Patent Publication Number: US-7221965-B2

Title: Multiple page sound tone dialog in communication device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION: 
   This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/785,425 filed Feb. 23, 2004. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention generally relates to communication devices such as mobile devices or mobile phones and more specifically to utilizing a multiple page dialog field for setting sound tasks in the communication devices. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Normally all the sounds of the fixed sound set (ringing tones, message sounds, etc.) are listed in the same dialog “Fixed sounds dialog” in communication devices such as mobile devices and phones (e.g., Nokia communicator 9210i). The dialog is used in Profile settings when defining ringing tones for different purposes (calls, messages, calendar and clock alarms). All tones and sounds are in the same dialog. A similar dialog is used when assigning personal ringing tones in a Contact manager application. 
   However, sounds are designed for different purposes, i.e., to be used as ringing tones, messages sounds, clock alarms and calendar alarms, etc. When the sounds were listed alphabetically in a typical prior art fixed sound dialog, the user just had to figure out which sounds were meant for which purpose. A dialog containing all the sounds in the fixed sound set typically uses a very long selection list. Since the height of the screen is limited, the list required a lot of scrolling. A more efficient and user friendly methodology for setting appropriate ringing sound tones in the communication device is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The object of the present invention is to provide a methodology for using a multiple page dialog field for setting sound tasks in a communication device such a mobile device or a mobile phone. 
   According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for using a multiple page dialog field for setting tasks in a communication device, comprises the steps of: opening said multiple page dialog field on one page with a page number i of K pages by a user using a setting page means, wherein said one page contains N i  dedicated sound tone items with a predetermined purpose and presented only on said one page, and optionally contains a no-tone sound item, wherein K is an integer of at least a value of 2, N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2 and i is an integer of a value of 0&lt;i&lt;K+1; and choosing at least one desired sound tone item from said N i  dedicated sound tone items or said no-tone sound item by the user using a setting item means thus facilitating said setting of said tasks. 
   According further to the first aspect of the invention, the step of said opening said multiple page dialog field on said one page may be performed optionally by default using said setting page means and wherein after said opening, the method further comprises the step of: determining if a further page with a page number j out of said K pages is needed to be open for completing said setting of the tasks, wherein j is an integer of a value of 0&lt;j&lt;K+1 and j≠i. Further, if it is determined that the further page needs to be opened, the method may further comprise the steps of: opening said further page with the page number j using said setting page means, wherein said further page contains N j  further dedicated sound tone items with a further predetermined purpose presented only on said further page, and optionally contains a further no-tone sound item, wherein N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2; and choosing at least one further desired sound tone item from said N j  further dedicated sound tone items or said further no-tone sound item by the user using the setting item means thus further facilitating said setting of said tasks. Still further, said one page with the page number i of the K pages may contain a page icon area with K icons, each identifying a corresponding one of said K pages by a picture or by a text, respectively, for visually assisting the user for said opening of the further page. Yet still further, said opening of the further page may be performed by scrolling means optionally with arrow keys used as said setting page means. 
   Further according to the first aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise the step of: turning off all said N i  dedicated sound tone items listed on said one page, if the no-tone sound item is chosen. 
   Still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise the step of: saving a selection of the at least one desired sound tone item by the communication device if said at least one desired sound tone item is chosen. Further, the method may further comprises the steps of: opening said multiple page dialog field on a still further page by the user using the setting page means, wherein said still further page contains P dedicated non-sound items with a predetermined purpose presented only on said one page, wherein P is an integer of at least a value of 2; and choosing at least one desired non-sound item from said P dedicated non-sound items by the user using the setting item means thus further facilitating said setting of said tasks. 
   According further to the first aspect of the invention, said K pages may contain a ringing tone page, a message page and an alarm page with K=3. 
   Still yet further according to the first aspect of the invention, the step of choosing said at least one desired sound tone item may include playing said at least one desired sound tone using said setting item means. 
   According still further to the first aspect of the invention, the communication device may be a mobile device or a mobile phone. 
   According yet still further to the first aspect of the invention, the setting page means may be a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. 
   According further still to the first aspect of the invention, the setting item means can be a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. 
   Yet still further according to the first aspect of the invention, the multiple page dialog field can be a display. 
