WO2002075716A1 - System and methods for a dialer function - Google Patents
System and methods for a dialer function Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002075716A1 WO2002075716A1 PCT/US2002/007685 US0207685W WO02075716A1 WO 2002075716 A1 WO2002075716 A1 WO 2002075716A1 US 0207685 W US0207685 W US 0207685W WO 02075716 A1 WO02075716 A1 WO 02075716A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- application
- display
- screen
- dialer
- portable device
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/26—Devices for calling a subscriber
- H04M1/27—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
- H04M1/274—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc
- H04M1/2745—Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously with provision for storing more than one subscriber number at a time, e.g. using toothed disc using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
- H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to portable computing, but more specifically to systems and methods for implementing a dialer application in a portable computing device.
- Portable computing devices such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are becoming standard accessories for many people, especially businessmen and women.
- Portable computing devices are designed to be small and light weight. They are also designed to provide the user with a plurality of applications that are convenient for the user to have with them wherever the user goes.
- portable computing devices often have an address book feature that allows the user to input and store contact information for a plurality of contacts. They also often include an application for maintaining an event schedule. Therefore, a user can enter their business contacts, and business meetings, for example, and access them wherever the user may be.
- a key advantage of portable computing device is their portability, which allows the user to access important information, such as their address book or schedule, wherever they may be.
- One problem, however, is that while a user may be able to access their address book from wherever they are, this does not necessarily mean the user will have access to a telephone in order to contact someone whose information is stored in the address book.
- many users are forced to also carry a mobile phone.
- One solution to this problem is to combine the functions of a portable computing device and a mobile phone into one device. This can be done by incorporating a wireless transceiver into the portable computing device, or by interfacing the portable computing device to an external wireless transceiver. Alternatively, the portable computing device functions and features can be incorporated into a mobile phone.
- a dialer application displays a simulated dialer keypad on the display screen and uses touch screen technology so that the simulated keypad actually functions the same way as an actual keypad would.
- a dialer application can reduce the cost and size of portable computing devices that include wireless transceivers or mobile phones that incorporate personal computing device functionality.
- a dialer application is not as intuitive to use as a dialer keypad.
- a dialer application can include further features and functions that require a user to be familiar with the operation of the dialer keypad. Therefore, a dialer application needs to be as intuitive and convenient to use as possible.
- the systems and methods for a dialer application provide a dialer application that is intuitive and convenient. This is accomplished by providing the user with a main screen that contains information relating to the status of any ongoing communications, or in the event that there are no ongoing communications, information related to the last incoming or outgoing communication.
- a dialer application When the user wants to access the dialer screen in order to dial a number, the user simple presses a certain button on the portable computing device and the dialer screen pops up on the portable computing device display screen.
- a portable device comprises a display and a dialer application.
- the dialer application comprises a main screen and is configured to display the main screen on the display whenever the dialer application is initiated.
- the dialer application further comprises a dialer screen, which is configured to display the dialer screen on the display when a number is to be dialed.
- Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary scheduler screen that can be displayed by the portable computing device of figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary address book screen that can be displayed by the portable computing device of figure 1
- Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary launch pad screen that can be displayed by the portable computing device of figure 1 ;
- Figure 5 illustrate an example main screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 6 illustrate an example vendor screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 7 illustrate an example dialer screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 8 illustrate another example of a main screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 9 illustrate an example communication log screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 10 illustrate an example quick dial screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 11 illustrate an example phone book screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention
- Figure 12 illustrate another example of a phone book screen for a dialer application configured to run on the portable computing device of figure lin accordance with the invention.
- the systems and methods for a dialer application can work equally well on other portable computing devices such as a VisorTM, or other hand held computer.
- the systems and methods for a dialer application can also work on a mobile phone or other mobile communications device.
