Advanced user interface operations in a dual-mode wireless device

• US 8,620,318 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Lazaridis, Mihal, Mousseau, Gary Phillip
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US13/617,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20130012196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 455410-415, 4554321-4353, 455/552.1
• US Class Current: 455/435.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/14 including a card reading device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A system and method are provided for mobile stations for enhancing the ease of use of a mobile station. An example method includes connecting with a first wireless network and displaying a first indicator associated with the first network. The example method includes connecting with a second wireless network while connected to the first wireless network and displaying a second indicator associated with the second network. The example method includes selecting one of the first network and the second network to place a voice call and placing the call using the selected network.

Claims

1. A method for a wireless device operable to place a voice call, the method comprising:

connecting with a first wireless network;

displaying a first indicator associated with the first network;

connecting with a second wireless network while connected to the first wireless network;

displaying a second indicator associated with the second network;

selecting one of the first network and the second network to place a voice call; and

placing the call using the selected network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network is of a first type and the second network is of a second type, and wherein the first and second indicators are respectively indicative of the first and second network type.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second indicators are indicative of a network standard respectively associated with the first and second networks.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second indicators are indicative of a network capability respectively associated with the first and second networks.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicator provides an indication of a data capability associated with the first network.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicator provides an indication of an availability of the first network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second indicator provides an indication of a data capability associated with the second network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second indicator provides an indication of an availability of the second network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are displayed simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network is one of a GSM network, a GPRS network, a CDMA network, an EDGE, and a UMTS network.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the second network is one of a wireless short range network and a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the voice call is a voice over IP (VoIP) call if the selected network is the WLAN.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the WLAN network is compliant with an 802.11 standard.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is an automatic selection.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is based on a user configuration.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a prompt for a user selection of the one of the first network and second network.

17. A mobile station including hardware and software stored on a tangible computer readable medium that, during operation, cause the mobile station to at least:

connect with a first wireless network;

display a first indicator associated with the first network;

connect with a second wireless network while connected to the first wireless network;

display a second indicator associated with the second network;

select one of the first network and the second network to place a voice call; and

place the call using the selected network.

18. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first network is of a first type and the second network is of a second type, and wherein the first and second indicators are respectively indicative of the first and second network type.

19. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first and second indicators are indicative of a network standard respectively associated with the first and second networks.

20. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first and second indicators are indicative of a network capability respectively associated with the first and second networks.

21. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first indicator provides an indication of a data capability associated with the first network.

22. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first indicator provides an indication of an availability of the first network.

23. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the second indicator provides an indication of a data capability associated with the second network.

24. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the second indicator provides an indication of an availability of the second network.

25. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first indicator and the second indicator are displayed simultaneously.

26. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the first network is one of a GSM network, a GPRS network, a CDMA network, an EDGE, and a UMTS network.

27. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the second network is one of a wireless short range network and a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

28. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the voice call is a voice over IP (VoIP) call if the selected network is the WLAN.

29. The mobile station of claim 27, wherein the WLAN network is compliant with an 802.11 standard.

30. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the selection is an automatic selection.

31. The mobile station of claim 17, wherein the selection is based on a user configuration.

32. The mobile station claim 31, wherein the mobile station is caused to provide a prompt for a user selection of the one of the first network and second network.