CONSISTENT USER INTERFACE FOR MULTI-MODE MOBILE TERMINALS

• US 20080227483A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Hossain, Asif, Kuhl, Lawrence Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,094,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/62 user interface aspects of conference calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

To provide a consistent (i.e., single-mode) user interface in each mode of operation available on a multi-mode mobile terminal, aspects of the user interface used for a second mode (e.g., the CDMA mode) are emulated by the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is operating in a first mode (e.g., the GSM mode). Responsive to receiving, while operating in a first mode, an indication of a given user interface interaction, the multi-mode mobile terminal determines the call state. Based on the given user interface interaction and the call state, the multi-mode mobile terminal selects a candidate message corresponding to operation of the multi-mode mobile terminal in a second mode. The multi-mode mobile terminal then converts the candidate message to one or more first-mode messages and transmits the one or more first-mode messages to the MSC at the second wireless network subsystem.

Claims

1. A method of providing a consistent user interface at a multi-mode mobile terminal, said method comprising:

receiving, while operating in a first mode, an indication of a given user interface interaction;

determining, responsive to said receiving, that said multi-mode terminal is in a first call state;

selecting a candidate message based on said given user interface interaction and said first call state, where said candidate message corresponds to operation of said multi-mode mobile terminal in a second mode;

converting said candidate message to one or more first-mode messages; and

transmitting said one or more first-mode messages to a switching center.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said one or more first-mode messages trigger said switching center to control a transition, at said multi-mode mobile terminal, from said first call state to a second call state, where said transition is associated with receipt of said given user interface interaction in said second mode.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said first mode is a Global System for Mobile Communications mode.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said second mode is a Code Division Multiple Access mode.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said given user interface interaction is a key press.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said key is a SEND key.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said key is a soft key associated with a visual user interface presented on a display of said multi-mode mobile terminal.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said given user interface interaction is a selection of a menu item in a visual user interface presented on a display of said multi-mode mobile terminal.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said selecting said candidate message comprises selecting from among a plurality of messages associated with said second mode.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said first call state is one of:

an Idle state;

a Single Party Call Active state;

a Single Party Call Active and Single Party Call Waiting state;

a Single Party Call On Hold state;

a Single Party Call On Hold and Single Party Call Active state;

a Multi Party Call Active state; and

a Multi Party Call Active and Single Party Call Waiting state.

11. A multi-mode mobile terminal comprising:

a processor arranged to;

receive, while operating in a first mode, an indication of a given user interface interaction;

determine, responsive to said receiving, that said multi-mode terminal is in a first call state;

select a candidate message based on said given user interface interaction and said first call state, where said candidate message corresponds to operation of said multi-mode mobile terminal in a second mode;

convert said candidate message to one or more first-mode messages; and

a transmitter for transmitting said one or more first-mode messages to a switching center.

12. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by processor, cause said processor to:

receive, while operating in a first mode, an indication of a given user interface interaction;

determine, responsive to said receiving, that an associated multi-mode terminal is in a first call state;

select a candidate message based on said given user interface interaction and said first call state, where said candidate message corresponds to operation of said multi-mode mobile terminal in a second mode;

convert said candidate message to one or more first-mode messages; and

arrange transmission of said one or more first-mode messages to a switching center.