Multi-level user interface for a multimode device

• US 6,420,959 B1
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Lizzi, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHIMIZU, MATSUICHIRO
• Application Number:
  US09/157,343
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/825.56, 340/7.39, 368/185, 368/49, 368/21, 368/11, 368/243, 368/250, 368/70, 368/82, 368/187, 368/261, 345/169
• US Class Current: 340/7.39
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

A multimode electronic device having a plurality of manually actuated buttons for selecting between a plurality of modes and functions wherein at least one of the modes has at least two second level functions. The device can cycle among the modes upon the repeated activation of a first button and can cycle among the functions upon the repeated activation of a second button. The multi-level hierarchy including both modes and functions provides for a more improved user interface with improved functionality.

Claims

1. A multimode electronic device having a plurality of manually actuated buttons for selecting between a plurality of first level modes and second level functions, an integrated circuit programmed to provide the plurality of first level modes and second level functions and to provide an operator the ability to enter and exit the plurality of modes and functions in response to actuation of selected ones of the buttons, the device comprising:

means for being placed in at least a first first level mode and a second first level mode, wherein placement in and among the first first level mode and the second first level mode is achieved by activation of a first button, wherein at least one of the first level modes includes at least two second level functions;

means for being placed in each of the at least two second level functions, each of the at least two second level functions being enterable from the one of the first level modes by activation of a dedicated button, wherein an activation of the dedicated button causes the device to enter each of the second level functions, wherein the dedicated button is functionless within the second level functions, and wherein a further activation of the dedicated button causes the device to exit the respective second level function, wherein repeated activation of the dedicated button cycles through each of the at least two second level functions, and further activation of the dedicated button when the device is in the last of the at least two second level functions causes the device to reenter the one of the first level modes;

wherein (i) each of the second level functions are enterable and exitable only by activation of the dedicated button;

(ii) the dedicated button is a button different from the first button; and

(iii) the dedicated button is operable only within a first level mode and is thereby unable to cause the device to cycle among the first level modes and

wherein each of the first level modes having at least one second level function has all of its second level functions enterable and exitable by activation of the dedicated button, and wherein activation of the dedicated button from within the last of the second level functions within each of the first level modes having at least one second level function will cause the return to the first level of the mode in which the device is in.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, including display means for displaying the first level modes and the second level functions.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, including dynamic function setting means for providing selective accessibility to the second level functions, said dynamic function setting means including flag means being settable or resettable in response to actuation of selected ones of the buttons.

4. A multimode electronic device comprising:

a plurality of manually actuated buttons for selecting between a plurality of first level modes and second level functions, and

an integrated circuit programmed to provide the plurality of first level modes and second level functions and to provide an operator the ability to enter and exit the plurality of modes and functions in response to actuation of selected ones of the buttons;

wherein the device is placeable in at least a first first level mode and a second first level mode, wherein placement in and among the first level modes is achieved by activation of a first button, wherein at least one of the first level modes includes at least two second level functions; and

wherein the device is placeable in each of the at least two second level functions, each of the at least two second level functions being enterable from the one of the first level modes by activation of a dedicated button, wherein an activation of the dedicated button causes the device to enter each of the second level functions, wherein the dedicated button is functionless within the second level functions, and wherein a further activation of the dedicated button causes the device to exit the respective second level function, wherein repeated activation of the dedicated button cycles through each of the at least two second level functions, and further activation of the dedicated button when the device is in the last of the at least two second level functions causes the device to reenter the one of the first level modes;

wherein (i) each of the second level functions are enterable and exitable only by activation of the dedicated button;

(ii) the dedicated button is a button different from the first button; and

(iii) the dedicated button is operable only within a first level mode and is thereby unable to cause the device to cycle among the first level modes; and

wherein each mode of the first level modes having at least one second level function has all of its second level functions enterable and exitable by activation of the dedicated button, and wherein activation of the dedicated button from within the last of the second level functions within each mode of the first level modes having at least one second level function will cause the return to the first level of the mode in which the device is in.

5. A multimode electronic device having a plurality of manually actuated buttons for selecting between a plurality of first level modes and second level functions, an integrated circuit programmed to provide the plurality of first level modes and second level functions and to provide an operator the ability to enter and exit the plurality of modes and functions in response to actuation of selected ones of the buttons, the device comprising:

means for being placed in at least a first first level mode and a second first level mode, wherein placement in and among the first level modes is achieved by activation of a first button, wherein the first level mode and the at least second level mode each include at least two second level functions;

means for being respectively placed in each of the at least two second level functions from each of the first first level mode and the at least second first level mode;

wherein, within each of the first level modes having at least two second level functions;

each of the at least two second level functions are enterable from its respective first level mode by activation of a dedicated button, an activation of the dedicated button causes the device to enter each of the second level functions, the dedicated button is functionless within the second level functions, and a further activation of the dedicated button causes the device to exit the respective second level function, wherein repeated activation of the dedicated button cycles through each of the at least two second level functions, and further activation of the dedicated button when the device is in the last of the at least two second level functions causes the device to reenter the first level mode in which the device is in;

wherein (i) each of the second level functions are enterable and exitable only by activation of the dedicated button;

(ii) the dedicated button is a button different from the first button; and

(iii) the dedicated button is operable only within a first level mode and is thereby unable to cause the device to cycle among the first level modes.

6. A multimode electronic device comprising:

a plurality of manually actuated buttons for selecting between a plurality of first level modes and second level functions, and

an integrated circuit programmed to provide the plurality of first level modes and second level functions and to provide an operator the ability to enter and exit the plurality of modes and functions in response to actuation of selected ones of the buttons;

wherein the device is placeable in at least a first first level mode and a second first level mode, wherein placement in and among the first level modes is achieved by activation of a first button, wherein at least the first level mode and the second level mode each include at least two second level functions;

wherein the device is respectively placeable in each of the at least two second level functions from each of the first first level mode and the at least second first level mode;

wherein, within each of the first level modes having at least two second level functions;

each of the at least two second level functions are enterable from its respective first level mode by activation of a dedicated button, an activation of the dedicated button causes the device to enter each of the second level functions, the dedicated button is functionless within the second level functions, and a further activation of the dedicated button causes the device to exit the respective second level function, wherein repeated activation of the dedicated button cycles through each of the at least two second level functions, and further activation of the dedicated button when the device is in the last of the at least two second level functions causes the device to reenter the first level mode in which the device is in;

wherein (i) each of the second level functions are enterable and exitable only by activation of the dedicated button;

(ii) the dedicated button is a button different from the first button; and

(iii) the dedicated button is operable only within a first level mode and is thereby unable to cause the device to cycle among the first level modes.