Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELECTIVE VIEWING OF INFORMATION
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is
subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile
reproduction by any one of the patent document or patent disclosure as it
appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright
rights whatsoever.
FIELD
The present disclosure, in a broad sense, is directed toward handheld
electronic
devices including those without communication capabilities such as Personal
Digital
Assistants (PDAs), and more specifically the disclosure is directed toward
handheld
communication devices that have wireless communication capabilities and the
networks
within which the wireless communication devices operate.
BACKGROUND
With the advent of more robust wireless communications systems, compatible
handheld communication devices are becoming more prevalent, as well as
advanced.
Where in the past such handheld communication devices typically accommodated
either
voice transmission (cell phones) or text transmission (pagers and PDAs),
today's consumer
often demands a combination device capable of performing both types of
transmissions,
including even sending and receiving e-mail. Furthermore, these higher-
performance
devices can also be capable of sending and receiving other types of data
including that
which allows the viewing and use of Internet websites. These higher level
functionalities
necessarily require greater user interaction with the devices through included
user
interfaces (UIs) which may have originally been designed to accommodate making
and
receiving telephone calls and sending messages over a related Short Messaging
Service
(SMS). As might be expected, suppliers of such mobile communication devices
and the
related service providers are anxious to meet these customer requirements, but
the
demands of these more advanced functionalities have in many circumstances
rendered the
traditional user interfaces unsatisfactory, a situation that has caused
designers to have to
improve the UIs through which users input information and control these
sophisticated
operations.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Exemplary methods and arrangements conducted and configured according to the
advantageous solutions presented herein are depicted in the accompanying
drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a handheld communication device cradled in the palm of a user's
hand;
FIG. 2A depicts a handheld communication device displaying a list of contacts
with a contact name designated and FIG. 2B depicts a handheld communication
device
displaying a list of contacts with revealed information in a pop-up window;
FIG. 3 depicts a handheld communication device displaying a list of contacts
with
a contact name designated
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary QWERTY keyboard layout;
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary QWERTZ keyboard layout;
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary AZERTY keyboard layout;
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary Dvorak keyboard layout;
FIG. 8 illustrates a QWERTY keyboard layout paired with a traditional ten-key
keyboard;
FIG. 9 illustrates ten digits comprising the numerals 0-9 arranged in a
telephone
keypad configuration, including the * and # flanking the zero;
FIG. 10 illustrates a numeric phone key arrangement according to the ITU
Standard E.161 including both numerals and letters;
FIG. 11 is a front view of an exemplary handheld electronic device including a
full
QWERTY keyboard;
FIG. 12 is a front view of another exemplary handheld electronic device
including
a full QWERTY keyboard;
FIG. 13 is a detail view of a reduced QWERTY keyboard;
FIG. 14 is a detail view of an alternative reduced QWERTY keyboard; and
FIG. 15 is a block diagram representing a wireless handheld communication
device
interacting in a communication network;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram representing a method in accordance with the
present
technology.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As intimated hereinabove, one of the more important aspects of the handheld
electronic device to which this disclosure is directed is its size. While some
users will
grasp the device in both hands, it is intended that a predominance of users
will cradle the
device in one hand in such a manner that input and control over the device can
be affected
using the thumb of the same hand in which the device is held, however
additional control
can be effected by using both hands. As a handheld device that is desirably
pocketable,
the size of the device must be kept relatively small. Of the device's
dimensions, limiting its
width is important for the purpose of assuring cradleability in a user's hand.
Moreover, it
is preferred that the width of the device be maintained at less than ten
centimeters
(approximately four inches). Keeping the device within these dimensional
limits provides
a hand cradleable unit that users prefer for its useability and portability.
Limitations with
respect to the height (length) of the device are less stringent when
considering hand-
cradleablability. Therefore, in order to gain greater size, the device can be
advantageously
configured so that its height is greater than its width, but still remain
easily supported and
operated in one hand.
