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`PATENT APPLICATION
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`Steve P. Hotelling
`
`Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device
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`APPLE-1041
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`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`APPLICATION
`
`FOR
`
`UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
`
`TITLE:
`
`MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HAND-HELD DEVICE
`
`INVENTOR: STEVE P. HOTELLING; SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA
`
`Express Mail No: EO 008 180 816 US
`
`Date: March 03. 2006
`
`Prepared by: WONG, CABELLO, LUTSCH, RUTHERFORD & BRUCCULERI, L.L.P.
`HOUSTON, TEXAS
`
`2
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HAND-HELD DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is related to and claims the benefit of: (1) U.S.
`
`Provisional Patent Application No.: 60/658, 777, titled "Multi-Functional Hand-Held
`
`Device," filed March 4, 2005 and (2) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.:
`
`60/663,345, titled "Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device," filed March 16, 2005, each
`
`of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
`[0002]
`
`This application is related to the following applications, which are all
`
`herein incorporated by reference: (1) U.S. Patent Application No.: 10/188,182, titled
`
`"Touch Pad for Handheld Device," filed on July 1, 2002; (2) U.S. Patent Application
`
`No.: 10/722,948, titled "Touch Pad for Handheld Device," filed on November 25,
`
`2003; (3) U.S. Patent Application No.: 10/643,256, titled "Movable Touch Pad with
`
`Added Functionality," filed on August 18, 2003; (4) U.S. Patent Application No.:
`
`10/654,108, titled "Ambidextrous Mouse," filed on September 2, 2003; (5) U.S~
`
`Patent Application No.: 10/840,862, titled "Multipoint Touch Screen," filed on May 6,
`
`2004; (6) U.S. Patent Application No: 10/903,964, titled "Gestures for Touch
`
`Sensitive Input Devices," filed on July 30, 2004; (7) U.S. Patent Application No.:
`
`11/038,590, titled "Mode-Based Graphical User Interfaces for Touch Sensitive Input
`
`Devices," filed on January 18, 2005; and (8) U.S. Patent Application No.:
`
`11/057,050, titled "Display Actuator," filed on February 11, 2005, (9) U.S. Patent
`
`Application 11/115,539, titled "Hand-Held Electronic Device with Multiple Touch
`
`Sensing Devices," filed April 26, 2005.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003]
`
`There exist today many types of hand-held electronic devices, each of
`
`which utilizes some sort of user interface. The user interface typically includes an
`
`output device in the form of a display, such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and
`one or more input devices, which can be mechanically actuated ( e.g., switches,
`- 1 -
`
`3
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`buttons, keys, dials, joysticks, joy pads) or electrically activated ( e.g., touch pads or
`
`touch screens). The display is typically configured to present visual information
`
`such as text and graphics, and the input devices are typically configured perform
`
`operations such as issuing commands, making selections or moving a cursor or
`
`selector in
`
`the electronic device.
`
`Each of these well known devices has
`
`considerations such as size and shape limitations, costs, functionality, complexity,
`
`etc.
`
`that must be taken into account when designing the hand-held electronic
`
`device.
`
`In most cases, the user interface is positioned on the front face ( or front
`
`surface) of the hand-held device for easy viewing of the display and easy
`
`manipulation of the input devices.
`[0004]
`
`Figs.
`
`lA-lF are diagrams of various hand-held electronic devices
`
`including for example a telephone l0A (Fig. lA), a PDA 10B (Fig. 1B), a media
`
`player l0C (Fig. lC), a remote control 10D (Fig. 1D), a camera l0E (Fig. lE), and a
`
`GPS module l0F (Fig. lF).
`
`In each of these devices 10, a display 12, which is
`
`secured inside the housing of the device 10 and which can be seen through an
`
`opening in the housing, is typically positioned in a first region of the electronic
`
`device 10. Each of these devices also include one or more input devices 14, which
`
`are typically positioned in a second region of the electronic device 10 next to the
`
`display 12.