   According to a second aspect of the invention, a communication device having a multiple page dialog capability for setting tasks, comprises: a multiple page dialog field, responsive to a setting page signal by displaying one page with a page number i of K pages, and to a setting item signal by choosing at least one desired sound tone item from N i  dedicated sound tone items with a predetermined purpose and only contained on said one page or by choosing a no-tone sound item optionally contained on said one page thus facilitating said setting of said tasks, wherein K is an integer of at least a value of 2, N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2 and i is an integer of a value 0&lt;i&lt;K+1; setting page means, responsive to a page command signal from a user, for providing said setting page signal; and setting item means, responsive to an item command signal from the user, for providing said setting item signal. 
   According further to the second aspect of the invention, the setting page means and the setting item means may be combined in one block, setting page and item means. 
   Further according to the second aspect of the invention, all said N i  dedicated sound tone items listed on said one page may be turned off if the no-tone sound item is chosen. 
   Still further according to the second aspect of the invention, while the open page is still open, said setting page means opens a further page with a page number j of the K pages, wherein j is an integer of a value 0&lt;j&lt;K+1 and j≠i. Further, said one page with the page number i of the K pages may contain a page icon area with K icons, each identifying a corresponding one of said K pages by a picture or by a text, respectively, for visually assisting the user for said opening of the further page. Still further, said selection may be performed by scrolling means optionally with arrow keys used as said setting page means. 
   According further to the second aspect of the invention, said K pages may contain a ringing tone page, a message page and an alarm page with K=3. 
   According still further to the second aspect of the invention, said setting item means may facilitate playing said at least one desired sound tone item during said choosing. 
   According further still to the second aspect of the invention, said device may be a mobile device or a mobile phone. 
   Yet still further according to the second aspect of the invention, the setting page means may be a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. 
   According yet further still to the second aspect of the invention, the setting item means may be a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. 
   Still yet further according to the second aspect of the invention, the multiple page dialog field may be a display. 
   According to a third aspect of the invention, a computer program product comprises: a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program code thereon for execution by a computer processor with said computer program code characterized in that it includes instructions for performing the steps of the first aspect of the invention indicated as being performed by the communication device. 
   According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a method for using a multiple page dialog field for setting tasks in a communication device, comprises the steps of: opening said multiple page dialog field on one page with a page number i of K pages by a user using a setting page means, wherein said one page contains N i  dedicated items with a predetermined purpose and presented only on said one page, wherein K is an integer of at least a value of 2, N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2 and i is an integer of a value of 0&lt;i&lt;K+1; and choosing at least one desired item from said N i  dedicated items by the user using a setting item means thus facilitating said setting of said tasks. 
   According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a communication device having a multiple page dialog capability for setting tasks, comprises: a multiple page dialog field, responsive to a setting page signal by displaying one page with a page number i of K pages, and to a setting item signal by choosing at least one desired item from N i  dedicated items with a predetermined purpose and only contained on said one page thus facilitating said setting of said tasks, wherein K is an integer of at least a value of 2, N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2 and i is an integer of a value 0&lt;i&lt;K+1; setting page means, responsive to a page command signal from a user, for providing said setting page signal; and setting item means, responsive to an item command signal from the user, for providing said setting item signal. 
   Because the sounds are divided to different pages of a multipage dialog, the amount of scrolling reduces. The user also has a better picture about which sound is meant for which purpose because the sounds are combined in a particular page based on their purpose, according to the present invention. For example, it can be much easier to find “alarm-like sounds” from one page and “melodic tones” from another page. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
       FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show examples of a block diagram of a communication device having a multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows an example of one page with dedicated sound tone items, which can be opened using multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows an example of a flow chart demonstrating a performance of a communication device having a multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
   

   BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a novel methodology for using a multiple page dialog field for setting sound tasks in a communication device such as a mobile device or a mobile phone. The term “setting sound tasks” means setting specific sound tones for a particular purpose on a particular page or setting a no-tone for said purpose. 
