Method of controlling multiple calls of communication device

• US 20050123116A1
• Filed: 12/01/2004
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xueshan Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Inventors: Gau, Yi-Lun
• Granted Patent: US 7,526,282 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/202.10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A method of controlling multiple calls of a communication device is provided. The method includes the steps below. Firstly, display P remote parties currently connected with the communication device, wherein the P remote parties form 0 calls whose number and status determine a call menu including M options, where M is a positive integer. Next, select one of the remote parties, and select N options applicable to the selected remote party from the M options according to the selected remote party, wherein the N options are defined as N applicable options, where N is a positive integer. After that, display the N applicable options corresponding to the selected remote party. Following that, select one of N applicable options, and execute the selected applicable option corresponding to the selected remote party.

Claims

1. A method of controlling multiple calls for a communication device, comprising:

(a) displaying P remote parties currently connected with the communication device, the P remote parties forming Q calls whose number and status determine a call menu comprising M options, where M is a positive integer;

(b) selecting one of the remote parties, and selecting N options applicable to the selected remote party from the M options according to the selected remote party, the N options being defined as N applicable options, where N is a positive integer;

(c) displaying the N applicable options corresponding to the selected remote party; and

(d) selecting one of the N applicable options, and executing the selected applicable option corresponding to the selected remote party.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone complying with GSM specification.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein one of the options is a hold option, a retrieve option, a swap option, an end option, a conference option, a split option or a transfer option.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is applied in a man machine interface of the communication device, in step (a), the calls are displayed on a first frame of a display screen of the communication device for selection;

in step (c), the N applicable options are displayed on a second frame of the display screen for selection.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step (b) further comprises, according to the status of the call corresponding to the selected remote party, sequentially determining whether every option of the M options is applicable to the remote party:

if applicable, setting the option as an applicable option, otherwise, hiding the option;

in step (c), options other than the N applicable options are not displayed on the second frame for selection.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein Q value equals 2, at most one of the two calls is a multiparty call, and one of the 2 calls is in a single active call status, a single held call status, an active multiparty call status or a held multiparty call status.

7. A method of controlling multiple calls for a communication device, comprising:

(a) displaying P remote parties currently connected with the communication device on a first frame of a display screen of the communication device for selection, the P remote parties forming Q calls whose number and status determine a call menu comprising M options, where M is a positive integer;

(b) selecting one of the remote parties, according to the status of the call corresponding to the selected remote party, sequentially determining whether every option of the M options is applicable to the selected remote party;

if applicable, setting the option as an applicable option, otherwise, hiding the option;

(c) displaying the applicable options on a second frame of the display screen for selection, while options other than the applicable options are not displayed on the second frame for selection; and

(d) selecting one of the applicable options, and executing the selected applicable option corresponding to the selected remote party by the communication device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein one of the options is a hold option, a retrieve option, a swap option, an end option, a conference option, a split option or a transfer option.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein Q value equals 2, at most one of the two calls is a multiparty call, and one of the 2 calls is in a single active call status, a single held call status, an active multiparty call status or a held multiparty call status.

10. A method of controlling multiple calls for a communication device, comprising:

(a) displaying current Q calls of the communication device, the Q calls corresponding to a call menu comprising M options, where M is a positive integer;

(b) selecting one of the Q calls, and according to a selected remote party, selecting N options applicable to the selected remote party from the M options, the N options being defined as N applicable options, where N is a positive integer;

(c) displaying the N applicable options; and

(d) selecting one of the N applicable options, and executing the selected applicable option corresponding to the selected call.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone complying with GSM specification.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein one of the options is a hold option, a retrieve option, a swap option, an end option, a conference option, a split option or a transfer option.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the method is applied in a man machine interface of the communication device, in step (a), the calls are displayed on a first frame of a display screen of the communication device for selection;

in step (c), the N applicable options are displayed on a second frame of the display screen for selection.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein step (b) further comprises sequentially determining whether every option of the M options is applicable to the remote party according to the status of the call corresponding to the selected remote party:

if applicable, setting the option as an applicable option, otherwise, hiding the option;

in step (c), options other than the N applicable options are not displayed on the second frame for selection.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein Q value equals 2, at most one of the two calls is a multiparty call, and one of the 2 calls is in a single active call status, a single held call status, an active multiparty call status or a held multiparty call status.

16. A communication device capable of controlling multiple calls, comprising:

a display screen;

a transmission receiving unit for connecting with a plurality of remote parties; and

a controlling unit for controlling the display screen and the transmission receiving unit, the controlling unit being used for;

(a) controlling the display screen to display P remote parties currently connected with the communication device, the P remote parties forming Q calls whose number and status determine a call menu comprising M options, where M is a positive integer;

(b) selecting one of the remote parties, and selecting N options applicable to the selected remote party from the M options according to the selected remote party, the N options being defined as N applicable options, where N is a positive integer;

(c) controlling the display screen to display the N applicable options corresponding to the selected remote party; and

(d) selecting one of the N applicable options, and executing the selected applicable option corresponding to the selected remote party.

17. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the communication device is a mobile phone complying with GSM specification.

18. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein one of the options is a hold option, a retrieve option, a swap option, an end option, a conference option, a split option or a transfer option.

19. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein in step (a), the calls are displayed on a first frame of the display screen of the communication device for selection, while in step (c), the N applicable options are displayed on a second frame of the display screen for selection.

20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein in step (b), the controlling unit further comprises sequentially determining whether every option of the M options is applicable to the remote party according to the status of the call corresponding to the selected remote party:

if applicable, setting the option as an applicable option, otherwise, hiding the option;

in step (c), options other than the N applicable options are not displayed on the second frame for selection.

21. The communication device according to claim 16, wherein Q value equals 2, at most one of the 2 calls is a multiparty call, and one of the 2 calls is in a single active call status, a single held call status, an active multiparty call status or a held multiparty call status.