U.S. patent application number 12/908311 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for multifunctional keyboard for a mobile communication device and method of operating the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED. Invention is credited to Runbo Fu, Xin Jin, Karen A. Rudnitski, Pokin Yeung, Wen Zhao.
Application Number | 20110043385 12/908311 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22930177 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110043385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zhao; Wen ; et al. |
February 24, 2011 |
MULTIFUNCTIONAL KEYBOARD FOR A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND
METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME
Abstract
An apparatus and method for telephony tone signal and character
code generation for QWERTY keyboards includes a QWERTY style
keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control software module.
The QWERTY style keyboard has a plurality of letter keys, wherein
each letter key is configured to generate a unique input signal.
The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured to
convert each unique input signal generated by the letter keys into
a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard mode
control software module operates on the processor, and controls
whether the processor converts the unique input signals from the
letter keys into character codes or telephony tone signals.
Inventors: |
Zhao; Wen; (Kanata, CA)
; Fu; Runbo; (Kanata, CA) ; Jin; Xin;
(Nepean, CA) ; Yeung; Pokin; (Burnaby, CA)
; Rudnitski; Karen A.; (Ottawa, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Leveque Intellectual Property Law, P.C.
241 E. Fourth St., #102
Frederick
MD
21701
US
|
Assignee: |
RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Waterloo
CA
|
Family ID: |
22930177 |
Appl. No.: |
12/908311 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12607468 |
Oct 28, 2009 |
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12908311 |
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10004001 |
Nov 1, 2001 |
7634080 |
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12607468 |
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60246321 |
Nov 7, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
341/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/6066 20130101;
H04M 1/72466 20210101; H04M 1/23 20130101; H04M 2250/70 20130101;
H04M 1/72403 20210101; G06F 3/0219 20130101; G06F 3/041 20130101;
H04M 2250/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
341/22 |
International
Class: |
H03M 11/00 20060101
H03M011/00 |
Claims
1. A communication device, comprising: a plurality of character
entry keys that can function as either letter entry keys or number
entry keys, wherein each character entry key is labeled with a
letter of the alphabet and with a number; the device being
configured to communicate the letter with which a character entry
key is labeled when the character entry key is pressed while the
device is in a letter entry mode and to communicate the number with
which the character entry key is labeled when the character entry
key is pressed while the device is in a number entry mode.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged in a row of keys of the communication device.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the row is a top row of a
keyboard of the communication device.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged within a QWERTY configuration of a plurality of
keys of the communication device.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged within a QWERTY configuration of a plurality of
keys of the communication device.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged within a row of keys of the QWERTY configuration
of the plurality of keys.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the row is a top row of a
keyboard of the communication device.
8. The device of claim 5, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are each labeled with a different number of the numbers
0-9.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein a first character entry key of
the plurality of character entry keys is labeled with the letter Q
and the number 1.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys further comprises a first character entry key labeled with the
letter Q and the number 1, a a second character entry key labeled
with the letter W and the number 2, a third character entry key
labeled with the letter E and the number 3, a fourth character
entry key labeled with the letter R and the number 4, a fifth
character entry key labeled with the letter T and the number 5, a
sixth character entry key labeled with the letter Y and the number
6 a seventh character entry key labeled with the letter U and the
number 7, an eighth character entry key labeled with the letter I
and the number 8, a ninth character entry key labeled with the
letter O and the number 9, and a tenth character entry key labeled
with the letter P and the number 0.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of character
entry keys are arranged within a row of keys of the QWERTY
configuration of the plurality of keys.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the row is a top row of a
keyboard of the communication device.
13. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged within a row of keys of the QWERTY configuration
of the plurality of keys.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys are arranged within a QWERTY configuration of at least
twenty-six keys of the communication device.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of character
entry keys comprise at least ten of the twenty-six keys.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of character entry
keys comprise at least ten keys.
17. The device of claim 1, wherein in the letter entry mode the
character entry key is mapped to the letter and the device is
configured to communicate the letter when the character entry key
is pressed and wherein in the number entry mode the character entry
key is mapped to the number and the device is configured to
communicate the number when the character entry key is pressed.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the communication device
further comprises a processor that maps the character entry key to
the letter in the letter entry mode and maps the character entry
key to the number in the number entry mode.
19. The device of claim 17, the communication device further
comprising a processor and a keyboard control software module,
wherein the keyboard control software module executing on the
processor maps the character entry key to the letter in the letter
entry mode and maps the character entry key to the number in the
number entry mode.
20. The device of claim 1, the communication device further
comprising a toggling element operable to toggle between the letter
entry mode and the number entry mode. (claim 41)
21. The communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a
processor coupled to the plurality of character entry keys; a
keyboard mode control software module operating on the processor,
the keyboard mode control software module controlling toggling
between the letter entry mode in which the character entry key is
mapped to the letter with which the character entry key is labeled
and the number entry mode in which character entry key is mapped to
the number with which the character entry key is labeled.
22. The communication device of claim 21, wherein the keyboard mode
control software module further controls whether keyboard output
signals generated when the plurality of character entry keys are
pressed are converted into character codes or telephony tone
signals.
23. The communication device of claim 22, further comprising: a
plurality of software applications stored in a memory of the
communication device and executed by the processor of the
communication device, wherein the keyboard mode control software
module detects which of the software applications is active in
order to determine whether the generated keyboard output signals
are converted into character codes or telephony tone signals.
24. The communication device of 23, wherein the memory comprises a
service store memory location that associates each software
application of the plurality of software applications with a
keyboard mode that is detected by the keyboard mode control
software module to determine whether the generated keyboard output
signals are converted into character codes or telephony tone
signals.
25. The communication device of 22, further comprising: a software
application stored in a memory of the communication device and
executed by the processor of the communication device, wherein the
memory comprises a configuration store memory location that
identifies a preferred keyboard mode for the software application,
and wherein the preferred keyboard mode is detected by the keyboard
mode control software module to determine whether the keyboard
output signals are converted into character codes or telephone tone
signals.
26. The communication device of 22, wherein the telephone tone
signals are Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMP) signals.
27. The communication device of 22, wherein the character codes are
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
character codes.
28. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
character entry keys are symmetrically distributed across a housing
of the communication device.
29. A method of controlling an operational mode of a communication
device, comprising: providing a plurality of character entry keys
that can function as either letter entry keys or number entry keys,
wherein each character entry key of the plurality of character
entry keys is labeled with a letter of the alphabet and with a
number; providing a letter entry mode in which a letter of a
pressed character entry key of the plurality of character entry
keys is communicated; providing a number entry mode in which a
number of a pressed character entry key of the plurality of
character entry keys is communicated; and communicating the letter
of a character entry key of the plurality of character entry keys
when the character entry key is pressed in the letter entry mode
and communicating the number of the character entry key when the
character entry key is pressed in the number entry mode.
30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: controlling
toggling between the letter entry mode in which the character entry
key is mapped to the letter with which the character entry key is
labeled and the number entry mode in which character entry key is
mapped to the number with which the character entry key is
labeled.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein a keyboard mode control
software module operating on a processor of the communication
device controls toggling between the letter entry mode and the
number entry mode and controls whether keyboard output signals
generated when the plurality of character entry keys are pressed
are converted into character codes or telephony tone signals.
32. The method claim 31, further comprising: the keyboard mode
control software module detecting which of a plurality of software
applications stored in a memory of the communication device and
executed by the processor is active in order to determine whether
the generated keyboard output signals are converted into character
codes or telephony tone signals.
33. The method of claim 31, further comprising: the keyboard mode
control software module detecting a preferred keyboard mode of a
software application executed by the processor of the communication
device, the preferred keyboard mode identified in a configuration
store memory location of a memory of the communication device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of the application titled
"Multifunctional Keyboard For A Mobile Communication Device And
Method Of Operating The Same," application Ser. No. 12/607,468,
filed Oct. 28, 2009, which in turn is a continuation of the
application titled, "Multifunctional Keyboard For A Mobile
Communication Device And Method Of Operating The Same," application
Ser. No. 10/004,001, filed Nov. 1, 2001, which is related to the
following prior application: "Apparatus And Method For Telephony
Tone Signals and Character Codes Generation For QWERTY Keyboards Or
The Like," U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/246,321, filed Nov.
7, 2000. These prior applications, including the entire written
description and drawing figures, are hereby incorporated into the
present application by reference. This application is further
related to application titled "Multifunctional Keyboard For A
Mobile Communication Device And Method Of Operating The Same,"
application No. (NOT YET ASSIGNED, Attorney Docket No.
10273-US-CNT(3), filed even date herewith.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of keyboard
user interfaces. In particular, the invention provides a
multifunctional keyboard for a mobile communication device and
method of operating the same.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Advances in communication technology have created a
convergence between the fields of data and telephony
communications. Traditional communication devices, however,
typically include two separate interfaces; one for telephony
communication, and one for data communication. Other known
communication devices utilize the limited character mapping
available on a typical telephone keypad to perform data entry
functions. For instance, current telephone keypads map keys to
characters on a one-to-many basis: 12 keys (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, *, 0,#) correspond to 26 characters (ABC, DEF, GHI, JKL, MNO,
PQRS, TUV, WXYZ). In addition, most such telephone keypads do not
include many of the characters from the American Standard Code for
Information Interchange (ASCII) character code. In other known
communication devices, including many cellular phones, data may be
entered with a typical telephone keypad by repeatedly pressing a
key to cycle through a number of associated character codes. For
instance, repeatedly pressing the keypad key "2" on a typical
cellular phone may cycle through the characters A, B, C, a, b, c,
and 2.
SUMMARY
[0006] A multifunctional keyboard for a mobile communication device
includes a keyboard, a processor and a keyboard mode control
software module. The keyboard has a plurality of letter keys,
wherein each letter key is configured to generate a keyboard output
signal. The processor is coupled to the keyboard and is configured
to convert each keyboard output signal generated by the letter keys
into a character code and/or a telephony tone signal. The keyboard
mode control software module operates on the processor, and
controls whether the processor converts the keyboard output signals
from the letter keys into character codes or telephony tone
signals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exemplary multifunctional keyboard having keys
that are mapped to both telephony tone signals and character code
signals;
[0008] FIG. 2 is another exemplary multifunctional keyboard in
which the keys are arranged for optimal use with a hand-held
device;
[0009] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate an additional exemplary
multifunctional keyboard for a communication device in which a
plurality of character entry keys can function as either letter
entry keys or number entry keys;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a mobile communication
device utilizing a multifunctional keyboard;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the mobile
communication device shown in FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 5a is a top view of an additional mobile communication
device utilizing a multifunctional keyboard;
[0013] FIG. 5b is a side view of the additional mobile
communication device shown in FIG. 5a;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile
communication device utilizing a multifunctional keyboard;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
for controlling the operational mode of the multifunctional
keyboard in a communication device; and
[0016] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the modes of operation
for the multifunctional keyboard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is an exemplary
multifunctional keyboard 10 having keys 12 that are mapped to both
telephony tone signals and character code signals. The
multifunctional keyboard 10 is preferably a QWERTY style keyboard
in which each of the letter keys 12 also corresponds to a number,
although a different keyboard style could be used such as a Dvorak
or AZERTY keyboard. The number corresponding to a letter key 12 on
the multifunctional keyboard 10 is preferably based on the
number/character correspondence on a traditional telephone keypad.
For instance, the number two (2) on a traditional telephone keypad
corresponds to all of the letters A, B and C. Similarly, the letter
keys A, B and C on the multifunctional keyboard 10 each correspond
to the number two (2).
[0018] The multifunctional keyboard 10 is multifunctional in the
sense that it operates in at least two modes: a telephony mode and
a data mode. In the telephony mode, a key 12 pressed on the
multifunctional keyboard results in a telephony tone signal for
communicating with a voice communication network. The telephony
tone signal may, for example, be a Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF)
signal commonly used for dialing a phone number in voice
communication networks. In the data mode, pressing the same key 12
on the multifunctional keyboard 10 will result in the generation of
a character code, such as an American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII) character code.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the multifunctional keyboard 10
may also operate in a joint mode. In the joint mode of operation,
depressing keys on the multifunctional keyboard 10 results in the
simultaneous generation of both telephony tone signals and
character codes. For example, pushing the Q key may result in both
an ASCII code for the letter Q and a DTMF signal representing the
number seven (7).
[0020] FIG. 2 is another exemplary multifunctional keyboard 20 in
which the keys are arranged for optimal use with a hand-held mobile
communication device. The keys of the multifunctional keyboard 20
preferably comprise a QWERTY style keyboard, although other
keyboard styles could be utilized, having a plurality of letter
keys 22, a plurality of number keys 24, specialized keys 26 and a
space bar 28. Each of the letter 22 and number 24 keys preferably
correspond to a character code while the keyboard 20 is in data (or
joint) mode, and correspond to a telephony tone signal while the
keyboard 20 is in telephony (or joint) mode. In addition, one or
more of the specialized keys 26 may have functions that vary
depending upon the mode of the multifunctional keyboard 20. For
instance, one specialized key 26 may perform a "line feed" function
while the keyboard 20 is in data mode, and a "talk" function while
the keyboard 20 is in telephony mode. In addition, the
multifunctional keyboard 20 may include one or more mode keys 29
that switch the keyboard 20 from one operational mode (telephony,
data or joint) to another.
[0021] FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate an additional exemplary
multifunctional keyboard 30, 31 for a communication device in which
a plurality of character entry keys can function as either letter
entry keys 32 or number entry keys 35. Similar to the
multifunctional keyboards 10, 20 described above with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2, this multifunctional keyboard 30, 31 may operate in
telephony mode, data mode, and possibly joint mode. In addition,
however, this multifunctional keyboard 30, 31 utilizes less keys by
providing a letter entry mode, shown in FIG. 3a, and a number entry
mode, shown in FIG. 3b. While in letter entry mode, the keyboard 30
preferably comprises a QWERTY style keyboard 30, although other
keyboard styles may be utilized, having a plurality of letter entry
keys 32, specialized keys 33 and a space bar 34. If a letter entry
key 32 is pressed while the keyboard 30 is in letter entry mode, a
telephony tone signal and/or a character code corresponding to the
letter on the key may be generated, depending upon the operational
mode (telephony, data or joint) of the keyboard 30. When the
keyboard 31 is in number entry mode, however, a number of the keys
are remapped to provide a numerical keypad, preferably comprising a
plurality of number entry keys 35, specialized keys 33, a space bar
34 and a plurality of non-functional keys 36. If a number entry key
35 is pressed while the keyboard 31 is in number entry mode, a
telephone tone signal and/or a character code corresponding to the
number on (or represented by) the key may be generated, depending
upon the operational mode of the keyboard 31 (telephony, data or
joint).
[0022] Preferably, the character entry keys that function as both
number entry and letter entry keys, depending upon the entry mode,
have both a number and a letter printed on the key. For example,
the "Q" key shown in FIG. 3a and the corresponding "1" key shown in
FIG. 3b would preferably have both a "Q" and a "1" printed on the
key. The numbers shown in parentheses represent the telephony tone
signals corresponding to the letter or number character, and would
preferably not be printed on the key. It should be understood,
however, that other printing arrangements are contemplated. In
addition, the keyboard 30, 31, or the communication device
utilizing the keyboard 30, 31, preferably includes some means to
indicate whether the keyboard is in number or letter entry mode.
For example, when the keyboard 30, 31 is in one of the letter or
number entry modes, an icon may appear on a display, a particular
audible tone may sound when a key is pressed, an LED may light, or
some other indication means may be activated.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the multifunctional keyboard
30, 31 may be provided in conjunction with a displayed software
user interface. For instance, the multifunctional keyboard 30, 31
may by represented on a display, such as a liquid crystal display
("LCD"). In this embodiment, touching the LCD within the boundaries
of a drawn key representation is equivalent to pressing a key on
the keyboard 30, 31. In addition, an LCD embodiment of the
multifunctional keyboard 30, 31 may include a function in which the
symbols displayed on each drawn key change with the operational
mode to emphasize the particular telephony signal and/or character
code to be generated by each key.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a mobile communication
device 40 utilizing a multifunctional keyboard 30. The keys of the
multifunctional keyboard 30 are preferably uniformly distributed
across the device 40 such that approximately half of the QWERTY
keys are positioned on the left hand side of the device 40, and the
remaining half of the QWERTY keys are positioned on the right hand
side of the device 40. In addition, the QWERTY keys are preferably
tilted at angles to facilitate easy thumb typing while the mobile
device is held between the hands of a mobile device user.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view 41 of the mobile
communication device 40 shown in FIG. 4. The communication device
40 preferably includes an ear bud 42 that is detachably fitted
within a cavity 44 in the device housing. The ear bud 42 preferably
includes a speaker portion 46 proportioned to fit within the ear of
a communication device user and a microphone portion 48 that
extends towards the user's mouth. When fitted into the device
user's ear, the ear bud 42 may, for example, be used to establish
voice communication through the mobile communication device 40. It
should be understood, however, that the mobile communication device
40 is not limited to embodiments having a detachable ear bud 42. In
other embodiments, such as the embodiment described below with
reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, voice communication may be enabled
with other means, such as a speaker and microphone fixedly mounted
on the device or an ear piece and microphone connected to the
device 40 through an electrical terminal or jack.
[0026] FIG. 5a is a top view of an additional mobile communication
device 40A utilizing a multifunctional keyboard 30. The
communication device 40A preferably includes a speaker 46A and a
microphone 48A fixedly mounted on the device. When positioned near
the device user's head, the speaker 46A and the microphone 48A may,
for example, be used to establish a voice communication though the
communication device 40A.
[0027] FIG. 5b is a side view 42A of the additional mobile
communication device 40A shown in FIG. 5a. The communication device
40A preferably includes a jack 44A for connecting a headset having
an earpiece and microphone to the device 40.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile
communication device 50 utilizing a multifunctional keyboard 51.
The device 50 preferably includes a main module 53 and an ear bud
module 55. The multifunctional keyboard 51 is included in the main
module 53 along with a tone signal generation circuit 52, a
keyboard mode control software module 54 operating on a processor
56, and a memory device 62 having a configuration store 61 and a
service store 63. In an alternative embodiment, however, the
processor 56 may be replaced by an alternative processing unit,
such as a field programmable gate array ("FPGA") or a software
interpreter module.
[0029] The processor 56 receives keyboard output signals from the
multifunctional keyboard 51 and converts these output signals into
telephony tone signals, character codes or both. The mode of
operation (data, telephony or joint) for the multifunctional
keyboard 51 is preferably determined by the keyboard mode control
software module 54 based on either the current requirements of the
device 50, a selection by the user of the device 50, or possibly
based on some other triggering event. The keyboard mode control
software 54 may, for example, set the device 50 to a particular
keyboard mode when a software application is executed on the device
50 and possibly when a particular operation is executed by the
software application. For instance, if an address book application
is executed, the keyboard mode control software 54 will preferably
automatically set the multifunctional keyboard 51 to a preferred
mode. When entering or editing an address book entry, data mode is
the preferred mode for editing or entering a name, email address,
or street address field, whereas joint mode is the preferred mode
for editing or entering a telephone number field. Conversely, when
retrieving an address book entry, data mode is the preferred mode
for retrieving a name, email address, or street address, whereas
either telephony mode, joint mode or data mode may be the preferred
mode for retrieving a telephone number depending upon the purpose
for which it is being retrieved. For instance, if a telephone
number is retrieved from an address book in order to initiate a
voice communication, the number will preferably be retrieved in
telephony or joint mode.
[0030] The configuration store 61 and the service store 63 located
in the memory device 62 are preferably used by the keyboard mode
control software 54 to determine which operational mode (data,
telephony or joint) is required for a particular application. In a
preferred embodiment, however, the operational mode of the keyboard
51 may also be selected or overridden by a user of the mobile
device 50. For instance, with reference to FIG. 2, a mobile device
user may preferably select or trigger a change in the keyboard mode
by pressing one of the mode keys 29.
[0031] Similarly, the letter entry or number entry modes for the
keyboard embodiment 30, 31 shown in FIG. 3, is preferably also
controlled by the keyboard mode control software 54. Similar to the
operational modes (data, telephony or joint), the number and letter
entry modes may be automatically selected by the keyboard mode
control software 54 based on the application currently executing on
the device 50, may be selected by the device user, or may possibly
be selected by some other triggering event. For instance, if a
voice communication application is executed on the device 50, the
keyboard mode control software 54 will preferably automatically set
the keyboard 51 to number entry mode (and telephony or joint mode)
so that a telephone number may be dialed. If the user then desires
to enter the telephone number using letters, the user may
preferably trigger the keyboard mode control software 54 to switch
the keyboard 51 to letter entry mode. For example, with reference
to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the user may be able to switch between letter
and number entry modes by pressing the "NUM," "CAP," and/or "ALT"
key, selecting a mode from a pull-down menu, pressing a specialized
key, holding down a key for a predetermined period of time, or by
some other means.
[0032] Referring again to FIG. 6, once an operational mode (and
possibly one of the letter or number entry modes) for the
multifunctional keyboard 51 has been selected, either automatically
or by a user, the keyboard mode control software module 54
instructs the processor 56 to convert the keyboard output signals
to telephony tone signals and/or character codes. If the
communication device 50 is in data or joint mode, then the keyboard
output signals are converted into character codes, such as ASCII
codes. If the communication device 50 is in telephony or joint
mode, then telephony tone signals, such as DTMF signals, are
generated. Then, as the telephony tone signals and/or character
codes are generated, they may be transferred to a buffer by the
processor 56 to await further processing. For instance, if a
telephone number is entered into the device 50 while the keyboard
51 is in joint mode, then the character codes and DTMF tone signals
for the telephone number are preferably stored in a buffer until
the user initiates the call, for example by pressing a "send" key.
Once the call is initiated, the DTMF tones are further processed to
execute the call, and the character codes may, for example, be
further processed to log the call.
[0033] The tone signal generation circuitry 52 may be used by the
processor 56 to generate the telephony tone signals while the
multifunctional keyboard 51 is in telephony or joint mode. In an
alternative embodiment, however, digital telephony tone signals may
be generated directly by the processor 56, or by a digital signal
processor. In addition to telephony tone signals, the tone signal
generation circuitry 52 may also generate audible tones preferably
at the option of the communication device user. The audible tones
may be used, for example, to notify the user when a key is pressed
on the multifunctional keyboard 51. In alternative embodiments, the
tone signal generator may generate distinctive tones when a
telephony tone signal or character code is generated.
[0034] In addition to the components and software relating to the
multifunctional keyboard 51, the main module 53 also preferably
includes a pair of antennas 58, 60 (although a single antenna
structure could be used), a memory device 62, an LCD display 64, at
least one rechargeable battery 66, a long-range RF transceiver 68,
one or more short-range RF transceivers 70, a power supply and
recharging circuit 72, a cradle interface circuit 74, and an
auxiliary input device such as a thumbwheel 76. The main module 53
may also include a pressure-sensitive writing tablet.
Operationally, the long-range RF transceiver 68 is used to send and
receive information from a long-range wireless network, and the one
or more short-range RF transceivers 60 are used to send and receive
information from the ear bud module 55, and possibly from other
local devices such as an RF interface cradle, or a local printer
coupled to a LAN, or other types of printing or display
devices.
[0035] The ear bud module 55 is preferably an RF-enabled ear-piece
that may be connected to (both mechanically and electrically) the
main module 53 as described above. The ear bud module 55 preferably
includes a microphone and a speaker 78, a short-range wireless
transceiver 80, an antenna 82, a rechargeable battery 84, and
possibly an integral processor 86. Operationally, the short-range
wireless transceiver 80 is used to establish an RF link between the
ear bud module 55 and the main module 53.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 90
for controlling the operational mode of the multifunctional
keyboard 51 in a communication device 50. This exemplary method 90
may, for example, be executed by the software mode control software
module 54 described above. In step 92, the communication device 50
is idle. The device 50 preferably remains idle until the processor
56 receives a trigger in step 94. The trigger may, for example, be
initiated by an unprocessed key stroke, the activation of a switch,
an incoming message, an alarm condition, the activation of a
software application, or any other type of event that may be
detected by the device 50. For instance, the multifunctional
keyboard 51 may include a specialized key that triggers a keyboard
mode change, or a mode change may be automatically triggered by the
detection of some event such as the activation of a software
application or a selection by the user of the device.
[0037] Once a mode change has been triggered in step 94, the type
of service (data, telephony or joint) required by the device 50 is
determined in steps 96 and 100. The required service may be
determined, for example, by accessing the service store 63 locally
maintained in a memory location 62 on the device 50. The service
store 63 preferably includes a log indicating the type of service
required by each software application on the device 50 and also
preferably includes a default service. For the purposes of the
illustration shown in FIG. 7, the default service is the data mode.
It should be understood, however, that either the telephony mode or
the joint mode could also be the default service for the mobile
device 50. In a preferred embodiment, the system also accesses the
configuration store 61 maintained in the memory location 62 to
determine if a preferred mode has been selected for a particular
application or triggering event. The configuration store 61
preferably includes user configurable preferences relating to the
modes of operations. For instance, the configuration store 61 may
indicate that the joint mode is preferred when the communication
device 50 connects to a particular telephone number or IP
address.
[0038] In step 96, the system determines whether the software
application currently operating on the device (or other triggering
event) requires the multifunctional keyboard 51 to operate in joint
mode. If so, then the multifunctional keyboard 51 is set to joint
mode in step 98. Otherwise, the device 50 determines whether
telephony mode is required in step 100. If the current software
application (or other triggering event) requires telephony mode,
then the keyboard 51 is set to telephony mode in step 102. If
neither joint mode nor telephony mode are required, however, then
the multifunctional keyboard 51 is set to data mode, its default
mode of operation, in step 104. The modes of operation are detailed
below with reference to FIG. 8.
[0039] While the multifunctional keyboard 51 is in a particular
operational mode, an asynchronous mode change may preferably be
initiated upon the receipt of an additional trigger. This type of
mode change is asynchronous in the sense that the change may
preferably be initiated at any point during the operational modes
described below with reference to FIG. 8. Asynchronous mode changes
are illustrated in FIG. 7 by the dotted lines from the three
operational modes (steps 98, 102 and 104) returning to step 94 at
which a trigger is received. If no asynchronous mode change is
received, however, the keyboard 51 preferably remains in the same
operational mode until the currently executing software application
completes its operations, at which point the system returns to an
idle state at step 92.
[0040] In a preferred embodiment, more than one application may be
running on the device 50 at the same time, possibly requiring
concurrent operation of more than one keyboard mode. For instance,
if several applications are executing on the device 51, one
application may be in the foreground (the active application) while
the other applications are in the background (the idle
applications). In this instance, the multifunctional keyboard 51
will preferably operate in the mode associated with the foreground
application. Then, as the device user (or the device itself)
switches from the foreground application to an idle application, an
asynchronous trigger is preferably generated to change keyboard
modes. Preferably, before the device 50 switches from one
application and associated keyboard mode to another, the current
mode associated with the foreground application is stored in the
service store 63. Then, when the idle application returns to the
foreground and becomes active, the stored keyboard mode associated
with the application is detected from the service store 63.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the exemplary modes of
operation 110 for the multifunctional keyboard 51. In step 112, the
device 50 enters a keyboard mode, such as the joint mode, telephony
mode or data mode. Then, when a device user presses a key on the
multifunctional keyboard 51 (step 114), the system 50 preferably
determines whether a user notification function has been enabled in
step 116. The user notification function may preferably be
configured by the device user to generate an audible tone as a key
is pressed. To determine the user notification configuration, the
system 50 preferably detects one or more notification flags set by
the user and stored in the configuration store 61. Preferably,
notification flags may be stored in the configuration store 61 to
either enable or disable the notification function for the data,
telephony and joint modes. If the notification function has been
enabled for the current keyboard mode, then the device 50 generates
an audible tone in step 118. In a preferred embodiment, the audible
tone generated in step 118 is different for each keyboard mode,
thus enabling the device user to determine the current mode.
[0042] In step 120, the device 50 generates a character code and/or
telephony tone signal corresponding to the key pressed by the user
and a corresponding keyboard output signal from the multifunctional
keyboard 51. As described above, the signal generated in step 120
depends upon the operational mode of the multifunctional keyboard
51. If the multifunctional keyboard 51 is in joint mode, then the
system 50 generates both a character code and a telephony tone
signal in step 120. If the multifunctional keyboard 51 is in
telephony mode, then the system 50 generates a telephony tone
signal. If the multifunctional keyboard 51 is in data mode, then a
character code is generated. Once the appropriate character and/or
telephony tone signal has been generated in step 120, the system 50
determines whether the current application or other triggering
event requiring the current keyboard mode is complete in step 122.
If the application is complete, then the system exits its current
keyboard mode in step 124 and returns to an idle state. Otherwise,
the system 50 remains in the current mode and awaits another
keystroke at step 114. As was described above with reference to
FIG. 7, however, asynchronous mode changed may occur from within
any step of FIG. 8.
[0043] In addition to the embodiments described above with
reference to FIGS. 1-8, additional embodiments are contemplated
which allow the operations of the multifunctional keyboard to be
carried out on a lower system level without need for an actual
keyboard or a telephony tone signal generator. For example, a
communication device may include a translation mode wherein the
mode control software translates key codes to telephony signals,
and the key codes are provided by voice recognition software
recognizing keys spoken by a user, or, alternatively, the key codes
being provided from storage. In such an embodiment, the mode
control software preferably translates input character codes to
generate telephony signals and/or output character codes, the input
character codes being interpreted as if they were generated by use
of a multifunctional keyboard, thus enabling the communication
device to be easily adapted to a variety of sources of input
characters of which a keyboard is but one example.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable
scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include
other examples that occur to those skilled in the art.
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