RU2384964C2 - User interface - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics, computer engineering.

SUBSTANCE: electronic device has a display; a housing enclosing the display and which defines the outer surface region next to the display, where this outer surface region has several surface zones indicated on it and is made with possibility of inscription by a user with storage of the inscription; memory; and user input apparatus; the said device has a first mode in which it carries out functions relative a certain object and, in response to the user input apparatus operation for indicating one of the said zones, the device stores the object in memory in association with this zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone through the user input apparatus, the electronic device carries out functions relative the object stored in association with the selected zone.

EFFECT: improved data input system.

12 cl, 5 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a user interface for an electronic device, such as a mobile phone.

A well-known property of mobile phones is their ability to store frequently used numbers in memory, each of which is associated with a name. Numbers can be called again by entering an associated name. This “phone book” feature eliminates the need for the user to remember phone numbers. It also prevents the user from receiving unwanted phone bills due to the incorrect entry of the number that he wants to call.

As simple mobile phones become less expensive, they are increasingly being bought by people who have little experience with advanced technology. Such people may find it difficult to manage functions, such as the phone book function, because it usually requires a potentially complex series of keystrokes to store names and numbers and call numbers by name. Also, such people may have limited reading ability. As a result, it may be difficult for them to read the user manual, study the functionality of the phone, and follow the on-screen prompts and help. Most significantly, they may not be able to enter names in the phone book, or save or redial numbers. However, it is these people who are most likely to suffer from unwanted phone bills due to entering incorrectly dialed numbers.

The phone book feature is just one example of areas where such problems arise. Other examples include entering text for a text message or storing reminders in a calendar function.

Thus, there is a need for an improved data entry scheme that can be applied to operations such as the phonebook function.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device comprising: a display; a housing in which the display is enclosed and which defines an outer surface region adjacent to the display, this outer surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated on it and configured to be inscribed by a user on them with the inscription being marked on them; memory; and user input means; wherein said device has a first mode in which the device performs a function with respect to a certain object and in which, in response to the operation of the user input means for indicating one of these zones, the device stores the object in memory in association with this zone; and a second mode in which, in response to selecting a zone by means of user input, the electronic device performs a function with respect to an object stored in association with the selected zone.

Preferably, an external surface area surrounds the display. Preferably, the outer surface region comprises a cover removably attached to the remainder of the device. Preferably, the lid is in the form of a plate.

The device may comprise a plurality of covers that can be placed next to the display, and preferably, the device is able to identify which of these covers is visible from the outside next to the display, and the object zones of the first and second modes are these zones of this cover.

Preferably, the device can physically change configurations and has a first configuration in which the outer surface region is covered by a lid and a second configuration in which it is open.

In the first mode, the device can perform a function with respect to an object that is inserted into the device regardless of the user input means of this device.

In the first mode, this function can be a function of receiving incoming communication, and the object is the identifier of the initiator of communication. Maybe the object is a phone number.

It is acceptable that in the second mode, this function may be a function of establishing outgoing communication with the object.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of an electronic device.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the functional elements of an electronic device.

Figures 3-5 show an electronic device in operation.

In the first embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 1 has a display 2 and a keypad 3. The display is surrounded by a telephone body, part of the surface of which defines an area 4 for inscriptions. The interaction of the display and the keypad with each other and with other functional areas of the phone is controlled by the processor 5, shown in figure 2. The processor is programmed with software products in order to provide the required functionality, although, as an alternative, it can be executed in hardware. The area for inscriptions is subdivided into zones 6. The telephone has such a configuration that it can display any of these zones through the display, and then, when the user is selected, it can provide functionality depending on the zone that is displayed at that moment.

The user can write their own characters 7 on each zone to show in their own way what functionality is provided when it is selected. It is not necessary for the phone to be able to recognize user mnemonics / images / characters, and it is not necessary for the user to be able to understand the language the phone is configured to. Thus, in addition to the simplified use by people with poor literacy, this reduces the need to adapt the device to local languages.

