Abstract:
It is presented a method for providing a user interface of a mobile communication terminal including a motion sensitive sensor, a keypad and a display, the mobile communication terminal being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the method including: detecting, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch modes; when the mobile communication terminal is in the active mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the key-lock mode; and when the mobile communication terminal is in the key-lock mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the active mode. Corresponding apparatuses and computer program products are also presented.

Description:
FIELD 
     The disclosed embodiments generally relate to mobile terminals and more particularly to user input of mobile terminals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mobile terminals, or mobile (cellular) telephones, for mobile telecommunications systems like GSM, UMTS, D-AMPS and CDMA2000 have been used for many years now. In the older days, mobile terminals were used almost exclusively for voice communication with other mobile terminals or stationary telephones. More recently, the use of modern terminals has been broadened to include not just voice communication, but also various other services and applications such as www/wap browsing, video telephony, electronic messaging (e.g. SMS, MMS, email, instant messaging), digital image or video recording, FM radio, music playback, exercise analysis, electronic games, calendar/organizer/time planner, word processing, etc. 
     One problem with mobile terminals is inadvertent actuation of keys of the keypad. This can result in undesired phone calls, or even worse, deletion of content in the mobile terminal, such as phone book records or photographs. 
     In the prior art, it is known to allow the user to lock the keypad to reduce the risk of inadvertent key actuations. However, when unlocking the keypad, the key sequence is often awkward with keys needed to be pressed in a certain sequence, to reduce the risk of inadvertent unlocking of the keypad. 
     Another problem in the prior art is with using the mobile terminal as a clock to tell the time. To allow this functionality, the terminal always shows the time, even when the keypad is locked. The problem with this is that power is used to show the time even though most of the time the user does not actually look at the display. 
     Consequently, there is a need to provide a mobile communication terminal and method providing a user interface which is easier to use in conjunction with keypad locking. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect there has been provided a method for providing a user interface of a mobile communication terminal comprising a motion sensitive sensor, a keypad and a display, the mobile communication terminal being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the method comprising: detecting, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch modes; when the mobile communication terminal is in the active mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the key-lock mode; and when the mobile communication terminal is in the key-lock mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the active mode. Consequently, the user can switch modes simply by effecting a movement of the mobile communication terminal. 
     The detecting the first user input may involve detecting at least one tap on the mobile communication terminal. One or more taps is an easy user action requiring little user precision and can as such be actuated by the user while on the move. 
     The method may comprise, after the detecting, presenting a user indication prompting for confirmation to switch the modes of the mobile communication terminal; and detecting a second user input. 
     In the presenting the user indication, a clock may be presented on the display. 
     In the presenting the user indication, a single pulse vibration alert may be generated. Tactile feedback is both noticeable and discrete. 
     The second user input may be interpreted as a confirmation to switch modes. 
     The second user input being associated with switching modes may be an actuation of a key of the keypad. 
     The method may further comprise prior to the switching: ending the method when the second user input is associated with ending the method. 
     The method may further comprise prior to the switching: ending the method when a user input fails to be detected during a time-out period. 
     The method may further comprise: when switching is performed, generating a double pulse vibration alert. 
     A second aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for providing a user interface of a mobile communication terminal comprising a motion sensitive sensor, and a display, the method comprising: detecting using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input; and as a response to the first user input, presenting a clock on the display. This allows the user to, in a simple way, instruct the mobile communication terminal to show a clock, reducing the need to provide a clock in key-lock mode, and thereby conserving battery power. 
     The detecting the first user input may involve detecting at least one tap on the mobile communication terminal. 
     The mobile communication terminal may be capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, and the mobile communication terminal may be in the key-lock mode when the method is commenced, and the method may further comprise, after the presenting: detecting a second user input indicating a desire to switch to the active mode; and as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the active mode. 
     The second user input may comprise a double tap of the mobile communication terminal. 
     A third aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method for providing a user interface of a mobile communication terminal comprising a motion sensitive sensor, a keypad and a display, the mobile communication terminal being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the method comprising: detecting, while the mobile communication terminal is in the active mode, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch to the key-lock mode; and as a response to the first user input, switching the mobile communication terminal to the key-lock mode. 
