Patent Publication Number: US-8527902-B2

Title: Multidimensional volume and vibration controls for a handheld electronic device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/354,476, filed on Jan. 15, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,286,095, and entitled “Multidimensional Volume and Vibration Controls for a Handheld Electronic Device,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     The present application relates generally to handheld electronic devices having a graphical user interface to adjust notification settings of the device. More specifically, the present application relates to systems and methods for adjusting notification settings such as a volume setting, a vibration setting and a combination vibration and volume setting within a notification module displayed on a display of a handheld electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     With the proliferation of more robust wireless communications systems, advancements of wireless handheld electronic communication devices are becoming more feasible. Handheld electronic communication devices can provide a variety of functions including, for example, telephonic, electronic messaging and other personal information manager (PIM) application functions. Handheld electronic communication devices include mobile stations such as simple cellular telephones, smart telephones, wireless PDAs, and laptop computers with wireless  802 . 11  or Bluetooth capabilities. 
     Graphical user interfaces (GUI) are common to handheld electronic communication devices such as cellular telephones, smart telephones and wireless PDAs. GUIs are useful for enabling direct user interaction with user-selectable target images on a display of a handheld electronic communication device. GUIs are also used to adjust notification settings of the handheld electronic communication device. Notification settings such as volume and vibration settings are important to the functionality of handheld electronic communication devices. Current GUIs comprise a plurality of separately displayed notification modules for adjusting notification settings (one for adjusting volume settings and one for adjusting vibration settings). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example electronic device having a navigational tool and displaying a notification module on the display of the device; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram representing an example electronic device interacting in a communication network; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example electronic device having a touch-sensitive display and displaying a notification module on the display of the device; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of touch-sensitive display; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a method according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. 
     An example electronic device  300  is shown in  FIG. 1 , and the device&#39;s cooperation in a wireless network  319  is exemplified in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 . The embodiment depicted in the figures are provided for example and illustration purposes only, and those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the additional elements and modifications necessary to make the electronic device  300  operable in particular network environments. While in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device  300  includes a handheld communication device, in other embodiments, the electronic device  300  may comprise a handheld wireless communication device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop computer, desktop computer, a server, or other communication device. 
     As shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 2 , the electronic device  300  includes a microprocessor  338  that controls the operation of the electronic device  300 . A communication subsystem  311  performs all communication transmission and reception with the wireless network  319 . The microprocessor  338  is connected to an auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem  328  which is connected to the device  300 . Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the microprocessor  338  is connected to a serial port (for example, a Universal Serial Bus port)  330  that facilitates communication with other devices or systems via the serial port  330 . A display  322  is connected to microprocessor  338  to display information to an operator of the device  300 . When the electronic device  300  is equipped with a keyboard  332 , which may be physical or virtual, the keyboard  332  is connected to the microprocessor  338 . The electronic device  300  includes a speaker  334 , a microphone  336 , random access memory  326  (RAM), and flash memory  324 , all of which may be connected to the microprocessor  338 . Additionally, a vibrator  132  comprising a vibrator motor is connected to the microprocessor  338  to generate vibrations in the electronic device  300 . The device  300  may include other similar components that are optionally connected to the microprocessor  338 . Other communication subsystems  340  and other device subsystems  342  are generally indicated as being functionally connected to the microprocessor  338 . An example of a communication subsystem  340  is a short range communication system such as BLUETOOTH® communication module or a WI-FI® communication module (a communication module in compliance with IEEE 802.11b). These subsystems  340  and their associated circuits and components can be functionally connected to the microprocessor  338 . Additionally, the microprocessor  338  is able to perform operating system functions and enables execution of programs on the electronic device  300 . In some embodiments the electronic device  300  does not include all of the above components. For example, in at least one embodiment the keyboard  332  is not provided as a separate component and is instead integrated with a touch-sensitive display  100  as described below. 
