Method and system for using a color scheme to communicate information related to the integration of hardware and software in a computing device

• US 7,388,590 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2004
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Flynt, David W., O'Neil, Daniel G., Coomer, Christen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chauhan; Ulka
• Assistant Examiner(s): WASHBURN, DANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US10/788,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20050190196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,572 Days
• Field of Search: 345/581, 345/589, 345/593, 345/594, 345/595, 455/564, 455/566, 455/567, 455/565
• US Class Current: 345/589
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits

Abstract

A method and system for using a color scheme to communicate information associated with an event and related to the integration of software and hardware of a computing device creates a seamless user experience. A hardware element of the computing device is illuminated based on a color scheme associated with a corresponding software element. The color scheme may communicate information related to a functional feature of the computing device, personal preferences or brand extension.

Claims

1. A method for using a color scheme to communicate software application functionality associated with an incoming event notification and related to the integration of hardware and software in a computing device, comprising:

providing a first software application of an operating system associated with a first mobile partner and a second software application of a phone application associated with a second mobile partner, wherein the first and second software applications associate a function with a soft key according to an incoming event notification, wherein the function of the soft key is selectable by receiving an input from a hardware button;

associating a color scheme with the first and second software applications to indicate that the function of the soft key is associated with the hardware button, wherein the color scheme includes a first brand extension color scheme for a first mobile partner and a second brand extension color scheme for a second mobile partner;

receiving an incoming event notification that instantiates the first software application on the computing device, wherein the first software application determines software functionality options for the software key for responding to the incoming event notification;

illuminating the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the first brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the incoming event notification according to functionality of the operating system and to indicate that the first software application is associated with the first mobile partner;

receiving a second incoming event notification, wherein the second incoming event notification is an incoming phone call that causes an automatic instantiation of the second software application; and

in response to the automatic instantiation of the second software application, automatically illuminating the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the second brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the incoming event notification according to functionality of the phone application and to indicate that the second software application is associated with the second mobile partner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein illuminating the hardware button further comprises illuminating an illuminating element, wherein the illuminating element is at least one member of a group comprising:

a tri-colored light emitting diode and an electro-luminescence light.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming event notification is associated with an incoming call.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the color scheme changes to communicate information corresponding to elapsed time associated with the software application.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with service providers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with operator equipment manufactures.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with an application on the computing device.

8. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions for using a color scheme to communicate software application functionality associated with an incoming event notification and related to the integration of hardware and software in a computing device, comprising:

providing a first software application of an operating system associated with a first mobile partner and a second software application of a phone application associated with a second mobile partner, wherein the first and second software applications associate a function with a soft key according to an incoming event notification, wherein the function of the soft key is selectable by receiving an input from a hardware button;

associating a color scheme with the first and second software applications to indicate that the function of the soft key is associated with the hardware button, wherein the color scheme includes a first brand extension color scheme for a first mobile partner and a second brand extension color scheme for a second mobile partner;

receiving an incoming event notification that instantiates the first software application on the computing device, wherein the first software application determines software functionality options for the software key for responding to the incoming event notification;

illuminating the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the first brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the incoming event notification according to functionality of the operating system and to indicate that the first software application is associated with the first mobile partner;

receiving a second incoming event notification, wherein the second incoming event notification is an incoming phone call that causes an automatic instantiation of the second software application; and

in response to the automatic instantiation of the second software application, automatically illuminating the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the second brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the incoming event notification according to functionality of the phone application and to indicate that the second software application is associated with the second mobile partner.

9. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein illuminating the hardware button further comprises illuminating an illuminating element, wherein the illuminating element is at least one member of a group comprising:

a tri-colored light emitting diode and an electro-luminescence light.

10. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the incoming event notification is associated with an incoming call.

11. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the color scheme changes to communicate information corresponding to elapsed time associated with the software application.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with service providers.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with operator equipment manufactures.

14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with an application on the computing device.

15. A system for using a color scheme to communicate software application functionality associated with an incoming event notification and related to the integration of hardware and software in a computing device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to;

provide a first software application of an operating system associated with a first mobile partner and a second software application of a communication application associated with a second mobile partner, wherein the first and second software applications associate a function with a soft key according to an incoming event notification, wherein the function of the soft key is selectable by receiving an input from a hardware button;

associate a color scheme with the first and second software applications to indicate that the function of the soft key is associated with the hardware button, wherein the color scheme includes a first brand extension color scheme for a first mobile partner and a second brand extension color scheme for a second mobile partner;

receive an incoming event notification that instantiates the first software application on the computing device, wherein the first software application determines software functionality options for the software key for responding to the incoming event notification;

illuminate the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the first brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the incoming event notification according to functionality of the operating system and to indicate that the first software application is associated with the first mobile partner;

receiving a second incoming event notification, wherein the second incoming event notification is communication that cause an automatic instantiation of the second software application; and

in response to automatically instantiation the second software application, automatically illuminate the soft key and the hardware button on the computing device according to the second brand extension color scheme to indicate that the hardware button is associated with the soft key functionality for responding to the communication notification according to functionality of the communication application and to indicate that the second software application is associated with the second mobile partner.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein illuminating the hardware button further comprises illuminating an illuminating element, wherein the illuminating element is at least one member of a group comprising:

a tri-colored light emitting diode and an electro-luminescence light.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the incoming event notification is associated with an incoming call.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the color scheme changes to communicate information corresponding to elapsed time associated with the software application.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with service providers.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with operator equipment manufactures.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the first and second brand extension schemes are associated with an application on the computing device.