   According to the present invention, the dialog/sounds are divided into multiple pages (“tabs”), for example, Ringing tones page, Message tones page, Alarms page, etc. The sounds are placed to different pages according to their purposes. The right page is opened using a setting page means, which, for example, can be implemented as a default setting depending on from where the dialog is opened. However, if the user wishes to select a ringing tone sound from another page, e.g., the “message tone page”, it is allowed and possible to do by going directly to that page from the previous page using, for example, scrolling means with arrow keys (→ or ←). Every page has a no-tone selection as well.  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  shows one example among many others of a block diagram of a communication device  10  having a multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
   A multiple page dialog field  12  is typically implemented as a display capable of displaying one page (or a tab)  12 - i  (see  FIG. 2 ). Said one page  12 - i  is selected out of K other pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K with different dedicated sound tone items having a different predetermined purpose for each page in response to a setting page signal  24  from a setting page means  14 , wherein K is an integer of at least a value of two and i is an integer of a value of 0&lt;i&lt;K+1. Said one page  12 - i  contains (see  FIG. 2 ) N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  with a predetermined purpose presented only on said one page, and also contains a no-tone sound item  32 - i , wherein N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2. Said setting page signal  24  is generated in response to a page command signal  20  from a user  11 . 
   Said one page  12 - i  is opened using said setting page means  14  which can be implemented as a default setting depending on from where the dialog is opened. More specifically, the page that is active (i.e., opened) when the dialog is opened depends on from which field of the Profile Settings Dialog the multiple page dialog field is opened. That is if the dialog is opened from the “Received SMS (short message service)” field in the Profile Settings Dialog the “Message tones” page is opened as a default. Furthermore, if the field (e.g., page  12 - i ) from where the dialog was opened already has a sound tone item from the list of the sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  as a selected value, then said sound tone item is selected (highlighted) when the dialog is opened. If the field (e.g., page  12 - i ) has another audio file (selected from the file system) as a value, the first sound tone item in the list  30 - i - 1  (i.e., the one located after no-tone sound item  32 - i ,) is selected (highlighted) when the dialog is opened on said page  12 - i.    
   However, if the user wishes to select, e.g., a ringing tone sound from another page (not contained on said one page), it is allowed and possible to do so by going directly to that page (a further page  12 - j , wherein j is an integer of a value of 0&lt;j&lt;K+1 and j≠1) from the previous page (said one page  12 - i ) using, for example, scrolling means optionally with arrow keys (→ or ←). To facilitate said scrolling, the one page  12 - i  (and all other K−1 pages) contains a page icon area  31  (see  FIG. 2 ) with K icons  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 , . . . ,  31 -K, each identifying a corresponding one of said K pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K by a picture or by a text, respectively, for visually assisting the user  11  for said opening of the further page. 
   For example, said K pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K can be a ringing tone page, a message page and an alarm page (for K=3). If the one page  12 - i  contains a page icon area  31  (see  FIG. 2 ), the number of pages K is limited to about 5 considering a practical size of the multiple page dialog field  12  which is limited by the dimensions of the communication device  10 . However, the page number K can be further increased by using said setting page means  14  for those applications, according to the present invention, where said opening and/or scrolling of said pages do not require said page having the icon area  31 . 
   Furthermore, after said one page  12 - i  is open, at least one desired sound tone item from said N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  or the no-tone sound item  32 - i  is chosen using a setting item signal  22  from a setting item means  16 . Said setting item signal  22  is generated in response to an item command signal  18  from the user  11 . If the no-tone sound item  32 - i  is chosen, all said N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  listed on said one page  12 - i  (see  FIG. 2 ) are turned off. If, however, said at least one desired sound tone item is chosen, the communication device  10  completes and saves a selection of said at least one desired sound tone item. If after said selection is completed, another sound tone item from said N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  can be chosen and selected as described above. Said choosing and selection can be implemented one sound tone item at a time sequentially according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. According to the present invention it is noted that choosing said at least one desired sound tone item can include playing said at least one desired sound tone item using said setting item means  16 . 
   Similarly, if the further page  12 - j  is opened, it contains N j  further dedicated sound tone items  30 - j - 1 ,  30 - j - 2 , . . . ,  30 - j -N j  with a further predetermined purpose and presented only on said further page  12 - j , and it also contains a further no-tone sound item  32 - j , wherein N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2. Again similarly, at least one further desired sound tone item from said N j  further dedicated sound tone items  30 - j - 1 ,  30 - j - 2 , . . . ,  30 - j -N j  or said further no-tone sound item  32 - j  is chosen using a setting item signal  22  from a setting item means  16 . As mentioned above, the one page  12 - j  also contains a page icon area  31  with K icons  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 , . . . ,  31 -K. 
