(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent N0.:
`US 6,463,304 132
`
`Smethers
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Oct. 8, 2002
`
`USOO6463304B2
`
`(54) APPLICATION LAUNCHER FOR A TWO-
`WAY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Paul A. Smethers, Cupertino, CA (US)
`~
`.
`(73) ASSlgnee‘ 2115;113:1938?me Inc" RedWOOd
`(*) Notice:
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`5400(2)
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`JP
`
`9/1998 Rossmann
`5,809,415 A
`5,848,356 A * 12/1998 Jambhekar et al.
`5,917,905 A *
`6/1999 Whipple et al.
`
`......... 455/403
`
`..... 379/356
`
`5,987,336 A * 11/1999 Sudo et al.
`.............. 455/566
`6,125,287 A *
`9/2000 Cushman et al.
`..... 455/566
`
`6,144,863 A * 11/2000 Charron ................... 455/566
`............. 379/43.06
`6,332,024 B1 * 12/2001 Inoue etal.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 633 684 A2
`1/1995
`0 689 122 A1
`12/1995
`0 844 553 A1
`5/1998
`2001—331262
`* 11/2001
`
`............ 379/433.06
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154a,) by 0 days.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`.
`UP.BrowserTM User Handbook, UnW1red Planet, Inc., Nov.
`1977.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/262,440
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 4, 1999
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2002/0077156 A1 Jun. 20, 2002
`n .
`.
`..................................................
`H04B 1/38
`I t Cl 7
`(51)
`........................ 455/566; 455/575; 345/810
`(52) US. Cl.
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 455/566, 550,
`455/575; 379/368, 88.12; 345/348, 810,
`835 752 169- 341/23 340/752 7.55
`’
`’
`’
`’
`’ 7 56
`'
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,617,657 A
`5 199 104 A
`,
`,
`5,425,077 A
`5,481,539 A
`595599512 A *
`576927032 A
`g’zg’ggg 2
`5,761,280 A
`5,797,098 A
`5,802,516 A
`
`10/1986 Drynan et al.
`3 1993 Hira mm
`/
`y
`6/1995 Tsoi
`1/1996 Hershey et a1.
`9/1996 Jasmfikl 6t al~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 341/22
`11/1997 Seppanen 6t al~
`:33: EOhantanl
`6/1998 Ngirfenaet a1
`8/1998 Schroeder et 211.
`9/1998 Shwarts et al.
`
`“HDTP Specification”, Version 1.1—Draft, UnWired Planet,
`Inc., Jul. 1997.
`
`,
`,
`HDML 2.0 Language Reference, Ver51on 2.0, UnW1red
`Planet, Inc., Software Developer Kit, Jul. 1997.
`
`“Wireless Application Protocol Architecture Specification”
`(WAP Architecture), Version 30, Apr. 1998.
`>1 cited by examiner
`
`.
`.
`Primary ”WWW—Dewayne B0“
`Assistant Examiner—Erika A. Gary
`y
`g
`y
`74 Attorne , A em, or Firm—Be er Weaver & Thomas,
`LLP
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and apparatus for facilitating access to a plurality
`of a
`lications resident on a two-wa mobile communica-
`PP
`y
`tion device. Existing keys or buttons of the two-way mobile
`communication device activate (or launch) resident appli-
`cations. Additionally, the two-way mobile communication
`device presents the user With a displayed map on its display
`screen to specifically indicate Which keys or buttons keys
`launch Which resident applications.
`
`18 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`F_ o I o .
`
`100
`
`.1058
`
`7116
`
`APPLE 1041
`
`1 1
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`ng11
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`(1;)6
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`k
`
`111
`1611EE
`1111
`00
`
`APPLE 1041
`
`1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 132
`
`100
`
`104
`
`1088
`
`116
`
`Figure 1
`
`124
`
`Q
`
`
`
`
`
`110
`H° ‘m °fiz
`108A v f
`
`132
`
`@>
`@>
`
`@
`
`@ @
`
`> (9
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`Device ID
`
`Storage
`
`200
`
`Josseomd
`
`Encoder/
`
`Decoder
`
`Voice
`
`Figure 2
`
`O.
`
`0 i(
`
`Circuitry
`
`D E
`
`ro
`a)
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`[320
`L 324
`T
`321?
