Integrated personal digital assistant device

• US 7,650,147 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Jeffrey C., Bridgwater, Thomas B., Rees, William B., Haitani, Robert Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhattacharya; Sam
• Application Number:
  US12/126,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20080280645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/566, 455/575.3, 455/557, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413, 455/550.1, 455/575.4
• US Class Current: 455/425
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/047 Vibrating means for incoming calls
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/048 Arrangements providing optical indication of the incoming call, e.g. flasher circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

An integrated device provides functionality of both a PDA and cellular telephone. Features include a power button offering control of both the computing and telephony functions of the device; a lid that turns the device on and off and controls additional telephony functions; a jog rocker that activates the device and is used to select from a variety of menu options; application buttons that offer direct access to applications stored on the device, and which can be configured to operate in conjunction with secondary keys to offer added functionality; a keyboard that enables data input into the device; an automatic word completion function that verifies and corrects a user'"'"'s typing in real time; and a simplified keyboard navigation system that allows the navigation of menus using keyboard shortcuts.

Claims

1. A method for activating a personal digital assistant (PDA), the PDA including a wireless communication module, a lid, a processor, a memory, and a plurality of applications stored in the memory, the plurality of applications stored in the memory including an alarm application, the method comprising:

receiving a first press of the power button;

activating the PDA; and

responsive to the first press of the power button exceeding a threshold time, activating the wireless communication module.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to the first press of the power button not exceeding the threshold time, beginning a first countdown; and

responsive to a second press of the power button during the first countdown, turning on a backlight of the PDA.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

beginning a second countdown;

responsive to a third press of the power button during the countdown, inverting a display of the PDA.

4. A method for turning off a personal digital assistant (PDA), the PDA including a wireless communication module, a lid, a processor, a memory, and a plurality of applications stored in the memory, the plurality of applications stored in the memory including an alarm application, the method comprising:

receiving a first press of the power button;

determining whether a length of time of the first press of the power button exceeds a threshold time;

responsive to the first press of the power button exceeding the threshold time, activating the wireless communication module.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

responsive to the first press of the power button not exceeding the threshold time, beginning a first countdown; and

responsive to a second press of the power button during the first countdown, turning on a backlight of the PDA.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

beginning a second countdown;

responsive to a third press of the power button during the countdown, inverting a display of the PDA.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

responsive to the first press of the power button not exceeding the threshold time, beginning a first countdown; and

responsive to not receiving a second press of the power button during the first countdown, turning off the PDA.

8. A method for operating a personal digital assistant (PDA), the PDA including a display, a lid, a wireless communication module, a processor, a memory, and a plurality of applications stored in the memory, the lid in an open position, the wireless communication module engaged in an active call, the method comprising:

determining that the lid has been closed;

providing a confirmation on the display of the PDA that the active call will be disconnected; and

responsive to receiving a user response to the confirmation within a specific time interval, not disconnecting the call.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

responsive to not receiving a user response within the specific time interval, disconnecting the call.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising turning off the PDA.