CMSA TMOGAATAA
`
`US 20040075701A1
`
`as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0075701 Al
`
` Ng (43) Pub. Date: Apr. 22, 2004
`
`
`(54) DYNAMIC INTERACTIVE ANIMATED
`SCREEN SAVER
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Scott Ng, Chicago, IL (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`MOTOROLA INC
`600 NORTH US HIGHWAY45
`ROOM AS437
`LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048-5343 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/272,089
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Oct. 16, 2002
`
`Tint. C7 eeeeeeccceccceeeeeeseeenneeeeceesnnesecenneeeee G09G 5/00
`(SV)
`(52) U.S. Cd. eeeecceeccceesssseesssseeseneessneessnesessneess 345/867
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`invention provides an apparatus (100) and
`The present
`method (800) for an electronic device having a device
`display for graphically providing the user with a message
`(104) while the electronic device is in a screen saver mode
`displaying a screen saver screen (100). The message is a
`simplified message derived from an associated message
`source (200) where more detail (202) is available. The
`message is replaced with a detailed message upon reaching
`a predetermined condition.
`
`100
`
`106
`
`108
`
`2:00 PM
`JOHN SMITH
`
`1047
`
`q
`
`\
`
`12:05 PM ~ A
`
`110
`
`Page | of 13
`
`GOOGLEEXHIBIT 1006
`
`Page 1 of 13
`
`GOOGLE EXHIBIT 1006
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`100
`
`106
`
`108
`
`2:00 PM
`JOHN SMITH
`
`1047
`
`K
`\
`12:05 PM “~~
`
`Y alll
`
`CALENDAR
`
`110
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Page 2 of 13
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`Page 2 of 13
`
`

`

`2:00-3:00 PM
`JOHN SMITH
`FINANCE REVIEW IN ROOM 1500
`BRING SALES CHARTS
`
`3:00-3:30 PM
`CONFERENCE CALL
`1-800-123-4567
`
`3:00 PM
`
`4:00 PM
`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`200
`
`2:00 PM
`
`5:00 PM
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 3 of 13
`
`Page 3 of 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`500
`
`106
`
`108 _
`
`2:00-3:00 PM
`
`JOHN SMITH
`
`302
`
`a“
`
`FINANCE REVIEW IN ROOM 1500
`
`BRING SALES CHART A
`
`110
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Page 4 of 13
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`Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`400
`
`106
`
`,
`
`108
`X
`
`Y alll
`
`404
`
`2:00-3:00 PM
`
`JOHN SMITH a
`
`FINANCE REVIEW IN ROOM 1500
`BRING SALES CHART
`
`12:05 PM *”
`\ 112
`
`402
`a
`
`CALENDAR
`
`110
`
`FIG. @&
`
`Page 5 of 13
`
`Page 5 of 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`500°
`
`‘\
`12:00 PM }-->
`K
`
`106
`
`520
`J
`2:05 PM
`
`e
`100 PM |--------------------------------------------------------
`
`
`
`
`"e
`Yall
`of
`
`
`
`502
`
`504
`
`508
`
`2:00 PM |--------------------4XK- 504
`
`516
`2:00 PM Ze
`—~ 506
`
`3:00 PM }---------------4}—__*__""-------------
`3:00 PM
`
`CONFERENCE CALL
`
`
`
`914
`
`518
`
`522
`
`JOHN SMITH
`
`4:00 PM [-->
`
`4
`
`110
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 6 of 13
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`Page 6 of 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`600
`
`106
`
`108
`
`510
`
`12:00 PM }-->
`
`524
`
`JOHN SMITH
`
`3:00 PM
`
`CONFERENCE CALL
`
`602
`
`4:00 PM |---
`
`
`
`CALLER ID~
`
`CALENDAR
`
`606
`
`110
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 7 of 13
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`Page 7 of 13
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`‘
`Y ul I
`
`502
`
`504
`
`av
`12:00 PM }-->
`
`\
`
`514
`
`518
`
`a
`
`
`520
`J
`
`2:05 PM
`1:00PM |----------------nnnnnnnnnncnncnnnnnnn|
`
`\
`
`2:00 PM }----------K
`J )
`FROM: JANE DOE
`516
`JOHN SMITH
`)/BIRTHDAY PARTY
`7906
`
`
`
`3:00 PM }-——-\-—-_—_—_$»_—$—$____$$—$ari)
`
`
`3:00 PM
`508
`CONFERENCE CALL
`
`4:00 PM |--> /
`
`
`706
`
`110
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Page 8 of 13
`
`Page 8 of 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`800
`
`804)
`
`ACTIVATE
`scREEN SAVER
`
`802
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`806
`
`SCAN MESSAGE
`SOURCES
`
`
`
`808
`
`
`MESSAGE
`
`AVAILABLETO BE
`
`DISPLAYED
`
`814
`
`
`
`DEACTIVATE
`
`
`SCREEN SAVER
` DISPLAYING MOVING
`
`
`MESSAGE BUBBLE
`
`CONTAINING MESSAGE
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 13
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`Page 9 of 13
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication Apr. 22,2004 Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`B14
`
`FROM 808
`
`904
`
`DISPLAY MOVING
`MESSAGE BUBBLE
`CONTAINING FIRST MESSAGE
`
`MESSAGE
`?
`
`
`
` UPDATE
`
`910
`
`Page 10 of 13
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`Page 10 of 13
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`

`

`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`Apr. 22, 2004
`
`message bubble containing a short message is displayed
`moving across the display. The short message may be
`derived from, but not limited to, a scheduled event, an
`appointment, voice mail, e-mail, and a Short Message Ser-
`vice (SMS) message. The message bubble includes a visual
`attribute, which may vary dynamically depending on a
`condition related to the message such as, but not limited to
`a type of the message, proximity to the appointmenttime of
`the message, and urgency of the message. The display may
`be partitioned horizontally or vertically into multiple time
`sections or strips. For example, the display may comprise
`eight time sections such as the current hour plus minus four
`hours so that each section represents one-hour window
`covering eight-hour span having the current hour at the
`center of the display. The message bubble maybe displayed
`centered about a one-hour section corresponding to the
`appointment time of the message. The display may further
`include a tripwire section. When the message bubble enters
`the tripwire section,
`the short message displayed in the
`message bubble is replaced by more detailed version of the
`message.
`
`DYNAMIC INTERACTIVE ANIMATED SCREEN
`SAVER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and
`method for an electronic device having a display. More
`specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and
`method for graphically providing a user with alerts and
`notices while in a screen saver mode.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`screen saver program to provide
`[0002] Utilizing a
`reduced graphics or a blank screen during an idle mode of
`an electronic device is known. A typical screen saver dis-
`plays on a display multiple objects generally moving across
`the display. These objects may provide some information
`such as the current time and a pre-selected message. For
`example, the screen saver may provide the pager numberof
`the user so that a person lookingfor the user can be informed
`how he may reach the user. However,
`the information
`provided bythe screen saveris very little use to the user of
`the device.
`
`[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and a
`method for graphically providing useful information to the
`user during an idle mode of an electronic device when a
`screen saver program is active.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0005] FIG. 2 is an exemplary message source used in the
`present invention.
`
`[0006] FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen saver display of the
`first aspect of the present invention.
`
`[0007] FIG. 4 is an exemplary screen saver display of the
`second aspect of the present invention.
`
`[0008] FIG. 5 is an exemplary screen saver display of the
`third aspect of the present invention.
`
`FIG.6 is an exemplary screen saver display having
`[0009]
`two different types of messages.
`
`[0010] FIG. 7 is another exemplary screen saver display
`having two different types of messages.
`
`[0011] FIG. 8 is an exemplary flow diagram representing
`a preferred operation of the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0012] FIG. 9 is an exemplary flow diagram further
`describing block 814 of FIG.8.
`
`[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided an exem-
`plary screen saver display 100 of the present
`invention
`having a moving message bubble 102, within which a
`message 104 is displayed, and the following status indica-
`tors: a battery status indicator 106, a received signal strength
`indicator (“RSSI”) 108, and a message type indicator 110.
`The battery indicator shows that the device battery is about
`100% of its full charged capacity, the RSSI showsthat the
`received signal is at full strength, and the message type
`[0004] FIG.1is an exemplary screen saver display of the
`indicator shows that the displayed message is a calendar
`present invention.