- the examples discussed in relation to the PalmTM device necessarily are configured to work with the PalmTM Operating System (Palm OSTM)
- the systems and methods for a dialer application can also work with whatever OS is required by a particular portable computing device, such as Windows CETM for example.
- FIG 1 illustrates a PalmTM device 100 such as the Palm VTM.
- Device 100 comprises a display screen 102, which must be large enough to display a sufficient amount of data to a user of device 100. Unlike a typical mobile phone, PDAs and other portable computing devices typically have larger screens in order to adequately display larger amounts of data.
- Device 100 also includes several buttons 104 and 106.
- buttons 104 have dedicated PDA functions.
- one button 104a can be dedicated for a scheduler application.
- pushing button 104a will cause device 100 to initiate a scheduler application included in device 100.
- the scheduler application will then display a scheduler screen on display 102.
- An example scheduler screen 200 is shown in figure 2. Once the scheduler application is running and the scheduler screen is displayed, a user can input events by day and time. The user may then be able to view their scheduled events by day, week, and/or month, and may be able to move forward and backward through the days, weeks, and/or months.
- Buttons 104b, 104c, and 104d can then be dedicated to an "address book” function, a "to-do list” function, and to a "memo” function, respectively. Therefore, pressing one of these buttons will cause device 100 to initiate an appropriate PDA function.
- the appropriate functions will then display an appropriate application screen on display 102.
- pressing button 104b can cause an address book application to display an address book screen, such as address book screen 300 illustrated in figure 3.
- the user can scroll through entries using button 106.
- button 106 has two active parts, the upper part and the lower part. Therefore, when the user presses the upper half of button 106, the user can scroll up through the address list.
- button 106 acts as an up/down button and is used for scrolling through information displayed on display 102.
- up/down button 106 has a special function that will be described below.
- the user can input information in several ways.
- some portable computing devices come equipped with small keyboards, or come equipped with small keyboards that can be interfaced with the portable computing device through an external interface. The user can use such a keyboard to input information in the same manner as one would use a Personal Computer (PC) keyboard.
- PC Personal Computer
- many portable computing devices, including device 100, can be interface to a PC. Therefore, the user can interface the portable computing device to the PC in order to sync the information stored in the portable computing device with information stored on the PC.
- a third method for inputting information into a portable computing device is illustrated by device 100.
- device 100 includes lower display section 116. Within section 116, is text recognition screen 110.
- text recognition screen is split into two halves. One half 112 is used for letter recognition, and other half 114 is used for number recognition. Therefore, a user can input information into device 100 by using text recognition screen 110.
- section 116 also includes several touch screen buttons 108.
- touch screen buttons 108 are dedicated to certain functions, similar to the way push buttons 104 are dedicated to certain functions.
- one of these touch screen buttons can be used to initiate a launch pad application.
- the launch pad application will then display a launch pad screen on display 102, such as launch pad screen 400 illustrated in figure 4.
- launch pad screen 400 includes a number of icons 402. Like section 116, display screen 102 also incorporates touch screen technology. Therefore, icons 402 are active buttons that the user can press to activate the application associated with a particular icon 402. Some icons 402 are for the same applications as push buttons 104. But several icons 402 are for different applications, such as a calculator application for example. Further, one icon 402a is associated with a dialer application. By pressing icon 402a, the user can launch the dialer application in order to send and receive communications.
- Main screen 500 comprises several useful parts. First, in the upper right hand corner, there are several icons 502 that relay status to the user relating to the communication service being used by device 100.
- these icons 502 can be used to indicate: (a) whether device 100 presently registered in a communication service provider's network, (b) how strong a signal is being received from the network, (c) whether device 100 has accessed communication service from its own service provider or whether it is roaming in another service provider's network, (d) whether device 100 is presently engaged in a communication, (e) whether the user has received a message through the network, and (f) the battery status for device 100.
