns to decision block 1702.
If it is determined in decision block 1704 that the OK key is
actuated, indicating that the user wishes to enter the menu under the
menu heading, the processor displays the first menu item as indicated
in block 1710. According to an advantageous aspect of the invention,
the MY MENU item number being defined, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, will be
displayed throughout the programming process and it will flash so
long as the user is looking for an item to be copied into the MY MENU.
In decision block 1712, the processor determines whether the OK
key is actuated. If the processor determines that the OK key is actuated,
indicating that the user wishes to select a menu item for the MY
MENU, the processor first determines whether the exit menu options
screen is currently displayed, as indicated in decision block 1714. If the
menu exit screen is displayed when the OK key is selected, the
processor will return to the display menu heading with the MY MENU
item number flashing, as indicated in block 1716. If it is determined in
block 1714 that the exit menu option was not displayed, indicating that
2 1 6q ~ 1 7
the user wished to select the item screen for the MY MENU, the
processor determines whether the item is a subdirectory heading in
decision block 1718. Subdirectory headings, such as timer options in
FIG. 7, secure options in FIG. 9, and call options in FIG. 10, cannot be
5 moved to the MY MENU. Most menu item screens may, however, be
moved to the MY MENU. Thus, if the item is not a subdirectory
heading, the processor will display "copy to MY MENU location N" on
display 108, as indicated in block 1720. If the user wishes to copy the
item to the MY MENU location N, the user actuates the OK key. The
10 processor detects the OK actuation, in decision block 1722 and displays
"copied item to MY MENU location" after copying the item, as
indicated in block 1724. The processor then moves to the MY MENU
item screen as indicated in block 1726, and returns to block 1408 in FIG.
14. If it is determined at decision block 1722 (FIG. 17) that the OK key is
15 not actuated, the processor determines whether the clear key is actuated
in block 1728. If the clear key is actuated, the processor returns to block
1712. If the clear key was not actuated, the processor determines
whether a direction key is actuated in decision block 1730. If the
direction key is not actuated as determined in decision block 1730, the
20 processor waits for the OK key, the clear key, or the direction key to be
actuated. If the direction key was actuated, as determined in decision
block 1730, the processor will determine which direction the arrow key
was moved in block 1732.
If it was determined in decision block 1712 that the OK key was
25 not actuated, the processor will determine whether the direction key
was actuated in decision block 1734. If the direction key was not
actuated, the processor will wait for the OK or the direction to be
actuated, indicating that the user wished to select or move from the
menu item displayed. If it is determined that the direction key was
30 actuated, the processor determines whether the right arrow key was
actuated in decision block 1732. If the right arrow key is actuated, the
processor will move to the next screen in a clockwise direction in FIG. 4
and display the item, as indicated in block 1738. If the right arrow key
was not determined to have been actuated, the processor will move
35 counterclockwise in FIG. 4 to the next menu item screen, and display
13
- 2 1 69 1 1 7
the menu item as indicated in block 1740. The processor will then
return to block 1712 to determine whether user wishes to select the
next menu item.
If it was determined that the decision block 1718 that a
subdirectory heading was selected, the processor will proceed to display
the submenu item as indicated at block 1800 (FIG. 18). The processor
will then determine whether the OK key was actuated in decision block
1802 or a direction key is actuated in decision block 1804. If a direction
key is actuated, the processor will determine whether the right arrow
key was actuated in decision block 1806. If the right arrow key is
actuated, the processor will move to the next display screen in a
clockwise direction in FIG. 4 to the next submenu item, as indicated in
block 1808. If the right arrow key was not determined to have been
actuated in decision block 1806, the processor will move to the next
counterclockwise menu item screen as indicated in block 1810.
Following movement to the next menu item screen, the processor will
return to decision block 1802.
If the OK key was actuated in decision block 1802, the processor
determines whether the exit to menu screen in a subdirectory heading
was actuated, as determined in block 1812. If the exit menu option was
selected, the processor will return to the main menu heading screen as
indicated in block 1814. If the exit to menu option was not displayed, as
determined at decision block 1812, the processor will display message
"copying to MY MENU location N", as indicated in block 1816. The
processor will then wait for actuation of the OK key, to confirm
selection of such copying as indicated in block 1818, or the clear key as
detected in decision block 1820, indicating that the user does not wish
to select the option to be copied to the MY MENU. If the OK key was
actuated, the copied item is displayed in its new my menu location and
copied to the displayed location, as indicated in blocks 1821 and 1823. If
the clear key is actuated, the processor will return to block 1802
displaying the submenu item. If the clear key is not actuated, the
processor will wait for a direction key as detected at block 1822, the OK
key as indicated at block 1818, or the clear key as detected at block 1820.
