United States Patent (19)
`Allard et al.
`
`54
`
`PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR HAVING
`IMPROVED CONTRAST CONTROL FOR A
`LIQUID CRYSTAL, TOUCH SENSITIVE
`DISPLAY
`
`75
`
`Inventors:
`
`David J. Allard, Boynton Beach;
`Brent A. Beatty, Boca Raton; Francis
`J. Canova, Jr., Boynton Beach;
`Bradley J. DeBauche, Delray Beach;
`Danile M. Hsieh, Coral Springs;
`Debra A. G. Johnson, Fort
`Lauderdale; Charles S. Lanier,
`Delray Beach; James R. Lewis,
`Coconut Creek; Byron K. Tiller,
`Boca Raton; William Villafana,
`Davie; Raymond L. Yee, Coral
`Springs, all of Fla.
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`
`International Business Machines
`Corp., Armonk, N.Y.
`
`21
`
`Appl. No.: 146,342
`
`22)
`
`Fied:
`
`Nov. 1, 1993
`
`(51)
`52)
`(58
`
`Int. Cl.' ............................................... G09G 3/22
`U.S.C. ...................................... 345/173; 345/63;
`345/147
`Field of Search ..................... 345/77, 63, 89, 147,
`345/173, 179; 178/18-20; 348/734, 738, 761,
`790, 791, 794
`
`
`
`||||||||||III
`5,422,656
`Jun. 6, 1995
`
`US005422656A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`11)
`45)
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,029,982 7/1991 Nash ................................ 350/331 T
`5, 19,204 6/1992 Hashimoto et al. ................ 348/794
`5,148,155 9/1992 Martin et al. ................... 345/179 X
`5, 166,666 11/1992 Tanaka ................................ 34.5/179
`5,260,697 1 1/i993 Barrett et al. ................... 34.5/179 X
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0354703 2/1990 European Pat. Off. .
`9104461 4/1991 WIPO .
`Primary Examiner-Ulysses Weldon
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm--George E. Grosser; Douglas
`R. McKechnie
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A personal communicator has a touch sensitive overlay
`coupled with a liquid crystal display (LCD). The com
`municator has two external (non-screen) up/down but
`tons for adjusting the volume of a cellular phone
`speaker. These volume buttons are also used to allow
`the user to adjust contrast. In accordance with one
`operation, contrast is adjusted in response to the user
`touching a predetermined area of the screen at the same
`time as one of the up or down buttons is actuated. In
`accordance with another operation, contrast is adjusted
`in response to the user first pressing both speaker vol
`ume buttons to enter a contrast adjustment mode, and
`thereafter pressing one or the other of such buttons, to
`increase or decrease contrast as desired.
`
`15 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 1
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 6, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,422,656
`
`
`
`48
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 2
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 6, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,422,656
`
`SPEAKER MS
`44
`22
`
`AUDO
`MUX
`
`56
`
`10g
`
`48N
`
`RF
`DECK
`
`|
`
`4.
`
`FIG. 3
`
`98.
`
`AUDIO
`PORT
`
`PHONE
`PORT
`
`"
`SERA
`
`-
`
`104-1
`
`SYSTEM
`CONTROLLER 64
`MCRO
`
`
`
`CTRL.
`
`
`
`
`
`MU
`FUNCTION
`LOGIC
`
`BIOS
`76 \
`78-H POST
`
`72v DISKROM
`79
`DOS
`\NAVIGATOR
`APP. PROG.
`
`8
`
`
`
`83
`
`74
`
`82
`
`BACKUP
`BAERY
`
`
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 3
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 6, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,422,656
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`
`
`HELP
`
`24
`
`Phone off: Turn of the
`phone power.
`Phone on: Turn on the
`
`O
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 4
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 6, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,422,656
`
`FIG. 5
`
`PRESS HELP BUTTON
`AND ONE OF
`UP/DOWN BUTTONS
`
`-
`
`30
`
`MAN
`
`START INTERRUPT
`HANDLER EVERY
`7.5 MS
`
`f32
`
`HELP
`BUTTON
`TOUCHED
`
`UP
`BUTTON
`PRESSED
`
`UP N
`BUTTON
`PRESSED
`
`NO
`
`DOWN
`BUTTON
`PRESSED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`f52
`DOWN
`BUTTON
`PRESSED
`
`
`
`ADJUST
`SPEAKER
`VOLUME
`DOWN
`
`
`
`ADJUST
`SPEAKER
`VOLUME
`UP
`
`NHIBI
`HELP SCREEN
`FLAG SET
`
`RESE
`INHIBIT HELP
`SCREEN FLAG
`
`f56
`DSPLAY
`HELPSCREEN
`
`ADJUST
`LCD
`CoNIRAST
`DOWN
`
`
`
`f58
`SENHIBITHEP
`SCREEN FLAG
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 5
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`June 6, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,422,656
`
`FIG. 6
`
`'APPLICATION
`172
`f76
`
`NAVIGATOR
`SCAN LOOP
`
`124
`
`WNNYES
`UP AND DOWN
`
`DEBOUNCE
`
`180
`
`182
`
`RESET
`TIMEOUT
`
`NO
`
`TIMEOUT
`REACHED
`
`
`
`
`
`ONE
`BUTTON
`PRESSED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`198 INCREASE
`TMEOUT
`
`DEBOUNCE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`WAST THE
`UP BUTTON
`
`DECREASE
`CONTRAST
`
`INCREASE
`CONTRAST
`
`RESET
`TIMEOUT
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 6
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR HAVING
`IMPROVED CONTRAST CONTROL FOR A
`LIQUID CRYSTAL, TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAY
`
`5
`
`5,422,656
`2
`contrast control is needed to allow the user to adjust the
`contrast of the LCD to compensate for the extreme
`temperature effects. Such a control should also be us
`able to allow a user to adjust contrast to suit personal
`preferences.
`This general problem is known in the art, but the
`solutions differ as to how contrast control is provided.
`U. S. Pat. No. 5,029,982-Nash discloses an "LCD CON
`TRAST ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM for a portable
`computer. The system includes a user adjustable power
`supply which the user sets to achieve a desired contrast.
`A temperature sensor is used to generate a correction
`voltage that is added to the power supply voltage to
`maintain the user setting. The patent is silent as to the
`apparatus for adjusting the power supply. Presumably,
`adjustment is done by a standard knob or external, man
`ually actuated slider or rotary knob.
`The problem becomes more complex due to a design
`restraint of limiting the external controls to the three
`buttons discussed above and not allowing any addi
`tional external button or knob that would be dedicated
`to contrast control. Furthermore, the use of the touch
`screen display itself to provide the contrast adjustment,
`appears to be ruled out since any simulated control
`buttons may not be visible under the extreme tempera
`ture conditions.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`One of the objects of the invention is to provide an
`improved contrast control for an touchscreen display
`having an LCD subject to use under a wide range of
`temperature conditions, including those which may
`eliminate any visible contrast.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a mobile
`personal communicator with an improved LCD-con
`trast control.
`A further object of the invention is to provide a per
`sonal communicator, which includes a cellular phone
`having external buttons for adjusting speaker volume,
`with a touchscreen display having an LCD and novel
`contrast control means.
`Still another object of the invention is to provide a
`personal communicator of the type discussed above,
`with a novel contrast control that solves and overcomes
`the problems noted above.
`A still further object of the invention is to provide a
`personal communicator, including a cellular phone and
`a touchscreen display, with means for adjusting LCD
`contrast in response to the user pressing an external
`phone speaker volume control button and a simulated
`HELP screen control button.
`Another object of the invention is to provide a per
`Sonal communicator, including a cellular phone and a
`touchscreen display, with means for adjusting LCD
`contrast in response to the user pressing external phone
`speaker volume control buttons in a particular sequence
`or fashion.
`Briefly, in accordance with the invention, a personal
`Communicator has a touch sensitive overlay coupled
`with a liquid crystal display (LCD). The communicator
`has two external (non-screen) up/down buttons for
`adjusting the volume of a cellular phone speaker. These
`volume buttons are also used to allow the user to adjust
`contrast. In accordance with one embodiment of the
`invention, contrast is adjusted in response to the user
`touching a predetermined area of the screen at the same
`time as one of the up or down buttons is actuated. In
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`The following applications are all assigned to the
`assignee of this invention, and cover different inven
`tions related to a common development project:
`10
`(1) Application serial number 07/976,127, filed Nov.
