Apple Exhibit 1005 Page 00001
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 31, 2006
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`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 6,993,362 B1
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`FIG 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,993,362 B1
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`1
`PORTABLE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS
`HAVING A HIERARCHICAL MENU SYSTEM
`AND A DYNAMIC MENU
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a portable communication
`apparatus, such as a mobile telephone, having a display, a
`user-controlled input device, such as a keypad, a memory, a
`controller and a hierarchical menu system stored in the
`memory. The menu system has a plurality of menus, includ-
`ing top-level menus and sub-level menus, and a plurality of
`menu items under
`respective menus. The controller is
`arranged to present individual menus or menu items on the
`display, is arranged to receive selection commands from a
`user through the user-controlled input device and is arranged
`to perform functions related to selected menus or menu
`items. The memory of the apparatus further comprises a
`dynamic menu, the contents of which may be modified by
`the user.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`Mobile or cellular radio telephones are a well-known
`example of a portable communication apparatus according
`to the above. Other common examples are for instance
`personal communicators, personal digital assistants, paging
`devices, etc. Throughout this document, the present inven-
`tion is illustrated in terms of a mobile telephone,
`in an
`exemplifying and non-limiting sense.
`As mobile telephones have become more advanced and
`miniaturized, it has become increasingly important to pro-
`vide an intuitive and yet precise interface to the user. The
`available man-machine interface in a mobile telephone is
`normally restricted to a display (such as an LCD display)
`and a keypad. Therefore, and it is an all but simple task to
`provide an adequate level of user-friendliness, particularly
`when bearing in mind that while modern mobile telephones
`are provided with more and more functions and features, the
`displays
`thereof have not been increased accordingly
`(mainly due to market demands for a limited overall appa-
`ratus size).
`One well-known way of providing a user-friendly inter-
`face is to use a menu system as set out above. The various
`functions or features of the telephone are represented by
`different menus, sub-menus and menu items. The user
`navigates in the menu system by using certain control keys
`on the keypad for sequentially scrolling through the various
`menus. The user selects a certain menu or menu item by
`pressing a certain key or combination of keys on the keypad.
`Although such menu systems are easy for users to utilize,
`they still have some disadvantages. For instance, if a large
`number of features are available, the user may have to scroll
`through several menus and menu items until arriving at the
`particular feature, that the user is looking for. Furthermore,
`not all users have identical needs and preferences; one user
`may prefer a certain menu structure, which may be less
`useful
`to another user. Therefore,
`it
`is difficult for the
`telephone manufacturer to design a menu structure, which
`fits all users.
`
`The above drawback may be reduced by providing a short
`menu system and an extended menu system, where the
`contents of the short menu system is a subset of the extended
`menu system. Such a menu structure is disclosed in GB-A-2
`293 951 (Motorola Inc.), where the user may choose, while
`scrolling through the extended menu system, to move indi-
`vidual menu items from the extended menu system to the
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`short menu system, and where the user may delete individual
`menu items from the short menu, while scrolling through it.
`Hence, the short menu system is dynamic in the sense, that
`the user may customize the short menu system to include
`only such menu items, which are desired by the user.
`The user enters the extended menu system by pressing a
`specific menu key on the keypad for a time greater than a
`predetermined time period. If, on the other hand, the menu
`key is pressed for a time shorter than the predetermined time
`period, the short menu system is entered. Both the extended
`menu system and the short menu system comprise various
`top-level menus (called “branches”), which in turn may
`comprise various sub-level menus and/or menu items for
`performing different functions in the mobile telephone.
`While the approach shown in GB-A-2 293 951 has a
`distinct advantage in that it allows the user to customize the
`short menu system, some disadvantages still remain. For
`instance, the use of two different menu systems (extended
`and short, respectively) requires that the user have to learn
`the respective menu structure of both menus. Accordingly,
`the user will have to remember in which menu system a
`particular menu item is located, before entering the extended
`or short menu system. In reality, the user will probably use
`the short menu system in most cases, since the short menu
`system will enable the user to arrive at a desired menu item
`more quickly, as described above. However, the user will
`most likely not be able to remember exactly which menu
`items, that are currently included in the short menu system.
