Graphical layout and keypad response to visually depict and implement device functionality for interactivity with a numbered keypad

• US 6,731,316 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ACK Ventures Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Kargo Ooo (RIAL Gruppa Kompaniy)
• Inventors: Kargman, Harry B., Herigstad, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): DETWILER, BRIAN J
• Application Number:
  US09/513,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20030169282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/566, 455/575, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/899, 345/864, 345/760, 345/764, 345/810
• US Class Current: 715/864
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04892 Arrangements for controlling cursor position based on codes indicative of cursor displacements from one discrete location to another, e.g. using cursor control keys associated to different directions or using the tab key arrangements for controlling cursor position based on coordinate signals G06F3/038
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• 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 visual display for an electronic device is partitioned into regions. Each of the regions is associated with a key on a keypad. One exemplary implementation is a 3×3 grid of regions corresponding to nine keys numbered 1-9 on a numbered keypad. A visual correspondence is provided for the user to associate choices illustrated in the regions with the numbered keys. The regions display visual information such as graphics and/or text to identify a selection option. The keys are associated with the regions such that when a key is selected the selection option associated with the region is chosen. In this fashion, a user may navigate through content, such as content from the Internet, to gain accesses to service, to obtain information and to purchase items.

Claims

1. In a portable electronic apparatus having a display and a numbered keypad having keys, a method comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display of said portable electronic apparatus so that the display is visually partitioned in regions, wherein each region is associated with at least one of the keys on the numbered keypad, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said information being wirelessly received by said portable electronic apparatus from an information provider, said information transmitted for display on said portable electronic apparatus, and wherein each region provides a visual indication of a selection associated with selecting the key on the number keypad; and

in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, triggering an event, wherein each region is associated with a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggers information being displayed on the display that concerns a service associated with the selected key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the keys in the numbered keypad are configured in a pattern and wherein the regions are arranged on the display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the regions contain graphical information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the regions contain text.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the regions contain text.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a telephone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a pager.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is a remote control device configured to operate at least one of a television and television set top box.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic apparatus is an Internet appliance.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of triggering an event comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new information is associated with the selected key on the numbered keypad.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the new information that is displayed on the display is visually partitioned into regions that are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the numbered keypad.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein there are at least five regions.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein there are nine regions associated with respective keys numbered one through nine.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the regions contains a border for visually delimiting the regions.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the regions occupy substantially all of the display.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each region is associated exclusively with a single one of the keys in the numbered keypad.

18. In a mobile telephone having a display and a numbered keypad containing keys, a method comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display of said mobile telephone so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with at least one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said mobile telephone receiving said information over a wireless network from an information provider, said information transmitted for display on said mobile telephone, and wherein the display is organized in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action, said action associated with said choice of an option.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein each region is associated with a service option for a service and selecting the selected key results in a request for the service.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein each region contains a graphical element that visually represents a choice.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein each region fails to display a number of the key on the numbered keypad that is associated with the region.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of responding comprises displaying information associated with selection of the selected key.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of responding comprises placing a phone call.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of responding comprises rendering a wireless markup language (WML) card on the display.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein said action comprises taking the further steps of:

displaying a second grouping of information so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with at least one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said mobile telephone receiving said information over a wireless network from an information provider, wherein the display is organized in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action.

26. A storage medium for use in a portable electronic apparatus having a display and a numbered keypad having keys, said medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display of said portable electronic apparatus so that the display is visually partitioned in regions, wherein each regions is associated with at least one of the keys on the numbered keypad, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said information being wirelessly received by said portable electronic apparatus from an information provider, said information transmitted for display on said portable electronic apparatus, and wherein each region provides a visual indication of a selection associated with selecting the key on the number keypad; and

in response to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, triggering an event, wherein each region associated with a service and wherein the selection of the selected key triggers information being displayed on the display that concerns a service associated with the selected key.

27. The storage medium of claim 26, wherein the keys in the numbered keypad are configured in a pattern and wherein the regions are arranged on the display to match the pattern in which the keys are configured.

28. The storage medium of claim 26, wherein the step of triggering an event comprises displaying new information on the display wherein the new information is associated with the selected key on the numbered keypad.

29. The storage medium of claim 28, wherein the new information that is displayed on the display is partitioned into regions that are each associated with respective ones of the keys on the numbered keypad.

30. The storage medium of claim 26, wherein each of the regions contains a border for visually delimiting the regions.

31. The storage medium of claim 26, wherein said portable electronic apparatus is one of a mobile phone, PDA and remote control device configured to operate at least one of a television and television set top box.

32. A storage medium for use in a mobile telephone having a display and a numbered keypad containing keys, said storage numbered keypad containing keys, said storage medium holding instructions for performing a method, comprising the steps of:

displaying information on the display of said mobile telephone so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with at least one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said mobile telephone receiving said information over a wireless network from an information provider, said information transmitted for display on said mobile telephone, wherein the display is organized on the-display in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action, said action associated with said choice of an option.

33. The medium of claim 32, wherein each region is associated with a service option for a service and selecting the selected key results in a request for the service.

34. The medium of claim 32, wherein each region contains a graphical element that visually represents a choice.

35. The medium of claim 32, wherein each region fails to display a number of the key on the numbered keypad that is associated with the region.

36. The medium of claim 32, wherein the step of responding comprises displaying information associated with selection of the selected key.

37. The medium of claim 32, wherein the step of responding comprises placing a phone call.

38. The medium of claim 32, wherein the step of responding comprises rendering a wireless markup language (WML) card on the display.

39. The medium of claim 32, wherein said method comprises the further steps of:

displaying a second grouping of information so that the display is visually partitioned into at least two regions, wherein each region is associated with at least one of the keys in the numbered keypad and represents a choice of an option that may be selected by selecting the associated key, each of said keys corresponding to at most a single region of said display, said mobile telephone receiving said information over a wireless network from an information provider, wherein the display is organized in a configuration that corresponds to a configuration of the keys on the numbered keypad; and

responding to selection of a selected one of the keys on the numbered keypad, by taking an action.