The functional elements of the telephone shown in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 2. The phone includes a memory 8, which stores programs for execution by the processor. The phone has a telephone unit 9, which allows it to communicate with a network of mobile phones. The telephone unit has a receiver unit 10 and a transmitter unit 11, each of which is connected to both the processor 5 and the antenna 12. The telephone also has a microphone 13 and a speaker 14, so that the user can enter audio data into the processor and hear audio data from the processor when call included. During a call, the processor sends and receives this data over the network through the telephone unit 9 in the usual way.

The writing area 4 preferably surrounds the display. However, it may extend along only one, two or three sides of the display.

The zones are preferably delimited from each other by means of visible markings 15 on the label area itself. However, they can be demarcated by means of visible markings nearby, but not on the inscription area itself.

Zones can be delimited by markings shown on the display next to the label area. Markings do not have to be visual: they can be, for example, tangible markings, such as protruding lines. Alternatively, markings separating zones may not exist.

Zones can be displayed through the display in several ways. For example, the area may be indicated by an arrow or a similar arrow shown on the display and indicating the area being displayed. Alternatively, the area may be indicated by a marker, which is shown on the display and indicates the area closest to where it is shown. The zone can also be indicated by means of lighting, arranged so as to illuminate preferably this zone. This can be achieved by placing a light emitter behind each zone, and the label area may be translucent or transparent.

Zones may vary in size. One way to achieve this is to allow the user to determine the size of each zone through the device’s user interface. By manipulating the arrow or arrows shown on the display screen, the desired start point and end point of the zone can be determined and stored in the device memory. The user can determine the size of the zone through the configuration function of the device, or the user may be required to determine the size of the zone when this zone is associated with a specific side (see figure 4). Instead of manually defining the size of each zone or set of zones, the user can choose between predefined zone sizes. Each zone may have a different size.

Preferably, the device provides a mode in which the user can easily select the configuration of the zones and their operation. One example of such a mode is one in which, when a device performs or has recently (i.e., within a predetermined period of time) a first function that is associated with an object, the display shows one of the zones. In this state of the device, the user can apply an input signal to the device to indicate that the specified zone or other zone is associated with an object. This input signal is preferably supplied by means of a dedicated input device, such as a dedicated button. Each zone itself can function as a button, allowing the user to show the zone with which the object should be connected by clicking on the area corresponding to this zone. This can be achieved by pressing the dome switch under each zone. In response to an incoming user signal, the device writes to non-volatile memory that the object and the specified zone are associated. Subsequently, the user can call up the indication of the same zone and can provide input to the device to show that this zone is selected. This input signal may be received by the same or different input device. In response to this input signal, the device automatically performs another function that is associated with the object.

Examples of the first function include receiving a phone call, receiving a text or multimedia message, familiarizing the user with a reminder, making a phone call using a manually entered number, sending a text message to a manually entered address. Examples of an entity include a telephone number, a network address, and a subject. Examples of the second function include making a phone call, sending a text or multimedia message, and storing reminders.

In one preferred example, within a predetermined period, 10 seconds, after the end of the telephone call received on the telephone, the telephone shows an arrow on the display indicating the area on the display. If the user makes an input to select a zone while the arrow is shown on the display, the telephone stores the association between this zone and the telephone number from which the call was made. (The receiving telephone can determine the outgoing telephone number from the caller ID provided by the telephone network in the usual way). At this time, the user can make a mark of his choice on an acceptable area in the area for the inscriptions of the phone. As a sign, it is convenient to use one of those that the user associates with the caller. For example, if the caller was the user's son, then he can draw a picture of a boy. After that, the user can call up the same zone on the display and make a selection again. This will cause the phone to dial the number that is stored in memory in connection with this zone. Thus, whenever a user wants to make a call to a third party that is stored in accordance with the zone, they only need to recognize their own marking or mnemonics for dialing. Thus, the user does not need to know the number of the caller, nor how to write or read the name, and the phone does not need to recognize the code used by the user.