A potential problem is presented by the small size of the device in that there
is
limited exterior surface area for the inclusion of user input and device
output features.
This is especially true for the "prime real estate" on the front face of the
device, where it is
most advantageous to include a display screen that outputs information to the
user. The
display screen is preferably located above a keyboard that is utilized for
data entry into the
device by the user. If the screen is provided below the keyboard, a problem
occurs in that
viewing the screen is inhibited when the user is inputting data using the
keyboard.
Therefore it is preferred that the display screen be above the input area,
thereby solving
the problem by assuring that the hands and fingers do not block the view of
the screen
during data entry periods.
To facilitate textual data entry, an alphabetic keyboard is provided. In one
version,
a full alphabetic keyboard is utilized in which there is one key per letter
(see Fig. 12 for an
example). This is preferred by some users because it can be arranged to
resemble a
standard keyboard with which they are most familiar. In this regard, the
associated letters
can be advantageously organized in QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY or Dvorak layouts,
among others, thereby capitalizing on certain users' familiarity with these
special letter
orders. In order to stay within the bounds of a limited front surface area,
however, each of
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the keys must be commensurately small when, for example, twenty-six keys must
be
provided in the instance of the English language. An alternative configuration
is to
provide a reduced keyboard in which at least some of the keys have more than
one letter
associated therewith (see Fig. 13 for an example). This means that fewer keys
are required
which makes it possible for those fewer keys to each be larger than in the
instance when a
full keyboard is provided on a similarly dimensioned device. Some users will
prefer the
solution of the larger keys over the smaller ones, but it is necessary that
software or
hardware solutions be provided in order to discriminate which of the several
associated
letters the user intends based on a particular key actuation, a problem the
full keyboard
avoids. Preferably, this character discrimination is accomplished utilizing
disambiguation
software included on the device. To accommodate software use on the device, a
memory
and microprocessor are provided within the body of the handheld unit for
receiving,
storing, processing, and outputting data during use. Therefore, the problem of
needing a
textual data input means is solved by the provision of either a full or
reduced alphabetic
keyboard on the presently disclosed handheld electronic device. It should be
further
appreciated that the keyboard can be alternatively provided on a touch
sensitive screen in
either a reduced or full format.
Keys, typically of a push-button or touchpad nature, perform well as data
entry
devices but present problems to the user when they must also be used to affect
navigational control over a screen-cursor. In order to solve this problem, the
present
handheld electronic device preferably includes an auxiliary input that acts as
a cursor
navigational tool and which is also exteriorly located upon the front face of
the device. Its
front face location is particularly advantageous because it makes the tool
easily thumb-
actuable like the keys of the keyboard. In a particularly useful embodiment,
the
navigational tool is a trackball which is easily utilized to instruct two-
dimensional screen
cursor movement in substantially any direction, as well as act as an actuator
when the ball
of the trackball is depressed like a button. The placement of the trackball is
preferably
above the keyboard and below the display screen; here, it avoids interference
during
keyboarding and does not block the user's view of the display screen during
use (see Fig. 1
for an example).
In some configurations, the handheld electronic device may be standalone in
that it
does not connect to the "outside world." One example would be a PDA that
stores such
things as calendars and contact information but is not capable of
synchronizing or
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communicating with other devices. In most situations such isolation will be
viewed
detrimentally in that synchronization is a highly desired characteristic of
handheld devices
today. Moreover, the utility of the device is significantly enhanced when
connectable
within a system, and particularly when connectable on a wireless basis in a
network in
which voice, text messaging, and other data transfer are accommodated.
As shown in FIG. 1, the handheld device 300 is cradlable in the palm of a
user's
hand. The handheld device is provided with a keyboard 332 to enter text data
and place
telephone calls and a display screen 322 for communicating information to the
user. A
connect/send key 6 is preferably provided to aid in the placement of a phone
call.
Additionally, a disconnect/end key 8 is provided. The send key 6 and end key 8
preferably are arranged in a row of keys including a navigation tool 328.
