Abstract:
An electronic device such as a mobile communication device capable of entering a locked mode of operation, comprising at least one input device for generating an input signal upon actuation thereof, at least one storage element for storing an application for executing a command in response to such actuation, and a processor connected to the storage element and input device for detecting the input signal and in response initiating execution of the command, buffering the command for a period of time, and detecting an action within the period of time, for causing the electronic device to enter a locked operating mode, and in response reverting the command.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The following is directed in general to input devices on electronic devices, and more particularly to a method and apparatus in a mobile communication device for preventing action responsive to accidental activation of such input devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is well known in electronic devices to provide a “locked” operating mode such as a “sleep” mode for conserving power, extending display lifetime, etc., when the device is not in active use. For example, it is known for mobile communication devices, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), cellular phones and smart phones, to revert to a “locked” mode wherein the keyboard becomes locked and the display is turned off, in response to the device being placed in a carrying holder such as a holster. Likewise, it is known for a laptop computer to revert to a “locked” mode when the lid of the laptop is closed, and for a desktop computer to enter “locked” mode in response to user activation of a “lock” key. 
         [0003]    For mobile communication devices, it is known for the holster to incorporate means for detecting the presence of the device in the holster. For example, some holsters include a mechanical means in the holster which is engaged by insertion or removal of the device, thereby triggering a switch in the device. Another prior art holster is set forth in US patent application publication no. US2006/0116183, wherein a magnet is positioned to interact with and trigger a proximity switch (e.g. Hall effect) in the device to thereby sense whether or not the device is in the holster. Once the device has been cradled in its holster, software within the device may be executed to disable input devices, such as keyboards, trackballs, etc. 
         [0004]    Although it is known in the art to disable input devices in response to an electronic device entering “locked” mode, for example, as a result of having been cradled in a carrying holster, it is not uncommon for users to accidentally actuate the input devices before the electronic device has completely entered its “locked” mode. For example, it is not uncommon for a user to “mash” the keyboard of a mobile communication device at it slides into its holster with the result that accidental phone calls or e-mails have been made, unexpected options windows have been opened, etc., which only come to the user&#39;s attention upon removing the device from its holster. Likewise, it is not uncommon for a user to “mash” the keyboard of a desktop computer while hitting the “lock” key, or the keyboard of a laptop computer while closing its lid. Such unexpected device actions cause confusion in the minds of users and may raise doubt that the device is working properly. Although it is also possible to accidentally actuate the input devices during the process of returning an electronic device to its “active” state, such accidental actuation does not typically present a problem. For example, when a mobile communication is removed from its holster the un-holstering operation is usually much smoother than the holstering operation and therefore less prone to accidental keystrokes. Also, it takes time for an electronic device to initialize its inputs and the user is presented with the display screen so that the user almost always immediately notices the accidental actuation and can stop execution of the resulting action. Also, as discussed above, a common option for electronic devices such as computers and mobile communication devices is to enter a “lock” mode when holstered, so that before the device is returned to its active state a password prompt screen is displayed such that accidental input of data is prevented until the device is unlocked by the user. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]    According to an aspect of this specification, a method and apparatus are set forth for reverting commands resulting from accidental activation of input devices, such as keyboards and trackballs, when enterring or returning from a “locked” mode of operation. 
         [0006]    Additional aspects and advantages will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, residing in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A detailed description of the preferred embodiment is set forth in detail below, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is side view, partially in cross section, showing a mobile communication device cradled within a holster, according to the prior art; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a mobile communication device, according to the preferred embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing internal functional components of the mobile communication device of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart showing a method of reverting commands resulting from accidental activation of an input device of the mobile communication device in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , when cradling or un-cradling the device into/from the holster shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  show a typical belt-mountable holster  1  as set forth in US2006/0116183, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The holster has a pocket area  2  defined by an inner panel  3 , an outer panel  4 , side walls  5 , and a floor  6 . Extending from the back of the inner panel is a belt clip  7 . 