   There are many variations of the communication device  10  having a multiple page sound tone dialog capability shown in  FIG. 1   a , according to the present invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2   a , the setting page means  14  and the setting item means  16  can be combined in one block, setting page and item means  15 . Furthermore, the communication device  10  can be a mobile device or a mobile phone. Moreover, the setting page means  14  can be implemented as a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. Similarly, the setting item means  16  can be implemented as a button, a number of buttons, a touch screen or a voice activator, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the same principle of the multiple page dialog, according to the present invention, can be applied to placing non-sound items (e.g., security items, network services items, etc.) on separate pages according to their purposes and using similar selection process. In that regard, according to the present invention, the sound tasks referred to above can be interpreted in a broader sense as tasks for setting both sound and non-sound tasks for a particular purpose on a particular page of a multiple page dialog field. 
     FIG. 2  shows one example among others of one page  12 - i  with dedicated sound tone items, which can be opened using multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
   As discussed above said one page  12 - i  contains N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  with a predetermined purpose presented only on said one page, and contains a no-tone sound item  32 - i , wherein N i  is an integer of at least a value of 2. In addition, in order to facilitate scrolling to the further page  12 - j , the one page  12 - i  can contain a page icon area  31  (see  FIG. 2 ) with K icons  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 , . . . ,  31 -K, each identifying a corresponding one of said K pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K by a picture or by a text, respectively, for visually assisting the user  11  for identifying the currently opened page and for opening of the further page. 
     FIG. 3  shows an example of a flow chart demonstrating a performance of a communication device having a multiple page sound tone dialog capability, according to the present invention. 
   The flow chart of  FIG. 3  represents only one possible scenario among others. In a method according to the present invention, in a first step  40 , the user  11  opens said multiple page dialog field  12  for setting sound tasks in the communication device  10  on said one page  12 - i  (e.g., a default page) with the page number i of said K pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K using said setting page signal  24  from the setting page means  14  or from the setting page and item means  15 , wherein said setting page signal  24  is sent in response to the page command signal  20  from the user  11 . 
   In a next step  42 , it is ascertained by the user  11  whether the opened one page N-i is a desired (right) page. If that is the case, in a next step  44  at least one desired sound tone item from said N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  or the no-tone sound item  32 - i  is chosen using a setting item signal  22  from a setting item means  16 . Said setting item signal  22  is generated in response to an item command signal  18  from the user  11 . If however, the opened one page N-i is not the desired (right) page, in a next step  46 , the user  11  opens said desired (further) page  12 - j . As described above, this can be done from the previous page (said one page  12 - i ) using, for example, scrolling means optionally with arrow keys (→ or ←). To facilitate said scrolling, the one page  12 - i  contains the page icon area  31  with K icons  31 - 1 ,  31 - 2 , . . . ,  31 -K, each identifying the corresponding one of said K pages  12 - 1 ,  12 - 2 , . . . ,  12 -K by the picture or by the text, respectively, for visually assisting the user  11  for making said opening of the desired further page  12 - j . The selection of the further (desired) page  12 - i  is followed by the step  44  as described above. 
   In a next step  48  (after step  44 ), it is ascertained by the user  11  whether the chosen said item is the no-tone sound item. If that is the case, in a next step  50 , all said N i  dedicated sound tone items  30 - i - 1 ,  30 - i - 2 , . . . ,  30 - i -N i  (or similarly all said N j  further dedicated sound tone items  30 - j - 1 ,  30 - j - 2 , . . . ,  30 - j -N j  listed on said further page  12 - j ) are turned off. If, however, the chosen item is not the no-tone sound item, in a next step  52 , the communication device  10  completes and saves the selection of said at least one desired sound tone item (or said at least one further desired sound tone item). At this point the dialog page can be closed, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   Finally, in a next step  54 , it is ascertained by the user  11  whether there is a need to open another page to set the sound task. If that is not the case, the process stops. If however, at least one more sound page is to be opened, the process goes to step  40  (if the dialog page is closed) or optionally to step  46  (if the dialog page is not closed). 
   As explained above, the invention provides both a method and corresponding equipment consisting of various modules providing the functionality for performing the steps of the method. The modules may be implemented as hardware, or may be implemented as software or firmware for execution by a processor. In particular, in the case of firmware or software, the invention can be provided as a computer program product including a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program code, i.e., the software or firmware thereon for execution by a computer processor (e.g., provided with the communication device  10 ).