I
`1111111111111111 11111 lllll lllll 111111111111111 1111111111 111111111111111111
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`5,572,573
`
`United States Patent
`[11]Patent Number:
`[19]
`Sylvan et al.
`
`Nov. 5, 1996
`[45]Date of Patent:
`
`US005572573A
`
`[54]REMOVABLE USER INTERFACE FOR USE
`WITH INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC
`DEVICES
`
`4,885,580
`12/1989 Noto et al ................................. 341/23
`
`
`4,908,845
`
`
`3/1990 Little ......................................... 379/52
`5,059,960
`
`
`
`10/1991 Rosenberg et al ...................... 345/174
`
`
`
`5,113,041 5/1992 Blonder et al ............................ 178/18
`Loren M. Sylvan, Westminster; Adam
`
`
`5,223,677
`
`6/1993 Kapp et al ................................ 178/18
`[75]Inventors:
`5,422,656
`
`
`6/1995 Allard et al. ............................ 345/173
`
`N.Marx, Boulder, both of Colo.
`
`U S West Advanced Technologies,
`
`[73]Assignee:
`Primary Examiner-Curtis Kuntz
`
`
`Inc., Boulder, Colo.
`
`Assistant Examiner-Michael B. Chernoff
`
`
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Finn-Brooks & Kushman
`
`[21]Appl. No.: 186,202
`[22]Filed:Jan. 25, 1994
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`[51]Int. Cl.6 ·················-···········
`H04Q 7/32; G09G 5/00;
`An improved user interface for use in interactive electronic
`
`
`
`G06F 7/00; H03K 17/94
`
`
`[52]U.S. Cl ............................... 455/89; 345/173;
`
`
`
`devices. The user interface eliminates the complexity and
`379/61;
`
`
`
`ambiguity problems encountered in conventional interfaces
`
`364/709.1; 341/23
`[58]Field of Search ................................
`
`
`
`
`
`through the incorporation of a physical overlay designed for
`
`379/61, 58, 355,
`
`
`
`use in cooperation with a contiguous touch screen or a
`
`
`
`379/52; 455/89, 90; 395/155, 156, 159,
`
`
`
`
`plurality of individual touch screens. The physical overlay
`
`161, 162; 345/173, 168, 169, 173, 174;
`
`
`
`
`delineates the touch screen or screens into a plurality of
`
`
`
`
`364/709.1, 709.11, 709.12, 709.13; 178/18,
`
`
`
`
`
`context sensitive task and information display regions which
`
`19, 20; 341/20, 22, 23, 173
`
`
`may be accessed by direct user manipulation.
`
`[56]
`
`
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`4,870,677
`
`9/1989 Di Santo et al ........................ 379/355
`
`10 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 5, 1996 Sheet 1 of 4 5,572,573
`
`/ 10
`
`14
`
`16
`
`,-.
`
`�
`
`_____
`
`gt{(p1
`PRIOR ART
`,//�✓-�, ___-z_.._ 34
`
`/ /
`
`//
`
`/ /
`
`//
`
`/
`
`,----g--) 16) - -
`l..AJ�
`
`12
`
`0 � SEND 111
`
`eea
`C C\ Ci\ �
`v e � e,
`yDEi=
`·3
`
`24
`
`0'�2
`PRIOR ART
`
`���-
`
`o o o o a
`a o o o o
`-0 0 0 C, 0
`
`-..J.
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 5, 1996 Sheet 2 of 4
`
`5,572,573
`
`34
`
`32
`
`�:::i5>-·7-=;·�;.>·-, � ·-,<��
`
`
`.. '·' -=--'·�--=�-��Bo.
`
`;T/p3
`PRIOR ART
`
`38
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 5, 1996 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`5,572,573
`
`56
`
`<:5
`-D<:'>c,�
`0
`
`' ·,. ,,: .. , ·=, ..