     Furthermore, the electronic device  300  is equipped with components to enable operation of various programs, as shown in  FIG. 2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the flash memory  324  is enabled to provide a storage location for the operating system  357 , device programs  358 , and data. The operating system  357  is generally configured to manage other programs  358  that are also stored in memory  324  and executable on the processor  338 . The operating system  357  honors requests for services made by programs  358  through predefined program  358  interfaces. More specifically, the operating system  357  typically determines the order in which multiple programs  358  are executed on the processor  338  and the execution time allotted for each program  358 , manages the sharing of memory  324  among multiple programs  358 , handles input and output to and from other device subsystems  342 , and so on. In addition, operators can typically interact directly with the operating system  357  through a user interface usually including the keyboard  332  and display screen  322 . While in an exemplary embodiment the operating system  357  is stored in flash memory  324 , the operating system  357  in other embodiments is stored in read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the operating system  357 , device program  358  or parts thereof may be loaded in RAM  326  or other volatile memory. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a dynamic touch display program  359  is stored on Flash Memory  324 . The dynamic touch display program  359  can control a computing device to provide a tactile key edge on a transparent cover lens of an electronic device. The program can cause the computer to display a keyboard comprising a plurality of adjacent key images on a display screen of the electronic device, wherein each key image comprises a central area bounded by a peripheral edge. Additionally, the computer program can cause the computer to receive location data from a touch location sensor indicative of at least one detected sweeping contact upon the transparent cover lens that traverses a peripheral edge of one of the plurality of key images. Furthermore, the dynamic touch display program  359  can vibrate the transparent cover lens in a tactile key-edge simulating modulation pattern when the lens contact location data is indicative of contact traversal across a key image peripheral edge. Other elements of the program will be explained in relation to the figures described below. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the flash memory  324  contains programs  358  for execution on the electronic device  300  including an address book  352 , a personal information manager (PIM)  354 , and the device state  350 . Furthermore, programs  358  and other information  356  including data can be segregated upon storage in the flash memory  324  of the electronic device  300 . 
     When the electronic device  300  is enabled for two-way communication within the wireless communication network  319 , it sends and receives signals from a mobile communication service. Examples of communication systems enabled for two-way communication include, but are not limited to, the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, the Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service (UMTS) network, the Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) network, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service Time Division Duplexing (UMTS-TDD), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) networks, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), and other networks that can be used for data and voice, or just data or voice. For the systems listed above, the electronic device  300  may require a unique identifier to enable the electronic device  300  to transmit and receive signals from the communication network  319 . Other systems may not require such identifying information. GPRS, UMTS, and EDGE use a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in order to allow communication with the communication network  319 . Likewise, most CDMA systems use a Removable User Identity Module (RUIM) in order to communicate with the CDMA network. The RUIM and SIM card can be used in a multitude of different electronic devices  300 . The electronic device  300  can operate some features without a SIM/RUIM card, but a SIM/RUIM card is necessary for communication with the network  319 . A SIM/RUIM interface  344  located within the electronic device  300  allows for removal or insertion of a SIM/RUIM card (not shown). The SIM/RUIM card features memory and holds key configurations  351 , and other information  353  such as identification and subscriber related information. With a properly enabled electronic device  300 , two-way communication between the electronic device  300  and communication network  319  is possible. 
     If the electronic device  300  is enabled as described above or the communication network  319  does not require such enablement, the two-way communication enabled electronic device  300  is able to both transmit and receive information from the communication network  319 . The transfer of communication can be from the electronic device  300  or to the electronic device  300 . In order to communicate with the communication network  319 , the electronic device  300  in the presently described exemplary embodiment is equipped with an integral or internal antenna  318  for transmitting signals to the communication network  319 . Likewise the electronic device  300  in the presently described exemplary embodiment is equipped with another antenna  316  for receiving communication from the communication network  319 . These antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) in another exemplary embodiment are combined into a single antenna (not shown). As one skilled in the art would appreciate, the antenna or antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) in another embodiment are externally mounted on the electronic device  300 . 
     When equipped for two-way communication, the electronic device  300  includes a communication subsystem  311 . As is understood in the art, this communication subsystem  311  supports the operational needs of the electronic device  300 . The subsystem  311  includes a transmitter  314  and receiver  312  including the associated antenna or antennae ( 316 ,  318 ) as described above, local oscillators (LOs)  313 , and a processing module  320  which in the presently described exemplary embodiment is a digital signal processor (DSP)  320 . 