`NOTE
`here
`PAD
`
`To Do List:
`
`I
`
`10:00 Mr. Smith
`
`12:00 Contact Broker
`
`14:00 Teleconference
`16:30 Ms. Jones
`
`General:
`
`ACME Closed UP Buy More
`WAP CONFERENCE PREPS
`
`316
`
`300
`
`304
`
`3088
`
`Figure 3A
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`348
`63,017,.//344
`@904
`”
`BROWSER
`..._' ‘
`
`f 352
`
`1. BOOKMARKS
`
`2. FINANCIAL
`
`3. SPORTS
`
`4. TRAVEL
`
`5.>NEWS
`
`6. WEATHER
`
`7. ENTERTAINMENT
`
`316
`
`300
`
`304
`
`3088
`
`Figure 3B
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 132
`
`
`
`{I C'ID .'
`
`
`
`Q]
`
`Address
`Book
`
`M 370
`374
`ADDI/R’TESS
`BOOK
`
`
`1. J. ADAMS
`2. A. COOLENS
`
`
`4. K. LAROT
`
`3. D. FRANKLIN
`
`I
`
`
`
`5.>P. SMETHERS
`
`
`
`6. W. STRICKLAND
`
`7. J. THOMPSON
`
`
`
`300
`
`3088
`
`316
`
`Figure 3C
`
`6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`A/ 400
`
`402
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY AN IMAGE MAP
`HAVING APPLICATION
`SYMBOLS ARRANGED IN A
`CONFIGURATION
`CORRESPONDING TO A
`GROUP OF KEYS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LAUNCH
`
`
`
`PROCESS KEY
`
`
`
`
`KEY FROM
`APPLICATION YES
`INPUT IN
`
`
`
`ASSOCIATED
`GROUP OF KEYS?
`
`CONVENTIONAL
`
`WITH KEY
`
`MANNER
`INPUT
`
`
`
`
`Figure 4
`
`7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 132
`
`START
`
`LOAD
`
`NAVIGATION
`
`KEY MAP
`
`
`NAVIGATION
`
`KEYS ASSIGNED
`
`APPLICATION
`
`LAUNCH
`
`FUNCTIONS
`
`512
`
`
`
`504
`
`508
`
`500
`
`/
`
`532
`
`LOAD
`
`ALTERNATE
`
`NAVIGATION
`
`KEY MAP
`
`NO
`
`ROCKER N0
`INPUT?
`
`535
`
`PROCESS INPUT
`AS
`STANDARD
`PHONE INPUT
`
`
`
`516
`
`520
`
`
`
`
`
`NAVIGATION
`
`KEY INPUT?
`
`YES
`
`LAUNCH
`
`ASSOCIATED
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`CONFIGURE
`
`USER
`
`INTERFACE TO
`APPLICATION
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`END
`
`Figure 5
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`START
`
`IDENTWY
`APPUCAflONS
`LOADED
`
`
`
`GENERATE
`NAVIGATION
`KEYMAP
`
`LOAD
`NAWGADON
`KEYMAP
`
`604
`
`608
`
`612
`
`508
`
`600
`
`‘///”
`
`532
`
`NAWGADON
`KEYS ASSIGNED
`APPUCAHON
`LAUNCH
`FUNCflONS
`
`
`
`LOAD
`ALTERNATE 1
`NAWGAHON
`KEYMAP
`
`I
`
`512
`
`YES 528
`
`NAWGAHON
`KEY INPUT?
`
`N0
`
`ROCKER NO
`INPUT?
`
`YES
`
`516
`
`LAUNCH
`ASSOCMTED
`APPLICATION
`
`SPECIFICATION
`
`CONHGURE
`USER
`INTERFACETO
`APPLICATION
`
`536
`
`PROCESSINPUT
`AS
`STANDARD
`PHONEINPUT
`
`
`
`520
`
`END
`
`Figure 6
`
`9
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 8, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 0f 9
`
`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`START
`
`ROCKER KEY
`
`INPUT RECEIVED
`
`704
`
`700
`
`4/
`
`722
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE LAST
`NAVIGATION
`KEY MAP
`
`NO
`
`720
`
`RETRIEVE FIRST
`NAVIGATION
`
`KEY MAP
`
`708
`
`NO
`
`NAV.
