MXPA05005668A - User interface methods and apparatus for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station - Google Patents

Abstract

In one illustrative example, a mobile station includes one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to the one or more processors, and a user interface which includes a visual display and a plurality of keys. The wireless transceiver is operative to receive a message which includes a telephone number string. When the message is visually displayed in the visual display, a hypcrlink for the telephone number string in the message is created. The hyperlink for the telephone number string is highlighted when selected by an end user during the visual displaying of the message. In response to a single depression of a SEND key while the hyperlink is selected, a telephone call to the telephone number string is initiated through the wireless communication network. Detection of the key is made immediately following the selection of the hyperlink without any intervening key depressions. Additional call initiation techniques are provided in combination with this technique to provide an even more flexible and easy-to-use interface.

Description

METHODS AND USER INTERFACE APPLIANCES FOR STARTING TELEPHONE CALLS FROM A MOBILE STATION BACKGROUND Field of Technology The present invention relates generally to mobile stations operating in wireless communication networks, and more particularly to user interface methods and apparatus for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station. Description of the Related Art Mobile communication devices, such as cell phones or mobile electronic mail devices, are found in more and more places. Many of today's mobile devices provide easy-to-use user interfaces for the input and output of user information. For example, a mobile device can provide an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) for several primary applications of the Mobile device (e.g., e-mail or Internet browsing applications). Conventionally, however, the user interface can not provide a suitable interface for voice telephony applications and. of data / texts. To minimize operational confusion, there has frequently been a need to provide consistency in the user interface for both voice and data / text applications. Data / text applications, however, are typically more complex than voice applications. Thus, it would be advantageous to simplify the user interface of the mobile device to initiate telephone calls for convenience and ease of use and to overcome deficiencies in the prior art. The following references, alone or in combination, do not teach or suggest the initiation of a telephone call in response to a single push of the SEND key after the hyperlink of a telephone number has been selected using a viewing / selection mechanism. as described in the present application. The European patent application no. EP1193621A shows the identification of a telephone number in electronic text for the purposes of for example creating a hyperlink for the telephone number. However, this reference is silent as to which specific user interface technique should be used for the immediate start of the telephone call using a hyperlink. The international publication no. WO01 / 22680A2 shows the coupling of a received SMS text message that can be highlighted and selected to dial the telephone number. When a phone number is selected the reference shows that an application can be displayed to dial the indicated phone number. However again, the reference is silent with respect to how the telephone number is selected and which specific user interface technique should be used for the immediate initiation of the telephone call. In the North American patent application no. US2002 / 0197981A1, a telephone number can be extracted from HTML data where it can be called or stored. There are no techniques for immediate initiation of telephone calls that use telephone hyperlinks. In the international publication no. W098 / 35481, 'telephone numbers are retrieved from a distributed telephone directory for dial-up purposes. The international publication no. WO02 / 35808A1 shows that a telephone number can be received in a website, an email or an SMS, and can be highlighted and used to make a call or it can be stored. This reference does not focus on the use of a traditional cellular telephone interface. The North American patent no. 6,192,251 Bl only shows the use of a mobile communication device having a rotary pulse switch. S? MARIQ An illustrative example of the present invention includes a mobile station that includes one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to one or more processors, and a user interface that includes a visual screen and a plurality of keys. The wireless transceiver serves to receive a message such as an email message, which includes a telephone number chain. When the message is visually displayed on the visual screen, a hyperlink to the telephone number chain is highlighted by being selected by an end user during the visual presentation of the message. In response to a single key operation of the user interface while the hyperlink is selected, a telephone call to the telephone number chain is initiated through the wireless communication network. The only depression of the key can be carried out immediately after the selection of the hyperlink without the intervention of the keys. Additional call initiation techniques are provided in combination with this technique to provide an even more flexible and user-friendly interface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Modes of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the appended figures, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating the relevant components of a mobile station and a wireless communication network; Figure -.2 is a more detailed diagram of a preferred mobile station of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an illustration of a front view • of a station showing a user interface including a visual screen and a plurality of keys; Fig. 4 is a flow chart describing a user interface method for initiating telephone calls from the mobile station of Figs. 1 to 3; Figure 5 is an illustration of the mobile station of Figure 3, except that a message having a hyperlink to a string of a telephone number is being displayed on the visual screen; Figure 6 is an illustration of the mobile station of Figure 5, except that the hyperlink of a telephone number chain is selected by an end user with the use of a rotary selector and highlighted on the visual screen; Figure 7 is an illustration of the mobile station of Figure 6 except that the rotary selector has been depressed during selection - of the hyperlink to provide a list of functions for the telephone number chain; Figure 8 is an illustration of the mobile station of Figure 6, except