Telecommunication terminal and a method for communicating with a server by means of a telecommunication terminal

• US 6,975,886 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2001
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Hoyler, Stefan, Schonwald, Jurgen
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US10/362,411
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,610 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/564, 455/575.1, 455/550.1, 455/90.3
• US Class Current: 455/564
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• 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 telecommunication terminal (1,300) comprising a receiver and a transmitter (19) arranged to receive and transmit data, through a telecommunication network (310). The terminal further comprises a user interface (2–6) having display means (3,13) and a key-pad. The key-pad is provided with a group of keys arranged to type an alpha-numerical input to be displayed as an output on the display means. The display means is arranged to display different inputs and states depending on the input from the keypad. One pre-defined key in the group of keys is further arranged to a function for communicating with another terminal, at one state as is arranged to be displayed on said display means. This state will disable the alpha-numerical input of the pre-defined key and enables the function for communicating with another terminal, in order to facilitate browsing on the other terminal.

Claims

1. A mobile telephone comprising:

a receiver and a transmitter arranged respectively to receive and to transmit data through a telecommunication network; and

a user interface including a keypad provided with a group of keys, said group of keys being switchable depending on an input from said keypad between a first state and a second state, each of said group of keys being operable in said first state for allowing entry of alpha-numerical input for display, and a display arranged to display inputs; and

wherein

said mobile telephone is arranged when said group of keys is in the second state to disable said alpha-numerical input of at least one pre-defined key in said group of keys, and to enable said at least one pre-defined key to call a sub-function of a browser application for communication with a server, for facilitating browsing on the server, wherein said sub-function of said at least one pre-defined key when said group of keys is in said second state is user-definable.

2. The mobile telephone of claim 1, wherein said display is arranged to display which of said first state and said second state the group of keys is presently in.

3. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, wherein said browser application is arranged to use the Wireless Application Protocol.

4. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, wherein the pre-defined key is marked with an indicator, indicating the function of the key in the non-alphanumerical state.

5. A mobile telephone according to claim 4, in which said indicator is replaceable, by means of at least one of a cover and a keypad comprising said indication.

6. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-defined key is arranged to enable further functions, which are enabled in a state other than the non-alphanumerical state.

7. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-defined key may be defined by a user to be associated with a bookmark.

8. A mobile telephone according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pre-defined key is individually operable in first and second time periods to provide a function for communicating with another terminal.

10. The mobile telephone of claim 1, wherein said sub-function of said browser application comprises one sub-function from the group ‘

Back’

, ‘

Home’

, ‘

Reload’ and

‘

Stop’

.

9. A method of communicating with a server by means of a mobile telephone in a system including a receiver and a transmitter, and

a user interface including a keypad provided with a group of keys, said group of keys being switchable between a first state and a second state, each of said group of keys being operable in said first state for enabling entry of an alpha-numerical input, and a display arranged to display inputs, and wherein

the method comprises the steps of sending a request to said server through said transmitter for establishing a connection with said server, receiving a response by means of said receiver from said server confirming the connection to said server, and when the group of keys is in the second state disabling said alpha-numerical input of at least one pre-defined key in said group of keys on said keypad, enabling said at least one pre-defined key to call a sub-function of a browser application for communicating with said server upon an input from said at least one pre-defined key, and allowing said sub-function of said at least one pre-defined key when said group of keys is in said second state to be user-definable.