111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US007292870B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Heredia et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`(54)
`
`INSTANT MESSAGING TERMINAL
`ADAPTED FOR WI-FI ACCESS POINTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Rafael Heredia, Easley, SC (US);
`Frank U. Greer, IV, Greenville, SC
`(US); Michael P. Dean, Easley, SC
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Zipit Wireless, Inc., Greenville, SC
`(US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.c. 154(b) by 384 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/846,236
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 14, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2005/0144237 Al
`
`Jun. 30, 2005
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04Q 7120
`U.S. Cl. .................... 455/466; 455/41.2; 455/3.01;
`455/3.05; 455/3.06; 455/507; 455/513; 455/566;
`455/90.1; 455/90.2; 709/206
`Field of Classification Search ........ 455/410--411,
`455/414.1-414.4,41.1-41.2,550.1,566,
`455/575.1,90.1-90.2,466,3.01-3.06,412.1-412.2,
`455/507-514,556.1-556.2,557; 379/433.01,
`379/433.06,433.07; 709/204-207
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,332,077 Bl * 1212001 Wu et al.
`6,484,196 Bl
`1112002 Maurille
`
`455/432.1
`
`6,539,421 Bl
`6,629,793 Bl *
`6,636,419 B2
`6,665,173 B2
`6,671,351 B2
`2003/0065955 Al
`2003/0073462 Al
`2003/0083047 Al
`2003/0130014 Al *
`2003/0140103 Al *
`2004/0145608 Al *
`
`3/2003 Appelman et al.
`1012003 Miller ........................ 400/472
`1012003 Duarte
`1212003 Brandenberg et al.
`1212003 Menard et al.
`412003 Kumhyr et al.
`4/2003 Zatloukal et al.
`5/2003 Phillips et al.
`7/2003 Rucinski ..................... 455/566
`7/2003 Szeto et al. ................. 7091206
`7/2004 Fay et al.
`................... 3451758
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`WO
`WO
`
`WO 01141477
`WO 01141477
`
`6/2001
`* 7/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Motorola IMfree", Motorola, Web page, May 8, 2003, (1 page).
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Matthew D. Anderson
`Assistant Examiner-Tuan Tran
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Maginot, Moore & Beck
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An instant messaging terminal manages multiple conversa(cid:173)
`tion sessions across multiple instant messaging services. The
`terminal includes a display for conversation session win(cid:173)
`dows, a data entry device, a communications module for
`wireless network communication, and a control module for
`coordinating network access and controlling conversation
`session management. The data entry device includes pro(cid:173)
`grammable keys for emoticons and the control module
`automates the generation of a key sequence for generation of
`a graphical symbol that is compatible with the service being
`used by a message recipient.
`
`40 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`10'\.
`
`PHONE LINE
`
`34
`
`PC fOR
`ADilNISTRAnON
`PURPOSES
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 1
`
`

`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"New Motorola IMfree Delivers Portable Instant Messaging Solu(cid:173)
`tion to Millions of AOL Instant Messenger Fans", Motorola, Inc.,
`May 7, 2003, 3 pages.
`"Motorola IMfree", Web page, May 8, 2003, (3 pages).
`
`"WaveLAWM WLl141 Single-Component 802.llb Physical-Layer
`Solution", Agere Systems. Oct. 2003, 2 pages.
`"FW802B Low-Power PRY IEEE® 1394A-2000 Two-Cable Trans(cid:173)
`ceiver/Arbiter Device", Agere Systems, Jui. 2002, 4 pages.
`* cited by examiner
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 2
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`10,\
`
`'--38
`
`40
`
`PHONE LINE
`
`30
`
`20
`
`WIRELESS
`GATEWAY
`
`SW CH
`
`24
`
`~@l
`
`PC FOR
`ADMINISTRATION
`PURPOSES
`
`28
`
`/
`
`~14
`
`18
`
`AP
`
`Fig. 1
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 3
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`Mr: Hey Buddy, How ore you?
`Mr: Have you heard aboul our Zippy?
`Mr: II is going to revolutionize 1M market.
`xxxxxx: Yeah, I know!
`xxxxxx: It is Great!
