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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 1 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 2 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 3 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 6 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 7 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 8 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 9 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 10 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1993
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`Sheet 11 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 13 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 14 of 15
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`5,737,394
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`Apr. 7, 1998
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`Sheet 15 of 15
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`1
`PORTABLE TELEPHONE APPARATUS
`HAVDIG A PLURALITY OF SELECTABLE
`FUNCTIONS ACTIVATED BY THE USE OF
`DEDICATED AND/OR SOFT KEYS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a telephone apparatus
`and. more particularly. to such telephone apparatus having a
`plurality of dedicated and changeable keys which enables an
`operator to readily select a desired function.
`Typically. portable telephones.
`such as cordless
`telephones. cellular telephones and the like. include a mul-
`tiplicity of keys or buttons. Such keys may include 10
`alpha-numeric keys. which when activated provide an indi-
`cation of a desired number and/or letter. As is to be
`
`appreciated. these keys may be utilized to call a desired
`telephone number or to provide a specific signal such as in
`response to a inquiry or question. In addition to the alpha-
`numeric keys. these portable telephones may provide one or
`more functions. For example. the telephone may have a
`so-called “menu" function which identifies or list various
`other functions or features. In addition to identifying such
`features. the menu may be utilized to review or change the
`settings or parameters associated with these features and to
`provide access to desired one(s) of these features.
`Two functions which may be accessed by way of the
`menu include a so-called “book” and “pad” functions. The
`book may be used to store information. such as. telephone
`numbers. and to provide such stored information upon
`request. The pad may be used to store information. such as.
`the numbers of the dialed telephone calls and the received
`telephone calls.
`Therefore. an operator may only access the book or pad
`functions by use of the menu. Accordingly. as is to be
`appreciated. this indirect access to the book and pad func-
`tions is cumbersome and lengthy. Further. such indirect
`access may be confusing and. as a result. relatively difficult
`to use. That is. to gain access to the book or pad. after
`gaining access to the menu. the operator may need to depress
`or activate a number of keys which may not be readily
`apparent. Accordingly.
`the operator may be required to
`either memorize the correct selection of keys or constantly
`refer to an instruction manual.
`
`Furthermore. such portable telephones may provide other
`features. However.
`these other features often require
`depressing or activating keys which may not otherwise be
`readily apparent. For example. these portable telephones
`may provide a feature which allows the operator to answer
`a second call while engaged with a first call. However. to
`answer such second call. the operator may be required to
`depress or activate a so-called “send” key. As is to be
`appreciated. it would not be readily apparent to most opera-
`tors to depress a send key in order to receive a second call
`while the operator is engaged with a first call. Accordingly.
`as with the book and pad functions. the operator may be
`required to either memorize the correct selection of keys for
`using these other features or constantly refer to an instruc-
`tion manual.
`
`‘Thus. although the above-described portable telephones
`may provide a plurality of functions or features. to activate
`these functions or features often requires depressing a selec-
`tion of keys which may not be readily apparent to the
`operator. As such. to use these telephones. and all of the
`functions or features they provide. normally requires the
`operator to memorize the selection of keys for each function
`or feature or to constantly refer to an instruction manual.
`
`5,737,394
`
`2
`OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a tele-
`phone apparatus which is relatively easy to operate.
`More specifically. it is an object of the present invention
`to provide a telephone apparatus having a plurality of main
`functions. including a menu function. with a plurality of
`features associated therewith which are relatively easy to
`access and activate by an operator.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`telephone apparatus as aforesaid wherein the main functions
`and the associated features are readily available when an
`operator may need them.
`A further object of the present invention is to provide a
`telephone apparatus as aforesaid wherein each of the main
`functions is directly accessible without first accessing any of
`the other main functions such as the menu function.
`
`A still further object of the present invention is to provide
`a telephone apparatus as aforesaid which includes a plurality
`of changeable or soft keys having functions or features
`associated therewith which change in accordance with a
`selected mode (such as a stand-by mode and a conversation
`mode). function or feature.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
`telephone apparatus as aforesaid wherein one of the main
`functions includes a so—called “message” function wherein
`voice and text messages may be received and stored within
`the telephone apparatus for later retrieval by the operator
`and wherein the operator may transmit a message. such as a
`reply to a received message. to a desired person.
