Method and apparatus for accessing a contacts database and telephone services

• US 20060168539A1
• Filed: 08/10/2005
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Jeffrey, Davis, Mark, Haitani, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,167,073 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2472 with programmable function keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2477 for selecting a function from a menu display H04M1/2474 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27457 Management thereof, e.g. manual editing of data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• 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 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/256 comprising a service specific user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/068 using credential vaults, e.g. password manager applications or one time password [OTP] applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide a method and technique for operating a computing device. An interface is displayed for enabling the computing device to control a voicemail system. The interface includes one or more display objects, wherein each display object is selectable by a user to enter a command input assigned to that display object. A selection is detected of any one of the one or more display objects, and the command input assigned to the display object is identified. A signal tone is generated corresponding to the command input. The signal input may be transmitted across a network to the voicemail system to communicate a command to the voicemail system.

Claims

1. A method for operating a computing device, the method comprising:

displaying an interface for enabling a voicemail system to be controlled from the computing device, the interface including one or more display objects, wherein each display object is selectable by a user to enter a command input assigned to that display object;

detecting selection of any one of the one or more display objects by the user;

identifying the command input assigned to the display object; and

generating a signal tone corresponding to the command input, wherein the signal input is transmitted across a network to the voicemail system to communicate a command to the voicemail system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a signal tone includes generating a Dial Tone Multiple Frequency signal that is designated to correspond to the command by the voicemail system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying an interface includes displaying a plurality of display objects, wherein each display object corresponds to a command that can be processed by the voicemail system, and wherein generating a signal tone includes generating a Dial Tone Multiple Frequency signal that is correlated to one of the plurality of display objects that are selected by the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting selection of any one of the one or more display objects includes coordinating an operation of a mechanical interface with the selection of the one or more displayed object.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein detecting selection of any one of the one or more display objects includes coordinating an operation of a multi-dimensional input mechanism.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein coordinating the operation of the multi-dimensional input mechanism includes coordinating directional and selection input entered through the multi-dimensional input mechanism.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the command input includes identifying the command input that correlates to a command to the voicemail system for performing an operation selected from a group consisting of:

saving a message, playing a message, forwarding a message, deleting a message, and skipping a message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a signal tone includes transmitting the signal tone across a cellular network.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a signal tone includes transmitting the signal tone across the Internet using a Voice over Internet Protocol connection.

10. A method for operating a computing device, the method comprising:

providing an interface for enabling a voicemail system to be controlled from the computing device, the interface enabling selection by a user of any one of a plurality of command inputs;

detecting selection of one of the plurality of command inputs; and

generating a signal tone corresponding to the selected command input, wherein the signal input is transmitted across a network to the voicemail system to communicate a command to the voicemail system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein providing an interface includes providing a mechanical interface.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the mechanical interface includes coordinating operation of the mechanical interface with selection of one or more of the command inputs.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the mechanical interface includes coordinating an operation of a multi-dimensional input mechanism with selection of one or more of the command inputs.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein coordinating an operation of a multi-dimensional input mechanism with selection of one or more of the command inputs includes coordinating a directional input and a selection input made through operation of the multi-dimensional input mechanism.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein providing an interface includes displaying a plurality of objects for aiding use of the mechanical interface to provide the selection.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein detecting selection of one of the plurality of command inputs includes identifying the command input that correlates to a command to the voicemail system for performing an operation selected from a group consisting of:

saving a message, playing a message, forwarding a message, deleting a message, and skipping a message.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a signal tone includes transmitting the signal tone across a cellular network.

18. The method of claim 10 wherein generating a signal tone includes transmitting the signal tone across the Internet using a Voice over Internet Protocol connection.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein generating a signal tone includes generating a Dial Tone Multiple Frequency signal that is designated to correspond to the command by the voicemail system.

20. A computer-readable medium carrying instructions for operating a computing device, the instructions including instructions for performing steps comprising:

displaying an interface for enabling a voicemail system to be controlled from the computing device, the interface including one or more display objects, wherein each display object is selectable by a user to enter a command input assigned to that display object;

detecting selection of any one of the one or more display objects by the user;

identifying the command input assigned to the display object; and

generating a signal tone corresponding to the command input, wherein the signal input is transmitted across a network to the voicemail system to communicate a command to the voicemail system.