- Vendor icon 504 can be used, for example, to indicate the provider of service for device 100. Moreover, using the touch screen technology built into display screen 102, vendor icon 504 can be an active button as well. Therefore, when a user presses icon 504, the dialer application can display a vendor specific screen 600, such as the one illustrated in figure 6. If the vendor icon is associated with a service provider, then vendor specific screen 600 can include information related to the service, such as the phone number for device 100, the service plan associated with device 100, and billing information. Billing information can include the monthly rate, the per minute rate, any free minutes, and the number of minutes used for the present month or billing period.
- a third part of main screen 500 is application icons 506. Icons 506 are used to launch applications included in dialer application 506. Therefore, by pressing one of these icons, the associated application will be initiated. In the example shown, one icon 506 is associated with a phone book application, one icon 506 is associated with a quick dial application, and one icon 506 is associated with a communication log application. These applications will be discussed in more detail below.
- a fourth part of main screen 500 is text bar 508.
- Text bar 508 can include date and time information as shown, however, text bar 508 can also include communication status information for presently occurring communications engaged in by device 100. Importantly, text bar 508 is always present so that a user can initiate other applications, either included in the dialer application or not, and still be aware of the status of an ongoing communication. This aspect of the systems and methods for a dialer application will become more apparent in the discussion that follows.
- Main screen 500 also includes a communication send/receive button 510 and a display area 512. Display area 512 is also used by the dialer application to display information related to presently occurring communications as well as for any missed incoming communications.
- the dialer application displays the last dialed number 514. If, at this point, the user presses communication send/receive button 510 in main screen 500, the dialer application will dial the last dialed number 514 and initiate a communication. Communication send/receive button 510 can also be used to answer an incoming communication.
- Dialer application is displaying the message "Up/Down Buttons for Dialpad” in display area 512.
- "Dialpad” refers to dialer screen 700, illustrated in figure 7, used by the dialer application to allow a user to dial phone numbers.
- Dialer screen 700 is displayed when a user presses the up part of up/down button 106.
- Dialer screen 700 includes a simulated keypad 702 that is designed to work, in combination with the touch screen technology built into display screen 102, in the same fashion as a normal telephone keypad.
- a user can use text recognition screen 110 to input telephone numbers.
- the user can write numbers on the right hand side 114 of text recognition screen 110 and the dialer application will recognize the numbers and display them just above simulated keypad 702 in display area 710.
- a user can input letters on the left hand side 112 of text recognition screen 110.
- the dialer application will recognize the letters and display them in display area 710. But the dialer application will also associate the letters with the appropriate number, as per the keypads in simulated keypad 702, so that when the communication is placed the appropriate number is dialed.
- the user presses communication send/receive button 708.
- Recognition of numbers and text can also be combined to generate numbers. For example, a user could write, on text recognition screen 110, the number 1-800-CALL-ATTTM and the dialer application will generate the correct number.
- Dialer screen 700 also includes a clear button 706, which will clear any numbers or letters that have been input, and back button 704, which will clear the last number or letter input.
- dialer application will exit dialer screen 700 and return to main screen 500.
- the appearance of main screen 500 will have changed somewhat now that a communication has been initiated.
- the change in appearance is illustrated by screen 800 in figure 8.
- the number dialed (806) is displayed as well as an associated name 814 if this information is available to the dialer application.
- the dialer application can display the status message "calling".
- the dialer application can display a status message indicating that the communication is active.
- the dialer application can also display how long the communication has been active for in display area 812.
- a mute button 802 and an end button 804 can also be included in screen 800 after a communication is initiated. Mute button 802 will allow a user to hear incoming information, but prevent device 100 from transmitting any information to the other party. End button 804 is used to end the communication.
- the information included in text bar 508 can also be updated when a communication is initiated as illustrated by text bar 810 in screen 800.
- the dialer application is causing the message "calling Joe Bob" to be displayed in text bar 810.
- the status message will be scrolled back and forth so that the user can view the entire message.
