METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR LINE SELECTION IN A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20090221323A1
• 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: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Yach, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,249,603 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.100
• 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 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/733 with a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of lines for selection in cordless PBX H04W84/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding

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 a communication line associated with the one of two or more message addresses at which a message is received 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, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive messages at any of two or more message addresses, said method comprising:

receiving a message comprising data identifying a target recipient at one of the two or more message addresses;

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 a communication line associated with the one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received; 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 one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing line selection information comprising data identifying, for each of the two or more message addresses, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is one selected from a group consisting of an e-mail message, an instant message, and an SMS message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the message 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, and wherein the mobile device is configured to receive messages at any of two or more message addresses, the mobile device comprising:

a messaging module programmed to receive a message comprising data identifying a target recipient at one of the two or more message addresses;

an input module 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 a communication line associated with the one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received; 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 one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received.

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 two or more message addresses, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the message is one selected from a group consisting of an e-mail message, an instant message, and an SMS message.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the message 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 messaging 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, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive messages at any of two or more message addresses, said method comprising:

receiving a message comprising data identifying a target recipient at one of the two or more message addresses;

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 a communication line associated with the one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received; 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 one of the two or more message addresses at which the message is received.

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

storing line selection information comprising data identifying, for each of the two or more message addresses, which communication line of the at least two communication lines is associated therewith.

13. The medium of claim 11, wherein the message is one selected from a group consisting of an e-mail message, an instant message, and an SMS message.

14. The medium of claim 11, wherein the data identifying the target recipient in the message 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.