Patent Application
20140164950
The present invention relates generally to wireless communication devices, and more particularly to a graphical user interface for controlling such devices.
Wireless communications devices providing data communication capabilities are frequently used for communicating messages such as electronic mail (email). Such devices are typically adapted to compose and send email as well as receive it. Providing a user interface for composing email on such a mobile device presents a number of challenges to the designer. Wireless communications devices (sometimes referred to herein as mobile devices) are usually handheld and small relative to less portable computing devices such as laptops and desktop computers. Inherently then, a visual display such as an LCD or other screen component of the mobile device has a small display area. As well, input devices such as buttons, keys, wheels or other pointing devices and the like are relatively small compared to similar devices for less portable computing devices.
Typically, a graphical user interface (GUI) for a mobile device comprises a main or home screen and one or more additional sub-screens or pop-up screens that may be navigated from the main screen. One such additional screen is an email composition screen. When composing an email, currently it is somewhat awkward and time consuming to add a recipient address in a copy field such as copy (Cc) and blind copy (Bcc). It is similarly difficult to add or otherwise define other email header field information such as attachments, message importance (e.g. high or low) on a handheld mobile device. Usually these types of functions can take up to three user steps to complete. Users often choose among different mobile devices in response to user interface features providing convenient ease of use. Having a user interface which simplifies adding parties to an email or defining optional email header fields is therefore desirable.
Accordingly, there is a resulting need for a method and apparatus that addresses one or more of these shortcomings.
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for composing an electronic mail (email). In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for composing an email comprising: providing an email composition interface having one or more fields to define a content of the email, at least a one of the fields coupled to an extended interface component operable in response to user input to present a plurality of options for further defining the content of the email; and invoking the extended interface component in response to user input. In an embodiment, the method includes coupling the extended interface component to a one of the fields comprising a field defining email header information. Invoking the extended interface component may comprise monitoring a position of a user focus on an email composition screen of the email composition interface; and automatically invoking the extended interface component in response to the position. Preferably, the extended interface component comprises options for defining further content selected from the group of content comprising a copy email address, a blind copy email address, an email importance option and an attachment. In an embodiment, the method includes displaying one or more options selectable for defining respective content of the email and facilitating selection of said one or more options. User input is receivable via the expanded user interface to further define the content of the email.
In another aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instruction designed to enable the apparatus to: provide an email composition interface having one or more fields to define a content of the email, at least one of the fields coupled to an extended interface component operable in response to user input to present a plurality of options for further defining the content of the email; and invoke the extended interface component in response to user input to define the content; and a processor coupled to the storage medium to execute the programming instructions.
These and other aspects will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, including a computer program product aspect.
Embodiments of present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to attached figures, wherein:
Method and apparatus for composing email in a mobile device having wireless communication capabilities are described.
Typically, controller 106 is embodied as a central processing unit (CPU) which runs operating system software in a memory component (not shown). Controller 106 will normally control overall operation of mobile station 102, whereas signal processing operations associated with communication functions are typically performed in RF transceiver circuitry 108. Controller 106 interfaces with device display 112 to display received information, stored information, user inputs, and the like. Keyboard 114, which may be a telephone type keypad or full alphanumeric keyboard (e.g. QWERTY), is normally provided for entering data for storage in mobile station 102, information for transmission to network 104, a telephone number to place a telephone call, commands to be executed on mobile station 102, and possibly other or different user inputs.
Mobile station 102 sends communication signals to and receives communication signals from the wireless network 104 over a wireless link via antenna 110. RF transceiver circuitry 108 performs functions similar to those of a base station and a base station controller (BSC) (not shown), including for example modulation/demodulation and possibly encoding/decoding and encryption/decryption. It is also contemplated that RF transceiver circuitry 108 may perform certain functions in addition to those performed by a BSC. It will be apparent to those skilled in art that RF transceiver circuitry 108 will be adapted to particular wireless network or networks in which mobile station 102 is intended to operate.
Mobile station 102 includes a battery interface (IF) 134 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 132. Battery 132 provides electrical power to electrical circuitry in mobile station 102, and battery IF 132 provides for a mechanical and electrical connection for battery 132. Battery IF 132 is coupled to a regulator 136 which regulates power to the device. When mobile station 102 is fully operational, an RF transmitter of RF transceiver circuitry 108 is turned on only when it is sending to network, and is otherwise turned off or placed in a low-power mode to conserve power. Similarly, an RF receiver of RF transceiver circuitry 108 is typically periodically turned off to conserve power until it is needed to receive signals or information (if at all) during designated time periods.
Mobile station 102 operates using a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 140 which is connected to or inserted in mobile station 102 at a SIM interface (IF) 142. SIM 140 is one type of a conventional “smart card” used to identify an end user (or subscriber) of mobile station 102 and to personalize the device, among other things. Without SIM 140, the mobile station terminal is not fully operational for communication through the wireless network. By inserting SIM 140 into mobile station 102, an end user can have access to any and all of his/her subscribed services. SIM 140 generally includes a processor and memory for storing information. Since SIM 140 is coupled to SIM IF 142, it is coupled to controller 106 through communication lines 144. In order to identify the subscriber, SIM 140 contains some user parameters such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI). An advantage of using SIM 140 is that end users are not necessarily bound by any single physical mobile station. SIM 140 may store additional user information for the mobile station as well, including date book (or calendar) information and recent call information.