`13, 1992, for “NAVIGATOR APPLICATION
`FOR PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR by B.A.
`Beatty et al
`(2) Application serial number, filed concurrently
`15
`herewith, for “PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR
`HAVING IMPROVED ZOOM AND PAN
`FUNCTIONS FOR EDITING IMAGES ON
`TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAY', by D. J. Al
`lard et al.
`(3) Application serial number, filed concurrently
`20
`herewith, for “PERSONAL COMMUNICATOR
`HAVING COLLAPSIBLE KEYBOARD FOR
`EDITING DOCUMENTS ON TOUCH SENSI
`TIVE DISPLAY', by D. J. Allard et al.
`The above related application (1) deals primarily
`25
`with an operating system called the “Navigator' which
`manages Screen displays and controls switching be
`tween the different communication and data processing
`functions. Related application (2) deals with managing
`the data presented on the screen of on a relatively small
`touch sensitive display and providing novel pan and
`Zoon functions for viewing portions of a relatively
`large image. Related application (3) deals with manag
`ing a relatively small touch sensitive display in which a
`simulated collapsible keyboard is used to edit/enter
`35
`information in a data viewing area. The present applica
`tion deals with an improved contrast control for a touch
`sensitive display.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The invention was designed as part of a personal
`communicator that combines a cellular phone, a data
`and fax modem, and a data processing system, into a
`mobile, conpact, lightweight, battery operated, hand
`held device having a variety of data processing and
`45
`communication functions. These functions include op
`erating the device as a standard cellular phone; a calen
`dar showing a list of things to do at various times; an
`address book for organizing names, addresses and
`phone numbers; a calculator; a note pad allowing text
`entry and editing; and a communication device for fax,
`E-mail, and various data bases and services.
`The personal communicator is in the form of a hand
`Set having an earphone or speaker at one end, a micro
`phone at the other end, and a small touchscreen display
`55
`between the speaker and the microphone. The display
`has a touch or pressure sensitive overlay, and a fine
`pitch liquid crystal display (LCD) operated as a stan
`dard CGA display with a resolution of 640x200 pixels.
`The touchscreen display provides a graphic user inter
`60
`face, input/output device for a variety of functions or
`applications.
`The general problem, which the invention addresses,
`is that due to the mobility of the communicator, the
`LCD may be exposed to wide temperature extremes
`which affect the LCD contrast. Extreme cold renders
`the liquid crystal material opaque and extreme heat
`makes the material transparent. Thus, some form of
`
`50
`
`65
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 7
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`O
`
`25
`
`5,422,656
`3
`4.
`play 26 is rectangularly shaped and comprises a touch
`accordance with another embodiment of the invention,
`sensitive overlay 28 that overlies a liquid crystal display
`contrast is adjusted in response to the user first pressing
`both speaker volume buttons to enter a contrast adjust
`(LCD) 38, and a backlight 40. The LCD has a viewing
`area of 36mm by 115mm and is operated as an all points
`ment mode, and thereafter pressing one or the other of
`Such buttons, to increase or decrease contrast as desired.
`addressable display. A planar card 50 is mounted within
`the center of casing 12 and has mounted thereon various
`DRAWINGS
`components including a power supply 52, a central
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`processing unit (CPU) 54 that forms the system control
`apparent from the following description taken in con
`ler (FIG. 3), a modem 56, and other components 58
`nection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
`including a connector for connecting and supporting an
`FIG. 1 is a plan view of a personal communicator
`optional Personal Computer Memory Card Interna
`embodying the invention;
`tional Association (PCMCIA) card 57 that conforms to
`FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view through the personal
`published standards of the Association for a version 2.0
`communicator shown in FIG. 1, schematically illustrat
`card support.
`ing various components;
`Referring to FIG. 3, system controller 54 is single
`15
`FIG. 3 is a is a block diagram of electrical compo
`chip implementation of a PC/XT class portable com
`nents of the personal communicator shown in FIG. 1;
`puter, the chip being a Model VG230 processor com
`FIG. 4 is an illustration of two exemplary user inter
`mercially available from Vadem, Inc., San Jose, Calif.
