Cell phone communication management

• US 20070293206A1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Lund, Arnold M.
• Application Number:
  US11/471,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20070293206A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/415
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• 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: H04M 7/0027 Collaboration services where a computer is used for data transfer and the telephone is used for telephonic communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal

Abstract

Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that enhance an ongoing cell phone communication. A separate computing device determines that a communication is in progress on a cell phone. Information is retrieved from a data store that is related to a party participating in the communication. The information is displayed on a display device of the separate computing device for at least a portion of time that the communication is in progress on the cell phone. Management options related to the communication are displayed on the display device of the separate computing device. The user can manage the communication on the cell phone from the separate computing device using the management options.

Claims

1. A method for using a computing device to enhance an ongoing cell phone communication comprising the steps of:

determining from a separate computing device that a communication is in progress on a cell phone;

retrieving information from a data store, the information being related to a party participating in the communication; and

displaying at least a portion of the information on a display device of the separate computing device for at least a portion of time that the communication is in progress on the cell phone.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed information includes a caller identification that further identifies the party participating in the communication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed information includes a photo of the party participating in the communication.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed information includes at least a partial history of prior communications with the party participating in the communication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the partial history of prior communications includes at least one email.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the partial history of prior communications includes at least one note describing a prior conversation.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication is selected from the group consisting of an incoming communication and an outgoing communication.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the separate computing device determines that a communication is in progress by communicating with the cell phone over a communication connection, the communication connection being selected from the group consisting of a wired connection and a wireless connection.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the separate computing device determines that the communication is in progress on the cell phone by monitoring the cell phone over a communication connection.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the separate computing device determines that the communication is in progress on the cell phone by receiving an alert from the cell phone over a communication connection.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the steps recited in claim 1.

12. A method for using a computing device to manage an ongoing cell phone communication comprising the steps of:

determining from a separate computing device that a communication is in progress on a cell phone;

displaying at least one management option related to the communication, the at least one management option being displayed on a display device of the separate computing device;

receiving input from a user to manage the communication from the separate computing device using the at least one management option; and

responding to the input from the user to manage the communication from the separate computing device.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the separate computing device determines that the communication is in progress on the cell phone by monitoring the cell phone over a communication connection.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the separate computing device determines that the communication is in progress on the cell phone by receiving an alert from the cell phone over a communication connection.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one management option includes a voice mail option to allow the user to send the communication to a voice mail.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one voice mail option includes a customization option to allow the user to specify a particular voice mail greeting to use.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the steps recited in claim 12.

18. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform steps comprising:

communicate with a cell phone over a communication connection to determine that a communication is in progress on the cell phone;

retrieve information from a data store located separately from the cell phone, the information being related to a party participating in the communication; and

display at least a portion of the information on a display device located separately from the cell phone for at least a portion of time that the communication is in progress on the cell phone.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the step comprising:

display at least one management option related to the communication, the management option being displayed on the display device.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the step comprising:

receive input from a user to manage the communication using the at least one management option.