that the SE D key has to be depressed during the selection of the hyperlink to initiate a telephone call with the telephone number chain; Figure 9 is a plan view of a rotary selector that can be used in the mobile station; and Figure 10 is a side view of the rotating wheel of the mobile station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES An illustrative example of the present technique includes a mobile station that includes one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to one or more processors and a user interface that includes a visual screen and a plurality of keys. . The wireless transceiver serves to receive a message, such as an email message, which includes a telephone number chain. When the message is visually displayed on the visual screen, a hyperlink is created for the telephone number string in the message. The hyperlink for the telephone number chain is highlighted when it is selected by an end user during the presentation of the message. In response to a simple oppression of the user interface key while the hyperlink is selected, a telephone call to the telephone number chain is initiated through the wireless communication network. The single depression of the key can be carried out immediately after the selection of the hyperlink without the oppression of the keys. Additional call initiation techniques are provided in combination with this technique to provide a flexible and user-friendly interface. Figure 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 100 that includes a mobile station 102 that communicates through a wireless communication network 104. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the wireless network 104 is configured in accordance with the technologies of General Service of Radio in Packages (GPRS) and the Global Mobile System (GSM); however, any type of '' suitable network communication protocol can be used. For example the network can be based on multiple code division access (CDMA or any other suitable technologies.) Another example is that the network can be based on the Enhanced Integrated Sending Network (iDEN) which is a high-quality digital trunked radio system. capacity that provides integrated voice and data services The mobile station 102, which is a type of mobile communication device, preferably includes a visual screen 112, a keyboard and perhaps one or more auxiliary user interfaces (UI) 116, each one of which is coupled to a controller 106. The controller 106 is also coupled to a radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuit 108 and an antenna 110. Typically, the controller 106 is constructed as a central processing unit (CPU) that runs software of an operating system in a memory component (not shown).

The controller 106 will normally control the overall operation of the mobile station 102, while the. Signal processing operations associated with the communication functions are typically performed in the RF transceiver circuit 108. The controller 106 interfaces with the screen of the device 112 to display the received information, the stored information, the user inputs and the like. The keyboard 114, which may be a telephone-type keyboard or a full alphanumeric keyboard, is normally provided for entering data for storage in the mobile station 102, information for transmission to the network 104, a telephone number for making a call telephone, commands to be executed on mobile station 102, and possibly other different user inputs. The mobile station 102 sends signal communication signals to and receives communication signals from the network 104 through an antenna via a wireless link 110. The RF transceiver circuit 108 performs similar functions to that station 118 and the controller of the base station 120, including for example modulation / demodulation and possibly encoding / decoding and encryption / decryption. It is also contemplated that the RF transceiver circuits. 108 may perform certain functions in addition to those performed by the control of the base station 120. For those skilled in the art, the RF transceiver circuits 108 will be adapted to a particular wireless network or networks in which the mobile station is intended to operate. 102. The mobile station 102 includes a battery interface 134 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 132. The battery 132 provides electrical power to the electrical circuits in the mobile station 102, and a battery interface 132 provides a mechanical and electrical connection for the battery 132. The battery interface 132 is coupled to a regulator 136 which regulates the power to the device. When the mobile station 102 is fully operational, an RF transmitter of the RF transceiver circuit 109 typically only activates when it is sending to the network, and is otherwise switched off to conserve its resources. Similarly, an RF receiver of the RF transceiver circuit 108 is typically shut off periodically to maintain power until it is needed to receive the signals or information (if any) during the designated periods of time. The mobile station 102 operates using a subscriber identity module (SIM) 140 which is connected to or inserted into the mobile station 102 on a SIM 142 interface. SIM 140 is a conventional "smart card" type used to identify an end user (or subscriber) of the mobile station 102 and to customize the device, among other things. Without SIM 140, the terminal of the mobile station does not operate completely for communication through the wireless network 104. By inserting the SIM 140 in the mobile station 102, an end user can have access to any and all subscribed services. The SIM 150 generally includes a processor and memory for storing information. Since the SIM-140 is coupled to the SIM interface 142, it is coupled to a controller 106 via communication lines 144. In order to identify the subscriber, the SIM 140 contains some user parameters such as a Mobile Subscriber Identity. International (IMSI). An advantage of using SIM 140- is that the end users are not necessarily associated with a single physical mobile station. The SIM 140 may store additional user information for the mobile station as well, including calendar (or calendar) information and recent call information. The mobile station 102 may consist of a single unit, such as a data communication device, a cellular telephone, a multifunctional communication device with data and voice communication capability, a personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled by wireless communication, or a computer that incorporates an internal modem. Alternatively, a mobile station 102 may be a multi-module unit comprising a plurality of separate components, including but not limited to a computer or other device connected to a wireless modem. In particular, for example, in the block diagram of the mobile station of FIG. 1, the RF transceiver circuit 108 and