GB2327558A

GB2327558A - Two-way communication apparatus having a touchpad-based user interface

Info

Publication number: GB2327558A
Application number: GB9807416A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael L Charlier; Daryl R Harris; Thomas R Schirtzinger
Original assignee: Motorola Inc
Current assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
Priority date: 1997-04-14
Filing date: 1998-04-08
Publication date: 1999-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2018-04-08
Also published as: GB9807416D0; CN1197360A; JPH10289045A; CN1210980C; GB2327558B

Abstract

A two-way communication apparatus has a user interface comprising a touchpad 10 and a controller 16 responsive to the touchpad 10. The touchpad 10 has a plurality of permanent images 26, 30 associated therewith. Selected ones of the permanent images 26, 30 are made visible and others are concealed based upon the mode of the two-way communication apparatus. In accordance with another aspect, the controller 16 recognizes a plurality of bi-directional strokes (gestures), including a first bi-directional stroke indicative of a first telephone command and a second bi-directional stroke indicative of a second telephone command, from the touchpad 10. Also disclosed is a method of inputting dialled digits via uni-directional strokes.

Description

2327558 TWO-WAY COM4UNICATION APPARATUS HAVING A TOUCHPAD-BASED USER

INTERFACE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to two-way communication apparatus.

Background of the Invention

Two trends are occurring in the development of new two-way communication units, such as cellular telephones and cordless telephones. one trend is to provide more features and functionality in a two-way communication unit. Another trend is to reduce the size and weight of the two-way communication unit. However, by reducing the size of a two-way communication unit, a reduced external surface area is available for providing useraccessibility to new features and functions.

Accordingly, it would be desirable for a two-way communication with reduced size to provide additional features and functionality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. However, other aspects of the invention are described with reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the 30 accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 2 FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of a touchpad having permanent images in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a backlighting apparatus for selectively concealing and making visible each of the permanent images of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 10 FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a computer mode; FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 15 FIG. 7 is an illustration of a preferred set of user movements for entering telephone commands using the touchpad; FIG. 8 is a view of a further embodiment of a twoway communication apparatus in an open position; 20 FIG. 9 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in a closed position; and FIG. 10 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in a closed position.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Embodiments of the present invention provide a lowcost approach to accommodating a plurality of features in a limited area of a two-way communication apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the two-way communication apparatus includes a touchpad having a plurality of permanent images associated therewith. Selected ones of the permanent images are selectively backlit to become visible when the commands associated therewith are active. As a result, end 1 3 user can step through a menu tree without the distraction of viewing function keys or feature keys that are irrelevant to a viewed menu.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The two-way communication apparatus comprises at least one input device to receive userinitiated commands. Preferably, the at least one input device includes a touchpad 10. The touchpad 10 recognizes a location of a pointing member, such as a stylus or user's finger or thumb, on its surface and generates a signal representative of the location. Examples of the touchpad 10 include, but are not limited to, a resistive touchpad, a capacitive touchpad, and a pressure-sensitive touchpad.

Typically, the location of the pointing member on the surface of the touchpad 10 is represented by two parameters in a predetermined coordinate system. Preferably, the location is represented by an (x, y) coordinate using a Cartesian coordinate frame. In this case, the (x, y) coordinate can represent a row and a column indicative of the location of the pointing member.

Preferably, the at least one input device further includes a plurality of input devices such as a first input device 12 and a second input device 14. The first input device 12 can include a first button to receive a f irst user-initiated command. The second input device 14 can include a second button to receive a second userinitiated command.

The user-initiated commands received by the at least one input device direct the operation of the twoway communication apparatus. In particular, signals representative of user-initiated commands are communicated from the touchpad 10, the first input 4 device 12, and the second input device 14 to a controller 16. The controller 16 includes a processor such as a microprocessor or a like integrated circuit to process data and to control the operation of the two-way 5 communication apparatus.

