JP2000324211A - Control element for menu control unit and radiotelephone set provided with such control element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a telephone set which includes a control element for menu control. SOLUTION: This control element BE includes a flexible band B, that is stretched over at least two rollers W1, W2 and movable at least unidirectionally and a device that records the movement of the flexible band B. The control element BE is designed, in which the band B is moved in the unit of steps and a pushbutton to be operated by pressing the band B is placed under the flexible band between two rollers W1, W2. In a method of entering subscriber numbers, a display device indicates available figures on a menu. The control element BE is operated to cause a marker to move in the menu and to sequentially mark subscriber numbers at first. Then the subscriber number to be entered is selected by pressing a selection key. Thus, a telephone set that is operated by this method requires no keypad.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a menu-controlled electronic device, in particular a control element for a radio telephone, a menu-controlled radio telephone equipped with such a control element, and a subscriber number for such a telephone. And how to enter.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many electronic devices are controlled by a menu displayed on a display on the device and a selection made, for example, by pressing one of the select keys to mark and select one of the menu points. Is done. This type of operation is widespread, especially for wireless telephones. Thus, from U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,295 there is known a menu controlled radiotelephone which allows a user to browse through a menu and activate a cursor key to mark a menu point. Pressing the select key activates the marked menu point.

[0003]

In a radio telephone, other control elements are known in addition to the cursor keys.
Internet page http: // www. cal
lya. de / sonyzl. http and http:
// www. sony. de / prod_specia
1 / zl / html / jog. From html, wireless telephones with wheels known as jog dials are known. Menu points are marked by rolling the wheel, and selections can be made by
It is done by being pushed twice. However, in such a wheel, the fitting depth corresponding to the diameter of the wheel (fit
The disadvantage is that a ted depth is required, or a smaller wheel with a correspondingly smaller fitting depth, requires a large number of turns to browse through the menu.

In the case of a laptop computer, other control elements such as a mouse, joystick, trackball, trackpoint or touchpad for moving a pointer symbol for selecting a graphic element shown on the screen in a graphic user interface are known. Have been. However, they are only partially suitable for operating menu-controlled electronic devices such as wireless telephones. This is due, on the one hand, to the space required for the control elements on the device and, on the other hand, to the intuition for the user using such control elements.
ive) There is no operation.

[0005] In the case of a telephone, entry of a subscriber number is typically performed using a numeric keypad.
For example, a telephone having a menu control disclosed in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 5,758,295 is known. By moving the marker with the entry key and selecting the menu point marked with the enter key,
You can select entries from the phonebook, activate special phone features, and change presets. However, entry of the subscriber number is performed using a numeric keypad, ie, a dedicated keypad intended for that purpose.

[0006] Instead of using a numeric keypad to enter a subscriber number, for example, telephones, such as automobile telephones, that allow the subscriber number to be entered by voice are known. The user reads the subscriber number slowly and clearly one digit at a time. The spoken digits are recognized in the telephone by speech recognition and combined to form a subscriber number. However, this procedure is error prone and technically laborious.

Telephones, especially integrated wireless telephones, are becoming smaller. In addition, there is a need for larger display devices so that phones can have more features and can display more information such as text messages, emails or connection parameters in a clear and readable way. .

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a control element which allows a simple and intuitive operation by the user and which can be arranged at a small fitting depth which saves space on the device. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a control element for a wireless telephone.

[0009]

The object relating to the control element is solved according to a first aspect of the invention by a control element for a menu-controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu. Thus, the control element includes a flex band stretched on at least two rollers and movable on at least one direction on the rollers, and a recording mechanism for recording the movement of the flex band.

Within the control element, the rollers can be designed such that, for example, by providing at least one of the rollers with a polygonal cross section, the flex band can only be moved in equidistant steps on the rollers.

A push button, which can be actuated by pressing the flex band, to select a marked menu point can be located below the flex band between the rollers.

An advantage of the present invention is that menus can be scrolled at high speed using the control elements of the present invention. Another advantage is that the speed at which the user scrolls through the menu determines the speed at which the user moves through the band, rather than the aforementioned key repetition period as in the case of a cursor key having an auto-repeat function where the user keeps pressing a key. That is.

The object of the invention with respect to a radiotelephone is achieved by a menu-controlled radiotelephone having a display device for displaying menus and the above-mentioned control elements for marking menu points.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an alternative method of entering a subscriber number, in particular, which allows the subscriber number to be entered in a manner different from the conventional numeric keypad used previously, and to use this method. And a telephone designed to provide.

