Portable device

• US 7,215,975 B1
• Filed: 09/25/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Sharp, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson; Matthew
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHU, SANH D
• Application Number:
  US10/089,815
• Time in Patent Office: 2,416 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/575.1, 455/90.2, 455/234.2, 455/550.1
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A portable device is described which comprises a user input and a processor. The user input has a key with a plurality of functions. It has a first function when the device is in a first state and a second function when the device is not in the first state. The processor is arranged to determine the state of the device and to perform the first and second function depending upon the state of the device. When it performs the second function, the processor returns the device to the first state.

Claims

1. A portable device comprising:

a user input comprising a key operable in response to a first mode of operation to perform a first function of performing a shortcut to a predetermined menu when the device is in a first state and a second function when the device is not in the first state, the key also being operable in response to a second mode of operation to turn the device on or off;

a processor for determining the state of the device and for performing a function in response to the mode of operation of the key; and

wherein the second function is performing a shortcut to the first state, and the predetermined menu comprises a list of first level menu items, and the device is a portable radiotelephone.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first state is an idle state.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first level menu items include at least one item selected from profiles, call register, messages, infrared, calendar, calculator, games, call divert, and settings.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key has a third function and the processor performs the third function in response to the second mode of operation of the key.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein;

the third function is associated with a second state of the device;

the key has a fourth function associated with a third state of the device; and

the processor performs third or fourth functions in response to the second mode of operation of the key, depending upon a state of the device.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the processor determines the mode of operation of the key by a duration of operation.

7. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the processor determines the mode of operation of the key by a duration of operation.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first mode of operation has a duration less than a predetermined threshold.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first mode of operation has a duration less than a predetermined threshold.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key is a button.

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the functions of the key is to turn off the device.

12. A device as claimed in claim 1, which is a radiotelephone.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the key has a third function and the processor performs the third function in response to the second mode of operation of the key.

14. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the key has a third function and the processor performs the third function in response to the second mode of operation of the key.

15. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first level menu items include at least one item selected from profiles, call register, messages, infrared, calendar, calculator, games, call divert, and settings.

16. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the key is provided by a position of a multi-positional device.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the multi-positional device is a rocker, roller or joystick.

18. A method of operating a portable device comprising:

actuating a user input comprising a key having a first function, in response to a first mode of operation, of performing a shortcut to a predetermined menu when the device is in a first state, actuating the user input when the device is not in the first state, the key having, in response to the first mode of operation, a second function when the device is not in the first state, the key also being operable in response to a second mode of operation to turn the radio telephone on and off;

one of the first function and the second function being performed in response to the first mode of operation of the key and upon determining the state of the device; and

wherein the second function of the user input is performing a shortcut to the first state, and the predetermined menu comprises a list of first level menu items; and

the device is a portable radiotelephone.

19. A computer program comprising program instructions for operation of a portable device and when loaded onto a processor, causing the processor to perform the steps of:

detecting actuation of a user input comprising a key having a first function, in response to a first mode of operation, of performing a shortcut to a predetermined menu when the device is in a first state and a second function, in response to the first mode of operation, when the device is not in the first state, the key also being operable in response to a second mode of operation to turn the device on and off;

determining the state of the device;

selecting one of the first function and the second function in accordance with the determined state of the device, and

performing the selected function in response to the first mode of operation of the key; and

wherein the second function of the user input is performing a shortcut to the first state, and the predetermined menu comprises a list of first level menu items; and

the device is a portable radiotelephone.

20. A physical entity embodying the computer program as claimed in claim 19.

21. An electromagnetic carrier signal carrying the computer program as claimed in claim 19.