Additionally, the
row of keys including the navigation tool preferably has a menu key 7 and an
escape key
9. The menu key 7 is used to bring up a menu and the escape key 9 is used to
return to the
previous screen or previous menu selection.
The user interface of a handheld device 300 provides the layout for the user
to
interact with the handheld device 300. Keyboard 332 allows the user to enter
text data and
place phone calls, navigation tool 328 allows the user to navigate
applications and
software programs, and display screen 322 allows the user to view the
execution of input
commands, applications and software programs.
Displays screens on portables devices are generally designed to facilitate
mobility
while providing the user with an interactive display that is easy to use. In
portable devices
where display screen area is limited, it may be advantageous to selectively
display
information.
Selectively displaying information allows the user to view general
information, such as an individual's name, without viewing specific details
relating to the
general information, such as addresses, telephone numbers, and other specific
information.
A user can designate or select the general information, and in response,
display the
specific details relating to the general information.
As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, a list of contact names 100 are presented on display
screen 322. The contact names 100 can be designated by scrolling sequentially
(up or
down) through the list of contact names. Scrolling is the act of sliding a
horizontal or
vertical presentation of content, such as text, drawings, or images, across a
screen or
display window. Scrolling is generally accomplished in response to a user
request.
Designating is the act of marking, highlighting, or otherwise signifying a
specific area on a
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display screen. For example, a user may request to scroll down a list of names
by
actuating navigation tool 328, thereby designating a specific name. In one
embodiment,
this navigation tool is located essentially between the keyboard 332 and the
display screen
322 of the handheld electronic device 300. The navigation tool can further be
advantageously widthwise centered on the face of the device 300, and is
preferably a
trackball 121.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a contact name 102, here "James Murphy", is designated
and
available information 104 for "James Murphy" is revealed. Referring to FIG. 3,
when
James Murphy's name 102 is no longer designated and a subsequent contact name
106,
here "Jason Smith", is selected, available information 108 for "Jason Smith"
106 can be
revealed; while James Murphy's available information is concealed. As seen in
FIG. 2A,
available information can be revealed by expanding the page area between two
individual
contact names and presenting the available information between the expanded
contact
names. As seen in FIG. 2B, in another embodiment, the available information is
revealed
by displaying the available information over the top of other contact names;
when a
contact name is designated, the available information would be revealed by
popping-up in
the display screen, as in, for example, a pop-up window 202.
In one embodiment of the present technology, when the user scrolls down the
list
of contact names, only the names of contacts are designated. In another
embodiment of
the present technology, the user scrolls down the list of contact names, and
must first
scroll through the available information of the designated contact before
being able to
designate the subsequent name in the list. For example, when a specific
contact name is
designated, the available information, such as a telephone number, is
revealed; if the user
wishes to designate a subsequent contact name the user first scrolls through
the revealed
available information prior to designating the subsequent contact name.
Generally, when a
user scrolls up the list he/she would not be required to scroll through the
available
information because the information is generally presented below the contact
name,
however, the present technology recognizes that when a user is scrolling up
the list of
contact names that available information may be presented above the contact
name, and
thus, require the user to scroll through the available information.
In yet another embodiment, the available information for a particular contact
can
remain hidden until a specified period of time has elapsed. In a particular
embodiment,
the user scrolls down the list of contact names, and the available information
for the
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designated contact is revealed only after the user maintains selections of the
designated
contact for a specified period of time. The user must maintain selection of
the designated
contact for a period of time that ranges between 0.5 and 2 seconds, and
preferably the time
period is approximately one second. Thus, as the user can scroll through the
list of contact
names until the desired contact is reached before the available information is
shown to the
user. In still another embodiment, the user scrolls down the list of contact
names, and the
available information of the designated contact is revealed, but user bypasses
the
information while scrolling unless a specified period of time elapses. Thus,
the available
information is displayed to the user but the user is not required to scroll
through this
information, unless the user maintains selection of the designated contact for
a specified
period of time. This time can be one of the above specified periods.
