AU1496300A - A control element for a menu controlled device and rodio telephone with one such control element - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: to oo 'A control element for a menu controlled device and radio telephone with one such control element' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: a a.

f o o* FHP.SYnr)~ NATPM2Onf1R67Xi7 6 CE00367805.3 2 A Control Element For A Menu Controlled Device and Radio Telephone With One Such Control Element Field of the invention The invention relates to a control element for a menu controlled electronic device, particularly a radio telephone, to a menu controlled radio telephone equipped with such a control element, and to a method of entering a subscriber number into such a telephone.

Background of the invention Many electronic devices are controlled by a menu being displayed on a display on the device and then a selection being made by marking and then selecting one of the menu points, for example, by pressing a selection key. In radio telephones in particular, this type of operation S* is widespread. Thus from U.S. Patent 5,758,295 a menu controlled radio telephone is known in which a menu can be leafed through and a menu point marked by activating cursor keys. By pressing a selection key, the marked menu point is activated.

In addition to cursor keys, other control elements are also known in radio telephones.

From the Internet pages http://www.callya.de/sonyzl.htm and oo http://www.sony.de/prodspecial/zl/html/jog.html, a radio telephone with a wheel known as a jog dial is known. Menu points are marked by turning the wheel and selections are made by pressing once on the wheel. However, with such a wheel there is however the disadvantage that either a fitted depth corresponding to the diameter of the wheel is required or that with a smaller 20 wheel with a corresponding smaller fitted depth numerous rotations must be made in order to leaf through a menu.

For lap-top computers, other control elements such as mice, joysticks, track balls, track points or touchpads are known for moving a pointer symbol for selecting a graphic element on a graphic user interface shown on a screen. These are, however, only partly suited for operating a menu controlled electronic device such as a radio telephone. This lies on the one hand in the space required on the device for the control elements and on the other hand in that there is no intuitive operation for the user using such control elements.

In telephony, the entry of a subscriber number is generally carried out using a numerical keypad. Telephones are also known, as disclosed in the above-discussed U.S. Patent CE00367805.3 3 5,758,295, which have menu control. By moving a marker by means of entry keys and selecting the marked menu point by means of a confirmation key, entries can be selected from a phone book, special telephone functions can be activated or pre-settings can be changed. The entry of a subscriber number is, however, carried out using a numerical keypad, i.e. using its own keypad intended for that purpose.

As an alternative to entering a subscriber number using a numerical keypad, phones are also known, such as car phones, for example, where subscriber numbers can be entered by means of voice. A user slowly and clearly reads out the digits of the subscriber number one after the other. The digits read out are recognised in the telephone by means of voice recognition and combined to form the subscriber number. This procedure is, however, liable to errors and technically laborious.

Telephones, and in particular one-piece radio telephones, are becoming even smaller. In addition, there is a desire for a larger display device so that the telephone can be equipped with more features; and can display more information such as text messages, e-mails or connection 15 parameters clearly and legibly.

Summary of the invention An object of the invention is to provide a control element for a menu controlled electronic device which allows simple and intuitive operation by the user and which can be placed on the device at a small fitted depth which saves space. An additional object of the eeoc invention is to provide a radio telephone with such a control element.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a control element for a menu controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, wherein the control element comprises a flexible band tensioned over at least two rollers and which can be moved in at least one direction over the rollers and a further comprises a recording mechanism for recording a movement of the flexible band.

In the control element, the rollers may be designed so that the flexible band can only be moved in equidistant steps over the rollers, by providing at least one of the rollers with a polygonal cross section.

A push-button can be arranged below the flexible band between the rollers which can be activated by pressing on the flexible band for the purpose of selecting a marked menu point.

CE00367805.3 4 An advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that high speed scrolling of the menu can be reached using the inventive control element. An additional advantage is that the speed at which the user scrolls through the menu determines the speed at which the user moves the band and not a pre-stated key repeat frequency as in cursor keys with automatic repeat functions where the user keeps the keys held down.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a control element for a menu controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, said control element comprising: at least two rollers; a flexible band tensioned over said rollers and movable in at least one direction over said rollers; a movement recorder for recording a movement of the flexible band; and a push-button arranged below the flexible band between the rollers which can be activated by pressing on the flexible band for the purpose of selecting a marked menu point.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a menu controlled o *radio telephone with a display device for displaying the menu, said radio telephone including a control element for moving a marker in said menu, said control element comprising a flexible o. band tensioned over at least two rollers and movable in at least one direction over the rollers and a movement recorder for recording a movement of the flexible band.