`entry. Each status indicator is varied as the status of the
`monitored function varies. The current time 112, show as
`12:05 PM, may also be displayed as a part of the screen
`saver display.
`[0015] The message 102 is associated with a message
`source 200 as shownin FIG.2, and is derived from an entry
`202 in the message source. In this example, the message
`source is a calendar program active in the electronic device,
`and the full message is a calendar entry at 2:00 PM in the
`calendar program. The calendar program has another entry
`at 3:00 PM with a full message 204. The message source
`may additionally include other applications and programs
`such as, but not limited to, voice mail, e-mail, and a Short
`Message Service (“SMS”) message.
`[0016] Referring to FIG.3, there is provided a first aspect
`of the present invention. Upon reaching a predetermined
`time periodprior to the scheduled time of the calendarentry,
`the previous message 104 is replaced with a new message
`302. The new messageis associated with the same calendar
`entry 202 as the previous message, but provides more
`information from the calendar entry. In this example, the
`message has been made to change 15 minutes before the
`scheduled time of 2:00 PM, and upon the current
`time
`reaching 1:45 PM as shown,
`the first message has been
`replaced with the second message. To draw attention of the
`user,
`the message bubble may include a visual attribute,
`which is activated upon reaching the predetermined time
`period prior to the scheduled time, such as, but not limited
`to, changing color, expanding the bubble, and flashing the
`message.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`[0013] The present invention generally relates to an appa-
`ratus and method for an electronic device having a display
`such as, but not
`limited to, a personal digital assistant
`(“PDA”), a personal computer (“PC”), and a cellular tele-
`phone. The present invention describes an apparatus and a
`method for graphically providing alerts and notices on the
`display of the electronic device while the electronic device
`is in a screen saver mode. In the screen saver mode, a
`
`Page 11 of 13
`
`[0017] Referring to FIG. 4, there is provided a second
`aspect of the present invention. Compareto the screen saver
`
`Page 11 of 13
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`

`

`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`Apr. 22, 2004
`
`the screen saver display 400 additionally
`display 100,
`includes a tripwire 402, which is an imaginary trigger line
`not visible on the display and whichtriggers a change in the
`message bubble 102 as the message bubble moves towards
`the tripwire and reachesit. The message bubble 102 in FIG.
`4 is shownto havejust reachedthe tripwire, and the previous
`message 104 in the message bubble has been replaced with
`a new message 304. The new messageis associated with the
`same calendar entry 202 as the previous message, but
`provides more information from the calendar entry. To draw
`attention of the user,
`the message bubble may include a
`visual attribute such as, but not limited to, changing color,
`expanding the bubble, and flashing the message.
`[0018] Referring to FIG.5, there is provided a third aspect
`of the present invention. The screen saver display 500 is
`partitioned horizontally into multiple bands (four shown,
`502, 504, 506, and 508 with each band bound bytimelabels
`510, 512, 514, 516, and 518) with each band representing a
`predetermined time period. The band separations shown
`with dotted lines may not be visible on the display. In this
`example, the display is partitioned into four bands, each
`band representing one hour from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and
`the hour of the current time 520 located at the center of the
`display. The current time may be displayed at the center, or
`another location on the display to avoid obstructing the
`message bubble. A first message bubble 522 containing a
`first message 524 is displayed in the band 504 corresponding
`to the scheduled time of the calendar entry 202. Referring
`back to FIG.2, the first message 524 is associated with the
`message source 200, and is derived from the entry 202 in the
`message source. A second message bubble 526 containing a
`second message 528 is displayed in the band 508 corre-
`sponding to its scheduled time of the entry 204. In this
`example,
`the size of each message bubble is made to
`represent the length of the scheduled event. The displayed
`message may be expanded to provide more information
`regarding the associated scheduled event by setting a pre-
`determined timeprior to the scheduled time or by providing
`a tripwire as described in the previous examples. Past
`message may be removed from the screen saver display after
`a predetermined time past the scheduled time. The screen
`saver display may be partitioned vertically instead of hori-
`zontally, and the numberof bands and the time span covered
`by the bands may be varied according to the user’s prefer-
`ence. To avoid obscuring messages, multiple messagesin the
`same time slot may be displayed by one message bubble
`following another message bubble or one messagepartially
`overlapping another message.