When a user designates available information, the user may further select the
available information to prompt some type of automatic response from the
device. For
example, if the device includes wireless communication capabilities, and the
available
information includes a telephone number (as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3), selection
of the
telephone number can prompt the device to call the number, or prompt the
device to
simply enter the number whereupon the user could confirm that the number be
called (e.g.
pressing send button 6). Selection of a telephone number could also facilitate
sending text
messages. Likewise, if the available information is an email address, a
selection of the
email address could open an email client with the contact's information pre-
filled and
allow the user to send an email.
Preferably, the handheld electronic device 300 is sized for portable use and
to be
pocketed. In one embodiment, the handheld electronic device 300 is sized to be
cradled in
the palm of the user's hand. The handheld electronic device 300 is
advantageously sized
such that it is longer than wide. This preserves the device's 300 cradlability
while
maintaining surface real estate for such things as the display screen 322 and
keyboard 332.
In a development of this embodiment, the handheld electronic device 300 is
sized such
that the width of the handheld electronic device 300 measures between
approximately two
and three inches thereby facilitating the device 300 to be palm cradled.
Furthermore, these
dimension requirements may be adapted in order to enable the user to easily
carry the
device 300.
Furthermore, the handheld electronic device 300 is preferably capable of
communication within a wireless network 319. Thus, this device 300 can be
described as
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a wireless handheld communication device 300. A device 300 that is so
configured is
capable of transmitting data to and from a communication network 319 utilizing
radio
frequency signals. The wireless communication device 300 can be equipped to
send voice
signals as well as data information to the wireless network 319. The wireless
communication device 300 is capable of transmitting textual data as well as
other data
including but not limited to graphical data, electronic files, and software.
Referring to FIG. 16, a method in accordance with the present technology is
graphically represented. The method includes displaying a list of contact
names 160.
Designation of an individual contact name 162 from the displayed list of
contacts can
reveal available information 166 about the contact. If there is no available
information to
be revealed, steps 162 and 164 are repeated. Generally, designation is
accomplished by
scrolling sequentially through the list of contact names. In other
embodiments, the method
also includes the various features described throughout in relation to the
handheld device
embodiments. These various features include dimensional options, communication
options, auxiliary input options as described above in relation to the
handheld electronic
device embodiment. Additionally, the options available for the method are the
same as
those described in relation to the processing subsystem and handheld device
embodiments.
In another embodiment of the present technology a processing subsystem is
configured to be installed on the handheld electronic device. The processing
subsystem
includes operating system software that is programmed to control the operation
of the
handheld electronic device. The operating system is also configured to view
contact
information on the handheld device. The operating system is configured to
display a list
of contact names on the display screen. The operating system is also
configured to allow
for the designation of individual contact names. Upon designation of an
individual contact
name, available information about the contact is revealed. Generally,
designation is
accomplished by scrolling sequentially through the list of contact names. In
other
embodiments, the processing subsystem also includes the various features
described above
in relation to the handheld device embodiments. These various features include
dimensional options, communication options, auxiliary input options and short
menu
sizing as described throughout in relation to the handheld electronic device
embodiment. Additionally, the options available for the processing subsystem
are the
same as those described in relation to the method and handheld device
embodiments.
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Further aspects of the environments, devices and methods of employment
described hereinabove are expanded upon in the following details. An exemplary
embodiment of the handheld electronic device 300 as shown in FIG. 1 is
cradleable in the
palm of a user's hand. The size of the device is such that a user is capable
of operating the
device 300 using the same hand that is holding the device 300. In a preferred
embodiment, the user is capable of actuating all features of the device 300
using the thumb
of the cradling hand; however, in other embodiments features may require the
use of more
than just the thumb of the cradling hand. The preferred embodiment of the
handheld
device 300 features a keyboard on the face of the device 300, which is
actuable by the
thumb of the hand cradling the device 300. The user may also hold the device
300 in
such a manner to enable two thumb typing on the device 300.