`[0005]
`
`To elaborate, the telephone l0A typically includes a display 12 such as
`
`a character or graphical display, and input devices 14 such as a number pad and in
`
`some cases a navigation pad. The PDA 10B typically includes a display 12 such as a
`
`graphical display, and input devices 14 such as a stylus based resistive touch screen
`
`and buttons. The media player l0C typically includes a display 12 such as a
`
`character or graphic display and input devices 14 such as buttons or wheels. The
`
`iPod® media player manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, California
`
`is one example of a media player that includes both a display and input devices
`
`disposed next to the display. The remote control 10D typically includes an input
`
`device 14 such as a keypad and may or may not have a character display 12. The
`
`- 2 -
`
`4
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`camera l0E typically includes a display 12 such as a graphic display and input
`
`devices 14 such as buttons. The GPS module l0F typically includes a display 12
`
`such as graphic display and input devices 14 such as buttons, and in some cases a
`
`joy pad.
`[0006]
`
`Recently, traditionally separate hand-held electronic devices have
`
`begun to be combined in limited ways. For example, the telephone l0A has been
`
`combined with the PDA 108. One problem that has been encountered is in the way
`
`inputs are made into the device. Each of these devices has a particular set of input
`
`mechanisms for providing inputs into the device. Some of these input mechanisms
`
`are generic to all the devices (e.g., power button) while others are not. The ones
`
`that are not generic are typically dedicated to a particular functionality of the device.
`
`By way of example, PDAs typically include four dedicated buttons while cell phones
`
`typically include a numeric keypad and at least two dedicated buttons.
`[0007]
`
`Thus it is a challenge to design a merged device with limited input
`
`devices without adversely affecting the dedicated inputs for each device. As will be
`
`appreciated, it is preferable, not to overload the hand-held devices with a large
`
`number of input mechanisms as this tends to confuse the user and take up valuable
`space, i.e., "real estate." In the case of hand-held devices, space is at a premium
`because of their small size. At some point there is not enough space on the device
`
`to house all the necessary buttons and switches, etc. This is especially true when
`
`considering that all these devices need a display that typically takes up a large
`
`amount of space on its own. To increase the number of input devices beyond some
`
`level, designers would have to decrease the size of the display. However, this will
`
`often leave a negative impression on the user because the user typically desires the
`
`largest display possible.
`
`Alternatively,
`
`to accommodate more input devices
`
`designers may opt to increase the size of the device. This, too, will often leave a
`
`negative impression on a user because it would make one-handed operations
`
`difficult, and at some point, the size of the device becomes so large that it is no
`
`longer considered a hand-held device.
`
`- 3 -
`
`5
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`[0008]
`works for multi-functional hand-held devices.
`
`Therefore what is needed in the art is an improved user interface that
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0009]
`configuring user inputs based on how the device is to be used. Preferable, the
`
`Disclosed herein is a multi-functional hand-held device capable of
`
`multi-functional hand-held device has at most only a few physical buttons, keys, or
`
`switches so that its display size can be substantially increased.
`
`In other words, by
`
`eliminating physical buttons, keys, or switches from a front surface of an electronic
`
`device, additional surface area becomes available for a larger display. Ultimately
`
`this strategy would allow a substantially full screen display. As used herein, a full
`
`screen display is a display that consumes, or at least dominates, a surface ( e.g.,
`
`front surface) of an electronic device.
`[0010]
`discussed below with reference to Figs. 2-28. However, those skilled in the art will
`
`Various embodiments of a multi-functional hand-held device are
`
`appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is
`
`exemplary and not exhaustive and that many variations on these embodiments are
`
`possible.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention may best be understood by reference to the following
`
`[0011]
`description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
`[0012]
`[0013]
`[0014]
`device with a limited number of limited buttons.
`[0015]
`[0016]
`control region.
`
`Figs. lA-lF are diagrams of various electronic devices.
`
`Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of a multi-functional hand-held device.
`
`Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a substantially full screen hand-held
`
`Fig. 4 is a front view of a hand-held device with at least one button.
`
`Fig. 5 is a diagram of .a GUI separated into a standard region and a
`
`- 4 -
`
`6
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`[0017]
`
`Fig. 6 is a diagram of a GUI separated into a standard region and a
`
`control region.
`[0018]
`
`Fig. 7 is a diagram of a GUI separated into a standard region and a
`
`control region.