- the status message included in text bar 810 is actually duplicative of the information contained in display area 812; however, the real usefulness of text bar 810 is that it is displayed regardless of which screen is being displayed by the dialer application. This will become clear in the discussion of the other applications that can be included in the dialer application.
- the dialer application can include other applications that can be accessed by pressing an icon 506 in main screen 500.
- an application that can be included in the dialer application is a communication log application.
- Communication log screen 900 includes a display area 902 in which previous incoming, outgoing, and missed communications are displayed.
- Device 100 memory constraints will limit how many communications can be logged. Therefore, the communication log application can be limited to a certain number of previous communications and when the limit is reached, a new log entry will cause the oldest log entry to be dropped out of the log.
- a user can use up/down button 106 to scroll through the log displayed in screen 900.
- Pressing button 906 causes a communication to be initiated with the selected log entry. For example, if the user knows that there was a missed incoming communication, then the user can go to communication log screen 900, scroll to the last missed communication log entry, and press the communication send/receive button 906. The user is then connected to the number associated with the missed communication.
- Communication log screen 900 can also include filter categories 910.
- screen 900 can include filter categories ALL, for all communications, IN, for incoming communications only, OUT, for outgoing communications only, and MISS, for missed communications only. Selecting one of these categories causes the dialer application to filter the communications log by the appropriate criterion.
- a user wishing to return a missed incoming communication could go to screen 900, select the MISS category, and then select the last missed communication.
- the phone number associated with the communication can be displayed in display area 914.
- Communication log screen 900 also includes icons 904 for the other applications included in the dialer application; however, instead of a communication log icon, which is not needed because the communication log screen 900 is being displayed, there is an EXIT icon 912 that can take the user back to main screen 500.
- Communication screen 900 also includes a text bar 908, which will display the same information as displayed in text bar 810. Thus, if the user is checking the call log while a communication is ongoing, then the user can stay apprised of the status of the ongoing communication.
- Quick dial screen 1000 includes a display area that displays contact information for contacts that are included in a user's quick dial list. For example, the user may want to include his family, important coworkers, and frequently called friends in a quick dial list. When the user wants to reach one of these people, the user can then press the appropriate icon 506, scroll through the contacts displayed in display area 1002 using up/down button 106, and then select the appropriate contact. The user can press the communication send/receive button 1010 in order to connect to the selected contact.
- Quick dial screen 1000 also includes filter categories 1012 that when selected, cause the dialer program to filter the contacts in the quick dial list accordingly.
- the categories filter the contacts alphabetically. But other categories can be implemented, in conjunction with or in alternative to the alphabetical filters, to increase the functionality of the dialer application.
- Quick dial screen 1000 also includes icons 1004 for access to other applications and an EXIT icon 1006 for returning to main screen 500.
- Text bar 1010 is also included to keep the user aware of the status of any ongoing communications.
- One way that the quick list can be established is for the user to indicate contacts to be included in the quick list when the user is inputting contact information into the address book described above.
- the address book is the main method for organizing and maintaining the user's contact information database.
- a phone book application When such an application is included in the dialer application, and the appropriate icon 506 is pressed, a phone book screen 1100, shown in figure 11, can be displayed.
- Screen 1100 includes a display area 1102 that displays contact information for a plurality of contacts. This contact information can, for example, come form the address book described above.
- a user can enter phone book screen 1100 and scroll through the contacts using up/down button 106. Once the user finds the contact the user is looking for, the user can press the communication send/receive button 1116 in order to initiate a communication with that contact. Further, when the contact is selected, the associated phone number is displayed in display area 118.
- the contact information can be filtered according to several layers of categories.
- a first category is by phone book and is indicated by field 1106 in screen 1100.
- the user can specify that the contact information be included in one of several address books.
- Example address books are a business address book and a personal address book.
- inclusion in the quick list may be specified in this manner as well.
- Selection field 1106 could then allow the user to select phone books that correspond to the address book organization.