The controller 16 processes the user-initiated commands in accordance with predetermined control logic to control a transceiver 20. Examples of the transceiver 20 include, but are not limited to, a cellular telephone transceiver, a cordless telephone transceiver, a personal communication system (PCS) transceiver, and other wireless transceivers.

The transceiver 20 transmits a first signal, such as a radio frequency signal, based upon a signal from an audio input device 22. Preferably, the audio input device 22 includes a microphone or a like transducer which generates a signal based upon acoustic pressure waves received thereby.

The transceiver 20 receives a second signal which also can be a radio frequency signal. The transceiver 20 drives an audio output device 24 based upon the second signal and/or the signal generated by the audio input device 22. Preferably, the audio output device 24 includes a speaker or a like transducer which generates an audible signal from a signal applied thereto.

The combination of the transceiver 20, the audio input device 22, and the audio output device 24 provides two-way voice and/or audio communication with a remote communication unit or a remote base station. For example, the combination can be included in a cordless telephone handset to communicate radio frequency signals representative of audiolvoice with a cordless telephone base station. As another example, the combination can be included in a cellular telephone to communicate radio frequency signals representative of audio/voice with a cellular telephone network.

A plurality of permanent images, including a first permanent image 26 and a second permanent image 30, are associated with the touchpad 10. The first permanent image 26 is disposed at a first portion of the touchpad 10. The second permanent image 30 is disposed at a second portion of the touchpad 10.

The first permanent image 26 provides a first menu of commands for the two-way communication apparatus. Preferably, the first permanent image 26 includes a permanent image of a telephone keypad. The permanent image of the telephone keypad identifies locations on the touchpad 10 for receiving telephone-related commands. Examples of the telephone-related commands include, but are not limited to, dialing digits from 0 to 9, a pound key conm=d, an asterisk key command, and wireless telephone commands such as send, end, recall, and clear.

The second permanent image 30 provides a second menu of commands for the twoway communication apparatus. Preferably, the second permanent image 30 includes a permanent image of at least one icon. Each icon identifies a respective location on the touchpad 10 for receiving computer-related commands and/or electronic network navigation commands.

The first permanent image 26 is selectively concealed or made visible by a first at least one optical element 34. The second permanent image 30 is selectively concealed or made visible by a second at least one optical element 36. Three approaches for selectively concealing and selectively making visible each permanent image are described as follows. In each of these approaches, it is preferred that the entire touchpad 10 or portions thereof be transparent.

6 In a first approach, each of the first and the second optical elements 34 and 36 includes at least one illumination element such as an electroluminescent backlighting element or a light emitting diode. The at least one illumination element selectively backlights its corresponding permanent image from a back side 38 of the touchpad 10 so that the permanent image is visible from a front side 40 of the touchpad 10. It is noted that the first permanent image 26 and the second permanent image 30 can be disposed at either the front side 40 or the back side 38 of the touchpad 10 using this approach.

To make the first permanent image 26 visible from the front side 40 of the touchpad 10, the first optical element 34 is illuminated. To conceal the first permanent image 26 from view at the front side 40, the first optical element 34 is extinguished. Similarly, the second optical element 36 is illuminated to make the second permanent image 30 visible from the front side 40, and is extinguished to conceal the second permanent image 30 from view at the front side 40.

In a second approach, each of the first and the second optical elements 34 and 36 includes at least one element whose reflectance of light is electrically variable. Preferably, each such element includes a liquid crystal display element having a light-reflective backing. The at least one light-reflecting element selectively absorbs and reflects light transmitted through the touchpad 10 and its corresponding permanent image from the front side 40. As with the first approach, the first permanent image 26 and the second permanent image 30 can be disposed at either the front side 40 or the back side 38 of the touchpad 10 using this approach.