`[0019]
`
`Fig. 8 is a diagram of a GUI separated into a standard region and a
`
`Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary a GUI for a PDA.
`
`Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a cell phone.
`
`Fig. 11 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a media player.
`
`Fig. 12 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a video player .
`
`. Fig. 13 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a game player.
`
`Fig. 14 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a camera.
`
`Fig. 15 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a GPS.
`
`Fig. 16 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a remote control.
`
`Fig. 17 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a hand top.
`
`control region.
`[0020]
`[0021]
`[0022]
`[0023]
`[0024]
`[0025]
`[0026]
`[0027]
`[0028]
`[0029]
`
`Fig. 18 illustrates an exemplary GUI for a main menu of a multi-
`
`functional hand held device.
`[0030]
`
`Fig. 19 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a hand-held device
`
`incorporating a force sensitive display.
`[0031]
`
`Fig. 20 illustrates an input device that combines touch sensing and
`
`force sensing devices to provide x, y and z components when touched.
`[0032]
`Fig. 21 is a side elevation view of an 1/0 device that combines a
`
`display with touch screen and a force sensing mechanism.
`[0033]
`[0034]
`
`Fig. 22 is a side elevation view of an input device.
`
`Fig. 23 is a side view, in cross section, of a hand-held device that
`
`incorporates a squeeze feature.
`[0035]
`
`Fig. 24 is a side view, in cross section, of a hand-held electronic
`
`device.
`[0036]
`
`Fig. 25 is a block diagram of a touch sensing method.
`
`- 5 -
`
`7
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`Fig. 26 is a block diagram of touch sensing method.
`
`Figs. 27 A-E are tables representing one example of a touch vocabulary
`
`[0037]
`[0038]
`associated with a music player.
`[0039]
`
`Fig. 28 is a block diagram of an exemplary multi-functional hand-held
`
`device.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`I.
`
`MULTI-FUNCTIONALITY
`
`[0040]
`
`Electronic device manufacturers have discovered the advantages of
`
`combining separate hand-held electronic devices to form multi-function devices. By
`
`having a single multi-function device, a user is not burdened with carrying,
`
`purchasing, and maintaining multiple devices. Further, the user is not limited in the
`
`operations that can be performed, i.e., the user can perform different operations
`
`with a single device that would have otherwise required the use of a different
`
`devices.
`[0041]
`that has the capabilities of two or more traditional devices in a single device. The
`
`As used herein, the term "multi-functional" is used to define a device
`
`multi-functional device may, for example, include two or more of the following
`
`device functionalities: PDA, cell phone, music player, video player, game player,
`
`digital camera, handtop, Internet terminal, GPS or remote control. For each new
`
`device functionality that is added to a single device, the complexity and size of the
`
`device tends to increase. Therefore, with hand-held devices, there is typically a
`
`trade-off between beeping the footprint small and complexity low while still
`
`maximizing the functionality of the device.
`[0042]
`
`In some cases, combing devices may result in redundant hardware
`
`components, which allows components to be used for multiple different, device
`
`functionalities.
`
`In other cases, certain hardware components are distinct to each
`
`device and therefore additional space and connectivity must be made available.
`
`Furthermore, each device functionality typically has its own programming or
`- 6 -
`
`8
`
`

`

`DOCKEr NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`application software and, therefore, the multifunction device must be designed with
`
`enough memory to accommodate all the various software components.
`[0043]
`A personal digital assistant (PDA) is a mobile hand-held device that
`
`provides computing and information storage and retrieval capabilities for personal
`
`and/or business use. PDAs are severally capable of tracking names, addresses,
`
`phone numbers and appointments. They are also often capable of taking notes,
`
`performing calculations, paging, data messaging, and electronic mail. PDAs may
`
`also include functionality for playing simple games, music, and other media files.
`
`Examples of PDAs include the Palm Pilot and Blackberry.
`[0044]
`
`Like most hand-held devices, PDAs typically include a display and
`
`various input devices. The input devices may include a stylus and touch screen that
`
`work in combination with a handwriting recognition program, keypads, mini(cid:173)
`
`keyboards, navigation pads, and/or soft or fixed function buttons.