     A fourth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the apparatus comprising: a display; a keypad; a motion sensitive sensor; and a controller; wherein the controller is configured to detect, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch modes; and the controller is further configured to, as a response to the first user input, when the apparatus is in the active mode, switch the apparatus to the key-lock mode, and the controller is further configured to, as a response to the first user input, when the apparatus is in the key-lock mode, switch the apparatus to the active mode. 
     The motion sensitive sensor may comprise a sensor selected from the group consisting of a tilt sensor and an accelerometer, or any combination of the above. 
     The apparatus may be comprised in a mobile communication terminal. 
     A fifth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the apparatus comprising: a display; a keypad; a motion sensitive sensor; a controller; means for detecting, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch modes; and means for, when the apparatus is in the active mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the apparatus to the key-lock mode, and means for, when the apparatus is in the key-lock mode, as a response to the first user input, switching the apparatus to the active mode. 
     A sixth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus comprising: a display; a motion sensitive sensor; and a controller; wherein the controller is configured to detect, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input; and the controller is further configured to, as a response to the first user input, presenting a clock on the display. The apparatus may be comprised in a mobile communication terminal. 
     A seventh aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus comprising: a display a motion sensitive sensor; a controller; means for detecting using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input; and means for, as a response to the first user input, presenting a clock on the display. 
     An eighth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the apparatus comprising: a display; a keypad; a motion sensitive sensor; and a controller; wherein the controller is configured to detect, while the apparatus is in the active mode, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch to the key-lock mode; and the controller is further configured to, as a response to the first user input, switch the apparatus to the key-lock mode. The apparatus may be comprised in a mobile communication terminal. 
     A ninth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is an apparatus being capable of being in at least an active mode and a key-lock mode, the apparatus comprising: a display; a keypad; a motion sensitive sensor; a controller; means for detecting, while the apparatus is in the active mode, using the motion sensitive sensor, a first user input indicating a desire to switch to the key-lock mode; and means for, as a response to the first user input, switching the apparatus to the key-lock mode. 
     A tenth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a computer program product comprising software instructions that, when executed in a mobile communication terminal, performs the method according to the first aspect. 
     An eleventh aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a computer program product comprising software instructions that, when executed in a mobile communication terminal, performs the method according to the second aspect. 
     A twelfth aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a computer program product comprising software instructions that, when executed in a mobile communication terminal, performs the method according to the third aspect. 
     Other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached dependent claims as well as from the drawings. 
     Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will now be described in more detail, reference being made to the enclosed drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a cellular telecommunication system, as an example of an environment in which the disclosed embodiments may be applied. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic front view illustrating a mobile terminal according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram representing an internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are a schematic diagrams showing how modes can be switched in the mobile terminal shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a mode switch in the terminal of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a cellular telecommunications system in which the invention may be applied. In the telecommunication system of  FIG. 1 , various telecommunications services such as cellular voice calls, www/wap browsing, cellular video calls, data calls, facsimile transmissions, music transmissions, still image transmissions, video transmissions, electronic message transmissions and electronic commerce may be performed between an apparatus being a mobile terminal (or mobile communication terminal)  100  according to the disclosed embodiments and other devices, such as another mobile terminal  106  or a stationary telephone  132 . It is to be noted that for different embodiments of the mobile terminal  100  and in different situations, different ones of the telecommunications services referred to above may or may not be available; the invention is not limited to any particular set of services in this respect. 
     The mobile terminals  100 ,  106  are connected to a mobile telecommunications network  110  through RF links  102 ,  108  via base stations  104 ,  109 . The mobile telecommunications network  110  may be in compliance with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, such as GSM, UMTS, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA and TD-SCDMA. 
     The mobile telecommunications network  110  is operatively connected to a wide area network  120 , which may be Internet or a part thereof. An Internet server  122  has a data storage  124  and is connected to the wide area network  120 , as is an Internet client computer  126 . The server  122  may host a www/wap server capable of serving www/wap content to the mobile terminal  100 . 
     A public switched telephone network (PSTN)  130  is connected to the mobile telecommunications network  110  in a familiar manner. Various telephone terminals, including the stationary telephone  132 , are connected to the PSTN  130 . 
     The mobile terminal  100  is also capable of communicating locally via a local link  101  to one or more local devices  103 . The local link can be any type of link with a limited range, such as Bluetooth, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) link, a Wireless Universal Serial Bus (WUSB) link, an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network link, an RS-232 serial link, etc. The local devices  103  can for example be various sensors that can communicate measurement values to the mobile terminal  100  over the local link  101 . 