`KEY MAP
`UP?
`
`YES
`
`712
`
` OTHER
`
`NAV. KEY
`
`
`MAPS?
`
`YES
`
`716
`
`RETRIEVE NEXT
`
`KEY MAP
`
`NAVIGATION
`
`END
`
`Figure 7
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`1
`APPLICATION LAUNCHER FOR A TWO-
`WAY MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to two-way mobile commu-
`nication devices and, more particularly,
`to an application
`launcher for two-way mobile communication devices.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Slumping prices for static memory devices (e.g. SDRAMs
`and DRAMs) and microprocessors have made it possible for
`the manufactures of two-way mobile communication
`devices (e.g. two-way pagers, cellular phones, palm sized
`computing devices and personal digital assistants (PDAs)) to
`put more processing power and memory at the disposal of
`consumers, while at the same time pricing the units at a price
`which will allow them to obtain critical mass in the market
`
`place. The manufacturers of the two-way mobile commu-
`nication devices and the associated service providers have
`developed numerous applications that provide devices with
`some functionality and features. The applications are typi-
`cally scaled-down versions of like applications provided on
`personal computers (e.g., desktop and laptop computers). As
`a result, two-way mobile communication devices are able to
`include text editors, browsers, email applications, etc.
`One problem is that as more and more applications are
`provided to these two-way mobile communication devices,
`which typically have limited size display screens and input
`keypads,
`is that it becomes more difficult for a user to
`activate a desired one of the applications. As a result, more
`user interaction and concentration is needed to properly
`activate the desired one of the applications.
`User friendliness and functionality are important require-
`ments for these devices to gain broad acceptance in the
`market place. For this to occur users have to be able to
`access and utilize the applications included in these two-way
`mobile communication devices with minimal effort and
`
`maximum efficiency. Conventionally, however, unsatisfac-
`tory amounts of user effort are required to access or activate
`applications provided on two-way mobile communication
`devices.
`
`10
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`Thus, there is a need for a system and method which can
`present a plurality of applications resident on a two-way
`mobile communication device in a manner that enables a
`
`45
`
`user to easily and quickly select and activate a desired
`application.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a method and apparatus
`for facilitating access to a plurality of applications resident
`on a two-way mobile communication device. More
`specifically, the present invention makes use of existing keys
`or buttons on a two-way mobile communication device to
`activate (or launch) resident applications. Additionally, the
`two-way mobile communication device presents the user
`with a map displayed on its display screen to specifically
`indicate which keys or buttons keys launch which resident
`applications.
`The invention can be implemented in numerous ways,
`including as a method, an apparatus, a system, and a
`computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the
`invention are discussed below.
`
`According to one embodiment, a method of initiating one
`of a plurality of resident applications in a two-way mobile
`communication device having a display and an input inter-
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`face includes the operations of: displaying a key map on the
`display of the two-way mobile communication device, the
`key map including symbolic identifiers for a group of the
`resident applications, and each of the symbolic identifiers
`provide information relating to the assignment of a key of a
`group of keys of the two-way mobile communication
`device; receiving a selection of the keys in the group of keys;
`and executing one of the resident applications within the
`group of the resident applications that is associated with the
`selected one of the keys in the group of keys.
`According to another embodiment, a method of initiating
`a selected one a plurality of resident applications in a
`two-way mobile communication device having a display and
`a keypad includes the operations of: displaying a key map on
`the display of the two-way mobile communication device,
`the key map providing graphical indicators for at least a set
`of resident applications; associating a set of the keys of the
`keypad with the graphical indicators of the key map; and
`executing the associated one of the resident applications in
`the set of resident applications when one of the set of the
`keys of the keypad is actuated.
`As a two-way mobile communication device, an embodi-
`ment of the invention includes: a display screen; an input
`user interface that allows a user to input a selection, the input
`user interface including keys; a processor for executing at
`least one of a plurality of resident applications; and a
`memory that stores the resident applications and further
`stores program code to enable a user to facilitate easy user
`selection of one of the resident applications to activate. The
`program code includes: program code for displaying a key
`map on the display of the two-way mobile communication
`device, the key map including symbolic identifiers for a
`group of the resident applications, and each of the symbolic
`identifiers are assigned to a key of a group of keys of the
`two-way mobile communication device and are arranged in
`a configuration corresponding to the group of keys of the
`two-way mobile communication device; program code for
`receiving a selection of the keys in the group of keys; and
`program code for activating one of the resident applications
`within the group of the resident applications that is associ-
`ated with the selected one of the keys in the group of keys.