`Therefore, every once in a while, the user may find himself
`in a position, where he has entered the short menu system
`but looks for a menu item, which is only included in the
`extended menu system. In such a case, the user will have to
`exit the short menu system and then enter the extended menu
`system, as described above, and traverse the hierarchy of the
`extended menu system, until arriving at the desired menu
`item. Being left with a small keypad as the only available
`user input device, such a procedure may involve several or
`even numerous key pressings, until the desired menu item is
`eventually found.
`Asimilar concept of customizing a short menu system has
`been used in recent mobile telephone models manufactured
`by the present applicant. Here, the extended menu system
`has a separate customization menu, one menu item of which
`is for entering a mode for customizing the short menu
`system, i.e. by adding/removing individual menu items of
`the extended menu system to/from the short menu system. A
`drawback of this approach is that, in order to customize the
`short menu system, the user has to enter the customization
`mode through aforesaid separate menu. Furthermore, the
`user still has to learn two separate menu structures.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`improved menu system for a portable communication appa-
`ratus, such as a mobile telephone. More particularly, the
`present invention aims at providing a dynamic menu, which
`may be customized by the user, which is easily accessible
`from the normal menu system (“extended menu system”)
`and which also allows the user to add and delete menu items
`
`in an easy way.
`The objects of the present invention have been obtained
`by providing the dynamic menu as either a toplevel menu or
`a sub-level menu within the normal menu system, meaning
`that the user will not have to learn the structure of two
`
`different menu systems (a short and an extended menu
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`US 6,993,362 B1
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`system) and that all previously added menu items are always
`accessible through the dynamic menu within the normal
`menu system.
`According to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention,
`the dynamic menu comprises a specific menu
`item, which provides a function for modifying the contents
`of the dynamic menu, e.g. by presenting a list of available
`menu items, from which the user may select certain items to
`be added to the dynamic menu. Also, the preferred embodi-
`ment comprises a similar function for removing menu items
`from the dynamic menu.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will now be described in more
`detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings,
`in which:
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a portable communi-
`cation apparatus, in the form of a mobile telephone, having
`a menu system according to the present invention,
`FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the communica-
`tion apparatus in FIG. 1, and
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a menu system according
`to the present invention, including a dynamic menu, which
`may be modified by a user of the communication apparatus.
`Other objects, advantages and features of the present
`invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure,
`from the claims and from the drawings.
`
`DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile telephone 1 as one example of
`a portable communication apparatus according to the inven-
`tion. The mobile telephone comprises an apparatus housing
`10,
`to which a swingable flip 8 is pivotally mounted by
`means of a hinge mechanism 11. A sound opening 9 is
`provided at one end of the flip 8 for receiving vocal sound
`from a user of the telephone. A microphone (not shown in
`FIG. 1) is located inside the apparatus housing 10 adjacently
`to the hinge mechanism 11. An internal sound guiding
`channel
`is provided inside the flip 8 for guiding sound
`received through the opening 9 to the microphone.
`The mobile telephone 1 further comprises an external
`antenna 2 mounted on the top of the apparatus housing 10,
`a visual status indicator 3 (such as an LED), and a speaker
`4. Volume control buttons 5 are provided at one side of the
`housing 10. The mobile telephone further comprises a
`graphical display 6, such as an LCD display. As shown in
`FIG. 1, the user of the telephone may utilize a menu system
`presented on the display 6 for controlling and operating the
`mobile telephone.
`The mobile telephone further has a keypad 7, comprising
`various keys such as a “YES” (OK) key 12 and a “NO”
`(cancel) key 13, menu scroll keys 14 and 15, a clear key 16,
`a total of ten (0 through 9) numeric keys 17, an asterisk key
`18 and a square key 19.