     It is contemplated that communication by the electronic device  300  with the wireless network  319  is any type of communication that both the wireless network  319  and electronic device  300  are enabled to transmit, receive and process. In general, these can be classified as voice and data. Voice communication generally refers to communication in which signals for audible sounds are transmitted by the electronic device  300  through the communication network  319 . Data generally refers to all other types of communication that the electronic device  300  is capable of performing within the constraints of the wireless network  319 . 
     Example device programs that depend on such data include email, contacts and calendars. For these device programs, synchronization with home-based versions of the programs is desirable for either or both of their long term and short term utility. As an example, emails are often time sensitive, so substantially real time synchronization may be desired. Contacts, on the other hand, are usually updated less frequently without inconvenience. Therefore, the utility of the electronic device  300  is enhanced when connectable within a communication system, and when connectable on a wireless basis to a network  319  in which voice, text messaging, and other data transfer are accommodated. 
     While the above description generally describes the systems and components associated with a handheld electronic device, the electronic device  300  can be another communication device such as a PDA, a laptop computer, desktop computer, a server, or other communication device. In those embodiments, different components of the above system might be omitted in order provide the desired electronic device  300 . Additionally, other components not described above may be required to allow the electronic device  300  to function in a desired fashion. The above description provides only general components and additional components may be required to enable system functionality. These systems and components would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Auxiliary I/O subsystem  328  comes in a variety of different forms including a navigational tool  328 . Navigational tools include rotatable thumb wheels, joysticks, touchpads, four-way cursors, trackball based devices and the like. The preferred embodiment of the navigational tool  328  is a trackball based device. Other auxiliary I/O subsystems capable of providing input or receiving output from the handheld electronic device  300  such as external display devices and externally connected keyboards (not shown) are considered within the scope of this disclosure. 
     An exemplary handheld electronic device  300  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The device  300  includes a body  371  housing a lighted display  322 , a navigational tool (auxiliary input)  328  and a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input. The device  300  of  FIG. 1  is of unibody construction, but common “clamshell” or “flip-phone” constructions are also suitable for the embodiments disclosed herein. The display  322  is located above the keyboard  332 . The navigational tool (auxiliary input)  328  is located essentially between the display  322  and the keyboard  332 . The keyboard  332  comprises a plurality of keys with which alphabetic letters are associated, but at least a portion of the individual keys have multiple letters associated therewith. This type of configuration is referred to as a reduced keyboard (in comparison to the full keyboard described immediately above) and can, among others come in QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, and Dvorak layouts. 
     In one embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the auxiliary input is a trackball navigational tool  328 . The trackball  121  of the trackball navigational tool  328  is exposed for user manipulation at an exterior face of the device  300  and is freely rotatable. Motion of the trackball  121  is assessed using a plurality of sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  that are positioned adjacent the trackball navigation tool  328  and determine increments of rotation of the trackball  121  about a particular axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  quantify rotational motion of the trackball  121  about an x-axis and an intersecting y-axis of the trackball  121 . The sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  require power to be supplied to detect motion of the trackball  121 . These sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166  further output a cursor control signal based upon the sensed motion of the trackball  121 . Furthermore, the trackball navigational tool  328  utilizes a sensor (not shown) to detect depression of the trackball  121 . 
     In accordance with  FIG. 1 , a handheld electronic device  300  is shown that includes a lighted display  322  on which a cursor  171  is displayed for moving in correspondence with detected rotational movement of a trackball  121  in a trackball navigational tool  328  of the device  300 . A control program is employed that permits designation of an amount of movement of the cursor  171  to be induced on the display  322  relative to an amount of detected rotational movement of the trackball  121 . Control programs of similar type are routinely employed and well known in the art, and therefore specifics of the implementation are not described in further detail in the present disclosure. 