`The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different
`embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of
`the following advantages. One advantage of the invention is
`that applications resident on two-way mobile communica-
`tion devices can be launched or activated with reduced user
`effort. Another advantage of the invention is that a resident
`application to be launched can be rapidly selected.
`Other aspects and advantages of the invention will
`become apparent from the following detailed description
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
`which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present invention will be readily understood by the
`following detailed description in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`designate like structural elements, and in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic of a two-way mobile
`communication device according to an embodiment of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of the
`two-way mobile communication device according to an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIGS. 3A—3C illustrate schematics of the display of a
`two-way mobile communication device after accessing an
`application according to embodiments of the present inven-
`tion;
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a application launch process
`according to one embodiment of the invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for an application launch
`process according to one embodiment of the present inven-
`tion in which a navigation key map and navigation key
`assignments are pre-assigned;
`FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for an application launch
`process according to another embodiment of the present
`invention in which a navigation key map and navigation key
`assignments are not pre-assigned; and
`FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of a next image map process
`according to an embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The invention pertains to methods and apparatuses that
`enable a two-way mobile communication device to easily
`and efficiently activate (or launch) resident applications by
`pressing assigned keys (or buttons) on a keypad of the
`two-way mobile communication device.
`Two-way mobile communication devices, also referred to
`as two-way interactive communication devices, wireless
`client devices or mobile devices, include but are not limited
`to personal digital assistant (PDA) like devices, cellular
`phones, or wireless capable remote controllers. Such devices
`typically have significantly less memory and processing
`capability than is found in desktop and laptop computers.
`These two-way mobile communication devices typically
`have a small display screen and a keypad as opposed to the
`keyboards and display screens associated with desktop or
`laptop computers. The invention is envisioned for use with
`two-way mobile communication devices with the capability
`to display image maps on the local display apparatus (e.g.,
`Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen).
`In the following detailed description of the invention,
`numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
`thorough understanding of the present invention. However,
`it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that the
`
`invention may be practiced without these specific details. In
`other
`instances, well known methods, procedures,
`components, and circuitry have not been described in detail
`to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the invention.
`Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
`reference to FIGS. 1—7. However, those skilled in the art will
`readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein
`with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as
`the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments.
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of a two-way mobile communication
`device 100 (also referred to as a mobile device herein)
`according to one embodiment of the invention. The two-way
`mobile communication device 100 communicates with
`
`remote entities through a wireless network (not shown).
`Examples of commonly used wireless networks include
`Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD), Global System for
`Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple
`Access (CDMA) and Time Division Multiple Access
`(TDMA), to name a few.
`Mobile device 100 includes an enhanced display screen
`104 capable of displaying an image map 118, soft keys 108A
`and 108B, navigation key group 112, and a phone keypad
`116. The typical phone keypad, as commonly seen, com-
`prises twelve buttons. Of the twelve buttons, ten buttons are
`consecutively numbered “0” to “9”, one button is for “*”
`sign and the other button is for “#” sign. Additionally,
`mobile device 100 may contain extra buttons which provide
`
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`
`4
`added convenience and functionality. In this embodiment,
`the extra buttons include a ROCKER button 110 and various
`
`miscellaneous keys, including NET, CLEAR, Send/Home,
`Power, and End/Back. The functionality of ROCKER button
`110 is described in detail below, and the functionality of the
`miscellaneous are well known in the art. ROCKER button
`
`110, soft keys 108A and 108B, navigation key group 112 and
`phone keypad 116 provide a convenient and efficient means
`for a user to interact with mobile device 100. Further, it is to
`be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
`present invention may be practiced using other types of
`input interfaces (e.g., softkeys, iconic screens) and keypad
`configurations.
`As used herein, a display screen is the physical display
`apparatus of a two-way mobile communication device. As
`an example,
`the display screen can be a Liquid Crystal
`Display (LCD) screen. A screen display is an image pre-
`sented or displayed on the display screen.
