(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0123368 A1
`Yamadcra et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`US 20020123368A1
`
`(54) POCKET TELEPHONE
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Hitoshi Yamadera, Tokyo (JP); Satoko
`Kojima, Kokubunji (JP); Kazumi
`Matsumoto, Kokubunji (JP); Minoru
`Ikeda, Inagi (JP); Kaori Kashimura,
`Tokyo (JP); Tsutomu Hatakeyama,
`Tachikawa (JP); Takafumi Kawasaki,
`Sagamihara (JP)
`
`Addfessi
`C0rf€Sp0I1d€I1C€
`A TO ELLI TERRY STOUT A D KRAUS
`SEIITENBOO
`N
`1300 NORTH SEVENTEENTH STREET
`ARLINGTON, VA 22209
`
`(21) Appl. No‘.
`
`09/932,112
`
`(22)
`
`Ffled;
`
`Aug_ 20, 2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 2, 2001
`
`(JP) ......................................... .. 13-058510
`
`........... .. H04M 1/00
`Int. Cl.7 ..
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`.......................................... .. 455/556; 455/550
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The focus is positioned on one of the icons shown on a main
`menu screen and the focal icon is shown enlarged, while the
`remaining icons are Visible.
`On the main menu screen 40, as shown in FIG. 6(b), a
`plurality of icons 41 corresponding to items or groups of
`items from which to choose are shown. The focus (selector)
`is positioned on one of the icons (the focal icon is sur-
`rounded by a frame-like cursor
`and the focal icon is
`shown enlarged. By working the Joy stick (not shown), the
`user can shift the focus to any icon. The remaining icons 41
`other than the focus icon 41 shift to be more closely spaced,
`thus widening the area where the focal icon is shown. No
`matter what icon 41 is chosen as the focal one, the icons 4
`shown remain the same.
`
`Page 1 of 31
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`Page 2 0f31
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`Page 2 of 31
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 2 of 16
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`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 2
`
`11d
`
`Page 3 0f31
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`Page 3 of 31
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`

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`Page 4 of 31
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`2
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
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`Page 5 of 31
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 5 of 16
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`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 5(a)
`
`FIG. 5(b)
`
`3
`
`ac‘! z4s.«t.6.o:6:oY6.6.6. -
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`13a
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`13b
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`130
`
`Page 6 0f31
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`Page 6 of 31
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 6 of 16
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`US 2002/0123368 A1
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`43
`
`Page 7 0f31
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`Page 7 of 31
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 7
`
`STANDBY SCREEN 30
`
`MAIN MENU 40
`
`STANDBY SCREEN
`
`MY PHONE NUMBER
`
`DISPLAY FOR TIME
`CHARGE
`
`TONE FUNCTIONS
`
`SET FOR SCREEN
`FUNCTIONS
`
`SET FOR CALL
`FUNCTIONS
`
`SELECTING FUNCTION
`SCREEN
`
`TIME CHARGE OF
`LAST CALL
`
`TOTAL TIME CHARGE
`
`DISPLAY FOR CALL
`TIME
`
`DISPLAY FOR ‘CALL
`CHARGE
`
`CALL CHARGE RATE
`
`MESSAGE MEMO
`FUNCTIONS
`
`RESET FOR CALL
`TIME
`
`RESTRICTION
`FUNCTIONS
`
`CLOCK ALARM
`FUNCTIONS
`
`RINGER VOLUME
`
`RINGER TONE
`PATTERN
`
`VIBRATOR
`
`SERVICE SPECIAL
`
`FUNCTIONS
`
`KEY TONE VOLUME
`
`ITI—‘|
`
`WAKE UP TONE
`
`MANNER SWITCH
`
`BASIC SETTINGS
`
`MANNER SWITCH
`NAME REGISTRATION
`
`MANNER SENSOR
`
`SET FOR VOICE
`MESSAGE MEMO
`
`SET/CLEAR
`IDENTIFICATION OF ’
`CALLER
`
`I
`
`Page 8 0f31
`
`Page 8 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 8 of 16
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`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 8(a)
`
`CLOCK ALARM FUNCTIONS
`
`1.SET FOR DATE/TIME
`
`2. SET FOR ALARM
`
`3. AUTO POWER ON
`
`4. AUTO POWER OFF
`
`Page 9 0f31
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`Page 9 of 31
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 9 of 16
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`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 9(a)
`
`43
`
`41b
`
`
`
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`13a
`
`13b
`
`130
`
`FIG. 9(b)
`
`46b
`
`44b
`
`IEMESSAGEMEMOFUNCTIONSI
`
`1.SET FOR MESSAGE MEMO
`
`3. PLAYBACK VOICE MESSAGE MEMO
`
`Page 10 0f31
`
`
`
`45b 2. VOICE MESSAGE
`
`
`
`Page 10 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 10(a)
`
`< DRIVING >
`
`RINGER VOLUME I I [J I] 1]
`
`RINGER TONE
`
`VIBRATOR
`
`13a
`
`13b
`
`13c
`
`WAKE UP TONE
`
`MANNER SWITCH NAME REGISTRATION
`
`MANNER SENSOR
`
`SET FOR VOICE MESSAGE MEI/O
`
`Page 11 Of31
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`Page 11 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG.