     In one embodiment, the control program can be employed to affect diagonal movement of the cursor  171  on the display  322 . Sensors  160 ,  162  ( 164 ,  166 ) are provided that are capable of sensing movement of the trackball  121  indicative of the user&#39;s desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor  171 . The sensors produce x-direction signals and y-direction signals based on the sensed movement of the trackball  121 . Based on cursor control signals output by the sensors  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , a processor  338  employs the control program to quantify x-direction magnitude and y-direction magnitude of the trackball  121  to designate corresponding movement of the cursor  171  on the display  322 . 
     In accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , a method for adjusting notification settings of a handheld electronic device  300  is provided. The method includes receiving a request to adjust a notification setting which causes the electronic device  300  to display a notification module  400  on the display  322 . A request may include selecting a notification setting icon in a drop down menu displayed on the display  322 , actuating a key on the body  371  of the electronic device  300 , executing a voice command or any other input that causes the device  300  to display the notification module  400 . The notification module  400  can include a variety of different notification settings each with a corresponding control portion of the notification module  400  within which the notification setting is adjusted. In one embodiment, the notification module  400  includes a volume control portion  401 , a vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off control portion  404 . The control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are serially located on the touch-sensitive display  100 , such that the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are located in relation to one another in a pattern. As illustrated, the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  can be contiguously located on the display  322 , such that at least one boundary of each respective control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  is located adjacent to at least one boundary of another of the respective control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 . In the illustrated embodiment, the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are located substantially linearly, one above the others, on the display  322 . While in the illustrated embodiment, the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are arranged linearly, in other embodiments the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  can be arranged in another pattern such as circular, rectangular, angular, and curvilinear, among others. A graphical object  408  within each control portion  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400  is displayed to distinguish an area or portion of the notification module  400  in which a corresponding notification setting can be adjusted. The notification settings include a volume setting corresponding to the volume control portion  401 , a vibrate setting corresponding to the vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume setting corresponding to the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off setting corresponding to the off control portion  404 . 
     The method further includes detecting a selection proximate to any one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the selection can be performed with a trackball  121 . For example, the notification module  400  further includes a cursor  171  displayed for moving in correspondence with detected rotational movement of a trackball  121  in the navigational tool  328 . A user inputs a notification setting change by executing a selection with the trackball navigational tool  328 . In one embodiment, a selection is executed by depressing the trackball  121  after positioning the cursor  171  proximate a movable slider  405  within one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 . While a cursor  171  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in at least one embodiment the cursor can be omitted and the rotational motion of the trackball results in movement of movable slider  405  directly. The movable slider  405  indicates the selection within the notification module. 
     In another embodiment, the slider  405  can be dragged along a linear path by depressing the trackball  121  proximate the slider  405  and rotating the trackball  121  until the slider  405  is in a desired coordinate position within one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 . The selection is executed by releasing depression of the trackball  121  once the slider  405  is in the desired coordinate position. 
     A notification setting change is input based upon the selection executed by the selection tool  328 . The notification setting is adjusted in response to the notification setting change. The volume setting is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding volume control portion  401 , the vibrate setting is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding vibrate control portion  402  and a combination vibrate and volume setting (which simultaneously controls both vibrate and volume intensities) is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding combination vibrate and volume control portion  403 . Volume and vibrate functionalities are turned off when the slider  405  is positioned in the off control portion  404  of the notification module  400 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the body  371  of the electronic device  300  houses a touch-sensitive display  100  comprising a display  322 , touch location sensor  110  (illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) and a transparent cover lens  120 . The touch-sensitive display  100  is illustrated and described in detail in connection with  FIG. 4 . Additionally, other keys may be placed along the side of body  371  of the electronic device  300  to function as escape keys, volume control keys, scrolling keys, power switches, or user programmable keys, and may likewise be programmed accordingly. In another embodiment, the touch-sensitive display  100  may be integrated with a keyboard  332  having depressible keys. In such an embodiment, the touch-sensitive display  100  provides navigational control and the keyboard  332  provides text entry control. 