`face screens, useful in understanding a first embodiment
`Controller 54 comprises a plurality of subsystems in
`of the invention;
`20
`cluding a microprocessor 60 for executing various pro
`FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating contrast control
`grams stored in the communicator, an LCD controller
`operations of the first embodiment of the invention; and
`62, a COM1 communication port 64, and pinouts for
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating contrast control
`connection to various devices the major ones of which
`operations of a second embodiment of the invention.
`are shown in FIG. 3. A bus 66 interconnects controller
`54 with a main memory 68, a read only memory (ROM)
`DETALED DESCRIPTION
`70, a disk ROM 72, touch controls 74, and modem 56.
`General System Organization
`ROM 70 stores a basic input/output system (BIOS)
`Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, a
`76 and a power on self test (POST) program 78, and is
`personal communicator (PC) 10 is of the type generally
`accessed in the usual manner. Disk ROM 72, however,
`set forth above and comprises a cellular phone and a
`30
`is accessed, in a manner that simulates a disk drive, and
`complete data processing system further details of
`stores files containing a disk operating system (DOS)
`which are described below. PC 10 includes a housing or
`79, the Navigator program 80 which is an extension to
`casing 12 having mounted along one side thereof a
`the DOS, application programs 81 that produce various
`plurality of external, manually operated push buttons
`communication and data processing functions in PC 10,
`including an ON/OFF push button 14, an UP push
`35
`and interrupt handlers 83 for handling interrupts spe
`button 16, and a DOWN push button 18. PC 10 has a
`cific to the applications. Additional memory and appli
`size facilitating usage as a hand-held device and buttons
`cation programs can be added by the PCMCIA card.
`16 and 18 are located so that a right handed user can
`When the communicator is turned on, POST program
`wrap his/her fingers around the rear of the casing and
`78 is executed. In response to a successful completion of
`actuate the buttons to adjust speaker volume while the
`the test, a kernel of DOS 79 is then loaded from disk
`user is listening to the phone speaker. A pull-out an
`ROM 72 into main memory 68, for execution. DOS 79
`tenna 20 is mounted at the top of the casing. A speaker
`accesses disk ROM 72 and loads the Navigator and the
`22 is mounted near the top of the casing and a micro
`application programs, as needed, into main memory 68
`phone 44 (FIG. 2) is mounted inside the bottom of the
`for execution by microprocessor 60. The Navigator
`casing behind port holes 24. A touchscreen display 26 is
`45
`controls the information displayed on the LCD, paints
`mounted on the middle portion of the casing between
`the various screens associated with the application pro
`the speaker and the microphone, and provides an input
`grams on the LCD, and spawns new programs in re
`/output (I/O) device and user interface for entering
`sponse to user selection through actuation of the touch
`information into and receiving information, from the
`screen interface.
`PC and the data processing system therein. The general
`50
`Communication functions are handled by RF deck 48
`shape of PC 10 is similar to the shape of commercially
`and modem 56. RF deck is connected to a beeper 94
`available portable phones except that display 26 occu
`that is sounded or actuated to alert the user to an incom
`pies the space normally used for a standard, electrome
`ing call. Controller 54 is also connected to beeper 94
`chanical, twelve push-buttons, phone keyboard. Dis
`and is able to selectively actuate the beeper such as
`play 26 includes a touch sensitive overlay 28 the outer
`55
`when a screen button is selected. Deck 48 is also con
`surface of which is flush with adjacent portions of cas
`nected to an audio mux 96 which controls the routing of
`ing 12.
`audio signals between deck 48, speaker 22, microphone
`Referring to FIG. 2, PC 10 has a plurality of minia
`44, modern 56, and audio port 98. Moden 56 is con
`turized components mounted within casing 12. The
`nected to a phone port 100 by means of which PC 10
`components include speaker 22 and microphone 44
`60
`can be connected by a cable (not shown) into a phone
`spaced apart a distance corresponding to the distance
`network or system. Deck 48 is also connected to a mux
`between an ear and the mouth of an average size user to
`facilitate use as a phone. PC 10 is battery operated and
`102 that in turn is connected further to a serial port 104
`and to COM1 port 64 of controller 54.