The handheld electronic device 300 includes an input portion and an output
display
portion. The output display portion can be a display screen 322, such as an
LCD or other
similar display device.
The input portion includes a plurality of keys that can be of a physical
nature such
as actuable buttons or they can be of a software nature, typically constituted
by virtual
representations of physical keys on a display screen (referred to herein as
"software
keys"). It is also contemplated that the user input can be provided as a
combination of the
two types of keys. Each key of the plurality of keys has at least one actuable
action which
can be the input of a character, a command or a function. In this context,
"characters" are
contemplated to exemplarily include alphabetic letters, language symbols,
numbers,
punctuation, insignias, icons, pictures, and even a blank space. Input
commands and
functions can include such things as delete, backspace, moving a cursor up,
down, left or
right, initiating an arithmetic function or command, initiating a command or
function
specific to an application program or feature in use, initiating a command or
function
programmed by the user and other such commands and functions that are well
known to
those persons skilled in the art. Specific keys or other types of input
devices can be used
to navigate through the various applications and features thereof. Further,
depending on
the application or feature in use, specific keys can be enabled or disabled.
In the case of physical keys, all or a portion of the plurality of keys have
one or
more indicia, representing character(s), command(s), and/or functions(s),
displayed at their
top surface and/or on the surface of the area adjacent the respective key. In
the instance
where the indicia of a key's function is provided adjacent the key, the
indicia can be
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printed on the device cover beside the key, or in the instance of keys located
adjacent the
display screen 322. Additionally, current indicia for the key may be
temporarily shown
nearby the key on the screen 322.
In the case of software keys, the indicia for the respective keys are shown on
the
display screen 322, which in one embodiment is enabled by touching the display
screen
322, for example, with a stylus to generate the character or activate the
indicated
command or function. Some examples of display screens 322 capable of detecting
a touch
include resistive, capacitive, projected capacitive, infrared and surface
acoustic wave
(SAW) touchscreens.
Physical and software keys can be combined in many different ways as
appreciated
by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, physical and software keys are
combined
such that the plurality of enabled keys for a particular application or
feature of the
handheld electronic device 300 is shown on the display screen 322 in the same
configuration as the physical keys. Using this configuration, the user can
select the
appropriate physical key corresponding to what is shown on the display screen
322. Thus,
the desired character, command or function is obtained by depressing the
physical key
corresponding to the character, command or function displayed at a
corresponding
position on the display screen 322, rather than touching the display screen
322.
The various characters, commands and functions associated with keyboard typing
in general are traditionally arranged using various conventions. The most
common of
these in the United States, for instance, is the QWERTY keyboard layout.
Others include
the QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak keyboard configurations. The QWERTY keyboard
layout is the standard English-language alphabetic key arrangement 44a shown
in FIG. 4.
The QWERTZ keyboard layout is normally used in German-speaking regions; this
alphabetic key arrangement 44b is shown in FIG. 5. The AZERTY keyboard layout
44c is
normally used in French-speaking regions and is shown in FIG. 6. The Dvorak
keyboard
layout was designed to allow typists to type faster; this alphabetic key
arrangement 44d is
shown in FIG. 7.
Alphabetic key arrangements are often presented along with numeric key
arrangements. Typically, the numbers 1-9 and 0 are positioned in the row above
the
alphabetic keys 44a-d, as shown in FIG. 4-7. Alternatively, the numbers share
keys with
the alphabetic characters, such as the top row of the QWERTY keyboard (see
Fig. 11 for
an example). Yet another exemplary numeric key arrangement is shown in FIG. 8,
where
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a "ten-key" style numeric keypad 46 is provided on a separate set of keys that
is spaced
from the alphabetic/numeric key arrangement 44. The ten-key styled numeric
keypad 46
includes the numbers "7", "8", "9" arranged in a top row, "4", "5", "6"
arranged in a
second row, "1", "2", "3" arranged in a third row, and "0" in a bottom row.
Further, a
numeric phone key arrangement 42 is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 9.
