Handheld Service Mode Display for Active Network Awareness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of modern handheld communication devices often lack control over the active communication mode, leading to unexpected and potentially costly network usage, such as switching from a free WiFi to a billable GSM network.
Innovation Solution
A handheld communication device that provides a user-indication of the active communication mode in a data communication window, utilizing communication mode authorization and indicating means to determine and display the active mode based on user preference and availability, with icons for cellular and WiFi modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a handheld communication device is configured with multiple wireless transceivers to support different communication modes (GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth), then the versatility and adaptability of the device is improved, but the user's ability to control and monitor which mode is active deteriorates
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 monitor the active mode and understand why data is being transmitted over particular networks, thereby resolving the lack of user control and awareness when multiple communication modes are available
2Ease of operation
If the device automatically selects communication modes based on availability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of user expectations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The status bar display provides continuous feedback about the active communication mode, allowing users to verify whether the device is operating as expected. This transparency ensures that automatic mode selection does not lead to unexpected billable network usage, as users can see which mode is actually active
3Loss of information
If the device provides detailed communication mode indicators, then the information availability to users is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing communication mode indicators specifically in the status bar area, which is a dedicated region for system information. This localized approach provides necessary information without cluttering the entire display or requiring complex system-wide changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual icons as simplified representations (copies) of the actual communication modes. Instead of displaying technical details or requiring users to interpret complex system states, simple graphical icons convey the essential information about which mode is active
Data Source
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.