`includes a battery 46 detachably mounted on the back
`Battery 46 is connected to power supply 52 and
`wall of the casing. A cellular phone transceiver 48 is
`65
`supplies the primary power for operating PC 10. A
`mounted inside casing 12 and is connected to antenna
`backup battery 82 is also connected to the power supply
`20, the antennal being extensible outwardly from the
`and supplies power to volatile memory when the main
`casing for radio frequency (RF) communications. Dis
`
`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 8
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
`
`

`

`5
`
`O
`
`5,422,656
`6
`5
`battery is removed for replacement. Power supply 52 is
`button or a non-button area. As a finger is slid across the
`overlay, new buttons are highlighted while the old
`connected to a backlight inverter 84 that, in turn, is
`connected to backlight 40 for controlling back lighting
`buttons are returned to normal, non-highlighted condi
`tions, thereby providing the user with visual feedback
`of the LCD to allow PC 10 to be operated under low
`light conditions. PC 10 preferably includes power man
`as to which button will be selected when the finger is
`agement functions (not shown) for conserving energy
`removed from the overlay. Each application program
`usage and prolonging battery life.
`stores one or more maps correlating the X,Y positions
`of the overlay with the different buttons. The Navigator
`LCD controller 62 is connected by a data bus 88 to
`Supply data to LCD 38 to control the contents of the
`scans the map, in response to receiving X,Y coordi
`information displayed by the LCD. Controller 62 drives
`nates, to determine the function of a selected area or
`a contrast control signal (CCS) onto line 90 for trans
`button, and take appropriate action.
`mission to power supply 52. In response to the CCS,
`Screen 108 includes a simulated cellular phone key
`power supply 52 drives a contrast voltage signal (CVS)
`board 120 and a data entry area 122 in which phone
`onto line 92 that determines the contrast of LCD 38.
`numbers are displayed as the respective digits of a
`Touch overlay 28 is a resistive pressure sensitive
`phone number are entered by the keyboard. Screen 108
`Overlay that produces an analog voltage signal indica
`also comprises a row 111 of selectable buttons including
`tive of an overlay location being pressed. Overlay 28 is
`a HELP button 112, a PHONE button 114, a TOOLS
`connected to touch controls 74 that convert the analog
`button 116, and a BACK button 118, located along the
`signal into a digital signal representing the X,Y coordi
`bottom edge of the screen. These four selectable buttons
`nates of the overlay location being pressed. The digital
`are common to other menu screens and appear at the
`coordinates are then transmitted over bus 66 to control
`same locations on screen 110 and other portrait Screens.
`er 54 and memory 68 for use in determining the pur
`PHONE button 114 is used to transfer control to the
`pose of the location being pressed. Touch controls 74
`phone application from other applications, to allow the
`are further connected to multifunction logic 86. In re
`user to place or receive a phone call regardless of the
`Sponse to sensing that the overlay 28 has been touched,
`25
`current application. TOOLS button 116 is used to trans
`controls 74 generate an interrupt request that is trans
`fer control to an office tools screen allowing the user to
`mitted to logic 86 and logic 86 then transmits the inter
`select another application. BACK button 118 is used to
`rupt request to controller 54. UP and DOWN buttons
`transfer control back to the previously selected
`16 and 18 are also connected to logic 86 which de
`screen(s).
`bounces any signals due to the mechanical nature and
`30
`Help screen 110 contains a description 124 of the
`generates a button number identifying which button has
`functions of keys presented on screen 108, which is
`been pressed. The numbers are stored in I/O ports (not
`deemed the current screen at the time the HELP button
`shown) which can be polled by the system. Multifunc
`thereof is selected. In addition to the common selection
`tion logic 86 is also connected to RF deck 48 and audio
`buttons 112, 114, 116, and 118, screen 110 further con
`mux 96 allowing controller 54 to communicate there
`35
`tains selection buttons 126 and 128 for paging up and
`with and provide functions not done by the system
`down between pages of the information presented on
`controller, such functions not being germane to the
`the Help screen.
`invention.
`
`15
`
`50
`
`Operation
`As indicated above, when PC 10 is turned on, DOS
`79 and Navigator 80 are loaded into main memory 68,
`along with an application. By default, the first applica
`tion to be loaded is a phone application that provides
`and controls cellular phone operations. Such applica
`45
`tion is executed and interacts with the Navigator pro
`gram to create a Phone screen 108 on LCD 38, which
`Screen is shown in FIG. 4. The various screens dis
`played on LCD 38 are painted by Navigator 80 using
`information from the specific application program to
`which the screen is relevant. When being used as a
`cellular phone, UP/DOWN buttons 16 and 18 may be
`used to adjust speaker volume. FIG. 4 also shows a
`Help screen 110 that is displayed when the HELP but
`ton 112, of Screen 108, is selected.