antenna 110 can be implemented as a radio modem unit, which can be inserted into a port on a laptop . In this case the portable computer will include a screen 112, a keyboard 114, one or more auxiliary Uls 116, and the controller 106 constructed in the form of the computer's CPU. It is also contemplated that a computer or other equipment that is not normally capable of wireless communication can be adapted to effectively connect and assume control of the RF transceiver circuit 108 and an antenna 110 of a single unit device such as the described before. Such mobile station 102 may have a more particular implementation as described below in relation to mobile station 202 of Figure 2. Mobile station 102 communicates in and through a wireless communication network 104. In the embodiment of the figure 1, the wireless network 104 is configured in accordance with the technologies General Radio Service in Packet (GPRS) and the Global Mobile System (GSM). The wireless network 104 includes a base station control (BSC) 120 with an associated tower station 118, a mobile switching center (MSC) 122, a base location register (HLR) 132, a support-node (SGSN) 126 of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and one GPRS path support node (GGSN) 128. MSC 122 is coupled to BSC 120 and to a landline network, such as a public switched telephone network ( PST?) 124. SGS? 126 is coupled to BSC 120 and GGSN 128, which in turn is coupled to a public or private data network 130 (such as the internet). HLR 132 is coupled to MSC 122, SGSN 126 and GGS? 128. Station 118 is a transceiver station and station 118 and SC SC 120 together are referred to herein as the transceiver equipment. This fixed transceiver equipment provides a wireless network coverage for a particular coverage area commonly referred to as a "cell." The transceiver equipment transmits the communication signals to and receives the communication signals from the mobile stations within its cell by means of the station 118. The transceiver equipment normally performs functions such as modulation and possibly coding and / or encryption of the signals to be transmitted to the mobile station in accordance with particular communication protocols and parameters, usually predetermined, under the control of this The transceiver device similarly demodulates and possibly decodes and deciphers, if necessary, any communication signal received from the mobile station 102 within its cell.The communication protocols and parameters may vary between different networks.For example a network may employ a different modulation scheme operates and operates at different frequencies than the other networks. The wireless link shown in the communication system 100 of Figure 1 represents one or more different channels, typically different radio frequency channels (RF), and associated protocols used between the wireless network 104 and the mobile station 102. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a wireless network in current practice can include hundreds of cells, each served by a station 118 (or station sector), depending on the overall expansion of the coverage of network. All the components can be connected by means of multiple switches and routers (not shown), controlled by the multiple network controllers. For all mobile stations 102 registered with a network operator, the permanent data (such as the user profile of the mobile station 102) as well as the temporary data (such as the current location of the mobile station 102) are stored. in HLR 132. In the case of a voice call to the mobile station 102 HLR 132 is placed in the row to determine the current location of the mobile station 102. A visitor location register (VLR) of MSC 122 is responsible for a group of location areas and stores the data of those mobile stations that are currently in their area of responsibility. This includes portions of the permanent mobile station data that has been transmitted by HLR 132 to the VLR for the fastest access. However, MSC 122 VLR can also allocate and store local data, such as temporary IDs. Optionally the MSC 122 VLR can be improved for more efficient coordination of GPRS and non-GPRS services and functionality (eg look for switched calls to the circuit that can be performed more efficiently by means of SGSN 126, and GPRS and non-GPRS location updates) combined). The support node GPRS (SGSN) 126 in service 126 is at the same hierarchical level as the MSC 122 and tracks the individual locations of the mobile stations. The SGSN 126 also performs security functions and access control. The GPRS support node (GGS?) 128 provides collaboration with the external networks switched in packets and is connected with SGS? (such as SGS? 126) by means of a GPRS backup network based on IP. The SGS? 126 performs the authentication and determination of figures based on the same algorithms, keys and criteria as in the existing GSM. During conventional operation, the cell selection can be performed autonomously by means of the mobile station 102 or by the fixed transceiver equipment which instructs the mobile station 102 to select a particular cell. The mobile station 102 informs the wireless network 104 when it re-selects another cell or group of cells, known as the routed area. In order to access the GPRS services, the mobile station 102 first makes its presence known to the wireless network 104 by performing what is called as a "GPRS junction". This operation establishes a logical link between the mobile station 102 and SGSN 126 and make the mobile station 102 available for receiving, for example, messages via SGSN, incoming data notifications or SMS messages through GPRS. In order to send and receive GPRS data, the mobile station 102 assists in the activation of the data address of the packet it wants to use. This operation makes the mobile station 102 known to GGSN 128; Collaboration with external data networks can start after this. The user data can be transferred transparently between the mobile station 102 and the external data network using for example encapsulation and tunneling. The data packets are equipped with protocol information specific to GPRS and is transferred between the mobile station 102 and GGSN 128. Figure 2 is a detailed block diagram of a preferred mobile station 202. The mobile station 202 is preferably a mobile device. Two-way communication that has at least communication capabilities by voice and advanced data, including the ability to communicate with other computer systems. Depending on the functionality provided by the mobile station 202, a data message device, a two-way pager can be referred to as a cellular telephone with data message capability, a wireless internet device or a data communication device (with or without telephone capabilities). The mobile station 202 can communicate with any of a plurality of fixed transceiver stations 200 within its geographic coverage area. The mobile station 202 will normally incorporate a communication subsystem 211, which includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 214, and associated components, such as one or more antenna elements 216 and 218 (preferably included or internal), local oscillators (LO) 213 , and a processing module such as a digital signal processor (DSP) 220. The communication subsystem 211 is analogous to a transceiver circuit. RF 108 and an antenna 110 shown in Figure 1. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art of communications, the particular design of the communications subsystem 211 depends on the communication network in which the mobile station is intended to operate. 202. The mobile station 202 can send and receive communication signals through a network after the required network registration or activation processes have been performed. The signals required by the antenna 216 through the network are input to the receiver 212, which can perform common receiver functions such as signal amplification, frequency downconversion, filtering, channel selection and the like, and in the example shown in figure 2, analog to digital (A / D) conversion. The A / D conversion of a received signal allows more complex communication functions such as demodulation and decoding that are to be performed in DSP 220. In a similar manner the signals that are to be transmitted are processed, including modulation and coding, for example by DSP 220. Those DSP processed signals are input to transmitter 214 for digital-to-analog (D / A) conversion, up-conversion of frequency, filtering, amplification and transmission through the communication network via the antenna 218 DSP 220 not only processes communication signals, but also provides receiver and transmitter control, for example, if applied to the communication signals on the receiver 212 and on the transmitter 214. can be controlled in an adaptive manner by means of an automatic gain control algorithm implemented in DSP 220. Access to the network is associated with a subscriber or user of a network. mobile station 202, and therefore mobile station 202 requires a subscriber identity module or MSIM card "262 to be inserted into a SIM interface 264 for the purpose of operating in the network SIM 262 includes those features described in Referring to Figure 1. Mobile station 202 is a battery powered device in such a way that it includes a battery interface 254 for receiving one or more rechargeable batteries 256. That battery 256 provides electrical power to most if not all electrical circuits in the mobile station 202, and the battery interface 254 provides a mechanical and electrical connection.The interface of the battery 254 is coupled to the n regulator (not shown) that provides a V + power to the entire circuit. The mobile station 202 includes a microprocessor 238 (which is an implementation of the controller 106 of FIG. 1) that controls the overall operation of the mobile station 202. The communication functions, including when least data and voice communications, are performed through the communication subsystem 211. The microprocessor 238 also interacts with additional device subsystems such as a screen 222, a flash memory 224, a random access memory (RAM) 226, auxiliary input / output subsystems (1/0) 228, a serial port 230, a keyboard 232, a speaker 234, a microphone 236, a short-range communications subsystem 240, and any other device subsystems generally designated 242. Some of the subsystems shown in Figure 2 perform functions related to communication, while others Subsystems can provide "resident" functions or on the device. Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard 232 and screen 222, for example can be used for communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission through a communications network, and functions resident in the network. device such as a calculator or a to-do list. The operating system software used by the microprocessor 238 is preferably stored in a constant store such as a flash memory 224, which can alternatively be a read-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operating system, the applications specific to the device or its parts may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as a RAM 226.

The microprocessor 238, in addition to its operating system functions, preferably allows execution of the software applications in the mobile station 202. A group of specific applications that control the basic operations of the device, including at least voice and data communication applications, they will normally be installed in the mobile station 202 during their manufacture. This also includes the software to execute the user interface techniques of the present application. A preferred application that is loaded in the mobile station 202 can be a personal information management (PIM) application that has the ability to organize and manage -data items related to email or voice mail messages, as well as calendar data. Of course, one or more memory stores are available in the mobile station 202 and SIM 262 to facilitate storage of the PIM data items and other information. The PIM application preferably has the ability to send and receive data items through the wireless network. In a preferred embodiment, the PIM data items are directly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network, with the corresponding data items to the user of the mobile station and / or associated with a host computer system by creating a host computer reflected in a mobile station 202 with respect to those items. This is especially advantageous when the host computer system is the computer system of the user's office of the mobile station. Additional applications may also be loaded into the mobile station 202 through the network, an auxiliary I / O subsystem 228, the serial port 230, the short-range communications subsystem 240, or any other suitable subsystem 242, and be installed by means of a user in the RAM 226 or preferably in a non-volatile store (not shown) for it to be executed by the microprocessor 238. In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message (e.g. a service of short messages or SMS message), an email message, or a download of a web page will be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and introduced to the microprocessor 238. The microprocessor 238 will preferably subsequently process the signal to introduce it to the device 222 or alternatively to an auxiliary I / O device 228. The user of a mobile station 202 can also compose data items, such as messages of electronic mail, for example using a keyboard 232, together with a screen 222 and possibly the auxiliary device 1/0 228. The keyboard 232 is preferably an alphanumeric keyboard and / or a telephone type keyboard .; These composite items may be transmitted through