METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ACTION RESPONSIVE TO ACCIDENTAL KEYSTROKE

• US 20080191905A1
• Filed: 02/14/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Hassan, Ahmed E., Sadek, Ahmed, Martin, Daryl
• Application Number:
  US11/674,703
• Publication Number:
  US 20080191905A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/667 Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set H04M1/677 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/673 the user being required to key in a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

An electronic device such as a mobile communication device capable of entering a locked mode of operation, comprising at least one input device for generating an input signal upon actuation thereof, at least one storage element for storing an application for executing a command in response to such actuation, and a processor connected to the storage element and input device for detecting the input signal and in response initiating execution of the command, buffering the command for a period of time, and detecting an action within the period of time, for causing the electronic device to enter a locked operating mode, and in response reverting the command.

Claims

1. For use with an electronic device that executes a command in response to actuation of an input device, a method of reverting said command in the event of accidental actuation of said input device while entering a locked operating mode of said electronic device, comprising:

detecting an input signal resulting from actuation of said input device and in response initiating execution of said command;

buffering said command for a period of time; and

detecting an action within said period of time, for causing said electronic device to enter said locked operating mode, and in response reverting said command, wherein reverting said command includes one of either discarding said command or deferring execution of said command upon reverting from said locked operating mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deferring execution of said command includes a user prompt to execute said command upon reverting from said locked operating mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said period of time is in the range of 0.25 seconds to 0.50 seconds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said input device is a keyboard and said actuation is a keystroke.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said input device is a trackball and said actuation is depression of said trackball.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic device is a mobile communication device and said action is inserting said mobile communication device into a holster.

7. The method of any of claim 6, further comprising detecting operation of a proximity switch within said mobile communication device responsive to detecting magnetic flux from a magnet disposed within said holster and thereby detect said action.

14. A computer readable media for storing a set of programming code for the electronic device of claim 8 for implementing the method of claim 1.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

at least one input for generating an input signal upon actuation thereof;

at least one storage element for storing an application for executing a command in response to said actuation;

a processor connected to said at least one storage element and said at least one input device for detecting said input signal and in response initiating execution of said command, buffering said command for a period of time, and detecting an action within said period of time, for causing said electronic device to enter a locked operating mode, and in response reverting said command; and

a display for displaying a user prompt to execute said command upon reverting from said locked operating mode.

9. The electronic device of any of claim 8, wherein said period of time is in the range of 0.25 seconds to 0.50 seconds.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said input device is a keyboard and said actuation is a keystroke.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said input device is a trackball and said actuation is depression of said trackball.

12. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein said action comprises insertion of said electronic device into a holster within said period of time.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, further including a proximity switch responsive to detecting magnetic flux from a magnet disposed within said holster to thereby detect said action.