`
`·., ·,._ '
`
`, -s::���,=:�=�-
`
`.=.-�·--.. �--" --�--., ,_.,,.· -:_­
`�-���,--,'
`
`���-
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent Nov. 5, 1996
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5,572,573
`
`\ I
`B ODDD
`BBB
`
`56
`
`-
`
`I
`
`I
`
`�9
`
`/ -
`
`-
`
`- -
`
`,:_
`
`09000
`· -6000_0
`00006 . ·
`l.---- 46
`
`00000
`. 6000_0
`00000 ·
`
`( To Personal Directory
`
`}
`( ###-#### l �
`�OJ [DO]---
`0 OJ 0
`�CD 0-
`0 00
`
`-
`
`'-
`
`.J
`
`Dial Number
`
`52
`
`541-6021
`
`50
`
`Terry Loren
`Roberts Sylvan
`
`Steve
`Bulido
`
`Ellen Steve
`Erida Collum
`
`Back .....
`
`56
`
`48
`
`54
`
`-- I
`
`I
`
`-
`- -
`
`58
`
`�
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 5
`
`

`

`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`1
`
`5,572,573
`
`
`
`2
`information sufficient to advise users from entering an
`
`
`
`
`REMOVABLE USER INTERFACE FOR USE
`
`
`
`
`
`irrelevant or incorrect key. Finally, hand-set a 10 includes
`WITH INTERACTIVE ELECTRONIC
`
`
`second class of fixed label action keys 16, i.e. <STO>,
`DEVICES
`
`
`
`
`
`<REC>, <SEND>, etc., for initiating selected functions. As
`
`
`the <SEND> key 18 is ambigu­5 further referenced above,
`
`
`
`
`
`ously operative for answering both incoming calls and for
`
`
`
`
`originating an outgoing call. A <CONTROL> key 20 opera­
`The present invention relates to an improved user inter­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tive to initiate a plurality of other functions such as locking
`
`
`
`
`face directed for use in interactive electronic devices which
`
`
`
`
`
`the hand-set, increasing the volume, storing a desired tele-
`
`
`
`
`
`incorporate a physical overlay for precise disambiguation of
`
`
`
`is phone number and performing other selected operations
`
`touch screen input.
`10
`
`
`
`
`
`also provided. Vehicular mobile telephone hand-sets of this
`
`
`
`
`type provide ambiguous and imprecise functionality, are
`
`
`
`complicated to use and, as a result, are highly prone to user
`error.
`
`
`
`
`Conventional Customer Premises Equipment (CPE)
`
`
`
`
`
`devices, including desktop telephones, mobile and portable
`As a further example, consider the prior art hand portable
`
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`
`
`telephones, facsimile machines, Personal Digital Assistants
`
`
`mobile telephone which is shown in FIG. 2 and designated
`
`
`
`
`generally by reference numeral 22. Portable telephone 22 is
`
`
`
`
`
`(PDA's) and computers and related electronic devices such
`
`
`known to those skilled in the art as the NEC Model T300
`
`
`as video cassette recorders, televisions, remote controls,
`
`
`
`
`portable phone. Like the prior art vehicular mobile tele­
`
`
`
`
`calculators and the like, present all information entry keys
`
`
`
`
`a first class of phone of FIG. 1, portable phone 22 includes
`
`
`
`for all functions. Such keys are generally adapted for use in
`
`
`
`20 fixed-label entry keys for generating DTMF signals.
`
`
`
`
`
`cooperation with a single visual display - regardless of
`24
`
`
`
`
`Hand-set 22 further includes a second class of fixed-label
`
`
`
`whether the functions are relevant in the current context of
`
`
`
`action keys 26, i.e., <SEND>, <STO>, <:RCL>, <FCN>,
`
`
`
`
`the communication. Moreover, such visual displays which
`
`
`<CLR>, <END>, and <PWR> for initiating selected func­
`
`
`
`
`are generally liquid crystal displays (LCD's) do not present
`
`
`
`
`tions. Significantly, each of the fixed-label entry keys and
`
`
`
`
`sufficient information to prevent users from entering an
`24
`
`28. 25 26 are tied to a single visual display
`
`
`
`
`
`
`irrelevant or improper key. As a result, an erroneous key
`
`
`
`
`
`selection results in either an error message or similar indi­
`The most notable problem encountered in the operation of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`cation that an invalid key has been entered - neither of
`
`
`
`the above interactive electronic devices is that the required
`
`which is desirable from a user standpoint.
`
`
`
`
`syntax is neither apparent nor consistent. In conventional
`
`
`
`
`
`mobile telephones, for example, storing a telephone number
`
`
`
`In an effort by system designers to implement additional
`
`
`
`
`requires a three-step process, i.e. initiation of a store
`30
`
`
`
`
`functions, conventional keyboards have further incorporated
`
`
`
`
`
`sequence, identification of a telephone number sought to be
`
`
`
`additional keys which again correspond to functions which
`
`
`
`stored, and selection of a storage location. Similar steps are
`
`
`
`are neither relevant nor operable in all communication
`
`
`
`also required when storing interim calculations or numeric
`
`
`
`contexts. As a result, the size as well as the complexity of
`
`
`
`
`sequences on conventional calculators, remote controls,
`
`
`
`
`such keyboards has been correspondingly increased. While
`
`
`35 V CRs, etc.. These steps and their store sequences vary
`
`
`
`efforts have been made to reduce this inherent complexity,
`
`
`
`widely from manufacturer to manufacturer and from device
`
`
`
`these efforts have heretofore proven unsuccessful.
`
`
`
`
`to device. Yet, in most cases, little if any "on-line" or "during
`
`
`
`
`In the mobile telephone communications industry, for
`
`
`operation" help - other than an error message - is
`
`
`
`
`example, efforts have been made to minimize the number of
`
`
`provided to guide the user through the required syntax.
`
`
`
`
`entry keys while increasing the number of available features.
`40
`
`
`In a further effort to minimize the number of entry keys
`
`
`
`Such efforts have involved the incorporation of entry keys
`
`
`
`
`while increasing the number of available features, interface
`
`
`
`which may be used to initiate multiple functions. In other
`
`
`
`designers and, in particular, the assignee of the present
`
`
`applications, such as calculators and other electronic
`
`
`
`invention, U.S. West Advanced Technologies, Inc., has
`
`
`
`devices, as well as the aforementioned mobile telephones,
`
`
`
`
`contemplated the incorporation of dynamic visual display
`
`
`<shift> keys have also been utilized. These multi-function
`45
`
`
`
`
`
`screens in mobile and desktop telephones and related elec­
`
`
`
`entry keys have been designed to provide specific functions
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tronic devices. These "dynamic" visual display screens are
`
`
`
`which are tied to particular communication contexts. This
`
`
`
`
`designed to present to the user a plurality of context sensitive
`
`
`
`
`
`correspondence, however, is still neither readily apparent
`
`
`
`
`
`function labels. In operation, these function labels are
`
`
`
`
`nor logically referenced. For example, many wireless com­
`
`
`
`adapted to be accessed by depressing one or more soft-label
`
`
`
`munications devices, and in particular cellular telephones,
`50
`
`
`
`signaling keys which are provided in electrical communi­
`
`
`
`
`i.e. wireless telephones operable in the microwave band
`
`
`
`
`cation with the dynamic visual display. See, for example,
`
`
`between approximately 1.8 GHZ and 2.2 GHZ, utilize an
`
`
`
`copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/089,146
`
`
`entry key labeled <SEND> for use in both answering an
`
`
`which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present
`
`
`
`incoming call as well as to originate an outgoing call.
`invention.
`
`
`
`
`
`Similarly, many vehicular cellular telephones utilize a
`55
`
`
`<CONTROL> button or entry key which may be used to
`As those skilled in the art will recognize, while the use of
`
`
`
`
`
`
`store selected telephone numbers, lock the hand-set, adjust
`
`
`
`soft-label signaling keys presents a major advance over the
`
`
`
`
`the volume of the received communication and initiate other
`
`
`
`
`prior art, this approach is nonetheless still limited in flex­
`
`selected operations.
`
`
`
`
`ibility due to the inherent design requirement that items must
`
`
`
`
`no the user is provided 60 be in specific places. In addition,
`
`
`
`
`Consider, for example, the conventional vehicular mobile
`
`
`
`
`
`direct manipulation or sensory feedback. In operation, the
`
`
`
`telephone handset shown in FIG. 1 and designated generally
`
`
`
`
`
`user must physically depress a button to access the corre­
`
`
`
`by reference numeral As shown, mobile telephone
`10.
`
`
`
`
`
`sponding desired function label, which subsequent testing
`
`
`
`
`hand-set includes a first class of fixed-label entry keys
`10
`12
`
`
`
`
`has proven is less intuitive than direct manipulation of the
`
`
`
`
`disposed on the keypad for generating Dual-Tone Multi­
`65 label itself.
`
`
`
`
`
`Frequency (DTMF) signals (i.e. digits 0-9 plus the star and
`
`
`
`
`
`pound). Hand-set further includes a single visual display
`As the number of consumer electronic devices increases,
`
`
`
`
`10
`
`does not present detailed 14 which, as referenced above,
`
`
`
`
`
`interface designers have turned attention towards the
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 6
`
`

`

`5,572,573
`
`function labels relevant to the current context of the user
`
`3
`4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`employment of touch screens which, in contrast to the above
`interface.
`
`
`
`
`
`devices, permit users to activate functions or to interact with
`information using direct manipulation. Such direct manipu­
`
`
`
`
`The above objects and other objects, features, and advan­
`
`
`
`lation dramatically improves the ease-of-use of the interface,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`tages of the present invention are readily apparent from the
`and thus increases the desirability of the device employing
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`
`following detailed description of the best modes for carrying
`
`the interface. However, in contrast to the benefits derived
`
`
`
`
`
`out the invention when taken in connection with the accom­
`from a direct manipulation interface via a touch screen,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`panying drawings wherein like reference numerals are used
`
`usability is simultaneously inhibited by the touch screen for
`
`
`
`for like components.
`the following reason. Due to the nature of the touch screen,
`
`
`
`
`
`users are apt to use their fingertips to activate/select items 10
`
`from the touch screen. Fingertips, however, are inexact
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pointing devices and thus generally unsuitable for such
`
`
`
`
`telephone hand-set;
`touch screens which require precise location of the finger
`
`
`
`
`press. Thus, the likelihood of activating the wrong function FIG. 2 is a front plan view of a prior art hand portable
`
`
`
`
`
`
`or selecting the wrong data is increased by the ambiguity of
`
`15 mobile telephone;
`selections with the fingertip. This ambiguity actually inhibits
`
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art electronic device
`
`
`
`
`the device's usability and thus its desirability.
`
`
`which incorporates touch screen entry keys;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Consequently, a need has therefore developed to provide FIGS. 4-6 are schematic diagrams of the improved user
`
`
`
`an improved touch screen user interface which may be
`
`
`
`
`interface of the present invention and the component parts
`
`implemented in interactive electronic devices of the type
`
`
`
`20
`thereof;
`
`
`referenced above. More specifically, a need has developed to
`
`
`embodiment FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of alternative
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`provide such an improved interface wherein the function
`
`
`
`of the improved user interface of the present invention;
`
`
`
`
`labels may be directly manipulated. Such an interface should
`
`
`FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams illustrating
`the
`
`
`also provide disambiguation means to guide the user to the
`
`
`
`operation of the improved user interface of the present
`
`
`
`
`
`appropriate function label while, at the same time, prevent-
`25
`invention.
`
`
`ing the user from accessing an incorrect key.
`
`mobile art vehicular FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a prior
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`
`INVENTION
`
`
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`30
`
`
`
`
`It is therefore a principal object of the present invention
`a plurality of Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`to provide an improved user interface for use in interactive
`
`
`prior art touch screens which have been provided, for
`
`electronic devices which eliminates the complexity and
`
`
`
`
`
`
`example, in a hand-held calculator 30 are shown and des­
`
`ambiguity problems encountered in conventional interfaces
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ignated generally by reference numeral 32. As seen, these
`
`yet provides a plurality of user-friendly functions.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`34 display a single visual 35 touch screen interfaces incorporate
`
`
`
`
`A more specific object of the present invention is the
`
`
`
`
`which provides output responsive to user initiated activity
`
`provision of a user interface for use in interactive electronic
`
`
`
`
`of these touch screen on touch screens 32. The disadvantage
`devices which incorporates a single class of touch screen
`
`
`
`
`
`interfaces is that they are highly prone to error since a user
`
`entry keys which function as context-sensitive task and
`
`
`
`may easily hit the wrong touch screen. The lack of any
`
`information display regions which may be accessed by
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`of user the possibility maximizes 40 physical feedback further
`
`direct user manipulation.
`error.
`
`
`
`
`Yet another object of the present invention is the provision
`the With reference now to FIGS. 4-6 of the drawings,
`
`
`
`
`
`of such an improved touch screen user interface which,
`
`
`
`improved user interface incorporating the novel interactive
`
`
`
`
`
`through the use of raised overlay means, delineates the touch
`
`
`
`
`touch screen interface of the present invention will be
`
`
`
`
`
`screen or screens into a plurality of precisely defined and 45
`
`
`
`
`
`described in further detail. As shown, the interface of the
`
`
`
`
`easily accessible context-sensitive task and information dis­
`
`
`
`
`present invention which is shown, by way of example, in a
`
`
`play regions which guide the user to the appropriate region
`
`
`
`hand portable communications device such as a mobile
`
`
`for direct user manipulated activation.
`
`
`
`
`
`telephone hand-set or Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is
`
`
`
`
`designated generally by reference numeral 36. The interface
`
`
`In carrying out the above objects and other objects,
`
`
`necessarily incorporates physical overlay means such as
`
`
`
`
`features and advantages of the present invention, there is 50
`
`
`or substantially rigid plastic card 38. Card 38 is punched
`
`
`
`
`provided a user interface adapted for use in interactive
`
`
`
`stamped to define a plurality of voids or openings 40, which
`
`
`
`
`
`electronic devices including land-based telephones, wireless
`
`
`
`
`are of predetermined size, shape and location within card 38
`
`
`
`
`
`telephones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's) and com­
`
`
`
`and correspond to predetermined touch screen function
`
`
`
`
`puters, and VCRs, televisions, remote controls and the like
`labels.
`
`
`
`which comprises a touch screen or a plurality of touch 55
`
`
`
`
`
`
`screens. The user interface further incorporates raised over­
`or screens As seen, by overlaying card 38 on touch screen
`
`
`
`
`
`lay means for delineating the touch screen or screens into a
`
`
`
`
`and task display 42, a plurality of recessed information
`
`
`
`like plurality of context-sensitive task and information dis­
`
`
`
`
`with the inven­which, in accordance regions 44 are defined
`
`
`
`
`play regions. This overlay means, which may comprise, for
`
`
`
`
`
`tion described herein, are context sensitive and activated by
`
`
`
`
`example, a raised plastic card or similarly substantially rigid
`
`
`direct user manipulation. Card 38 may be of any thickness
`60
`
`
`
`
`sufficient to properly delineate the aforementioned task and
`
`
`
`
`cover having appropriate windows or voids stamped therein
`
`
`is operable to guide the user to the appropriate task/infor­
`
`
`information display regions 44 and guide the user to the
`
`
`
`
`
`desired region sought to be activated. As readily understood,
`
`
`
`
`
`mation display region for direct user manipulated activation.
`
`
`
`As disclosed herein, these context-sensitive task and infor­
`
`
`
`and however, the thinner the card 38 may be designed
`
`
`
`
`
`
`mation display regions function as both soft-label signaling 65
`
`
`
`implemented, the greater the reduction in corresponding
`
`
`
`
`keys and as dynamic visual displays. In operation, the
`
`
`
`material cost and vice-versa Nonetheless, at both ends of
`
`
`
`
`
`soft-label signalling keys provide direct access the displayed
`
`
`
`
`the spectrum, a tradeoff exists with respect to the desired
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 7
`
`

`

`5,572,573
`
`1.For use with an interactive electronic device, a user
`
`a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined func­
`
`6
`5
`functionality of the overlay means. Thus, for example, if the
`
`
`
`
`display of 54, 56 or 58 are. activated, the corresponding
`
`
`
`
`
`regions will change accordingly and prompt the user to
`
`card 38 is too thin, the user will be unable to properly
`
`
`
`select from additionally stored entries.
`
`
`physically distinguish the task and information display
`
`
`may be activated. regions 44 and an erroneous region
`
`
`
`The improved user interface of the present invention
`
`
`
`
`which incorporates a touch screen or screens delineated by
`
`
`user will be inhibited Similarly, if the card 38 is too thick, the
`5
`
`
`raised overlay means such as rigid plastic card 38 provides
`
`
`
`from easily accessing the desired region.
`
`
`
`context-sensitive task and information display regions
`
`
`
`
`Against this background, Applicants contemplate that a
`
`which may be used in a number of communication devices
`
`
`
`
`substantially rigid card having a thickness in the range of0.5
`
`
`
`including hand-held telephones shown by way of example
`
`
`
`mm to 2.5 mm should be sufficient for the involved user
`
`
`
`above as well as personal computers, PDAs, calculators and
`
`
`
`interfaces of most applications, including land-based tele-10
`
`
`
`
`
`other suitable interactive electronic devices. The direct user
`
`
`
`
`phones, mobile telephones, Personal Digital Assistants
`
`
`
`manipulation provided for by the present invention greatly
`
`
`(PDAs) and computers, calculators and other electronic
`
`
`
`
`reduces user error by providing explicit instructions for the
`
`
`
`
`
`devices as referenced above. However, it is understood and
`
`
`user and eliminating the aforementioned ambiguity prob­
`
`
`
`contemplated by Applicants that the thickness as well as the
`
`
`
`lems encountered with shift keys, soft-label signaling keys
`
`l5
`
`vary depending size and flexibility of card 38 may, of course,
`and the like.
`
`upon the particular use of the same.
`While the best modes for carrying out the invention have
`
`It is thus seen that the use of such an improved touch
`
`
`
`
`been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which
`
`
`
`
`screen user interface provides maximum interface flexibility
`
`
`
`
`this invention relates will recognize various alternative
`
`
`for use in a limited amount of real estate such as, for
`
`
`
`
`designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as
`20 defined
`by the following claims.
`
`
`
`
`example, in the cellular telephone or PDA hand-set 36 which
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`
`is shown. As readily seen, the improved user interface
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`preserves flexibility of the touch screens 42 while adding the
`
`interface, comprising:
`
`
`
`accuracy and physical feedback of soft-label signaling keys.
`
`
`
`
`
`As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, in an alternative
`25
`
`tion labels; and
`
`
`
`embodiment, a contiguous touch screen need not be pro­
`a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`vided. Rather, a plurality of defined touch screens 42 may be
`
`
`
`
`plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and
`
`
`used with their division made aesthetically more pleasing
`
`
`
`location corresponding to the predetermined plurality
`
`
`
`through the use of physical card overlay 38 referenced
`
`
`
`
`of touch screen function labels, the plurality of aper­
`
`
`
`
`invention above. The physical card overlay 38 of the present
`30
`
`
`tures for delineating said plurality of touch screen
`
`
`may be used, in cooperation with any suitable interface
`
`
`
`
`function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task
`
`
`
`
`including, for example, the personal computer as further
`
`
`
`
`and information display regions and guiding the user to
`
`
`
`touch screen or a shown in FIG. 7 whether a contiguous
`
`
`
`
`the appropriate region for direct user manipulated acti-
`
`
`
`plurality of defined touch screens are utilized.
`vation.
`
`
`
`As readily seen, the user interface of the present invention
`the raised overlay2. A user interface as in claim 1 wherein
`
`
`
`35
`
`
`
`which incorporates a touch screen combined with a physical
`
`
`
`is a substantially rigid card having a predetermined thick­
`
`
`
`
`
`overlay serves to delineate regions of the touch screen that
`ness.
`
`
`
`are both programmable, yet easily recognizable and simple
`3.A user interface as in claim 2 wherein the predeter­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`the to identify and activate. The raised overlay 38 guides
`
`mined thickness is in the range of 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm.
`
`
`
`user's fingers to the appropriate soft key region, thus reduc-40
`
`
`
`4.For use with an interactive electronic device, a user
`
`
`ing ambiguity and error while preserving programmable
`
`interface, comprising:
`flexibility.
`
`
`a plurality of touch screens; and
`a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and
`45
`
`
`
`location corresponding to the predetermined plurality
`
`Turning now to FIGS. 8-9 of the drawings, the operation
`
`
`
`
`of touch screen function labels, the plurality of aper­
`
`
`
`
`of the improved user interface of the present invention will
`
`
`
`tures for more precisely delineating said plurality of
`
`
`
`
`
`be described in further detail. Consider, for example, the
`
`
`
`touch screen function labels so as to define a like
`
`
`
`user interface provided in a hand-held wireless telephone
`
`
`
`plurality of context-sensitive task and information dis­
`
`
`
`
`wherein a user desires to select from many stored telephone
`50
`
`
`play regions and guiding the user to the appropriate
`
`
`
`numbers provided in a "personal directory" and to dial a
`
`
`
`region for direct user manipulated activation.
`
`
`
`selected telephone number. As shown in FIG. 8, the user
`
`
`5.A user interface as in claim 1 wherein the interactive
`
`
`
`
`direc­may physically depress task region 46 < to personal
`
`
`electronic device is a telephone.
`
`
`
`tory >whereupon the display regions will dynamically
`
`
`the interactive6.A user interface as in claim 1 wherein
`
`
`
`
`accommodate the current context of the communication and 55
`
`
`
`
`electronic device is a mobile telephone hand-set.
`
`
`prompt the user with a plurality of recipients and their
`
`
`the interactive7.A user interface as in claim 1 wherein
`
`
`
`
`corresponding telephone numbers which have been stored in
`
`
`electronic device is a calculator.
`
`
`
`the personal directory as shown in FIG. 9. Should the user
`
`
`the interactive8.A user interface as in claim 1 wherein
`
`
`
`thereafter desire to send a communication to "Adam Marx,"
`
`
`
`electronic device is a personal computer.
`
`
`
`for example, the user need only physically depress task/ 60
`
`
`the interactive9.A user interface as in claim 1 wherein
`
`
`
`
`telephone the corresponding display region 48 whereupon
`
`
`
`
`electronic device is a Personal Digital Assistant.
`
`
`
`number will appear in display region 50 <541-6021>. The
`
`
`
`10.A mobile telephone hand-set, comprising:
`
`
`user may then originate the telephone call by physically
`an earpiece;
`
`
`
`depressing display region 52 <dial number>.
`a mouthpiece;
`
`As readily seen, <up> and <down> keys may also be 65
`
`
`
`provided as shown in display regions 54 and 56 as well as
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a <back> key provided in display region 58. If any of regions
`
`tion labels; and
`
`Operation
`
`
`
`a touch screen having a plurality of predetermined func­
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 8
`
`

`

`7
`a raised overlay supported by the touch screen having a
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`plurality of apertures of predetermined size, shape and
`
`
`
`
`location corresponding to the predetermined plurality
`vation.
`
`
`
`
`of touch screen function labels, the plurality of aper­
`
`
`tures for delineating said plurality of touch screen 5
`
`
`
`
`function labels into a plurality of context-sensitive task
`
`8
`
`
`
`
`5,572,573
`
`
`
`and information display regions and guiding the user to
`
`the appropriate region for direct user manipulated acti­
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`* * * * *
`
`Samsung EX1016 Page 9
`
`