Mobile communication apparatus notifying user of reproduction waiting information effectively

• US 6,456,841 B1
• Filed: 06/01/1999
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Tomimori, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): LEGREE, TRACY MICHELLE
• Application Number:
  US09/323,241
• Time in Patent Office: 1,211 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412, 455/414, 455/567, 455/566, 455/413, 455/450, 340/825.44, 379/88.15, 379/88.11, 379/88.12, 379/88.14
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A mobile communication apparatus capable of notifying a user of the presence of reproduction waiting information like a short message with proving the user with an impact. A controller of the mobile communication apparatus decides, when a flip is opened, whether the reproduction waiting information is stored in a RAM. If it is stored, the controller displays on a screen a window image including an icon associated with the reproduction waiting information. If there are more than one pieces of the reproduction waiting information, multiple icons are displayed in the window image. One of the icons is selected by placing the cursor on it, so that the reproduction waiting information associated with the icon is replayed in response to the operation of a memory key by the user.

Claims

1. A mobile communication apparatus, comprising:

a display screen that displays alphanumeric characters and graphic icons; and

an active use detector which detects commencement of active use of the apparatus by a user while said apparatus is already in a standby state, and in response to detection of said commencement of using said mobile communication apparatus, causes said display screen to display an icon associated with unopened message information containing at least one unread text message or one unplayed voice message, and

wherein said unopened message information is stored prior to said commencement of active use in one of memories installed in said mobile communication apparatus and in an external apparatus.

2. The mobile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display screen displays, when said unopened message information includes a plurality of pieces of unopened message information, a plurality of icons, each of which is associated with one of said plurality of pieces of unopened message information.

3. The mobile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display screen displays, when a user previously registered one or more functions from among a plurality of predetermined functions, icons associated with said one or more previously registered functions.

4. The mobile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display screen displays icons associated with icon selection keys for selecting one of said icons which are displayed on said display screen.

5. The mobile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for producing a sound at a time when said unopened message icon is displayed.

6. The mobile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display screen displays only one of said icons at a time.