- Such alphabetical categorization can use the first or last name of the contact.
- a third layer of filtering is illustrated by categories 1108. These categories allow the user to filter the contact information so as to include all numbers associated with the contacts being displayed in display area 1102, or to filter the contact information by a particular type of number. For example, if the user only wanted to see home numbers for the contacts being displayed, then the user would press the home button 1202 as illustrated in figure 12. This will cause the phone book display to be updated to only show those contacts with associated home numbers in display area 1204 of display 1200.
- the user can press call send/receive button 1114 in order to initiate a communication with that contact.
- a communication send/receive button such as button 1114
- the user is taken to the main screen and provided information such as described in relation to main screen 800 in figure 8.
- text recognition screen 116 can be used to navigate the contact information.
- One method of using the text recognition screen is for the user to start writing the letters of the contacts name on the left hand side 112 of text recognition screen 110.
- the dialer application will modify display screen 110 to show only those names that begin with the first letter written by the user. If the user sees the contact the user is looking for, then the user can select it. If the user does not see the right contact, then the user can input a second letter. This will cause the dialer application to only display those contacts that start with the first two letters. This process continues until the user sees and selects the appropriate contact.
- Phone book screen 1100 also includes application icons 1110 and EXIT icon 1112 as well as text bar 1116. Moreover, phone book screen 1100, as well as any other application screen, can include vendor icon 504 and status icons 502. All of these buttons and icons function in the same manner as similar buttons and functions described above. It should also be noted that the communication send/receive buttons, such as button 1114, can be used to answer an incoming communication from any application screen included in the dialer application. Further, if a communication send/receive button is pressed within such an application screen and no number or contact is selected within that screen, then the dialer application can be configured to dial the last number dialed by the dialer program.
- a text bar such as text bar 1116
- a text bar can be displayed on display screen 102 even when an application screen associated with an application other than the dialer application is being displayed.
- PDA applications such as the memo application
- displaying the text bar when other applications are active may not be possible in the Palm OSTM. But it is possible in other OSs, such as Windows CETM for example.
- the phone book is an application running within the OS of the portable computing device.
- the information in this phone book, or database is preferably used to provide information to each of the applications described in this section.
- the OS does not allow for the format of the data to be changed or displayed in alternative manners.
- each application in order to display the information as described in relation to the applications of this section, each application must be able to interface to the phone book data base, pull out the required information and then display or filter it as required. All of this must occur without disturbing the underlying structure of the database.
- the interface application it is the role of the interface application to interface each of the dialer applications with the underlying phone book database. This in turn enables the advanced features of the dialer applications, which makes a dialer function implemented in accordance with the systems and methods described herein easier and more efficient to use than conventional dialer applications. It should be noted that the interface application can be configured as a standalone application or it can be integrated into each dialer application depending on the implementation.
Abstract
Description
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Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US27680001P | 2001-03-16 | 2001-03-16 | |
US60/276,800 | 2001-03-16 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2002075716A1 true WO2002075716A1 (en) | 2002-09-26 |
Family
ID=23058115
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/007685 WO2002075716A1 (en) | 2001-03-16 | 2002-03-15 | System and methods for a dialer function |
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Country | Link |
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WO (1) | WO2002075716A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4653086A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1987-03-24 | International Standard Electric Corporation | Communication terminal for processing voice and graphical information |
US5627978A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1997-05-06 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Graphical user interface for multimedia call set-up and call handling in a virtual conference on a desktop computer conferencing system |
-
2002
- 2002-03-15 WO PCT/US2002/007685 patent/WO2002075716A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4653086A (en) * | 1984-03-15 | 1987-03-24 | International Standard Electric Corporation | Communication terminal for processing voice and graphical information |
US5627978A (en) * | 1994-12-16 | 1997-05-06 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Graphical user interface for multimedia call set-up and call handling in a virtual conference on a desktop computer conferencing system |
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