     An embodiment  200  of the mobile terminal  100  is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 2 . The mobile terminal  200  comprises a speaker or earphone  202 , a microphone  205 , a display  203  and a set of keys  204  which may include a keypad  204   a  of common ITU-T type (alpha-numerical keypad representing characters “0”-“9”, “*” and “#”) and certain other keys such as soft keys  204   b ,  204   c  and a joystick  211  or other type of navigational input device. The display  203  may be a regular display or a touch-sensitive display. 
     The internal component, software and protocol structure of the mobile terminal  200  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 3 . The mobile terminal has a controller  300  which is responsible for the overall operation of the mobile terminal and is preferably implemented by any commercially available CPU (“Central Processing Unit”), DSP (“Digital Signal Processor”) or any other electronic programmable logic device. The controller  300  has associated electronic memory  302  such as RAM memory, ROM memory, EEPROM memory, flash memory, or any combination thereof. The memory  302  is used for various purposes by the controller  300 , one of them being for storing data and program instructions for various software in the mobile terminal. The software includes a real-time operating system  320 , drivers for a man-machine interface (MMI)  334 , an application handler  332  as well as various applications. The applications can include a personal exercise application  350 , a media player application  360 , as well as various other applications  370 , such as applications for voice calling, video calling, sending and receiving SMS, MMS or email, web browsing, an instant messaging application, a phonebook application, a calendar application, a control panel application, a camera application, one or more video games, a notepad application, etc. 
     The MMI  334  also includes one or more hardware controllers, which together with the MMI drivers cooperate with the display  336 / 203 , keypad  337 / 204  as well as various other I/O devices  339  such as microphone, speaker, vibrator, ringtone generator, LED indicator, etc. Additionally, a motion sensor  338  can be provided, being a sensor capable of detecting motion. The motion sensor could for example be a tilt sensitive sensor or an accelerometer being capable of sensing acceleration. The motion sensor  338  can be used for various purposes, such as user input, step counting, etc. The user may operate the mobile terminal through the man-machine interface thus formed. 
     The software also includes various modules, protocol stacks, drivers, etc., which are commonly designated as  330  and which provide communication services (such as transport, network and connectivity) for an RF interface  306 , and optionally a Bluetooth interface  308  and/or an IrDA interface  310  for local connectivity. The RF interface  306  comprises an internal or external antenna as well as appropriate radio circuitry for establishing and maintaining a wireless link to a base station (e.g. the link  102  and base station  104  in  FIG. 1 ). As is well known to a man skilled in the art, the radio circuitry comprises a series of analogue and digital electronic components, together forming a radio receiver and transmitter. These components include, i.a., band pass filters, amplifiers, mixers, local oscillators, low pass filters, AD/DA converters, etc. 
     The mobile terminal also has a SIM card  304  and an associated reader. As is commonly known, the SIM card  304  comprises a processor as well as local work and data memory. 
       FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are a schematic diagrams showing how modes can be switched in the mobile terminal shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 4 a   , the terminal  400  is switched from an active mode  440  to a key-lock mode  444 . The active mode is a mode in which the mobile terminal is active and all its inputs are active, such as keys  404 , as well as outputs, such as the display  403 . 
     The user then moves the mobile terminal  400  in such a way that a mode switch user input  460  is detected, indicating that the user wishes to go to the key-lock mode  444 . More details about this mode switch user input  460  is described in conjunction with  FIG. 5  below. Consequently, because the user instructs the mobile terminal  400  to lock the keypad using motion detectable means, this can be also performed while running another application, such as writing a text message or listening to a music player. 
     As a response to the mode switch user input  460 , the mobile terminal  400  enters a confirm switch state  442 . Here the user is requested to confirm or reject the mode switch. In this embodiment, the user responds by confirming with the left soft key and rejecting with the right soft key. If the user presses the right soft key and rejects the mode switch, the mobile terminal returns to the active mode  440 . On the other hand, if the user confirms  462  by pressing the left soft key, the mobile terminal enters the key-lock mode  444 . In one embodiment, the user confirms by repeating the user input used for the mode switch user input, and rejection is effected by no input being entered within a time-out period. 
     Once in the key-lock mode  444 , the display is inactive and key backlight (if available) is inactive, saving power for the mobile communication terminal. Additionally, if the display is a touch-sensitive display, the driver for the touch-sensor of the display is optionally inactive. 