`[0019] For a different message source, such as, but not
`limited to Caller ID, e-mail, and SMS, a new message may
`be displayed immediately upon reception. To avoid obstruct-
`ing the message that is already displayed (“previous mes-
`sage”), the new message may be displayed following or
`offsetting from the previous message. The new message may
`also have a different visual attribute to distinguish its mes-
`sage source from the message source of the previous mes-
`sage. In FIG. 6, an example of a caller ID message is
`illustrated in addition to the calendar messages of FIG. 5. A
`third message bubble 602, containing a caller ID message
`604 having the time and the numberofthe call, is displayed
`following the calendar message bubble 522. The associated
`message source 606 for the third message bubble is also
`displayed, which has the same visual attribute as the third
`message bubble of a black background with white letters for
`easier visual association. In FIG.7, an example of an e-mail
`messageis illustrated in addition to the calendar messages of
`FIG. 5. A fourth message bubble 702, containing an e-mail
`
`message 704 having the sender and the subject of the e-mail,
`is displayed overlapping but offset from the calendar mes-
`sage bubble 522. The associated message source 706 for the
`fourth message bubble is also displayed, which has the same
`visual attribute as the fourth message bubble for easier
`visual association.
`
`[0020] Referring to FIG. 8, there is provided an exem-
`plary flow diagram 800 representing a preferred operation of
`the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As the
`screen saver program of the electronic is activated in block
`804, the program scansall available message sources such
`as, but not limited to, calendar, e-mail, caller ID, and SMS,
`in block 806 and determines if there are any messages to be
`displayed in block 808. If there are no messages to be
`displayed at this time, then the program determines whether
`to terminate the screen saver program in block 810. If the
`screen saver program is terminated,
`then the electronic
`device resumes its normal operation in block 812. Other-
`wise, the program repeats from block 806 and scansall
`available message sources. If there is a message to be
`displayed found in block 808, a moving message bubble is
`displayed containing the message, ora first message derived
`from the message, in block 814. Then the program deter-
`mines whether to terminate the screen saver program in
`block 810. If the screen saver program is terminated, then
`the electronic device resumesits normal operation in block
`812. Otherwise, the program repeats from block 806 and
`scans all available message sources.
`[0021] Referring to FIG. 9, there is provided an exem-
`plary flow diagram describing detailed blocks of block 814
`of FIG.8. After finding an messageto be displayed in block
`808, a first message associated with and derived from the
`message may be composed in block 902. However, the first
`message may also be the same as the message. For example,
`if the messageis a calendarentry, then the first message may
`only contain the time and the subject matter of the calendar
`entry without any additional information that is contained in
`the original calendarentry. If the messageis an e-mail, then
`the first message may only contain the sender and the subject
`of the e-mail without displaying the actual content of the
`e-mail. If the messageis a caller ID containing only the time
`of the call and the phone number, the first message may be
`the same as the message. In block 904, a moving message
`bubble is displayed containing the first message, and the
`message source of the first message being displayed is also
`displayed in block 906. The screen saver display may be
`partitioned into multiple horizontal or vertical bands with
`each band representing a predetermined time period such
`that the moving message bubbleis displayed along the band
`corresponding to the relevant time of the message. In block
`908, the screen saver program determines whether to update
`the first message being displayed based upon a predeter-
`mined condition. If the predetermined condition is met, then
`the second messageis displayed replacing the first message
`in block 910, and the program advances to the next block
`810. The second message mayalso be derived from the same
`message as the first message but may provide more infor-
`mation or detail than the first message. If there is no need to
`update the first message, then the program advances to the
`next block 810. The predetermined condition may be a
`tripwire setup on the screen of the electronic device such that
`as the moving message bubble reachesthe tripwire, the first
`message is replaced with the second message. The prede-
`termined condition may also be related to the time of the
`message. For example, for a calendar entry such as an
`appointmentat 2:00 PM,the user mayset the program such
`that 15 minutes before the appointment time of 2:00 PM, the
`
`Page 12 of 13
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`

`US 2004/0075701 Al
`
`Apr. 22, 2004
`
`first message is replaced with the message providing more
`information regarding the 2:00 PM appointment. In block
`910 of displaying the second message, the second message
`may also display a visual attribute such as, but not limited
`to, changing color, expanding the bubble, and flashing the
`message, that is likely to draw attention of the user.