As shown in FIG. 9, the numeric phone key arrangement 42 may also utilize a
surface treatment on the surface of the center "5" key. This surface treatment
is
configured such that the top surface of the key is distinctive from the
surface of other keys.
Preferably the surface treatment is in the form of a raised bump or recessed
dimple 43.
Alternatively, raised bumps may be positioned on the housing around the "5"
key and do
not necessarily have to be positioned directly on the key.
It is desirable for handheld electronic devices 300 to include a combined text-
entry
keyboard and a telephony keyboard. Examples of such mobile communication
devices
300 include mobile stations, cellular telephones, wireless personal digital
assistants
(PDAs), two-way paging devices, and others. Various keyboards are used with
such
devices and can be termed a full keyboard, a reduced keyboard, or phone key
pad.
In embodiments of a handheld electronic device 300 having a full keyboard, the
alphabetic characters are singly associated with the plurality of physical
keys. Thus, in an
English-language keyboard of this configuration, there are at least 26 keys in
the plurality
so that there is at least one key for each letter.
Devices 300 incorporating full keyboards for the alphabetic characters are
shown
in FIGS. 11 and 12. While both devices feature numeric keys, the device shown
in FIG.
11 incorporates the numeric keys in a single row, whereas the device of FIG.
12 features
numeric keys arranged according to the ITU Standard E.161 as shown in FIG. 9.
The
latter numeric arrangement can be described as an overlaid numeric phone
keypad
arrangement.
As intimated above, in order to further reduce the size of a handheld
electronic
device 300 without making the physical keys or software keys too small, some
handheld
electronic devices 300 use a reduced keyboard, where more than one
character/command/function is associated with each of at least a portion of
the plurality of
keys. This results in certain keys being ambiguous since more than one
character is
represented by or associated with the key, even though only one of those
characters is
typically intended by the user when activating the key.
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Thus, certain software usually runs on the processor of these types of
handheld
electronic device 300 to determine or predict what letter or word has been
intended by the
user. Some examples of software include predictive text routines which
typically include
a disambiguation engine and/or predictive editor application. The software
preferably also
has the ability to recognize character letter sequences that are common to the
particular
language, such as, in the case of English, words ending in "ing." Such systems
can also
"learn" the typing style of the user making note of frequently used words to
increase the
predictive aspect of the software. Other types of predictive text computer
programs may
be utilized with the reduced keyboard arrangements described herein, without
limitation.
Some specific examples include the multi-tap method of character selection and
"text on
nine keys".
The keys of reduced keyboards are laid out with various arrangements of
characters, commands and functions associated therewith. In regards to
alphabetic
characters, the different keyboard layouts identified above are selectively
used based on a
user's preference and familiarity; for example, the QWERTY keyboard layout is
most
often used by English speakers who have become accustomed to the key
arrangement.
FIG. 1 shows a handheld electronic device 300 that carries an example of a
reduced keyboard using the QWERTY keyboard layout on a physical keyboard array
of
twenty keys comprising five columns and four rows. Fourteen keys are used for
alphabetic characters and ten keys are used for numbers. Nine of the ten
numbers share a
key with alphabetic characters. The "space" key and the number "0" share the
same key,
which is centered on the device and centered below the remainder of the
numbers on the
keyboard 332. While in other embodiments, the number "0" may be located on
other
keys.
FIG. 13 shows an example physical keyboard array of 20 keys composed of five
columns and four rows. Fourteen keys on the keyboard 332 are associated with
alphabetic
characters and ten keys are associated with numbers. Many of the keys have
different
sizes than the other keys, and the rows are non-linear. In particular, the
keys in the middle
column 64 are wider than keys in the outer columns 60, 62, 66 and 68. To
readily identify
the phone user interface (the second user interface), the numeric phone keys 0-
9 include a
color scheme that is different from that of the remaining keys associated with
the
QWERTY key arrangement.