     In  FIG. 4 b   , the terminal  400  is switched from the key-lock mode  444  to the active mode  440 , in a manner much like the switch from active mode  440  to key-lock mode  444  shown in  FIG. 4   a.    
     While in the key-lock mode  444 , the user moves the mobile terminal  400  in such a way that a mode switch user input  464  is detected, indicating that the user wishes to go to the active mode  440 . The mode switch user input  464  can be the same as the mode switch user input  460  mentioned above. 
     As a response to the mode switch user input  464 , the mobile terminal  400  enters a confirm switch state  442 . Here the user is requested to confirm or reject to go to the active mode  440 . Optionally, the display may in this mode show a clock  468  (analog or digital). Consequently, there is an easy way for the user to check the time by simply performing the mode switch user input  464 . This reduces the need for showing a clock in the key-lock mode, thereby saving power. In this embodiment, the user responds by confirming with the left soft key and rejecting with the right soft key. If the user presses the right soft key or a time-out period of no activity expires, the mode switch is rejected and the mobile terminal returns to the key-lock mode  444 . On the other hand, if the user confirms  466  by pressing the left soft key, the mobile terminal enters the active mode  440 . In one embodiment, the user confirms by repeating the user input used for the mode switch user input  464 . 
     Once in the active mode  440 , the display and key backlight (if available) are again active. Additionally, if the display is a touch-sensitive display, the driver for the touch-sensor of the display is active. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart illustrating a mode switch in the terminal of  FIG. 2 . The process illustrated in this flow chart is applicable both to a switch from the active mode to the key-lock mode and vice versa. 
     In a detect user input to switch modes using motion sensor step  560 , the mobile terminal  400  detects the mode switch user input using the motion sensor  338  ( FIG. 3 ). The mode switch user input should be distinguishable from regular motions incurred while carrying the mobile terminal e.g. in a pocket or handbag. In one embodiment, the mode switch user input is a distinct single tap. Signal processing may be used to distinguish the single tap from regular motion of the mobile terminal. In one embodiment, the mode switch user input is a double tap, simplifying the distinction of the mode switch user input from regular motion of the mobile terminal. In one embodiment, the mode switch user input is a sequence of movements, e.g. tilt phone left, tilt phone right, tilt phone back. It is to be observed that any other suitable motion can be used for the mode switch user input; the invention is not limited to the examples mentioned above. In one embodiment, the mode switch user input is a tap on the display, the display being a touch sensitive display. 
     In a prompt for confirmation step  562 , the user is queried whether the mode switch indicated by the mode switch user input is to be effected. For example, a message is shown on the display prompting the user if the keypad is to be locked (if the mobile terminal is initially in active mode) or unlocked (if the mobile terminal is initially in key-lock mode). Optionally, as described above, a clock can be displayed at the same time. Moreover, tactile feedback can optionally be given to the user, for example a single pulse vibration alert, giving the user clear feedback that the mobile terminal has understood the input to switch modes. 
     In a conditional confirmation step  564 , the user either confirms or rejects the mode switching. The user can confirm, e.g. by pressing a soft button associated with confirmation, a voice command, a specific motion of the mobile terminal such as the motions described above in conjunction with step  560 , etc. The user can reject e.g. by pressing a soft button associated with rejection, a voice command, a specific motion of the mobile terminal, etc. Optionally, if no user input is detected within a time-out period, it can be interpreted as a rejection. The time-out period can for example be 5 s, 10 s, or any other suitable time period. If the user confirms the mode switch, the process continues to a switch modes step  566 . On the other hand, if the user rejects the mode switch, the process ends and the mobile terminal remains in the mode that the mobile terminal was in when this process was started. 
     It is to be noted that the prompt for confirmation step  562  and the conditional confirmation step  564  are optional steps. 
     In the switch modes step  566 , the mode is switched. More specifically, if the initial mode was the active mode, the mobile terminal is switched to key-lock mode and if the initial mode was the key-lock mode, the mobile terminal is switched to the active mode. Optionally, tactile feedback can again be given to the user, for example a double pulse vibration alert, giving the user clear feedback that the mobile terminal has understood the confirmation to switch modes. After this step the process ends. 
     It is to be noted that although in the embodiment described above, it is described mode switches between an active mode and a key-lock mode, the invention is not limited to mode switches between these modes; the invention can be applied to any suitable mode switch. 
     The invention has mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.