`[0045]
`
`Cell phones are mobile telephones that allow a user to connect to
`
`other telephones using a cellular network. Cell phones typically include a
`
`transceiver for transmitting and receiving telephone calls, controls such as a
`
`navigation pad for traversing through a display, a keypad for making numeric entries
`
`(and in some cases alphabetic entries), and soft or fixed function buttons. For
`
`example, in many cell phones one fixed function button is used for starting a call
`
`and another fixed function button is used for ending a call.
`[0046]
`
`Media players come in a variety of forms. Music players are generally
`
`configured to store, process and output music. Music players can be based on the
`
`MP3 or AAC format, which is a compression system for music. Music Players
`
`typically include a microprocessor, memory, display, audio jack, data port and
`
`playback controls. The playback controls typically include features such as menu,
`
`play/pause, next, previous, volume up, and volume down. Video players are similar
`
`to music players in most respects.
`
`In some cases, they may include a data storage
`
`device for receiving a removable storage medium such as a DVD. The iPod® media
`
`- 7 -
`
`9
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`player manufactured by Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, california is one
`
`example of a media player.
`[0047]
`
`Handtops are general purpose computers similar to laptops, but in a
`
`smaller form factor. Handtops typically include a display and a full keyboard.
`[0048]
`
`Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram of a multi-functional hand-held device
`
`100. The multi-functional hand-held device 100 integrates at least two devices 102
`
`into a single device. Each device 102 includes both hardware and software
`
`components 104 and 106, which are integrated into multi-functional hand-held
`
`device 100. It should be pointed out that the multi-functional hand-held device 100
`
`is not limited to only two devices, and may in fact integrate any number of devices.
`[0049]
`
`Multi-functional device 100 also includes switch 110, which that allows
`
`multi-functional device 100 to be switched from one device operating mode to
`
`another device operating mode. For example, switch 110 may allow a user to cycle
`
`through cell phone, media player, and PDA modes of operation. Once a particular
`
`operating mode is selected, the multi-functional device 100 operates as the selected
`
`device. For example, the programming related. to the selected device is activated
`
`for use by the multi-functional hand-held device. The programming may include
`
`reconfiguring the UI based on the selected device so that the inputs made by the
`
`user correlate to the device in use. For example, the functions of any physical
`
`buttons, switches or dials as well as soft buttons, switches or dials can be
`
`reconfigured to correspond to the selected device.
`[0050]
`
`However, the operating modes of multi-functional hand-held device
`
`100 need not completely independent.
`
`In many cases, it will be desirable to allow
`
`the multiple functionalities to interact with each other. For Example, a user may
`
`look up a telephone number of a contact in the PDA and pass this number to the
`
`phone to be dialed.
`
`- 8 -
`
`10
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`II.
`
`FORM FACTOR
`
`[0051]
`
`The form factor of a hand-held device is generally a device that can
`
`easily be held in one hand. A typical hand-held device includes a small display in an
`
`upper portion of the front surface of the device and input controls in a lower portion
`
`of the front surface of the device. The device may additionally include controls and
`
`ports on the top, bottom, and side surfaces. Prior art hand-held devices have
`
`typically had small displays which causes some dissatisfaction for users of these
`
`devices. It is generally preferred to have larger displays so that more information
`
`can be displayed or the information being displayed can be more easily viewable
`( e.g., larger text).
`larger displays are much preferred over smaller ones.
`[0052]
`
`However, the use of large displays has been limited in the past
`
`In the case of video players and game players in particular,
`
`because the required input controls often take up substantial portions of the
`
`available space. Furthermore, as device functionality converges, the number of
`
`controls on the device typically increases as each device includes its own dedicated
`
`controls. Therefore devices must be made larger or the displays must be smaller to
`
`accommodate all the new controls. Both of these outcomes are unsatisfactory.
`
`Larger devices are bulky and hard to use, and smaller screens are difficult to utilize
`
`for both relaying information and reading information from the screen.
`
`A.
`
`ONE-HANDED VS. TWO-HANDED OPERATION
`
`[0053]
`
`A hand-held electronic device may be directed at one-handed
`
`operation or two-handed operation. In one-handed operation, a single hand is used
`
`to both support the device as well as to perform operations with the user interface
`
`during use. Cellular phones and media players are examples of hand-held devices
`
`are generally intended to can be operated solely with one hand.
