User interface and associated method for indicating status using keypad backlights

• US 7,120,471 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Deeds, Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Matthew D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, TUAN A
• Application Number:
  US10/377,409
• Publication Number:
  US 20040171410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 455566-567, 455/575.1, 455 901- 903, 455/565, 4554121- 2, 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/418, 455/550.1, 455/154.1, 4551571- 2, 4551584- 5, 455/159.1, 37943301-43307, 379/368, 345168-170, 200/5.A
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/576 associated with a pictorial or graphical representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method for indicating status on a programmed communication device wherein each of one or more backlights is associated with a respective key of a plurality of keys. Status information to be communicated to a user of the communication device is then generated, and one or more backlights are illuminated according to a pattern corresponding to the status information. Thus, a visual graphical display is not necessary, cost is reduced, volume is conserved, and reliability is increased.

Claims

1. A method for indicating status on a programmed communication device comprising the steps of:

associating each of one or more backlights with a respective key of a plurality of keys;

generating status information to be communicated to a user of said communication device;

illuminating one or more backlights according to a pattern corresponding to said status information;

determining, in response to receipt of an incoming call, whether said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number; and

generating to a microprocessor of said communication device, in response to a determination that said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number, status information indicating that said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number; and

wherein said pattern corresponding to said status information comprises a shape resembling a question mark.

2. A communication device user interface comprising:

a plurality of keys operably integrated into said communication device;

a plurality of backlights each of which backlights is associated with respective one key of said plurality of keys;

a microprocessor operatively connected for illuminating one or more backlights;

a data storage unit operatively connected to said microprocessor for storing program code executable by said microprocessor; and

program code executable by said microprocessor for illuminating one or more backlights according to a pattern corresponding to status information to be communicated to a user of said communication device;

program code, responsive to receipt of an incoming call, for determining whether said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number; and

program code, responsive to a determination that said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number, for generating to said microprocessor status information indicating that said incoming call does not include a caller identification phone number and wherein said pattern corresponding to said status information comprises a shape resembling a question mark.