S. 20 It is a further object of the invention to provide an alternative method for entering S subscriber numbers, and a telephone designed to use this method, particularly in which the subscriber number can be entered in a way which differs from the usual numerical keypad used previously.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of entering a subscriber number in a menu driven telephone, wherein the available digits are displayed as a menu on a display device on the telephone and the digits of a subscriber number to be entered are first marked appropriately by moving a marker in the menu by activating a control element, and then are selected by activating a selection key. The selection key is integrated in the control element so that by an approximate lateral movement of the control CE00367805.3 element a menu point is able to be marked and by pressing on the control element the marked menu point can be selected.

Preferably the subscriber number to be entered can be displayed in an entry line of the menu, and after a successful entry of the subscriber number, the subscriber number can be marked by means of the control element and then selected by means of the selection key, whereby the subscriber number is transmitted to establish a connection corresponding to the subscriber number.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a menu driven telephone comprising a display device on which a menu is displayed and a control element for moving a marker in the menu, wherein the display can display available digits in the menu; and the control element allows one to sequentially select digits from the menu for the purpose of entering a subscriber number by marking a respective digit using the control element to move the marker and by then activating appropriately a selection key for selecting the marked digit, with the selection key integrated in the control element as described above.

15 A particular advantage of this aspect of the invention is that a numerical keypad can be dispensed with completely. In this way, telephones can be made smaller than previously. On the S- other hand, the space previously required for the numerical keypad on the front of the phone can be used for a larger display device. An additional advantage is that in entering a subscriber number, the user no longer has to take his eyes from the display device in order to find the ooo.

correct digits with his finger. The operation of the telephone is therefore very intuitive for the .*.user.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will become more clear from the description below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cross section through a control element according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a radio telephone with a control element from Figure 1; Figures 3a to 3c show examples of a menu displayed on the telephone display device from Figure 2; CE00367805.3 6 Figures 4a to 4h show the entry of a subscriber number in accordance with the invention using the telephone shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the telephone number entry method of the present invention; and Figures 6a to 6d show the re-dial feature of the telephone from Figure 2.

Detailed description of the embodiments The control element BE shown in Figure 1 is placed in a gap in the casing of a menu controlled radio telephone. It consists of a flexible band B which is tensioned around two rollers W1 and W2. The band B can be manufactured from rubber or a flexible plastic and can in addition have a ribbed or rippled surface so that it can be moved more easily over the rollers WI S and W2 by a user. The first roller W 1 has a circular cross section whilst the second roller W2 has a polygonal cross section of a regular octagon. In this way a stepped movement of the band B can be achieved whereby each side of the octagon, i.e. an eighth of a rotation, corresponds to one step. Below the flexible band B, and between the two rollers W1 and W2, there is a pushooooo button T which can be activated by pressing on the band B. In this way, a selection can be made S. of a menu entry marked in the menu of the radio telephone.

Not shown is a means of recording a movement of the flexible band, e.g. a movement detector. Such a movement detector could be advantageously fitted on the second roller W2 to record a rotational movement of this roller. One such movement detector can be designed, for o~o• example, by segmented contacts being applied to an extended axis of the roller and being tapped by one or more spring contacts. Through a rotational movement of the roller occasioned by the movement of the band, and dependent on the position of the axis, an electrical contact is made or broken. Alternatively, the rotational movement can be recorded optically. This design is more precise than mechanical sampling; however, there is an increased current requirement which is usually unwelcome in battery driven devices.

The control element is fitted in the casing so that the upper side of the flexible band connects almost flat with the upper surface of the casing G. In addition, seals such as in the form of brushes can be applied to both sides in the area of the rollers to prevent penetration of dirt or foreign bodies.

CE00367805.3 7 A roller design can have them both with circular or polygonal cross sections. In the latter case, the flexible band can also be made from individual rigid or slightly flexible elements which are linked with one another in the form of a chain. The length of the individual members then corresponds to the length of one side of the polygon. In the former case, a stepped activation can then be achieved, for example, through a roller axis with a polygonal cross section and corresponding spring-supported bearings. When activated a step at a time, one step corresponds to the change in marking in the menu of the radio telephone from one menu point to the next. This is particularly advantageous as it is for the user a physically experienced and thus intuitive scrolling through the menu.

The radio telephone F shown in Figure 2 is designed as a one-piece mobile radio telephone. Such a radio telephone is often called a mobile phone. The phone contains the control element BE from Figure 1 with a ribbed flexible band. In addition, it has a display device S, an LCD display, on which a menu can be displayed. In addition, it has three S push-buttons D1, D2 and D3. Using the first push-button D1, the radio telephone can be 15 switched on or a call ended. Using the second push-button D2, it is possible to switch over from the stand-by screen to the menu, e.g. a telephone book or a service menu. The second pushbutton, however, also has other meanings assigned to it. This will be displayed in the menu.