`xxxxxx: ©
`
`58
`
`54
`
`ZIPPY
`
`70
`
`64
`74 -J~~~~~~~~~~~~~78
`P1 P2 P3P4
`(2) 0
`ED
`50~
`~ -=
`*
`#
`$
`@
`&
`o
`5
`7
`4
`123
`6
`8
`9
`o
`p
`Q W E
`Y
`R
`I
`U
`T
`K
`A S D
`H
`F
`J
`G
`L
`,
`M
`,
`V 8 N
`Z X C
`Space
`x
`xx
`xx
`
`x
`
`xx
`
`Fig. 2
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 4
`
`

`
`104
`
`108
`
`STATUS LED
`
`~"'\
`
`HEADPHONE
`JACK
`
`SPEAKER
`
`-LiU UI
`-POWEf
`
`H----128
`H----130
`
`124
`
`CIRRUS LOGIC
`EP7312-CR
`204BGA
`74MHz,3.3V
`
`54
`
`68
`
`320x240 LCD
`MONOCHROME
`
`FULL FUNCTION
`KEYBOARD
`
`110
`
`118
`
`WM8751
`DAC
`
`BATTERY
`GAUGE
`
`CHARGE
`CONTROL
`
`114
`
`RECHARGEABLE
`BATTERY
`SYSTEM POWER
`(3.3V & 2.5V)
`
`32.768KHz
`3.6864MHz
`11.2896MHz
`
`88
`
`98
`
`e •
`
`7Jl
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`z o
`
`~
`~Cl\
`N o
`o
`-....l
`
`('D
`('D
`
`(.H
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`o ....
`....
`
`,j;o,.
`
`16MB SYSTEM MEMORY
`54BGA
`3.3V
`
`2MB SYSTEM FLASH
`48BGA
`3.3V
`
`AGERE WL60010 MAC
`196BGA
`3.3V
`
`---- -- --- - - -
`
`Fig. 3
`
`AGERE WL1141 PHY
`318BGA
`3.3V
`
`ANTENNA
`AIN)
`TENNA
`(DIVERSITY)
`
`d
`rJl
`-....l
`N
`\C
`N
`00
`
`-....l = = N
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 5
`
`

`
`208
`
`20
`
`POWER ON
`
`! STEP
`
`l-AUTO-SCAN
`
`I AUTO-SCAN k 204
`
`WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`
`....
`
`AUTO-SCAN COMPLETE-
`AT LEAST 1 NETWORK FOUND
`
`GET NETWORK INFO
`STORE ERROR CODES
`
`SAVE NEW PROFILES
`
`UPDATE NETWORK LIST
`PROVIDE SCREEN UPDATES TO
`:
`THE ()SER SHOWING WIRELESS
`:
`NETWORKS AS THEY ARE fOUND.
`:
`I- - - - - - -- - - - - --l
`STEP 2-AUTO-TEST
`:
`:
`AUTO-TEST
`I
`ATIEMPT TO CONNECT TO !
`i
`NETWORKS ONE AT A TIME IN UNABLE TO
`AU~;~ONNECT i
`i
`:
`THE ORDER STORED IN THE !
`I SORTED NETWORK LIST
`~~~~mi~~ TO WIRElESS 'N~~~;~==r--;;~-----"
`
`MANUAL CONFIGURATION
`r-------------------------,
`:
`l
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`
`e •
`
`7Jl
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`z o
`
`~
`~Cl\
`N o
`o
`-....l
`
`('D
`('D
`
`.j;o.
`
`rFJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`o ....
`....
`
`.j;o.
`
`SORTED NETWORK LIST
`PROFILES-SORTED FROM
`STRONGEST SIGNAL TO WEAKEST
`
`OPEN NETWORKS-SORTED FROM
`STRONGEST TO WEAKEST
`
`WEP PROTECTED NETWORKS(cid:173)
`SORTED FROM STRONGEST TO
`WEAKEST
`ERROR CODES ARE ASSOCIATED
`WITH EACH NETWORK AS THE
`DEVICE AnE~PTS TO CONNECT
`TO EACH NETWORK.
`
`218
`
`PROVIDE SCREEN UPDATES TO THE
`USER SHOWING CONNECTION STATUS
`AS EACH NfTWORK IS TESTED
`STEP 3-IM SETUP
`1M ACCOUNT SETUP
`ENTER ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND VERIFY
`EACH ACCOUNT
`
`Fig. 4
`
`SUCCESSFUL
`CONNECTION TO
`1M SERVICE(S)
`
`I~
`
`~ \
`
`INFO
`
`/ UNABLE TO CONNECT
`
`TO ANY 1M SERVICES
`
`220
`
`~
`EMOTICON SETUP
`STEP 4-EMOTICON SETUP ~ I SELECT EMOTICONS FOR EACH OF THE....
`THREE PROGRAMMABLE KEYS
`
`~\
`
`SELECT
`EMOTICONS
`
`d
`rJl
`-....l
`N
`\C
`N
`00
`
`-....l = = N
`
`SETUP COMPLETE
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 6
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`NO NETWORKS FOUND
`
`AUTO-SCAN
`STOPPED BY
`USER PRESSING
`THE NEXT KEY
`
`UI SCREEN:
`NO WIRELESS NETWORKS WERE FOUNO
`
`A NETWORK MIGHT BE CONFIGURED TO
`HIOE ITS NAME (SSIO) AND YOU MUST
`ENTER IT MANUALLY. IF YOU KNOW THE
`SSIO, ENTER IT BELOW.
