Telecommunication terminal and a method for communicating with a server by means of a telecommunication terminal

• US 20040102209A1
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Published: 05/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Schonwald, Jurgen, Hoyler, Stefan
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A telecommunication terminal (1,300) comprising a receiver and a transmitter (19) arranged to receive and transmit data, through a telecommunication network (310). The terminal further comprises a user interface (2-6) having display means (3,13) and a key-pad. The key-pad is provided with a group of keys arranged to type an alpha-numerical input to be displayed as an output on the display means. The display means is arranged to display different inputs and states depending on the input from the keypad. One pre-defined key in the group of keys is further arranged to a function for communicating with another terminal, at one state as is arranged to be displayed on said display means. This state will disable the alpha-numerical input of the pre-defined key and enables the function for communicating with another terminal, in order to facilitate browsing on the other terminal.

Claims

1. A communications terminal (1,300) comprising:

a receiver and a transmitter (19) arranged respectively to receive and transmit data through a telecommunication network (310),

a user interface having;

a key-pad (2) provided with a group of keys for allowing entry of alpha-numerical Input for display, and display means (3, 13) arranged to display inputs and a state of the keypad depending on input from the keypad,

at least one predefined key in said group of keys being further arranged to recall a function for communication with another terminal, in a non-alphanumerical state which is arranged to be displayed on said display means, where in the non-alphanumerical state the alpha-numerical input of is the pre-defined key is disabled and said function for communication with another terminal is enabled, for facilitating browsing on the other terminal, characterised in that the function of the pre-defined key is user-definable and in that the communications terminal is a mobile telephone

2. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 1, wherein said function is a browser application (20), comprising sub-functions arranged to communicate with a server (320-340).

3. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 2, wherein said browser application is arranged to use the Wireless Application Protocol

4. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pre-defined key is marked with an indicator, indicating the function of the key in the non-alphanumerical state.

5. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 4, in which said indicator is replaceable, by means of a cover and/or a keypad comprising said indication.

6. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the predefined key is arranged to enable further functions, which is enabled in a state other than the non-alphanumerical state.

7. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any preceding claim, wherein the pre-defined key may be defined by a user to be associated with a bookmark.

8. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any preceding claim, wherein said another terminal is a server.

9. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said another terminal is another telecommunications terminal.

10. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any preceding claim, wherein said key is individually operable in first and second time periods to provide a function for communicating with another terminal.

11. A method of communicating with a terminal by means of a mobile telephone comprising a receiver and a transmitter (19), a user interface (2-6) having display means (3,13) and a keypad (2) provided with a group of keys for enabling entry of an alpha-numerical input for display on the display means, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

sending a request to said terminal for establishing a connection through said transmitter,

receiving a response from said terminal confirming the connection to said terminal by means of said receiver,

disabling the alpha-numerical input of a pre-defined key in said group of keys on said keypad,

enabling a functionality of the pre-defined key for communicating with said terminal upon an input from the predefined key, and

allowing the function of the predefined key to be user definable.

12. A communications terminal (1,300) comprising:

a receiver and a transmitter (19) arranged respectively to receive and transmit data through a telecommunication network (310),

a user interface having;

a key-pad (2) provided with a group of keys for allowing entry of alpha-numerical input for display, and display means (3, 13) arranged to display inputs depending on input from the keypad,

at least one predefined key in said group of keys being further arranged to recall a function for communication with another terminal in a non-alphanumerical state in which the alpha-numerical input of the pre-defined key is disabled and said function for communication with another terminal is enabled, for facilitating browsing on the other terminal, characterised in that the function of the pre-defined key is user-definable and in that the communications terminal is a mobile telephone.

13. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 12, wherein said function is a browser application (20), comprising sub-functions arranged to communicate with a server (320-340).

14. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 13, wherein said browser application is arranged to use the Wireless Application Protocol.

15. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the pre-defined key is marked with an indicator, indicating the function of the key in the non-alphanumerical state.

16. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to claim 12, in which said indicator is replaceable, by means of a cover and/or a keypad comprising said indication.

17. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the pre-defined key is arranged to enable further functions, which is enabled in a state other than the non-alphanumerical state.

18. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the pre-defined key may be defined by a user to be associated with a bookmark.

19. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein said another terminal is a server.

20. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claims 12 to 18, wherein said another terminal is another telecommunications terminal.

21. A mobile telephone (1,300) according to any of claim 12 to 20, wherein said key is individually operable in first and second time periods to provide a function for communicating with another terminal.