The above objective is accomplished by a method for entering a subscriber number on a menu driven telephone. Therefore,
The available digits are displayed as a menu on the display device on the phone, and the digits of the subscriber number to be entered are
By moving the marker in the menu by activating the control element, it is first appropriately marked and then selected by activating the select key. The select key is integrated within the control element so that the menu point can be marked by the substantially horizontal movement of the control element, and pressing the control element allows selection of the marked menu point. ing.

The subscriber number to be entered can be displayed in the entry line of the menu, and if the subscriber number has been successfully entered, the subscriber number is marked by the control element and then selected by the selection key. The subscriber number can then be transmitted to establish a connection corresponding to the subscriber number.

A menu driven telephone according to the present invention includes a display device on which a menu is displayed and a control element for moving a marker in the menu. The display can then display the available numbers in the menu. By marking each digit by the control element using the control element to move the marker, and then by appropriately activating the select key to select the marked digit, subscribing. The numbers can be sequentially selected from a menu to enter the user number. Said selection key is integrated in said control element.

A particular advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the numeric keypad can be omitted entirely. In this way, the telephone can be smaller than before. On the other hand,
The space previously required for the numeric keypad on the front of the telephone can be used for larger display devices. Another advantage is that when entering the subscriber number, the user no longer has to look away from the display device to find the correct number with his finger. Therefore, the operation of the telephone is very intuitive for the user.

The present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The control element BE shown in FIG. 1 is arranged in a gap in a casing of a menu-controlled radio telephone. The control element BE has two rollers W1 and W
2 is composed of a flex band B stretched around the periphery. Band B
Can be made of rubber or flexible plastic and have a ribbed or rippled surface so that it can be more easily moved on the rollers W1 and W2 by the user. The first roller W1 has a circular cross section, while the second roller W2 has a regular octagonal polygonal cross section. In this way, a stepped movement of band B is achieved. Each side of the octagon, ie, one-eighth of one rotation, corresponds to one step. Below the flex band B between the two rollers W1 and W2 is a push button T which can be activated by pushing the band B. In this way, the menu item marked in the menu of the wireless telephone can be selected.

The means for recording the movement of the flex band, for example a motion detector, are not shown. Such a motion detector can advantageously be fitted on the second roller W2 to record the rotational movement of this roller. Such a motion detector can be designed, for example, with segmented contacts applied to the protruding shaft of the roller and hammered by one or more spring contacts. Depending on the position of the shaft, electrical contact is made and released via the rotational movement caused by the movement of the band. Alternatively, the rotational movement can be recorded optically. This design is more accurate than mechanical sampling. However, battery-powered devices typically exhibit an undesirable increase in current demand.

The control element fits over the casing in such a way that the upper side of the flex band is almost exactly connected to the upper surface of the casing G. Further, a seal such as a brush shape can be applied to both sides in the area of the roller to prevent intrusion of mud and foreign matter.

The design of the rollers can both be circular or polygonal in cross section. With a polygonal cross section, the flex band can also be made from individual rigid or slightly flexible elements linked together in the form of a chain. In this case, the length of each member corresponds to one side of the polygon. In the case of a circular cross-section, a stepped operation is achieved, for example, via a roller shaft having a polygonal cross-section and a corresponding spring-supported bearing. If activated only one step at a time, one step corresponds to changing the mark from one menu point to the next in the menu of the wireless telephone. This is particularly advantageous because of the scrolling of the menu that can be physically experienced by the user and therefore intuitive.

The wireless telephone F shown in FIG. 2 is designed as an integrated wireless telephone. Such wireless telephones are often called "mobile telephones." This telephone has a control element B of FIG. 1 with a ribbed flex band.
E. In addition, the telephone has a display device S on which a menu can be displayed, for example an LCD display. In addition, the telephone has three push buttons D1,
D2 and D3. The first push button D1 can be used to power on the radiotelephone or end the call. The second push button D2 can be used to switch from the standby screen to a menu, for example a phone book or service menu. However, the second push button D2 also has another meaning assigned to it.
This is displayed in the menu. Third push button D
3 can be used to accept the call and send the calling number to establish a connection. A microphone M and a loudspeaker L of the wireless telephone F are also known.