`[
`THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY NETWORKS IN
`RANGE.
`IF SO, MOVE TO A NEW LOCATION
`AND PRESS PREY TO AUTOMATICALLY
`SEARCH FOR A NEW NETWORK.
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`224
`
`228
`
`UI SCREEN:
`MANUAL CONFIGURATION
`
`IN ORDER TO USE INSTANT MESSENGER
`YOU MUST CONNECT TO A WIRELESS NETWORK.
`PLEASE ENTER THE NAME (SSIO) OF THE
`NETWORK YOU WISH TO CONNECT TO.
`[
`1
`PRESS PREV TO AUTOMATICALLY SEARCH
`FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS.
`
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`RE-SCAN FOR RE-SCAN FOR
`WIRELESS
`WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`NETWORKS
`
`SSID AUTO TEST
`r--------------------------------- ----------------------------,
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`238
`
`THE NETWORK FAILED TO CONNECT.
`YOU MAY HAVE TYPED IN THE
`WRONG SSID OR YOUR NETWORK
`MAY REQUIRE A WEP KEY. PLEASE
`VERIFY THE SSID AND ENTER
`A WEP KEY IF REQUIRED.
`
`244
`
`248
`
`240
`
`250
`SAVE PROFILE
`,
`I " " - - - - - - - - '
`~---------------------------,----- ----------------------------
`Fig. 5
`SUCCESSFUL CONNECTION TO NETWORK
`230
`GO TO STEP 3
`
`;"
`I
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 7
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`STEP2: AUTO-TEST
`
`260
`NO MORE NETWORKS
`TO TEST -UNABLE TO
`.--G-ET-H ....... IG-HE-ST~
`PRIORITY UNTESTED I---__ AU_TO_C_ON_N_EC_T -___.--1..
`NETWORK INFO
`
`280
`
`UPDATE ERROR
`CODES IN' LIST
`
`SORTED
`NETWORK
`LIST
`
`284
`
`SAVE PROFILE IF
`NOT ALREADY
`IN LIST
`
`268
`
`ATTEMPT TO JOIN
`THE NETWORK
`
`TEST NETWORK
`
`TEST CONNECTION TO 1) LAN, 2) WAN,
`AND 3) FOR UNSUPPORTED HOTSPOTS
`1. DHCP TEST
`REPORTED FAILURE-"DHCP ERROR"
`POTENTIAL FAILURE CAUSES:
`a) NO DHCP SERVER
`b) INCORRECT WEP
`2. DNS LOOKUP/RESOLVE ZIPPYIN.COM
`REPORTED FAILURE-"ONS ERROR"
`POTENTIAL FAILURE CAUSES:
`a) INTERNET OR WAN CONNECTION IS DOWN
`b) BAD DNS INFO PROVIDED BY DHCP SERVER
`3. "NO CAt TEST
`REPORTED r AlLURE -"?"
`FAILURE CAUSES:
`a) UNSUPPORTED HOTSPOT REQUIRING
`AUTHENTICATION
`
`p
`
`SUCCESSFUL CONNECTION TO NETWORK
`
`288
`
`F
`J--~
`
`Fig. 6
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 8
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`9 UNABLE TO AUTO-CONNECT
`
`MANUAL CONFIGURATION
`
`I ~T~DT~ I
`t--~~
`RE-SCAN FOR
`WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`
`~298
`
`UI SCREEN:
`UH OH-UNABLE TO CONNECT TO A WIRElESS NETWORK.
`PRESS NEXT TO CONFIGURE THE NETWORK SETTINGS
`MANUAllY.
`PRESS PREY TO RETRY TO CONNECT AUTO~ATICALLY.
`
`UI SCREEN:
`SElECT A NETWORK TO CONFIGURE BY SCROLUNG LEfT OR
`RIGHT THROUGH THE LIST BELOW.
`A NETWORK ~IGHT BE CONrlGUR£D TO HIOE ITS NAME
`(SSID). YOU CAN MANUAllY ENTER THE SSIO BY
`SELECTING »ADD NETWORK" FROM THE LIST.
`< [
`] >
`PRESS PREY TO GO BACK. PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`SSIO PROVIDED.
`
`cb
`
`PREVIOUSLY TESTED
`NETWORK SELECTED
`~P---I SSID AUTO TEST
`DHCP FAILURE
`3~O
`GO TO
`STEP 3 '----cbxr------a ....-.. '\.....1--__ --'---_ __ --.
`THE NETWORK
`"
`"
`FAILED TO CONNECT DUE TO "A DHCP ERROR".
