Method and device relating to a user unit

• US 6,201,975 B1
• Filed: 07/03/1997
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Andersson, Torbjörn, Rubbmark, Jan Ragnar, Isberg, Johanna Brita
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOFOCLEOUS, MICHAEL D
• Application Number:
  US08/888,056
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/556, 455/557
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6041 Portable telephones adapted for handsfree use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• 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

A method of creating a user menu (AM1) in a display (2, 22) in a user unit (1, 21, 41). The user menu (AM1) denotes an accessory unit (5, 25a) connected to the user unit (1, 21, 41). Information (I1, I2) is stored in a menu storage unit (3, 23) in the user unit (1, 21). The information (I1, I2) is used to create a standard menu (SM1). The accessory unit (5, 25a) is connected to the user unit (1, 21), and a menu selection code (MCODE) is sent from the accessory unit (5, 25a) to the menu storage unit (3, 23) in the user unit (1, 21). A standard menu (SM1), which corresponds to the menu selection code (MCODE), is pointed out in the menu storage unit (3, 23). The pointed out standard menu (SM1) is adapted to a user menu (AM1) corresponding to the menu selection code (MCODE), and the user menu (AM1) is activated in the display (2, 22).

Claims

1. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means in a mobile phone, wherein the user menu presents an accessory unit connected to the mobile phone, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing information in a menu storage unit in the mobile phone for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the mobile phone;

sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code; and

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

wherein

the mobile phone communicates with the accessory unit via a communication link that is separate from a wireless link between the mobile phone and a telecommunications network.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

activating the user menu in the presentation means.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the further steps of:

selecting one of the functions shown in the user menu, said selection being made by a user of the mobile phone;

sending a function signal from the mobile phone to the accessory unit; and

activating the selected function in the accessory unit.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein after receiving the function signal the method comprises the further step of:

sending a second confirmation signal from the accessory unit to the mobile phone.

5. Method of claim 1, wherein the separate communication link between the mobile phone and the accessory unit is a wireless link.

6. Method of claim 5, wherein the separate communication link between the mobile phone and tie accessory unit is an infrared connection.

7. Method of claim 1, wherein the separate communication link between the mobile phone and the accessory unit is a cable.

8. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

after the step of sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit, sending a first confirmation signal from the mobile phone to the accessory unit.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein, after receiving the menu selection code the method includes the further step of:

transferring the information in the menu storage unit to an intermediate storage unit in the menu storage unit.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending the user menu in its entirety from the accessory unit to the mobile phone.

11. A device for creating a user menu in a mobile phone, said user menu depicting an accessory unit connected to the user menu creating device, wherein said user menu creating device includes a presentation means connected to a control unit, wherein said device also includes a connection means to which the accessory unit can be connected, wherein said connection means is connected to a data bus, wherein the user menu creating device includes a receiver and a transmitter for respectively receiving and transmitting signals from/to the external accessory unit via a communication link that is separate from a wireless link between the mobile phone and a telecommunications network, wherein the receiver and transmitter are connected to each other, and wherein the user menu creating device also includes an intermediate storage unit which is connected to the receiver and to the presentation means.

12. A user menu creating device according to claim 11, wherein the device also includes an information data base which is connected to both the intermediate storage unit and to the receiver.

13. A device for creating a user menu in a mobile phone according to claim 12, wherein the receiver in said device is adapted to receive at least one menu selection code, said menu code including at least one address data part and at least one adaptation data part.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one address data part indicates a storage location in the mobile phone of a menu identified by the menu code.

15. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means of a mobile phone, wherein the user menu is presented in an accessory unit connected to the mobile phone, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit via a communication link that is separate from a wireless link between the mobile phone and a telecommunication network;

sending a prompt signal which indicates to the mobile phone that the accessory unit includes menu information;

sending a takeover sign from the mobile phone to the accessory unit, said signal ordering the accessory unit to send menu information;

sending menu data from the accessory unit to an intermediate storage unit in the mobile phone, said data including information necessary for creating the user menu; and

activating the user menu in the presentation means.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of sending the user menu in its entirety from the accessory unit to the mobile phone.

17. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means in a user unit, wherein the user menu presents an accessory unit connected to the user unit, and wherein the method comprises the step of:

storing information in a menu storage unit in the user unit for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit;

sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

storing an accessory unit menu in the menu storage unit;

connecting at least one further accessory unit to the user unit;

selecting one of the connected accessory units from the accessory unit menu; and

sending an initiating message from the user unit to the selected accessory unit.

18. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means in a user unit, wherein the user menu presets an accessory unit connected to me user unit, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing information in a menu storage unit in the user unit for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit;

sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code; and

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

wherein the accessory unit is a telefacsimile device.

19. A method of crag a user menu in a presentation means a user unit, wherein the user menu presents an accessory unit connected to the user unit, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing information in a menu storage unit in the user unit for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit;

sending a menu selecting code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code; and

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

wherein

the accessory unit is an echo canceler.

20. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means in a user unit, wherein the user menu presents an accessory unit connected to the user unit, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing information in a menu storage it in the user unit for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit;

sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code; and

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

wherein

the accessory unit is an external mobile charging unit.

21. A method of creating a user menu in a presentation means in a user unit, wherein the user menu presents an accessory unit conned to the user unit, and wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing information in a menu storage unit in the user unit for producing at least one standard menu;

connecting the accessory unit to the user unit;

sending a menu selection code from the accessory unit to the menu storage unit;

pointing out in the menu storage unit a standard menu that corresponds to the menu selection code; and

adapting the pointed out standard menu to a user menu that corresponds to the menu selection code;

wherein

the accessory unit is a computer.