Mobile station 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a data communication device, a multiple-function communication device with data and voice communication capabilities, a personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communication, or a computer incorporating an internal modem. Alternatively, mobile station 102 may be a multiple-module unit comprising a plurality of separate components, including but in no way limited to a computer or other device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in the mobile station block diagram of
Mobile station 202 will normally incorporate a communication subsystem 211, which includes a receiver, a transmitter, and associated components, such as one or more (preferably embedded or internal) antenna elements and, local oscillators (LOs), and a processing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) (all not shown). Communication subsystem 211 is analogous to RF transceiver circuitry 108 and antenna 110 shown in
Network access is associated with a subscriber or user of mobile station 202 and therefore mobile station 202 requires a Subscriber Identity Module or “SIM” card 262 to be inserted in a SIM IF 264 in order to operate in the network. SIM 262 includes those features described in relation to
Mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is one implementation of controller 106 of
Microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions, preferably enables execution of software applications on mobile station 202. A predetermined set of applications which control basic device operations, including at least data and voice communication applications, will normally be installed on mobile station 202 during its manufacture. A preferred application that may be loaded onto mobile station 202 may be a personal information manager (PIM) application having the ability to organize and manage data items relating to the user such as, but not limited to, instant messaging (IM), email, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. Naturally, one or more memory stores are available on mobile station 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of PIM data items and other information.
The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive data items via the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, PIM data items are seamlessly integrated, synchronized, and updated via the wireless network, with the mobile station user's corresponding data items stored and/or associated with a host computer system thereby creating a mirrored host computer on mobile station 202 with respect to such items. This is especially advantageous where the host computer system is the mobile station user's office computer system. Additional applications may also be loaded onto mobile station 202 through network 200, an auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, serial port 230, short-range communications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, and installed by a user in RAM 226 or preferably a non-volatile store (not shown) for execution by microprocessor 238. Such flexibility in application installation increases the functionality of mobile station 202 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using mobile station 202.
In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message, an email message, or web page download will be processed by communication subsystem 211 and input to microprocessor 238. Microprocessor 238 will preferably further process the signal for output to display 222, to auxiliary I/O device 228 or both. A user of mobile station 202 may also compose data items, such as email messages, for example, using keyboard 232 in conjunction with display 222 and possibly auxiliary I/O device 228 as described further herein with reference to
For voice communications, the overall operation of mobile station 202 is substantially similar, except that the received signals would be output to speaker 234 and signals for transmission would be generated by microphone 236. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on mobile station 202. Although voice or audio signal output is preferably accomplished primarily through speaker 234, display 222 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information, as some examples.
Serial port 230 in
Short-range communications subsystem 240 of
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, mobile station 202 is configured for sending and receiving data items and includes a PIM for organizing and managing data items relating to the user such as, but not limited to, instant messaging (IM), email, calendar events, calendar appointments, and task items, etc. To provide a user-friendly environment to control the operation of mobile station 202, PIM together with the operation system and various software applications resident on the station 202 provides a GUI having a main screen and a plurality of sub-screens navigable from the main screen.
Referring now to
In accordance with the present embodiment, Cc: field 303 is highlighted. Field 303 is highlighted by a box 307 in dashed outline but may be highlighted in other ways such as shadowing, bolding etc. Cc: field 303 may be selected by a user to invoke an extended interface option for defining including choosing additional email data. With reference to
Though not shown, an interface for completing the definition of an option may include further dialogs. For example, when defining an attachment, a dialog may permit choices among attachment types such as images, video, audio, text, etc. or source such as a camera or input device or storage device available.
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that options may be deleted as well as added to an email being composed. Though not shown, via list 601, field 303 may be deleted such that no Cc: recipients may be specified, as desired. Though screen 300 illustrates Cc: field 303 as the field that expands via list 601 to present the various options, another field (e.g. To: field 306) may be used. Thus initial screen 300 of
At step 804, the GUI for email composition is initiated and screen 300 is shown on display 222. Should the GUI be initiated with one or more recipients, for example from an address book function, the recipients may be used to populate the user editable portion 310 of To: field 306. A user may compose the email, using the input devices as previously discussed to input data and commands and manipulate the cursor about the screen 300. Step 806 represents user edit input (e.g. typing in data or moving the cursor). Step 808 executes the input, for example, rendering a change to display 222 and adding text to a data element associated with a field or message body. Alternatively, the cursor may be moved on the display and no data entered. Operations return to step 804 for further input. Steps 824 and 830 represent particular command inputs discussed further below. Step 810 represents the invocation of extend email option editing via list 601.
At steps 810-812, extended interface (IF) (i.e. list 601) is invoked by a user, such as by moving the cursor to field 303 and waiting a predetermined delay period. A list of selectable options for defining content is displayed. At step 812, within list 601, a user may manipulate the cursor to move the focus about the list (steps 814-816). A particular option may be selected (step 818) to invoke a respective interface (step 818) as discussed previously for defining the associated email data. At step 822, a user may enter a command (e.g. an escape input) to cancel the list 601 rather than define the data as is well known in the art. Once the option is defined (step 820) or a user cancels (step 822), operations may continue back at step 804 with display screen 300.
When composing an email, a user may decide to send the email, cancel its composition or save the email for later disposition (not shown). Step 824 represents the input of a send command and step 826 the operations to close screen 300 and send the email. Thereafter operations 800 end (step 828). Persons skilled in the art will recognize that certain error checking or verifying may be performed (not shown) such as to confirm at least one recipient has been input. Step 830 represents the input of a cancel command and step 832 the operations to close screen 300 and discard the email. A confirmation dialog may ensue, if desired. A similar operation sequence may be included for a save command (if supported). Thereafter operations 800 end (step 828).
In accordance with the embodiment, an extended interface component is provided to conveniently define email header information, providing the flexibility of choice.
The above-described embodiments of the present application are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the scope of the application. The invention described herein in the recited claims intend to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/976,418, filed on Oct. 29, 2004.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10976418 | Oct 2004 | US |
| Child | 14181239 | US |