`55
`The screens include selectable buttons having thin
`solid lines along their left and top edges and shadow
`lines along their bottom and right edges. The buttons
`also bear labels or icons, or both. A button is selected by
`a touch and release action. That is, a button is selected
`60
`when the user touches overlay 28 in the area overlaying
`the button, and then releases the button by releasing the
`overlay. When a button is so touched, it is highlighted.
`When a button is so selected, the system sounds beeper
`94 to provide audio feedback to the user. All buttons are
`65
`also operated by a “last contact” method so that a user
`can easily recover from touching an unintended button
`by leaving a finger on the screen and sliding to another
`
`Contrast Control
`In accordance with the first embodiment of the in
`vention, changes in LCD contrast are made in response
`to the user pressing and holding the HELP button while
`pressing one or the other of UP/DOWN buttons 16 or
`18 until the desired contrast is achieved. The user usu
`ally adjusts contrast when the communicator is first
`turned on at which time phone screen 108 is displayed.
`The HELP button is located in a predetermined posi
`tion at the lower left corner of the screen. With such
`knowledge, should the contrast be at the extremes of
`opacity or transparency where the user cannot see the
`button, the user can readily press the area of the overlay
`above the LCD area where the button would normally
`be visible, and adjust contrast.
`With reference to FIG. 5, assume that the communi
`cator has just been turned on and the main routine is
`being executed at 131. Contrast adjustment is then done
`in the following manner. First, at step 130, the user
`touches the overlay adjacent the location of the HELP
`button and simultaneously presses either the UP button
`16 or the DOWN button 18. When the touchscreen is
`pressed, an interrupt occurs every 7.5 ms and each inter
`rupt is handled in step 132 by an interrupt handler
`which performs the handling and then returns control
`to the main routine at 131. The pressing of HELP but
`ton 112 is detected by using the X,Y positions transmit
`ted when the touchscreen is pressed, and looking up the
`Help function associated with the position. The UP/-
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 9
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01275
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`DOWN buttons are detected by polling the I/O ports
`contrast button specifically dedicated to only adjusting
`for the number assigned to each button.
`contrast, and that each can be used when the LCD
`The handling routine decides in step 134 if the HELP
`contrast is initially opaque or transparent and the user
`button was touched. If such button was not touched
`cannot read data on the LCD screen.
`(this might occur when the user wants to adjust the
`It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that
`speaker volume), step 136 decides if the UP button 16
`many changes can be made in the details and arrange
`was pressed. If so, as indicated by the "yes' decision in
`ments of steps and parts without departing from the
`the drawing, then a one second timeout period is en
`scope of the invention as defined in the appended
`tered at 137. So long as the UP button remains pressed,
`claims.
`the speaker volume is adjusted incrementally up at 146,
`What is claimed is:
`but if the button is released for more than one second,
`1. A mobile, compact personal communicator includ
`the time out period expires and the process ends at 142
`ing a data processing system and a communication de
`with control being returned to the Navigator. If step
`vice for performing a wide variety of data processing
`136 results in a negative answer, step 138 decides if the
`and communication functions comprising:
`DOWN button is pressed. If so, the speaker volume is
`a casing of a size adapted to be held in the hand of a
`adjusted downwardly while the DOWN button is
`user;
`pressed. When the DOWN button is released for more
`a touchscreen display mounted on said casing and
`than one second, the adjustment then ends.