`
`1 1
`
`SET FOR WALL PAPER
`
`1. SUNFLO
`
`'
`
`2. HAM ‘
`
`<§»—\/12c
`SUB MENU
`
`aka
`
`
`
`ta na ha ma ya ra wa ALPHABET ETC.
`
`51a
`
`
`
`
`51b
`
`NAME 1
`
`
`
`PHONE NUMBER 1
`
`MAIL ADDRESS 1
`
`
`
`W
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4§»V12c gm]
`
`
`
`
`13a
`
`13b
`
`130
`
`Page 12 0f31
`
`Page 12 of 31
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 13
`
`REDIAL RECORD
`
`INCOMING CALL RECORD
`
`1] REDIAL DATE/TIME 1
`NAME 1
`
`PHONE NUMBER 1
`
`[IE
`
`Page 13 0f31
`
`Page 13 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 14(a)
`
`LPUSH OF ENTER
`
`FIG. 14(b)
`
`CREATE NEW MAIL
`
`Page 14 0f31
`
`Page 14 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 14 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 15(a)
`
`LETTER TYPE SELECT
`
`NUMBER
`(1 BYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`ALPHABET
`news
`CHARACTER)
`
`(ZBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`NUMBER
`(2BYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`(IBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`54
`
`
`ALPHABET
`
`ALPHABET
`
`(C/ZBYTE
`HARACTER)
`
`(IBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`PICTURE
`
`
`
`
`'
`(ZBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`
`
`NUMBER
`
`(ZBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`KANA
`(TBYTE
`CHARACTER)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SUB MENU
`
`
`13a
`13b
`13C
`
`Page 15 0f31
`
`Page 15 of 31
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`F/G 75(8)
`
`61a
`
`61
`
`1. SET FOR DATE/TIME
`
`
`
`2. SET FOR ALARM
`
`3. AUTO POWER ON
`
`4. AUTO POWER OFF
`
`2. VOICE MESSAGE
`
`3. PLAYBACK VOICE MESSAGE MEMO
`
`Page 16 0f31
`
`Page 16 of 31
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`

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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Sep. 5, 2002 Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`FIG. 17
`
`1. SET FOR DATE/TIME
`
`2. SET FOR ALARM
`
`
`
`3. AUTO POWER ON
`
`4. AUTO POWER OFF
`
`<§»»—~/120 cm
`
`SELECT
`
`Page 17 Of31
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`Page 17 of 31
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`

`

`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`POCKET TELEPHONE
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a pocket telephone
`enabling its user to perform communications by telephony
`and E-mail by working the function keys and character input
`keys on its operation surface, based on the information
`contents shown on its display screen.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002] Pocket telephones are becoming very convenient
`tools provided with diverse functions such as mailing and
`communications over the Internet in addition to wireless
`
`telephony.
`
`[0003] Such a pocket telephone has a display screen and
`operation surface on which function keys and character
`input keys are arranged. By using these character input keys,
`its user can enter a telephone number when making a call or
`characters of mail text when sending mail.
`
`telephone is provided with various
`[0004] The pocket
`kinds of functions and user options such as date/time dis-
`play, alarm, ringer volume, ringer tone pattern, wall paper
`background of a standby screen and enables the user to set
`or customize these functions and user options and make sure
`of the settings. Setting or customizing these functions and
`user options and making sure of the settings can be per-
`formed by working the function keys on the operation
`surface, based on the menu screen, selecting function
`screens, and other screens displayed on the display screen.
