HANDHELD ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING CROSS APPLICATION USE OF PHONE RELATED INPUTS, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

• US 20120184260A1
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Published: 07/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: BOCKING, Andrew D., Vander Veen, Raymond P.
• Application Number:
  US13/432,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184260A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27463 Predictive input, predictive dialling by comparing the dialled sequence with the content of a telephone directory
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2753 providing data content
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide added convenience for the user by enabling the user to quickly and easily initiate telephone related functions from applications other than the device'"'"'s phone and address book applications using a dedicated phone related key. The device includes a plurality of use states and each one of the use states has an associated function that is to be initiated upon depression of the phone related key. When the phone related key is depressed, the current use state is determined and the function that is associated with the current use state is executed.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a processor of a handheld electronic device, comprising:

activating an application other than an address book application or a phone application;

displaying, in the application, a phone number related to a contact;

receiving selection of the phone number;

detecting initiation of a phone related function;

activating the phone application;

placing a call to the phone number; and

displaying information identifying the contact.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the contact comprises a name of the contact.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the contact comprises the phone number.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a category associated with the phone number.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an indication that the contact is being called.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying an indication that the phone number is being called.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the application comprises:

a messaging application, an email application, an SMS application, an MMS application, a browser application, a memo application, a calendar application, or a task application.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the application displays the information related to the contact in a hyperlink.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the application is a messaging application and the information related to the contact is displayed in a body of a message.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting initiation of an end function;

displaying an indication that the call is disconnected; and

returning to the application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contact is listed in a contact entry of the address book application.

12. A handheld electronic device, comprising:

a display;

an input apparatus;

a processor in electronic communication with the display and the input apparatus, and configured to;

activate an application other than an address book application or a phone application;

display in the application, a phone number related to a contact;

receive selection of the phone number;

detect initiation of a phone related function;

activate the phone application;

place a call to the phone number; and

display information identifying the contact.

13. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the information identifying the contact comprises a name of the contact.

14. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the information identifying the contact comprises the phone number.

15. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to display a category associated with the phone number.

16. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to display an indication that the contact is being called.

17. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to display an indication that the phone number is being called.

18. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the application comprises:

a messaging application, an email application, an SMS application, an MMS application, a browser application, a memo application, a calendar application, or a task application.

19. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor displays in the application the information related to the contact in a hyperlink.

20. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the application is a messaging application and the information related to the contact is displayed in a body of a message.

21. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect initiation of an end function;

display an indication that the call is disconnected; and

return to the application.

22. The handheld electronic device of claim 12, wherein the contact is listed in a contact entry of the address book application.