`In accordance with an aspect of the present invention. a
`telephone apparatus is provided which comprises a plurality
`of keys: a device for performing a plurality of main func-
`tions including a menu function wherein available features
`of the telephone apparatus are reviewed and parameters
`thereof changed. a message function in which messages are
`received and transmitted from and to a person. a pad
`function in which telephone numbers that have been dialed.
`received and missed by the telephone apparatus are
`reviewed. and a book function wherein names and corre-
`sponding telephone numbers are stored and retrieved from
`storage; and a device for directly accessing each of such
`main functions by depressing only a respective one of the
`keys.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention. a telephone apparatus adapted for communicating
`between a user and at least one person is provided. The
`apparatus comprises a plurality of dedicated keys each
`having at least one respective dedicated function associated
`therewith. a device for performing a plurality of operational
`functions including a message function in which text-data
`messages are received and transmitted from and to a person.
`and at least one changeable key each having at least one
`respective changeable function associated therewith. The
`function of each changeable key is changed in response to
`the operational function currently being performed. The
`apparatus further comprises a display for displaying a plu-
`rality of lines of digital data including a received text-data
`message and a transmitted text—data message.
`Other objects. features and advantages according to the
`present invention will become apparent from the following
`detailed description of the illustrated embodiments when
`read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
`which corresponding components are identified by the same
`reference numerals.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is a diagram to which reference will be made in
`explaining the present invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are side and front views. respectively.
`of a telephone apparatus according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the telephone apparatus of
`FIGS. 2A and 2B;
`
`FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen
`which may be provided by a display of the telephone
`apparatus of FIGS. 2A and 2B;
`FIGS. 5A—J are diagrams of wake-up/status screens;
`FIGS. 6A—M are diagrams of conversation screens;
`FIG. 7 is a diagram to which reference will be made in
`explaining screens which may be displayed during opera-
`tions in the pad function;
`FIG. 8 is a diagram to which reference will be made in
`explaining screens which may be displayed during opera-
`tions in the book function;
`
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams to which reference will be
`made in explaining screens which may be displayed during
`operations in the message function while the present tele-
`phone apparatus is in a stand-by mode and a conversation
`mode. respectively; and
`FIGS. 10A—F are diagrams of screens which may be
`displayed while the present telephone apparatus is operating
`in the menu function.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A telephone apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of
`the present invention includes a plurality of main functions.
`As shown in FIG. 1. such main functions may include a
`so-called “book" function 2. a menu function 4. a so-called
`“pad" function 6. and a so-called “message” function 8. As
`hereinafter more fully described. each of these main func-
`tions is arranged with equal priority. In other words. when
`available. any of these main functions may be directly
`accessed or activated without having to first access (or go
`through) another of the main functions (such as the menu
`function) or any other function. For example. during a
`stand-by mode. all four of the main functions (i.e.. the book.
`menu. pad and message functions) may be directly accessed
`by an operator by depressing a respective button or key on
`the telephone apparatus 10. As a result. in this situation. the
`operator may gain access to a desired one of the main
`functions directly by depressing or activating a respective
`key on the telephone apparatus 10.
`More detailed views of the telephone apparatus 10 are
`illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown therein.
`the
`
`telephone apparatus 10 generally includes a housing 12. an
`antenna 14. a speaker 16. a display 18. a plurality of
`changeable keys 20. a clear (CLR) key 22. a book key 23.
`a send key 24. an end key 26. a plurality of keys 28. a
`microphone 30. a scroll button 32. and a power key 34.
`The housing 12 is adapted to hold or retain all of the parts
`or elements of the telephone apparatus 10 including the
`antenna 14. speaker 16. display 18. soft keys 20. hard keys
`22. 23. 24 and 26. keys 30. microphone 30. scroll button 32
`and power key 34. The housing 12 may be constructed of
`two or more portions. in which each portion may be formed
`from a plastic-type material. Such portions are coupled
`together by the use of adhesive. screws. or other types of
`fasteners in a well known manner.
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`The display 18 is preferably a liquid crystal display LCD)
`which is adapted to display a plurality of lines of inforrna-
`tion. That is. the LCD display 18 may display five lines of
`information. in which the top line displays one or more icons
`which provide respective information to the operator. the
`middle three lines display dynamically changing
`information. and the last line displays indications of the
`functions associated with the soft keys 20.
`FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a display provided by the
`LCD display 18. As shown therein. a top line 60 displays a
`plurality of icons (in particular. six icons). The left-most
`icon is a signal strength icon. which may be referred to as a
`RSSI icon. The signal strength icon appears when the
`telephone apparatus 10 is on or activated and is adapted to
`provide the operator with an indication of the signal
`strength. That is. the signal strength icon may include from
`one to five semi-circular bands or arcs. in which the number
`of such arcs provides an indication of the signal strength.
`The greater the number of arcs.
`the greater the signal
`strength. For example. five arcs indicates a relatively strong
`signal. whereas one are indicates a relatively weak signal.
`The icon adjacent to the signal strength icon is a roam
`icon which appears when the telephone apparatus 10 is in
`use and is registered on a system other than the operator’s
`home system. The icon to the right of the roam icon is a
`phone or in—use icon which appears whenever the telephone
`apparatus 10 is engaged in an active call. The icon to the
`right of the in-use icon is a digital mode icon which. when
`present. indicates that the telephone apparatus 10 is operat-
`ing on a digital trafiic or digital voice channel.
`The icon to the right of the digital mode icon is a
`text/voicemail message waiting icon. The envelope portion
`of this icon refers to a text message. while the semi-circular
`arc portions refer to a voicemail message. When the enve-
`lope portion of this icon is displayed. it indicates that short
`message service is available to the operator. as hereinafter
`more fully described. On the other hand. when the envelope
`portion is not displayed. it indicates that such short message
`service is not so available. Further. when the envelope
`portion is displayed and is blinking. it indicates that a new
`text message has been received by the telephone apparatus
`10 and stored therein as hereinafter more fully described
`Furthermore. voicemail message capability is normally
`available. When the semi-circular arc portions are blinking.
`it indicates that a new voicemail message has been received
`by the telephone apparatus 10 and stored therein.
`The right-most icon is a battery level icon which appears
`when the telephone apparatus 10 is in the on state. The
`battery level icon has a plurality of segments of a battery.
`That is. the battery level icon may include from one to four
`segments of a battery. in which the number of such segments
`provides an indication of the battery level. The greater the
`number of segments.
`the greater the battery level. For
`example. four segments (which represents a complete
`battery) indicates a relatively high battery level. whereas one
`segment indicates a relatively low battery level.
`The above-described arrangement of icons provides a
`relatively large distance between three of the anticipated
`most commonly utilized icons. that is. the battery level icon.
`the in-use icon and the signal strength icon. As is to be
`appreciated. such arrangement enables the operator to easily
`view these three icons. F1n'ther. although only one arrange-
`ment of icons was described. these icons may be arranged in
`a number of other acceptable arrangements. For example.
`the location of any of the signal strength icon. the in-use icon
`and the battery level icon could be switched with another of
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`these icons. Similarly. the location of any of the roam icon.
`the text/voicemail icon and the digital mode icon could be
`switched with another of these icons.
`
`Each of middle lines 62 may display a plurality of
`characters (such as up to 12 characters). The middle three
`lines 62 are utilized for dynamically changing information.
`that is. information which may change during the operation
`of the telephone apparatus 10. More specifically. these three
`lines may display names. numbers. an indication of the
`system or type of system to which the telephone apparatus
`10 is registered. time and date information. text messages.
`menu features and so forth as hereinafter more fully
`described. For example. the top line of the middle lines 62
`may display “CELLULAR 1” which indicates the system to
`which the telephone apparatus 10 is registered. and the
`second and third of the middle lines 62 may display the
`current time and date.
`
`A bottom line 64 of the display of FIG. 4 may display a
`plurality of characters (such as 12 characters). As previously
`described. the bottom line is utilized for providing indica-
`tions of the functions associated with the soft keys 20. To
`more easily differentiate between the middle three lines 62
`and the bottom line 64. the bottom portion of the display 18
`(which corresponds to the bottom line 64) may have a color
`different from that corresponding to the middle lines. For
`example. such bottom portion may have a pink color trans-
`parent ink printed thereon so that the bottom line is dis-
`played with a pink color tint. thereby distinguishing the
`bottom line from the middle lines 62. As is to be appreciated.
`a color other than pink may be utilized. Alternatively.
