Methods and apparatus for selectively displaying information entered from a radiotelephone keypad

Abstract

In particular, according to the present invention, information is selectively displayed on a graphical display of a radiotelephone by suppressing display of information entered into the radiotelephone from a keypad of the radiotelephone as the information is entered. The suppression may occur after the radiotelephone is placed in to a display-suppressed state. Display of the entered information may be suppressed by displaying information other than the entered information. For example, a single character may be repetitively displayed in response to a plurality of different keystrokes performed on the keypad, or a blank display may be provided in response to a plurality of different keystrokes performed on the keypad. According to other aspects, the state of the radiotelephone may be controlled manually or automatically. The radiotelephone may be placed in one of the display-suppressed state or a non-display-suppressed state by entering a predetermined command from the keypad. Alternatively, information may be communicated between the radiotelephone and a station external to the radiotelephone to place the radiotelephone in one of the display-suppressed state or the non-display-suppressed state. A communication session between the radiotelephone and the station may be terminated to place the radiotelephone in the non-display-suppressed state. Related radiotelephone apparatus is also discussed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.