Illuminatable buttons and method for indicating information using illuminatable buttons
First Claim
1. In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a hard button that is operable to perform a primary function, said hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said primary function;
b) providing at least one light source, said light source located such that, when said light source is illuminated, light is emitted through said contoured region so as to illuminate said hard button; and
c) selectively illuminating said hard button to communicate information to a user of said palmtop computer system regarding and in response to the occurrence of a particular event that is associated with said hard button, wherein said selectively illuminating of said hard button provides information regarding said event to indicate that said hard button may be pressed to perform a function and wherein a color of said light emitted through said contoured region communicates further information to said user that relates to said primary function and a secondary function.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for indicating information to a user of a palmtop computer. Illuminatable hard buttons are disclosed that are operable for performing functions. The hard buttons are selectively illuminated to indicate information to a user that relates to the function performed when the bard button is pressed. The selective illumination of hard buttons to indicate information that relates to the function that is performed when the hard button is pressed conveys information to the user in a manner that is easily understood by the user. In one embodiment, whether or not the button is illuminated and the color of the illumination, convey information about the function that is to be performed when the button is pressed.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a hard button that is operable to perform a primary function, said hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said primary function;
b) providing at least one light source, said light source located such that, when said light source is illuminated, light is emitted through said contoured region so as to illuminate said hard button; and
c) selectively illuminating said hard button to communicate information to a user of said palmtop computer system regarding and in response to the occurrence of a particular event that is associated with said hard button, wherein said selectively illuminating of said hard button provides information regarding said event to indicate that said hard button may be pressed to perform a function and wherein a color of said light emitted through said contoured region communicates further information to said user that relates to said primary function and a secondary function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a hard button that is operable to perform a primary function, said hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said primary function;
b) providing at least one light source, said light source located such that, when said light source is illuminated, light is emitted through said contoured region so as to illuminate said hard button; and
c) selectively illuminating said hard button to communicate information to a user of said palmtop computer system regarding and in response to the occurrence of a particular event that is associated with said hard button, wherein said selectively illuminating of said hard button provides information regarding said event to indicate that said hard button may be pressed to perform a function, wherein said event is the reception of a short message service message wherein said primary function is initiation of a memo function, wherein said hard button is selectively illuminated when said short message service message has been received, said hard button illuminated in a color that indicates priority of said received message. - View Dependent Claims (10)
-
-
11. In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a first hard button that is operable to initiate operation of a date book application, said first hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said date book application;
b) illuminating said contoured region of said first hard button when a date book alert occurs;
c) providing a second hard button that is operable to initiate operation of an address book application, said second hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said address book publication;
d) illuminating said contoured region of said second hard button when a call is missed;
e) providing a third hard button that is operable to initiate operation of a to-do application that generates a to-do list, said third hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said to-do application; and
f) illuminating said third hard button when a due date for an item on said to-do list has passed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. In a palmtop computer system, a method for conveying information to a user comprising the steps of:
-
a) providing a hard button that is operable to perform a primary function, said hard button having a contoured region formed therein that is contoured in the shape of a symbol that represents said primary function;
b) providing at least one light source, said light source located such that, when said light source is illuminated, light is emitted through said contoured region so as to illuminate said hard button; and
c) selectively illuminating said hard button to communicate information to a user of said palmtop computer system regarding and in response to the occurrence of a particular event that is associated with said hard button, wherein said selectively illuminating of said hard button provides information regarding said event to indicate that said hard button may be pressed to perform a function, wherein said particular event is the passing of a due date, wherein said primary function is initiation of a to-do application that is operable to generate a to-do list, wherein said hard button is selectively illuminating when said due date for an item on said to-do list has passed, wherein said hard button is illuminated in a color that indicates the priority of said item on said to-do list.
-
Specification