Mobile communication device having music player navigation function and method of operation thereof

• US 7,519,386 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2002
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Kespohl, Klaus, Vollinger, Stefanie, Brisse, Konrad, Koll, Andre, Buth, Peter, Lehn, Karsten
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar; Kamran
• Application Number:
  US10/517,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20060136773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,489 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/567, 455/425, 455564-565, 455418-420, 455/552.1, 455/566, 455 901- 903, 455/575.1, 4555561-5562, 345/160, 345/172, 345168-169, 715/773, 715/825, 715/841, 341/22, 348 1401- 1407
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0234 using switches operable in different directions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0202 Portable telephone sets, e.g. cordless phones, mobile phones or bar type handsets constructional features of telephone transmitters or receivers, e.g. of speakers or microphones H04M1/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• 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

The invention relates to a controlling arrangement for a music player application in a mobile communication device. To improve the control of the music player, a multifunctional soft button (100) with four switching positions (up, down left and right) and a mode switching arrangement (110) are provided on the keyboard layout (10). The application can be switched in two different modes with the switching arrangement and can be controlled with the multifunctional soft button, the latter having different functionality depending on the mode of the application. Combined functionality of the multifunctional soft button from the first and second mode is also possible. Additional symbols related to the music player functionality are printed in different colors on the multifunctional soft switch.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a plurality of device applications including a digital music player;

a mode selector for switching an input mode into a first mode and into a second mode, said mode selector being operable to change modes in at least one application;

a multiple input switch, said switch being operable to receive a user input; and

a controller connected to said multiple input switch and to said mode selector, adapted to generate commands and adapted to transmit said commands to one of the plurality of device applications;

wherein said commands include a first set of commands operable with said input mode being in said first mode and a second set of commands with said input mode being in said second mode;

wherein said first set of commands corresponding to said first mode are adapted to control device applications, including device applications other than music player functions; and

wherein said second set of commands corresponding to said second mode is adapted to control a set of music player functions, wherein said second mode is exclusively dedicated to said controlling of said music player functions independent from a current operation mode of said mobile communication device.

2. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pieces of music are arranged in a predetermined sequence, wherein said second set of commands comprises commands out of a group comprising:

a starting function of the music reproduction;

a stopping function of the music reproduction;

a fast forward winding function of the reproduced piece of music;

a fast backward winding function of the reproduced piece of music;

a skipping forward function to a subsequent piece of music; and

a skipping backward function to a preceding piece of music.

3. The mobile communication device according to claim 2, wherein said fast forward winding function of the reproduced piece of music and said fast backward winding function of the reproduced piece of music are activated by pressing and holding said multiple input switch in said input mode being in said second mode for a certain period of time.

4. The mobile communication device according to claim 2, wherein said skipping forward function to a subsequent piece of music and said skipping backward function to a preceding of music are activated by pressing and releasing said multiple input switch in said input mode being in said second mode for a certain period of time.

5. The mobile communication device according to claim 2, wherein said mode selector is reserved for switching exclusively said input mode into said first mode and said second mode.

6. The mobile communication device according to claim 2, wherein said multiple input switch has at least four switching positions, wherein

said at least four switching positions comprises a first set of switching positions and a second set of switching positions, said switching positions of said first set and said second set being arranged opposite to each other;

wherein said multiple input switch operated in one position of said first and/or second set of switching positions causes a commands out of said second set of commands corresponding to said input mode being in second mode;

wherein said multiple input switch operated in one position of said first set of switching positions causes a command out of said second set of commands comprising at least browsing functions to control a user interface and corresponding to said input mode being in said first mode.

7. The mobile communication device according claim 6, wherein said first set of switching positions is arranged along a first line and said second set of switching positions is arranged along a second line being substantially perpendicular to said first line.

8. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein

a third set of commands is provided operable with said input mode being in said first or said second mode, said third set of commands being adapted to control a subset of music player functions.

9. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein at least a set of symbols printed on said multiple input switch indicates said music player functions to be controlled and wherein said set of symbols and said mode selector have substantially a common color.

10. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, wherein said second mode is active during depressing and holding said mode selector.

11. The mobile communication device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface adapted to control said device applications, wherein said first set of commands is adapted to provide a browsing function through said user interface.

12. The mobile communication device according to claim 11, further comprising:

a display for displaying said user interface to a user, said display being coupled to said controller via a display driver.

13. The mobile communication device according to claim 12, wherein a music player control user interface is displayed to said user in said second mode.

14. The mobile communication device according to claim 12, wherein said input mode is automatically switched into said second mode in case a music player control user interface is displayed.

15. A method for controlling functions of a digital music player implemented in a mobile communication device, comprising:

receiving a mode signal from a mode selector;

switching an input mode into a first mode or into a second mode in accordance with said received mode signal;

receiving an input signal from a multiple input switch;

generating a command from said received input signal in combination with said input mode, said command being one of a plurality of commands including a first set of commands generated in said first mode and a second set of commands generated in said second mode; and

in case said generated command is one of said first set of commands, transmitting said generated command to one of a plurality of device applications, including device applications other than said digital music players, to be controlled in accordance with said generated command;

wherein

in case said generated command is one of said second set of commands, transmitting said generated command to said digital music player to control a set of music player functions;

wherein said second mode is exclusively dedicated to said controlling of said music player functions independent from a current operation mode of said mobile communication device.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

generating a command from said received input signal in combination with said input mode, said command being one of a plurality of commands including a first set of commands generated in said first mode, a second set of commands generated in said second mode and a third set of commands generated in said first mode and said second mode; and

in case said generated command is one of said third set of commands, transmitting said generated command to said digital music player to control another set of music player functions.

17. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a plurality of device applications including a digital music player;

means for switching an input mode into a first mode and into a second mode, said means being operable to change modes in at least one application;

means for receiving a user input; and

means, in cooperative engagement with said means for switching and said means for receiving, for generating commands and for transmitting said commands to one of the plurality of device applications including device applications other than music player functions;

wherein said commands include a first set of commands operable with said input mode being in said first mode and a second set of commands with said input mode being in said second mode;

wherein said first set of commands corresponding to said first mode are adapted to control device applications, including device applications other than music player functions; and

wherein said second set of commands corresponding to said second mode is adapted to control a set of music player functions, wherein said second mode is exclusively dedicated to said controlling of said music player functions independent from a current operation mode of said mobile communication device.