`Apart from the menu system, which will be described in
`more detail below,
`the above components of the mobile
`telephone are generally known per se and do not require any
`further explanation herein.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile telephone 1 comprises a
`controller 20, preferably a microprocessor (CPU), which is
`operatively connected to the display 6 and the keypad 7. The
`controller 20 is also connected to a memory 30, such as an
`EEPROM memory. In the context of the present invention,
`the memory 30 is arranged for storing the inventive menu
`system. However,
`the memory 30 may also store other
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`digital data of the mobile telephone 1, such as an operating
`system (OS), user settings parameters, utility programs
`(such as a calculator or various computer-type games), as is
`all readily understood by a man skilled in the art.
`Furthermore, the controller 20 is operatively connected to
`a card reader 40 for accessing a SIM (“Subscriber Identity
`Module”) card inserted in the mobile telephone. In some
`applications, the mobile telephone 1 may be connected to
`one or more than one accessory 50;
`in such a case, the
`controller 20 is also operatively connected to such an
`accessory, as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2.
`In common with various known mobile telephones, for
`instance the one disclosed in GB-A-2 293 951, the mobile
`telephone 1 provides a user interface in the form of a menu
`system presented on the display 6. The menu system is
`stored in memory 30 and is executed by the controller 20,
`preferably by a dedicated menu program process run by the
`controller 20. Alternatively, the menu system may be built
`into the operating system of the mobile telephone 1. The user
`enters and uses the menu system by submitting commands
`from the keypad 7, as will be described in more detail below.
`Parts of the menu system are shown in FIG. 3. The menu
`system comprises a plurality of top-level menus 100, 200,
`300, a plurality of sub-level menus 110, 120, 130, 140, 210,
`310, 400, and a plurality of menu items 111-116, 121-123,
`131-133, 141-144, 211-217, 311-313 and 401-406. Some
`of the menu items are in fact subordinate sub-menus, which
`in turn may comprise further sub-menus and/or menu items.
`Thus, a hierarchical menu system is formed, which may be
`traversed by the user for controlling the functionality and
`features of the mobile telephone.
`Three top-level menus are shown in FIG. 3: a SETTINGS
`menu 100, a PHONEBOOK menu 200 and a SPECIAL
`menu 300. The SPECIAL menu 300 is a dynamic menu, the
`contents of which may be modified by the user, as will be
`described below. Furthermore, the menu system comprises
`other top-level menus not shown in FIG. 3, such as a MAIL
`menu (e.g.
`for reading and sending short messages), a
`CLOCK menu (for setting date and time, setting an alarm,
`etc.), a CALCULATOR menu (for entering a special calcu-
`lator mode, where the user may use the keys on the keypad
`7 for performing numeric calculations), an ACCESS menu
`(for barring certain call types, locking the telephone or the
`SIM card, etc.), a NETWORKS menu (for selecting the
`mobile telecommunications network to be used by the
`telephone), etc. Other top-level menus may also be pro-
`vided, which are generally well-known per se in the field of
`mobile telephones.
`The user enters the menu system by pressing a particular
`key on the keypad 7. For instance, the menu system may be
`entered by pressing one of the scroll keys, 14, 15. Once the
`menu system has been entered, one of the top-level menus
`is presented on the display 6. In FIG. 1, the user is assumed
`to have pressed the left scroll key 14, wherein the PHONE-
`BOOK menu 200 is shown on the display 6. If the user is
`looking for another top-level menu, he may continue to
`scroll through the menu system by means of the left scroll
`key 14 or the right scroll key 15, as indicated by bidirec-
`tional horizontal arrows in FIG. 3. Preferably, the chain of
`top-level menus is endless, so that pressing the right scroll
`key 15 after the last (rightmost) top-level menu will bring
`the user back to the first (leftmost) top-level menu. Con-
`versely, pressing the left scroll key 14 at the first top-level
`menu will bring the user to the last (rightmost) top-level
`menu.
`
`Once the user has located the “correct” top-level menu,
`for instance the PHONEBOOK menu 200, he may enter a
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`US 6,993,362 B1
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`sub-level menu 210 by pressing a particular key on the
`keypad 7, such as the YES key 12. By doing so, the sublevel
`menu 210 will be presented on the display 6, either one
`menu item 211-217 at a time or (provided that the display
`6 is large enough) all items simultaneously. As shown in
`FIG. 3, the sub-level menu 210 under top-level menu 200
`comprises the following menu items: a Name Recall menu
`item 211, a Position Recall menu item 212, a Dialled
`Numbers menu item 213, an Answered Numbers menu item
`214, an Edit menu item 215, a Store menu item 216 and an
`Erase menu item 217.
