Abstract:
A method for displaying the status of a radio terminal during initialization, incoming calls, and outgoing calls, by using icons so as to be easily recognized by a user. The method includes the steps of displaying related icons; shifting a movable icon or an activity icon; checking whether a condition is met; if a condition is met, displaying an idle status; and if the condition is not met, returning to the step of shifting the movable icon or shifting the activity icon, whichever corresponds to the status of the radio terminal.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application entitled METHOD FOR DISPLAYING STATUS OF RADIO TERMINAL earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on Aug. 10, 1998, and there duly assigned Serial No. 98-32434. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method for informing a user of the status of a radio terminal, and more particularly, to a method for displaying the status of a radio terminal using icons so as to be easily recognized by a user. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A short phrase or sentence has generally been used to inform a user of the status of a radio terminal. Even where the phrase or sentence can be read quickly, the user is still required to carefully watch a display screen on the radio terminal in order to ascertain the status of the terminal. In a cellular phone for example, current status is communicated via displayed icons or character data. For example, an icon representing non-service is displayed or a symbol ‘X’ is superimposed on an icon representing a phone. However, as terminals become more compact, their display screens become smaller making it difficult to read and easily ascertain terminal status. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying an initialization process of a radio terminal which is easily readable and ascertainable by the user. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying an incoming call status of a radio terminal which is easily readable and ascertainable by the user. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for displaying an originating call status of a radio terminal which is easily readable and ascertainable by the user. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying the status of a radio terminal having a memory which stores a radio terminal icon, a base station antenna icon, and a movable icon, is provided which includes the steps of: displaying the radio terminal icon and the station antenna icon when an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value is less than a threshold value needed to make a call; shifting the movable icon away from the radio terminal icon in the direction of the base station antenna icon; checking whether the RSSI value is equal to or greater than the threshold value; if the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, displaying an idle status; and if the RSSI value is less than the threshold value, returning to the step of shifting the movable icon. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying the status of a radio terminal having a memory which stores a radio terminal icon and activity icons, is provided which includes the steps of: checking whether a call signal is received; if a call signal is received, displaying the radio terminal icon; and displaying the activity icons in increasing numbers, consecutively flashing in the direction pointing away from the outer sides of the radio terminal icon. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method for displaying the status of a radio terminal having a memory which stores a radio terminal icon, a phone icon, a handset icon and a movable icon, is provided which includes the steps of: checking whether a send key for originating a call is pressed; if the send key is pressed, displaying the radio terminal icon, phone icon, and handset icon; and shifting the movable icon away from the radio terminal icon in the direction of the phone icon. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a radio terminal to which the present invention is applicable; 
     FIG. 2A is a flow chart for illustrating an initialization process of a radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is a flow chart for illustrating a call incoming status of a radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2C is a flow chart for illustrating a call originating status of a radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3A is a diagram of the display screen of a radio terminal displaying an initialization process the a radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3B is a diagram of the display screen of a radio terminal displaying a call incoming status of the radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3C is a diagram of the display screen of a radio terminal displaying a call originating status of the radio terminal using icons in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known constructions or functions are not described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a controller  100  controls the overall operation of a radio terminal. A memory  130  consists of a read only memory (ROM) for storing an operating program, an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and a random access memory (RAM). The memory  130  stores icon data. A display  120 , a liquid crystal display (LCD) for example, displays the status of the radio terminal or a program procedure under the control of the controller  100 . A key entry circuit  110  includes a plurality of numeric and function keys and transmits key data externally generated by a key input to the controller  100 . A radio frequency (RF) circuit  150 , under the control of the controller  100 , transmits a signal generated from the controller  100  to a base station and converts an RF signal received through an antenna into a corresponding signal. A signal processor  140  modulates a voice signal received from a microphone into voice data and demodulates voice data received from the RF circuit  150  into a voice signal to be generated through a speaker. 
     FIG. 2A is a flow chart illustrating an initialization process of a radio terminal utilizing icons. FIG. 3A is a diagram pictorially representing the related icons of the initialization process of FIG. 2A as shown on the display  120 . 
     Referring to both FIGS. 2A and 3A, the controller  100  checks at step  201  whether an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication) value is less than a threshold value necessary to make a call. If the RSSI value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, then it is possible to make a call, and an idle status of the radio terminal is displayed at step  241  on a screen  341  as shown in FIG.  3 A. If it is less than the threshold value, the controller  100  retrieves, at step  211 , a radio terminal icon and a base station antenna icon stored in the memory  130 , and displays them on screen  311  of display  120  as shown in FIG.  3 A. At step  221 , a movable icon is shifted in the direction of the base station antenna icon from the radio terminal icon as displayed on screens  321  and  331 , as is indicated in FIG.  3 A. At step  231 , the controller  100  checks again whether it is possible to make a call by determining if the RSSI value is equal to or greater than the threshold value. If the RSSI value is less than the threshold value, the process returns to step  221  and continues to display the movable icon. If the RSSI value is equal to or greater than a threshold value, then it is possible to make a call, and at step  241  an idle status of the radio terminal is displayed on a screen  341  as shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 2B is a flow chart illustrating a call incoming status of a radio terminal utilizing icons. FIG. 3B is a diagram pictorially representing the related icons of the call incoming status of FIG. 2B as shown on the display  120 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2B and 3B, the controller  100  checks whether a call signal is received at step  202 . If it is received, the controller  100  retrieves the radio terminal icon from the memory  130  at step  212  to display it on screen  312  using the display  120  as shown in FIG.  3 B. At step  222 , activity icons, preferably angle bracket icons such as “&lt;” and “&gt;”, are displayed in increasing numbers in the direction pointing away from the outer sides of the radio terminal icon on screens  322  and  332 , as shown in FIG.  3 B. Other icons such as parentheses, quotation marks, apostrophes, and the like, for example, may also be used instead of the angle bracket icons. The controller  100  then determines, at step  232 , if a call is connected by checking whether the user answers the call. If the call is not connected, the process returns to step  222  to continue to display the movable activity icons restarting at screen  312 . If the call is connected, the process is followed by step  242  to display a busy status. 
     FIG. 2C is a flow chart illustrating a call originating status of a radio terminal utilizing icons. FIG. 3C is a diagram pictorially representing the related icons of the call originating status as shown on the display  120 . 
     At step  203 , the controller  100  checks whether a send key for originating a call is pressed. If a send key is pressed, data is provided to the controller  100  via the key entry circuit  110 , the controller  100  then retrieves the radio terminal icon, a phone icon and a handset icon from the memory  130  and displays them, at step  213 , on screen  313  of the display  120 . At step  223 , the handset icon is blinked. At step  233 , the movable icon is shifted in the direction of the phone icon from the radio terminal icon as shown on screen  323  and  333 . The controller  100  determines at step  243  if the call is connected by checking whether a called party answers the call. If the call is not connected, the process returns to step  233  and continues to display the movable icon. If the call is connected, a busy status is displayed at step  253 . The above call originating process is displayed on screens  313 ,  323  and  333  as shown in FIG.  3 C. 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.