`
`THE MOST LIKELY CAUSE(S) FOR THE FAILURE:
`1) YOUR NETWORK DOES NOT AUTOMATICAllY
`A~SIGN AN IP ADDRESS. YOU MUST MANUALLY
`ENT£R NETWORK INFORMATION.
`2) YOU MAY HAVE PROVIDED AN INCORRECT
`WEP KEY (ONLY STATE THIS
`IF A WEP KEY IS
`REQUIRED OR IF THE ssm WAS MANUALLY
`PROVIDED).
`
`PRESS PREY TO RESTART SCAN
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`VERIFY THE WEP KEY
`(IF WEP
`IS REQUIRED)
`[
`]
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`SKIP THIS
`STEP IF WEP
`IS NOT
`
`/
`Fig. 7 A '------T"'---- REQUIRED
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 9
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`PREVIOUSLY TESTED
`NETWORK SELECTED
`DNS FAILURE
`
`THE NETWORK
`
`FAILED TO CONNECT DUE TO H A DNS ERROR".
`
`THE MOST UKELY CAUSE{S) FOR THE FAILURE:
`1) YOUR CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET MAY
`Bt DOWN, CHECK YOUR BROADBAND
`CONNECTION TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS
`SENDING AND RECEIVING DATA.
`2) YOUR NETWORK DHCP SERVER MAY HAVE
`PROVIDED INCORRECT DATA. YOU MUST
`MANUALLY ENTER NETWORK INFORMATION.
`
`PRESS PREV TO RESTART SCAN
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`PLEASE SELECT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING
`OPTIONS:
`o RETEST THE NETWORK
`o MANUALLY ENTER NETWORK INFORMATION
`
`PRESS PREY TO RESTART SCAN
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`SKIP THIS /
`STEP IF WEP
`IS NOT
`REQUIRED
`
`Fig. 7B
`
`THE NETWORK
`
`"
`FAILED TO CONNECT BECAUSE YOU ARE
`UNAUTHORIZED TO ACCESS THIS NETWORK
`(THE NETWORK REQUIRES A SERVICE FEE
`OR SPECIAL PASSWORD).
`
`PRESS PREV TO RESTART SCAN
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`318
`
`310
`MANUALLY ENTER
`~
`NETWORK INFO
`PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING NETWORK
`SETTINGS AND MAKE CHANGES AS NECESSARY.
`PLEASE VERIFY THE SETTINGS EXPECTED BY
`YOUR NETWORK ROUTER.
`IP ADDR:
`NETMASK:
`GATEWAY:
`DNSl
`DNS2
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`314
`
`~P--l: TEST NETWORK
`SAVE
`PROFILE, GO + F
`TO STEP 3 cD
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 10
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`4
`
`STOPPED BY
`USER PRESSING
`THE NEXT KEY
`
`.-----------. AUTO-TEST 7AN•
`
`UI SCREEN:
`IN ORDER TO USE INSTANT ~ESSENGER, YOU MUST
`CONNECT TO A WIRELESS NETWORK.
`PRESS NEXT TO CONFIGURE THE NETWORK SETTINGS
`~ANUALLY.
`PRESS PREY TO RETRY TO CONNECT AUTOMATICALLY.
`
`MANUAL CONFIGURATION
`
`II ~T~oT~ I
`I---~~
`RE-SCAN FOR
`WIRELESS
`NETWORKS
`
`UI SCREEN:
`SELECT A NETWORK TO CONFIGURE BY SCROLLING LEfT OR
`RIGHT THROUGH THE LIST BELOW.
`A NETWORK ~IGHT BE CONfiGURED TO HIDE ITS NAME
`(SSID). YOU CAN ~ANUALLY ENTER THE SSID BY
`SELECTING "ADD NETWORK" FRO~ THE LIST.
`1 >
`< [
`PRESS PREY TO GO BACK. PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`SSID PROVIDED
`
`1'-334
`
`./338
`
`WEP KEY
`REQUIRED
`
`P SSID AUTO TEST
`GO TO
`STEP 3
`
`~
`
`340,,-
`
`THE NETWORK YOU HAVE SELECTED
`REOUIRES A SECURITY KEY CALl.ED A
`WEP KEY. PL[ASE ENTER THIS KEY
`BELOW:
`
`]
`[
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`Fig. 8
`
`NO WEP KEY
`REQUIRED
`
`~44
`
`PLEASE ENTER THE FOLLOWING NETWORK
`SETIINGS AFTER V[RIFYING THE SEnINGS
`EXPECTED BY YOUR NETWORK ROUTER.