     The touch-sensitive display  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4  comprises a display  322 , touch location sensor  110  and a transparent cover lens  120 . In at least one embodiment, the touch location sensor  110  is provided on a portion of the display  322 . In other embodiments, the touch location sensor  110  is a separate component that is provided as part of the touch-sensitive display  100 . As illustrated, the touch location sensor  110  is shown as located above the display  322 , but in other embodiments the touch location sensor  110  is located below the display  322 . The touch location sensor  110  can be a capacitive, resistive or other touch sensitive sensor. The display  322  can be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display. It is also contemplated within this disclosure that the display  322  can be another type of device which is capable of visually displaying information. 
     In accordance with the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , a method for adjusting notification settings of a handheld electronic device  300  is provided. The method includes receiving a request to adjust a notification setting which causes the electronic device  300  to display a notification module  400  on the display  322 . A request may include selecting a notification setting icon in a drop down menu displayed on the display  322 , actuating a key on the body  371  of the electronic device  300 , actuating a user-selectable target image by depressibly engaging the touch-sensitive display  100 , executing a voice command or any other input that causes the device  300  to display the notification module  400 . The notification module  400  can include a variety of different notification settings each with a corresponding control portion of the notification module  400  within which the notification setting is adjusted. In one embodiment, the notification module  400  includes a volume control portion  401 , a vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off control portion  404 . The control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are serially located on the touch-sensitive display  100 . Additionally, the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  can be contiguously located on the display  322 , such that at least one boundary of each respective control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  is located adjacent to at least one boundary of another of the respective control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404 . In the illustrated embodiment, the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  are located substantially linearly, one above the others, on the display  322 . A graphical object  408  within each control portion  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400  is displayed to distinguish in area or portion of the notification module  400  in which a corresponding notification setting can be adjusted. The notification settings include a volume setting corresponding to the volume control portion  401 , a vibrate setting corresponding to the vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume setting corresponding to the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off setting corresponding to the off control portion  404 . 
     The method further includes detecting a selection proximate to any one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . In the illustrated embodiment, the selection can be executed with use of a selection tool  151  that is placed proximate to the touch-sensitive display screen  100  and the corresponding control portion. In accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the selection tool  151  can be a finger, but a variety of different selection tools  151  are considered within the scope of this disclosure including a finger of a user, a conductive stylus, a pen, a writing instrument, and the like. The notification module  400  includes a cursor  171  displayed for moving in correspondence with the movement of the selection tool  151  in relation to the touch-sensitive display  100 . While in some example embodiments the selection tool  151  may contact a surface of the touch-sensitive display  100 , the disclosure contemplates detecting movement of the selection tool  151  without contacting a surface of the touch-sensitive display  100 . 
     A user inputs a notification setting change by executing a selection with the selection tool  151 . In one embodiment, a selection is executed by depressibly engaging the touch-sensitive display  100  with the selection tool  151  proximate a movable slider  405  within one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404  of the notification module  400 . 
     In another embodiment, the slider  405  can be dragged along a linear path by depressibly engaging the touch-sensitive display  100  proximate the slider  405  with the selection tool  151  and moving the selection tool  151  until the slider  405  is in a desired coordinate position within one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . The selection is executed by removing the selection tool  151  from the touch-sensitive display  100  once the slider  405  is in the desired coordinate position. 
     A notification setting change is input based upon the selection executed by the selection tool  151 . The notification setting is adjusted in response to the notification setting change. The volume setting is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding volume control portion  401 , the vibrate setting is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding vibrate control portion  402  and a combination vibrate and volume setting (which simultaneously controls both vibrate and volume intensities) is adjusted if the selection is executed in the corresponding combination vibrate and volume control portion  403 . Volume and vibrate settings are turned off when the slider  405  is positioned in the off control portion  404  of the notification module  400 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the notification module includes a plurality of movable sliders  405  (not shown) each designated to a control portion  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . A notification setting is adjusted after a selection is executed by positioning a designated slider  405  in the desired coordinate position within a corresponding control portion  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . 
     In accordance with embodiments shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , the notification module  400  can further include a displayed magnitude of notification setting intensity corresponding to the coordinate position of the slider  405  within one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . The displayed magnitude of notification setting intensity can be a number from  1  to  10 , a percentage from  1  to  100  percent, or any other graphical depiction appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art as indicating a magnitude of setting intensity. 