`another portion or portions of the display 18 may have a pink
`color (or other color) transparent ink printed thereon. For
`example. the portion corresponding to the middle lines 62
`may have such pink color. whereupon the portion corre-
`sponding to the bottom line 64 is clear. As another
`alternative. two or more portions of the display 18 may each
`have a respective color associated therewith.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 2B. the telephone apparatus 10
`includes a plurality of soft keys 20. such as three soft keys.
`These soft keys may be utilized to activate functions or
`operations which are available depending upon the current
`mode of operation of the telephone apparatus 10. That is.
`each of the soft keys 20 may activate different functions at
`different times during the operation of the telephone appa-
`ratus 10. To enable a user to identify which function may be
`activated by each of the soft keys. the bottom line 64 (FIG.
`4) displays the currently available functions which may be
`activated if any of the soft keys are depressed.
`As an example. assume that the telephone apparatus 10 is
`in a stand-by mode. In such mode. the display 18 may
`provide a display such as that illustrated in FIG. 4. As shown
`therein. the bottom line 64 indicates “MENU". “MSG" and
`“PAD" in this order. Such arrangement indicates that the
`left-most soft key 20 (as viewed in FIG. 2B) corresponds to
`the
`indication shown on the bottom line 64. the
`middle soft key corresponds to the “MSG" indication. and
`the right-most soft key corresponds to the “PAD” indication.
`Accordingly. during this stand-by mode. if a user wishes to
`activate the menu function. the user merely depresses the
`left-most soft key 20. Similarly. if the user wishes to activate
`either of the message or pad functions. the user merely
`depresses the appropriate one of the middle or right-most
`soft key.
`
`Referring back to FIG. 2B. the book key 23 is a dedicated
`or so-called hard key and is utilized to access the book
`function. As hereinafter more fully described. such book
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`function enables names and numbers to be stored in a
`memory of the telephone apparatus and to be retrieved
`therefrom.
`
`The clear (CLR) key 22 has two functions associated
`therewith. In the first function. the clear key is utilized to
`clear entered digits and characters displayed on the display
`18. By momentarily depressing the clear key. the last char-
`acter or digit entered is erased. and by continuously holding
`down the clear key. the entire entry is erased. In the second
`function. the clear key is utilized to retum the telephone
`apparatus 10 to the stand-by or conversation mode from any
`other operations which the telephone apparatus may cur-
`rently be in. such as the book function. When the clear key
`is used in this latter manner. all changes and/or selections
`revert to the previous configuration which the telephone
`apparatus was in when it left the stand-by or conversation
`mode. In other words. no such changes and/or selections are
`saved. As an example. consider the situation in which the
`user is entering data into a memory of the telephone appa-
`ratus 10. Ifthe user momentarily depresses the clear key 22
`once. the last entered digit is erased; and if the user continues
`depressing the clear key. the remaining digits are erased. A
`subsequent depression of the clear key within a predeter-
`mined time period. such as within 2 seconds. causes the
`telephone apparatus 10 to revert back to the stand-by or
`conversation mode.
`
`The send key 24 is utilized to initiate a telephone call and
`to execute a dialing procedure.
`The end key 26 is primarily used to terminate an active
`telephone call. Additionally. the end key may be utilized for
`paused dialing. for storing paused numbers into a memory
`page. and for linking existing memory pages as hereinafter
`more fully described. When a pause is created in the dialing
`sequence by depressing the end key. the send key 24 may be
`depressed to resume the sending of DTMF tone signals.
`The keys 28 are utilized for entering digits and alpha
`characters depending upon the current mode of operation of
`the telephone apparatus 10. That is.
`the keys 28 will be
`placed in the appropriate mode. that is. either in an alpha or
`numeric mode. depending upon the type of data requested by
`the telephone apparatus. When entering alpha characters. a
`single depression of a respective one of the keys 28 corre-
`sponds to the first letter assigned to that key. a second
`depression of this key corresponds to the second letter
`assigned to this key. and so forth. The desired numeric data
`may be entered by depressing the respective key one more
`time than the number of letters assigned to the key. For
`example. depressing the ZABC key four times would display
`the number “2". The alpha-numeric assignment to the twelve
`keys 28 is as follows:
`(QZ1). (ABC2). (DEF3).
`(GHI4). (JKL5). (MNO6).
`(PRS7). (TUV8). (WXY9).
`(*0!)- (0)- (#—/I)
`Due to a predetermined default parameter. letters are dis-
`played in lower case. If an upper case letter is desired. the
`respective key is depressed for a predetermined time period.