`
`In the case of a
`
`cell phone, for example, a user may grasp the phone in one hand between the
`
`fingers and the palm and use the thumb to make entries using keys, buttons or a #
`
`joy pad.
`
`- 9 -
`
`11
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`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`[0054]
`
`In two-handed operation, one hand is used to support the device while
`
`the other hand performs operations with a user
`
`interface during use or,
`
`alternatively, both hands support the device as well as perform operations during
`
`use. PDA's and game players are examples of hand-held device that are typically
`
`operated with two hands.
`
`In the case of a PDA, for example, the user may grasp
`
`the device with one hand and make entries using the other hand, for example, using
`
`a stylus. In the case of a game player, the user typically grasps the device in both
`
`hands and make entries using either or both hands while holding the device.
`
`B.
`
`FOOTPRINT /SIZE
`
`[0055]
`
`Hand-held devices may have a variety different footprints or sizes.
`
`The footprint is typically associated with how the device is going to be used.
`
`Devices such as PDAs are typically used with both hands and thus they tend to be
`
`larger. Alternatively, cell phone handsets are typically used with only one hand, and
`
`thus they tend to be smaller. When integrating multiple devices, it is important t~sk
`
`to determine the appropriate footprint of the device. For example, some believe
`
`that PDAs are too large for phone use while cell phones are too small for PDA use.
`
`Designers generally must consider the primary use of the device and gear the
`
`footprint towards that use. Although there are different footprints, there are
`If the footprint is too large or too
`
`typically minimum and maximum footprints.
`
`small, the device may be difficult to use.
`[0056]
`
`Because of their size, the smaller devices are typically placed in a
`
`pocket while the larger devices are not. A media player is one example of a hand(cid:173)
`
`held device that is sized for placement into a pocket of the user. By being pocket(cid:173)
`
`sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device
`can be taken almost anywhere the user travels ( e.g., the user is not limited by
`carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a laptop or notebook
`
`computer).
`
`- 10 -
`
`12
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`[0057]
`
`Generally it is preferred, although not necessary, that hand-held
`
`devices of the type disclosed herein have dimensions of about 5 in x 3 in x 1 in and
`
`perhaps about 4.1 in x 2.4 in x 0.75 in.
`
`C.
`
`FULL SCREEN DISPLAY
`
`[0058]
`substantially fixed by the intended primary use of the device, it becomes important
`
`Because
`
`the
`
`footprint of a multifunctional hand-held device
`
`is
`
`for designers to determine an appropriate layout for the UI. For example, some
`
`devices may work better with a limited number of buttons and a large display while
`
`others may work better with a large number of buttons or a complete keyboard and
`
`a small display.
`[0059]
`A preferred multi-functional hand-held device may be configured with
`
`a full screen display or a near full screen display. A full screen display consumes
`
`substantially the entire front surface of the device. The display may extend edge to
`
`edge or may fit within a small bezel of the housing at the edge of the device. The
`
`full screen display may consumes 90% or more of a front surface of a housing for a
`
`hand-held electronic device.
`[0060]
`
`The full screen display may have a variety of different configurations
`
`depending on the overall footprint of the device.
`
`If the device is wide, the full
`
`screen display may have a traditional aspect ratio of about 4:3.
`
`If the device is
`
`elongated, the full screen display may have an aspect ratio that is more panoramic
`
`such as 16:9.
`
`D.
`
`LIMITED NUMBER OF MECHANICAL ACTUATORS
`
`[0061]
`device is preferably configured with a limited number of physical buttons. Because
`
`To accommodate a full screen display, the multi-functional hand-held
`
`a limited number of physical buttons are provided, the hand-held device preferably
`
`uses a touch screen as the primary input device. Touch screens are transparent
`
`touch sensing devices that are positioned over displays. They typically work in
`
`conjunction with a GUI presented on the display. For example, the GUI may present
`
`- 11 -
`
`13
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`an on-screen button, and the touch screen may detect when a user presses the on(cid:173)
`
`screen button (e.g., places their finger or stylus over the on-screen button). Touch
`
`screens and GUI's are described in greater detail below.
