METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LINE SELECTION IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20090221291A1
• 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 8,185,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/445
• 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 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier

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 one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of at least two appointment categories for an appointment is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

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:

identifying an appointment record comprising data identifying a target recipient, wherein the appointment record is associated with a selected one of at least two appointment categories, and wherein one of the at least two communication lines is associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories;

monitoring for initiation of a call to the target recipient;

upon detecting the initiation of the call to the target recipient, determining which of the at least two communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories; and

placing the call to the target recipient on the determined communication line of the at least two communication lines which is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing line selection information comprising data identifying, for each of the at least two appointment categories, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a record of the appointment category with which the appointment record is associated prior to the act of identifying an appointment record.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the appointment record comprises at least one data item associated with the target recipient selected from a group consisting of a name, an e-mail address, and a phone number.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message in a user interface of the mobile device; and

initiating the call to the target recipient upon detecting selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message.

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 coupled to a calendar module, the input module programmed to identify an appointment record comprising data identifying a target recipient, wherein the appointment record is associated with a selected one of at least two appointment categories, and wherein one of the at least two communication lines is associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories;

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

a line selection module programmed to determine, upon detecting the initiation of the call to the target recipient, which of the at least two communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories; 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 which is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the line selection module is further programmed to:

store line selection information comprising data identifying, for each of the at least two appointment categories, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the calendar module is further programmed to:

store a record of the appointment category with which the appointment record is associated prior to the act of identifying an appointment record.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the appointment record comprises at least one data item associated with the target recipient selected from a group consisting of a name, an e-mail address, and a phone number.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein the calendar module is further programmed to:

detect selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message in a user interface of the mobile device; and

initiate the call to the target recipient upon detecting selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message.

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:

identifying an appointment record comprising data identifying a target recipient, wherein the appointment record is associated with a selected one of at least two appointment categories, and wherein one of the at least two communication lines is associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories;

monitoring for initiation of a call to the target recipient;

upon detecting the initiation of the call to the target recipient, determining which of the at least two communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories; and

placing the call to the target recipient on the determined communication line of the at least two communication lines which is the communication line associated with the selected one of the at least two appointment categories.

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

storing line selection information comprising data identifying, for each of the at least two appointment categories, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

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

storing a record of the appointment category with which the appointment record is associated prior to the act of identifying an appointment record.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the appointment record comprises at least one data item associated with the target recipient selected from a group consisting of a name, an e-mail address, and a phone number.

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

detecting selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message in a user interface of the mobile device; and

initiating the call to the target recipient upon detecting selection of the data identifying the target recipient in the message.