`
`[0005] For predecessor pocket telephones, a plurality of
`letters, numeric-characters and/or symbols are assigned to
`one character input key because of the limited number of
`character input keys (dial keys) arranged on the operation
`surface. Three or more alphabet letters are assigned to the
`character input keys in alphabetical order; e.g., three alpha-
`bet letters “A”, “B”, and “C” are assigned to a first character
`input key and three alphabet letters “D”, “E”, and “F” are
`assigned to a second character input key, and so on.
`
`In this manner of assigning the alphabet letters to
`[0006]
`the keys, the arrangement of most frequently used character
`input keys to which “A”, “I”, “U”, “E”, and “O” are assigned
`is unsystematic. These alphabet letters correspond to the
`vowels in Japanese and are most frequently used when
`entering characters by means of Romaji (alphabetical nota-
`tion of Japanese). This poses a problem that the user has to
`move the thumb or other fingers or its equivalent here and
`there when entering characters to be mailed or for other
`purposes, that is, the key arrangement is not user-friendly.
`
`the standby
`telephones,
`[0007] For predecessor pocket
`screen is displayed as the initial screen when the telephone
`is powered on. In this display state, by actuating a specific
`function key on the operation surface, then the main menu
`screen is chosen and opened. The standby screen is switched
`to the main menu screen on which a further screen (a
`selecting function screen) is to be chosen for setting any
`function or user option of the pocket telephone and making
`sure of the setting. After being opened,
`this main menu
`screen is not related to the preceding screen (in this case, the
`standby screen). If the main menu screen remains open for
`long time, the user may be uncertain of what screen from
`which the main menu screen was opened (that is, what is the
`
`preceding screen). When performing some further operation
`that requires reverting from the currently displayed screen,
`the user may be at loss for what to do next because of being
`uncertain of the back way situation. This possibility is not
`limited to the main menu screen.
`
`telephones, moreover, a
`[0008] For predecessor pocket
`plurality of icons for items from which to choose is shown,
`arranged in an array on the main menu screen. By working
`the joy stick on the operation surface, the user positions the
`focus on one of these icons (in other words, an item to
`choose) and chooses it by fixing action. In cases where many
`icons are shown simultaneously on the main menu screen,
`the icons are shown so small that the user cannot identify
`them.
`
`[0009] As one solution to this problem, it is possible to
`enlarge the focal icon. However, the area of the enlarged
`icon may conceal the area where other icons are shown from
`view and some icons may become invisible. Consequently,
`to seek another icon, you have to set the focus off once and
`additional operation is required.
`
`telephones are
`[0010] Furthermore, predecessor pocket
`provided with an address book function for registering
`names of persons or parties whom the user of the pocket
`telephone has contacted or may contact and displaying the
`entries are displayed in a list. The user may want to obtain
`more information than the name and telephone number of
`one of these entries. To meet such request, it is possible that
`the detailed information of an entry is shown on the address
`book screen. When the user positions the focus on one of the
`entries to obtain its detailed information and fixes it, the area
`where the detail information is presented is enlarged. How-
`ever, this area may conceal other entries displayed on the
`address screen or expel them out of the screen. If part of the
`displayed entries become invisible, the user may feel bad. To
`view the detail of the entries one by one in the listed order,
`the user has to set the focus off once again.
`
`[0011] Moreover, the user of the pocket telephone may
`want to check the record of a person or party whom he or she
`has contacted. For example, the user may want to make
`certain that he or she contacted a person or party by
`telephony, E-mail, or C-mail. For meeting such request, the
`pocket telephone reads the number entry of the parson or
`party and displays it on the screen. However, the user must
`judge that
`it
`is telephony, E-mail, or C-mail from the
`displayed number, which may seem troublesome to the user.
`
`In response to creating mail to send, a create new
`[0012]
`mail screen or the like is displayed, allowing the user to enter
`mail text. The create mail screen comprises the input fields
`for address of mail destination, subject, mail text, etc. into
`which the user enters character strings by using the character
`input keys. In cases that the user is uncertain of how to do,
`the user can call help. For predecessor pocket telephones, to
`obtain help information, the user must choose the help icon
`shown in a specific position on the create new mail screen.
