METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LINE SELECTION IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20090221268A1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Yach, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,270,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2746 Sorting, e.g. according to history or frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• 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 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42246 where the subscriber uses a multi-mode terminal which moves and accesses different networks with at least one network having a wireline access including cordless PBX

Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In at least one broad aspect, priority rankings are determined based on a number of factors and selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed is made based on the priority rankings. A list of communication lines ordered by priority rankings may also be displayed.

Claims

1. A method of placing a call on a communication line selected from at least two communication lines on which outgoing calls are placed using a mobile device, said method comprising:

monitoring for initiation of a call to a target recipient;

upon detecting the initiation of the call to the target recipient, determining a priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines;

determining a selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings; and

placing the call to the target recipient on the determined communication line of the at least two communication lines.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected communication line determined based on the priority rankings is the communication lines of the at least two communications lines with the highest priority ranking.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on a score computed from rank values associated with at least two factors selected from a group of determined factors consisting of:

whether the communication line was last used for calling the target recipient, whether the communication line is associated with the target recipient as identified in an address book, whether the communication line is determined to be a most frequently used communication line on the device, whether the communication line is associated with a message address of one or more messages received at the device, whether the communication line is associated with a time of day, whether the communication line is associated with an appointment record, and whether the communication line is a default communication line.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on the score computed from the rank values, which are weighted according to a weighting scheme.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a listing that identifies each of the at least two communication lines, ordered by priority rankings; and

identifying a selected communication line from the listing, wherein the determined selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings is the identified selected communication line from the listing.

6. A mobile device, wherein the mobile device provides access to at least two communication lines on which outgoing calls are placed, the mobile device comprising:

an input module programmed to monitor for initiation of a call to a target recipient;

a line selection module programmed to determine a priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines, and to determine a selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings; and

a communication module programmed to place the call to the target recipient on the determined communication line of the at least two communication lines.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the selected communication line determined based on the priority rankings is the communication lines of the at least two communications lines with the highest priority ranking.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on a score computed from rank values associated with at least two factors selected from a group of determined factors consisting of:

whether the communication line was last used for calling the target recipient, whether the communication line is associated with the target recipient as identified in an address book, whether the communication line is determined to be a most frequently used communication line on the device, whether the communication line is associated with a message address of one or more messages received at the device, whether the communication line is associated with a time of day, whether the communication line is associated with an appointment record, and whether the communication line is a default communication line.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on the score computed from the rank values, which are weighted according to a weighting scheme.

10. The device of claim 6, further comprising at least one module programmed to:

display a listing that identifies each of the at least two communication lines, ordered by priority rankings; and

identify a selected communication line from the listing;

wherein the determined selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings is the identified selected communication line from the listing.

11. A computer-readable medium upon which instructions are stored for performing, on a mobile device, a method of placing a call on a communication line selected from at least two communication lines on which outgoing calls are placed using a mobile device, said method comprising:

monitoring for initiation of a call to a target recipient;

upon detecting the initiation of the call to the target recipient, determining a priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines;

determining a selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings; and

placing the call to the target recipient on the determined communication line of the at least two communication lines.

12. The medium of claim 11, wherein the selected communication line determined based on the priority rankings is the communication lines of the at least two communications lines with the highest priority ranking.

13. The medium of claim 11, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on a score computed from rank values associated with at least two factors selected from a group of determined factors consisting of:

whether the communication line was last used for calling the target recipient, whether the communication line is associated with the target recipient as identified in an address book, whether the communication line is determined to be a most frequently used communication line on the device, whether the communication line is associated with a message address of one or more messages received at the device, whether the communication line is associated with a time of day, whether the communication line is associated with an appointment record, and whether the communication line is a default communication line.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein the priority ranking for each of the at least two communication lines is determined based on the score computed from the rank values, which are weighted according to a weighting scheme.

15. The medium of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

displaying a listing that identifies each of the at least two communication lines, ordered by priority rankings; and

identifying a selected communication line from the listing;

wherein the determined selected communication line of the at least two communication lines based on the priority rankings is the identified selected communication line from the listing.