Communication device with intelligent communication management and method therefor

• US 20050026600A1
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hymel, James A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,024,183 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/417
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2749 Automatic dialling or redialling systems, e.g. on off-hook or redial on busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13109 Initializing, personal profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13332 Broadband, CATV, dynamic bandwidth allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/64 Distributing or queueing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management

Abstract

A communication device (100) having intelligent communication management includes a transceiver (110), a memory (120), and a communications manager application (140). The communication device (100) initiates communication connections sequentially with a plurality of communication means associated with a contact in response to a user input or alternatively based on a preset communication preference. The contact and associated communication means are stored in memory (120). When a communication connection is disconnected or not able to be established, the communications manager application (140) identifies the next communications means to initiate a communication connection with the contact.

Claims

1. A method for intelligent communication management within a communication device comprising the steps of:

initiating a first communication connection to a first communication means;

determining whether the first communication connection is established;

communicating with the first communication means when the first communication connection is established;

detecting that the first communication connection is disconnected;

comparing the first communication means with one or more communication means stored within a memory;

identifying a contact associated with the first communication means;

identifying a second communication means associated with the contact; and

initiating a second communication connection to the second communication means.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining that the first communication connection is not established prior to the comparing step.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

providing a communication preference identifying one or more communication means for sequentially initiating communication with the contact, wherein the second communication means is identified by the communication preference.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the step of:

initiating a third communication connection to a third communication means when the second communication connection is not established, wherein the third communication means is identified by the communication preference.

5. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein the communication preference comprises a communication preference chosen from a group consisting of a fixed communication order, a pattern communication order, a time based communication order, and a calendar based communication order.

6. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

retrieving a historical communication pattern for the contact;

setting the communication preference for the contact using the historical communication pattern.

7. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

storing one or more communication preference orders each associated with a timeframe;

determining a current time;

matching the current time with one of the timeframes; and

setting the communication preference to the communication preference order associated with the matched timeframe.

8. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising the steps of:

storing one or more calendar events each associated with a time frame, wherein each calendar event has an associated communication preference order;

determining a current time;

matching the current time with one of the timeframes; and

setting the communication preference to the communication preference order of the calendar event associated with the matched timeframe.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

storing one or more communication means for the contact;

displaying the stored one or more communication means; and

selecting the second communication means from the displayed one or more communication means prior to the initiating the second communication step.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

displaying the second communication means; and

selecting the second communication means prior to the initiating the second communication connection step.

11. A communication device having intelligent communication management, the communication device comprising:

a transceiver for communicating with a first communication means using a first communication connection;

a processor coupled to the transceiver for processing signals received from the transceiver and sending commands to the transceiver for communicating with one or more communication means including the first communication means and a second communication means;

a memory coupled to the processor for storing one or more contacts each having one or more associated communication means; and

a communications manager application coupled to the processor and to the memory, wherein the communications manager application is adapted to;

detect that the first communication connection is disconnected;

compare the first communication means with one or more communication means stored within the memory;

identify a contact associated with the first communication means;

identify a second communication means associated with the contact; and

cause the processor to initiate a second communication connection to the second communication means.

12. A communication device having intelligent communication management as recited in claim 11 wherein the memory further stores one or more communication preferences identifying the sequential order of the communication means for initiating communication with the contact, wherein the second communication means is identified by the communication preference.