`
`[0022] The screen saver display may be partitioned into
`multiple horizontal or vertical bands with each band repre-
`senting a predetermined time period. A moving message
`bubble may be displayed along a band that corresponds to
`the relevant time of the message associated with the bubble.
`
`[0023] While the preferred embodiments of the invention
`have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood
`that the invention is not so limited. Numerous modifications,
`changes,variations, substitutions and equivalents will occur
`to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the present
`invention as defined by the
`appended claims.
`Whatis claimedis:
`1. Ascreen saver display for an electronic device having
`a device display for graphically providing information to a
`user, the screen saver display comprising:
`
`a moving message bubble; and
`
`a message associated with a message source, the message
`displayed within the moving message bubble;
`
`wherein the message is dynamically varied.
`2. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`messageis a first message derived from the message source.
`3. The screen saver display of claim 2 further comprising
`a tripwire across the screen saver display wherein the
`message is replaced by a second message derived from the
`message source upon the moving message bubble reaching
`the tripwire.
`4. The screen saver display of claim 2 wherein the
`message is replaced by a second message derived from the
`message source upon reaching a predetermined time period
`prior to a time period associated with the message.
`5. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the screen
`saver display is partitioned into a plurality of bands, each of
`the plurality of bands representing a predetermined time
`period.
`6. The screen saver display of claim 5 wherein the moving
`message bubble is displayed centered about and is allowed
`to move along one of the plurality of bands representing a
`time period associated with the message.
`7. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`message source is an entry of a calendar program running in
`the electronic device.
`8. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`message source is an electronic mail message received by
`the electronic device.
`9. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`message source is
`a Short Message Service message
`received by the electronic device.
`10. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`message source is a caller ID program running in the
`electronic device.
`
`11. The screen saver display of claim 1 wherein the
`message bubble further comprises a visual attribute associ-
`ated with the message source, the visual attribute dynami-
`cally variable based upon a predetermined condition.
`
`12. The screen saver display of claim 1 further comprising
`a status indicator indicative of an internal operating system
`status of the electronic device.
`13. The screen saver display of claim 12 wherein the
`status indicator is dynamically varied based uponthe inter-
`nal operating system status of the electronic device.
`14. A method for graphically providing information in a
`screen saver application to a user of an electronic device
`having a device display, the method comprising:
`
`displaying a screen saver display;
`
`displaying a moving message bubble within the screen
`saver display; and
`
`displaying a message associated with a message source
`within the moving message bubble;
`
`wherein the message is dynamically varied.
`15. The method of claim 14 wherein the messageisa first
`message derived from the message source.
`16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
`
`providing a tripwire across the screen saver display; and
`
`replacing the message with a second message derived
`from the message source upon the moving message
`bubble reaching the tripwire.
`17. The method of claim 15 further comprising replacing
`the message with a second message derived from the mes-
`sage source upon reaching a predetermined timeperiod prior
`to a time period associated with the message.
`18. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
`
`partitioning the screen saver display into a plurality of
`bands; and
`
`assigning each of the plurality of bands to a predeter-
`mined time period.
`19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
`
`displaying the moving message bubble centered about one
`of the plurality of bands representing a time period
`associated with the message.
`20. The method of claim 14 wherein the message source
`is an entry of a calendar program running in the electronic
`device.
`
`21. The method of claim 14 wherein the message source
`is an electronic mail message received by the electronic
`device.
`
`22. The method of claim 14 wherein the message source
`is a Short Message Service message received by the elec-
`tronic device.
`
`23. The method of claim 14 wherein the message source
`is a caller ID program running in the electronic device.
`24. The method of claim 14 wherein the message bubble
`further comprises a visual attribute associated with the
`message source, the visual attribute dynamically variable
`based upon a predetermined condition.
`25. The method of claim 14 further comprising displaying
`a status indicator indicative of an internal operating system
`status of the electronic device.
`
`26. The method of claim 25 further comprising dynami-
`cally varying the status indicator based upon the internal
`operating system status of the electronic device.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
`
`Page 13 of 13
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`Page 13 of 13
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