Multimodal Adaptive User Interface for an Electronic Device with Digital Branding Capabilities

• US 20080204428A1
• Filed: 08/09/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility, Inc. (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Pierce, Paul M., Wicks, James E.
• Application Number:
  US11/836,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20080204428A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0443 using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/23 Construction or mounting of dials or of equivalent devices; Means for facilitating the use thereof by improving visibility H04M1/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• 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 multimodal device (100) includes a segmented optical shutter (204) that functions as a morphing user interface along the front surface (105) of the multimodal device (100). The morphing user interface is configured to present one of a plurality of mode-based actuators by selectively opening and closing segments (601,602,603,604) of the segmented optical shutter (204). Each set of mode-based actuators serves as a set of user actuation targets, or keys, for the multimodal device (100). In addition to the mode-based actuators, a brand mark (107,605,606) is presented, perhaps in a keypad region (106), that corresponds to hardware, software, or services that are operational on the multimodal device (100).

Claims

1. A multimodal device comprising a dynamic user interface surface configured to be blank when the multimodal device is in a first state, and when in a second state the dynamic user interface surface is configured to present a set of mode based actuators and indicia by selective actuation of segments of a low resolution display, wherein the set of mode based actuators and indicia comprises at least one non-pixelated selectively presented brand mark corresponding to at least one of the modes.

2. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the set of mode based actuators is limited to those needed for a present mode of operation of the multimodal device.

3. The multimodal device of claim 2, wherein the present mode of operation comprises an active software-based feature set provided by a vendor, wherein the at least one brand mark is corresponds to the vendor.

4. The multimodal device of claim 2, wherein the set of mode based actuators and indicia presented changes with an active mode of the multimodal device.

6. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one brand mark comprises a logo.

7. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one brand mark comprises a company name.

8. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one brand mark comprises a slogan.

9. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one brand mark comprises a trademark.

10. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the multimodal device comprises a radiotelephone, further wherein the at least one brand mark comprises a mark associated with a radiotelephone service provider.

11. The multimodal device of claim 1, wherein the at least one brand mark is multicolored.

5. The multimodal device of claim a, wherein the at least one brand mark changes with an active mode of the multimodal device.

12. A portable electronic device comprising a high resolution display having a plurality of individually addressable pixels and a segmented optical shutter device configured to present at least one keypad configuration comprising a non-pixelated brand mark to a user, wherein the segmented optical shutter device traverses a keypad region of the portable electronic device and the high resolution display and is configured to selectively transition segments from an opaque state to a translucent state, wherein the brand mark is presented in the keypad region.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 12, wherein the at least one keypad configuration comprising a brand mark corresponds to an active mode of the portable electronic device.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 13, wherein the active mode of the portable electronic device is one of a gaming mode, a navigation mode, a camera mode, or a media player mode.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the active mode of the portable electronic device is the gaming mode, wherein the brand mark corresponds to an electronic game vendor.

16. The portable electronic device of claim 14, wherein the active mode of the portable electronic device is the media player mode, wherein the brand mark corresponds to an electronic multimedia content vendor.

17. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a proximity detection device configured to detect objects proximately located with the segmented optical shutter device.

18. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a luminescent device configured to illuminate the brand mark.

19. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a resistive force sensor disposed along the keypad region and configured to detect contact with the segmented optical shutter device.

20. The portable electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a set of navigational actuation elements configured to permit selection of an active mode of the portable electronic device.