7 TO make the first permanent image 26 visible from the front side 40 of the touchpad 10, the first optical element 34 is directed to reflect light. For example, a liquid crystal display element can be maintained in an unpowered state to reflect light. To conceal the first permanent image from view at the front side 40, the first optical element 34 is directed to absorb light. For example, a liquid crystal display element can be directed to absorb light by applying a voltage or a current thereto. In a similar manner, the second optical element 36 is directed to be light-reflective to make the second permanent image 30 visible from the front side 40 and is directed to be light-absorbent to conceal the second permanent image 30 from view at the front side 40.

In a third approach, each of the first and the second optical elements 34 and 36 includes at least one electrically-variable light-transmission element. An example of an electrically-variable light-transmission element is a transparent liquid crystal display element. A first lighttransmission element is interposed between the touchpad 10 and the first permanent image 26, and a second light-transmission element is interposed between the touchpad 10 and the second permanent image 30.

Light transmitted through the touchpad 10 from the front side 40 is selectively transmitted or screened from a permanent image by applying a corresponding signal to its corresponding light-transmission element.

In particular, the first optical element 34 is directed to transmit light to make the first permanent image 26 visible from the front side 40 of the touchpad 10. For example, a transparent liquid crystal display element can be maintained in an unpowered state to transmit light therethrough. The first optical element 34 is directed to impede light transmission therethrough 8 to conceal the first permanent image 26 from view at the front side 40. For example, a voltage signal or a current signal can be applied to the transparent liquid crystal display element to impede the transmission of light therethrough. In a similar manner, the second optical element 36 is made to be light-transmissive to make the second permanent image 30 visible from the front side 40, and is made to be light-impeding to conceal the second permanent image 30 from view at the front side 40.

In surmnary, the first optical element 34 and the second optical element 36 can vary an illumination, vary a reflectance of light, or vary a transmission of light to make its corresponding permanent image visible or concealed. Regardless of which approach is used, the first optical element 34 and the second optical element 36 are responsive to the controller 16. The controller 16 selectively activates and deactivates the optical elements 34 and 36 based upon user-initiated commands received by any input device.

Preferably, the first permanent image 26 is made visible and the second permanent image 30 is concealed in response to a first user-initiated command received at least one of the input devices. The first userinitiated command can be received by the touchpad 10 or by the first input device 12.

As described earlier, it is preferred that the first permanent image 26 includes a permanent telephone keypad image. When the first permanent image 26 is made visible and the second permanent image 30'is concealed, the two-way communication apparatus functions in a telephone mode. In this mode, the touchpad 10 accepts telephone commands to control the transceiver 20. Alternatively, telephone commands can be received and 9 recognized using user initiated pointer movements described with reference to FIG. 7.

Optionally, a voice synthesizer 42 is responsive to the controller 16 to form an audio signal indicative of commands received by the touchpad 10. The voice synthesizer 42 communicates with the audio output device 24 to provide an audio preview of telephone commands entered by the end user.

It is also preferred that the first permanent image 26 be concealed and the second permanent image 30 be made visible in response to a second user-initiated command received by at least one input device. The second user-initiated command can be received by the touchpad 10 or by the second input device 14.

As described earlier, it is preferred that the second permanent image 30 includes a permanent icon image of at least one icon. When the first permanent image 26 is concealed and the second permanent image 30 is made visible, the two-way communication apparatus functions in a computer/network navigation mode. In this mode, the touchpad 10 accepts user-initiated input such as alphanumeric entry and network navigation commands. The alphanumeric entry can be recognized using handwriting recognition software such as Grafitti or Quickprint from Lexicus. Numeric entry can be recognized using a set of pointer movements described with reference to FIG. 7.

A signal based upon the user-initiated input is communicated to an electronic network by the transceiver 20. Examples of the electronic network include, but are not limited to, an online service, the internet, the World Wide Web, and an intranet.

The transceiver 20 receives signals from the electronic network for display by a display device 44. Preferably, the display device 44 includes a liquid crystal display having an array of independentlyactivated pixels for displaying graphics and text received from the electronic network.

