MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE USER INTERFACE

• US 20100087230A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 04/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Peh, Pendra C., Moore, Scott T.
• Application Number:
  US12/566,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20100087230A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/62 user interface aspects of conference calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

Techniques are described to provide a user interface for a display of a mobile communication device. In an implementation, a user interface comprises a main menu having a fixed portion and a movable portion. The fixed portion includes icons associated with primary functions of the mobile communication device (“primary icons”), while the movable portion includes icons associated with secondary functions of the mobile communication device (“secondary icons”). The secondary icons may be scrolled within the movable portion in response to receipt of a touch input via a touch screen overlaying the display while the primary icons within the fixed portion remain stationary with respect to the display.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

causing a display device of a mobile communication device to display a user interface including a main menu having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the fixed portion including primary icons associated with primary functions of the mobile communication device and the movable portion including secondary icons associated with secondary functions of the mobile communication device;

receiving a first input via a touch interface of the display device to scroll the secondary icons within the movable portion;

causing the secondary icons to scroll within the movable portion while the primary icons remain stationary within the fixed portion in response to the first input; and

receiving a second input via the touch interface to select a secondary icon from the movable portion to access a secondary function of the mobile communication device.

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

determining an orientation of the mobile communication device; and

causing the user interface to be displayed in one of a portrait mode or a landscape mode in response to the determined orientation.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the movable portion is positioned to a side of the fixed portion when the user interface is displayed in the portrait mode, the secondary icons being aligned vertically and scrolling in a vertical direction.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the movable portion is positioned below the fixed portion when the user interface is displayed in the landscape mode, the secondary icons being aligned horizontally and scrolling in a horizontal direction.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the primary icons are displayed in a vertical arrangement within the fixed portion when the user interface is displayed in the portrait mode, the primary icons remaining fixed with respect to the display during scrolling of the secondary icons.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the primary icons are displayed in a horizontal arrangement within the fixed portion when the user interface is displayed in the landscape mode, the primary icons remaining fixed display during scrolling of the secondary icons.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first input comprises a flick gesture input, and wherein the secondary icons continue scrolling for a duration of time after receipt of the flick gesture input.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the primary icons comprise a phone icon associated with a mobile phone function, a search icon associated with a search function, and a navigation icon associated with a navigation function employing a global positioning system of the mobile communication device.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising dynamically configuring the user interface to display icons as primary icons within the fixed portion or secondary icons within the movable portion based on a frequency of selection of the icons.

10. A mobile communication device comprising:

a display device operable to display information, the display device including a touch screen operable to receive touch input;

a memory operable to store a module; and

a processing system operable to execute the module to implement a user interface for display by the display device, the user interface including a main menu having a fixed portion and a movable portion, the fixed portion including primary icons associated with primary functions of the mobile communication device and the movable portion including secondary icons associated with secondary functions of the mobile communication device, wherein the secondary icons are configured to scroll within the movable portion upon receipt of an input via the touch screen while the primary icons within the fixed portion remain stationary with respect to the display device.

11. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 10, further comprising an orientation sensor operable to determine an orientation of the mobile communication device, the user interface configured to be displayed in one of a portrait mode and a landscape mode in response to the determined orientation.

12. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 11, wherein the movable portion is positioned to a side of the fixed portion with respect to the display device when the user interface is displayed in the portrait mode, the secondary icons being aligned vertically and scrolling in a vertical direction with respect to the display device.

13. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 11, wherein the movable portion is positioned below the fixed portion with respect to the display device when the user interface is displayed in the landscape mode, the secondary icons being aligned horizontally and scrolling in a horizontal direction with respect to the display device.

14. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 11, wherein the primary icons are displayed in a vertical arrangement within the fixed portion with respect to the display device when the user interface is displayed in the portrait mode, the primary icons remaining fixed with respect to the display device during scrolling of the secondary icons.

15. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 11, wherein the primary icons are displayed in a horizontal arrangement within the fixed portion with respect to the display device when the user interface is displayed in the landscape mode, the primary icons remaining fixed with respect to the display device during scrolling of the secondary icons.

16. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the input comprises a flick gesture input, and wherein the secondary icons continue scrolling for a duration of time after receipt of the flick gesture input.

17. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 10, further comprising a location determining component operable to receive satellite navigation signals and determine a current position of the mobile communication device using the received satellite navigation signals, wherein the primary icons comprise a navigation icon associated with a navigation function utilizing the current position.

18. The mobile communication device as recited in claim 10, wherein the module is configured to dynamically configure the user interface to display icons as primary icons within the fixed portion or secondary icons within the movable portion based on a frequency of selection of the icons.