Method for inputting information to a mobile radiotelephone

• US 6,487,421 B2
• Filed: 09/15/1998
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hess, Jurgen, Hooker, Guy Alexander, Decker, Peter, Hussmann, Holger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gantt, Alan T.
• Application Number:
  US09/153,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/556, 455/557, 345/863, 345/173
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03546 using a rotatable ball at the tip as position detecting member
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0285 Pen-type handsets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2748 by matching character strings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for inputting information into a mobile radio telephone (1) via its input data channel by appropriately moving a motion detector (10) which belongs to the radio telephone (1) and senses this movement. In this arrangement, the mobile radio telephone (1) can be constructed to be pen-shaped and can contain the motion detector (10) in its pen point.

Claims

1. A method for inputting information into a mobile radio telephone via its input data channel by appropriately moving a motion detector which belongs to the radio telephone and senses this movement, wherein prior to inputting information, an appropriate line is input for orienting said motion detector.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the entire radio telephone is moved for inputting the information.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein an input device belonging to the radio telephone and accommodating at least the motion detector is moved for inputting the information.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the input information is compared with information already present in the radio telephone for recognizing said input information.

5. A method according to claim 4, said input information or said recognized information is temporarily stored in said radio telephone.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein said input information or said recognized information is transmitted on-line.

7. A method according to claim 4, wherein said input information or said recognized information is displayed by said radio telephone.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein said radio telephone is switched to an information input mode which is selected from a menu by operating a selection device for inputting information.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein predetermined characters input in the information input mode are used for grouping input information.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein accelerations in different directions are measured by said motion detector for inputting information.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said motion detector measures distances traveled by it in different directions on a base for inputting information.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said distance measurement is carried out by means of a roller ball.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said distance measurement is carried out by optically scanning lines present on said base.

32. A method according to claim 2, wherein said orienting is achieved by moving said motion detector substantially in a predetermined pattern.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said orienting, process is achieved by moving said motion detector substantially in a line from left to right for a predetermined distance.

34. A method according to claim 1, wherein said orienting process is achieved through tactile representations on said motion detector, thereby encouraging a user to hold said motion detector substantially in a predetermined orientation.

35. A method according to claim 1, wherein said orienting process is achieved through tactile representations on said radio telephone, thereby encouraging a user to hold said radio telephone substantially in a predetermined orientation.

14. A mobile radio telephone having an orientation motion detector for inputting information represented by movement of the motion detector via the input data channel of the telephone, said detector orienting the device in response to input of an appropriate line prior to data input.

15. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein said telephone is constructed in one part.

16. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein said telephone further comprises an input device which is separate from a main telephone unit and said motion detector is accommodated in the input device.

17. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein a motion detector comprises a number of acceleration sensors for measuring accelerations in different directions.

18. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein said motion detector comprises a roller ball for measuring the distances traveled by it in different directions on a base.

19. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, motion detector comprises an optical transmitting/receiving device for the directionally selective scanning of lines present on said base.

20. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14 wherein said telephone or said input device comprises a switch and that when this switch is operated, the information generated by movement of the motion detector can be processed as such.

21. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 20, wherein said switch is a sound activated switch.

22. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 20 said switch is located at a point of said telephone or said input device.

23. A mobile radio telephone according to one of claim 14, wherein said telephone or said input device is constructed in the form of a pen.

24. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, said telephone or said input device comprises a selection device for selecting an operating mode in which the information generated by moving said motion detector can be input.

25. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein said telephone contains a recognition device for recognizing information by comparing said input information with information already present.

26. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14, wherein said telephone or said input device is equipped with a display device for displaying the information generated by moving said motion detector or said recognized information.

27. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 16, wherein said input device communicates with the main telephone unit via a cordless link.

28. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 27, wherein said information input during the movement of said motion detectors is transmitted to the main telephone unit via said cordless link.

29. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 27, wherein said input device is equipped with a loudspeaker and a microphone in order to be able to transmit sound signals via said cordless link.

30. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14 wherein said motion detector is separate from said radio telephone.

31. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14 wherein said motion detector is incorporated into said radio telephone.

36. A mobile radio telephone according to claim 14 wherein said orientation is achieved by having tactile representations on said radio telephone, thereby encouraging a user to hold said radio telephone substantially in a predetermined orientation.