`
`Menu items 211 and 212 allow the user to search through
`the various entries in the phonebook of the mobile telephone
`1, said phonebook being stored in the memory 30, as is
`generally known in the field of mobile telephones. Menu
`items 213 and 214 allow the user to select a recently used
`telephone number in order to make an additional call to that
`number. Menu item 215 allows the user to edit the entries in
`
`the phonebook, while menu item 216 allows the user to store
`a new entry in the phonebook. Finally, menu item 217 allows
`the user to erase or delete a particular entry in the phone-
`book.
`
`The SETTINGS top-level menu 100 comprises a sub-
`level menu 110 having a Ring Level menu item 111, a
`Language menu item 112, an Answer Mode menu item 113,
`a Light menu item 114, a Key Sound menu item 115, a
`Keylock menu item 116 and a Ring Type menu item 117.
`Similar to the PHONEBOOK menu described above, the
`menu items of the SETTINGS menu are generally known
`and do not require any further explanation herein. For
`exemplifying reasons,
`the Ring Type menu item 117 is
`illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3. The Ring Type menu
`item 117 has a subordinate submenu 120, comprising a
`Phone menu item 121, a Data menu item 122 and a Fax
`menu item 123. The Phone menu item 121 in turn has a
`
`subordinate submenu 140, comprising various menu items
`141-143 for selecting a particular melody or Ringtone
`pattern to be used by the telephone when announcing an
`incoming telephone call. The menu 140 also has an Edit
`Melody menu item 144, which allows the user to compose
`a customized ringtone pattern. The submenu 130 of the Data
`menu item 122 has three menu items 131-133 for setting the
`volume of the ringtone pattern used for announcing an
`incoming data call.
`The user may select a particular menu item by pressing a
`specific key on the keypad 7, such as the YES key 12. The
`user may exit from any of the top-level or sublevel menus by
`pressing a particular key, such as the NO key 13. Further-
`more, the user may exit the entire menu system by pressing
`another key, such as the clear key 16.
`Some portions of the menu system may depend of
`whether an accessory 50 is connected to the mobile tele-
`phone 1. Furthermore, portions of the menu system may be
`dependent of the identity of the SIM card inserted in the
`mobile telephone 1. For instance, the SIM card may contain
`information that restricts the user from using certain func-
`tions of the telephone or performing certain expensive
`telephone calls. Conversely, when an accessory 50 is
`attached to the telephone, one or several new top-level
`menus may be provided for controlling and using that piece
`of accessory.
`The essence of the present invention lies in the provision
`of the SPECIAL top-level menu 300, which is dynamic (the
`contents may be modified by the user) and is accessible
`through the normal menu system of the mobile telephone 1.
`Contrary to the prior art approaches described in previous
`sections, the provision of the dynamic SPECIAL menu 300
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`as a top-level menu within the normal menu system will
`make the mobile telephone easier to use than the prior art
`telephones. For instance, there is no need for the user to
`learn the structures of two separate menus, i.e. a short menu
`and an extended menu, as in aforesaid GB-A-2 293 951.
`Referring to FIG. 3, a preferred embodiment of the
`dynamic SPECIAL menu 300 will now be described. As
`previously mentioned, the dynamic menu 300 is included as
`a part of the overall menu structure (top-level menus 100,
`200, 300, sub-level menus 110, 120, 130 .
`.
`.
`, etc). The
`dynamic menu 300 comprises a sub-menu 310 with a
`plurality of menu items 311, 312, at least some of which may
`be prestored in the memory 30 by the manufacturer, so that
`on first use, the dynamic menu 300 will contain e. g. a Name
`Recall menu item 311 and a Ring Type menu item 312.