`[0062]
`The hand-held device may be constructed with only cross-functional
`physical buttons, i.e., there are no buttons dedicated to individual devices. These
`In another
`type of buttons may include power buttons and hold switches.
`
`embodiment, the hand-held device may not include any physical buttons at all.
`
`In
`
`some embodiments, the physical buttons are limited to only the sides and back
`
`surface of the hand-held device. In other embodiments, the physical buttons of the
`
`hand-held device are limited to the upper and lower portion of the sides so that
`
`there are no buttons in the regions of the sides where a user would physically
`
`support the device (i.e., holding region).
`
`In still other embodiments, the physical
`
`buttons may be
`
`located on the front surface, but only in the bezel region
`
`surrounding the display. In some embodiments, the buttons may be located on only
`
`Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a substantially full screen multi(cid:173)
`
`the top and bottom surfaces of the device.
`[0063]
`functional hand-held device 120 with a limited number of buttons. There are no
`physical buttons on the front and side surfaces 124 and 126. The front surface is
`used entirely for the display 122. Further, because the sides 126 are used for
`grasping the device 120 it may be preferred to leave the sides free from buttons to
`
`prevent accidental actions in the event a user inadvertently presses a button while
`
`supporting the device. Although the top surface 128 and bottom surface 13 O
`
`would not typically be used to hold the device, these surfaces are not ideal locations
`
`for buttons that are often actuated because it would be awkward to reach these
`
`buttons when operating the device with one hand.
`[0064]
`
`The top surface 128 may be reserved for buttons that have limited
`
`action and generic functions that are cross-functional, for example, power and hold
`
`switches. The top and bottom surfaces 128 and 130 are also well suited for
`placement of 1/0 and communication ports. The top surface 128 may, for example,
`
`- 12 -
`
`14
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`include a headset/microphone jack and an antenna, and the bottom surface 130
`
`may include power and data ports.
`[0065]
`lower regions of the side surfaces 126 out of the way of the grasping hand. This
`
`In some cases, it may be desirable to place buttons in the upper or
`
`may be particularly well suited for elongated devices that are larger than the width
`
`of the grasping hand. As shown in Fig. 4, the hand-held device 120 includes a
`
`button 140 in the upper region on the side surface 126 of the hand-held device 120.
`
`Because the button 140 is in the upper region, it tends to be out of the way of the
`
`grasping hand and therefore accidental activation is substantially eliminated. The
`
`upper button may be configured to switch the functionality of the multi-functional
`device i.e., button 140 may be switch 110 of Fig.2. For example, by pressing the
`button 140, a new device functionality is activated, and the current device
`
`functionality is deactivated. Although the term button is used, it should be
`
`appreciated that the button 140 may correspond to a dial, wheel, switch and/or the
`
`like.
`[0066]
`number of physical buttons to eight or fewer, and perhaps five or fewer.
`
`Generally it would be preferred, although not required, to limit the
`
`III.
`
`ADAPTABLITY
`
`[0067]
`
`To limit the number of physical controls on the device (thereby
`
`maximizing the display area), the multi-functional hand-held device is preferable
`adaptable, i.e., the device is capable of changing its UI based on how the device is
`to be used. For example, if a cell phone functionality of the multi-functional device
`
`is to be used, the UI changes to accommodate the cell phone. Alternatively, if the
`
`PDA aspect of the multi-functional device is to be used, the UI changes to
`
`accommodate the PDA, etc.
`
`In essence, the multi-functional device is capable of
`
`reconfiguring its user interface based on the state or mode of the device.
`[0068]
`
`Adaptability may be accomplished by reassigning the functions of the
`
`limited number of physical buttons for each device functionality. For example, a
`
`button may perform one function when a first device is activated and another when
`- 13 -
`
`15
`
`

`

`DOCKET NO: P3685US1
`(119-0095US)
`
`another device is activated. While this may work, it suffers from physical limitations
`
`(i.e., the number of buttons) and can be confusing to the user (who must keep track
`
`of different button meanings).
`[0069]
`
`Alternatively adap