Using the third push-button, a call can be accepted and a call number can be transmitted to create a connection. The microphone M and the loud speaker L of the radio telephone F are also S 20 shown.

The radio telephone F does not have a numerical keypad for dialling. Dialling is carried out using the control element BE. To do this, on first activating the control element BE, a menu appears on the display device with the individual possible digits. By moving the flexible band, a marker is moved over the displayed digits. If the desired digit is marked, then it can be selected by pressing on the control element BE to activate the push-button located under the flexible band. By repeated selection of digits as described above, the complete desired call number can be entered. In this way a numeric keypad is not required. The radio telephone can thus be made smaller and the space saved on the front of the radio telephone can be used by a larger display device. A push-button below the flexible band of the control element is not absolutely necessary. A selection of the marked menu entry can also be made, for example, by pressing the key D3. Other control elements are possible, such as a track ball, a track point, a wheel which CE00367805.3 8 can be turned or individual cursor keys. It is also not essential to omit a numerical keypad.

Such a numerical keypad can also be provided as an alternative means of entry.

The integrated structure of the endless band control element BE and selection key integrated between the two rollers below the bandit is particularly advantageous as it permits fast and intuitive operation and selection without the user having to take his eyes from the display device or having to search with his fingers for a corresponding selection key.

Possible menus which can be displayed by the display device S are shown in Figures 3a to 3c. In these, Figure 3a shows the display device when a number is being entered. In the upper line Z1, the menu is displayed with the individual digits and characters which can be selected; these are the digits and the characters and as well as 'P' for a pause in the dialling and which has a function similar to a ground key. By selecting 'R' Sfrom the dial menu, a current call is interrupted to initiate a conference circuit, to connect a third subscriber for forwarding the current call, or to initiate further functions of a private branch exchange. In the second line Z2, the called number is shown to the extent already entered. In the 15 third line Z3, the entry ,,CORRECT" is displayed which shows the current meaning of the second push-button D2. By pressing the push-button D2, the last selected digit is deleted. The marker M is also displayed and in the example shown is on the digit In Figure 3b, the telephone directory with several entries is shown. By means of the control element, the marker M can be moved in the telephone directory and one of the entries can be selected. In Figure 3c, the content of the display after the selection of a telephone book entry and the successful call set-up is shown. The duration GD of the call is shown on the right hand end of the middle line Z2. In the lower line Z3, the entry ,,SERVICES" is displayed.

Again, it gives the current meaning of the second push-button D2. By pressing the push-button D2, one can switch to a services menu in order to set up a conference circuit, for example.

The content of the display device in the individual stages of the subscriber number entry is shown in Figures 4a to 4h. Next to the Figures are shown symbols of the activation of the control element BE or the push-button required for the respective stage.

Figure 4a shows the display device in normal mode. This menu is described as the standby menu. The radio telephone is switched on and ready to receive. In the first line Z1 of the display appears a name which the user can assign freely. By moving the control element up or CE00367805.3 9 down, the selection menu shown in Figure 4b is activated. The movement up or down of the control element is symbolically indicated by a double arrow. In the first line Zi of the display, a list of available digits and characters is displayed in what was described as the selection menu in Figure 3a. The second line Z2 is still clear as no digits of a subscriber number have yet been entered. In the third line, the entry ,,CORRECT" is displayed during the entry of the subscriber number. This describes the current meaning of the push-button D2 and means that by pressing the push-button D2 the last selected digit will be deleted.

By continued movement of the control element BE, the marker M is moved through the menu. In Figure 4c, the marker M is right on the digit By pressing on the selection key integrated into the control element, the current marked digit is selected. In Figure 4d, the action of pressing on the control element BE is indicated by an arrow pointing downwards onto a dash.

9 In this way, the selected digit appears as the first digit of the subscriber number to be entered in line Z2 of the display.

In this way, the individual digits of the subscriber number are entered in stages. In o9o9 15 Figure 4e, the subscriber number ,3699" was entered. The last digit selected by pressing on the selection key was the Therefore the digit is still marked in the first line of the selection menu.

After the successful input of the subscriber number, this must be transmitted to an exchange or a private branch exchange so that a connection corresponding to the subscriber number can be established. The transmission of the subscriber number can be initiated as shown in Figure 4f by pressing on the push-button D3. If the connection is established as shown in Figure 4f, then the duration GD of the call appears on the right hand edge of the second line Z2 of the display S. The dialler subscriber number is also shown in the second line Z2.