The radio telephone F does not have a numeric keypad for dialing. Dialing is performed using the control element BE. To this end, when the control element BE is first activated, a menu is displayed on the display device containing the individual possible numbers. By moving the bending band, the marker moves on the displayed number. Once the desired number has been marked, it can be selected by pressing the control element BE and activating the push button located below the flex band. By repeating the above selection of numbers, the desired complete call number can be entered. In this way,
No numeric keypad is required. As a result, the radiotelephone can be made smaller and the saved space in front of the radiotelephone can be used for larger display devices.
A push button under the flex band of the control element is not absolutely necessary. Selection of the marked menu item is also possible, for example, by pressing the key D3. Other control elements such as trackballs, trackpoints, rotatable wheels or individual cursor keys are also conceivable. It is not necessary to omit the numeric keypad. Such a numeric keypad could be provided as another means of input.

The integrated structure of the selection key integrated below the band between the endless band control element BE and the two rollers allows the user to keep his eyes on the display device and to search for the corresponding selection key with his finger. It is particularly advantageous because it allows for quick and intuitive operation and selection without any.

A possible menu which can be displayed by the display device S is shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c.
FIG. 3a shows the display device when a certain number is input. In the top row Z1, a menu is displayed with individual numbers and letters that can be selected. These are the numbers "1", "2", "3", "4", "5",
Has functions similar to "6", "7", "8", "9" and "0", characters "*", "#", "P" indicating pause of dialing, and a ground key. "R". By selecting "R" from the dial menu, the current call is interrupted and the conferencing circuit is started and a third party forwarding the current call is connected or another function of the private branch exchange is activated. Be started. The second line Z2 displays the called party number in the range already entered. In the third row Z3, an item “CORRECT” indicating the current meaning of the second push button D2 is shown. Pressing push button D2 deletes the last selected digit. A marker M is also displayed, and in the illustrated example, the number “9”
Is shown above.

FIG. 3b shows a telephone directory having a plurality of entries. The control element allows the marker M to be moved in the telephone directory, and one of the entries
You can choose one. FIG. 3c shows what is displayed after an entry in the telephone directory has been selected and the call setup has been successful.
The call duration GD is shown at the right end of the center row Z2. The entry “SERVICE” is displayed in the bottom line Z3. This also indicates the current meaning of the second push button D2. By pressing the push button D2, for example,
You can switch to the service menu to set up a conference circuit.

The contents of the display device at each stage of the subscriber number entry are shown in FIGS.
Adjacent to the figure are the symbols for actuation of the control element BE or the pushbutton required for each stage.

FIG. 4a shows the display device in normal mode. This menu is described as a standby menu. The wireless telephone is turned on and is in a receivable state. On the first line Z1 of the display, a name that can be freely assigned by the user is displayed. Moving the control element up and down activates the selection menu shown in FIG. 4b. Up and down movement of the control element is indicated by a double arrow as a symbol. First row Z1 of the display
Displays a list of available numbers and characters within those described as the selection menu in FIG. 3a. The second row Z2 is still blank because the subscriber number has not been entered yet. In the third line, the entry "CORRECT" is displayed while the subscriber number is being entered. This indicates the current meaning of the push button D2, and means that pressing the push button D2 deletes the last selected digit.

By continuously moving the control element BE,
The marker M moves in the menu. In FIG. 4c, the marker M
Is directly above the number "3". By pressing a selection key integrated into the control element, the currently marked number is selected. In FIG. 4d, pressing the control element BE is indicated by a downward arrow above the dash. In this way, the selected digit "3" is displayed in row Z2 of the display as the first digit of the subscriber number to be entered.

In this way, the individual digits of the subscriber number are entered stepwise. In FIG. 4e, the subscriber number "3"
699 "has been entered. The last digit selected by pressing the select key was "9". Thus, on the first line of the selection menu, the number "9" is still marked.

Once the subscriber number has been successfully entered, the subscriber number must be transmitted to the exchange or private branch exchange so that the connection corresponding to the subscriber number can be established. Transmission of the subscriber number can be started by pressing push button D3, as shown in FIG. 4f. When the connection is established as shown in FIG. 4f, the duration GD of the call is displayed at the right end of the second row Z2 of the display S. The dialed subscriber number is also displayed in the second row Z2.

