Message handling in portable electronic devices

ES 2 300 533 T3

DESCRIPTION

Processing of messages on portable electronic devices.

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of message handling in portable electronic devices. Description of Related Art

Portable electronic devices such as cell phones today have more and more different types of messages that can be transmitted, and each of them has its own characteristics. Examples of standard messages are for example: SMS of text messages, EMS of graphic information, MMS of multimedia messages that include sound and figures, “computer-related” messages such as e-mail with or without an attachment, and systematic record keeping. to store messages on a website.

In today's cell phones, when a user prepares a message, an editor is used to prepare the message. Before starting to prepare the message, first the user has to decide what type of message he is going to prepare, for example when an SMS is to be prepared, then an appropriate editor must be selected. The user is then limited to this type of message and its corresponding characteristics, including its limitations. For example, if an SMS has been prepared, it is usually not possible to transform it into an email and vice versa. Naturally, this is a disadvantage, because the user cannot know before or even at the time of preparing the message what the final message type will be. Even he cannot know who will receive it. Yet another disadvantage is that the user cannot archive the message before knowing its final format.

For example, the patent literature describes solutions for converting messages from one format to another, for example from SMS to MMS, as explained, for example, by document WO-A1-02 / 096046 which describes a computer workstation. However, for all solutions it is common for the conversion to be done centrally on one system and not on the portable electronic device itself.

Therefore, several disadvantages remain with current technology regarding message preparation and archiving, for example by means of conventional editors located on portable electronic devices.

There is, therefore, a need to make a user able to compose and archive a message before deciding what the final message type will be. In particular, there is a need to provide an editor for a portable electronic device that is fully controlled in a simple way by a user, whose editor provides for the preparation and archiving of a message before deciding the final type of message for transmission (or to be archived).

US 2002/159600 explains a hands-free mobile messaging device and method. The object of this discussion is to provide a relatively inexpensive and compact device that allows hands-free generation and reception of messages in different formats.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is, therefore, aimed at providing an editor for a portable electronic device that can be fully controlled by a user in a simple way so that a message can be prepared and filed before deciding the final type of message. message for transmission.

This is achieved by providing a common editor for all message types, detecting a selection of message types by a user, and changing the appearance on a screen and a transmission format depending on the selections made by the user. The editor is provided on the portable electronic device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method that allows a user to prepare and archive a message on a portable electronic device before deciding the final type of message for transmission.

According to a first aspect of the present invention this object is achieved by a method of preparing a message in a portable electronic device comprising an editor and a numeric keyboard adapted to enter information from the text message of the message in the editor, the method comprising the steps of:

provide a set of message types that can be selected by a user in the editor, which has a common format for all message types, detect a selection of message types by a user and change the transmission format depending on the selections made by the user, ^Y archive the message in a general format.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a method that includes the characteristics of the first aspect, which further comprises the step of displaying the message, typically in an information display unit, in a format that corresponds to the selected message type. .

A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a method that includes the features of the first aspect, in which a first user input unit allows actuation and scrolling of the screen in a first direction and in a second opposite direction. , wherein the detection of a selection by actuation and confirmation of the first input unit by the user for an address provides the selection of a message type and the detection of a selection provides to change the transmission aspect and format depending on the selections made by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic device, which facilitates a user to prepare and / or archive a message before deciding the final type of message for transmission.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by means of a portable electronic device comprising an editor and a numeric keyboard adapted to enter information from the text message of the message in the editor, the method comprising the steps of:

a message type selection unit providing a set of message type elements that can be selected by a user in the editor, which has a common format for all message types;

a user input unit to allow the user to select the type of message; Y

ES 2 300 533 T3 a control unit arranged to: provide the set of message types that can be selected by a user in an editor having a common format for all message types;

detecting a selection of message types by a user through said user input unit;

