System and method for collecting and presenting records in a journal on an electronic device

• US 20070099657A1
• Filed: 11/01/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Scott, Sherryl
• Granted Patent: US 8,954,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57

Abstract

A device and a method of organizing journaling items from applications processed by an electronic device are provided. The method comprises: defining a journal having a parameter for storing journaling items; defining contexts for the parameter by creating a context for each record using data from an application operating on the device which matches a relevant aspect of the parameter; upon detection of a new journaling item processed by the device, determining whether the new journaling item matches any of the contexts, and if so, updating the journal with details associated with the journaling item; and determining whether any previously processed journaling items processed by the device matches any of the contexts, and if so, updating the journal with details associated with the any previously received item. The device incorporates modules to perform the method.

Claims

1. A method of organizing journaling items from a plurality of types of applications processed by an electronic device, said method comprising:

defining a journal having a parameter for storing journaling items;

identifying any contexts for said parameter for different types of items processed by said device;

upon detection of a new journaling item processed by said device, determining whether a context relating to said new journaling item matches one of said any contexts, and if so, updating said journal with details associated with said journaling item; and

determining whether a context relating to a previously processed journaling items processed by said device matches one of said any contexts, and if so, updating said journal with details associated with said previously received item.

2. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 1 wherein if said parameter defines a person, said any contexts include identification tags in a database used by an address book application utilized by said device relating to an address, a telephone number and email address for said person.

3. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 1, wherein if said parameter defines an organization, said any contexts include identification tags in a database used by an address book application utilized by said device relating to addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses for said organization.

4. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 1, wherein if said parameter defines a topic, said any contexts include in an email message text including said topic in a subject matter line, in an appointment record text including said topic in a subject matter line and in a message in a text including said topic in a text message.

5. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 2, wherein said any contexts are identified by accessing a database associated with an address book application utilized by said device.

6. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 5, wherein said parameter includes a sub-parameter.

7. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 6, wherein when said parameter is modified, new contexts for said parameter are identified from said address book and said journal is updated to retain journaling items currently matching said parameter.

8. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 7, wherein contents of said journal are presented in a chronological order.

9. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 8, wherein contents of said journal are further grouped by types of applications.

10. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 9, wherein said electronic device is a portable device.

11. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plurality of types of applications includes at least two types of communication technologies.

12. The method of organizing journaling items as claimed in claim 2, wherein said any contexts are identified by accessing a database associated with a calendar application utilized by said device.

13. An electronic device for processing items from a plurality of types of applications, said device comprising:

a microprocessor;

a display;

a plurality of modules operating on said microprocessor, including;

a database for an address book application containing records of contact information relating to other module s of said plurality of modules;

an email module for generating, receiving and storing email messages;

a telephone module for initiating and receiving telephone calls and for storing records relating to said telephone calls; and

an appointment module for creating, storing and tracking appointments; and

a journal module for organizing records of items processed by said plurality of modules, said journal module

defining a journal having a parameter for its contents;

identifying contexts for said parameter for different types of items processed by said device;

detecting processing of a new journaling item processed by said device, determining whether a context relating to said new journaling item matches one of said any contexts, and if so, updating said journal with details associated with said journaling item; and

determining whether a context of any previously processed journaling items processed by said device matches one of said any contexts, and if so, updating said journal with details associated with said any previously received item.

14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein if said parameter defines an organization, said any contexts include identification tags in a database used by an address book application utilized by said device relating to an address, a telephone number and email address for said organization.

15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 14, wherein if said parameter defines a topic, said any contexts include in an email message text including said topic in a subject matter line, in an appointment record text including said topic in a subject matter line and in a message in a text including said topic in a text message.

16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein contents of said journal are presented in a chronological order.

17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein contents of said journal are further grouped by types of applications.

18. The electronic device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the parameter includes a sub-parameter.

19. The electronic device as claimed in claim 18, wherein when the parameter is modified, said journal module identifies new contexts for said parameter from the database for the address book and updates the journal to retain journaling items currently matching the parameter as modified.

20. The electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said any contexts are identified by accessing a database associated with an address book application utilized by said device.