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In this example, a color scheme of the numeric phone keys has a two tone
appearance, with the upper portion of the numeric keys being a first color and
the lower
portion of the numeric keys being a second color. The first color may be
lighter than the
second color, or darker than the second color. Furthermore, the send key 6 and
end key 8
are located on keys with alphabetic indicia have a background color and/or
color of the
symbols that are different from the other keys of the keyboard 332.
FIG. 14 shows a similar format for the reduced QWERTY arrangement of
alphabetic characters 44 as presented in FIG. 14, but the numeric phone key
arrangement
42 is positioned in the first 60, second 62, and third 64 columns instead of
being centered
on the keyboard 332. Thus, no numerals are presented on keys in the fourth 66
and fifth
68 columns. The first row 50 of keys includes in order the following key
combinations for
the text entry and telephony mode: "QW/1", "ER/2", "TY/3", "UI", and "OP". The
second
row 52 includes the following key combinations in order: "AS/4", "DF/5",
"GH/6", ".11(/,",
and "L/." The third row 54 includes the following key combinations in order:
"ZX/7",
"CV/8", "BN/9", "M/sym" and "backspace/delete". The fourth row 56 includes the
following key combinations in order: "next/*", "space/0", "shift/r, "alt" and
"return/enter". The keys in each of the rows are of uniform size and the rows
and columns
are straight.
Another embodiment of a reduced alphabetic keyboard is found on a standard
phone keypad. Most handheld electronic devices having a phone key pad also
typically
include alphabetic key arrangements overlaying or coinciding with the numeric
keys as
shown in FIG. 10. Such alphanumeric phone keypads are used in many, if not
most,
traditional handheld telephony mobile communication devices such as cellular
handsets.
As described above, the International Telecommunications Union ("ITU") has
established phone standards for the arrangement of alphanumeric keys. The
standard
phone numeric key arrangement shown in FIGS. 9 (no alphabetic letters) and 10
(with
alphabetic letters) corresponds to ITU Standard E.161, entitled "Arrangement
of Digits,
Letters, and Symbols on Telephones and Other Devices That Can Be Used for
Gaining
Access to a Telephone Network." This standard is also known as ANSI TI.703-
1995/1999
and ISO/IEC 9995-8:1994. Regarding the numeric arrangement, it can be aptly
described
as a top-to-bottom ascending order three-by-three-over-zero pattern.
An exemplary handheld electronic device 300 and its cooperation in a wireless
network 319 is exemplified in the block diagram of FIG. 15. This figure is
exemplary
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CA 02572606 2013-02-08
only, and those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the additional
elements and
modifications necessary to make the device 300 work in particular network
environments.
The block diagram of FIG. 15 representing the communication device 300
interacting in the communication network 319 shows the device's 300 inclusion
of a
microprocessor 338 which controls the operation of the device 300. The
communication
subsystem 311 performs all communication transmission and reception with the
wireless
network 319. The microprocessor 338 further connects with an auxiliary
input/output
(I/O) subsystem 328, a serial port (preferably a Universal Serial Bus port)
330, a display
322, a keyboard 332, a speaker 334, a microphone 336, random access memory
(RAM)
326, and flash memory 324. Other communication subsystems 340 and other device
subsystems 342 are generally indicated as connected to the microprocessor 338
as well.
An example of a communication subsystem 340 is that of a short range
communication
subsystem such as BLUETOOTH communication module or an infrared device and
associated circuits and components. Additionally, the microprocessor 338 is
able to
perform operating system functions and preferably enables execution of
software
applications on the communication device 300.
The above described auxiliary I/O subsystem 328 can take a variety of
different
subsystems including the above described navigation tool. The navigation tool
is
preferably a trackball based device, but it can be a thumbwheel, navigation
pad, or
joystick. These navigation tools are preferably located on the front surface
of the device
300 but may be located on an exterior surface of the device 300. Other
auxiliary I/O
devices can include external display devices and externally connected
keyboards (not
shown). While the above examples have been provided in relation to the
auxiliary I/O
subsystem, other subsystems capable of providing input or receiving output
from the
handheld electronic device 300 are considered within the scope of this
disclosure.
