Technique allowing a status bar user response on a portable device graphic user interface

• US 6,868,283 B1
• Filed: 01/16/2001
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Leclaire, Vincent, Bonansea, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US09/764,653
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/575, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/556.1, 455/414.1, 455415-417, 455/556.2, 345/169, 345/728, 345/804
• US Class Current: 455/566
• 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: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for utilizing a graphic user interface in a portable electronic device. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of using a portion of a graphic user interface display to provide information to the user without disrupting an application in progress. The user interface provides tools that enable the user to answer or reject an incoming call, without interruption of applications already operating on the device during the call. On a portable electronic device that combines computer functions and wireless telephone functions, the user is able to view caller ID information, in an information window, while using another application. Further, the user is able to make a decision about answering or rejecting the call and execute the appropriate response, all without having to interrupt the application currently in use. It is appreciated that the portable electronic device could be a cellular phone, a personal data assistant, a pager, etc.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a graphic display screen; and

a wireless telephone circuit communicatively coupled with said graphic display screen;

wherein said graphic display screen is capable of concurrently displaying thereon a first display region comprising an application in operation and a second display region comprising a status bar, said status bar changing in response to an incoming call from said wireless telephone circuit to display graphical user interface tools enabling a user selectable response to said incoming call independent of the operation of said application, said application and said status bar operating independently.

2. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device is a cellular telephone.

3. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device is a portable computing device.

4. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device is a personal digital assistant.

5. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said portable electronic device combines functions of a portable computing device and functions of a wireless telephone.

6. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said status bar is capable of operation without disturbing other functions operating in said portable electronic device.

7. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said status bar is only displayed when said wireless telephone circuit receives said incoming telephone call.

8. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said status bar is reserved for displaying telephone status.

9. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said status bar is reserved for displaying device status.

10. A portable electronic device as described in claim 1, wherein said incoming telephone call is capable of being answered without disturbing said application operating in said portable electronic device, wherein said application is operating when said incoming telephone call is received.

11. A method for implementing a graphic user interface for a portable electronic device, comprising the steps of:

a) rendering an image of a graphical user interface on a display screen, said graphical user interface comprising a first display region for displaying an application and a second display region for displaying a status bar, wherein said first display region and said second display region are displayed concurrently;

b) receiving input comprising information relating to an event, wherein said event is unrelated to said application in operation in said first display region of said graphical user interface;

c) displaying an indication of said information in said status bar of said graphic user interface and also in response to said event displaying a graphical interface tool in said status bar that provides to a user a selection with respect to said event, wherein said status bar operates independently of said application; and

d) taking an action with respect to said event, wherein said action is responsive to said selection from said user, said selection comprising a command related to the disposition of said event;

wherein steps a)-d) are performed while said application is operating and without interfering with said application.

12. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said portable electronic device is enabled as a portable telephone device.

13. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said event is an incoming telephone call.

14. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said information related to said event is caller identification information.

15. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is an instruction to answer an incoming telephone call.

16. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is an instruction to reject an incoming telephone call.

17. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is entered by selection of a graphic selection tool in said graphic user interface.

18. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said action responsive to said event is capable of execution without disturbing said application, wherein said application is displaying information on said portable computer system.

19. A method as described in claim 11 wherein said graphic user interface is implemented in a touch-screen display.

20. A method for implementing a graphic user interface for a portable telephone device, comprising the steps of:

a) rendering an image of a graphical user interface on a display screen, said graphical user interface comprising a first display region for displaying an application in operation and a second display region for displaying a status bar, wherein said first display region and said second display region are displayed concurrently;

b) receiving input comprising information relating to an incoming telephone call;

c) displaying an indication of said information in said status bar of said graphic user interface and also in response to said incoming telephone call displaying a graphical interface tool in said status bar that provides to a user a selection with respect to said call, wherein said status bar operates independently of said application;

d) responsive to a selection from said user, said selection comprising a command related to the disposition of said incoming telephone call, taking an action with respect to said telephone call; and

wherein steps a)-d) are performed while said application is operating and without interfering with said application.

21. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said information related to said incoming telephone call is caller identification information.

22. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is an instruction to answer said incoming telephone call.

23. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is an instruction to reject said incoming telephone call.

24. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said input from said user, comprising a command, is entered by selection of a graphic selection tool in said graphic user interface.

25. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said action responsive to said incoming telephone call is capable of execution without disturbing said application, wherein said application is displaying information on said portable computer system.

26. A method as described in claim 20 wherein said graphic user interface is implemented in a touch-screen display.