Handheld Device Active Mode Icon Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of handheld communication devices with multiple wireless transceivers often lack control over active communication modes, leading to unexpected transitions between networks like switching from WiFi to billable GSM, resulting in confusion and potential cost issues.

Innovation Solution

The device provides a user-indication of the active communication mode in a data communication window by determining the available wireless communication modes and rendering icons for cellular or WiFi modes, allowing users to visually understand their connection status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wireless transceivers are configured in a handheld communication device, then communication versatility is enhanced, but user control over active communication modes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoiduser control over communication modes

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by displaying icons in the status bar that indicate which communication mode is currently active. This visual feedback allows users to understand what network their device is using without needing to check settings menus, thereby maintaining ease of operation while supporting multiple communication modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the device automatically selects communication modes, then ease of operation is improved, but transparency of connection status is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic mode selectionVSAvoidconnection status transparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary visual indicator (icon display) between the automatic mode selection process and the user. This intermediary provides transparent information about which mode is active without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining both automatic operation and connection status transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If communication mode indicators are displayed in the status bar, then connection status transparency is improved, but device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection status transparencyVSAvoiddisplay system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing status bar infrastructure for multiple purposes: displaying traditional status information and communicating mode indicators. By making the status bar multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated display elements, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity while maintaining connection status transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1976320B1Service mode display on a handheld communication device

Publication Date: 2009.02.18 BLACKBERRY LTD

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AI summary

In a handheld communication device capable of a plurality of wireless communication modes, a method of communication begins by receiving, at the handheld communication device, a notification of an available one of the wireless communication modes. Then, in a data communication window of the communication device, a user-indication of an active one of the available wireless communication modes is provided in accordance with the received communication mode indication. The data communication window is configured to facilitate data communication via the plurality of wireless communication modes, and facilitates the data communication via the active wireless communication mode.