     In another embodiment, the notification module  400  can further include a displayed color of notification setting intensity  407  corresponding to the coordinate position of the slider  405  within one of the control portions  401 ,  402 ,  403 ,  404  of the notification module  400 . The displayed color of notification setting intensity may be a light shade for low setting intensities and a dark shade for high setting intensities. As would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, any number of colors or combinations thereof can be used to indicate a setting intensity. 
     An examplary method is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The method includes receiving a request to adjust a notification setting (block  210 ). The method further displays a notification module on the display (block  220 ). The notification module involves serially placing a volume control portion, vibrate control portion, a combination volume and vibrate control portion, and off control portion within the displayed notification module, such that the volume control portion, vibrate control portion, a combination volume and vibrate control portion, and off control portion are located in relation to one another in a pattern (block  230 ). The method further detects a selection proximate one of the portions (block  240 ). Additionally, the method includes inputting a notification setting change based upon the executed selection (block  250 ). Furthermore, an adjustment to the notification setting is made in response to the input notification setting change (block  260 ). In at least one embodiment, a determination is made whether another portion is touched (block  270 ). If it is determined that another portion is touched then the method continues at previous block  240  until no additional portion is touched at which point the method ends (block  280 ) and the notification setting is changed. In other embodiments, the notification change can be immediately affected and any additional change requires requesting an additional notification setting change. 
     As described herein, one example embodiment is an electronic device  300  including a body  371  housing a lighted display  322 , a navigational tool (auxiliary input)  328  and a keyboard  332  suitable for accommodating textual input. The display  322  is located above the keyboard  332 . The navigational tool (auxiliary input)  328  is located essentially between the display  322  and the keyboard  332 . Additionally, a microprocessor  338  is included and is in data-communication with the display  322 . The microprocessor  338  is capable of running software programmed to display a notification module  400  including a volume control portion  401 , a vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off control portion  404  on the display  322 . The software receives a request to adjust a notification setting and detects a selection proximate to one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404 . Additionally, the software inputs a notification setting change based upon the selection executed by the selection tool  328  within one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404 . Furthermore, the software adjusts a notification setting in response to the notification setting change. In other embodiments, features as described above may also be incorporated into the electronic device  300 . 
     As described herein, another example embodiment is an electronic device  300  including a touch-sensitive display  100 . The electronic device  300  includes a body  371  housing a touch-sensitive display  100  comprising a display  322 , a touch location sensor  110 , and a transparent cover lens  120 . The electronic device  300  also includes a switch  140  coupled to the cover lens  120 . Additionally, a microprocessor  338  is included and is in data-communication with the display  322  and the touch location sensor  110 . The microprocessor  338  is capable of running software programmed to display a notification module  400  including a volume control portion  401 , a vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off control portion  404  on the display  322 . The software receives a request to adjust a notification setting and detects a selection proximate to one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404 . Additionally, the software inputs a notification setting change based upon the selection executed by the selection tool  151  within one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404 . Furthermore, the software adjusts a notification setting in response to the notification setting change. In other embodiments, features as described above may also be incorporated into the electronic device  300 . 
     In yet another example embodiment, a computer-readable medium having a computer program for adjusting a notification setting of the notification module displayed on a display  322  is provided. The computer program receives a request to adjust a notification setting which causes a computer to display a notification module including a volume control portion  401 , a vibrate control portion  402 , a combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and an off control portion  404  on the display  322 . The computer program causes the computer to detect a selection proximate to one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404  of the notification module  400 . Furthermore, the computer program causes the computer to input a notification setting change based upon the selection executed by the selection tool  328  within one of the volume control portion  401 , the vibrate control portion  402 , the combination vibrate and volume control portion  403  and the off control portion  404 . The computer program causes the computer to adjust a notification setting in response to the notification setting change. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can employ the features as described above. 
     Example embodiments have been described hereinabove regarding the implementation of a method and system for adjusting notification settings within a notification module  400  on network operable electronic devices  300 . Various modifications to and departures from the disclosed example embodiments will occur to those having skill in the art. The subject matter that is intended to be within the spirit of this disclosure is set forth in the following claims.