`including a liquid crystal display (LCD) coupled
`If step 134 results in a "yes' determination, a contrast
`with a touch sensitive overlay;
`control mode of operation begins. Steps 148 and 152
`20
`first and second selectively actuated push buttons
`determine which of the UP/DOWN buttons is being
`mounted on said casing;
`pressed or actuated, and adjusts the LCD contrast up or
`a cellular phone mounted on said casing and includ
`down in 150 or 154 dependent upon which button is
`ing a speaker having adjustable volume;
`pressed. Then step 158 sets an INHIBIT HELP
`speaker volume control means connected to said first
`SCREEN flag and returns to the main routine. When
`25
`and second buttons and to said speaker for increas
`either button is released for more than one second,
`ing and decreasing said volume of said speaker in
`timeout decisions 149 and 153 end the contrast control
`response to selective actuation of said first and
`mode. Should decision 152 result in a 'no' decision,
`second buttons respectively;
`step 155 decides if the INHIBIT HELPSCREEN flag
`processing means mounted in said casing, said pro
`has been set. If not, step 156 displays the Help screen. If
`cessing means including screen management means
`the flag has been set, step 157 resets the flag prior to the
`for painting different screens on said display device
`next interrupt. If only the HELP button had been
`with contrast control means; and said contrast con
`pressed in 130, each of decisions 148, 152, and 155 result
`trol means connected to said LCD for controlling
`in a negative decisions, and step 156 displays a Help
`contrast of said LCD, said contrast control means
`screen upon release of the Help button at which time it
`35
`comprising:
`is considered “selected'.
`selectively actuated first means in a screen for
`FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention
`switching said communicator into a contrast
`in which contrast adjustment is made in response to first
`control mode of operation and converting the
`pressing both UP/DOWN buttons 16 and 18 to enter
`first and second buttons from speaker volume
`into contrast adjustment mode, and thereafter pressing
`control to contrast control of the display in re
`only one of such buttons to select the direction of ad
`sponse to said first means being actuated,
`justment. When the application is executing at 170 and
`second means, operative during said contrast mode
`reaches a point where a button input is needed, control
`of operation, for increasing the contrast of said
`passes via 172 to the Navigator which performs a scan
`LCD in response to said first push button being
`loop and senses touchscreen positions and polls button
`45
`ports. If, for example, a user selects a single button then
`actuated, and
`third means, operative during said contrast mode of
`by 176, control is returned to the application programs
`operation, for decreasing the contrast of said
`to process the selection. However, if, as part of the loop,
`LCD in response to said second push button
`step 178 detects that both buttons 16 and 18 are pressed
`being actuated.
`simultaneously, the Navigator then enters into contrast
`2. A personal communicator in accordance with
`adjustment mode, in which step 180 debounces the
`claim 1 wherein said first means comprises:
`button signals, and step 182 resets a timeout to zero.
`a selectively actuated touchscreen button in a prede
`Then, once the contrast mode is entered, the user can
`release one or both keys. If neither key is then pressed,
`termined location on said screen in said touch
`Screen display; and
`a decision is made in 196 to determine if the time out
`55
`period has expired. If so, control returns to the Naviga
`fourth means for switching into said contrast control
`mode in response to simultaneous actuation of said
`tor, and the contrast adjustment mode is exited. If the
`timeout has not expired step 198 incrementally increases
`touchscreen button and one of said push buttons.
`3. A personal communicator in accordance with
`the timeout and a new decision 184 is made to see if a
`claim 2 comprising:
`button is yet pressed. If one button is pressed, step 186
`60
`fifth means for displaying a Help screen on said dis
`debounces the signal, and step 188 decides if it was the
`play in response to touching and releasing said
`up button or the down button, and steps 190 or 194
`would then adjust contrast according to which button.
`touchscreen button at a time other than during said
`Step 192 would then reset the timeout and return to 184
`contrast control mode.
`to continue the operation until the contrast adjustment
`4. A personal communicator in accordance with
`65
`mode is exited.
`claim 3 wherein:
`The advantages of both embodiments are that each
`Said touchscreen button is actuated by touching said
`allows a user to adjust contrast without providing a
`touchscreen display, and said contrast control
`
`SO
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`Qualcomm, Exh. 2019, p. 10
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`5,422,656
`10
`cates that one of said push buttons has been actu
`node is ended in response to said touchscreen dis
`play being released; and
`ated.
`10. A personal communicator including a data pro
`Said communicator further comprises means for in
`cessing system, a communication device with one or
`hibiting display of said Help screen in response to
`more operating buttons, and a touch controlled liquid
`releasing said touchscreen display to end said con- 5
`crystal display, the method of controlling contrast in
`trast control mode.
`the liquid crystal display, comprising the steps of:
`5. A personal communicator in accordance with
`a) generating a screen including a button image in the
`claim 4 wherein said touchscreen button comprises a
`display using a screen management means included
`HELP button in a screen displayed on said LCD and an
`in the data processing system;
`area of said o