`Image map 118 is comprised of a plurality of graphical
`symbols which identify the applications to which the various
`navigation keys of navigation key group 112 are assigned. In
`this implementation, image map 118 is displayed on the
`display screen 104 such that
`the graphical symbols are
`arranged in a graphical representation that corresponds to
`that of navigation key group 112. The navigation key group
`112 includes a 12 o’clock navigation key, a 3 o’clock
`navigation key, a 6 o’clock navigation key, and a 9 o’clock
`navigation key. As such, in this implementation, the graphi-
`cal symbols include an envelope symbol 120, a phone
`symbol 124, a notepad symbol 132, and a browser symbol
`128. The envelope symbol 120 indicates that the 12 o’clock
`navigation key launches an email program. Phone symbol
`124 indicates the 3 o’clock navigation key launches an
`address book application. Notepad symbol 132 indicates that
`the 6 o’clock navigation key launches a notebook applica-
`tion. Browser symbol 128 indicates that
`the 9 o’clock
`navigation key launches a browser for mobile device 100.
`The browser is a network browser, such as a HTML browser
`or a HDML browser. The graphical symbols can,
`for
`example, be provided as bitmaps, JPEG images, or GIF
`images.
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a two-way mobile
`communication device 200 (also referred to as a mobile
`device herein) according to one embodiment of the inven-
`tion. Mobile device 200 is, for example, suitable for use as
`the two-way mobile communication device 100 of FIG. 1.
`Mobile device 200 includes a client module 208 which
`
`works in conjunction with processor 204 and working
`memory 224 to perform the processing tasks performed by
`mobile device 200. These processing tasks include operation
`of the various applications resident on mobile device 200,
`management of communication processing, and manage-
`ment of keypad input. More particularly, with respect to the
`activation of one of the resident applications, the processing
`tasks include displaying an image map on the display screen
`(e.g., image map 118 of FIG. 1), receiving a selection of one
`of the resident applications using the keys in the navigation
`key group (e.g., navigation key group 112 of FIG. 1), and
`activating the selected resident application.
`One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
`navigation key assignments and the image maps may also be
`pre-programmed and loaded with the software for mobile
`device 200, or determined dynamically when the image map
`is to be displayed. Regardless, the image map can be user
`customizable. For example, in the case where the image map
`is determined dynamically, the processing may operate to 1)
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`5
`
`identify executable files for the resident applications; 2)
`associate the identified executable files with the keys in the
`navigation key group (e. g., navigation key group 112 of FIG.
`1); 3) generate an image map (e.g., 118 of FIG. 1) which
`provides an indication as to which applications are assigned
`to which navigation keys; and 4) displaying the generated
`image map on the display screen (e.g., 104 of FIG. 1).
`Mobile device 200 further includes a Wireless Control
`
`Protocol (WCP) interface 228 that couples to a wireless
`network via a RF transceiver (not shown) to receive incom-
`ing and outgoing data signals. Device identifier (ID) storage
`232 supplies a device ID to WCP interface 228. The device
`ID identifies a specific code that is associated with mobile
`device 200. As an example,
`the mobile device 200 can
`couple to a proxy server (not shown) through the wireless
`network where the device ID is used to locate a subscriber
`
`(user) account provided in the proxy server, and then the
`proxy server couples to a network such as the Internet.
`In addition, mobile device 200 includes a display screen
`216 for displaying information, and receiving user input
`from a user via a keypad controlled by keypad circuit 212.
`Additionally, the client module 212 operates, among other
`things, a browser, commonly referred to as micro-browser,
`requiring much less computing power and memory than
`well-known HTML browsers do. Additional details on
`
`accessing a (proxy) server device from a mobile device
`using a (micro) browser is described in US. Pat. No.
`5,809,415 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
`entirety.
`Mobile device 200 also includes the voice circuitry 236
`(e.g., a speaker and a microphone) and the associated
`hardware (e.g., encoder/decoder 220, processor 204 and
`keypad circuitry 224) which allows it to switch to a tele-
`phone mode of operation which is separate and distinct from
`a network (data) mode of operation.
`According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
`user wishing to access a particular application only has to
`press (actuate) the assigned navigation key in the navigation
`key group. An image map (e.g. a bitmap) providing an
`indication of the relationship between the resident applica-
`tions and the navigation key assignments is displayed on the
`display screen of the two-way mobile communication device
`when the device is first powered up or when a pre-defined
`key (e.g., ROCKER 110 of FIG. 1) is pressed. Additionally,
`the navigation keys may be re-assigned or re-ordered by
`actuating one or more pre-defined keys (e.g., ROCKER 110
`of FIG. 1).
