Method and system for a user input solution for a limited telecommunication device

• US 20070277100A1
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Networks In Motion Incorporated (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Angie, Sheha, Michael, Urioste, Brian
• Application Number:
  US11/635,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20070277100A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/256
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3664 Details of the user input interface, e.g. buttons, knobs or sliders, including those provided on a touch screen; remote controllers; input using gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 using prediction or retrieval techniques
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver

Abstract

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for enabling a simple and efficient method of directional arrows for the purpose of easily maneuvering throughout a contextual menu system (i.e., menus, text entry boxes, buttons, and the like) on a mobile device using limited input keys. In one embodiment, this allows a user to only require a rocker key with “directional arrows” and a select key, which is sometimes referred to as an “OK” or “Enter” key, to fully maneuver a menu and text entry system on a mobile device. This includes going forwards and backwards in the menu system tree, in addition to moving upwards and downwards in any menu list, all without needing to use any other keys. In another embodiment, this solution enables and illustrates a plurality of a-priori defined graphical pathways for the user to navigate.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a display;

a plurality of rocker keys each rocker key being associated with a spatial direction;

a processor and

a memory, the memory including a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor and configured to cause the processor to;

display a user interface at the display, the user interface having a present state;

associate one or more of the rocker keys with a particular user command that is available to the user at the present state of the user interface;

display a plurality of arrows in the user interface, each arrow being associated with a spatial direction associated with a user command that is available to the user at the present state of the user interface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a mobile telephone.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the memory further comprises a navigation application.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of rocker keys include a visible arrow that signifies a direction that the rocker key is associated with.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the displayed arrows are displayed in the user interface in positions that are configured to indicate to the user the associated user command.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the user interface includes a highlighted area, the highlighted area indicating a present user selection, and the displayed arrows are displayed around the highlighted area.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein:

the user interface includes a multi level menu and a plurality of items displayed therein;

the highlighted area indicates a selected item of the several items;

a left arrow is associated with a user command to traverse backward in the multi level menu;

a right arrow is associated with a user command to traverse forward in the multi level menu based on the current selected item; and

an up arrow is associated with a user command to select a higher menu item within the several displayed menu items;

a down arrow is associated with a user command to select a lower menu item within the several displayed menu items.

8. A method for presenting information to a user by utilizing a portable electronic device that comprises a display and a plurality of rocker keys, each rocker key being associated with a spatial direction, the method comprising:

display a user interface, the user interface having a present state;

associate each of one or more of the rocker keys with a particular user command that is available to the user at the present state of the user interface;

display a plurality of arrows in the user interface, each arrow being associated with a spatial direction associated with a user command that is available to the user at the present state of the user interface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the device is a mobile telephone.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of rocker keys includes a visible arrow that signifies a direction that the rocker key is associated with.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the displayed arrows are displayed in the user interface in positions that are configured to indicate to the user the associated user command.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

highlighting an area of the interface, the highlighted area indicating a present user selection; and

displaying arrows around the highlighted area.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of items within a multi level menu at the user interface, wherein the highlighted area indicates a selected item of the several items

associating a left arrow key of the rocker keys with a user command to traverse backward in the multi level menu;

associating a right arrow key of the rocker keys with a user command to traverse forward in the multi level menu based on the current selected item;

associating a up arrow of the rocker keys with a user command to select a higher menu item within the several displayed menu items; and

associating a down arrow key of the rocker keys with a user command to select a lower menu item within the several displayed menu items.

14. The method of claim 8, further including the steps of:

associating two user commands with a single rocker key wherein no more than one user command is valid at any given state, one of the commands being valid in the present state;

associating a different color with each of the two user commands;

displaying the arrow associated with the given rocker key in a color associated with the command of the two commands that is valid in the present state.