`IP ADDR:
`NET~ASK:
`GATEWAY:
`DNSl
`DNS2
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`~P-l: TEST NETWORK I
`PROFILE, GO £
`
`SAVE
`
`TO STEP 3
`
`X
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 11
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`~ UPDATE SYSTEM
`THERE
`IS A NEW SOfTWARE UPDATE AVAILABLE.
`THIS UPDATE WILL BE
`INSTALLED AUTOMATICALLY.
`ONCE THE UPDATE IS COMPLETE, THE ZIPPY
`INSTANT MESSENGER WILL RESTART.
`
`PLEASE DO NOT POWER OFF THE SYSTEM WHILE
`THE NEW UPDATE IS BEING INSTALLED.
`
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`
`Fig. 9
`
`10 51 [E] lIIIIP
`
`~ UPDATE SYSTEM
`
`CONNECTING 100%
`
`DOWNLOADING 32%
`
`ERASING
`
`PROGRAMMING
`
`VERIFYING
`
`-I
`
`I
`I
`
`Fig. 10
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 12
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`(
`
`)
`
`(
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`DO YOU HAVE AN
`~ ....... AOL.
`INSTANT MESSENGER
`ACCOUNT?
`
`YES e
`
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. l1A
`
`NO o
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`DO YOU HAVE AN
`msn'\~ MESSENGER
`INSTANT MESSENGER
`ACCOUNT?
`
`YES e
`
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. l1D
`
`NO o
`
`)
`
`)
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`DO YOU HAVE A
`YAHOO!
`INSTANT MESSENGER
`ACCOUNT?
`
`YES
`
`e
`
`NO
`0
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. llE
`
`(
`
`SETUP WI IARD
`
`)
`
`(
`
`~ ....... AOL.
`ENTER THE SCREEN NAME AND
`PASSWORD FOR YOUR ACCOUNT
`SCREEN NAME: (
`)
`PASSWORD: (
`)
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. l1B
`
`(
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`msn'\~ MESSENGER
`ENTER THE SCREEN NAME AND
`PASSWORD FOR YOUR ACCOUNT
`SCREEN NAME: (
`)
`PASSWORD: (~ ________ ~)
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. 11 C
`
`)
`
`(
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`
`)
`
`YAHOO!
`ENTER THE SCREEN NAME AND
`PASSWORD FOR YOUR ACCOUNT
`SCREEN NAME: (
`)
`PASSWORD: (~ ________ ~)
`PRESS NEXT TO CONTINUE
`Fig. llF
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 13
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`(
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`
`)
`
`TIME TO ASSIGN YOUR FAVORITE
`EMOTICONS "SMILEYS" TO THE FOUR
`PROGRAMMABLE (P1-P4) KEYS
`PROVIDED ON THE KEYBOARD!
`
`PRESS THE NEXT KEY TO CONTINUE.
`
`Fig. 12A
`
`)
`
`(
`
`SETUP WIIARD
`USE THE < AND >
`PF1 = ~~~
`KEYS TO ASSIGN
`AN EMOTICON
`PF2 = ~~~ ( "SMILEY") TO EACH
`Pl-P4 KEY.
`PF3 = ~~~ PRESSING THE PI-P4
`PF4 = ~@)fl;? KEY WILL THEN SEND OUT
`THE [MOTICON YOU HAVE
`SELECTED.
`PRESS THE NEXT KEY TO CONTINUE.
`
`Fig. 12B
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 14
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`© BRECIO
`1/1 [o~[]mJP
`350~ I r BUDDY LIST ~
`V@i BRECIO":-\::i,: ::;~><\<:-; .. ;--
`354{
`© JKAISNER
`© MDEAN 1120
`360~ ~©FRANKI6 ~
`~ RAIPHHERED 358
`I'-© RHEREDIA
`
`, .• " .• :~: •• ,":",,1:',:;": ~.~,:.: .. ~
`
`': 1[' .;' .... ' .
`
`Fig. 13
`
`HEADER:
`BUDDY ID, WINDOW COUNTER,
`SPECIAL KEYS &. BA TIERY METER.
`
`:.;. BRECIO ------378
`-..
`.-;-
`380- 7
`
`BRECIO: HI RALPH
`ME: HI BEN, WHAT UP?
`BRECIO: WHATYADOIN
`ME: WORKING WITH ZIPPY
`BRECIO: KEWL Q
`
`HISTORY WINDOW
`388
`3~ ' \ 3~
`1/1 ~ 61 [Jllilip
`~8
`
`"--370
`
`\
`
`364
`
`3~4
`
`....