If the direction key is actuated, the block will proceed to block 1806 to
14
- 2 1 69 1 1 7
determine which direction is selected, and the processor will continue
to progress through the menu screens.
The menu system includes a timer interrupt 1901 (FIG. 19), and a
timer interrupt 2001 (FIG. 20). While the menuing system is being
5 used, the operator may press the menu key 216 (FIG. 2) at any time to
interrupt the program and return the program to the MY MENU, as
indicated in block 1900 (FIG. 19). The program will then proceed to
block 1402.
If the user does not actuate a key for a predetermined time
10 period, for example one minute, the processor detects this inactivity,
and interrupts the operation of the program, as indicated at decision
block 2000 (FIG. 20). When this one minute of inactivity is detected,
the processor will exit the menuing program as indicated in block 2002.
Additionally, the user may actuate the on-hook key 228 (FIG. 2) on the
15 keyset to exit the menuing system at any time.
The illustrated MY MENU has a fixed predetermined number of
item screens thereunder. This restricts the MY MENU to a short menu
which is readily scrolled through and includes the users most preferred
items for quick and convenient access. It is envisioned that the items
20 in the MY MENU can be counted each time they are selected by the
user. This count can be used to sequence screens according to their use.
The most often used items are positioned at the top of the MY MENU
and the less often used item screens located at the bottom. Thus the
most often used item would be accessed first from the MY MENU
25 heading, the second most used item second, the third most used item
third, the fourth most used item fourth and the fifth most used item
fifth. Additionally, it is envisioned that the menu system could be set
up to operate automatically to move items from the main menu to the
MY MENU according to how often they are used. The six most often
30 used items would automatically be moved from the main menus to
the MY MENU. Such automatic operation assures the user that the
most often used menuing items are in MY MENU. Additionally, it is
noted that items in the MY MENU are not removed from the main
menu. Thus, these options are accessible when scrolling through the
35 main menu and accessible when scrolling through the MY MENU.
21 691 1 7
In summary, a menu system is enclosed which includes readily
available user definable screen sequence and fixed screen sequence
menus. The user definable screen sequence may have a fixed pre-
determined length, such as six items. The item screens in the MY
5 MENU can be automatically or manually selected by the user to include
their most often utilized menu items. Additionally, the menuing
system allows the user to scroll through menu headings and relatively
short menu items under each menu heading. This multi-tiered menu
system provides ready access to items that the user wishes to identify.
10 Additionally, the use of a flashing item number during defining of the
MY MENU reminds the user that they are in the copying mode, and
which item number in the MY MENU is being selected.
The exit to menus options in each menu allows the user to
return to the menu heading screen after entering a menu.
15 Additionally, the menu key may be utilized to return to the MY MENU
heading from any location in the menu.
In the tone menu, the ring or vibrator select item may
advantageously include a ring and a vibrate option. This option allows
the user to utilize the volume up and volume down keys to set the
20 volume of the ringer and enable the vibrator in a novel manner. More
particularly, FIG. 21 illustrates an eight step volume control. In a
ringer only mode, the seven volume levels may be selected by moving
from step 2 through step 8. From volume 1, the volume is lowered to
activate a silent alert, wherein the ringer is not energized, the vibrator
25 is not energized and a visual signal is provided as a silent alert. By
lowering from step 1 to step 0 using the down volume control, the
vibrator is energized. Thus, the two button volume control may be
used to select ringer only, vibrator only and silent alert.
FIG. 22 illustrates a mixed mode operation. Volumes 1 through
30 7, corresponding to steps 2 through 8 set using the up/down volume
control buttons, provide increasing volume for mixed mode operation.
By moving from step 2 to step 2, pushing the volume control down
button, the silent alert is activated, wherein a visual indication of an
incoming call only is provided. Lowering the level from step 1 to step
16
- 2 1 6~ 1 1 7
-
O turns on the vibrator such that the user's vibrator will be actuated to
provide an incoming call alert.
In a third embodiment, the ring only mode has seven volume
controls using steps 1 through 7. A silent alert is also provided by
5 selecting step O using the volume control.
It will be recognized that this novel volume/vibrator control
using the volume up and volume down keys, would preferably
include displays indicating the volume level 1 through 7, the alert
level, step 1, and the vibrator on, step 0, to provide a visual
10 confirmation to the user.
Accordingly, it can be seen that an improved radiotelephone
interface is disclosed. The system is convenient for users and provides
a dynamic menuing system. Program is particularly advantageous
because it provides the user with a great deal of versatility and a system
15 that requires sequential display of information due to the relatively
small displays available in portable electronic devices such as
radiotelephones .