a communication network through the communication subsystem 211. For voice communications, the overall operation of the mobile station 202 is substantially similar, except that the received signals would be input to the speaker 234 and the signals for transmission by the microphone 236 would be generated. The alternative voice or audio I / O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, can also be implemented in the mobile station 202. Although the signal of voice or audio is preferably achieved in principle through the speaker 234, the screen 22 can also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call and other information related to the voice call , as some examples. Serial port 230 in FIG. 2 is normally implemented in a communication device of the type of digital personal assistants (PDA) for which synchronization with a user's personal computer would be a desirable optional component. The serial port 230 allows a user to set their preferences through an external device-or software application and extends the capabilities of the mobile station 202 by providing the information or software downloads to a mobile station 202 instead of by means of a wireless communication network. The alternative download path may for example be used to load an encryption key in the mobile station 202 through a direct connection and thus reliable to provide secure communication in the device. The short range communications subsystem 240 of Figure 2 is an optional additional component that provides communication between the mobile station 202 and the different systems or devices, which or require to be similar devices. For example, subsystem 240 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components or a Bluetooth® communication module to provide communication with systems and devices similarly enabled. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Figure 3 is a visual illustration of a "front side of an exemplary mobile station 202 that can be used for the present user interface techniques." The mobile station 202 of FIG. 3 has a housing 203 containing the electronic circuits and the components shown and described in relation to Figures 1-2, The housing 302 of the mobile station 202 includes a user interface having a visual display 222 and a keyboard 232 with a plurality of keys as shown and described above generally in relation to Figure 2. As will be disclosed to detail in relation to Figures -5-8, the visual display 222 is used to visually display the information and the messages to the end user As shown in Figure 3, the plurality of keyboard keys 232 includes a plurality of digital telephone keys (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, * and #) as well as control keys in cluding the SEND key 308 (which has an enrolled handset icon). The SEND and END (end) keys 208 and 310 are mechanical switches of the mobile station that are detectable at the switch inputs of the mobile station. In general, the SEND key 308 is used by the end user to initiate a telephone call from the mobile station 202 through the wireless network and the END key 310 is used by the end user to terminate the telephone call. Note that both the SEND and END keys 208 and 310 are made and displayed on a front side of the housing 302. The SEND key 308 can alternatively be designated as an ENTER key, an OK key, a START key, an ACCEPT key (accept), etc., similarly the END key 310 can alternatively be designated as a STOP key, a NO key, a DECLINE key, etc. Note that the SEND and END 308 6 310 keys can alternatively be visual objects that are displayed on the visual display 222 and detectable to the touch if the visual display 222 is a touch screen or other similar input device. Given the relatively large size of the displayed information visually and the compact size of the visual screen 222, information and messages are typically only partially presented in the limited view of the visual screen 222 at any given time. Thus the mobile station 202 of Figure 3 also includes an information viewing / selection mechanism for use with the visual display 222. In the present embodiment, the viewing / selection mechanism of the mobile station 202 is a rotating wheel 312. The rotating wheel 312 is placed on the right side of housing 302. Rotating wheel 312 generally includes a circular disk that can rotate about a fixed axis of housing 302, and can be rotated with the index finger or thumb of the end user. See the indicated directions with a rotation arrow 314 of a rotating wheel 312 shown in Figure 3. When the information or the message is partially shown, an upward rotation of the rotating wheel 312 causes an upward movement in such a way that the visual screen 222 presents the view of a higher portion of the information or message. Similarly, a downward rotation of the rotating wheel 312 causes the downward movement in such a way that the visual screen 222 presents views of a lower portion of the information or message. Also note that the rotating wheel 312 is mounted along a fixed linear axis so that the end user can press the rotary wheel 312 inward toward the housing 312 (e.g. with the index finger or thumb of the end user) for the selection of information. See the directions indicated by an arrow 316 of the rotating wheel 312 shown in Figure 3. A more detailed mechanism of the rotating wheel 312 is now described in relation to Figures 9 and 10. The rotary wheel 312 of Figures 9-10 it is shown connected to and rotatable about a body assembly 910. The body assembly 910 may be connected or be a part of a sliding assembly 920. The sliding assembly 920 allows the entire rotary wheel 312 and the body assembly 910 to move freely sideways 316 with respect to the manual device. The lateral movement of the rotating wheel 316 is defined as a movement along a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the rotating wheel 312. To control this lateral movement 312, the sliding assembly 920 can be connected to a control mechanism such as a cam mechanism 930 with a cam 931, or alternatively a level mechanism, a solenoid mechanism, or any other driving means. The cam mechanism 930 is connected to a cam controller 930 (only in figure 10) which is responsible for controlling the lateral position of the rotating wheel 312. As the cam 931 and the body assembly 930 and the assembly sliding 920 move, a rotating wheel 312 and body assembly 910 move laterally accordingly. That lateral movement into the housing can be detected by the processor of the mobile station as a switching input (actuation or depression - of the rotary wheel key). Although the rotating wheel 312 of FIGS. 3, 9 and has been shown and described as the preferred mechanism for being used to view and select the information displayed visually, any suitable view / select mechanism can be used for the present interface techniques to be described, such