Optionally, the two-way communication apparatus includes an infrared interface 46 in communication with the controller 16. The infrared interface 46 includes an infrared emitter and an infrared detector to communicate data between the controller 16 and an external device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the touchpad 10 having permanent images in accordance with the present invention. The touchpad 10 includes the first permanent image 26 at a portion 50, the second permanent image 30 distributed over portions 52 and 54, a third permanent image 56 at a portion 58, and a fourth permanent image 59 at a portion 60. The first permanent image 26, the second permanent image 30, the third permanent image 56 and the fourth permanent image 59 can be patterned on a front surface or a back surface of the touchpad 10. Alternatively, the first permanent image 26, the second permanent image 30, the third permanent image 56, and the fourth permanent image 59 can be patterned on a transparent sheet of material which is applied to the front surface or the back surface of the touchpad 10.

As illustrated, the first permanent image 26 includes a permanent telephone keypad image. The permanent telephone keypad image includes images for dialing digits from 0 to 9, an asterisk symbol, and a pound symbol.

The second permanent image 30 includes a plurality of permanent icon images. The permanent icon images include a first icon 62 at a position of the touchpad 10 for initiating a zoom conmiand, a second icon 64 at a position for initiating a cursor command, a third icon 1 11 66 at a position for initiating a fax command, and a fourth icon 68 at a position for initiating a network command.

The third permanent image 56 includes a fifth icon 70 for initiating an electronic mail command and a sixth icon 72 for initiating a phone book command. The fourth permanent image 59 includes function key icons 74 corresponding to functions displayed on the display device 44.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a backlighting apparatus for selectively concealing and making visible each of the permanent images of FIG. 2. The backlighting apparatus includes a first backlighting element 80 disposed at a first position to selectively illuminate the portion 50 of the touchpad 10, a second backlighting element 82 disposed at a second position to selectively illuminate the portion 52 of the touchpad 10, a third backlighting element 84 disposed at a third position to selectively illuminate the portion 54 of the touchpad 10, a fourth backlighting element 86 disposed at a fourth position to selectively illuminate the portion 58 of the touchpad 10, and a fifth backlighting element 88 disposed at a fifth position to selectively illuminate the portion 60 of the touchpad 10.

With reference to FIG. 1, the backlighting element 80 forms the first optical element 34, and the backlighting elements 82 and 84 form the second optical element 36. Each of the backlighting elements 80, 82, 84, 86, and 88 is responsive to the controller 16.

Preferably, each of the backlighting elements 80, 82, 84, 86, and 88 is embodied by a light emitting diode or an electroluminescent member.

The touchpad 10 of FIG. 2 is placed over the backlighting apparatus of FIG. 3 to provide selective illumination of the permanent images. The backlighting 12 apparatus furtherincludes barriers 90 between adjacent portions of the touchpad 10. The barriers 90 block illumination from a backlighting element to each adjacent portion of the touchpad 10. The barriers 90 5 can be formed by walls, seals, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The two-way communication apparatus includes a first housing 100 and a second housing 102. The first housing 100 is pivotally connected to the second housing 102 by a hinge 104. In an open state, the two-way communication apparatus has a width 106 of about 52 mm and a length 110 of about 180.06 mm.

The first housing 100 supports the audio output device 24 and the display device 44. The second housing 102 supports the touchpad 10 having permanent images described with reference to FIG. 2, the backlighting apparatus described with reference to FIG. 3, and the audio input device 22. The second housing 102 further supports a power button 112, the first input device 12 in the form of a button for initiating a telephone mode, and the second input device 14 in the form of a button for initiating a computer mode. It is noted that the transceiver 20, the controller 16, the voice synthesizer 42, and a battery (not specifically illustrated) can be supported by either the first housing 100 or the second housing 102.