`
`TEXT
`ENTRY
`WINDOW
`
`380
`
`Fig. 14A
`
`14B
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 15
`
`

`
`u.s. Patent
`
`Nov. 6,2007
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`400
`
`y
`
`408
`
`N
`410
`
`INITIATE
`DOWNLOAO
`SESSION
`WITH PC
`
`INITIATE
`OOWNLOAD
`SESSION
`WITH WEB
`
`414
`
`418
`
`N
`
`INITIATE SESSION
`WITH INTERNET
`RADIO SITE
`
`438
`
`440
`
`444
`
`DECODE
`SEGMENT
`or AUDIO
`FILE
`
`CONVERT
`DECODED
`SEGMENT
`TO ANALOG
`SIGNALS
`
`DRIVE
`SPEAKERS
`WITH
`ANALOG
`SIGNALS
`
`Y
`
`N
`
`Fig. 15
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 16
`
`

`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`1
`INSTANT MESSAGING TERMINAL
`ADAPTED FOR WI-FI ACCESS POINTS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to handheld communication tenni(cid:173)
`nals and, more particularly, to handheld tenninals used for
`instant messaging.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Instant messaging is used to describe a computer network
`service for the communication of textual messages between
`users in a real-time manner. Three major providers of instant
`messaging services are America On-Line Instant Messaging
`(AIM), Microsoft Network (MSN) Messenger, and Yahoo
`Instant Messenger. These providers enable subscribers to
`access an instant messaging service through a subscriber's
`Internet service provider (ISP), if different from the instant
`message service provider. Consequently, an instant messag(cid:173)
`ing subscriber uses a computer tenninal executing an appli(cid:173)
`cation program to couple to an ISP and then access an instant
`messaging service. Once the instant messaging service is
`accessed, the user may query the service for identification of
`the "buddies" that are currently accessing the instant mes(cid:173)
`saging service provider. "Buddies" are other subscribers to
`the instant messaging service that a subscriber has identified
`by including them in his or her buddy list. A subscriber may
`then initiate an instant messaging session with a buddy by
`typing and addressing a textual/graphical message to one of 30
`the buddies on the messaging service. When the subscriber
`activates the sending function for the message, the messag(cid:173)
`ing service communicates the message to a buddy and
`activates a notification feature, such as an audio file, to
`inform the buddy that a message has been received through 35
`the instant messaging service. The buddy may then view the
`message, type a response, and send it through the messaging
`service. The conversation may continue in this manner until
`one of the parties tenninates the session.
`Conversation sessions with multiple buddies at substan- 40
`tially the same time may be conducted by an instant mes(cid:173)
`saging subscriber. u.s. Pat. No. 6,539,421 describes the
`problems associated with the management and display of
`multiple conversation sessions on an instant messaging
`terminal. Among the issues that need to be addressed is the 45
`need for navigating between message windows because
`separate message windows are used for different conversa(cid:173)
`tion sessions. Consequently, a subscriber needs to be able to
`identify a conversation session in a window so the sub(cid:173)
`scriber can respond appropriately to the conversation dis- 50
`played in the window.
`Communication tenninals for receiving textual and
`graphic messages are well-known. These tenninals include
`cellular telephones, two-way pagers, personal digital assis(cid:173)
`tants (PDAs), and handheld computers, which are com- 55
`monly known as palmtop computers. The limitations of
`these devices for instant messaging are discussed in U.s.
`Pat. No. 6,665,173. In brief, these devices are either limited
`in their textual and graphical character entry systems, unable
`to provide display access when the device is in an inactive 60
`state, or difficult to manipulate for data entry without plat(cid:173)
`form support for the keyboard. Consequently, u.s. Pat. No.
`6,665,173 discloses an instant messaging tenninal with an
`integrated keyboard and display that is not enclosed in a
`clamshell case when the terminal is in an inactive state.
`Wireless fidelity communication, or Wi-Fi, as it is also
`known, is increasing in popularity. In particular, retail estab-
`
`2
`lishments are providing Wi-Fi access points so customers
`can couple to an ISP while enjoying a beverage at the
`establishment. The access point includes a radio transceiver
`coupled to a server that typically implements the 802.11 b,
`802.11a, or 802.11g communication standard. Locations
`providing wireless access points for the Internet are com(cid:173)
`monly referred to as "hotspots." These hotspots are local
`area networks (LAN s) and devices on such a LAN may be
`coupled to the Internet. The provision of wireless Internet
`10 access can be an important draw for an establishment, such
`as a coffee shop or the like. However, the access point must
`be implemented with care to reduce the risk that unscrupu(cid:173)
`lous computer users will attempt Internet access through the
`access point for the purposes of web site hacking with an
`15 enhanced degree of anonymity. Design aspects considered in
`the implementation of a hotspot include the radius in which
`the transceiver effectively communicates and the security
`scheme that allows a customer to use an access point.