`such as for 1 second. Alternatively. the default parameter
`could be arranged so as to display upper case letters. Further.
`predetermined letters may be automatically displayed in
`upper case. such as the first letter of a name or of a new
`message. Furthermore. when entering data (such as alpha-
`numeric data). two soft keys may be assigned as an arrow
`left key and an arrow right key. These arrow left and right
`keys enable the user to move a cursor across digits and/or
`letters without changing them. thereby facilitating desired
`correction and editing operations.
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`The scroll button 32 may be utilized for controlling or
`performing a plurality of different operations. For example.
`the scroll button 32 may be used to control the volume of a
`ringer (not shown) of the telephone apparatus 10 or the
`volume of the keys 28 when the telephone apparatus 10 is in
`the stand—by mode. and may be used to control the volume
`of the speaker 16 when the telephone apparatus is in the
`conversation mode. Additionally. the scroll button 32 may
`be used to enable the user to scan and scroll through memory
`pages of the book and pad. through text messages. and
`through menu features. as hereinafter more fully described.
`The antenna 14 may be a retractable-type antenna or.
`alternately. may be a fixed length type antenna. The power
`key 34 is used to control the power on and off so as to
`activate or de-activate the telephone apparatus 10. The
`speaker 16 and the microphone 30 are adapted to operate in
`a well known manner.
`In addition to the elements described above. the telephone
`apparatus 10 further includes a processor 50. a memory 52
`and a receiving and transmitting circuit 54 as shown in FIG.
`3. As shown therein. the processor 50 is coupled to the keys
`(that is. the soft keys 20. the clear key 22. the book key 23.
`the send key 24. the end key 26 and the alpha-numeric keys
`28). the memory 52. the receiving and transmitting circuit 54
`and the display 18. The processor is adapted to receive
`signals from the receiving and transmitting circuit 54 and/or
`the keys (that is. signals generated upon depressing one or
`more of the keys). and to process the received signals in a
`predetermined manner. During such processing. the proces-
`sor 50 may request data from the memory 52 which had been
`previously stored therein. or may cause data to be stored
`therein. As a result of this processing. the processor 50 may
`generate and supply a control or data signal to the appro-
`priate device or devices. whereupon the desired operation is
`performed.
`As an example. consider the situation in which the user
`wishes to store a name and telephone number into the book
`of the telephone apparatus 10. In this situation. the user may
`depress the book key 23. the appropriate alpha-numeric keys
`28 and one or more soft keys 20 in a manner as hereinafter
`more fully described. Signals corresponding to the
`depressed keys are supplied to the processor 50 which. in
`turn. processes these signals and. in accordance therewith.
`generates and supplies control or data signals to the display
`18 and the memory 52. As a result. the name and telephone
`number are displayed on the display 18 and stored into a
`book portion of the memory 52. Ftn'ther. in this situation. the
`processor 50 may generate and supply other control signals
`to the display so as to cause the bottom line 64 (FIG. 4) to
`display the appropriate functions which may be respectively
`activated by the soft keys 20. such as those which may be
`used to store information in the book.
`The receiving and transmitting circuit 54 is coupled to the
`processor 50. the microphone 30. the speaker 16 and the
`antenna 14 and is adapted to receive signals therefrom. Such
`received signals may be processed by the circuit 54 in a
`predetennined manner for supply to the desired device(s).
`For example. signals from the processor 50 to be transmitted
`may be supplied to the receiving and transmitting circuit 54
`and modulated thereat and thereafter transmitted by way of
`the antenna 14. Alternatively. such processing may be per-
`formed by the processor 50 and supplied directly therefrom
`to the appropriate device(s). whereupon the circuit 54 may
`be omitted.
`
`The memory 52 is adapted to receive and store informa-
`tion for later retrieval therefrom. The memory 52 is orga-
`nized in a plurality of so-called memory pages each having
`
`a respective size which may differ from each other. Each
`memory page may include a name. telephone number. and
`a numeric tag. The name of each memory page is limited to
`a predetermined number of characters. For example. each
`name may be limited to the number of characters available
`on the top line of the respective memory page. which may
`be 11 characters. The telephone number may occupy more
`than one line of the respective memory page. The informa-
`tion pertaining to a memory page may be displayed on one
`or more screens of the display 18.
`The memory 52 may be arranged in an alpha-based
`manner. that is. the memory pages m