Multi-function, multi-state input control device

• US 20020173299A1
• Filed: 05/18/2001
• Published: 11/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Buchholz, Dale R., Gerson, Ira A., Adams, Lea T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,386,303 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• 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 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

In a two-way radio communications system wherein subscriber units are provided with multiple features from the software running on a server, a user interface of the subscriber unit permits the subscriber unit user to change the control state of the server software depending on different types of actuations of the user interface. In the preferred embodiment, one, two or more “clicks” on a momentary input switch, as well as pushing and holding and releasing the input switch can be used to select or de-select between multiple services and applications provided to the subscriber unit by the server software.

Claims

1. A user interface for a communications device operable in a communications system having a server that provides a plurality of services, said user interface being capable of causing multiple state changes in a control program executing in said server, said user interface being comprised of:

an input means for generating an electrically detectable input signal from a user of said communications device;

a processor means, coupled to said input means, for determining the actuation of said input means and;

generating a first signal on the detection of a first type of actuation of said input means;

generating a second signal on the detection of a second type of actuation of said input means and generating a third signal on the detection of a third type of actuation of said input means.

2. A user interface for a communications device operable in a communications system having a server that provides a plurality of services, said user interface being capable of causing multiple state changes in a control program executing in said server, said user interface being comprised of:

an input means for generating an electrically detectable input signal from a user of said communications device;

a processor means, coupled to said input means, for determining the actuation of said input means and;

generating a first signal on the detection of a first type of actuation of said input means;

generating a second signal on the detection of a second type of actuation of said input means;

generating a third signal on the detection of a third type of actuation of said input means; and

generating a fourth signal on the detection of a fourth type of actuation of said input means.

3. A user interface for a communications device operable in a communications system having a server that provides a plurality of services, said user interface being capable of causing multiple state changes in a control program executing in said server, said user interface being comprised of:

an input means for generating an electrically detectable input signal from a user of said communications device;

a processor means, coupled to said input means, for determining the actuation of said input means and;

generating a first signal on the detection of a first type of actuation of said input means;

generating a second signal on the detection of a second type of actuation of said input means and

generating a third signal on the detection of a third type of actuation of said input means;

a radio transmitter, coupled and responsive to said processor means to broadcast a radio signal which represents whether said detected input means actuation was either of said first, second or third actuations.

4. In a communications system having a server executing a multi-state control program, which has a plurality of control states and capable of performing at least one control function in each state, a method of changing the control state of said server program from a first state to second, third and fourth states comprising the steps of:

when said server is in said first state, single clicking a first switch associated with said subscriber unit thereby causing the transmission of a first signal to said server, upon the receipt of which said server'"'"'s state changes from said first state to said second state; and

when said server is in said first state, double-clicking said first switch associated with said subscriber unit thereby causing the transmission of a second signal to said server upon the receipt of which said server changes its state from said first state to said third state;

when said server is in said first state, holding said first switch closed for a predetermined length of time causing the subscriber unit to transmit a third signal and a radio frequency signal the receipt of which causes said server to enter a fourth state; and

when said server is in said fourth state, releasing said first switch causing the subscriber unit to stop transmitting said radio frequency signal and to transmit a fourth signal to said server upon the receipt of which said server changes its state from said fourth state to said first state

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said first state of said control program is a server functionality select state wherein a first plurality of different functional capabilities are selectable by said subscriber unit.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said second state of said control program is a server execution state wherein a second plurality of different functional capabilities are provided to said subscriber unit.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein said third state of said control program is a subscriber transmit state whereby said subscriber unit wirelessly transmits a communication signal.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein said first state includes a suspension state for said sever.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein an actuation of said switch initiates at least one timer within at least one of:

said server and

said subscriber unit.

12. The wireless communications system subscriber unit of claim 8 wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter compliant with the Bluetooth wireless protocol.

13. The wireless communications system subscriber unit of claim 8 wherein said an input switch means is a momentary push-button switch.

10. A method of changing the control state of a multi-state communications system server comprising the steps of:

sending a first signal from a subscriber unit for said communications system to said server during a first predetermined time period, said first signal causing said server'"'"'s control state to change from said first state to said second state; and

sending a second signal from the subscriber unit to said server during a second predetermined time period, said second signal causing the server to change its state from said first state to said third state; and

sending a third signal from the subscriber unit to the server causing the server to enter a third state.

11. A subscriber unit comprised of:

a transmitter, capable of sending wireless communications signals;

a receiver, capable of receiving wireless communications signals;

an input switch means, for receiving a tactile input from a subscriber unit user and in response thereto, signaling an input command by the subscriber unit user;

a processor means, operatively coupled to said input signal means and to said transmitter, said processor means for detecting closure of said input switch means and detecting whether said input switch means was singly actuated, doubly actuated or is closed, thereby causing at least one of a plurality of different signals to be emitted by said transmitter.

15. The wireless communications system subscriber unit of claim 12 wherein said transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.

17. The server of claim 16 wherein said server is a server that receives messages that unambiguously identify single clicks, double clicks or a push and hold of an input device for a subscriber unit.

14. A wireless communications system subscriber unit comprised of:

a transmitter, capable of sending a plurality of control signals to a server by wireless communications signals;

an input switch means, for receiving a tactile input from a subscriber unit user and in response thereto, electrically signaling a plurality of different input actions by a subscriber unit user;

a processor means, operatively coupled to said input signal means and to said transmitter, said processor means for detecting closure of said input switch means and detecting whether said input switch means was singly clicked, doubly clicked or is held closed, thereby causing at least one of a plurality of different signals to be emitted by said transmitter of said subscriber unit, each of said plurality of signals unambiguously identifying whether said input switch means was singly clicked, doubly clicked or held closed.

16. A communications system server comprised of:

a processor means, coupled to at least one of a radio receiver and radio transmitter, said processor means for receiving from a subscriber unit;

a) messages indicative of the actuations of an input device in a subscriber unit;

b) determining from said messages whether said input device of said subscriber unit was singly clicked, doubly clicked or held closed; and

, in response thereto, said processor means performing at least one of the following operations;

i) terminating the execution of an application program;

ii) terminating the execution of a first application program and starting the executing a second application program;

iii) enabling radio transmissions by said subscriber unit.