Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7669135?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=6233389
Timestamp: 2014-08-22 17:12:05
Document Index: 39670478

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US7669135 - Using emoticons, such as for wireless devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA method and system for generating a displayable icon or emoticon form that indicates the mood or emotion of a user of the mobile station. A user of a device, such as a mobile phone, is provided with a dedicated key or shared dedicated key option that the user may select to insert an emoticon onto a...http://www.google.com/patents/US7669135?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7669135 - Using emoticons, such as for wireless devicesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7669135 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/092,511Publication dateFeb 23, 2010Filing dateMar 28, 2005Priority dateJul 15, 2004Fee statusPaidAlso published asEP1784745A2, EP1784745A4, US20060015812, WO2006019639A2, WO2006019639A3Publication number092511, 11092511, US 7669135 B2, US 7669135B2, US-B2-7669135, US7669135 B2, US7669135B2InventorsIvy Cunningham, Christopher WhiteOriginal AssigneeAt&T Mobility Ii LlcExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (11), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (14), Classifications (13), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetUsing emoticons, such as for wireless devicesUS 7669135 B2Abstract A method and system for generating a displayable icon or emoticon form that indicates the mood or emotion of a user of the mobile station. A user of a device, such as a mobile phone, is provided with a dedicated key or shared dedicated key option that the user may select to insert an emoticon onto a display or other medium. The selection of the key or shared dedicated key may result in the insertion of the emoticon, or may also result in the display of a collection of emoticons that the user may then select from using, for example, a key mapping or navigation technique.
BACKGROUND Written communication plays an integral role in modern social, economic, and cultural life. Writing facilitates the transfer and preservation of information and ideas. However, without direct access to facial expression, body language, and voice inflection, the potential for misunderstanding written communications is considerable.
The Internet culture has developed emoticons as a way to compensate for some of the limitations of written communication. The term �emoticon� is shorthand for �emotive icon.� Emoticons are typically comprised of a sequence of characters and symbols that connote some emotional state. Emoticons commonly appear in email, chat, text messaging, and other forms of written, electronic communication to express moods or tone in ways that text alone cannot. For example, �:-)� is frequently used to indicate pleasure, �:-(� displeasure. Typically, users manually input a sequence of characters and symbols to construct an emoticon. In many applications, the sequence is automatically converted into a graphic. The following provides an example of currently used emoticons, and the key strokes involved in their input.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a system for providing access to emoticons in one embodiment.
I. Overview The method and system described herein allow a user of a mobile station or other device to easily select a displayable icon, such as an emoticon, that indicates the mood or emotion of the user or conveys other information independent of text. In some embodiments, the selected displayable icon is inserted into a text message or screen, such as an instant message, chat screen, or user text field.
II. Representative System FIG. 1 and the following discussion provide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in which the invention can be implemented. Although not required, aspects of the invention are described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by a general-purpose computer (e.g., a server computer, wireless device, or personal/laptop computer). Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced with other communications, data processing, or computer system configurations, including Internet appliances, hand-held devices (including personal digital assistants (PDAs)), wearable computers, all manner of cellular or mobile phones, embedded computers (including those coupled to vehicles), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-top boxes, network PCs, mini-computers, mainframe computers, and the like. Indeed, the terms �computer,� �host,� and �host computer� are generally used interchangeably and refer to any of the above devices and systems, as well as any data processor.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a typical mobile communication device 200, such as a mobile handset. While a mobile phone is shown as the mobile communication device in FIG. 1, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced with other devices and configurations, including Internet appliances, hand-held devices, wearable computers, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, set-top boxes, PDAs, portable laptop computers, and the like. The term �mobile device� is intended to include all such devices.
The processor unit 206 may access information from, and store information in, a nonremovable memory 216 or a removable memory 218. The nonremovable memory 216 may consist of RAM, ROM, a hard disk, or other well-known memory storage technologies. The removable memory 218 may consist of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, which are well known in GSM communication systems, or other well-known memory storage technologies, such as �smart cards.� Applications 220, including instant messaging applications, wireless content browser applications, and address book applications can be implemented in either the removable memory 218 or the nonremovable memory 216.
III. User Interface The user interface of a mobile device configured for easy access to emoticons may include various keypad configurations, user screens, views, and other interfaces that allow users to easily select and use emoticons. Examples of such screens and keypads are described with respect to FIGS. 3-5. While only certain examples are given, a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other interfaces and related techniques can be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention.