`However, the help display contains all matters about the
`create new mail screen, from which the user must seek
`necessary help information (for example, how to input the
`address of mail destination), which may seem troublesome
`to the user.
`
`telephone supplying companies supply
`[0013] Pocket
`diverse models of pocket telephones, whose specifications
`
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`Page 18 of 31
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`

`

`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`differ, depending on the companies. Because users select a
`pocket telephone model to their taste, different users use
`different pocket telephone models. Consequently, the user of
`a pocket telephone model may create mail over the maxi-
`mum number of characters displayable that is specified for
`a different model and send the mail
`to the user of the
`
`different model. In this case, the pocket telephone of the mail
`recipient displays only the part of the mail falling within the
`maximum range on its display and in most cases the sender
`is not aware of this fact. This may hinder the mail sender and
`recipient from coming to adequate mutual understanding.
`
`[0014] For predecessor pocket telephones, furthermore, by
`choosing a specific icon on the main menu screen,
`the
`selecting function screen of the item of the icon is opened
`and this screen does not has relation to the main menu
`
`screen. If the user wants to choose another selecting function
`screen, the user must return to the main menu screen, which
`also poses an operability problem that screen switch is not
`smooth.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0015] A first object of the present invention is to provide
`a pocket telephone that enables its user to operate it more
`easily by allowing for smoother finger moving when the user
`enters characters with the keys, thereby settling the above-
`mentioned problems.
`
`invention is to
`[0016] A second object of the present
`provide a pocket telephone that enables its user to make
`ascertain of the preceding screen just before the currently
`displayed screen and thus enables smoother operation,
`thereby settling the above-mentioned problems.
`
`[0017] A third object of the present invention is to provide
`a pocket telephone that enables an enlarged view of the focal
`icon with all remaining icons remaining visible, thereby
`settling the above-mentioned problems.
`
`invention is to
`[0018] A fourth object of the present
`provide a pocket telephone that maintains the number of
`entries of persons or parties whom its user has contacted or
`may contact to be displayed on the address book screen,
`while enabling the user to make sure of the detailed infor-
`mation for one of the entries, thereby settling the above-
`mentioned problems.
`
`[0019] A fifth object of the present invention is to provide
`a pocket telephone that enables its user to easily know the
`type of contact means for each person or party whom the
`user has contacted or may contact,
`thereby settling the
`above-mentioned problems.
`
`[0020] A sixth object of the present invention is to provide
`a pocket telephone that enables its user to obtain required
`help information surely and easily,
`thereby settling the
`above-mentioned problems.
`
`[0021] A seventh object of the present invention is to
`provide a pocket telephone that enables its user to commu-
`nicate with the other party or person in a mode compatible
`with the functionality of the pocket telephone model or other
`communications equipment used by the other party or
`person, thereby settling the above-mentioned problems.
`
`[0022] An eighth object of the present invention is to
`provide a pocket telephone that enables simple user opera-
`tion in choosing another selecting function screen when a
`
`selecting function screen being opened after chosen on the
`main menu screen,
`thereby settling the above-mentioned
`problems.
`
`To achieve the foregoing first object, the present
`[0023]
`invention provides a pocket telephone including an opera-
`tion surface on which function keys and character input keys
`arrayed in three columns by four rows are provided, the
`character input keys comprising three columns of keys, one
`of which consisting of four character input keys to which
`four out of five alphabet letters corresponding to the vowels
`in Japanese are assigned to be used to enter Japanese
`characters in Romaji input mode, the remaining one of the
`five alphabet letters being assigned to a function key just
`above the top character input key in the same column,
`wherein the keys of the five alphabet letters are arranged in
`the order of the vowels according to the Japanese syllabary.
`
`To achieve the foregoing second object, the present
`[0024]
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that a
`standby screen is displayed when its power is turned on and
`a predetermined screen is opened by actuating a function
`key on the operation surface, wherein the predetermined
`screen is superposed on the standby screen so that
`the
`standby screen will be visible through the predetermined
`screen.
`
`[0025] The pocket telephone is also arrange such that a
`selecting function screen is opened by choosing one of the
`icons of the items or groups of items from which to choose
`displayed on the main menu screen, and on the selecting
`function screen, the chosen icon as well as particular items
`under the thus chosen item are displayed.