`These menu items are identical to the menu item 211 found
`
`under the top-level PHONEBOOK menu 200 and the menu
`item 117 found under the top-level SETTINGS menu 100,
`respectively. When any of the menu items 311-312 is
`selected in the dynamic sub-menu 310, the normal corre-
`sponding function will be invoked, in precisely the same
`manner as if the particular menu item were selected via any
`of the regular menus 100, 200, etc., elsewhere in the menu
`system. The last item in the dynamic sub-menu 310 is a
`Modify Menu menu item 313. Upon selection of this menu
`item, a sub-menu 400 is presented. Sub-menu 400 comprises
`various menu items 401-406 from other top-level menus,
`such as the SETTINGS menu 100 and the PHONEBOOK
`menu 200. The menu items 401-406 of the sub-menu 400
`
`. ”) in FIG. 3.
`.
`are given generic names (“Item 1, Item 2 .
`In reality, the sub-menu 400 comprises a long list of avail-
`able menu items, such as Ring Level (cf. menu item 111 of
`SETTINGS sub-menu 110), Language (112), Answer Mode
`(113), Light (114), Key Sound (115), Keylock (116), Ring
`Type (117), Name Recall (211), Position Recall (212), etc.
`The menu items may be presented sequentially (one by one)
`on the display 6, or alternatively several menu items
`401-406 may be presented simultaneously. By using certain
`keys (such as the scroll keys 14, 15 and the YES key 12), the
`user may add any of the menu items 401-406 to the dynamic
`sub-menu 310 of the top-level SPECIAL menu 300.
`As shown above, the sub-menu 400 may also contain
`menu items, which are already contained in the dynamic
`menu 310 (i.e., Name Recall 311 and Ring Type 312). If
`either of these menu items are selected in the sub-menu 400,
`the corresponding menu item 311 or 312 will be removed
`from the dynamic menu 310. Hence, the user is given an
`opportunity not only to add new menu items to the dynamic
`menu 310 but also to remove menu items therefrom.
`
`Alternatively, the dynamic menu 300, together with its
`sub-menus 310, 400, may be implemented, so that sub-menu
`400 only contains available menu items, which are not
`already present in sub-menu 310. In such a case, the user
`may be provided with an option to delete a specific menu
`item 311, 312 from the dynamic sub-menu 310 by pressing
`a predetermined key or combination of keys, such as the
`clear key 16.
`According to yet another alternative, selecting a menu
`item 401-406 in the sub-menu 400 may display a set of
`options applicable to the selected item, e.g. options for
`adding or removing the menu item from the dynamic menu
`310. For instance, when a particular menu item 401-406 has
`been selected in the sub-menu 400 (by pressing the YES key
`12), pressing the YES key 12 once more may cause the
`selected menu item to be inserted into the dynamic menu
`310, while pressing the NO key 13 may cause removal of the
`selected menu item from the dynamic menu 310.
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`Normally, when a new menu item, once selected in the
`sub-menu 400, is to be added to the dynamic menu 310, the
`first empty position in menu 310 will be assigned to the
`selected menu item. Preferably, an option is provided, when
`adding a menu item to the dynamic menu 310, for deciding
`the position of the new menu item in the dynamic menu 310.
`The position may be entered by the user by selecting
`appropriate numeric keys 17 on the keypad 7. Selection of
`an already existing position will result in shifting all menu
`items located below the selected position down one position
`in the dynamic menu 310, followed by insertion of the new
`menu item at the selected position.
`Upon removal of a menu item 311-312, any menu items
`below the removed one will be shifted up one position in the
`dynamic menu 310.
`It may be preferable to put some restrictions as to which
`menu items will be available for selection in the sub-menu
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`400. For instance, menu items related to an accessory 50 or
`SIM card-specific menu items may be omitted from the list
`of the available items 401-406 in the sub-menu 400.