as the UP keys (above) and DOWN (below), a mouse and a cursor mechanism, or a touch-sensitive screen mechanism. Figure 4 is a flow chart for describing a user interface method for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station of the present application. The method can be realized with the use of a mobile station operating in the wireless network as described in relation to figures 1 to 3. In combination with the flow chart of figure 4, reference will be made to the visual illustrations of the mobile station in Figures 5-10. A computer program product for the mobile station may include computer instructions stored in a storage medium (memory, floppy disk or CD-ROM) that are written according to the logic described in this method. Starting at the start block 402 of figure- 4 ("Start A") a message is received through a wireless receiver of the mobile station and displayed on the visual screen (step 404 of figure 4) - The message can be an email (e-mail) or the information on a website, as examples. The message may include a telephone number string in a conventional telephone number format. For example, the telephone number string may be "888-2121" which is a telephone number format suitable for the United States or Canada. This string of telephone number is part of the information or message entered by the author of the message, and is typically located at or near the end of the message. Note that this message is selected by the end user of a plurality of previously received messages for visual presentation. When the message is displayed visually, a processor of a mobile station scans to identify any telephone number string in the message (step 406 of FIG. 4). If a telephone number string is identified in the message, the processor creates a hyperlink for a telephone number chain (step 408 of figure 4). The hyperlink for the telephone number chain is appropriately identified as such in the message displayed visually, such as highlighting, marking, or in any way emphasizing the telephone number chain in the visual presentation of information. As an example of a mobile station in step 408 of figure 4 as shown in figure 5. A message 502 which is an email message, is displayed on the visual screen 22 of the mobile station 202. This message 502 is indicated as sent to joeQrim.com (the end user of mobile station 202) of "Fred" having a telephone number of "888-2121" as provided at the end of message 502. The author of this message 502 (this it's Fred) introduced the phone number as part of the text of this message. In response to the 502 message view by "Fred", a hyperlink 506 was created for the telephone number string "888-2121", which is indicated by highlighting the telephone number string. A cursor or placeholder 504 is provided in a selected place in message 502. As shown in Figure 4, the cursor or placeholder 504 is left at one end of the address of the email recipient joe @ rim. o6in. When the message 502 e shows, the end user can move through the message 502 using an appropriate view / select mechanism of the mobile station 202. That movement moves the cursor or placeholder 504 to a different place within the message 502. Preferably the vision / selection mechanism used by the end user is a rotating wheel located at one end of the housing of the mobile station (for example, see the above description referring to FIGS., 9 and 10). Referring again to Figure 4, if the cursor or placeholder is placed by the end user through a hyperlink to the telephone number chain (step 410 of Figure 4), the processor causes the hyperlink to be highlighted , marked or otherwise emphasized on the visual screen by the end user (step 412 of Figure 4). The continuation example of the mobile station in step 412 of figure 4 is shown in figure 6. The hyperlink 506 is shown highlighted or dialed in response to the end-user selection of this information using the rotary wheel 312. Returning to Refer to the flow diagram of Figure 4, if the rotating wheel of the mobile station is pressed laterally while the hyperlink is selected (highlighted) (step 414 of Figure 4) a list of functions of the telephone number chain are shown visually adjacent to the message (step 422 of figure 4). A function selected from the list of functions can then be received and highlighted on the visual screen by means of the mobile station (step 424 of FIG. 4). As shown in Figure 7 for the following example, a list 702 of functions that are displayed on the visual screen 222 may be in the form of a drop-down menu. The list 702 can include functions such as "copy", "select," clean the field "," save the copy "," call 888-2121"and" SMS 888-2121", etc. ' as shown, SMS is the abbreviation of Short Message Service for sending SMS messages.When rotating the rotary wheel 312, the end user can advance through the function list 702 to select one of them. it is shown that "SMS 888-2121" is selected from the list 702 when the end user rotates the rotary wheel 312. Referring again to the flow diagram of figure 4, the mobile station identifies whether the rotating wheel is depressed during the selection of one of the functions in the list (step 426 of figure 4) If so and a function other than a telephone call function, then the mobile station processes this other selected function (step 428 of figure 4). example this other function can be a start of an SMS message to the telephone number (see example figure 7) If the mobile station identifies that the rotary wheel has been pressed during the selection of the telephone call function ica in step 426, however then the mobile station initiates a telephone call to the telephone number chain of the hyperlink via the wireless network (step 430 of figure 4). Note that steps 402-414 and 422-430 are conventional stages of a mobile station. As shown in FIG. 8, in the continuation example, the telephone call information 802 is displayed on the visual display 222 after the start of the end user of the telephone call function. The telephone call information 802 includes information displayed visually such as the telephone number 904 that is being called. Note that two actuation of the rotary wheel key by the end user is required (the first drive of step 414 and the second drive of step 426),. including a selection through the list of functions in the drop-down menu, in order to make a telephone call to the telephone number described. Returning to the flow chart of Figure 4, note that the rotary wheel key does not need to be activated at the time after the hyperlink of the telephone number chain has been selected and highlighted in step 416 of Figure 4. In In response to a simple depression of this SEND key after highlighting the hyperlink for the telephone number chain, the mobile station initiates a telephone call to the telephone number chain through the wireless network (step 430 of FIG. 4 ). The activation