Graphical layout and keypad response to visually depict and implement device functionality for interactivity with a numbered keypad

• US 20030169282A1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ACK Ventures Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Kargo Ooo (RIAL Gruppa Kompaniy)
• Inventors: Kargman, Harry B., Herigstad, Dale A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,731,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device

Abstract

A visual display for an electronic device is partitioned into regions. Each of the regions is associated with a key on a keypad. One exemplary implementation is a 3×3 grid of regions corresponding to nine keys numbered 1-9 on a numbered keypad. A visual correspondence is provided for the user to associate choices illustrated in the regions with the numbered keys. The regions display visual information such as graphics and/or text to identify a selection option. The keys are associated with the regions such that when a key is selected the selection option associated with the region is chosen. In this fashion, a user may navigate through content, such as content from the Internet, to gain accesses to service, to obtain information and to purchase items.

Claims

1. In an electronic apparatus having a display and a numbered keypad having keys, a method comprising the steps of:

displaying visual information on the display in sections, wherein each section is associated with a respective one of the keys on the numbered keypad and wherein each section provides a visual indication of a selection associated with selecting the key on the number keypad; and

in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, triggering an event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the keys in the numbered keypad are configured in a pattern and wherein the sections are arranged on the display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sections contain graphical information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sections contain text.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sections contain text.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is a telephone.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the telephone is a mobile phone.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is a pager.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a television in combination with a device having a keypad.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus is an Internet appliance.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of triggering an event comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new information is associated with the selected key on the numbered keypad.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the new information that is displayed on the display is partitioned into sections that are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the numbered keypad.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein there are at least five sections.

15. The method claim 14, wherein there are nine sections associated with respective keys numbered one through nine.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein each section is associated with a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggers information being displayed on the display that concerns a service associated with the selected key.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the sections contains a border for visually delimiting the section.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the sections occupy substantially all of the display.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein each section is associated exclusively with a single one of the keys in the numbered keypad.

20. In a mobile telephone having a display and a numbered keypad containing keys, a method comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with a respective one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key and, wherein, the regions are organized on the display in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein each region is associated with a service option for a service and selecting the selected key results in a request for the service.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein each region contains a graphical element that visually represents a choice.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein each region fails to display a number of the key on the numbered keypad that is associated with the region.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of responding comprises displaying information associated with selection of the selected key.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of responding comprises placing a phone call.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of responding comprises rendering a wireless markup language (WML) card on the display.

27. In an electronic device having an output device and at least two numbered buttons for input, a method of navigating, comprising the steps of:

outputting navigation options on the output device to generate a first output so that each output option occupies a portion of the output that correlates to one of the numbered buttons and the output options are patterned on the first output to correspond to a physical layout of the numbered buttons; and

upon a user of the electronic device selecting one of the numbered buttons, outputting a set of new navigation options on the output device associated with the selected button, said new navigation options patterned to correspond to the physical layout of the numbered buttons and each option being correlated with one of the numbered buttons.

28. In an electronic device having a display and numbered keys, a method of locating a site, comprising the steps of:

displaying a first map of a geographic area on the display that contains the site, wherein the map is partitioned into visually delimited regions and wherein each region corresponds to a respective one of the numbered keys; and

upon a user selecting a selected one of the numbered keys, displaying a second map on the display which depicts the region of the first map that corresponds to the selected one of the numbered keys in more detail.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the second map has a visual indication of the site.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the site is an automatic teller machine.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the site is a seller of goods.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the site is a purveyor of services.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic device is a telephone.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic device is a mobile telephone.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic device comprises a television as the display and a remote control for the television having the number keys.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic device is a pager.

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic device is an Internet appliance.

38. In an electronic device having a display and a numbered keypad with keys, a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying visual representations of services in respective regions of the display, wherein each of said regions corresponds to a respective one of the keys on the numbered keypad and wherein the regions are patterned in a geometric configuration corresponding to the geometric configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

in response to a user of the electronic device selecting a selected one of the keys, displaying information on the display to enable the user to request a given service that is visually represented by the region that corresponds with the selected key.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the given services is a service for making purchases.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the given service is for purchasing food.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the given service is for purchasing pizza.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the electronic device is a mobile phone.

43. A storage medium for use in an electronic apparatus having a display and a numbered keypad having keys, said medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying visual information on the display in sections, wherein each section is associated with a respective one of the keys on the numbered keypad and wherein each section provides a visual indication of a selection associated with selecting the key on the number keypad; and

in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, triggering an event.

44. The storage medium of claim 43, wherein the keys in the numbered keypad are configured in a pattern and wherein the sections are arranged on the display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.

45. The storage medium of claim 43, wherein the step of triggering an event comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new information is associated with the selected key on the numbered keypad.

46. The storage medium of claim 45, wherein the new information that is displayed on the display is partitioned into sections that are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the numbered keypad.

47. The storage medium of claim 43, wherein each section is associated with a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggers information being displayed on the display that concerns a service associated with the selected key.

48. The storage medium of claim 43, wherein each of the sections contains a border for visually delimiting the section.

49. A storage medium for use in a mobile telephone having a display and a numbered keypad containing keys, said storage numbered keypad containing keys, said storage medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with a respective one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key and, wherein, the regions are organized on the display in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action.

50. A storage medium for use with an electronic device having a display and numbered keys, said storage medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying a first map of a geographic area on the display that contains the site, wherein the map is partitioned into visually delimited regions and wherein each region corresponds to a respective one of the numbered keys; and

upon a user selecting a selected one of the numbered keys, displaying a second map on the display which depicts the region of the first map that corresponds to the selected one of the numbered keys in more detail.