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`invention has been described above with
`The present
`reference to an exemplifying embodiment. However,
`the
`invention may be exercised in other ways than the one
`described above within the scope of the invention, as defined
`by the appended independent patent claim. For instance, the
`dynamic SPECIAL menu 300 does not have to be a top-level
`menu; the dynamic menu may be located anywhere further
`down the menu hierarchy, i.e. as a sub-menu of any top-level
`or sub-level menu in the menu system.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. Aportable communication apparatus having a display,
`a user-controlled input device, a memory, a controller and a
`hierarchical menu system stored in the memory, the menu
`system comprising a plurality of menus, including top-level
`menus, and a plurality of menu items under respective
`menus, the controller being arranged to present individual
`menus/menu items on the display, receive selection com-
`mands from a user through the user-controlled input device
`and in response perform functions related to the presented
`menus/menu items,
`the memory of the apparatus further
`comprising a dynamic menu, wherein the controller is
`further arranged to modify the dynamic menu in immediate
`response to direct user inputs through the user-controlled
`input device, and wherein the dynamic menu is either a
`top-level menu or a sub-level menu in the hierarchical menu
`system.
`2. A portable communication apparatus as in claim 1,
`wherein the dynamic menu comprises a menu item for
`providing a function for modifying the dynamic menu.
`3. A portable communication apparatus as in claim 2,
`wherein the controller is arranged, when providing said
`function for modifying the dynamic menu, to present a list
`of available menu items on the display, the list comprising
`menu items from other menus than the dynamic menu, to
`accept a selection command through the user-controlled
`input device and in response add a selected menu item to the
`dynamic menu.
`4. A portable communication apparatus as in claim 2,
`wherein the controller is arranged, when providing said
`function for modifying the dynamic menu, to present a list
`of menu items on the display, the list comprising menu items
`already located in the dynamic menu, to accept a selection
`command through the user-controlled input device and in
`response delete a selected menu item from the dynamic
`menu.
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`5. A portable communication apparatus as in claim 2,
`wherein the controller is arranged, when providing said
`function for modifying the dynamic menu,
`to provide a
`function for allowing a user to decide a sequential position
`of any menu item of the dynamic menu.
`6. A portable communication apparatus according to
`claim 1, wherein the dynamic menu comprises at least one
`prestored menu item provided by a manufacturer before first
`use of the portable communication apparatus.
`7. A portable communication apparatus according to
`claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a mobile telephone.
`8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contents of the
`dynamic menu stored in the memory may be modified by the
`user through the user-controlled input device according to
`preferences of the user.
`9. A method for use with a portable communication
`apparatus having a display, a user-controlled input device, a
`memory, a controller, and a hierarchical menu system stored
`in the memory, the menu system including a plurality of
`menus, including top-level menus and sub-level menus, each
`having a plurality of menu items under respective menus,
`and a dynamic menu, where the dynamic menu is either a
`top-level menu or a sub-level menu in the hierarchical menu
`system, wherein the dynamic menu includes a menu item
`associated with a function for modifying a number of
`available dynamic menu items for controlling the function-
`ality of the apparatus, comprising:
`the controller presenting individual menus with menu
`items on the display;
`the controller receiving selection commands from a user
`through the user-controlled input device,
`and in
`response, performing functions related to the presented
`menus and menu items; and
`the controller receiving menu modification commands in
`response to direct user input by the user-controlled
`input device, and in immediate response, modifying the
`dynamic menu.
`10. The method in claim 9, wherein the controller, when
`providing said function for modifying the dynamic menu,
`presents a list of available menu items on the display, the list
`comprising menu items from other menus than the dynamic
`menu, accepts a selection command through the user-con-
`trolled input device, and in response, adds a selected menu
`item to the dynamic menu.
`11. The method in claim 9, wherein the controller, when
`providing said function for modifying the dynamic menu,
`presents a list of menu items on the display, the list com-
`prising menu items already located in the dynamic menu,
`accepts a selection command through the user-controlled
`input device, and in response, deletes a selected menu item
`from the dynamic menu.
`12. The method in claim 9, wherein the controller, when
`providing said function for modifying the dynamic menu,
`provides a function for allowing a user to decide a sequential
`position of any menu item of the dynamic menu.
`13. The method in claim 9, wherein the contents of the
`dynamic menu stored in the memory may be modified by the
`user through the user-controlled input device according to
`preferences of the user.
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