METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATED BUSINESS DIALING

• US 20130295999A1
• Filed: 12/20/2010
• Published: 11/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shanghai Chule (CooTek) Information Technology Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Shanghai Chule (CooTek) Information Technology Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Zhang, Kan, Zhao, Yang, Wang, Jialiang, Xie, Haichao
• Granted Patent: US 9,288,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/564
• 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 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2748 by matching character strings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/54 Object oriented software
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/15 Information service where the information is dependent on the location of the subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/70 methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/022 with dynamic range variability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Systems and methods consistent with the invention relate to automated business and service dialing. According to one exemplary embodiment, a business dialing system is disclosed. The system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of business objects containing phone numbers corresponding to a plurality of business entities. The system further includes a user input device configured to detect key presses. The system also includes a processor coupled to the user input device and the memory. The processor is configured to generate a key sequence and a number sequence based on the detected key presses. The processor is further configured to search the memory for business objects corresponding to the key sequence. The system further includes a display device configured to display the number sequence and the business objects. The user input interface is further configured to detect a selection of a business object, among the business objects, or a dial command. The processor is configured to perform an action associated with the selected business object if the selection of the business object is detected, and dial the number sequence as a phone number if the dial command is detected.

Claims

1. A business dialing system, comprising,

a memory configured to store a plurality of business objects;

a user input device configured to detect key presses;

a processor coupled to the user input device and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to;

generate a key sequence and a number sequence based on the detected key presses;

search the memory for business objects corresponding to the key sequence; and

a display device configured to display the number sequence and the business objects,

wherein the user input interface is further configured to detect a selection of a business object, among the business objects, or a dial command,

wherein the processor is configured to;

perform an action associated with the selected business object if the selection of the business object is detected; and

dial the number sequence as a phone number if the dial command is detected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the business objects contain location information of respective business entities.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface configured to download the business objects from an online service upon a triggering event.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the triggering event is a change of user location associated with the business dialer system, wherein the business objects downloaded from the online service are associated with business entities within a predetermined distance from the user location.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the triggering event is a change of information related to business entities previously stored in the database, wherein the business objects downloaded from the online service are associated with the business entities that are changed.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

send an online search request to an online service, wherein the online search request includes the key sequence; and

receive online search results from the online service.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

send an online search request to an online service for additional information associated with the selected business object; and

receive online search results from the online service,

wherein the display device is further configured to display the additional information.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory is further configured to store a plurality of contact objects, wherein the processor is further configured to search the memory for contact objects corresponding to the key sequence.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor is further configured to detect a user location, wherein the business objects are ranked based on distances between the current location and the respective business entities.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the business object are ranked based on a level of popularity associated with the respective business entity or a calling frequency associated with the respective business entity.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the business objects further include characteristic data corresponding to respective business entities, wherein the characteristic data of a business object includes a business name in a foreign language, the business name including one or more characters, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine one or more English words associated with the one or more characters; and

identify at least one English word that matches the key sequence.

12. A business dialing method implemented on a business dialer system, comprising:

detecting key presses on a user input device;

generating, by a processor, a key sequence and a number sequence based on the detected key presses;

search a memory for business objects corresponding to the key sequence;

displaying the number sequence and the business objects on a display device;

detecting a selection of a business object, among the business objects, or a dial command;

performing an action associated with the selected business object if the selection of the business object is detected; and

dialing the number sequence as a phone number if the dial command is detected.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising downloading the business objects from an online service upon a triggering event.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

sending an online search request to an online service, wherein the online search request includes the key sequence; and

receiving online search results from the online service;

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

sending an online search request to an online service for additional information associated with the selected business object;

receiving online search results from the online service, and

displaying the additional information.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

searching the memory for contact objects corresponding to the key sequence.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

detecting a user location; and

ranking the business objects based on distances between the current location and the respective business entities.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable device that stores a set of instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a business dialer method, the method comprising:

detecting key presses on a user input device;

generating a key sequence and a number sequence based on the detected key presses;

searching a memory for business objects corresponding to the key sequence;

displaying the number sequence and the business objects on a display device;

detecting a selection of a business object, among the business objects, or a dial command;

performing an action associated with the selected business object if the selection of the business object is detected; and

dialing the number sequence as a phone number if the dial command is detected.

19. The computer-readable device of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises downloading the business objects from an online service upon a triggering event.

20. The computer-readable device of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

searching the memory for contact objects corresponding to the key sequence.

21. The computer-readable device of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a user location; and

ranking the business objects based on distances between the current location and the respective business entities.