Method and apparatus for organizing and displaying internet and telephone information

• US 6,285,364 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1997
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Giordano, Joseph III, Hanen, Udi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BAUTISTA, XIOMARA L
• Application Number:
  US08/868,132
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 345/326, 345/329, 345/332-335, 345/339-340, 345/342, 345/348, 345/978, 345/347, 370/352, 370/354, 370/356, 379/93-5-, 379/93.17, 379/93-3-, 379/110.01, 455/566, 709/300, 709/302, 709/310, 709/328
• US Class Current: 715/804
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2477 for selecting a function from a menu display H04M1/2474 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2478 Telephone terminals specially adapted for non-voice services, e.g. email, internet access centralized arrangements where telephones services are combined H04M7/0024; for recording text messages H04M3/5322; for accessing Internet H04M3/4938
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set

Abstract

An integrated graphical user interface is provided to both Internet and telephone function screens in an Internet access device. An integrated graphical user interface includes a home screen having selectable areas that represent a primary level of Internet and telephone functions. A telephone function screen automatically slides up to cover a portion of a previously-displayed screen in response to a selected condition, including receiving and initiating a telephone call. The slide-up window may also be manually controlled. The slide-up window displays information related to the telephone call being initiated or in progress. Selectable areas are provided for user control of call functions including answering, initiating a call, implementing telephone company services, and user defined functions. Upon termination of the selected condition, or upon user selection, the telephone function screen slides down to expose the previously displayed screen.

Claims

1. A method for organizing and displaying internet and telephone information and functions, comprising the steps of:

providing an integrated user interface for internet and telephone function;

slidably displaying an interrupt-driven, context-sensitive telephone function screen automatically in response to a selected condition, to cover at least a portion of a previously-displayed screen.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

recognizing the termination of said selected condition; and

slidably retracing said telephone function screen in response thereto to expose said previously-displayed screen.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying said Internet and telephone function screens as selectable areas on said integrated graphical user interface.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

hierarchically organizing related functions as sub-screens within said Internet and telephone function screens.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said integrated graphical user interface, Internet function screens, telephone function screens, or sub-screens is user-customizable.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

displaying an indexed telephone number on said telephone function screen; and

initiating a telephone call to said telephone number in response to selection of said telephone number.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said index is one of a text representation or an icon.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said icon is programmable.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps:

displaying one or more calling features on said telephone function screen; and

initiating said calling features upon selection thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected condition is interrupt or context based.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said integrated graphical user interface is displayed on an Internet access device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said Internet access device is an Internet-compatible telephone.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

downloading either of information and functions during an Internet session; and

configuring said access device with either of said information and functions.

14. A method for integrating Internet and telephone functions in an Internet capable telephone, comprising the steps of:

providing an integrated graphical user interface to Internet and telephone unction screens;

displaying said Internet and telephone function screens as selectable areas on said integrated graphical user interface;

hierarchically organizing related functions as sub-screens within said internet and telephone function screens;

slidably displaying an interrupt-driven, context-sensitive telephone function screen automatically in response to a selected condition, to cover at least a portion of a previously-displayed screen;

recognizing the termination of said selected condition; and

slidably retracting said telephone function screen automatically in response thereto to expose said previously-displayed interface.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

displaying an indexed telephone number on said telephone function screen; and

initiating a telephone call to said telephone number in response to selection of said indexed telephone number.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said index is one of a text representation or an icon.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said icon is programmable.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps:

displaying one or more calling features on said telephone function screen; and

initiating said calling features upon selection thereof.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of said integrated graphical user interface, Internet function screens, telephone function screens, or sub-screens is user-customizable.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein said selected condition is an interrupt or context driven.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein said integrated graphical user interface is displayed on an Internet access device.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein said Internet access device is an Internet-compatible telephone.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

downloading either of information and functions during an Internet session; and

configuring said Internet-capable telephone with either of said information and functions.

24. An apparatus for organizing and displaying Internet and telephone information, comprising:

a draw task used by said apparatus for providing an integrated graphical user interface to Internet and interrupt-driven, context-sensitive telephone function screens;

a draw task for displaying a telephony function on said telephone function screen;

a telephony task for initiating a telephone call to said telephone number in response to selection of said indexed telephone number; and

an event handler used by said apparatus for automatically displaying said telephone function screen in response to a selected condition to cover at least a portion of a previously-displayed screen, said draw task retracting said telephone function screen automatically in response to the termination of said selected condition to expose said previously-displayed screen.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a telephone interface for downloading either of information and functions during an Internet session;

wherein the configuration of said Internet-capable telephone is modified with either of said information and functions.

26. An access appliance, comprising:

a telephone for receiving and displaying Internet information; and

a draw task used by said telephone to provide an integrated graphical user interface for Internet functions and telephone functions; and

an event handler which recognizes an interrupt or context-based event and causes said draw task to slide up a telephone function screen automatically in response thereto;

wherein said event handler recognizes the termination of said event and causes said draw task to slide down said telephone function screen automatically in response thereto.