Communication device with programmable function button and method of operation

• US 5,894,276 A
• Filed: 12/23/1996
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Leger, Hugue, Altidor, Wilker
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILSON JR, WILLIAM HALL
• Application Number:
  US08/780,036
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.72, 340/825.57, 340/825, 340/825.62, 340/825.69, 340/825.71, 348/734, 455/186.1, 455/91, 455/95, 455/186.2, 455/90, 455/575, 341/176, 341/22, 341/173, 341/34, 200/2, 200/175, 200/19 R, 367/197, 369/24, 369/30, 369/33, 1/1, 345/169, 345/172
• US Class Current: 455/566
• 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 communication device (100) incorporates a programmable function button (105) that operates in conjunction with a display (102). The button (105) operates in an execution mode when engaged for a time period less than a particular threshold (310, 320, 330, 340), and operates in a programming mode when continuously engaged for a time period greater than the threshold (310, 320, 330, 350). In the execution mode, the button causes execution of a preprogrammed function (340). When in the programming mode, continuous engagement of the button causes a successive presentation of a selectable programmable function on the display (410, 420, 430), and disengagement of the button automatically results in the button being programmed with the selectable programmable function (440, 450). Preferably, release of the button, when in programming mode, also causes automatic execution of the selectable programmable function (460).

Claims

1. A radio communication device, comprising:

a display; and

a button having a first actuation mode when depressed for a first time period less than a particular threshold, and a second actuation mode when continuously depressed for a second time period greater than the particular threshold;

wherein;

when in the first actuation mode, the button causes execution of a preprogrammed function; and

when in the second actuation mode, continuous depression of the button causes each of a plurality of programmable functions to be presented in succession as a selectable programmable function on the display, and release of the button automatically results in the button being programmed to cause execution of the selectable programmable function when the button is in the first actuation mode.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein when in the second actuation mode, release of the button causes automatic execution of the selectable programmable function.

3. The communication device of claim 2, wherein the selectable programmable function includes a transmit operation.

4. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising a non-volatile memory that stores the selectable programmable function as a preprogrammed function associated with the button.

5. The radio of claim 1, wherein the selectable programmable function, when executed, results in radio communication.

6. A radio communication device, comprising:

a display; and

a programmable button having an execution mode when activated for a first time period less than a particular threshold, and a programming mode when continuously activated for a second time period greater than the particular threshold;

wherein;

when in the execution mode, the button causes execution of a preprogrammed function; and

when in the programming mode, continuous activation of the button causes a successive momentary presentation of each of a plurality of options as a selectable option on the display, and subsequent deactivation of the button automatically results in activation of the selectable option.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the selectable option comprises a programmable function selected from a list of programmable functions.

8. The communication device of claim 7, wherein when in the programming mode, subsequent deactivation of the button automatically causes the button to be programmed with the programmable function for execution in the execution mode.

9. The communication device of claim 8, wherein the selectable programmable function includes a transmit operation.

10. A radio, comprising:

a housing;

a display mounted to the housing;

a plurality of control buttons presented from the housing, the plurality of control buttons including a programmable button having an execution mode when engaged for a first time period less than a particular threshold, and a programming mode when continuously engaged for a second time period greater than the particular threshold;

wherein;

when in the execution mode, the programmable button causes execution of a preprogrammed function; and

when in the programming mode, continuous engagement of the programmable button causes a successive momentary presentation of each of a plurality of programmable functions as a selectable programmable function on the display, and a subsequent disengagement of the programmable button automatically results in activation of the selectable programmable function.

11. The radio of claim 10, wherein the subsequent disengagement of the programmable button automatically programs the programmable button to execute the selectable programmable function when in the execution mode.

12. The radio of claim 11, wherein the selectable programmable function includes a transmit operation.

13. The radio of claim 10, wherein the selectable programmable function, when activated, results in radio communication.

14. In a radio communication device having a button that is programmable, and a display, a method comprising the steps of:

operating in a first mode, when the button is actuated for a first time period less than a particular threshold, and in a second mode, when the button is continuously actuated for a second time period greater than the particular threshold;

executing a preprogrammed function, when operating in the first mode;

executing button programming operations, when operating in the second mode, including the steps of;

momentarily displaying as selectable a programmable function selected in succession from a list of available programmable functions, while the button is being continuously actuated; and

automatically programming the button to execute the programmable function for subsequent operation in the first mode, when actuation of the button is subsequently discontinued.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of executing button programming operations, includes the step of automatically executing the programmable function, when actuation of the button is subsequently discontinued.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of automatically executing the programmable function includes the step of executing a transmit function over a radio frequency channel.

17. The radio of claim 14, wherein the programmable function, when executed, results in radio communication.