US6727830B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time based hardware button for application launch
Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC
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Filing: 2002-07-12
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Granted: 2004-04-27
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Expires: 2022-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system are provided for extending the functionality of application buttons on a limited resource computing device. Alternative application functions are launched based on the length of time an application button is pressed. A default function for an application is launched if the button is pressed for a short, i.e., normal, period of time. An alternative function of the application is launched if the button is pressed for a long, (e.g., at least one second), period of time. Still another function can be launched if the application button is pressed multiple times within a short period of time, e.g., double click.
Inventors
- 👤 Charlton E. Lui
- 👤 Jeffrey R. Blum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0487; G06F3/0489; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to display the last known state of the application if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to display the last known state of the application if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to open a new document, if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to open a new document, if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising, prior to opening the new document: (a) determining if a document is currently open; and (b) if a document is currently open, saving the open document.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to open a predefined document if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to open a predefined document if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising, prior to opening the predefined document: (a) determining if a document is currently open; and (b) if a document is currently open, saving the open document.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device note application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the note application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the note application and automatically causing the note application to display a list of summary information for stored notes if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device note application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the note application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the note application and automatically causing the note application to display a list of summary information for stored notes if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device note application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the note application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the note application and automatically causing the note application to open a new note if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device note application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the note application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the note application and automatically causing the note application to open a new note if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the new note is opened using a predefined template.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to perform a predefined action specified by the user if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening the application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) opening the application and automatically causing the application to perform a predefined action specified by the user if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; (d) opening the application and automatically causing a first further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit; and (e) opening the application and automatically causing a second further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed and released more than one time within a second threshold time limit.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed; (c) opening an application if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; (d) opening the application and automatically causing a first further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit; and (e) opening the application and automatically causing a second further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed and released more than one time within a second threshold time limit.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) upon detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device voice application has been pressed, starting a recording; (b) determining the length of time the application button was pressed; (c) erasing the recording if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) storing the recording if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) upon detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device voice application has been pressed, starting a recording; (b) determining the length of time the application button was pressed; (c) erasing the recording if the application button is released prior to the expiration of a threshold time limit; and (d) storing the recording if the application button is pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the threshold time limit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising, upon detecting that the application button associated with the limited resource computing device voice application has been released, stopping the recording.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening an application if the application button pressed a first time is released prior to the expiration of a first threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button pressed a second time is released prior to the expiration of a second threshold time limit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening an application if the application button pressed a first time is released prior to the expiration of a first threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button pressed a second time is released prior to the expiration of a second threshold time limit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second threshold time limits are the same.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is sequentially pressed and released prior to the expiration of the first threshold limit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 15 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if, within a third threshold time limit, the same application button is sequentially pressed and released prior to the expiration of the first threshold time limit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is sequentially pressed and released prior to the expiration of the first threshold time limit and another intervening application button was not pressed.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening an application if the application button is pressed a first time, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of a threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed a second time, without being released, for a period equal to, or in excess of, a second threshold time limit.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening an application if the application button is pressed a first time, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of a threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button is pressed a second time, without being released, for a period equal to, or in excess of, a second threshold time limit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the first and second threshold time limits are the same.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 18 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is sequentially pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the first threshold time limit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if, within a third threshold time limit, the same application button is sequentially pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the first threshold time limit.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is sequentially pressed, without being released, for a period equal to or in excess of the first threshold time limit, and another intervening application button was not pressed.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening the application if the application button pressed a first time is pressed and released more than one time within a first threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button pressed said second time is pressed and released more than one time within second threshold time limit.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) detecting that an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application has been pressed a first time; (b) determining the length of time the application button has been pressed said first time; (c) opening the application if the application button pressed a first time is pressed and released more than one time within a first threshold time limit; (d) detecting that the same application button has been pressed a second time; (e) determining the length of time the same application button has been pressed said second time; and (f) opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the application button pressed said second time is pressed and released more than one time within second threshold time limit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the first and second threshold time limits are the same.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 23 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is subsequently pressed and released more than one time within the first threshold time limit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising alternately opening the application and opening the application and automatically causing a further action associated with the application to occur if the same application button is sequentially pressed and released more than one time within the first threshold time limit and another intervening application button was not pressed.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
84 words
An apparatus for expanding the functionality of an application button on a limited resource computing device, comprising: (a) a processing unit; (b) an application button associated with a limited resource computing device application; and (c) a storage medium coupled to the processing unit, the storage medium storing program code implemented by the processing unit for performing the methods of any one of claims 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 18 , and 23 .
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-04-27 | 2007-10-27 | 2008-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-27 | 2011-10-27 | 2012-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-27 | 2015-10-27 | 2016-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |