`
`
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`
`US006198939Bl
`
`(12)United States Patent
`
`
`Holmstrom et al.
`
`Bl (10)Patent No.:US 6,198,939
`
`
`(45)Date of Patent:
`Mar.6,2001
`
`(54)MAN MACHINE INTERFACE HELP SEARCH
`TOOL
`
`(75)Inventors: Tomas Holmstrom, Dalby; Johanna
`
`
`
`
`Isberg; Hassan Mahini, both of Lund,
`all of (SE)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 567 333 10/1993 (EP) .
`
`
`
`0 570 116 11/1993 (EP) .
`
`0 788 268 8/1997 (EP) .
`
`97/04580 2/1997 (WO) .
`
`* cited by examiner
`(73)Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
`
`
`
`
`(pub)), Stockholm (SE)
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner-Thanh Cong Le
`
`
`
`
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`
`Mathis, L.L.P.
`
`
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`(57)
`
`(74)Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker &
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(21)Appl. No.: 08/994,042
`
`(22)Filed:Dec. 19, 1997
`
`(56)
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A man-machine interface (MMI) help and search tool in
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`association with a menu structure and selection capability is
`
`
`
`
`disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the
`
`
`mobile phone and more specifically the MMI are provided
`
`(51)Int. CI.7 ....................................................... H04B 1/38
`
`
`
`with a help search function to instruct the user how to find,
`
`
`
`(52)U.S. Cl. ........................... 455/550; 455/566; 455/575
`
`
`
`
`activate, or select a desired function of the phone. The user
`
`
`(58)F ield of Search ..................................... 455/464, 550,
`
`
`
`
`may search for any and all commands regarding a specific
`
`
`
`455/563, 566, 567, 575, 90; 345/352, 353
`
`
`
`
`subject of interest to the user. The search tool is intelligent
`
`
`and may be used to identify a specific command or function
`
`
`
`
`or to conduct a search based on a letter or partial command
`
`
`
`
`to provide listings and instructions for any number or series
`
`
`
`of related commands in a specific subject area. When the
`4,291,198 9/1981 Anderson et al. .
`
`
`
`
`
`user has found the desired command the search tool may be
`
`4,872,196 10/1989 Royer et al. .
`
`
`
`used to explain how the command is accessed and activated
`4,899,368 2/1990 Krohn et al. .
`
`and allow the user to automatically go to that menu or
`
`
`5,371,779 12/1994 Kobayashi.
`
`
`
`execute that command. The search tool can easily be
`
`5,422,656 6/1995 Allard et al. .
`5,432,902 7/1995 Matsumoto .
`
`
`accessed from any number of menus for example, via a hard
`
`5,481,595 1/1996 Ohashi et al. .
`
`
`or soft button can be placed in a search mode and use the
`
`
`5,561,705 10/1996 Allard et al. .
`
`
`
`
`
`initials of the functions or commands as to find and execute
`
`5,568,536 10/1996 Tiller et al. .
`
`
`
`
`
`a desired function quickly without having to step through
`
`
`5,594,778 1/1997 Schaupp, Jr. et al. .
`
`
`various levels of menus.
`
`
`
`
`5,761,610 * 6/1998 Sorensen et al. .................... 455/575
`
`
`
`5,797,098 * 8/1998 Schroeder et al. ................... 455/464
`
`
`23 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`5,826,199 * 10/1998 Maeda .................................. 455/550
`
`0
`
`20
`c30
`( 54
`)
`53
`
`END
`NO
`
`<==
`
`CLR ==>
`
`10
`
`52
`51
`
`61 60
`62
`
`2 3
`5 6
`8 9
`0 #
`50
`
`ABC DEF
`
`4
`
`JKL MNO
`GHI
`
`7
`TUV WXYZ
`PQRS
`
`+
`
`9
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 0f 6
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`US 6,198,939 B1
`
`
`
`új 2.
`
`CD
`
`
`
`N ož 5
`
`FIG
`1
`FIG. 1
`
`PETITIONERS
`
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 2
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`FIG. 2A
`
`y Powero 202
`
`201
`
`
`
`
`
`SEARCH FOR
`COMMAND?
`11:33
`
`203
`
`204
`
`205
`
`
`
`USERENTERS
`<YES: OR <NO>
`
`
`
`PLEASE ENTER
`COMMAND NAME
`YOU WISHTO
`SEARCH FOR
`
`USER KEYS IN
`NAME OR PARTIAL
`NAME USING
`KEYPAD LETTERS
`
`PROCESSOR FINDS
`COMMAND OR
`CLOSEST SET OF
`MATCHING COMMANDS
`
`
`
`206
`
`LISTING OF
`COMMANDS
`FOUND
`
`
`
`
`
`FIND
`ANOTHER
`COMMAND?
`
`SELECT COMMAND
`USERENTERS
`COMMAND &YES
`OR <NO>
`
`207
`
`208
`
`
`
`USERENTERS
`<YESS OR <NO
`
`212
`
`NO
`
`END
`
`213
`
`USER SELECTS
`COMMAND
`
`210
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`FIG. 2B
`
`Sº
`
`214
`
`215
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`|NFORMATION
`ABOUT
`COMMAND
`
`DO YOU
`WISHTO
`USE
`COMMAND
`
`219
`
`218
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`216
`
`DO YOU WISH
`USER
`To SELECT \_NO | ENTERS
`ANOTHER
`<YES>
`COMMAND
`OR <NO>
`YES (217
`GO TO
`COMMAND
`wº
`
`
`
`USER
`(s YES | ENTERS
`<YES>
`OR <NO>
`No (220
`DO YOU WISH
`TO SEARCH \ YES
`Fºr Fºlgy
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`COMMAND
`NO
`
`
`
`213
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`308
`
`MENU
`<SEARCH
`FUNCTION--
`
`:
`:
`* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *s?
`
`tººd
`(POWeron)
`
`303
`
`Long END
`(Poweron)
`neWSIM
`
`'IDLE
`DISPLAY"
`? hep" "
`Long'K
`306 " (Voice (Dedicated (Longpress
`CO?) Key)
`Onake)
`(A2) , (A|3)
`(A4)
`
`I
`
`º
`
`304
`
`|(ALT 5)
`
`MODE |
`3.
`
`DIFFERENT
`MEANS TO
`ACTIVATE
`THE SEARCH
`FUNCTION
`AND ENTER
`THE SEARCH
`
`MODE'
`('S L' -
`|NITIALS
`FOR
`'SETTINGS/
`LANGUAGE)
`
`SCOLLABLE
`LIST OF
`MENUS/
`COMMANDS
`FOUND BY
`THE SEARCH
`FUNCTION
`
`THE USER
`MAY
`CHOOSE
`TO EITHER
`ENTERA
`MENU OR TO
`EXECUTE
`|MMEDIATELY
`
`SEND
`
`
`
`
`
`313
`
`
`
`
`
`Enter
`search String:
`Swedish
`
`Enter
`search string:
`Lang—
`
`Enter
`search string:
`S L_
`
`SEND
`>SettingS/Language
`Svenska
`>Language reset
`(<0000-)
`
`EXAMPLE
`OFMENU
`LEFT/RIGHT
`|| “…. EXAMPLE OF
`:
`COMMAND
`
`* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
`
`315
`
`
`
`SETTINGS
`Language
`<Swedish
`
`LONG SEND
`Execute in 314
`; IMMEDIATELY
`
`** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **
`
`FIG. 3
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`402
`
`STAND-BY
`MODE DISPLAY
`
`USER PRESSES <CLR
`COMBINED WITH
`PRESSING BUTTONS
`OFKEYPAD FOR [R]+[T]
`
`SEARCH MODE
`DISPLAY RT
`
`USER PRESS
`<YES- OR <NOS TO
`VERIFY SELECTION
`
`PROCESSOR FINDS
`FUNCTION
`CORRESPONDING
`TO INITIALS
`
`USER PROCEEDS
`WITH RING TYPE
`SELECTION ROUTINE
`
`F|G. 4
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 6, 2001
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`
`
`500
`
`STAND-BY
`MODE DISPLAY
`
`FIG. 5
`
`502
`
`USER PRESSES <CLR
`PLUS BUTTON OF
`KEYPAD INITIALIS]
`
`SEARCH
`MODE DISPLAY
`S
`
`504
`
`505
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USER PRESSES
`<YES> OR <NO> TO
`NO WVERIFY SELECTION
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`FINDS ALL
`CORRESPONDING
`FUNCTIONS
`
`
`
`506
`
`
`
`
`
`USER PROCEEDS
`WITH SELECTION
`ROUTINE
`
`520
`
`y
`522
`EXECUTE
`COMMAND
`
`
`
`
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 7
`
`

`

`1
`MAN MACHINE INTERFACE HELP SEARCH
`TOOL
`
`BACKGROUND
`The invention is related to man-machine interfaces with
`menu structures supporting various functions and in particu
`lar facilitating user interaction with the menu structure for
`setting or activating functions associated with handheld or
`cellular mobile phones through use of the menu structures.
