Electronic apparatus having keyless control

• US 5,754,645 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bolvin, Kenneth W., Metroka, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSANG, FAN S
• Application Number:
  US08/315,999
• Time in Patent Office: 1,327 Days
• Field of Search: 379/58, 379/56, 379/110, 379/433, 379/434, 379/358, 379/359, 379/362, 341/21, 341/35, 401/195, 368/10, 368/243, 368/13, 345/156, 345/158, 455/89, 455/90
• US Class Current: 379/433.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0208 for combination with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches, pens
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0225 User interface arrangements, e.g. keyboard, display; Interfaces to other computer systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0285 Pen-type handsets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2748 by matching character strings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

The method and apparatus of the present invention permits data entry in an electronic apparatus without using a keypad. By rotating a moveable element (104), a function, letter, or number is selected. The moveable element (104) is then moved in another direction to enter the selected item. The function, letter, or number can be displayed on a display (106), announced with a synthesized voice, or displayed and announced.

Claims

1. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a telephone number, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable housing element, the moveable housing element having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable housing element to select a number entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the moveable housing element in a first direction along the longitudinal axis to enter the number entry function;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a first number of the telephone number;

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to enter the first number;

repeating the previous two steps until the telephone number has been entered;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a store function from the plurality of functions; and

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to store a name and the telephone number.

2. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 1 further including a step of transmitting said telephone number.

3. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 1 wherein said steps of sliding the moveable housing element are in a first direction to enter, said method further including a step of sliding the moveable housing element in a second direction to control power to the portable wireless communication device.

4. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a name, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable element, the moveable element having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable housing element to select a name entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the moveable housing element along the longitudinal axis to access the name entry function;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a first letter of the name;

sliding the moveable element to enter the first letter of the name;

repeating the previous two steps until a name has been entered; and

transmitting a telephone number.

5. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 4 further including a step of rotating the moveable housing element to select a store function from the plurality of functions;

and

sliding the moveable housing element to store the name.

6. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 4 wherein the rotation steps comprise rotating the moveable housing element in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction to select.

7. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 4 wherein said steps of sliding the moveable housing element are in a first direction to enter, said method further including a step of sliding the moveable housing element in a second direction to control power to the portable wireless communication device.

8. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a telephone number and a name, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable housing element, the moveable housing element having the ability to rotate around and slide in a first and second direction along a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable housing element to select a first number of the telephone number;

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to enter the first number;

repeating the previous two steps until the telephone number has been entered;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a name entry function of the plurality of function;

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to access the name entry function;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a first letter of the name;

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to enter the first letter of the name;

repeating the previous two steps until the name is entered;

rotating the moveable housing element to select a store function from the plurality of functions; and

sliding the moveable housing element in the first direction to store the name and the telephone number.

9. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 8 wherein the rotation steps comprise rotating the moveable housing element in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction to select.

10. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 8 wherein said steps of rotating includes a rapid mode.

11. A method for programming an elongated wireless communication device with data, the elongated wireless communication device having a cap encapsulating the speaker, the cap having the ability to move in a first direction and a second direction, said second direction being distinct from said first direction, the method comprising the steps of:

moving the cap in the first direction to select a predetermined function of a plurality of functions;

moving the cap in the second direction to access the predetermined function;

moving the cap in the first direction to select a first data element; and

moving the cap in the second direction to enter the first data element.

12. The method for programming an elongated wireless communication device with data according to claim 11 wherein said first direction comprises a rotational motion and said second direction comprises a sliding motion.

13. A method for programming an elongated wireless communication device with a telephone number, the elongated wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a cap, the cap having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the elongated wireless communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the cap to select a number entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the cap in a first direction along the longitudinal axis to enter the number entry function;

rotating the cap to select a first number of the telephone number;

sliding the cap in the first direction to enter the first number;

repeating the previous two steps until the telephone number has been entered;

rotating the cap to select a store function from the plurality of functions; and

sliding the cap in the first direction to store a name and the telephone number.

14. A portable radiotelephone device for communicating in a radiotelephone system, said radiotelephone device having a plurality of housing elements and a longitudinal axis extending lengthwise through the device, the portable radiotelephone device comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit radiotelephone signals;

a receiver adapted to receive radiotelephone signals;

a processor adapted to control the radiotelephone device;

a memory device, coupled to a processing means, for storing data; and

a clip element movably coupled to a main housing element, said clip element being adapted to rotate around and slide along the longitudinal axis with respect to said main housing element for selecting one of the stored functions in the memory device.

15. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a name, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable element, the moveable element having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the device, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable element to select a name entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the moveable element along the longitudinal axis to access the name entry function;

rotating the moveable element to select a first letter of the name;

sliding the moveable element to enter the first letter of the name; and

repeating the previous two steps until the name has been entered;

transmitting a telephone number.

16. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 15 further including a step of rotating the moveable element to select a store function from the plurality of functions;

and

sliding the moveable element to store the name.

17. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 15 wherein the rotation steps comprise rotating the moveable element in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction to select.

18. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 15 wherein said steps of sliding the moveable element are in a first direction to enter, said method further including a step of sliding the moveable element in a second direction to control power to the portable wireless communication device.

19. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with data, the portable wireless communication device having a moveable clip element having the ability to move in a first direction and a second direction, said second direction being distinct from said first direction, the method comprising the steps of:

moving the moveable clip element in the first direction to select a predetermined function of a plurality of functions;

moving the moveable clip element in the second direction to access the predetermined function;

moving the moveable clip element in the first direction to select a first data element; and

moving the moveable clip element in the second direction to enter the first data element.

20. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device with data according to claim 19 wherein said first direction comprises a rotational motion and said second direction comprises a sliding motion.

21. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a telephone number, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable clip element, the moveable clip element having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable clip element to select a number entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the moveable element in a first direction along the longitudinal axis to enter the number entry function;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a first number of the telephone number;

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to enter the first number;

repeating the previous two steps until the telephone number has been entered;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a store function from the plurality of functions; and

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to store a name and the telephone number.

22. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 21 further including a step of transmitting said telephone number.

23. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 21 wherein said steps of sliding the moveable clip element are in a first direction to enter, said method further including a step of sliding the moveable clip element in a second direction to control power to the portable wireless communication device.

24. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a name, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable clip element, the moveable element having the ability to rotate around and slide along a longitudinal axis extending through the device, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable clip element to select a name entry function of the plurality of functions;

sliding the moveable clip element along the longitudinal axis to access the name entry function;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a first letter of the name; and

sliding the moveable clip element to enter the first letter of the name.

25. The method for programming a portable wireless communication device according to claim 24 further including a step of repeating the previous two steps until the name has been entered.

26. A method for programming a portable wireless communication device with a telephone number and a name, the portable wireless communication device having memory, a plurality of functions, and a moveable clip element, the moveable clip element having the ability to rotate around and slide in a first and second directions along a longitudinal axis extending through the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

rotating the moveable clip element to select a first number of the telephone number;

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to enter the first number;

repeating the previous two steps until the telephone number has been entered;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a name entry function of the plurality of function;

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to access the name entry function;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a first letter of the name;

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to enter the first letter of the name;

repeating the previous two steps until the name is entered;

rotating the moveable clip element to select a store function from the plurality of functions; and

sliding the moveable clip element in the first direction to store the name and the telephone number.