Patent Application
20080039021
A full understanding can be gained from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.
An improved handheld electronic device 1 is indicated generally in
As can be understood from
Many of the keys 10 include a number of linguistic elements 13 disposed thereon. As employed herein, the expression “a number of” and variations thereof shall refer broadly to any non-zero quantity, including a quantity of one. As can be seen in
The memory 6 can be any one or more of a variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as, without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and the like that provide a storage register for data storage such as in the fashion of an internal storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory. The memory 6 includes a number of routines depicted generally with the numeral 7 for the processing of data. The routines 7 can be in any of a variety of forms such as, without limitation, software, firmware, and the like. As will be explained in greater detail below, the routines 7 include a speech-based notification function as an application, as well as other routines.
An operational process 30 for implementing the speech-based notification function on the handheld electronic device 1 is illustrated in
After a triggering event is detected in operation 31, a determination is made at operation 32 as to whether a non-speech based notification (e.g., an illuminated LED 15, a prompt on display 14, etc.) may be discernible by the user. The non-speech based notification may be deemed to not be discernible if, for example and without limitation, it is detected that the handheld electronic device 1 is engaged with a holster, a cradle, a charging device, or a hands-free device, among others. For example, the handheld electronic device 1 may detect engagement with a charging device when the presence of an AC power source is sensed by the handheld electronic device 1. The non-speech based notification may also be deemed to not be discernible, for example and without limitation, if it is detected that the handheld electronic device 1 has been stationary for a predetermined time or if it is detected that the input apparatus 3 of said handheld electronic device 1 has not been actuated for a predetermined time.
If it is determined in operation 32 that the non-speech based notification may be discernible, operational control branches “YES” and passes to operation 34 which provides the non-speech based notification of the triggering event. If it is determined in operation 32 that the non-speech based notification may not be discernible, operational control branches “NO” and passes to operation 33 which provides a speech-based notification of the triggering event as an alternative to the non-speech based notification. More specifically, a speech-based notification is output via speaker 16. Although discussed as an alternative to the non-speech based notification in the current embodiment, it should be recognized that the speech-based notification may be provided in addition to the non-speech based notification.
The speech-based notification may be, for example and without limitation, a predetermined message stored within memory 6 or may be based on the incoming communication. When an incoming email is received, for instance, the predetermined message “incoming email received” may be audibly output as the speech-based notification via speaker 16. Alternatively, the incoming email may be converted from a text-based format to an audible speech-based output which is output as the speech-based notification via speaker 16.
The functioning of operational process 30 may be readily comprehended from the following examples. In the first example, the handheld electronic device 1 is engaged with a holster such as the type worn on a user's belt. An incoming text-based message (e.g., email, SMS, IM, etc.) is received by the handheld electronic device 1. For example, the email “What time is dinner tonight?” is received. Receipt of this email is a triggering event, the detection of which initiates operational process 30 (i.e., at operation 31). Because the handheld electronic device 1 is engaged with the holster, operation 32 determines that the typical non-speech based notification (e.g., a flashing LED 15; a prompt on display 14) may not be discernible by the user. For instance, the flashing LED 15 and prompt on display 14 may not be discerned by the user when the device is in the holster worn on his belt. Accordingly, a speech-based notification is provided (i.e., at operation 33). For example, a predetermined speech-based notification such as “You have received an email” is output through speaker 16. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the text-base message “What time is dinner tonight?” may be converted to an audible, speech-based message and output through speaker 16 as the spoken words, “What time is dinner tonight?” Additional information, such as the name of the email sender or other information, may also be included in the speech-based notification.
If, however, the handheld electronic device 1 is disengaged from the holster (e.g., the user is holding the handheld electronic device 1) when the email is received, operation 32 may determine that the non-speech based notification (e.g., a flashing LED 15; a prompt on display 14) may be discernible by the user (i.e., the flashing LED 15 or display prompt may be seen by the user). Accordingly, only the non-speech based notification is provided to the user (i.e., at operation 34) in this instance.
As another example, assume that the handheld electronic device 1 is engaged with a charging device on the user's desk. An activated calendar entry (e.g., an entry that a scheduled meeting is about to begin) is detected by the handheld electronic device 1 (i.e., at operation 31). Because the handheld electronic device 1 is engaged with the charging device, it is determined at operation 32 that the non-speech based notification (e.g., a prompt on display 14) may not be discernible by the user. For instance, it might be assumed that the device, while being recharged, is out of the user's direct line of sight. Accordingly, a speech-based notification is provided to the user (i.e., at operation 33). For example, a predetermined speech-based notification such as the spoken words “You have a meeting in ten minutes” is output through speaker 16. In one embodiment, the non-speech based notification (e.g., the prompt on display 14) may also be provided with the speech-based notification.
In the current embodiment, the memory 6 (
Each of the number of profiles may include additional settings therein. Where both non-speech based notification and speech-based notification functions are activated, for example, the user may select additional profile settings such that (without limitation) only a non-speech based notification is provided when it is determined that a non-speech based notification may be discernible by the user and only a speech-based notification is provided when it is determined that a non-speech based notification may not be discernible by the user. Alternatively, the profile settings may be selected such that (without limitation) only a non-speech based notification is provided when it is determined that a non-speech based notification may be discernible by the user and both a non-speech based notification and a speech-based notification are provided when it is determined that a non-speech based notification may not be discernible by the user.
While specific embodiments have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed and claimed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