change the transmission format depending on the selections made by the user and archive the message in a general format.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the features of the fourth aspect, in which the first user input unit allows actuation and scrolling of the screen in a first direction and in a second opposite direction. , and a second user input unit is arranged to confirm a selection, wherein the detection of a selection by an actuation of the first data input unit of an address to an item and the confirmation by the second data input unit provides the selection of a message type and the detection of a selection provides to change the transmission format depending on the selections made by the user.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the characteristics of any of the fourth to fifth aspects, wherein the control unit is arranged to change the appearance in an information display unit depending on the selections made by the user. Username.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the features of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in which the control unit is arranged to automatically archive the message in a general format.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the characteristics of any of the fourth to seventh aspects, in which the control unit is arranged to load the message at a predefined web address.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is directed to a device including the features of any of the fourth to eighth aspects, in which the control unit is arranged to load the message to a predefined web address with an automatic file.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the features of any of the fourth to ninth aspects, in which the irrelevant tools are arranged not to be selectable, so that a user can continue to edit only in the selected format. .

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is directed to a device that includes the features of any of the fourth to tenth aspects, wherein the device is a cell phone, a PDA, or a smartphone.

The invention has many advantages. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a user will be able to compose messages, notes or other text material using the same editor. This will give the user complete freedom in thinking and editing. The invention has the additional advantage of providing the message file in a common format for all types of messages.

The invention is also very cheap to implement, as it can be implemented using the user input selection unit already provided in the device, and the common editor function / temporary function not available can be provided with just some extra software in addition to the existing editor and / or messaging programs.

It should be noted that the term "comprises / comprising" when used in this specification is used to specify the presence of declared features, integers, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers integers, steps or components or groups of them.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a portable electronic device in the form of a cell phone, Figure 2 shows a schematic block of the relevant parts according to an embodiment of the invention within the phone of Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the realizations

In Figure 1 a portable electronic device is shown in which the invention can be practiced, which here is a portable electronic device shown from the front. Preferably, the portable electronic device is a cell phone 10 having an antenna (not shown) for communication with other users over a network, an information display unit 14 in the form of a screen displaying a set of items of types Messages 20, 22, 24, 26 that can be selected by a user in a common editor for all message types. Cell phone 10 further comprises a numeric keypad 30 comprising a first user input unit 32, here in the form of a navigation key, for scrolling the screen up and down in menus to highlight an item, and a second user input unit 34 for confirming the selected item 20, 22, 24, 26. The navigation key 32 and the confirmation key 34, and their functions are known per se and, therefore, will not be described further. The first and second user data entry units 32, 34 may also be combined in the first user data entry unit 32, provided that a confirmation of a selected item 20, 22 can be made in some way. 24, 26. Alternatively, or in addition to, the first user input unit 32 may also be provided on a raised button 33. The raised button 33 can be actuated in an upward direction and in an opposite downward direction, which it is indicated by an arrow pointing in both directions in the figure.

The first unit 32 for inputting data by the user allows action in a first direction and in a second opposite direction (illustrated by an arrow with two heads), each also allowing the screen to be moved in said direction, where a control unit (shown in Figure 2) in the

ES 2 300 533 T3 detection of a selection by actuation of the first data input unit 32 to a selected element 20,22, 24, 26 (typically highlighting the same) and in the confirmation of the selection by the second input unit data 34, eg by pressing a key on the numeric keypad 30, activates a switch (not shown) in a manner known per se. The data input unit (s) may also be arranged in the form of a touch screen in a manner known per se.

Apart from making and receiving phone calls, the numeric keypad 30 is used to enter message information such as text, select conventional functions and applications. The functions and applications are typically selected by the navigation key 32, which can be used for up and down navigation through a menu system arranged on the telephone 10. In the menu system, the sets of items are arranged in form of lists. One such list 19 of items 20, 22, 24, 26 is shown in Figure 1. List 19 is here a list of message types. In Figure 1 the list is shown as having a first item 20, for SMS, a second item 22, for EMS, a third item 24, for MMS. Part of a fourth item 26, for e-mail, which cannot be fully viewed, is also shown for illustrative purposes.