Alternatively, transmission of the entered subscriber number can be initiated by moving the marker M to the entered subscriber number in the selection menu using the control element. This is performed by moving the marker to a position above the last character "R" displayed on the first line. In this way, the entire entered subscriber number is marked, as shown in FIG. 4g. If the subscriber number is marked, a menu point "CLEAR" is displayed on the third line. This means that the marked subscriber number can be deleted by pressing the push button D2.
In FIG. 4h, it can be seen that pressing the select key sends the subscriber number and sets up the corresponding call. At the right end of the row Z2, a call duration time GD is displayed. On the one hand, it is only necessary to activate the integrated control element on which the user puts his finger anyway, and on the other hand, because there is no longer a need for a special push button for transmitting the subscriber number. Embodiments are advantageous.

It is also advantageous to have in the telephone a means for entering text consisting of letters and numbers, for example a text message or an e-mail. The entry in this case is similar to the entry for the subscriber number. By selecting the corresponding menu item in the service menu,
A list of available alphabets, letters and numbers is displayed. Markers can be moved one at a time in the list by activating the control elements to mark the characters one at a time and select the character by pressing the integrated select key. In this way, for example, an entry with a new name can also be entered in the telephone directory.

A particularly advantageous telephone design according to the invention also has a buffer storage. The buffer store holds the last dialed subscriber number, the subscriber number of the last edited entry in the telephone directory, or the subscriber number of the last caller. When a new phone book entry is created with a name entered as described above, the stored number is displayed on the display as a new optional subscriber number for the new entry. The user can press the select key to confirm the subscriber number stored in the buffer or enter a new subscriber number. In this way, new entries can be created particularly quickly and easily. Therefore, for example, it is possible to select and delete an entry in a certain telephone directory. The subscriber number of the deleted telephone directory entry is stored in the buffer storage at the time of deletion, and is displayed as an optional standard when a new entry in the telephone directory is entered. After terminating the accepted call, only the caller's name needs to be entered as a new entry, and the caller's subscriber number provided from buffer storage as an optional standard can be determined. The caller's subscriber number can be similarly quickly and easily entered into the telephone directory.

[0037] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is also one or more name keys. Such name keys serve to perform speed dials. Simply pressing the name key dials the subscriber number assigned to that name key. In FIG. 2, the push button D3 is used as a name key for an emergency number. Assignment of the subscriber number or emergency number to the name key is performed by keeping the name key pressed for a certain period of time, for example, two seconds. The current subscriber number contained in the display or buffer storage is then assigned to the name key.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the procedure of the present invention. The procedure of the present invention includes the following steps.

Step S1: A menu containing all available numbers and letters is displayed on the display device.

Step S2: The marker is moved in the menu until the desired number (or character) is marked by the control element.

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

Step S4: The selected number is displayed on the entry line of the display device together with the previously selected number.

Step S5: Steps S2 to S4 are repeated until all the numbers of the numbers to be input are input.

Step S6: The subscriber number is transmitted by activating a push button for this or transmitted by activating a control element and pressing an integrated selection key Is done.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the telephone also has a redial memory in which a plurality of previously entered subscriber numbers or subscriber numbers called by previous callers are automatically stored. The redial memory can be called as a submenu in the service menu. When the submenu item of the redial memory is selected, the stored subscriber number or the name of the correspondent stored in the telephone directory is displayed. By activating the control element, the marker can be moved in the list, by pressing the select button the marked item can be selected, the transmission of its subscriber number is started and the corresponding connection is established. You. This is shown in FIG.
a to 6d. FIG. 6a shows the standby menu. The third line Z3 of the display shows the menu point "SERVICE". Thereby, the function of the second push button D2 is established (FIG. 2). The service menu is activated by pressing a second push button or pressing a selection key integrated into the control element. By activating the control element, the service menu can be viewed, and the marker is set to the menu item "-REDIAL" as shown in FIG. 6b. Pressing the select key activates the marked menu item and a submenu is displayed with the contents of the redial memory (FIG. 6c). Actuation of the control element causes the marker M to be placed over the desired caller name, as shown in FIG. 6c. In the example shown, this is the caller name "LAMBER
T ". Pressing the select key or pressing push button D3 initiates redialing of the marked entry and its subscriber number is transmitted. If the corresponding call is set up, this caller name "LAMBER
T "is the current call duration GD, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display together with the display.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a control element according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a wireless telephone having the control elements of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the display device of the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the display device of the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

3c is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the display device of the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone set shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4b shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4c shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone set shown in FIG. 2;

4d shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4e shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4f shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4g shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone set shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4h shows a subscriber number entry according to the invention using the telephone shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a calling number entry method of the present invention.