of the SEND key is carried out after selection by the end user without any intervention on the keys. No operating options are displayed for the end user; the start of the telephone call is immediate once the SEND key has been pressed. Again as shown in Figure 8 in the following example, the telephone call information 802 is displayed on the visual display 222 after the user initiates the telephone call function by pressing the SEND key 310. The call information Telephone 802 includes visually displaying information such as the 804 telephone number that is being called. Again only a simple press of the SEND key by the end user is required to make the telephone call to the telephone number described after highlighting the hyperlink. The call can be concluded by pressing END key 310 by the end user. Also in the flow diagram other keys can be operated in place of the drive step of the rotating wheel 414 or the driving step of the SE? D key 416 as identified in step 418, and those alternative functions can be processed according to this (step 420 of figure 4). Again referring to the flow chart of Figure 4, telephone calls can also be made regardless of the recipient of the messages. Beginning in the initial block 450 of Figure 4 (this is "Start B"), the end user can select and enter a the telephone number string using the telephone digits 0,1,23,4,5,6,7, 8.9, *, and # of the keyboard (step 452 of figure 4). When the mobile station detects that the SEND key has been pressed after the manual input of the telephone number chain (step 416 of figure 4), then the mobile station initiates a telephone call to the telephone number chain through the wireless network (step 430 of figure 4). Again as shown in Figure 8 in the example, the telephone call information 802 is displayed on the visual display 222 after the end user has initiated the function by pressing the SEND key 310. The telephone call information 802 includes the information displayed visually such as the telephone number 804 that is being called. The call can be terminated by pressing the END key 310 by the end user. The start of a telephone call based on steps 404-416 (this is the use of the SEND key with the selected hyperlink) is highly advantageous because the telephone call can be made substantially immediately after the hyperlink has been selected. Several processing steps can be avoided compared to the use of steps 414-430. It is also advantageous that the rotating wheel on the housing side can be used to select the hyperlink with a user's hand (this is the hand that is holding the mobile station) while the SEND key on the front side of the housing can be depressed. with the other hand of the end user (this is the hand that is not holding the mobile station). Furthermore, it is advantageous that - several techniques for alternatives to initiate telephone calls are provided to initiate telephone calls for a more flexible and user-friendly user interface of the mobile station, especially a mobile station that provides both voice and data capabilities ( for example, email). As described above, a method for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station operating in a communication network can include the steps of receiving a message through a wireless receiver of the mobile station; by causing the message to be displayed visually on the visual screen of a user interface of the mobile station, the message includes a telephone number string; causing a hyperlink to be created for the telephone number string in the message to be used while the message is being displayed visually on the visual screen; causing the hyperlink of the telephone number chain to be highlighted when selected during the visual presentation of the message; and in response to a single key depression of the user interface while the hyperlink is selected, causing a telephone call to be initiated to the telephone number chain via the wireless communication network. The simple activation of the key can be carried out immediately afterwards - from the selection of the hyperlink without any activation of the keys. Initiation techniques are provided in combination with this technique to provide a more flexible and user-friendly interface. A computer program product of the present application may include a storage medium and computer instructions stored in the storage medium, wherein the instructions of the computer may be executed by one or more processors to initiate telephone calls with the use of the method described above. A mobile station of the present invention includes one or more processors, a wireless transceiver coupled to one or more processors, and a user interface that includes a visual screen and a plurality of keys. The wireless transceiver serves to receive a message such as an email message, which includes a telephone number string. When the message is displayed visually on the visual screen, a hyperlink is created for the telephone number string in the message. The hyperlink for the telephone number string is highlighted when it is selected by an end user during the visual display of the message (for example when it is selected through the use of a rotating wheel of the user interface). In response to a simple oppression of a user interface key while the hyperlink is selected, a telephone call to the telephone number chain is initiated through the wireless communication network. The simple depression of the key can be carried out immediately after the selection of the hyperlink without intervening any activation of the key. The above-described embodiments of the present application are presented as examples only. Those skilled in the art can make alterations, modifications and variations to particular modalities without departing from the scope of the application. The invention described herein in the appended claims is intended to cover and encompass all suitable changes in technology.

Claims (25)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station operating in a wireless communication network, which features: providing a user interface that includes a SEND (send) key exposed on a front side of the mobile station; receiving a message through a wireless receiver of the mobile station; causing the message to be displayed visually on the visual screen displayed on the front side of the mobile station, the message includes a telephone number string; create a hyperlink for the telephone number string in the message, to be used while the message is displayed visually on the visual screen; make the hyperlink of the telephone number chain be highlighted when selected by an end user during the visual presentation of the message; and in response to a simple actuation of the key SEND by the end user while the hyperlink has been selected, a telephone call to the telephone number chain is initiated through the wireless communication network.
