Abstract:
The present invention comprises a method and apparatus, which provides feedback for identification of a selected input on an electronic device. The method and apparatus is provided for identifying selected inputs of a device by a user of the device before the selected input is accepted as input for further processing in the device.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to electronic devices and, more particularly, to electronic devices that have input devices for entering device inputs, and a method and apparatus for device input identification and acceptance in electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Mobile stations (also referred to as a radiotelephones, mobile devices, mobile transceivers, mobile telephones, mobile terminals, etc.) have become a widespread convenient means of communication around the world. Mobile telephones, for example, have proliferated globally and can be seen in virtually any area of the world. 
     Since the inception of mobile phones, manufacturers have been pressured to reduce the size of the mobile phones to increase portability, and concurrently increase the size of the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) to meet more sophisticated display requirements. To meet these requirements, the manufacturers in designing mobile phones attempt to reduce the area occupied by the keypad while increasing the size of the LCD to provide a larger display area. Consequently, most manufacturers of phones design and build phones with a large LCD and with small keys on a keypad. 
     Mobile phones having small keys and a large LCD are very convenient for providing both portability and ease of use in reading and composing e-mails and browsing the Internet. The larger LCD is also convenient for displaying digital images such as video or still photographs. However, a mobile phone .having small keys also provides greater difficulties in identifying the keys. Small keys on mobile phones may make it difficult to identify which key is selected for input. If the user is not able to identify which key is selected, there is greater chance that an incorrect key input will be entered for processing. When an incorrect key input is entered, the user must clear the entry to correct the error. However, for example, when entering data during an established call, corrections may not be possible and the user may be required to re-establish the call and start over. These minor errors, which occur due to lack of key identification prior to selecting the key, can be inefficient and costly. Therefore, a method of identifying which key is selected before accepting it for processing would be useful. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing feedback for identification of a selected key to a user of a mobile device. The method and apparatus is provided for identifying selected keys of a mobile before the selected key is accepted as input for processing in the mobile device. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, an electronic device provides feedback of a selected input, a key press for example, such that the user may make a proper decision about accepting the selected input. First, the device determines the input selected by the user. Next, based on the type of feedback selected by the user or implemented by the manufacturer, a feedback is generated. For example in visual feedback using an LCD, the selected input may be displayed on the LCD. Next, a determination is made as to whether the selected input is accepted by the user. If the selected input is accepted, then the function associated with the input is processed. For example, a number may be entered into the device as part of a number to be dialed. 
     One advantage of this invention is that a user of an electronic device is able receive a feedback, visual for example, of the selected input before accepting that selected input. This invention may provide an advantage for users with limited eyesight. The selected input may be displayed using the display area of the LCD in an enhanced mode wherein the display is larger and/or brighter, thereby further assisting users with limited eyesight or users who are in low light conditions. In alternatives of the embodiment using the enhanced mode, a user may increase or decrease the level, for example, text size or brightness, of feedback. This feedback provided prior to acceptance of a key may save users time and frustration of clearing and/or re-entering the desired key. 
     The feedback may be any type generated in the mobile phone devices that provides information on the selected input to the user. For example, the feedback may be audio, for example, a signal generated by a tone generator. The audio feedback may assist visually impaired users by generating identifiable audio tones of the selected input. The audio feedback may also comprise an enhanced mode for generating louder audio tones. In alternatives of the embodiment using the enhanced mode, a user may increase or decrease the level or volume of feedback. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, a keypad is provided to input data to control a processor. The keypad comprises a plurality of keys, each key comprising at least two contacts that are coupled to the processor. The first contact closes a first circuit thereby allowing the processor to determine the type of input and to provide a feedback of the input. A second contact closes a second circuit thereby allowing the processor to accept the input and process the functions associated with input. 
