Graphical user interface features of a browser in a hand-held wireless communication device

• US 20050153745A1
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Openwave Systems Incorporated (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Smethers, Paul A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,130,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• 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 microbrowser in a mobile telephone or other hand-held mobile device generates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) having features that make the device more user-friendly. In one mode, the GUI includes a softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action and an input field for receiving a user-input character string, such as a telephone number. In response to typing in the input field, a softkey action previously associated with the input field, such as a dial action, is automatically selected, and the softkey indicator is automatically changed to indicate the selected action. In another mode, the GUI displays an input field and a menu listing performable actions. In response to a user input representing a single action by the user and designating one of the performable actions, the designated action is selected and the input field is activated, enabling the user to input characters associated with the designated action.

Claims

1. A method of operating a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising:

communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;

acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and

displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information from a location device within the hand-held mobile device.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information from the remote processing system over the wireless network.

8. A machine readable program storage medium having stored therein a browser usable by a hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein the browser, when executed on the hand-held mobile device, performs a method comprising:

communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;

acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and

displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.

9. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.

10. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.

11. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.

12. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.

13. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from a location device within the hand-held mobile device.

14. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 8, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from the remote processing system over the wireless network.

15. A hand-held mobile device comprising:

means for communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;

means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and

means for displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.

16. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

means for accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device in response to the user input.

17. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

means for accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items in response to the user input, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.

18. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.

19. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.

20. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises a location device within the hand-held mobile device.

21. A hand-held mobile device as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises means for receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from the remote processing system over the wireless network.

22. A mobile telephone comprising:

a processor;

a display;

voice circuitry to process telephony signals;

an input device; and

a storage device storing a browser which, when executed by the processor, performs a process which includes

enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hypermedia content;

acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone; and

displaying a hyperlink on a display of the mobile telephone based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the mobile telephone to the user.

23. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, wherein said process further comprises:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the mobile telephone.

24. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, wherein said process further comprises:

receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and

in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of additional hyperlinks, wherein each of the additional hyperlinks is a hyperlink to content of a different category and specific to the location of the mobile telephone.

25. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.

26. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.

27. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, further comprising a location device, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone comprises receiving the information from the location device.

28. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 22, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone comprises receiving the information from a remote server over a wireless network.

29. A method of operating a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising:

displaying, on a display of the hand-held mobile device, an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field;

receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input,

selecting said one of the actions, and

activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the hand-held mobile device is a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.

32. A machine readable program storage medium having stored therein a browser usable by a hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein the browser, when executed on the hand-held mobile device, performs a method comprising:

displaying, on a display of the hand-held mobile device, an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field;

receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input,

selecting said one of the actions, and

activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.

33. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 32, wherein the hand-held mobile device comprises a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.

34. A machine readable program storage medium as recited in claim 33, wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.

35. A mobile telephone comprising:

a processor;

a display;

voice circuitry to process telephony signals;

an input device; and

a storage device storing software which, when executed by the processor, performs a process which includes

displaying on the display an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field,

receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input,

selecting said one of the actions, and

activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.

36. A mobile telephone as recited in claim 35, wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.