A list 19 can include as many as 10 message types (or even more) that typically include at least the following:

SMS for text messages, EMS for graphical information, MMS for multimedia messages including figures, computer-related messages such as email with or without an attachment, systematic record keeping for storing messages on a website, and a reduced rate of MMS according to minimum standards.

Figure 2 shows a schematic block of the different parts of the telephone 10 according to the present invention. The display 14, the first user input unit 32 and the second user input unit 34 are shown here as separate boxes connected to a control unit 40. The control unit 40 is further connected to a storage memory 42.

The control unit 40 is normally provided in the form of one or more processors with corresponding program memories containing appropriate software codes, and the storage memory 42 is preferably provided in the form of a memory known per se, for example a semiconductor memory.

A preferred specification of the present invention will now be explained with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In an editor, or alternatively after selecting the temporarily unavailable function (it is assumed that the edit mode for preparing messages is already selected in a way known per se) common for all message types, by selecting from a list of items in the telephone menu system, the control unit 40 retrieves the list of items 20, 22, 24, 26 and displays it on the screen 14, step 100. The control unit 40 then waits for a selection by inputting data by the user through the first data input unit, in this case the navigation key 32. If the navigation key 32 is not actuated or pressed, the control unit continues to wait, step 102. However, if the navigation key 32 is actuated, step 104, control unit 40 goes forward and scrolls list 19, step 104. This screen scrolling is performed as long as the navigation key is actuated or pressed.

The navigation key 32 allows the possibility of navigating in an upward direction and in a downward direction as indicated by the arrow pointing in both directions in Figure 1. This means that if a lower part of the key is pressed 32, the screen scrolling is performed in a downward direction, whereas if an upper part is pressed, the screen scrolling is performed in an upward direction.

If, in step 106, a second data entry unit 34, typically a second key is not actuated, the control unit 40 backs up and monitors the navigation key, step 102. This method is continued thereafter as long as the user does not you have selected an item 20, 22, 24, 26 in list 19.

When one of the elements 20, 22, 24, 26 has been selected, for example by the user confirming the selection by pressing a second key on the second data input unit by the user, 34, in a manner known per se itself, the message type selection is detected, step 108, and the transmission format is changed depending on the selections made by the user, the selection of which can then be used to gray out irrelevant tools that can be selected, typically from a menu, in a manner known per se.

Typically, the message is automatically stored in a general format in storage memory 42 by control unit 40, step 110, for example up to a point when it is being sent. Of course, it may well be that the user wants to change to another format, or add another receiver that has more possible options.

Preferably, even when the message has been sent, it is better to save it in a general format with a data element indicating how it was sent. The user may also after sending wish to add another user who can receive the message in a richer format.

The present invention has many advantages. Common for all embodiments of the present invention is that the message preparation is done in the same portable electronic device, not centralized by a system. It allows a user to use a common editor for all types of messages, which he would not otherwise have.

The invention is also cheap to implement. By providing the screen speed control with a navigation key there is no longer a need for any additional buttons or keys on the phone, and the message variation function may be provided with only some extra software in addition to scrolling software. existing screen.

The present invention can be varied in many ways. The keys described are keys, in which a key or button can be used to indicate two directions. Of course, it is also possible to provide

ES 2 300 533 T3 to activate this functionality in another way with two independent keys or buttons. The navigation key has been further described in relation to providing navigation only in the up and down directions. Of course, it is also possible to provide lateral navigations. It could also be understood that the screen scrolling control according to the invention could also be implemented for screen side scrolling. The invention, of course, is by no means limited to these types of buttons or keys, but can be used with any keys arranged on a device.

The invention has been described in relation to a cellular telephone. A cell phone is just one example of a device to which the invention can be applied. For example, the invention can also be used in a PDA (personal digital assistant), in a pocket computer, in a portable computer and in a normal computer. Therefore, the present invention is only limited by the following claims.