`Typically, the transmission power of the transceiver is
`20 limited to a level so the radiation pattern does not extend
`past the boundaries of the commercial premises to reduce
`the risk of unobserved access to the local network through
`the access point. Additionally, a security method, such as
`Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access
`25 (WPA) , is implemented by the access point components to
`determine whether Internet access is granted through the
`access point.
`Not only is Wi-Fi used in the implementation of hotspots
`for commercial establishments but it is also used in homes
`as well. Such usage typically requires a Wi-Fi radio trans(cid:173)
`ceiver and router in a home or small office that wirelessly
`communicates with computers located in the home or office.
`The Wi-Fi router may also be used as an access point to the
`Internet. By using a Wi-Fi router, computers in the home or
`office are coupled together in a LAN without requiring
`cables to be coupled between the computers and the router
`for communication purposes. The range of the Wi-Fi trans(cid:173)
`ceiver and router is important to avoid eavesdropping on
`electronic communications within the home or office as well
`as to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to the
`Internet through the Wi-Fi router. Larger businesses may use
`multiple hotspots to provide coverage of a large building so
`communication devices within operating range of a Wi-Fi
`transceiver enable a person to remain accessible throughout
`the business premises.
`Instant messaging is an increasingly popular service that
`is exploited at Wi-Fi hotspots and home locations. Instant
`messaging subscribers may access their instant messaging
`services through a hotspot or home/business Wi-Fi router to
`conduct communication sessions with buddies. That is, a
`subscriber may access the Internet at a hotspot, home, or
`business to converse with one or more buddies through an
`instant messaging service. However, efficient utilization of
`Wi-Fi access points is encumbered by a number of disad(cid:173)
`vantages with existing equipment. For one, most instant
`messaging is still implemented with portable computers that
`require some fonn ofluggage for transportation. The smaller
`communication devices, such as PDAs, palm computers,
`and two-way pagers, suffer from the textual/graphical data
`entry issues discussed in u.s. Pat. No. 6,665,173. For
`example, the keyboard especially designed for supporting
`instant messaging features in u.s. Pat. No. 6,629,793 is
`either integrated in a regular sized keyboard typically used
`with desktop computers or into a foldout keyboard that
`65 couples to a PDA for data entry. The desktop computer is not
`easily transportable to Wi-Fi hotspots and the foldout key(cid:173)
`board still requires a flat surface for support. The keyboard
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 17
`
`

`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`3
`integrated in the instant messaging tenninal shown in u.s.
`Pat. No. 6,665,173 does not incorporate any special keys
`that facilitate instant messaging. Because the instant mes(cid:173)
`saging keys are separated from the standard keyboard sec(cid:173)
`tion, the combination of an instant messaging keyboard with
`a standard keyboard would adversely impact the overall size
`of the instant messaging tenninal. Furthermore, the com(cid:173)
`munication module of that terminal is disclosed as being one
`that supports cellular radio communication only. Such a
`device would be inoperative in a Wi-Fi hotspot.
`Another limitation of existing instant messaging terminals
`is the restriction of accessing only one instant messaging
`service provider at a time. Consequently, even though a
`person may subscribe to multiple instant messaging ser(cid:173)
`vices, only one service may be accessed. This limitation 15
`means that a subscriber may only establish conversation
`sessions with buddies on the instant messaging service
`currently being accessed. Support of multiple services
`would require management of multiple buddy lists because
`each instant messaging service provider would provide a 20
`separate buddy list to the terminal to identify the subscrib(cid:173)
`er's buddies currently accessing the instant messaging ser(cid:173)
`vice. Furthermore, the instant messaging services require
`different keystrokes to generate some of the emoticons
`frequently encountered in instant messaging sessions. 25
`Emoticons are graphical symbols intended to convey emo(cid:173)
`tional aspects of a message. For example, one instant
`messaging service may require the typing of the following
`characters: -) to generate the symbol ©, while another instant
`messaging service may only require the typing of :) to
`generate the symbol ©, which is typically known as the
`smiley face. Thus, support across multiple instant messaging
`services may require a subscriber to remember the requisite
`keystrokes for generating symbols within each messaging 35
`service as well as keeping track of each buddy list and the
`multiple conversation windows.
