Abstract: Method and system for activating at least one of a display screen and a touch screen, and/or for deactivating a power conservation system for a hand held computing device (PDA, radiotelephone, etc.), when a stylus used for the touch screen is absent from a receptacle that receives the stylus on the device. When the stylus is present in the receptacle, the display screen and/or touch screen are deactivated and/or the power conservation system is activated. When the stylus is absent from the receptacle, but an accumulated time for such absence is greater than a selected time-out value, the system reacts as if the stylus is present in the receptacle. Examples of methods of sensing presence or absence of a stylus in a stylus receptacle are presented.

Abstract: System and method for display of ink representing a sequence of one or more handwirtten and hand printed (“hand entered”) alphanumeric characters on a portion of a touch screen that receives and displays hand entered characters. When a character (or word) is hand entered using a stylus with a single stroke, ink for the corresponding character is optionally displayed for a first time interval before conversion and re-display of the character as standard text. When a multi-stroke character (or word), such as “t” or “x” or “4”, is hand entered, a time interval for display of the hand entered version is extended so that the user can supply the additional strokes needed to complete the character, before the character is converted and re-displayed as standard text. Hand printed characters and cursive characters are processed in a similar manner. Overwriting an earlier-entered character with a later (unrelated) character causes the earlier-entered character to be promptly removed from the screen.

Abstract: Method and system for providing a notification of an incoming call on a radiotelephone. When a signal indicating receipt of an incoming call is sensed, the radiotelephone provides a voice-based incoming call notification signal, using words spoken by a selected user or synthesized by a voice synthesizer to provide and alert (DA) signal that distinguishable from most or all other incoming call notification signals provided by other radiotelephones that may be nearby. The sound intensity level for the notification signal can be varied according to (i) background sound level present, (ii) estimated distance from the radiotelephone to a user and/or (iii) time delay by the user in responding to the incoming call. The notification signal can be personalized by reference to a source of the incoming call, using an on-board database.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling operation of radiotelephone speaker volume and/or microphone gain. Using signals from one or more proximity sensors associated with the radiotelephone device, the device determines if a radiotelephone user is within a selected proximity zone for the device. If the user is within the proximity zone, the system adjusts the speaker volume control and/or the microphone gain control according to an estimated user-device distance. If the user is beyond the proximity zone, the system may adjust the speaker volume and/or microphone gain to its maximum value, may provide a notification that the user not within the proximity zone, or may disable the speaker and/or microphone. Several varieties of proximity sensors are used, individually and in combination.

Abstract: A method for displaying information, expressed as a sequence of alphanumeric characters, on a screen having a sequence of entry lines. Where a designated entry includes more than one line of characters: (1) one or more additional lines, associated with that entry, is added to receive the additional characters and/or (2) a font characteristic (font type, font size, etc.) or other display characteristic is changed to provide display of a larger number of characters on that entry line. A non-designated entry is allocated at most one line on a display. A non-designated entry that includes more than one line of characters has a distinguishable symbol appended.

Abstract: Method and system for conserving power used by a radiotelephone backlight. When at least one of a selected group of radiotelephone functions is presently in use and the ambient light intensity ALI at the radiotelephone is less than a reference value ALI(ref), the backlight is powered to a selected power level for a selected timeout interval. Where the ALI value is at least equal to the ALI(ref) value, or where none of the selected functions is presently in use, at the end of the timeout interval, power for the backlight is withdrawn. The ALI(ref) value and/or the selected backlight power level are optionally adjustable according to at least one of a difference, ALI(ref)−ALI, and a ratio ALI/ALI(ref). The ALI(ref) value and/or selected backlight power level are optionally adjustable for an individual user's requirements.

Abstract: Method and system for simultaneous display of standard text characters and hand entered characters in a designated soft write pad portion of a hand held device display screen. When a hand entered character is entered on the soft write pad, standard text on the soft write pad is displayed in a display pattern (color and/or shading and/or thickness and/or font) that is visually distinguishable from a display pattern used for (temporary) display of the hand entered character. The hand entered character is analyzed and, if recognized, is converted to a standard text character and displayed at a location indicated by a cursor. The display pattern of standard text character and/or hand entered characters can be changed by the user. Display of a hand entered character on the soft write pad terminates after a designated time interval.

Abstract: A radiotelephone and associated housing that is configured for more convenient use by providing a larger display screen (e.g., an LCD) for the radiotelephone user. A keypad and a display screen are placed on a first housing surface. A microphone and a speaker are spaced apart on a second housing surface. A touch sensitive pad is optionally provided on the first surface, for supplemental entry of data, commands and/or graphics. A battery or battery pack, optionally detachable from the housing, is provided adjacent to the microphone or adjacent to the speaker.

