MISSED COMMUNICATION HANDLING

• US 20110076989A1
• Filed: 09/30/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lynch, Stephen Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,731 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for missed call handling are provided. In particular there is provided a method for providing missed communication reminders. The method includes receiving an electronic communication and determining, by an electronic device, that the electronic communication was not acknowledged. In response to determining that the electronic communication was not acknowledged, a missed communication reminder is created and scheduled to be actuated automatically at a certain time. The missed communication reminder is stored in an electronic storage medium associated with the electronic device. Upon reaching the certain time, the missed communication reminder is actuated through an output apparatus in communication with the electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for providing missed communication reminders comprising:

receiving an electronic communication;

determining, by an electronic device, that the electronic communication was not acknowledged;

in response to determining that the electronic communication was not acknowledged, creating a missed communication reminder, the missed communication reminder scheduled to be actuated automatically at a certain time;

storing the missed communication reminder in an electronic storage medium associated with the electronic device;

upon reaching the certain time, actuating the missed communication reminder through an output apparatus in communication with the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising retrieving origin identifying information and storing the information with the missed communication reminder.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising receiving user input relative to the missed communication indicator indicating a missed communication reminder is to be created and only creating the reminder if the user indicates a missed call reminder is to be created.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein receiving user input comprises sensing user touch input.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising sending a text message to a number associated with the missed communication.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the text message is sent without user input and includes automatically generated content.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the user input relative to the created missed communication reminder comprises at least one of a date, a time of day or a time period.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the missed communication reminder is an alarm associated with a calendar application executing on the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 1 comprising sending a meeting request to a number associated with the missed communication.

10. An electronic communication device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing operating instructions for the electronic communication device; and

a plurality of I/O devices coupled to the processor, the plurality of I/O devices comprising;

at least one device configured to receive and transmit electronic communications;

at least one device for receiving user input; and

at least one device for providing output to a user;

wherein the electronic communication device is configured to;

determine when a communication is not acknowledged;

store information related to the communication in the memory of the electronic communication device, the information comprising date, time and origin of the communication; and

set a reminder comprising the information related to the communication, the setting of reminder comprising setting a time for actuation of the reminder.

11. The electronic communication device of claim 10 wherein the electronic communication device is configured to send a text message to the origin of the communication upon determining a communication is not acknowledged.

12. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the electronic communication device is configured to receive user input related to the setting of the reminder.

13. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the electronic communication device is configured to automatically sets the time and date of the reminder.

14. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the at least one device for providing output comprises at least one of a speaker, a display, and a haptic actuator, the at least one device for providing output being actuated by the reminder when the time for the reminder is reached.

15. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the at least one device for receiving user input comprises at least one of a push button, a touch sensitive display, a keyboard, a proximity sensor, a microphone, a mouse, and a trackpad.

16. The electronic device of claim 10 wherein the at least one device configured to receive and transmit electronic communications comprises one or more of a cellular antenna, a WiFi antenna, an Ethernet port, a phone jack, and a Bluetooth antenna.

17. A method of operating a communications network configured to communicatively couple a plurality of communication devices together, the method comprising:

determining by an electronic device when an electronic communication is not acknowledged by a destination communication device;

in response to determining that the electronic communication was not acknowledged,

determining the origin of the missed communication;

sending a text message to the origin of the missed communication; and

setting a time-based reminder for the destination communication device, the reminder including the time, date and origin of the missed communication, the time-based reminder generating an output in response to reaching a set time.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising automatically generating and sending the text message from a device in the communications network;

and

storing the time-based reminder in an electronic storage medium associated with the communications network.

19. The method of claim 17 comprising sending a notification from a device in the communications network to the destination communication device upon reaching the set time for the reminder.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising:

receiving user input at the destination communication device related to the time-based reminder indicating a selected electronic device for receipt of the reminder; and

sending the reminder to the selected electronic device upon reaching the set time for the reminder.