`
`To achieve the foregoing third object, the present
`[0026]
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that, on
`the main menu screen, a plurality of icons are shown,
`arranged in an array, corresponding to items or groups of
`items from which to choose, one of the icons on which the
`focus is positioned is shown enlarged, and the remaining
`icons other than the focal icon shift, thus providing space for
`widening the area where the focal icon is shown. In this case,
`further arrangement can be made such that the remaining
`icons other than the focal icon shift with their size being
`downscaled, thus providing more space for widening the
`area where the focal icon is shown.
`
`To achieve the foregoing fourth object, the present
`[0027]
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that an
`address book screen can be opened on which a plurality of
`name entries of persons or parties whom the pocket tele-
`phone user has contacted or may contact are displayed in a
`list, wherein the focus is always positioned on one of the
`entries, for the focal entry, its detailed information about the
`address book as well as the name of the person or party being
`displayed.
`
`To achieve the foregoing fifth object, the present
`[0028]
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that a
`record screen can be opened on which a plurality of name
`entries of persons or parties whom the pocket telephone user
`has contacted are displayed in a list, wherein an icon to
`indicate the type of contact means taken at the last contact
`is attached to each name entry and the focus is positioned on
`one of the entries, for the focal entry, its record information
`such as last contact date/time,
`the number of times of
`contacts, etc. as well as the name of the person or party being
`displayed.
`
`Page 19 of31
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`Page 19 of 31
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`

`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`[0029] To achieve the foregoing sixth object, the present
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that a
`create mail screen comprising a plurality of input fields can
`be opened, wherein a help icon is assigned to each of the
`input fields so that the pocket telephone user can obtain help
`information for each input field.
`
`the
`[0030] To achieve the foregoing seventh object,
`present invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such
`that, for persons or parties whom the pocket telephone user
`has contacted or may contact, functional information about
`their pocket
`telephone model or other communications
`equipment, such as the maximum number of characters
`displayable, displayable file formats, etc.
`is stored in
`memory so that the user can refer to the functional infor-
`mation when entering mail text at the create main screen.
`
`[0031] The pocket telephone is also arranged such that a
`letter type select screen can be opened on which a plurality
`of icons of letter type options are laid out, on one of which
`the focus is always positioned, by actuating a specific key on
`the operation surface and choosing from a submenu when
`the create new mail screen is displayed.
`
`[0032] To achieve the foregoing eighth object, the present
`invention provides a pocket telephone arranged such that, on
`the main menu screen, a plurality of icons are shown,
`arranged in a single row, corresponding to items or groups
`of items from which to choose, with one of the plurality of
`icons being selected by default and the focus being posi-
`tioned on it, wherein the pocket telephone user can choose
`any desired icon by shifting the focus. By choosing to fix the
`focal icon, a selecting function screen is opened on which
`particular items under the item of the chosen icon are
`displayed in a list with the icons in the row remaining
`visible.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0033] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pocket telephone that is
`a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0034] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting an exemplary
`arrangement of the dial keys of the pocket telephone shown
`in FIG. 1.
`
`[0035] FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing the hard-
`ware configuration of the pocket telephone shown in FIG. 1.
`
`[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram representing hierarchical orga-
`nization of most screens to be displayed or opened on the
`pocket telephone shown in FIG. 1, including illustrative
`user operation for opening a specific screen.
`
`[0037] FIG. 5 shows examples of a standby screen men-
`tioned in FIG. 4.
`
`[0038] FIG. 6 shows examples of the main menu screen
`opened by being chosen on the standby screen exemplified
`in FIG. 5.
`
`[0039] FIG. 7 lists examples of items from which to
`choose whose icons are shown on the main menu screen
`
`exemplified in FIG. 6 and examples of function items to be
`displayed on a selecting function screen.
`
`[0040] FIG. 8 shows a selecting function screen example
`chosen from the main menu screen exemplified in FIG. 6.
`
`[0041] FIG. 9 shows another selecting function screen
`example chosen from the main menu screen exemplified in
`FIG. 6.
`
`[0042] FIG. 10 shows examples of a setting item confirm-
`ing screen chosen by user operation from the main menu
`screen exemplified in FIG. 6.
`
`[0043] FIG. 11 shows an example of a setting item chang-
`ing screen chosen by user operation from the main menu
`screen exemplified in FIG. 6.
`
`[0044] FIG. 12 shows an example of an address book
`screen opened by being chosen on the standby screen
`exemplified in FIG. 5.