2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the SEND key consists of a mechanical switch of the user interface. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: providing a rotating wheel on one side of the mobile station for use by the end user in selecting the hyperlink during the visual presentation of the message; in response to a first pressing of the rotating wheel while the hyperlink is selected; causing a list of functions of the telephone number chain to be displayed visually; and in response to a first pressing of the rotating wheel after the first; cause a telephone call to be initiated to the telephone number chain through the wireless communication network. The method of claim 1, wherein the SEND key comprises a visual object displayed on the visual screen of the user interface. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the message consists of an email message. 6. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the message consists of the data in a web page. 7. The method of any of the preceding claims in which a single pressing of the SEND key is. detects, after the selection of the hyperlink without the oppression of the keys by the end user. The method according to any of the preceding claims, which further consists of: causing a telephone call to be initiated - through the wireless communication network in response to the selection by the end user of the telephone digit keys followed by a simple operation of the SEND key; and the telephone keys include the keys 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, * and The method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising: providing the user interface with a view and selection mechanism; and in response a single oppression of the viewing and selection mechanism while the hyperlink is selected, causing a list of functions to be displayed visually for the telephone number chain. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: providing a viewing and selection mechanism for the end user to use when selecting the hyperlink during the visual display of the message. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: providing a viewing and selection mechanism for the end user to use when selecting the hyperlink during the visual display of the message; and the mechanism of vision and selection consists of a rotating wheel. The method according to any of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: providing a viewing and selection mechanism for the user. end use it when selecting the hyperlink during the visual sample of the message; and in response to the first oppression of the mechanism of vision and selection while the hyperlink is selected; cause a list of functions to be displayed visually for the telephone number chain; in response to the second oppression of the mechanism of vision and selection after the first depression; initiate a telephone call to the telephone number chain through the wireless communication network. 13. A mobile station that has: one or more processors; a wireless transceiver coupled to one or more of the processors; a wireless transceiver serving to receive a message that includes a telephone number chain; an interface interface that includes a visual screen and a plurality of keys; the plurality of keys including a SEND key, exposed on the front side of the mobile station; the visual screen displayed on the front side of the mobile station and configured to display the message; the one or more processors serves to: create a hyperlink for the telephone number string in the message that is to be created for use while the message is being visually displayed on the visual screen; highlighting the hyperlink for the telephone number chain when it is selected by the end user during the visual presentation of the message; and causing a telephone call to be initiated to the telephone number chain through the wireless communication network in response to a single pressing of the SEND key of the user interface while the hyperlink has been selected. The mobile station of claim 13, wherein the SEND key consists of a mechanical switch of the user interface ". 15. The mobile station of claim 13 or 14, further comprising: a plurality of keys including a rotating wheel on one side of the mobile station for use by the end user in selecting the hyperlink during the visual presentation of the message; one or more processors further serving to make a list of functions for the telephone number chain appear visually on the visual screen in response to a first pressing of the rotating wheel while the hyperlink is selected; and the processor (s) further serve to cause a telephone call to be initiated to the telephone number chain through the wireless communication network in response to a second pressing of the rotary wheel after the first press. 16. The mobile station of claim 13, wherein the SEND key consists of a visual object displayed on the visual screen of the user interface. 17. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the message consists of an electronic mail message (e-mail). 18. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the message consists of the datas of the internet page. 19. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 18, in which the processor (s) serve to detect the simple depression of the SEND key after the selection of the hyperlink without intervening oppressions to the keys by the end user. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 19, further comprising: a plurality of keyboard keys including the telephone keys (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, * and #; the processor (s) further serve to: cause a telephone call to be initiated through the wireless communication network in response to selection by the end user of the telephone digit keys followed by a simple operation of the telephone SEND key 21. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 20, further comprising: a plurality of keys that include a viewing and selection mechanism, and the one or more processors further serve to: cause it to be displayed visually a list of functions for the telephone number chain on the visual screen in response to a first oppression of the viewing and selection mechanism while the hyperlink is selected. 22. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 20, further comprising: a plurality of keys that include a viewing and selection mechanism to be used to select the hyperlink during the visual presentation of the message. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 20, further comprising: a plurality of keys that include a viewing and selection mechanism to be used to select the hyperlink during the visual presentation of the message; and the mechanism of vision and selection consists of a rotating wheel. 24. The mobile station of any of claims 13 to 20, further comprising: a plurality of keys that include a viewing and selection mechanism for the end user to use to select the hyperlink during the visual presentation of the message • or the various processors further serve to: cause a list of functions to be displayed visually for the telephone number chain on the visual screen in response to a first oppression of the viewing and selection mechanism while the hyperlink is selected; and causing a telephone call to be initiated to the telephone number chain through the wireless communication network in response to a second oppression of the viewing and selection mechanism after the first oppression. 25. A computer program product for initiating telephone calls from a mobile station, the computer program product consists of a storage medium and computer instructions stored in the storage medium, computer instructions may be executable by one or more processors for performing all the steps of the methods according to any one of claims 1 to 12, when the program runs on a computer.