The device may be able to intelligently decide whether to show the zone when the first function is being executed or when it has just been performed. Preferably, it does not show a zone if the object associated with this function is already stored in association with the zone. Thus, if a call is received from a number that is already stored in association with a zone, then no zones will be offered for saving after this call. Preferably, no zones will be proposed for storage after an incoming call for which no call line identifier (CLI) information has been provided. This is possible if the caller chooses a mode that does not allow to determine its number.

The device may be able to intelligently decide which zone to display when the first function is being executed or has just been performed. Preferably, it does not show a zone that already has an object stored in memory with respect to it, although, most preferably, it will do so if all zones are already full.

The user can preferably scroll through the zones when one is selected for memorization or recall. This is done, preferably, by means of scrolling the user interface, for example, by the input wheel or the up and down buttons.

The area for inscriptions, most preferably, can be inscribed using standard writing instruments, such as a pencil or pen. The area of the device located under each zone may be sensitive to touch (preferably a more localized pressure than might unexpectedly occur during normal handling conditions), so that the user writing on the zone can provide the input required to select the zone to save. In this situation, the device does not need to show the zone at the time of saving. The area for inscriptions may, for example, be made of plastic material or paper, or cardboard. The inscription area is preferably represented by a piece of sheet material that can be detachably attached to the device, for example by means of clamping means. Due to this, the area can be replaced if all zones are full, and the user wants to change their configuration.

The device can physically change the configuration. For example, it can have two parts that can be stacked with each other or deployed from each other, or can slide one on top of the other. This may mean that some surface areas of the device are closed in one configuration and open in another configuration. Preferably, the inscription area is on such a surface. This has several advantages. Firstly, the markings on the inscription area can be protected against abrasion by coating, for example, when the device is carried. Secondly, the user may be ashamed of his use of pictorial markings, not words. If the markings are hidden when the device is carried everywhere, then the user may be more satisfied with the use of this property. Preferably, in the most compact configuration of the device, which is typically one in which it can be carried everywhere, the zones are closed. Preferably, in the “in use” configuration of the device, the zones are open.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the invention in a foldable mobile phone. The area surrounding the display, here is the “phonebook area”, is divided into a number of zones. Figure 3 shows the areas numbered 21-28. The user can write whatever he likes in these areas, as shown in FIG. 4.

4 shows a mobile phone of a preferred embodiment of the invention after an incoming call in which CLI information (call line identifier) was not previously recognized by the telephone. The arrow 29 on the display indicates one of the areas that is still clean, and the user makes personal markings in this area, which this arrow points to. This personal label serves as a mnemonic, providing identification of the caller. The user then presses the button 30 on the keypad to create an association between the caller and this area. Figure 4 shows that the user has three subscribers registered in his phone book.

When a user later receives a call from a party registered in his phone book, CLI 31 of this side is recognized by the telephone and arrow 32 indicates an associated area, as shown in FIG. Then the user only needs to recognize his mnemonics representing the caller to find out who is making the call. Similarly, when making an outgoing call, the user only needs to turn to the selected area and then initiate the call using one or more buttons on the keypad.

The phonebook area can be an attached rectangular ring of plastic material on which you can write, having areas with outlines previously marked on them. It can preferably be removable. Alternatively, a rectangular paper ring may also be used, which is attached in place by, for example, pressing by means of a transparent surface layer pivotally or clamped to a portion of the telephone display.

The user may require the ability to store data for more areas than can conveniently be placed around the display or indicated by the display. In this situation, the device can be provided with sheets for a variety of labels that can be positioned on the display and provided with means for interacting with the device, so that the device can detect which of the sheets is visible next to the display. The device can then associate each area of each sheet with relevant information and allow data to be stored for each area, depending on which sheet is visible next to the display. One way to do this is to provide each sheet with profile identifiers, such as protrusions that uniquely identify it and allow the device to detect its presence. Another way to do this is to attach a set of sheets to the device using a hinge so that they can be stacked one on top of the other in a position above the display.