`
`[0045] FIG. 13 shows an example of a redial/incoming
`call record screen opened by being chosen on the standby
`screen exemplified in FIG. 5.
`
`[0046] FIG. 14 shows examples of a create new mail
`screen opened from the standby screen exemplified in FIG.
`5.
`
`[0047] FIG. 15 shows examples of a letter type select
`screen as a submenu screen under the create new mail screen
`
`exemplified in FIG. 14.
`
`[0048] FIG. 16 shows examples of another version of the
`main menu screen chosen from the standby screen exem-
`plified in FIG. 15.
`
`[0049] FIG. 17 shows yet another example of another
`version of the main menu screen chosen from the standby
`screen exemplified in FIG. 15.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0050] A preferred embodiment of the present invention
`will now be described with reference to the appended
`drawings.
`
`[0051] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pocket telephone that is
`a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reference
`numeral 1 denotes a display screen; 2 denotes an operation
`surface; 3L denotes a left software key; 3R denotes a right
`software key; 4 denotes a direct key; 5 denotes a web key;
`6 denotes a mail key; 7 denotes a joy stick; 8 denotes a clear
`key; 9 denotes a call key; 10 denotes an end key; 11 denotes
`dial keys (a total of 12 keys hatched); 12a denotes a
`reception intensity icon; 12b denotes a web icon; 12c
`denotes a joy stick icon; 12d denotes a mail icon; 12e
`denotes a battery icon; and 13a to 13c denote function
`display boxes.
`
`the front surface of the
`[0052] As shown in FIG. 1,
`telephone body is roughly separated into upper and lower
`halves: there are the display screen 1 in the upper half and
`the operation surface 2 in the lower half.
`
`[0053] On the operation surface 2, operation keys are
`arranged in three columns. In the top row, the left software
`key 3L, direct key 4, and right software key 3R are lined
`from the left to right. The functions of the left software key
`3L and right software key 3R change, according to what is
`displayed on the display screen 1, and correspond to the
`function display boxes 13a and 13b shown on the bottom
`line on the display screen 1. In the case shown in FIG. 1, the
`
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`

`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`left software key 3L has a function of bringing up an address
`book on the screen as is indicated in the function display box
`13a and the right software key 3R has a function of making
`the pocket telephone execute a memo function as is indi-
`cated in the function display box 13c.
`
`In the second row, the web key 5, joy stick 7, and
`[0054]
`mail key 6 are lined from the left to right. Icons correspond-
`ing to these keys are shown in line above the bottom line of
`the function display boxes 13a to 13c to indicate the
`operating state of the pocket telephone. On the illustrative
`icons arrayed here, the joy stick icon 12c is shown in the
`middle with the web icon 12b being shown on its left side
`and the mail
`icon 12d being shown on its right side,
`corresponding to the positions of the joy stick 7, web key 5
`and mail key 6. When the user presses the web key 6 to get
`a web service over the Internet, the web icon 12b appears to
`tell the user that the telephone executes the procedure for
`getting the web service. When the pocket telephone receives
`mail, the mail icon 12d appears. The mail key 6 is used to
`open the received mail or send mail and the mail icon 12d
`remains visible until the received mail has been opened. The
`joy stick 7 can be thrown up and down and to the right and
`left and pressed. The joy stick icon 12c tells the user that the
`joy stick 7 is workable in this way while it remains visible.
`A function that is to be activated by pressing the joy stick 7
`is displayed in the function display box 13b. The display of
`the pocket telephone shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the joy
`stick 7 is workable (the joy stick icon 12c is visible) and a
`menu screen will be displayed when you work the joy stick
`(as indicated by “MENU” which is shown in the function
`display box 13b).
`
`[0055] As described above, the pocket telephone’s display
`screen has been devised such that the function display boxes
`13a and 13b corresponding to the functions of the left
`software key 3L and right software key 3R are shown at the
`bottom of the display screen 1 and the icons 12b, 12c, and
`12d corresponding to the web key 5, joy stick 7 and mail key
`6 are also shown in the same positions as in the row of the
`keys just above the line of the function display boxes 13a to
`13c on the display screen 1. In short, the icons and indexes
`indicating the functions or states of the function keys are
`displayed in place corresponding to the positions of the
`function keys. Because of these distinct correspondences
`between the function keys and those shown on the display
`screen 1, it will become very easy for the user to work the
`function keys.
