Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices

• US 20060276210A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
• Original Assignee: C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass
• Granted Patent: US 7,376,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/651 Text message transmission triggered by call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of a computing device, said method comprising:

receiving an incoming text message from a second user;

converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message; and

playing the incoming audio message for the first user.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises.

determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio or text manner.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said determining is based on one or more of a preference setting, a configuration setting, hardware components availability, and user indication.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein a head-set is operatively connected to the computing device, and

wherein said determining comprises determining whether the head-set is active.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises:

translating the incoming text message from a short-hand or abbreviated format to another format with more alphabets; and

converting the another format of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on a user preference setting.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic pertains to at least one of a voice, tone, pace, accent or mood for use in producing the incoming audio message.

9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said playing of the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

10. A method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of a head-set operatively connected to a computing device, said method comprising:

receiving an incoming text message from a second user;

converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message;

playing the incoming audio message for the first user via the head-set;

recording a reply audio message by the first user via the head-set;

converting the reply audio message into a reply text message; and

transmitting the reply text message to the second user.

11. A method as recited in claim 10,

wherein the incoming text message is received over at least a wireless network,

wherein the reply text message is transmitted over at least the wireless network, and

wherein the computing device is operational as a mobile communication device.

12. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether the head-set is active.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein said converting, playing, recording, and converting are performed only when said determining determines that the head-set is active.

14. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said method further comprises:

prompting the first user with a reply audio message prior to said recording the reply audio message.

15. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein said method further comprises:

limiting the reply audio message during said recording and/or said converting.

16. A computer readable medium including at least computer program code for facilitating messaging for a first user of an electronic device, said computer readable medium comprising:

computer program code for receiving an incoming text message from a second user;

computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio or text manner;

computer program code for converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message when it is determined that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner; and

computer program code for playing the incoming audio message for the first user.