The hinge detection device may allow the device to detect which sheet is the top one above the display. This design may be similar to a traditional ring-bound notebook. Sheets can be hung on the same axis on which other parts of the device are suspended: for example, if the phone consists of two parts suspended on a hinge, then sheets can be hung on the same axis as the parts of the phone. The sheets are preferably made of very hard plastic material.

The sheets are preferably chosen in such sizes and placed so as not to hide the user interface of the device. Thus, the user can scroll through the sheets, while remaining able to conveniently control the user interface. If a device that has sheets for multiple labels accepts a call from a known object, a number or symbol can be shown on the display next to an arrow indicating the area corresponding to the calling party to further indicate on which sheet the corresponding personal marking is shown on the display.

There may be cases in which the user wishes to remove the association between the personal labeling and a particular object. To achieve this, the user can provide input to the device to show the area corresponding to the personal labeling. This input can be made through any of the input tools discussed above. The user can then provide further input to remove the association between this zone and the object that is stored in the device memory. This entry may be a highlighted delete button, or this delete button can be identified by a deleted icon. To complete this process, personal marking is removed by any conventional method suitable for removing the ink used on the inscription sheet on which the marking has been made.

This sheet material can be selected so that many ordinary inks can be easily removed.

The device may be capable of transmitting data associating a set of personal markings with a set of objects of another device.

This process involves two stages: transferring at least a part of the phonebook area, on which the user's personal markings are displayed, and transferring data associating a set of zones into which the phonebook area is divided, with a set of objects. Preferably, the portion of the phonebook area on which the user's personal markings are displayed may be separable in order to allow the user to manually transfer this portion of the phonebook area between devices (first stage). The second stage of data transfer between devices can be performed by any means known in this field: by sending data over a communication network, of which the device is a subscriber; through a wired connection between devices (this can be done at the device service center); Via a wireless connection between devices, such as Bluetooth; by writing data to the active RF tag in the source device and bringing the two devices in close proximity so that the tag reader in the destination device reads the data in the memory of the destination device, thus transferring data from the source device to the destination device.

Alternatively, the device may be a mobile phone, and data associating the set of zones into which the area of the phone book is divided with the set of objects can be stored on the SIM card (subscriber identifier module) of the phone. This data can then be transferred from the first device to the second device by moving the SIM card from the first device to the second device and transmitting the user's personal markings, as described above.

The device is not necessarily a mobile phone. It can be, for example, a camera, calculator or PDA.

The applicant here discloses in isolation each individual feature and any combination of two or more of such features to such an extent that such features or combinations can be carried out on the basis of the present description by a person skilled in the art, regardless of whether such properties or combinations of properties solve any problems, disclosed in the present description, and without limiting the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or combination thereof. From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications within the scope of this invention.

Claims (11)

1. An electronic device containing:
display;
a housing in which the display is enclosed and which defines an outer surface region adjacent to the display, this outer surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated on it and configured to be inscribed by a user on them with the inscription being marked on them;
memory; and
user input means;
wherein said device has:
the first mode, in which the device performs a function in relation to the object and in which, in response to the operation of the user input means to indicate one of these zones, the device stores the object in memory in association with this zone; and
the second mode, in which, in response to the selection of a zone by means of user input, the electronic device performs a function with respect to an object stored in association with the selected zone. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which an external surface region surrounds the display. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which the outer surface region comprises a lid that is removably attached to the rest of the device. 4. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which the cover is made in the form of a plate. 5. The electronic device according to claim 3, containing many covers made with the possibility of being located next to the display. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, which is able to identify which of the covers is visible externally next to the display, and the zones of the object of the first and second modes are these zones of this cover. 7. The electronic device according to claim 1, which can physically change the configuration and has a first configuration in which the outer surface region is closed, and a second configuration in which it is open. 8. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which in the first mode the device performs a function in relation to an object that is inserted into the device regardless of the user input means of this device. 9. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which in the first mode the specified function is a function of receiving incoming communication, and the object is the identifier of the initiator of communication. 10. The electronic device according to claim 9, in which the object is a telephone number. 11. The electronic device according to claim 1, in which in the second mode the specified function is a function of establishing outgoing communication with the object.

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