`
`[0056] Moreover, on the display screen 1, the reception
`intensity icon 12a is shown on the left side of the web icon
`12 to indicate the intensity of the electric field of radio waves
`received by the pocket telephone in the current position. On
`the left side of the web icon 12b, the battery icon 12e is
`shown to indicate the battery charge state. Displaying the
`reception intensity icon 12a and battery icon 12e may be
`predetermined such that the appropriate icon appears only
`when the intensity of the electric field of received radio
`waves becomes very low or when the battery comes to
`contain only a small amount of charge.
`
`In the next row under the row with the web key 5
`[0057]
`in the first column place, there are the call key 9 to be
`pressed to make a call, the clear key 8 to be used to make
`the screen displayed on the display screen 1 revert to the
`
`preceding one or delete one character entered at the last or
`a target character, and the end key 10 to be pressed to
`disconnect the call.
`
`[0058] Under the row with the call key 9 in the first
`column place, there are dial keys 11 (hatched keys) arranged
`in three columns by four rows which are used as input keys
`for entering a telephone number, text, etc.
`
`[0059] FIG. 2 is an illustration depicting an exemplary
`arrangement of these dial keys 11, wherein the operation
`keys corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are assigned
`the same reference numbers and their explanation will not be
`repeated.
`
`[0060] The dial keys arrayed in three columns by four
`rows, shown in FIG. 2, are the same as those of previous
`pocket telephones in respect of the input keys for entering
`numbers and symbols. For their use to enter characters, these
`dial keys 11 will be referred to as character input keys. For
`this use, the character input function is also assigned to the
`clear key 8. The keys are arranged in three blocks: five
`character input keys including the clear key 8 vertically
`aligned in the middle column 11A, four character input keys
`vertically aligned in the left column 11B, and four character
`input keys vertically aligned in the right column 11C.
`
`To the input character keys in the middle column
`[0061]
`11A, respectively in order from top to down, alphabets A, I,
`U, E, and O are assigned, as shown, which correspond to the
`vowels in Japanese. If, for example,
`the clear key 8 is
`pressed, character “A” will be entered. When one of the
`above alphabets is entered by using the corresponding
`character input key in the column 11A, the entered alphabet
`is fixed. Numerals “2”, “S”, “8”, and “O” are also assigned
`to these character input keys except the clear key, respec-
`tively. Using these keys, if a number is entered, but unfixed
`and an alphabet is entered immediately following that, the
`entered alphabet will be fixed.
`
`[0062] When the clear key 8 is used as one of the character
`input keys, its clear function is disabled. Once you have
`entered a character on a screen prompting the user to fill the
`fields of a form with characters, the left software key 3L
`functions as a clear key with “CLEAR” being displayed in
`the function display box 13a (FIG. 1).
`
`To the character input keys in the column 11C,
`[0063]
`respectively in order from top to down, consonantal letters
`“K”, “S”, “T”, and “N” and other letters as their voiced
`consonants if exist and for making p-sounds or contracted
`sounds if exist are assigned, as shown. For example, to a
`character input key 11a, alphabet letters “K” and “G” are
`assigned in addition to numeral “3”. By using this character
`input key 11a in combination with the keys in the column
`11A, kanas “Ka, Ki, Ku, Ke, Ko” beginning with the “K”
`consonant and kanas “Ga, Gi, Gu, Ge, Go” beginning with
`the “G” voiced consonant can be entered. To a character
`
`input key 11b, alphabet letters “S”, “Z”, and “J” are assigned
`in addition to numeral “6”. By using this character input key
`11b in combination with the keys in the column 11A, kanas
`“Sa, Si, Su, Se, So” beginning with the “S” consonant, kanas
`“Za, Zi, Zu, Ze, Z0” beginning with the “Z” voiced conso-
`nant, and kanas “Ja, Ju, Jo”, contracted sounds starting with
`“J”, can be entered. To enter kana “N”, type double “N”
`alphabet letters, using a character input key 11e to which
`“N” is assigned.
`If another consonantal
`letter is typed
`
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`

`US 2002/0123368 A1
`
`Sep. 5, 2002
`
`following a single “N” alphabet letter typed with the key
`11e, the “N” is fixed as kana “N”.
`
`[0064] To the upper three character i