Alternatively, the transmission of the subscriber number entered can also be initiated by moving the marker M in the selection menu onto the entered subscriber number using the control element. This happens by the marker being moved to a position over the last character displayed in the first line. In this way, as shown in Figure 4g, the whole entered subscriber number is marked. If the subscriber number is marked, then in the third line the menu point ,,CLEAR" appears. This means that by pressing the push-button D2, the marked subscriber number can be deleted. In Figure 4h it can then be seen that by then pressing on the selection key, the subscriber number will be transmitted and the corresponding call will be set up. On the CE00367805.3 right hand edge of the line Z2, the duration GD of the call appears. This embodiment is advantageous, on the one hand because the user only has to activate the integrated control element which he has his finger on anyway, and on the other hand as there is no longer any need for a special push-button for sending the subscriber number.

In the telephone it is also advantageous to have means for entering an alphanumeric text, for example, a text message or an e-mail. Entry in this case is analogous to the entry of subscriber numbers. By selecting a corresponding menu item in the service menu, a list of the available letters, characters and digits is displayed. By activating the control element, a marker can be moved in the list in order to mark characters one at a time and to select them by pressing the integrated selection key. In this way even new name entries, for example, can be entered into the telephone book.

to A particularly advantageous embodiment of the telephone in accordance with the invention also has buffer storage. The buffer storage holds the last dialled subscriber number, the subscriber number of the last edited entry of the phonebook, or the subscriber number of the 15 last caller. If a new telephone book entry is now created in which a name is entered as described above, then the stored number appears on the display device as a new optional subscriber number for the new entry. The user can either confirm the buffer stored subscriber number by eeoo.

pressing the selection key or he can enter a new subscriber number. In this way, new entries can S•be created particularly quickly and easily. Thus it is possible, for example, to select and delete a S. 20 telephone book entry. As the subscriber number of the deleted telephone book entry is stored in buffer storage on deletion, it appears as an optional standard on entering a new entry in the telephone book. A caller's subscriber number too can be entered just as quickly and easily in the telephone book, because after ending an accepted call only the name of the caller has to be entered as a new entry and the subscriber number of the caller offered from buffer storage as an optional standard has to be confirmed.

In an advantageous further embodiment of the invention there are additionally one or more name keys. Such name keys serve to carry out an abbreviated dialling. By just pushing the name key, a subscriber number assigned with the name key is dialler. In Figure 2, the pushbutton D3 is used as a name key for an emergency number. The assignment of the subscriber number or the emergency number to the name key is made by the name key being kept pressed CE00367805.3 11 down for a certain period of time such as two seconds. The current subscriber number contained in the display or in buffer storage is then allocated to the name key.

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of the invention procedure. It contains the following steps: Step S I: A menu is displayed on the display device comprising all the available digits and characters.

Step S2: By means of the control element, a marker is moved in the menu until a desired digit (or character) is marked.

Step S3: By pressing the selection key, the marked digit (or character) is selected.

Step S4: The selected digit is displayed in an entry line of the display device together with the previously selected digits.

*,00Step S5: Steps S2 to S4 are repeated until all digits of the number to be entered are entered.

Step S6: The subscriber number is transmitted by activating a push button for this 900000 purpose or marked by activating the control element and transmitted by pressing the integrated 15 selection key.

a** In an additional advantageous further embodiment of the invention, the telephone also has a re-dial memory in which several previously entered subscriber numbers or subscriber numbers from previous callers are automatically stored. The re-dial memory can be called up as a sub-menu in the service menu. If the sub-menu item for the re-dial memory is selected then a o••20 list of the stored subscriber numbers or the names of correspondents stored in the telephone 0@ *see book is displayed. By activating the control element, a marker can be moved in the list and by pressing the selection button, the marked entry can be selected and transmission of its subscriber number is initiated to set up a corresponding connection. This is shown in Figures 6a to 6d. Figure 6a shows the stand-by menu. The third line Z3 of the display shows the menu point ,,SERVICES". This establishes the function of the second push-button D2 (Figure By pressing the second push-button or alternatively by pressing the selection key integrated into the control element, the service menu is activated. By activating the control element, one can leaf through the service menu and the marker set to the menu item ,,-REDIAL", as shown in Figure 6b. By pressing the selection key, the marked menu item is activated and the sub menu CE00367805.3 12 displayed with the content of the re-dial memory (Figure 6c). By activating the control element, the marker M is placed on a desired caller name as shown in Figure 6c. In the example presented, this is the caller name ,,LAMBERT". By pressing the selection key or by pressing the push button D3, the re-dial of the marked entry is initiated and its subscriber number transmitted. If a corresponding call is set up, then this appears on the display as in Figure 6d with the current call duration GD.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

The foregoing describes embodiments of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art can be made thereto, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

o

Claims (19)

1. A control element for a menu controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, said control element comprising: at least two rollers; a flexible band tensioned over said rollers and movable over said rollers only in equidistant steps; and a movement recorder for recording a movement of the flexible band.