`Representative operation of mobile device 100 is now
`described for activation of a resident application.
`In
`operation, a user (not shown) utilizing mobile device 100 of
`FIG. 1, starting with the device off, turns mobile device 100
`on by pressing the power-on button. Upon powering up,
`image map 118 is displayed on display screen 104. This
`initial mode of operation is referred to as a launch pad.
`Image map 118 provides an indication as to which resident
`applications are assigned to which navigation keys in navi-
`gation key group 112. The navigation key in the six o’clock
`position is assigned to a notepad application as indicated by
`symbol 132. Pressing the navigation key in the six o’clock
`position causes mobile device 100 to enter a notepad mode
`of operation.
`FIG. 3A illustrates a user interface for a notepad mode of
`operation according to one representative embodiment. The
`notepad mode of operation is provided by execution of the
`notepad application.
`the user interface
`In the notepad mode of operation,
`provided on the display screen 304 of mobile device 300 is
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`designed for efficient use with the notepad application, such
`as entering of data. The information displayed on display
`screen 304 includes symbol 324 referencing a notepad
`graphic image (e.g., icon or bitmap), application title 320
`(i.e., NOTEPAD), previously entered data 328, and soft key
`function indicators 332 and 340 for indicating the functions
`associated with soft keys 308A and 308B. To get to this
`point, the user had only to perform two single key input
`transactions, namely pressing the power button to turnon the
`unit and pressing the navigation key to launch the notepad
`application. Hence, with the invention, a user is able to
`efficiently launch the notepad mode of operation. Previously,
`a user had to turn the device on, navigate to the menu listing
`the resident applications, scroll through the list of applica-
`tions and enter a selection.
`
`Whenever ROCKER key 310 is pressed, mobile device
`300 returns to the launch pad mode of operation as shown in
`FIG. 1. In this mode of operation the original navigation key
`image map 118 is displayed on display screen 104 and the
`functionality of the navigation keys in navigation key group
`112, soft keys 108A and 108B, and keypad 116 are restored
`to their original state.
`Pressing the navigation key in the nine o’clock position
`causes mobile device 100 to enter a browser mode of
`
`operation. Pressing the navigation key in the three o’clock
`position causes mobile device 100 to enter an address book
`mode of operation. Pressing the navigation key in the twelve
`o’clock position causes mobile device 100 to enter an
`electronic mail (E-Mail) mode of operation.
`FIG. 3B illustrates a user interface for a browser mode of
`
`operation according to one representative embodiment. The
`browser mode of operation is provided by execution of the
`browser application.
`the user interface
`In the browser mode of operation,
`provided on the display screen 304 of mobile device 300 is
`designed for efficient use with the browser application, such
`selecting a content channel or entering a network address
`(e.g., Universal Resource Locator). The information dis-
`played on display screen 304 includes symbol 344 referenc-
`ing a network graphic image (e.g., icon or bitmap), appli-
`cation title 348 (i.e., BROWSER), a list 352 of available
`content channels, and soft key function indicators 356 and
`360 for indicating the functions associated with soft keys
`308A and 308B. To reach this point, the user only had to
`perform two single key input transactions, namely pressing
`the power button to turn-on the unit (if not already on) and
`pressing the navigation key to launch the browser applica-
`tion. Hence, a user is able to efficiently launch the browser
`mode of operation.
`FIG. 3C illustrates a user interface for an address book
`
`mode of operation according to one representative embodi-
`ment. The address book mode of operation is provided by
`execution of the address book application.