Abstract: Method and system for determining (x,y) location coordinates for a contact point on a touch sensitive panel or input screen. Selected, substantially constant voltages are provided for two electrodes that are part of the input screen, from one voltage source. A current value is measured for one resistive line segment that extends from the contact point to one of the electrodes, and the voltage at the contact point is measured. Resistance values for at least two of the four resistive lines that extend from the contact point to the electrodes are calculated or estimated, and (x,y) location coordinates are estimated for the contact point from these resistance values. The invention uses two measurements and two non-switched voltage sources to provide the (x,y) coordinates.

Abstract: Integrated holster and audio appliance for a radiotelephone. The audio appliance includes a speaker and a microphone, spaced apart and connected by an extension that can be extended to position the speaker and the microphone near a user's ear and mouth and that can be folded or collapsed to fit into the holster with the radiotelephone. The radiotelephone need not be removed from the holster to receive and respond to calls. When the radiotelephone is positioned in the holster, electrical power for one or more selected radiotelephone components (display screen, touch sensitive screen, keypad, etc.) is optionally reduced or withdrawn to conserve battery charge, and a built-in speaker and a built-in microphone for the radiotelephone are optionally disabled. The system includes an optional retraction mechanism to retract an electrical cable associated with use of the audio appliance into the holster when the audio appliance is not in use.

Abstract: An integrated system including radiotelephone and a touch sensitive display, electronically communicating with the radiotelephone, that can be stored within a slot provided in radiotelephone housing. The display is removed from the slot for use and communicates with the radiotelephone through a cable or through a wireless connection. The display may be arranged with a selected orientation relative to the radiotelephone so that the display and the radiotelephone are supported in the same plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for a touch sensitive panel or input screen for a hand held computing device that provides increased active or key area for the input screen. Four wires, each connected to one of the electrodes, are divided into smaller two-wire and one-wire units, with two of the four wires being connected to a signal processor from opposed locations on a boundary of the input screen. Replacing a conventional four-wire unit with this arrangement, the active or key area on the input screen can be increased by as much as 10-14 percent on a typical hand held device, or one or more dimensions of the device housing can be reduced. The four wire connection may be replaced by a three wire connection.

Abstract: A system including a hand held electronic device (radiotelephone, etc), hand held device housing and a battery or other power source for the hand held device. The hand held device includes one or more circuit boards within the device housing, and at least one circuit board has an aperture therein into which a PIN connection device is fitted to connect the battery to one or more circuit boards. The battery may be located outside or inside the hand held device housing. The overall thickness of the hand held device plus battery is reduced by and estimated 2-8 mm.

Abstract: Method and system for activating at least one of a display screen and a touch screen, and/or for deactivating a power conservation system for a hand held computing device (PDA, radiotelephone, etc.), when a stylus used for the touch screen is absent from a receptacle, that receives the stylus on the device. When the stylus is present in the receptacle, the display screen and/or touch screen are deactivated and/or the power conservation system is activated. When the stylus is absent from the receptacle, but an accumulated time for such absence is greater than a selected time-out value, the system reacts as if the stylus is present in the receptacle. Examples of methods of sensing presence or absence of a stylus in a stylus receptacle are presented.

Abstract: Method and system for determining (x,y) location coordinates for a contact point on a touch sensitive panel or input screen. Selected, substantially constant voltages are provided for two electrodes that are part of the input screen, from one voltage source. A current value is measured for one resistive line segment that extends from the contact point to one of the electrodes, and the voltage at the contact point is measured. Resistance values for at least two of the four resistive lines that extend from the contact point to the electrodes are calculated or estimated, and (x,y) location coordinates are estimated for the contact point from these resistance values. The invention uses two measurements and two non-switched voltage sources to provide the (x,y) coordinates.

Abstract: Apparatus for a touch sensitive panel or input screen for a hand held computing device that provides increased active or key area for the input screen. Four wires, each connected to one of the electrodes, are divided into smaller two-wire and one-wire units, with two of the four wires being connected to a signal processor from opposed locations on a boundary of the input screen. Replacing a conventional four-wire unit with this arrangement, the active or key area on the input screen can be increased by as much as 10-14 percent on a typical hand held device, or one or more dimensions of the device housing can be reduced. The four wire connection may be replaced by a three wire connection.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling operation of radiotelephone speaker volume and/or microphone gain. Using signals from one or more proximity sensors associated with the radiotelephone device, the device determines if a radiotelephone user is within a selected proximity zone for the device. If the user is within the proximity zone, the system adjusts the speaker volume control and/or the microphone gain control according to an estimated user-device distance. If the user is beyond the proximity zone, the system may adjust the speaker volume and/or microphone gain to its maximum value, may provide a notification that the user not within the proximity zone, or may disable the speaker and/or microphone. Several varieties of proximity sensors are used, individually and in combination.