     In yet another embodiment of the invention, a processor is coupled to a timer for determining if the selected input should be accepted. Whenever any input is selected, a counter is activated. If the selected input is selected continuously for a predetermined time, the processor accepts the input and processes the function associated with the selected input. 
     In a further embodiment of the invention, the feedback is a combination of audio and visual, wherein the audio may be voice or tones and the visual may be a display on the LCD or graphics on any other type of display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other advantages will be readily appreciated, as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates the input selection task executed by the mobile phone of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 3 a-c  are side views of a key and operation of the key used as an input device of mobile phone of FIG. 1; and 
     FIGS. 4 a-b  illustrate an embodiment of the invention that may be utilized in operation of the mobile phone of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile phone  1  according to an embodiment of the invention. Generally, mobile phone  1  includes receiver  10 , transmitter  11 , and controller (which may also be known as a processor)  15  that is coupled to transmitter  11  and receiver  10 . Processor  15  initiates the transmission of outgoing signals and processes incoming signals. These signals may include signaling information in accordance with the air interface of the applicable cellular or digital system, and also user speech and/or user generated data. 
     A user interface includes a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)  12 , tone generator  17 , speaker  19 , vibrate device  18  and user input device  14  comprising keypad  14   a , all of which are coupled to processor  15 . The input device may also comprise microphone  14   b  for generating input. Mobile phone  1  also comprises timer  16  (also referred to as a clock chip) coupled to processor  15  for synchronizing the operations of processor  15  and tracking time. 
     Mobile phone  1  also includes various memories, shown collectively as memory  13 . Memory  13  includes a plurality of stored constants and variables that are used by processor  15  during the operation of mobile phone  1 . For example, memory  13  stores the values of the various feature parameters and the number assignment module (NAM). An operating program for controlling the operation of processor  15  is also stored in memory  13  (typically in a read only memory). Memory  13  is also used to store data provided by the user through the user interface. Furthermore, memory  13  is used to hold the subprograms or sub-processes for controlling the operation of mobile phone  1  and carrying out the embodiment of the invention. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the embodiment of the invention, the operating program in memory  13  includes a routine to allow the user to set up one or more function settings to control the type of feedback. Using the menu function, the user is able to select one or more types of feedback to receive for a selected input. The types of feedback comprise visual, audio and vibratory and may be provided in normal or enhanced mode. Enhanced mode provides an easily determinable feedback, such as using a bigger text display than normal display mode. The visual feedback may be displayed on an LCD as for example, a graphical or a video display. The audio feedback may be provided by voice or by tone. Yet another type of feedback may be by vibration. It should be realized that a combination of visual, audio and vibratory feedback is within the scope of the invention. It should also be realized that other types of feedback are within the scope of the invention. 
     Reference is made to FIG. 2 for illustrating an input selection task in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. At block  20 , the task is shown as being in idle state. In this state, no input has currently been provided to processor  15  using the input device  14 . When input is provided, such as pressing a key of keypad  14   a , an input_selected event  21  is generated. The input_selected event  21  causes the input task to process and provide a feedback at block  22 . The feedback may be a visual display. Sub-blocks  22   a  and  22   b  of block  22  illustrate tasks for a visual display upon a key press. At block  22   a , the current display is saved and cleared upon a key press. Next, at block  22   b , the selected key is displayed for acceptance. Next, at block  24 , a determination is made on whether the selected key is accepted by the user. If the selected key is accepted, then an input_accepted event  25  is generated, and block  27  is processed. At block  27 , depending of the function associated with the input, that input is processed. Otherwise, an input_not_accepted event  26  is generated, and block  28  is processed. At block  29 , the selected key is no longer displayed on the LCD, and the LCD is restored to a standard display and the input selection task is set to idle state, as shown in FIG. 4 a . The user may indicate selected key acceptance at block  24  by various methods. 