2. A control element according to claim 1, in which at least one of the rollers has a polygonal cross section. S.

3. A control element for a menu controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, said control element comprising: at least two rollers; a flexible band tensioned over said rollers and movable in at least one direction over said rollers; S* "a movement recorder for recording a movement of the flexible band; and a push-button arranged below the flexible band between the rollers which can be activated by pressing on the flexible band for the purpose of selecting a marked menu point.

4. A menu controlled radio telephone with a display device for displaying the menu, said radio telephone including a control element for moving a marker in said menu, said control element comprising a flexible band tensioned over at least two rollers and movable in at least one direction over the rollers and a movement recorder for recording a movement of the flexible band.

A radio telephone according to claim 4, in which the rollers are designed so that the flexible band can only be moved in equidistant steps over the rollers.

6. A radio telephone according to claim 5, in which at least one of the rollers has a polygonal cross section. CE00367805.3 14

7. A radio telephone according to claim 5, further comprising a push-button arranged below the flexible band between the rollers which can be activated by pressing on the flexible band for the purpose of selecting a marked menu point.

8. A radio telephone according to claim 5, in which all available digits are displayed for entering a call number on the display device and the entry of the call number is carried out in steps by the repeated marking and selection of individual digits.

9. A menu driven telephone comprising a display device on which a menu is displayed and a control element for moving a marker in the menu, wherein said telephone includes a display displaying available digits in the menu; and said control element includes a selector for sequentially selecting digits from the menu for the purpose of entering a subscriber number by marking a respective digit using the control element to move the marker and then selecting the marked digit by activating a selection key, said selection key being integrated in the control element so that by an approximate lateral movement of the control element a menu point is able to be marked and by pressing on the control element the marked menu point can be selected.

The telephone of claim 9, in which the control element and the selection key are the only means provided for entering a subscriber number.

11. The telephone of claim 9 comprising means for entering an alphanumeric text by the S repeated marking and selecting of characters from a list of available alphanumeric characters displayed in a menu.

12. The telephone of claim 9 comprising a buffer storage for storing the last dialler or edited subscriber number and/or for storing the subscriber number of the last caller; a telephone directory storage and display, and an input device for entering a new entry in the telephone book, whereby after entering a name for the new entry, the subscriber number stored in buffer storage is displayed as an optional subscriber number for the new entry and by confirmation can be allocated to the new entry.

13. The telephone of claim 9 comprising at least one name key for abbreviated dialling; and an allocation mechanism allocating at least one of a current displayed subscriber number, a current displayed telephone directory entry and a subscriber number stored in buffer storage to the name key by continuous pressing on the name key. CE00367805.3

14. The telephone of claim 9 comprising a re-dial memory for storing several subscriber numbers dialler earlier and/or subscriber numbers of earlier callers; a display for displaying the subscriber numbers stored in the re-dial memory in the form of a sub-menu; and a selector for selecting one of the subscriber numbers displayed in the sub-menu for activating the re-dial of the selected subscriber number.

A method of entering a subscriber number in a menu driven telephone, comprising the steps of: displaying the available digits as a menu on a display device on the telephone; marking the digits of a subscriber number to be entered by moving a marker in the menu by activating a control element, and selecting said marked digits by activating a selection key integrated in the control element so that by an approximate lateral movement of the control element a menu point is able to be marked and by pressing on the control element the marked menu point can be selected.

16. The method of claim 16 in which the subscriber number to be entered is displayed in S an entry line of the menu and in which after a successful entry of the subscriber number, the 0 subscriber number is marked by means of the control element and is selected by means of the selection key, whereby the subscriber number is transmitted to establish a connection e. corresponding to the subscriber number.

17. A control element for a menu controlled electronic device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

18. A menu controlled radio telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A menu driven telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. CE00367805.3 16 A method of entering a subscriber number in a menu driven telephone substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 8th day of February 2000 ALCATEL by its attorneys Freehills Patent Attorneys r