The terms �screen,� �window,� and �page� are generally used interchangeably herein. The pages described herein may be implemented using, for example, WML (wireless markup language), XHTML (extensible hypertext markup language), XML (extensible markup language), or HTML (hypertext markup language). In some embodiments, WML and XHTML decks offer similar functionality but may differ with respect to style guide and design requirements between the two languages (use of color, icons, etc.). The look and feel of WML pages are primarily text-based, with underlining used to highlight clickable links. XHTML is a richer development language, allowing the mobile device to present content that may stand out on many different levels. For example, XHTML may allow the use of front and background colors, bolding, and icons.
While certain ways of displaying information to users are shown and described with respect to certain Figures, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that various other alternatives may be employed. The terms �screen,� �web page,� and �page� are generally used interchangeably herein. The pages or screens are stored and/or transmitted as display descriptions, as graphical user interfaces, or by other methods of depicting information on a screen (whether personal computer, PDA, mobile telephone, or other) where the layout and information or content to be displayed on the page is stored in memory, database, or another storage facility.
When implemented as web pages or wireless content, the screens are stored as display descriptions, graphical user interfaces, or other methods of depicting information on a computer screen (e.g., commands, links, fonts, colors, layout, sizes and relative positions, and the like), where the layout and information or content to be displayed on the page is stored in a database. A �display description,� as generally used herein, refers to any method of automatically displaying information on a computer screen in any of the above-noted formats, as well as other formats, such as email or character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), or matrix or bit-mapped formats. While aspects of the invention are described herein using a networked environment, some or all features may be implemented within a single-computer environment.
In the illustrated embodiment, the user uses a navigation key or keys 312 on the keypad 300 to scroll through the collection of emoticon keys displayed on the screen 310. When the user selects the appropriate key (e.g., an Enter key 314), the emoticon appears in the display, as shown on a screen 320 (showing text for an instant message or chat�i.e., �Have a great day!�). In some embodiments, simply pressing a key on the keypad 300 inserts the corresponding emoticon into the user text entry field in the chat or instant message, then closes the palette. In some embodiments, a user may display a second set of emoticons via the Alt key 304. For example, pressing the Alt key 304 when an MSN palette is open on the screen 310 may change the emoticon display to a second palette containing a second collection of emoticons. In some embodiments, if no emoticon is inserted after the palette of the screen 310 is displayed, pressing the emoticon key (302 or 306) closes the palette.
Referring to FIG. 5, a mapping technique may be used to select an emoticon from a collection of emoticons (palette) that is displayed after the dedicated or shared dedicated emoticon key is selected. In the illustrated embodiment, a keypad 500 has a shared dedicated emoticon key 502. To select the shared dedicated emoticon key 502, the user selects an Alt key 504 followed by the shared dedicated emoticon key 502. After the user selects these two keys, a screen 510 displays a mapping 512 of emoticon keys. Each of the emoticons shown on the screen 510 maps with a key on the physical keypad 500. For example, a �smiley face with sunglasses� emoticon key 514 maps with a �Y� key 506 on the physical keypad 500. Accordingly, after the mobile device displays the screen 510, selecting the appropriate or desired emoticon is just one key away, as shown on a screen 520.
IV. System Flows FIGS. 6-8 are representative flow diagrams that show processes or routines that occur within the mobile device of FIGS. 1 and 2. These flow diagrams do not show all functions or exchanges of data but, instead, provide an understanding of commands and data exchanged under the system. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that some functions or exchanges of commands and data may be repeated, varied, omitted, or supplemented, and other aspects not shown may be readily implemented.
This application is related to the following commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. Patent Applications: U.S. Patent Application No. 60/587,792, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �Selection of Bearer Mode According to Message Characteristics� (previously entitled �Smart Compose for Wireless Devices�), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/588,018, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �Maintaining Instant Message Session Status in Dynamic Operating Environment� (previously entitled �Automated IM Status Changing�), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/585,965, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �System and Method for Data Organization and Display in an Instant-Messaging Interface� (previously entitled �IM Community Aggregation�), U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,185, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �Dedicated Wireless Device Business Model,� U.S. Patent Application No. 60/590,229, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �Always-On Mobile Instant Messaging of A Messaging Centric Wireless Device� (previously entitled �Always On Mobile IM/Messaging Centric Wireless Device�), and U.S. Patent Application No. 60/588,110, filed Jul. 15, 2004, entitled �Customer Service Messaging, Such As On Mobile Devices.� All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.
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