`As mobile phones have become increasingly complex, a
`great number of additional features have been included with
`mobile phones giving users an increased number of options
`and capabilities for use with their phones. A mobile phone
`herein after refers to any portable radio communication
`equipment such as mobile stations, communicators, so
`called electronic organizers or the like. In order to activate
`any function associated with the phone, it is typically
`necessary for a user to push a series of buttons on the phone
`in order to set or activate the desired function. Alternatively,
`some phones are provided with displays having menus that
`require the user to make a number of selections by stepping
`through a number of menu layers in order to find and set the
`desired function.
`Menus are typically hierarchical containing various levels
`of associated functions. When using the menu in mobile
`phones to activate or set a function, it is possible to step
`through the menu by pressing arrow keys, or the like, for
`functions in the same level and <YES- or <NO> between
`the levels, for example. It should be noted that mobile
`phones with a graphical display typically present the top
`level of the menu through the use of icons, or the like. An
`example of such a mobile phone with graphically display
`menu is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,656.
`However, with the increasing number and variety of
`functions provided in association with mobile phones, it is
`often impossible for a user to keep track of or even know all
`of the functions that are associated with any particular
`phone. As a result, if the user wishes to utilize a function that
`is unfamiliar, the user must carefully search and read
`through an extensive operator’s manual or attempt to use the
`function from memory through a series attempts by pushing
`buttons or activating menu screens through trial and error.
`Furthermore, it is often impossible for novice users to even
`be aware of all functions or capabilities of the phone that can
`be accessed through the menu structure associated with the
`phone.
`Also, new and experienced users both may have difficulty
`in remembering how certain functions are denoted and
`accessed because different companies may use slightly dif
`ferent names for commands and functions associated with
`their phones. For example, if a user wishes to have incoming
`calls transferred to another phone when the user’s phone is
`busy, the user would want to know if this function is
`provided by their particular mobile phone and if so how to
`activate it. In this situation a user must either refer to the
`operator’s manual or rely on previous experience. User
`interviews illustrate that the common user is normally
`reluctant to “look things up” in a reference manual and, as
`a result, many of the phone’s features are not used and the
`mobile phone’s capabilities are not exploited to their fullest
`extent.
`Additionally, even if a user is familiar with a function it
`is often difficult for the user to remember the exact position
`of every function in the hierarchy of levels of the menus.
`This requires the user to step through a number of menus by
`trial and error to find the desired function.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`2
`Even if the user is familiar with the location of a function
`within the menu structure, in order to activate the function
`the user must still step through a number or series of menus
`in order to reach and set the desired function. This can be
`frustrating to a user of a mobile phone with a large number
`of functions, requiring the user to spend an undue amount of
`time to set or change the desired functions. This can also
`lead to functions going unused and result in the mobile
`phone being used in less than an optimal manner.
`SUMMARY
`It is therefore an object of the invention to improve and
`facilitate overall use of mobile phone functions.
`It is another object of the invention to allow the user to use
`desired features and functions of the phone quickly and
`reduce the overall number of entries or steps needed to
`activate or use any particular feature, function, or command.