     In the embodiment of the invention, at block  24 , a counter variable is provided in the memory to provide selected key acceptance. The counter variable is used in conjunction with the timer  16  to determine if the selected input was accepted. If the selected input is continuously selected, for example, the selected key is continuously pressed according to predetermined conditions, then the processor  15  generates the. input_accepted event  25 . Otherwise, the processor generates the input_not_accepted event  26 . For example, when a key is selected, the counter, which may be set to a predetermined time, is decreased to zero. If the counter reaches zero while the key is still pressed, then the input_accepted event  25  is generated. Otherwise, the input_not_accepted event  26  is generated. If the input_accepted event  25  is generated, at block  27  the accepted key is processed as input. Otherwise, if input_not_accepted event  26  is generated, at block  28  the display saved at block  22   a  is re-displayed, and the not accepted input is not processed. 
     In an alternative of the embodiment, keypad  14   a  may comprise a plurality of keys configured to provide selected key acceptance. Operation and components of an example key  30  are illustrated in FIGS. 3 a - 3   c . Each key  30  comprises at least two distinguishable contact points  31  and  32 . Each key  30  further comprises at least two contact surfaces  32   a  and  33   a . The contact surfaces are coupled to the processor for generating events for the input selection task shown in FIG.  2 . First contact point  31  comprises a top surface  31  a and first bottom surface  31   b , wherein the first bottom surface  31   b  communicates with first contact surface  32   a . Second contact point  32  comprises first contact surface  32   a  and second bottom surface  32   b , wherein second bottom surface  32   b  communicates with second contact surface  33   a . When first bottom surface  31   b  communicates with first contact surface  32   a , at block  20  of FIG. 2, the input_selected event  21  is generated. As shown in FIG,  3   b , the pressing of key  30  by the user initiates the contact between first bottom surface  31   b  and first contact surface  32   a . While the first bottom surface  31   b  and first contact  32   a  are in contact, further pressing of key  30 , as shown is FIG,  3   c , may initiate the contact between second bottom surface  32   b  and second contact surface  33   a , causing, at block  24  of FIG. 2, the input_accepted event  25  to be generated. If the contact between first bottom surface  31   b  and first contact surface  32   a  is interrupted before second bottom surface  32   b  contacts second contact surface  33   a , then the input_not_accepted event  26  is generated at block  24  of FIG. 2. A flexible dome  36  may be provided to control movement and contact of surfaces  32   a  and  33   a  and bottom surfaces  31   b  and  32   b  of the key. In order to allow various degrees of user control of the keys, the dimensions of the parts illustrated in FIG. 3 a  may be varied. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate a possible implementation of display  12  and keypad  14   a  of mobile device  1 . Display  12  includes an LCD having a display area  40 . The display area  40  is divided into several information displays areas  40   a - 40   d . For example, information area  40   d  may be used to display a series of numbers already entered by the user and accepted by the processor  15 . Keypad  14   a  comprises a plurality of keys for entering data. FIG. 4 a  illustrates keypad  14   a  and display  12  in an idle state of the input selection task of FIG.  2 . FIG. 4 b  illustrates the feedback process of block  22   b  of FIG.  2 . As illustrated in FIG. 4 b , when a user selects a key, which may be configured as key  30  of FIG. 3 a , for example. the “5” key, processor  15  displays “5” using an enhanced or a larger area of display  12 . This allows the user to identify the selected input before accepting it. The processor  15  displays the selected input, “5” for example, when the first bottom surface  31   b  of the first contact point  31  communicates with the first contact surface  32   a  of the second contact point  32  to make a first contact as shown in FIG. 3 b . If the user continues pressing the selected key, bottom surface  32   b  of contact point  32  contacts contact surface  33   a  of contact point  33  in a second contact to indicate acceptance of the selected key. 
     It should be realized that it is within the scope of the invention to provide alternative visual feedback, such as a graphical or a video display. It should also be realized that it is within the scope of the invention to provide routines that allow the user to select, manipulate or combine the type of feedback based on preference. 
     Thus, while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.