Additionally, other keys may be placed along the side of the device 300 to
function as
escape keys, volume control keys, scrolling keys, power switches, or user
programmable
keys, which may be programmed accordingly.
In an exemplary embodiment, the flash memory 324 is enabled to provide a
storage location for the operating system, device programs, and data. While
the operating
system in a preferred embodiment is stored in flash memory 324, the operating
system in
other embodiments is stored in read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage
element (not
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shown). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the operating system,
device
application or parts thereof may be loaded in RAM 326 or other volatile
memory.
In a preferred embodiment, the flash memory 324 contains programs/applications
358 for execution on the device 300 including an address book 352, a personal
information
manager (PIM) 354, and the device state 350. Furthermore, programs 358 and
other
information 356 including data can be segregated upon storage in the flash
memory 324 of
the device 300.
When the device 300 is enabled for two-way communication within the wireless
communication network 319, it can send and receive signals from a mobile
communication service. Examples of communication systems enabled for two-way
communication include, but are not limited to, the GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service)
network, the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) network, the
EDGE
(Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) network, and the CDMA (Code Division
Multiple
Access) network and those networks generally described as packet-switched,
narrowband,
data-only technologies mainly used for short burst wireless data transfer. For
the systems
listed above, the communication device 300 must be properly enabled to
transmit and
receive signals from the communication network 319. Other systems may not
require
such identifying information. GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE require the use of a SIM
(Subscriber Identity Module) in order to allow communication with the
communication
network 319. Likewise, most CDMA systems require the use of a RUIM (Removable
Identity Module) in order to communicate with the CDMA network. The RUIM and
SIM
card can be used in multiple different communication devices 300. The
communication
device 300 may be able to operate some features without a SIM/RUIM card, but
it will not
be able to communicate with the network 319. A SIM/RUIM interface 344 located
within
the device allows for removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shown). The
SIM/RUIM card features memory and holds key configurations 351, and other
information 353 such as identification and subscriber related information.
With a properly
enabled communication device 300, two-way communication between the
communication
device 300 and communication network 319 is possible.
If the communication device 300 is enabled as described above or the
communication network 319 does not require such enablement, the two-way
communication enabled device 300 is able to both transmit and receive
information from
the communication network 319. The transfer of communication can be from the
device
CA 02572606 2013-02-08
300 or to the device 300. In order to communicate with the communication
network 319,
the device 300 in a preferred embodiment is equipped with an integral or
internal antenna
318 for transmitting signals to the communication network 319.
Likewise the
communication device 300 in the preferred embodiment is equipped with another
antenna
316 for receiving communication from the communication network 319. These
antennae
(316, 318) in another preferred embodiment are combined into a single antenna
(not
shown). As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the antenna or antennae
(316, 318) in
another embodiment are externally mounted on the device 300.
When equipped for two-way communication, the communication device 300
features a communication subsystem 311. As is
well known in the art, this
communication subsystem 311 is modified so that it can support the operational
needs of
the device 300. The subsystem 311 includes a transmitter 314 and receiver 312
including
the associated antenna or antennae (316, 318) as described above, local
oscillators (L0s)
313, and a processing module 320 which in a preferred embodiment is a digital
signal
processor (DSP) 320.
It is contemplated that communication by the device 300 with the wireless
network
319 can be any type of communication that both the wireless network 319 and
device 300
are enabled to transmit, receive and process. In general, these can be
classified as voice
and data. Voice communication is communication in which signals for audible
sounds are
transmitted by the device 300 through the communication network 319. Data is
all other
types of communication that the device 300 is capable of performing within the
constraints
of the wireless network 319.
Exemplary embodiments have been described hereinabove regarding both
handheld electronic devices, as well as the communication networks within
which they
cooperate. It should be appreciated, however, that a focus of the present
disclosure is the
enablement of a user of such wireless handheld electronic devices to scroll
through contact
names efficiently and display information relating to a designated contact
name.
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