`It is a further object of the present invention to allow a
`user of a phone to easily locate and set desired functions of
`the phone regardless of whether the user remembers how to
`use or activate the desired functions.
`According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention the foregoing and other objects are accomplished
`through implementation of a man-machine interface (MMI)
`help and search tool in association with a menu structure and
`selection capability.
`According to an exemplary embodiment, the mobile
`phone and more specifically the MMI are provided with a
`help search function to instruct the user how to find, activate,
`or select a desired function of the phone by placing the
`mobile phone in a “search-mode”. According to this
`embodiment, the help function is implemented through a
`search feature allowing the user, for example when the
`phone is powered on, or, after a change of the SIM
`(Subscriber Identity Module), to enter a command or, alter
`natively a question can be displayed to the user such as, “Do
`you wish to search for a command?” The user may now
`search for any and all commands regarding a specific subject
`of interest to the user.
`According to this embodiment an intelligent search tool is
`provided in the phone such that various commands and
`features can be identified through a user entry for a specific
`command or may also implement a search based on various
`comparison abilities to provide listings and instructions for
`any number of series of related commands in a specific
`subject area. When the user has found the desired command
`the search tool can point out how the command may be
`accessed and activated and also provide for the user to
`automatically go to that menu or execute that command if
`the user wishes to. According to an exemplary embodiment
`the search tool can easily be accessed from any number of
`menus for example, via a hard or soft button. According to
`this solution, the search tool enables new as well as expe
`rienced users to access functions of the phone in a fast and
`convenient manner even if the user is unfamiliar with the
`phone in question.
`In addition, according to another exemplary embodiment,
`an improved menu access structure is provided in which the
`key pad of a mobile is used in the search mode to enter the
`initials of the functions as a search approach for finding the
`desired function quickly. According to an exemplary
`embodiment, by pressing a button, for example, a clear
`button, (or in the case of an idle mode use of volume keys
`on the side of the mobile phone by pressing the up or down
`button) the mobile phone can be placed in the search-mode.
`Accordingly, the user does not need to remember the exact
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 8
`
`

`

`3
`position or function names of functions in the menu struc
`ture in order to access or use a certain function. In addition,
`the number of buttons or entries needed to find the functions
`in the menu is reduced resulting in faster access of the menu
`functions and increased user friendliness and satisfaction.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The foregoing and other features, objects, and advantages
`of the invention will be better understood by reading the
`following description in conjunction with the drawings, in
`which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mobile phone for use with
`the present invention;
`FIGS. 2A and 2B are exemplary flow diagrams of a help
`search function according to the present invention;
`FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow diagram of the search-mode
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is an exemplary of operation in search-mode; and
`FIG. 5 is an alternative example of operation in search
`mode.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The various features of the invention will now be
`described with respect to the figures, in which like parts are
`identified with the same reference characters.
`Help Search-Mode Function
`With the increasing complexity and variety of mobile
`phones on the market, it has become difficult for both
`experienced and novice users to keep track of all of the
`functions and commands provided by the phones. To make
`matters worse, users want to be able to activate and use their
`phones functions and commands quickly without having to
`read lengthy user manuals. Furthermore, manuals are not
`always handy. Also, some functions are rarely used and
`therefore the user quickly forgets how to activate or use the
`function. In addition, the user may forget the name of the
`function.
`According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
`invention, a mobile phone is provided with a search help tool
`in order to allow both experienced and novice users to
`quickly find and use any function or command provided by
`the mobile phone. Turning to FIG. 1 a typical mobile phone
`is depicted. One of skill in the art will appreciate that this
`phone is exemplary only and that numerous types of dis
`plays and input devices are available through different
`phones such as LCDs, LEDs, soft keys, hard keys, touch
`screen displays, etc.
`A typical mobile phone 10 is illustrated by FIG. 1 having
`a loudspeaker 20, microphone 40, display 30, and keypad
`50. The keypad is provided with various keys for activating
`functions of the phone including YES and NO keys 53 and
`54, respectively, a clear key 52, right 51, and left 55 arrow
`keys. Some mobile phones also use the NO key 53 as a
`power ON/OFF switch. In addition, separate volume control
`60 can be provided by buttons 61 and 62.
`According to this exemplary embodiment, one way of
`resolving the problem described above is to provide a Man
`Machine Interface (MMI) associated with the phone having
`a help-function. This feature may be provided in the form of
`a ‘search function’ as described in greater detail below.
`The following description is explained in conjunction
`with FIGS. 2A and 2B; however, one skilled in the art will
`appreciate that the order of commands and display screens
`are for illustration only and that numerous variations and
`sequences of displays are possible without departing from
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`4
`the spirit and scope of the invention. Turning to FIG.2, when
`the user switches the phone ON 201 or, alternatively after a
`change of the SIM, a questions may be presented to the user.
`For example, “Do you wish to search for a command?” can
`be displayed at step 202. Therefore, according to this
`embodiment, the user does not have to be familiar with how
`to activate the help search function. Activation of the search
`function may also be provided directly from other modes or
`menus during phone operation (e.g., via a hard or “soft’ key)
`allowing the help search function to be easily accessible by
`the user at all times which are described in further detail
`below. The user then replies to the question at step 203 and
`may now search for all commands regarding a specific
`subject (e.g., “clock’), or for a specific command (e.g., set
`clock) at 205.
`One important feature of the invention is that the search
`function is intelligent with respect to the comparison abili
`ties. For example, if the user searches for ‘Swedish’ all
`menus and commands related to language setting will be
`shown. For instance, this can be implemented as a table in
`which the first column of the table contains all commands
`and menu names and the other columns of the table contain
`terms associated with the commands and menu names in the
`first column. As an example, the first column can contain
`“settings language” and the other columns in the same row
`of the table then contain language names such as Swedish,
`English, German etc. The search function will primarily
`search in the first column, and secondarily among the
`associating terms in the other columns. If no command or
`menu name can be found that matches the user entered
`search string, the search for an associating term that matches
`start. If found, the search function stores the command or
`menu name found in the first column in the same row, in a
`temporary memory. Thereafter the search continues for other
`occurrences of the entered search string. Note, the user may
`enter in a partial command name and the processor will then
`display a list of the closest commands matching the partial
`entry 206.
`After the processor finds the command, or the closest
`matching set of commands (e.g., for a search topic) they are
`displayed 207. The user is then prompted if they wish to
`proceed at 208. If the user wishes to continue, the user can
`then be prompted to select a command 210. Information
`about what the selected command or function does and how
`it is activated will be displayed to the user at 214. If there is
`a list of commands or functions the user may select a
`command from the list for display of the corresponding
`“help' information. If the user does not wish to see infor
`mation regarding any of the displayed functions or com
`mands the user is prompted if the user wishes to search for
`other commands or topics 211. If the user desires another
`search the processor returns to the initial display allowing
`the user to enter another search. If the user has finished, the
`mobile phone may be placed into another mode or stand-by
`mode to await further user action 213.
`Once the user has been able to read the help information
`the user will be prompted to see if the user desires to use the
`command 215. If so the user will be sent to the appropriate
`command menu 217. The user may also jump to the com
`mand menu directly according to another exemplary
`embodiment of the invention as described in further detail
`below. If not the user will be prompted to see if they wish
`to view another one of the commands or functions that were
`originally found or if the user wishes to conduct another
`search at 220.
`Menu Search Function
`According to another exemplary embodiment of the
`search-mode that may be used in conjunction with above
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 9
`
`

`

`5
`described embodiments, a user may quickly find a command
`or commands based on keying in an initial of the command
`without having to scroll or step through a number of menu
`screens. This can save the user both time and frustration
`from stepping through numerous menu screens. The keypad
`in the search-mode is used to write the initial of the function
`names for the search approach.
`The user may place the phone in search-mode according
`to a number of different methods which will now be dis
`cussed in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 3. One skilled
`in the art will appreciate that these methods are not exhaus
`tive and that other means can be used for entering the
`search-mode without departing from the scope or spirit of
`the invention.
`Turning to FIG. 3, Alpha-mode may be entered from a
`powered down state directly by executing a Power On 302
`(e.g., holding down the End/No button for an extended
`time), or insertion of a new SIM (i.e., a new user of the
`mobile phone that may not be used to the phone.)
`Alternatively, after powering up the mobile phone could
`enter an idle display 303 ready to enter various functions for
`controlling the phone. From the idle display 303, the search
`mode could be entered through voice control (for example,
`stating “help’), via a dedicated key (e.g., pressing the «CLR
`button or volume keys), or through a long X (e.g., a long
`press or holding of a key). Another alternative would be to
`enter the general menu 308 and activate the search function
`through a menu option. According to this embodiment the
`user would select the “Search Function” from the menu by
`pressing the “SEND- button, for example.
`Once in search-mode the user will be prompted to enter a
`search string such as a topic 310, partial command 311, or
`the initial or initials of the command or function name 312
`that user wishes to find. Alternatively, the user may enter a
`single initial to obtain a group of commands or functions
`beginning with that initial. This can aid a user to find
`commands without knowing the full name of the function or
`command. Once the user has input the initials through the
`keypad they are displayed and the user can proceed by
`pressing the «YES- or <SEND- button, whereby various
`results can be obtained. For example, from this state the user
`may choose a particular menu to view such as SETTINGS
`315 by selecting a menu from the search list and executing
`a <SEND: command. Alternatively, the user could imme
`diately execute a particular function 314 by selecting the
`function and executing a long <SEND: (i.e., holding down
`the “SEND-key).
`Search Engine
`In order to find a particular command or menu in the
`search-mode all that is necessary is for the user to enter an
`initial or partial set of initials or character string. The mobile
`phones processor may then execute a search algorithm to
`identify the possible menus or functions that correspond to
`the initial or character string. The search algorithm may be
`implemented as described in the text of FIG. 2. After search
`for the command one of at least two possible results can
`OCCUI?.
`1. Final Result: In this case, the written initials allow the
`processor to find a unique function name. The user may
`then proceed to the function and execute or activate the
`command or function from the displayed menu. (See,
`e.g., Example 1 described below.)
`2. Functions List: In this case, the written initials have not
`been enough to find a unique function name. According
`to this alternative embodiment, a list of all functions
`listed in alphabetic order of initials is provided to the
`user, whereby the user can select the desired function
`from the list provided. (See, e.g., Example 2 described
`below.)
`
`6
`Two examples of the search-mode in operation are explained
`below in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5.
`EXAMPLE 1.
`According to this example, assume that the user wants to
`use the Function <Ring Type-in order to set a new melody
`to be played on the phone associated with receiving a call.
`From stand-by mode display 402, to enter search-mode,
`the user presses the «CLR-> button combined with pressing
`the buttons of the keypad for [R] and [T] letters 404. The
`letter corresponding to the keys pressed by the user are
`displayed 406. The user is then prompted to proceed with the
`search 408. By pressing the «YES- button the processor
`attempts to find any functions that have the initials R and T.
`in that order 410. Assuming only the function <Ring Type
`is associated with these initials the results the search are
`displayed on the menu as <Ring Type: 412. From this menu
`the user may then directly start the routine for setting ring
`type 416. It should be noted that the user may at this point
`activate the search help, as described above, in order to be
`provided with an explanation of the «Ring Type-command
`and its uses.
`
`EXAMPLE 2
`
`No Unique Function Name
`Turning to FIG. 5 now consider that the user wants to find
`the “Set Alarm- function to set an alarm for the phone but
`only remembers that the function’s name starts with Set.
`According to this embodiment the user first presses <CLR->
`button 502 to enter the search-mode from stand-by mode
`display 500. The user then enters the initial letter for Set 502,
`i.e., “S.” An S is displayed 504 and the user is then prompted
`to continue 505. By pressing <YES- button the processor
`then retrieves a list of all function’s names which uses the
`initial S. If there is a limitation for the use of the display rows
`the user can alternatively display of the functions that were
`retrieved by using a key to page through the displays.
`Alternatively, a list of functions can be displayed all at once.
`In either case the user can look through the list of retrieved
`function names 510–514 by using the arrows to go through
`the list by pressing the left arrow two times to arrive at set
`alarm. The command can then be selected 520 by pressing
`another key to activate the function or command routine
`needed to set or activate the function. If a list of functions
`can be displayed some means of indication of the current
`function can be used such as highlighting, flashing cursor,
`etc.
`Many advantages are realized through the use of the
`search-mode. One advantage is that the user does not need
`to remember the exact position of the functions in the menu
`structure. In addition, the total number of buttons or steps
`needed to find functions in the menu in the menu is
`decreased. Moreover, faster and easier location of the func
`tions in the menu is possible with simple execution of the
`function once the desired function has been determined.
`The present invention has been described by way of
`example, and modifications and variations of the exemplary
`embodiments will suggest themselves to skilled artisans in
`this field without departing from the spirit of the invention.
`For example, although the preferred embodiments have been
`described in conjunction with a menu and commands for a
`mobile phone, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the
`menu and function control and selection can be used with
`any type of hierarchical menu format, such as that found in
`computers, remote controls, etc., and could also be imple
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`PETITIONERS
`EXHIBIT 1018, Page 10
`
`

`

`7
`mented therein according to the present invention. The
`preferred embodiments are merely illustrative and should
`not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the
`invention is to be measured by the appended claims, rather
`than the preceding description, and all variations and
`equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are
`intended to be embraced therein.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A mobile phone comprising:
`a transceiver for sending and receiving radio signals;
`a display for displaying functions associated with con
`trolling the mobile phone and information indicating
`how to activate the functions;
`an input circuit for receiving user selected data; and
`a man-machine interface for performing and executing
`functions of the mobile phone, wherein said man
`machine interface may be placed in a search-mode in
`order to search for and display functions and display
`information indicating how to activate the functions of
`the mobile phone based on said received user selected
`data.
`2. The mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein said
`user selected data is at least one initial of a character name
`for a menu or function and said man-machine interface
`provides for display of all functions or menus associated
`with said initial.
`3. The mobile phone according to claim 2, further com
`prising a selection circuit for selecting at least one of the
`displayed functions or menus and displaying information
`about the selected function and its operation.
`4. The mobile phone according to claim 2, further com
`prising a selection circuit for selecting at least one of the
`displayed functions and for executing said selected function.
`5. The mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein said
`mobile phone can be placed in the search-mode by pressing
`a clear 3CLR-> button and simultaneously entering at least
`one initial.
`6. A mobile phone according to claim 2, wherein said
`mobile phone can be placed in the search-mode by at least
`one of a voice control circuit, a dedicated key, and a pressing
`and holding of a key.
`7. A mobile phone according to claim 6, wherein said
`dedicated key is a clear button or a volume control key.
`8. A method for selecting a function from a hierarchical
`menu in a mobile phone having a keypads comprising the
`steps of:
`placing the mobile phone in a search-mode;
`entering with said keypad at least one character that is
`associated with a desired function;
`processing said at least one entered character to search
`said menu for all functions associated with said at least
`one entered character;
`displaying any functions found to be associated with said
`at least one entered character; and
`displaying information indicating how to activate the
`functions.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`US 6,198.939 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`8
`9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising the
`step of selecting a function from said displayed functions
`and executing the function.
`10. A method according to claim 8 further comprising the
`step of selecting a function from said displayed functions
`and displaying information regarding the operation of said
`selected function.
`11. A method according to claim 8, wherein said mobile
`phone is in an idle mode and said step of placing the mobile
`phone in a search-mode includes pressing a volume key of
`the mobile phone.
`12. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of
`placing the mobile phone in a search-mode comprises press
`ing a dedicated key of said keypad.
`13. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of
`placing the mobile phone in a search-mode comprises
`executing a long pressing of a key of said keypad.
`14. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of
`placing the mobile phone in a search-mode comprises
`receiving a v