GRAPHICAL COMMUNICATION USER INTERFACE
First Claim
1. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform a method comprising:
- obtaining an image that represents a plurality of potential communication recipients, the image having a plurality of image portions that each represent a different one of the plurality of potential communication recipients;
storing information that, for each image portion, associates the image portion with a contact information element for the potential communication recipient represented by the image portion;
displaying the image;
receiving a user input that selects one of the image portions; and
using the stored information to identify the contact information element associated with the selected image portion.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
New devices, systems and methods are hereby provided that enable a user to open a communication channel by selecting an image on a monitor. A device that includes a monitor and a graphical position user input mechanism is configured to display one or more images on the monitor, to receive a graphical position user input selecting one of the images, and to open a communication channel directed to a contact information element associated with the selected image. For example, this may include placing a phone call to a selected recipient, or opening an email, instant messaging, or text message composition panel addressed to a selected recipient, by touching, clicking on, or otherwise selecting an image of the recipient, or an image that is associated with the recipient.
93 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform a method comprising:
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obtaining an image that represents a plurality of potential communication recipients, the image having a plurality of image portions that each represent a different one of the plurality of potential communication recipients; storing information that, for each image portion, associates the image portion with a contact information element for the potential communication recipient represented by the image portion; displaying the image; receiving a user input that selects one of the image portions; and using the stored information to identify the contact information element associated with the selected image portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method comprising:
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determining that an image comprising a pictorial representation of a potential communication recipient is associated with a contact information element that identifies a communication channel to the potential communication recipient; identifying status information related to communication availability with the potential communication recipient; displaying the image for user selection, wherein the image is visually modified based on the status information using a computer processor; and receiving a user selection of the image. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A device comprising:
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at least one processor; a plurality of images, each image comprising a pictorial representation of a different potential communication recipient and being associated with contact information elements that identify different communication channels to the potential communication recipient; and instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, configure the device to; display the plurality of images; receive a user input that selects one of the plurality of images; if the user input comprises a first input mode, initiating a communication via a default communication channel identified by a contact information element associated with the selected image; and if the user input comprises a second input mode, rendering a plurality of selectable options for initiating a communication via one or more other communication channels identified by a contact information element associated with the selected image. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification