Patent ID: 6669361
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: G04G

Abstract:
A method for making the function of a disabled mode available for selecting in a multimode electronic device of the type having an integrated circuit operable in a plurality of modes comprising the disabled mode and a plurality of enabled modes comprising a mode enabling/disabling mode, wherein the enabled modes are available for selection and the integrated circuit is further operable in a mode selection mode for selecting among the plurality of enabled modes, the method comprising the steps of:cycling among the enabled modes and entering the mode enabling/disabling mode by initiating activation of a mode selecting mechanism; displaying at least a mode indicator for the disabled mode; selecting the disabled mode for which enabling is desired and switching the disabled mode from one of disabled to enabled so that a function of the previously disabled mode is selectable; and exiting the mode enabling/disabling mode and resume cycling among the enabled modes; wherein during the resuming of the, cycling among the enabled modes, the previously disabled mode will now be one of the enabled modes and available for selecting in the mode selection mode; and wherein the integrated circuit disables the selectability of the function of the disabled mode prior to the enablement of the disabled mode during a switching step.