         [0013]    A mobile communication device  50  includes a proximity switch  52  located near a front or rear surface thereof. In the illustrated example, the switch  52  is located near the rear surface of the device when the device is positioned in holster  1  with its rear surface facing out and its display facing in (i.e. towards the inner panel of the holster  1 ). Generally, it is preferable to locate the proximity switch  52  near a front or rear surface of the device, rather than on its front-to-back centerline, to minimize the magnet strength (flux) required to trigger the switch. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the proximity switch  52  is used to detect presence of the mobile communication device  50  within the holster  1 , in response to which user input devices of the device  50  (such as keyboards, trackballs, etc.) are disabled to prevent accidental activation. 
         [0015]    As can be seen readily from the drawings, when the device is positioned in its “normal” manner in the holster  1 , the proximity switch  52  aligns generally with, and is located close to, the magnet  8  in the inner panel  3 . 
         [0016]    An additional magnet  8 ′ is provided corresponding to the location of the proximity switch  52  for each possible orientation (i.e. installed in the outer panel  4  of the holster  1 ). A layer of foam  11  may be outside the stiffening material and magnets, and the assembly is captured between inner and outer finished layers  12  and  14 . Sewing or other means may be used around the pocket so that the magnet cannot escape, or the magnet may be bonded to the foam layer  11 . Preferably, the proximity switch  52  is on an axis of lateral symmetry so that the magnets  8  and  8 ′ can be centered on their respective panels. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary mobile communication device  50  that, in the illustrated present embodiment, includes the functionality of a wireless telephone, a wireless email paging device and a digital camera. 
         [0018]    The device  50  includes a housing  34  that frames a plurality of input devices in the form of a keyboard  38 , a set of soft keys  42 , a trackball  46  and a microphone  51 . Housing  34  also frames a plurality of output devices in the form of a display  54  and a speaker  58 . 
         [0019]    Accordingly, a user of device  50  can interact with the input devices and output devices to send and receive emails, conduct voice telephone calls, manage appointments and contacts, browse the Internet, and perform such other functions as can be found on a known or not-as-yet conceived mobile communication device such as device  50 . 
         [0020]    It is to be understood that device  50  is simplified for purposes of explanation, and that in other embodiments device  50  can include additional and/or different functions and/or applications, and include alternative input and output devices accordingly. Such other functionality can include music playing, audio recording and video playing. Examples of alternative input/output devices are a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) port, a headset jack to connect a handsfree headset to device  50 , and a Bluetooth™ (or equivalent technology) transceiver. Likewise, it will be understood from the teachings herein that certain functions included in device  50  can be omitted. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a block diagram representing certain internal components of device  50  is shown. In the present embodiment, the mobile communication device  50  is a two-way RF communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. The mobile communication device  50  also includes internet communication capabilities. Device  50  thus includes a processor  78  which interconnects input devices of device  50  (i.e. trackball  46 , soft keys  42 , keyboard  38 , camera light-sensitive transducer  62 , microphone  51  and proximity switch  52 ) and output devices of device  50  (i.e. speaker  58  and display  54 ). Processor  78  is also connected to a storage element such as a persistent store  82  for storing operating system software and various software applications used by the microprocessor, and to a volatile storage  94  such as RAM. Persistent store  82  can be implemented using flash memory or the like, and/or can include other programmable read only memory (PROM) technology and/or can include read-only memory (ROM) technology and/or can include a removable “smart card” and/or can be comprised of combinations of the foregoing. Device  50  also includes a wireless radio  86  disposed within housing  34  that connects wirelessly to one of a network of base stations to provide the wireless email, telephony and Web-browsing functionality of device  50  via a data-only network such as Mobitex or DataTAC, or a complex voice and data network such as a GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS or CDMA2000 network. 
         [0022]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, software applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into volatile storage  94 . It is contemplated that received communication signals may also be stored to volatile storage  94 . 