The two-way communication apparatus is illustrated in a telephone mode, wherein the first permanent image 26, the third permanent image 56, and the fourth permanent image 59 are visible, and the second permanent image 30 is concealed. In this mode, the controller 16 has illuminated the first backlighting element 80, the fourth backlighting element 86, and the fifth backlighting element 88, and has extinguished the second 13 backlighting element 82 and the third backlighting element 84.

The telephone mode can be initiated upon depressing the power button 112 or upon depressing the first input device 12. The first input device 12 has a telephone icon 116 associated therewith to indicate its function as a telephone mode button. In the telephone mode, the end user can enter telephone commands by touching the indicated portions of the touchpad 10. in this manner, the end user can use the two-way communication apparatus to dial a phone number to initiate a telephone call, or to answer an incoming telephone call. Thereafter, the end user can verbally communicate with another party using the audio input device 22 and the audio output device 24.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in a computer mode. In this mode, the first permanent image 26 is concealed from view, and the second permanent image 30 and the third permanent image 56 are visible. For this purpose, the controller 16 has extinguished the first backlighting element 80, and has illuminated the second backlighting element 82, the third backlighting element 84, the fourth backlighting element 86, and the fifth backlighting element 88.

The computer mode is initiated upon depressing the second input device 14. The second input device 14 has a computer-related icon 118 associated therewith to indicate its function as a computer mode button. In the computer mode, the end user can enter computer-related commands by touching the indicated portions of the touchpad 10. Additionally, user-initiated point and click commands can be received from a portion 120 located at a midsection of the touchpad 10. Further, user-initiated movements indicative of textual data can be received from the portion 120 of the touchpad 10.

14 The portion 120 is in the same general area as the concealed dialing digits. In this way, the two-way communication apparatus can be used as a network navigation apparatus for browsing World Wide Web pages and other resources in an electronic network.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another embodiment of a two-way communication apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The two-way communication apparatus includes a first housing 130 and a second housing 132.

The first housing 130 is pivotally connected to the second housing 132 by a hinge 134. In an open state, the two-way communication apparatus has a width of about 52 m and a length of about 180.06 mm.

The first housing 130 supports the audio output device 24 and the display device 44. The second housing 132 supports the touchpad 10, a telephone keypad 142, scroll keys 144, the audio input device 22, the power button 112, a recall key 146, a store key 148, and a quick access key 149. The transceiver 20, the controller 16, the voice synthesizer 42, and a battery (not specifically illustrated) can be supported by either the first housing 130 or the second housing 132.

For operation in a computer mode, user-initiated computer commands and/or network navigation commands are received by the touchpad 10. In this way, the two-way communication apparatus can be used to navigate and browse resources of an electronic network.

For operation in a telephone mode, user-initiated telephone commands are received either by the telephone keypad 142 (which communicates signals representative thereof to the controller 16) or by the touchpad 10. A preferred set of user pointer movements for entering telephone commands using the touchpad 10 is described with reference to FIG. 7. Thereafter, the two-way communication apparatus can be used to communicate as a telephone. Telephone numbers can be stored and recalled using the store key 148 and the recall key 146, respectively.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a preferred set of movements for entering telephone commands using the touchpad 10. Generally, the controller 16 is responsive to the touchpad 10 to recognize user initiated pointer movements, such as a plurality of single-directional strokes. The singledirectional strokes can include a first single-directional stroke indicative of a first telephone command such as a first dialing digit, and a second single-directional stroke indicative of a second telephone command such as a second dialing digit. The controller 16 further recognizes a tap movement and a circular movement indicative of other telephone commands such as other dialing digits. Still further, the controller 16 recognizes two-stroke movements indicative of other telephone commands. These commands can include wireless telephone commands such as send, end, recall, and clear.