`In the address book mode of operation, the user interface
`provided on the display screen 304 of mobile device 300 is
`designed for efficient use with the address book application,
`such selecting a person from the address book. The infor-
`mation displayed on display screen 304 includes symbol 370
`referencing a telephone graphic image (e.g., icon or bitmap),
`application title 348 (i.e., ADDRESS BOOK), a list 378 of
`available content channels, and soft key function indicators
`386 and 390 for indicating the functions associated with soft
`keys 308A and 308B. To reach this point, the user only had
`to perform two single key input transactions, namely press-
`ing the power button to turn-on the unit (if not already on)
`and pressing the navigation key to launch the address book
`13
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`

`US 6,463,304 B2
`
`7
`application. Hence, a user is able to efficiently launch the
`address book mode of operation.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a application launch process 400
`according to one embodiment of the invention. A mobile
`device having a keypad and a display screen performs the
`application launch process 400. For example, the mobile is
`the mobile device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`The application launch process 400 initially displays an
`image map on a display screen (e.g., display screen 104
`illustrated in FIG. 1) at block 402. The image map being
`displayed corresponds to an arrangement of a group of keys.
`The image map serves to associate resident applications to
`the keys in the arrangement of the group of keys. The
`arrangements can type a wide variety of shapes and
`configurations, and the types of keys being associated can
`also vary widely. For example, as shown in the representa-
`tive embodiment in FIG. 1, the image map 118 associates the
`group of navigation keys 112 with resident applications
`identified by graphical symbols 120, 124, 128 and 132.
`Next, at decision block 404, a determination of whether a
`key input has been made. If a key input has not been be
`made, the application launch process 400 awaits the entry of
`a key. Once a key input has been made, the application
`launch process 400 continues.
`When the application launch process 400 continues, a
`decision block 406 determines whether the key that has been
`entered is from the group of keys. If the key is determined
`to be from the group of keys, the application associated with
`the key input is launched at block 406. On the other hand,
`when the key is determined not to be from the group of keys,
`the key that has been entered is processed in a conventional
`manner. Following blocks 408 and 410,
`the application
`launch process 400 is complete and ends.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart for an application launch
`process 500 according to one embodiment of the present
`invention in which a navigation key map and navigation key
`assignments are pre-assigned. In this embodiment a plurality
`of applications are typically loaded as a package with a
`predefined navigation map and key assignments to activate
`the applications.
`At 504 the navigation map (e.g., image map 118 of FIG.
`1) is loaded and displayed on the display screen of the
`two-way mobile communication device. At 508 the naviga-
`tion keys are assigned application launch functions. At 512,
`a determination is made as to whether a navigation key has
`been input.
`When the determination at 512 determines that a naviga-
`tion key has been input (i.e., one of the assigned navigation
`key has been pressed), the associated application is launched
`516. Once the associated application is launched, an appli-
`cation interface screen (e.g. display screen 304 of FIG. 3A)
`of the two-way mobile communication device is configured
`in an application specific mode.
`Utilizing the present invention, a user desirous of select-
`ing and accessing a resident application on a mobile device,
`may do so by pressing one of the assigned navigation keys
`once the device is powered on. This represents a significant
`contribution to the user friendliness of mobile devices as
`these device are often used in circumstances where the user
`
`is limited to operating the mobile device with a single hand
`or can not dedicate their full attention to finding the appli-
`cation they desire. For example, a user attempting to look-up
`an address in an ADDRESS book application while busy
`driving an automobile is able to easily access the ADDRESS
`book application by pressing an assigned navigation key.
`The navigation keys themselves are generally presented in a
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`prominent position on the mobile device so they are easy to
`find even in poorly lighted environments. Also, a readily
`visible image map is presented on the display screen to
`provide the user a clear indication as to the identity of the
`resident applications and the assigned navigation keys.
`As the capabilities of mobile devices and the number of
`applications available to users on these platforms grow, there
`is a distinct possibility that
`the number of applications
`resident on the mobile device may exceed the number of
`keys in the group of keys (e.g., navigation keys). In this
`event, there is a need to re-use the available navigation keys.
`To this end, multiple launch pads may be programmed into
`the mobile device. Each of the launch pads could have its
`own image map and corresponding navigation key group
`assignments. Referring again to FIG. 5, a user desiring to
`launch a resident application not currently displayed on the
`image currently displayed on the display screen presses a
`pre-assigned key 528 (e.g., the ROCKER key). By pressing
`the pre-assigned key 528, a different image map with the
`desired application is displayed 532 and the corresponding
`re-assignment of the navigation keys 508 is accomplished.
`Each time the pre-assigned key 528 is pressed, a different
`launch pad is presented representing a different set of
`resident applications. The launch pads can then eventually
`repeat. The process then proceeds as previously described.
`On the other hand, if a key other