Graphical user interface features of a browser in a hand-held wireless communication device

Abstract

A microbrowser in a mobile telephone or other hand-held mobile device generates a Graphical User Interface (GUI) having features that make the device more user-friendly. In one mode, the GUI includes a softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action and an input field for receiving a user-input character string, such as a telephone number. In response to typing in the input field, a softkey action previously associated with the input field, such as a dial action, is automatically selected, and the softkey indicator is automatically changed to indicate the selected action. In another mode, the GUI displays an input field and a menu listing performable actions. In response to a user input representing a single action by the user and designating one of the performable actions, the designated action is selected and the input field is activated, enabling the user to input characters associated with the designated action.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of operating a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising: 
 displaying a softkey indicator on a display of the hand-held mobile device, the softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action;    displaying an input field on the display while displaying the softkey indicator, the input field for receiving characters input by a user using an input device of the hand-held mobile device;    detecting activation of the input field; and    in response to activation of the input field, automatically selecting a softkey action previously associated with the input field and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the selected softkey action.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein activation of the input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 2 , wherein activation of the input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the input field.  
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the input field.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the method is included in a method of executing a browser in the hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         6 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the input field is a recipient identifier field for receiving an identifier of a recipient of a communication to be initiated from the hand-held mobile device, and wherein the softkey action is initiation of the communication.  
     
     
         7 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the communication is a telephone call, and wherein the recipient field is a telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number of party to be called.  
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a browser in a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising: 
 displaying a telephone number input field on a display of the hand-held mobile device, the telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number input by a user using an input device of the hand-held mobile device;    providing a softkey, including displaying a softkey indicator on the display while displaying the telephone number input field, the softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action of a plurality of softkey actions of the browser;    detecting activation of the telephone number input field; and    in response to activation of the telephone number input field, automatically selecting a dial action to correspond to the softkey indicator and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the dial action, such that the user can initiate a telephone call from the hand-held mobile device by entering the telephone number in the telephone number input field and activating the softkey, without additional input being required from the user to initiate the telephone call.    
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the method is included in a method of executing a browser in the hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         14 . A method of operating a mobile telephone, the method comprising: 
 executing a browser in the mobile telephone, the browser enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein executing the browser includes 
 displaying a telephone number input field on a display of the mobile telephone, the telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number input by a user using an input device of the mobile telephone,  
 providing a softkey, including displaying a softkey indicator on the display while displaying the telephone number input field, the softkey indicator indicating a currently assigned one of a plurality of softkey actions of the browser,  
 detecting activation of the telephone number input field, and  
 in response to activation of the telephone number input field, automatically assigning a dial action to the softkey and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the dial action; and  
   receiving a user input activating the softkey while the dial action is assigned to the softkey and a telephone number is entered in the telephone number input field and, in response thereto, initiating a telephone call without requiring additional input from the user.    
     
     
         15 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         16 . A method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         17 . A method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         18 . A hand-held mobile device comprising: 
 a processor;    a display;    an input device; and    a storage device storing a browser executable by the processor, the browser including a process which includes 
 displaying a telephone number input field on the display, the telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number input by a user using the input device;  
 providing a softkey, including displaying a softkey indicator on the display while displaying the telephone number input field, the softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action of a plurality of softkey actions of the browser;  
 detecting activation of the telephone number input field; and  
 in response to activation of the telephone number input field, automatically selecting a dial action to correspond to the softkey indicator and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the dial action, such that the user can initiate a telephone call from the hand-held mobile device by entering the telephone number in the telephone number input field and activating the softkey, without additional input being required from the user to initiate the telephone call.  
   
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the hand-held mobile device is a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         22 . A method as recited in  claim 21 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 18 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         24 . A machine readable program storage medium having stored therein a browser usable by a hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein the browser, when executed on the hand-held mobile device, performs a method comprising: 
 displaying a telephone number input field on a display of the hand-held mobile device, the telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number input by a user using an input device of the hand-held mobile device;    providing a softkey, including displaying a softkey indicator on the display while displaying the telephone number input field, the softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action of a plurality of softkey actions of the browser;    detecting activation of the telephone number input field; and    in response to activation of the telephone number input field, automatically selecting a dial action to correspond to the softkey indicator and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the dial action, such that the user can initiate a telephone call from the hand-held mobile device by entering the telephone number in the telephone number input field and activating the softkey, without additional input being required from the user to initiate the telephone call.    
     
     
         25 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the hand-held mobile device is a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.  
     
     
         26 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         27 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 24 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         28 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 27 , wherein activation of the telephone number input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         29 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 24 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the telephone number input field.  
     
     
         30 . A hand-held mobile device comprising: 
 a display;    an input device;    means for displaying a softkey indicator on the display, the softkey indicator indicating a corresponding softkey action;    means for displaying an input field on the display while displaying the softkey indicator, the input field for receiving characters input by a user using the input device;    means for detecting activation of the input field; and    means for responding to activation of the input field by automatically selecting a softkey action previously associated with the input field and automatically changing the softkey indicator to indicate the selected softkey action.    
     