Preferably, for digits "1 to "90, each corresponding movement includes a motion that the end user would make in blindly locating its corresponding key using a standard keypad. More specifically, each corresponding movement for the digits from "lm to "90 includes a motion from the "50 key to the desired key. Hence, each of digits 1,10, 1%2#F, %%3R, %x4.Y, %%6#, -7m, M80, and 191w has a unique single-directional stroke 180, 182, 184, 186, 190, 192, 194, and 196 respectively, associated therewith. The "5.Y digit is represented by a tap stroke 200. It is noted that the solid dots illustrated in FIG. 7 identify starting points for the user movements.

The movements for the digits "lm to "90 can be recognized by the controller 16 by determining an angle 16 of stroke motion, and comparing the angle to an angle range associated with each digit. The angle of stroke motion can be determined by fitting a line segment to the (x, y) location data generated by the touchpad 10, and determining the angle from the slope of the line segment and the direction of motion. Without loss of generality, the angle of stroke motion may be measured counterclockwise from a horizontal vector to the right.

Using the aforementioned convention for angles, the input movements can be described as follows. The movement for the digit consists of a single directional stroke having an angle of about 135'.

movement for the ""2v digit consists of a single directional stroke having an angle of about 9C. The movement for the "30 digit consists of a singledirectional stroke having an angle of about 45. movement for the "40 digit consists of a singledirectional stroke having an angle of about 18C. movement for the "6m digit consists of a single- directional stroke having an angle of about 0. The movement for the "7- digit consists of a singledirectional stroke having an angle of about 225'. The movement for the "80 digit consists of a singledirectional stroke having an angle of about 27C. movement for the -90 digit consists of a singledirectional stroke having an angle of about 315'. The angle range for each of digits "l", "20, "39, u4K, "60, "70 "80, and "90 can be a range of the aforementioned nominal angles 22.5'.

The movement for the "51 digit consists of a tap of the touchpad 10. The movement for the "ON digit consists of a loop motion movement 202. The loop motion movement 202 can be recognized independently of its starting point, if desired.

The The The 1 17 A movement for an asterisk consists of a threestroke movement 204. The three-stroke movement 204 includes a first stroke having an angle of about 315', a second stroke having an angle of about 180', and a third stroke having an angle of about 45'. A movement for a pound key consists of a three-stroke movement 206. The three-stroke movement 206 includes a first stroke having an angle of about 27C, a second stroke having an angle of about 135, and a third stroke having an angle of about 00.

Other telephone commands are represented by twostroke movements received by the touchpad 10. A movement for a send command consists of a twostroke movement 210 with a first stroke 210 having an angle of about 45 and a second stroke 212 having an angle of about 315. A movement for an end command consists of a two-stroke movement 220 with a first stroke 222 having an angle of about 315 and a second stroke 224 having an angle ofabout 45'. A movement for a recall conmiand consists of a two-stroke movement 230 with a first stroke 232 having an angle of about 135' and a second stroke 234 having an angle of about 225'. A movement for a clear command consists of a two-stroke movement 240 with a first stroke 242 having an angle of about 2250 and a second stroke 244 having an angle of about 3150.

A movement for an audio preview command consists of a two-stroke movement 250 with a first stroke 252 having an angle of about 315 and a second stroke 254 having an angle of about 2250. Upon receiving the audio preview command, the controller 16 commands the voice synthesizer 42 to convert entered dialing digits to a voice representation for playback by the audio output device 24. In this way, the end user can confirm that user inputs were correctly recognized.

18 Preferably, all of the above-described movements are recognized as relative movements. As a result, the recognition of a movement is independent of its starting point on the touchpad 10.

Although described for use with a two-way communication apparatus, it is noted that the abovedescribed movements can be used to enter data for a variety of electronic devices. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, handheld devices such as remote controllers and personal digital assistants, personal computers such as notebook computers and desktop computers, game controllers, and a network access apparatus such as an Internet television.

FIG. 8 is a view of a further embodiment of a twoway communication apparatus in an open position. The two-way communication apparatus includes a first housing 300 and a second housing 302. The first housing 300 is pivotally connected to the second housing 302 by a hinge 304. Preferably, the first housing 300 and the second housing 302 are formed of an injection-molded magnesium. It is also preferred that the hinge 304 have a pushbutton release.

The first housing 300 supports the audio output device 24, a touchscreen including the display device 44, and the infrared interface 46. The display device 44 includes a high- resolution touch-sensitive liquid crystal display with electroluminescent backlighting.

The second housing 304 supports the audio input device 22, a multifunction selectively-backlit touchpad 310 for phone and data input, a telephone mode selection key 312, a data mode selection key 314, and a scroll key 316. Preferably, the keys 312, 314, and 316 are hardmolded keys. The second housing 304 further houses a fixed antenna (not specifically illustrated) in communication with the transceiver 20.

19 FIGS. 9 and 10 show a plan view and a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 in a closed position. In the closed position, the display device 44, the multifunction touchpad 310, and the keys 312, 314 and 316 are concealed. However, the infrared interface 46 remains accessible in the closed position.

Thus, there has been described herein several embodiments including preferred embodiments of a two-way communication apparatus having a touchpad-based user interface.

Because the various embodiments of the present invention recognize singledirectional strokes indicative of digits and two-stroke movements indicating other commands, they provide a significant improvement in that the end user can blindly enter numbers and commands using his/her finger or thumb. Further, by including a voice synthesizer, the end user can verify that a blindly-entered series of numbers were entered correctly.

Additionally, by selectively backlighting permanent images associated with the touchpad, a greater number of features for the two-way communication apparatus can be accommodated within an area of the touchpad. Further, a permanent image may be selectively backlit to become visible only when the commands associated therewith are active. As a result, the end user can step through a menu tree without the distraction of viewing keys that are irrelevant to a particular viewed menu.

It is noted that any plurality of permanent images can be included in embodiments of the present invention to provide any plurality of menus of commands. Each of the plurality of permanent images is made to be selectively visible or concealed by a corresponding optical element.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many embodiments other than the preferred form specifically set out and described above.

Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

21 Claims 1. A two-way communication apparatus having a touchpad comprising: a controller responsive to the touchpad to recognize a first two-stroke movement received by the touchpad, the first two-stroke movement indicative of a telephone command.

22
2. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a transceiver responsive to the controller to perform a transceiver function based on the telephone command and wherein the telephone command is selected from the group consisting of a send command, an end command, a recall command, and a clear command.
3. The twoway communication apparatus of claim wherein the first twostroke movement is indicative of the send command, and wherein the controller is further capable of recognizing a second two-stroke movement indicative of the end command, a third two-stroke movement indicative of the recall command, and a fourth two-stroke movement indicative of the clear command.

23
4. A two-way communication apparatus comprising: at least one input device including a touchpad; a permanent telephone keypad image disposed at a first portion of the touchpad; a first at least one optical element to selectively make visible and to selectively conceal the permanent telephone keypad image; a permanent icon image including at least one icon disposed at a second portion of the touchpad; and a second at least one optical element to selectively make visible and to selectively conceal the permanent icon image.

24
5. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 4 wherein the permanent telephone keypad image is made visible and the permanent icon image is concealed in response to a first command received by the at least one input device.
6. The two-way communication apparatus of claim wherein the at least one input device includes a first input device to receive the first command.
7. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 5 wherein the permanent telephone keypad image is concealed and the permanent icon image is made visible in response to a second command received by the at least 15 one input device.
8. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 7 wherein the at least one input device includes a second input device to receive the second command.
9. The two-way communication apparatus of claim 7 wherein the first command and the second command are received by the touchpad.
10. The twoway communication apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first at least one optical element includes a first illumination element to selectively illuminate the permanent telephone keypad image, and wherein the second at least one optical element includes a second illumination element to selectively illuminate the permanent icon image.