         [0023]    Device  50  also includes a battery  90  which is typically rechargeable and provides power to the components of device  50 . In a present, purely exemplary embodiment, battery  66  is a lithium battery having an operating voltage of between about 3.0 Volts minimum to about 42 Volts maximum. In  FIG. 2 , for simplicity battery  90  is only shown connected to processor  78 , but it will be understood that battery  90  is connected to any component (e.g. the CCD associated light-sensitive transducer  62 , radio  88 , display  54  and volatile storage  94 ) within device  30  that needs power to operate. 
         [0024]    As discussed above, proximity switch  52  provides a signal to the processor  78  upon detection of magnetic flux from either of magnets  8  or  8 ′, in response to which the processor  78  disables input devices, such as keyboard  38 , soft keys  42  and trackball  46 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a method of controlling input devices in mobile communication device  50  for reverting inadvertent commands, implemented as an input/output software routine within persistent store  82 , is represented in a flowchart and indicated generally at  400 . To assist in understanding method  400 , method  400  will be explained in terms of its performance using device  50  in the context of keyboard  38 . However, it is to be understood that this discussion is not be construed in a limiting sense, and that method  400  can be performed on devices other than mobile communication device  50  (e.g. desktop or laptop computers), in the context of soft keys  42 , trackball  46 , and any combination of the foregoing. Also, it will be understood that method  400  can be varied. 
         [0026]    Beginning at step  410  the processor  78  detects if there has been a keystroke on keyboard  38 . If not, the processor  78  continues to scan the keyboard for subsequent keystrokes. If any keystroke is detected, the keystroke(s) is/are transmitted to the operating system within persistent store  82 , for normal execution of an associated command (not shown), but the OS also buffers the command(s) in a queue for a predefined length of time (step  420 ). A length of time in the range of 0.25 seconds to 0.5 seconds is believed to represent the time necessary for an average user to cradle his/her device  50  into the holster  1 . However, it will be appreciated that this time period may be greater or less than the contemplated range of 0.25 seconds to 0.5 seconds, depending on specific user agility. For example, a disabled user may require a significantly longer buffering time period. 
         [0027]    If, at the end of this predefined length of time, the processor  78  detects activation of proximity switch  52  (step  430 ), then all input devices are locked, the keystroke(s) is/are deemed to be accidental, the OS scans the command history in the queue and retracts or reverts the commands associated with those keystrokes (step  440 ). This has the result of either discarding the commands or, as an alternative the queued keystrokes can be saved for later deliberate execution by the user (step  450 ). In either case, the operating system does not act on “accidental” keystrokes and although the device  50  briefly enters an unexpected operating condition (e.g. to place random phone calls or send random e-mail messages, or present unexpected option windows to the user, etc.), the operating system quickly reverses the action and effectively ‘backs out’ of the unexpected operating condition. In the embodiment wherein keystroke commands are saved for later execution upon un-cradling the device  50 , it is contemplated that the user may be presented with a list of un-executed commands and prompted (step  450 ) to execute/ignore the command(s). 
         [0028]    From the user&#39;s perspective, the command buffering discussed above results in the mobile communication device  50  remaining in the same operating state when removed from the holster  1  as it was when the user cradled the device in the holster, thereby reducing user confusion and increasing user confidence in operation of the device. 
         [0029]    The predefined buffering time is chosen to be sufficiently long as to effectively de-bounce or buffer accidental keystrokes. As indicated above, the predefined time period is chosen to approximate the time required by an average user to holster the device  50 , from the point in time where the bottom of the device  50  touches the top of the holster I (i.e. the beginning of any opportunity for accidental keystrokes) to when the device is firmly secured within the holster so as to activate proximity switch  52 . However, the time period may be increased or decreased depending on user agility. 
         [0030]    A person skilled in the art, having read this description of the preferred embodiment, may conceive of variations and alternative embodiments. For example, as discussed above, although the preferred embodiment refers to implementation within a mobile communication device (such as a PDA, cellular phone or smart phone), it is contemplated that the method set forth herein may also be employed to advantage within other electronic devices having input means, such as desktop or laptop computers, GPS receivers, pagers or other communication devices. 
         [0031]    All such variations and alternative embodiments are believed to be within the ambit of the claims appended hereto.