     
         31 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 30 , wherein activation of the input field comprises inputting one or more characters in the input field.  
     
     
         32 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 31 , wherein activation of the input field comprises inputting one or more characters according to a predefined format in the input field.  
     
     
         33 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 30 , wherein activation of the input field comprises selecting the input field.  
     
     
         34 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the input field is a recipient identifier field for receiving an identifier of a recipient of a communication to be initiated from the hand-held mobile device, and wherein the softkey action is initiation of the communication.  
     
     
         35 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the hand-held mobile device comprises a mobile telephone, wherein the communication is a telephone call, and wherein the recipient field is a telephone number input field for receiving a telephone number of party to be called using the mobile telephone.  
     
     
         36 . A method of operating a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising: 
 communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;    acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and    displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         37 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         38 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , further comprising: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         39 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.  
     
     
         40 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.  
     
     
         41 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information from a location device within the hand-held mobile device.  
     
     
         42 . A method as recited in  claim 36 , wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information from the remote processing system over the wireless network.  
     
     
         43 . A machine readable program storage medium having stored therein a browser usable by a hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein the browser, when executed on the hand-held mobile device, performs a method comprising: 
 communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;    acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and    displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         44 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the method further comprises: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         45 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the method further comprises: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         46 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.  
     
     
         47 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.  
     
     
         48 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from a location device within the hand-held mobile device.  
     
     
         49 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 43 , wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from the remote processing system over the wireless network.  
     
     
         50 . A hand-held mobile device comprising: 
 means for communicating with a remote processing system over a wireless network;    means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device; and    means for displaying a hyperlink on a display of the hand-held mobile device based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the hand-held mobile device to a user of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         51 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    means for accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device in response to the user input.    
     
     
         52 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , further comprising: 
 means for receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    means for accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of menu items in response to the user input, wherein each of the menu items is associated with content of a different type, specific to the location of the hand-held mobile device.    
     
     
         53 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.  
     
     
         54 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.  
     
     
         55 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , wherein said means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises a location device within the hand-held mobile device.  
     
     
         56 . A hand-held mobile device as recited in  claim 50 , wherein said means for acquiring information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device comprises means for receiving the information associated with a current location of the hand-held mobile device from the remote processing system over the wireless network.  
     
     
         57 . A mobile telephone comprising: 
 a processor;    a display;    voice circuitry to process telephony signals;    an input device; and    a storage device storing a browser which, when executed by the processor, performs a process which includes 
 enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hypermedia content;  
 acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone; and  
 displaying a hyperlink on a display of the mobile telephone based on the acquired information, the hyperlink indicating a location of the mobile telephone to the user.  
   
     
     
         58 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display content specific to the location of the mobile telephone.    
     
     
         59 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , wherein said process further comprises: 
 receiving a user input activating the hyperlink; and    in response to the user input, accessing and displaying on the display a plurality of additional hyperlinks, wherein each of the additional hyperlinks is a hyperlink to content of a different category and specific to the location of the mobile telephone.    
     
     
         60 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a geographic location or area.  
     
     
         61 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , wherein the hyperlink, as displayed, comprises a name of a point of interest.  
     
     
         62 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , further comprising a location device, wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone comprises receiving the information from the location device.  
     
     
         63 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 57 , wherein said acquiring information associated with a current location of the mobile telephone comprises receiving the information from a remote server over a wireless network.  
     
     
         64 . A method of operating a hand-held mobile device, the method comprising: 
 displaying, on a display of the hand-held mobile device, an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field;    receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input, 
 selecting said one of the actions, and  
 activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.  
   
     
     
         65 . A method as recited in  claim 64 , wherein the hand-held mobile device is a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.  
     
     
         66 . A method as recited in  claim 65 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         67 . A machine readable program storage medium having stored therein a browser usable by a hand-held mobile device, the browser enabling a user of the hand-held mobile device to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network, wherein the browser, when executed on the hand-held mobile device, performs a method comprising: 
 displaying, on a display of the hand-held mobile device, an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field;    receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input, 
 selecting said one of the actions, and  
 activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.  
   
     
     
         68 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 67 , wherein the hand-held mobile device comprises a mobile telephone configured to operate on a wireless network.  
     
     
         69 . A machine readable program storage medium as recited in  claim 68 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.  
     
     
         70 . A mobile telephone comprising: 
 a processor;    a display;    voice circuitry to process telephony signals;    an input device; and    a storage device storing software which, when executed by the processor, performs a process which includes 
 displaying on the display an input field and a menu including a plurality of actions that can be performed using characters input to the input field,  
 receiving a user input representing a single action by a user, the user input designating one of the actions in the menu and, in response to the user input, 
 selecting said one of the actions, and  
 activating the input field to enable the user to input characters associated with said one of the actions.  
 
   
     
     
         71 . A mobile telephone as recited in  claim 70 , wherein the browser is for enabling a user of the mobile telephone to navigate hyperlinked content on a data network.