Controlling functions of mobile communications devices

#The present invention relates generally to the field of mobile communications devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to controlling functions of mobile communications device.

#With the proliferation of the use of mobile communications devices over the past several years has come a corresponding increase in the complexity of communications devices and their ability to handle complex tasks. Not coincidentally, the average size, resolution, and color depth of communications device displays has increased to support the ever-increasing demands of mobile communications device users.

#The increased size, resolution, and color depth of mobile communications device displays has allowed users to use mobile communications devices for many tasks that were previously reserved for personal computers (PCs), and the like. Web browsing, for example, has become more user-friendly on devices with larger displays. While previous generations of devices supported web browsing, devices often displayed text only, and layout and images were not necessarily preserved. With newer devices, however, a web page can look nearly identical on both a mobile communications device, and on a display connected to a PC. Therefore, the amount of content that can be displayed on a mobile communications device display can be substantially identical to the amount of content that can be displayed on a display connected to a PC.

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exemplary communications device.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communications device.

#FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system for passing a function-control instruction to a mobile communications device from a remote device.

#As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary examples of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations thereof. As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as an illustration, specimen, model or pattern. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. In other instances, well-known components, systems, materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary electronic device 10 is illustrated. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 10 is described as a mobile communications device (also referred to herein as a “device”). The device 10 can be, for example, a personal digital assistant (“FDA”), a handset, a portable computer, a portable game system, any device capable of receiving a message, combinations thereof, and the like. The device 10 can include an indicator 12. The indicator can be, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that indicates various status states of the device 10. The device 10 includes a speaker 14 and a microphone 16. The speaker 14 and the microphone 16 collectively and respectively transmit and receive audio signals.

#The device 10 includes a display 20 for communicating features and status to the user, and for enabling the user to navigate the control system and use various features of the device. The display 20 may also be used to display, for example, text, images, video, movies, games, streaming video, GPS information, email, Internet files, telephony functions such as Caller ID data, setup functions, menus, music metadata, messages, wallpaper, graphics, voice mail status and/or options, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be understood that a display 20 can be of any desired dimensions, shape, resolution, and color depth.