Annunciators for voice and data applications in wireless communication devices

• US 20040203651A1
• Filed: 08/13/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Shi, Guangming, Qu, Hai
• Granted Patent: US 6,965,786 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs

Abstract

Techniques to provide the current status of voice and data applications in wireless devices. Annunciators are provided for these applications and are displayed as appropriate to indicate their current status. Certain applications may further be associated with additional menu screens to allow the user to view additional information. In one method, the current status of a particular application supported by the wireless device is initially determined. This application may be voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, answering machine, or some other application. An annunciator indicative of the current status of the application is then provided, if required. A menu screen with a listing of all items (e.g., missed calls, recorded voice memos, recorded messages, or data calls) may be displayed when requested, and additional information for a selected item may also be provided if requested. The annunciator is cleared if all items are cleared.

Claims

1. A method of displaying annunciators for applications in a wireless communication device, comprising:

determining a current status of an application supported by the wireless communication device, wherein the application is voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, or answering machine; and

providing an annunciator, if required, indicative of the current status of the application.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the application is voice call handling, and wherein the annunciator is provided if at least one voice call has been missed.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the annunciator indicates a particular priority of the at least one missed voice call.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an indication to view the at least one missed voice call; and

providing a listing with the at least one missed voice call.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an indication to clear the annunciator for the at least one missed voice call; and

removing the annunciator.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the indication to clear the annunciator is received if each of the at least one missed voice call has been viewed.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the application is voice recognition, and wherein the annunciator indicates a current state of voice recognition on the wireless communication device.

18. A computer program product for displaying annunciators for applications in a wireless communication device, comprising:

code for determining a current status of an application supported by the wireless communication device, wherein the application is voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, or answering machine;

code for providing an annunciator, if required, indicative of the current status of the application; and

a computer-usable medium for storing the codes.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising:

code for receiving an indication to view items for the application; and

code for providing a listing with the items for the application.

20. A memory communicatively coupled to a digital signal processing device (DSPD) capable of interpreting digital information to:

determine a current status of an application supported by the wireless communication device, wherein the application is voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, or answering machine; and

provide an annunciator, if required, indicative of the current status of the application.

21. An integrated circuit operative to provide annunciators for applications in a wireless communication device, comprising;

means for determining a current status of an application supported by the wireless communication device, wherein the application is voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, or answering machine; and

means for providing an annunciator, if required, indicative of the current status of the application.

22. A wireless communication device comprising:

means for determining a current status of an application supported by the wireless communication device, wherein the application is voice call handling, data call handling, voice recognition, voice memo, or answering machine; and

means for providing an annunciator, if required, indicative of the current status of the application.

23. The device of claim 22 and operative in a CDMA, W-CDMA, GSM, or GPRS system.