15. A portable electronic device comprising a display, a key pad capable of entering letters, a processor and a device readable medium, the device readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor and configured to cause the processor to:

receive an entry of a first text string defining a search item;

send the first text string to a remote server;

save the first text string at the portable electronic device;

receive an entry of a short sequence of letters;

display the short sequence of letters on the display;

perform a search in the portable electronic devices memory based on the short sequence of letters;

determine whether the short sequence of letters match the beginning letters of the first text string; and

upon a positive determination, automatically complete the short sequence of letters by displaying the rest of the first text string immediately after the short sequence of letters.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile telephone.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the instructions are a part of a navigation application and the first text string is a location.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first text string is an address.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to receive a verification that the first text string is valid from the remote server, wherein the first text string is saved at the portable electronic device only if said verification is received.

20. A portable electronic device comprising:

a display;

a keypad configured to allow the entry of letters;

a processor and

a memory, the memory including a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor and configured to cause the processor to;

allow the user to enter a first text string defining a search item;

send the first text string to a remote server;

save the first text string at the portable electronic device;

allow the user to enter a short sequence of letters;

display the short sequence of letters on the display;

perform a search in the portable electronic devices memory based on the short sequence of letters;

determine that the short sequence of letters matches the beginning letters of the first text string; and

automatically complete the short sequence of letters by displaying the rest of the first text string immediately after the short sequence of letters.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein device is a mobile telephone.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first text string is an address.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to receive a verification that the first text string is valid from the remote server, and wherein the first text string is saved at the portable electronic device only if said verification is received.

24. A portable electronic device comprising a display, a plurality of rocker keys including at least an up and a down key, a processor and a device readable medium, the device readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor and configured to cause the processor to:

display a first information set at the display;

display an indication that a second information set is available;

receive a command from the user; and

display the second information set, by progressively sliding the second information set across the display so that it appear that the second information set is dragged over the first information set,

wherein the first and second information sets are related.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the sliding of the second information set is displayed in such a way as to remind the user of the user of the sliding of a vertical window blind over window.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the command received from the user is a press of the up or down rocker key, and the sliding of the second information set is performed by sliding the second information set vertically over the first.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the direction in which the second information set is slid is the same as the direction associated with the pressed rocker key.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the indication that a second information set is available includes an arrow which is in the same direction as the rocker key which is to be pressed to bring up the second set of information.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the instructions are configured to further cause the processor to:

display a second indication that the second information can be removed;

receive a second command;

display the first information set, by progressively sliding the first information set into view as to appear the second information set is being slid away from the first information set in order to reveal the first information set from under the second information set.

30. The device of claim 24, wherein the instructions are part of a navigation application executing at the portable device, and the first and second sets of information sets comprise driving directions.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the second information set comprises driving directions that are to be performed after the driving directions comprised in the first information set are performed.

32. A portable electronic device comprising:

a display;

a plurality of rocker keys each rocker key being associated with a spatial direction, the plurality of rocker keys including at least an up and a down key;

a processor and

a memory, the memory including a plurality of instructions for execution by the processor and configured to cause the processor to;

display a first information set at the display;

display an indication that a second information set is available;

receive a command from the user; and

display the second information set, by progressively sliding the second information set across the display so that it appears that the second information set is dragged over the first information set,

wherein the first and second information sets are related.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the sliding of the second information set is displayed in such a way as to remind the user of the user of the sliding of a window blind.

34. The device of claim 32, wherein the command received from the user is a press of the up or down rocker key, and the sliding of the second information set is performed by sliding the second information set vertically over the first.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the direction in which the second information set is slid is the same as the direction associated with the pressed rocker key.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the indication that a second information set is available includes an arrow that is in the same direction as the rocker key which is to be pressed to bring up the second set of information.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the memory further comprises instructions which cause the processor to:

display a second indication that the second information can be removed;

receive a second command;

display the first information set, by progressively sliding the first information set into view as to appear the second information set is being slid away from the first information set in order to reveal the first information set from under the second information set.

38. The device of claim 32, wherein the instructions are part of a navigation application executing at the portable device, and the first and second sets of information sets comprise driving directions.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the second information set comprises driving directions that are to be performed after the driving directions comprised in the first information set are performed.