FIG. 6a illustrates the redial function of the telephone of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6b illustrates a redial function of the telephone of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6c illustrates the redial function of the telephone of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6d illustrates the redial function of the telephone of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 BE control device G Casing W1, W2 Roller B Flex band T, D1, D2, D3 Push button L Loudspeaker S Display device F Wireless telephone M Microphone Z1 First row Z2 Second row Z3 Third row GD Call duration

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Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A control element for a menu-controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, comprising: at least two rollers; and only moving in equidistant steps on said rollers, stretched on said rollers. A control element including a possible flex band and a motion recording device for recording the motion of the flex band. 2. The control element according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rollers has a polygonal cross section. 3. A control element for a menu-controlled electronic device for moving a marker in a menu, comprising: at least two rollers; and a tensioned on the rollers, movable in at least one direction on the rollers. A flex band, a motion recording device for recording the motion of the flex band, and a push button located below the flex band between the rollers, which can be actuated by pressing the flex band to select a marked menu point. And control elements including: 4. A menu-controlled radiotelephone having a display device for displaying a menu, wherein the menu-controlled radiotelephone includes a control element for moving a marker in the menu, wherein the control element is at least one of: A wireless telephone including a flexible band stretched on two rollers and movable on at least one direction on the rollers, and a motion recording device for recording a movement of the flexible band. 5. The radio telephone according to claim 4, wherein the rollers are designed such that the flex band can only be moved on the rollers in equidistant steps. 6. The wireless telephone according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the rollers has a polygonal cross section. 7. The wireless telephone of claim 5, further comprising a push button located below the flex band between the rollers, operable by pressing the flex band to select a marked menu point. . 8. On a display device, all available digits are displayed for entering a calling number, and the entry of the calling number is stepped by selecting each digit with a repeat mark. Claim 5 executed in
A wireless telephone according to claim 1. 9. A menu-driven telephone including a display device on which a menu is displayed and a control element for moving a marker in the menu, wherein the menu-driven telephone displays numbers available in the menu. The control element includes a selector for sequentially selecting a number from a menu for entering a subscriber number, the selection moving a marker using the control element to mark each number. Is done by selecting the marked number by actuating the select key, then the menu point can be marked by substantially horizontal movement of the control element and pressing the control element The selection key is integrated into the control element so that the marked menu point can be selected. Phone it is. 10. The telephone according to claim 9, wherein only the control element and the selection key are means provided for inputting the subscriber number. 11. A means for inputting text consisting of characters and numbers by repeatedly selecting and selecting characters in a list of characters consisting of available characters and numbers displayed in a menu. The telephone of claim 9 including: 12. A buffer storage for storing the last dialed or edited subscriber number and / or storing the last caller's subscriber number, a telephone directory storage and display, and a new entry in the telephone directory. Input device for inputting, after entering the name of the new entry, the subscriber number stored in the buffer storage is displayed as an optional subscriber number of the new entry, and The telephone of claim 9, wherein the telephone can be assigned to a new entry. 13. At least one name key for speed dialing and at least one of a currently displayed subscriber number, a currently displayed telephone directory entry and a subscriber number stored in a buffer store, The telephone according to claim 9, further comprising: an allocation mechanism configured to allocate the name key by holding down the name key. 14. A redial memory for storing a plurality of previously dialed subscriber numbers and / or a subscriber number of a previous caller, and displaying the subscriber numbers stored in the redial memory in a submenu. To activate the display and the redial of the selected subscriber number.
The telephone of claim 9, further comprising: a selector for selecting one of the subscriber numbers displayed in the submenu. 15. A method of entering a subscriber number into a menu driven telephone, the method comprising the steps of: displaying an available number as a menu on a display device of the telephone; Marking the number of the subscriber number to be entered by moving the marker within; and allowing the substantially horizontal movement of the control element to mark the menu point, by pressing the control element Actuating a select key integrated in the control element so that the marked menu point can be selected, thereby selecting the marked number. 16. The subscriber number to be entered is displayed in the entry line of the menu, and if the subscriber number is successfully entered, it is marked by the control element and selected by the selection key, 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method is transmitted to establish a connection corresponding to the subscriber number.