`Another limitation of instant messaging tenninals is the
`procedure for locating an access point and authenticating the
`device for obtaining access to the Internet. At many access 40
`points, the WiFi radio transceiver transmits a signal, some(cid:173)
`times called a beacon, that indicates an access point is within
`range of the tenninal. Some beacons advertise, while others
`do not advertise. "Advertising" in this context means the
`beacon signal contains an identifier for the access point. An 45
`access point identifier is required for gaining Internet access
`through the Wi-Fi router. If a Wi-Fi radio transceiver does
`not advertise, then the terminal is expected to have obtained
`the access point identifier and have it programmed into its
`communication procedure. However, many instant messag- 50
`ing subscribers are not familiar with the authorization pro(cid:173)
`tocol and the infonnation required by the access point in
`order to be granted Internet service. This lapse in knowledge
`is further compounded when the access point also imple(cid:173)
`ments a security feature such as WEP or WPA. For example, 55
`an access point implementing WEP requires that the tenni(cid:173)
`nal provide a key as well as the access point identifier so a
`user may know enough to enter the access point or network
`identifier but fail to recognize that access denial is being
`based on failure to provide the WEP key. Even if a tenninal 60
`user knows how to enter the access point identifier and any
`security infonnation into the terminal, subsequent attempts
`to gain access require the user to remember this data and
`enter it at the appropriate time.
`Instant messaging is increasingly popular with younger
`users. These users typically prefer multiple media stimuli in
`their environment while multi-tasking. For example, they
`
`4
`frequently listen to their own music while viewing videos,
`making telephone calls, and exchanging instant messages
`with buddies. When these users are situated in a Wi-Fi
`hotspot, their choice of music is limited to the music being
`played at the hotspot premises. Frequently, these users
`would prefer to have more options than those provided by
`the management of the hotspot premises.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`incorporates keys for facilitating instant messaging features
`10 without requiring a table or other platfonn structure for
`stability during data entry.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`supports Wi-Fi communication for obtaining Internet access
`through Wi-Fi access points.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`supports contemporaneous communication with multiple
`buddies through multiple instant messaging services.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`manages multiple conversation sessions across different
`instant messaging services and provides necessary key
`sequences for generating emoticons within each instant
`messaging service.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`manages access point authorization and facilitates user entry
`to the Internet through an access point in a Wi-Fi environ(cid:173)
`ment.
`What is needed is an instant messaging tenninal that
`enables a terminal user to have multiple music options while
`30 exchanging instant messages with buddies.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The above limitations of previously known instant mes(cid:173)
`saging terminals are overcome by an instant messaging
`tenninal made in accordance with the principles of the
`present invention. The inventive instant messaging tenninal
`includes a display having a capability for displaying textual
`characters and graphical symbols, a data entry device inte(cid:173)
`grated in a housing for the instant messaging tenninal, the
`data entry device being manipulated for entry of textual
`characters and graphical symbols, a Wi-Fi communications
`module for communicating messages with a Wi-Fi access
`point, and a control module for coordinating authorization
`for coupling the instant messaging tenninal to a local
`network corresponding to the Wi-Fi access point and for
`controlling a conversation session through the Wi-Fi access
`point.
`The data entry device that is integrated in the instant
`messaging terminal housing includes keys for graphical
`symbols, such as those typically seen in instant messages.
`The graphical symbol keys include indicia identifying the
`graphical symbol generated by depressing the key. Also,
`programmable keys are provided for which a user may
`define a set of characters corresponding to a graphical
`symbol supported by an instant messaging service provider.
`Thereafter, depressing the programmed key causes the char(cid:173)
`acter sequence for the graphical symbol to be generated. The
`graphical symbol generated by a progranlillable key is
`preferably displayed in an LCD segment located proximate
`the programmable keys. In response to the depression of a
`key for a graphical symbol, the control module determines
`the correct character sequence to transmit that generates the
`65 graphical symbol within the instant messaging service
`through which the message recipient is communicating.
`Thus, the user need not identifY every character sequence
`
`BLACKBERRY EX. 1001, page 18
`
`

`
`US 7,292,870 B2
`
`5
`required to generate the graphical symbol within every
`instant messaging service for which the user has an instant
`messaging service account.
`the message
`The control module also coordinates
`sequence required for joining the local network through an
`access point. The control module communicates with the
`communications module to detennine whether any beacons
`have been detected in the area of the instant messaging
`terminal. If more than one is detected, the one having the
`strongest signal is selected as a candidate for local network
`access. The control module determines whether the beacon
`is advertising its identifier. If it is and no security scheme is
`being implemented, then the control module obtains access
`to the local network through the access point. If the identifier
`is not being advertised, then the control module prompts the
`user for the network identifier and incorporates it within the
`authorization message to the access point. If a security
`scheme, such as WEP, is being implemented, then the user
`is prompted for the key and the key is used to complete the
`authorization process with the access point. Once access has 20
`been obtained, the profile of the access point is stored in the
`terminal. The profile includes the network identifier and the
`key, if a security scheme is implemented. Thereafter, the
`user may manually select the profile from a displayed list of
`profiles for manually connecting the tenninal to a Wi-Fi 25
`hotspot. Also, the instant messaging tenninal of the present
`invention automatically detennines whether infonnation in a
`detected beacon corresponds to a stored profile, and if it
`does, uses the information in the profile for coupling the
`terminal to th