Mobile computing device interface

• US 7,738,912 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Issued: 06/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Gayed, Nancy, Cinque, Priscilla S., Shirai, Gregory T., Hawkins, Jeffrey Charles, Haitani, Robert Yuji
• Primary Examiner(s): SHARMA, SUJATHA R
• Application Number:
  US11/744,661
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 455/564, 455/566, 455/550.1, 455 901- 903, 455/91, 455/95, 455/575, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/575.1, 379/93.05, 379/93.19, 379/93.17, 379/93.09, 379/93.23, 379/93.24, 345/173, 345/174, 345/204, 345/205, 345/156, 345/1.1, 345/1.2
• US Class Current: 455/550.1
• 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 1/2748 by matching character strings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• 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 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

In a communication device, user activation of a speed-dial button causes a context-sensitive menu to be displayed. The menu lists available options, or communication modes, for contacting the party associated with the speed-dial button. The user can select an item from the menu in order to initiate communication with the selected party using the communication mode associated with the menu item. In various aspects, the invention provides additional functionality for redialing previously called contact numbers, assigning speed-dial buttons to other commands and functions, and displaying presence information for contacts.

Claims

1. In a communication device, a method for initiating a communication with a destination party, comprising:

providing for display a plurality of speed-dial buttons for initiating communication with a plurality of contacts, each speed-dial button assignable to one of a set of communication modes and associated with a contact, the plurality of speed-dial buttons organized into a plurality of banks, each bank comprising at least one speed-dial button and associated with a selectable icon;

detecting user activation of a speed-dial button corresponding to a first previously stored handle representing a first communication mode for contacting the destination party associated with the speed-dial button;

determining whether at least a second previously stored handle exists representing a second communication mode for the destination party associated with the speed dial button; and

responsive to a determination that least a second previously stored handle exists;

displaying at least two communication modes for the destination party associated with the speed dial-button, each displayed communication mode corresponding to a communication mode for contacting the destination party using a handle associated with the destination party,

receiving user selection of one of the displayed communication modes; and

initiating communication with the destination party, using the selected communication mode to contact the destination party.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to a determination that only one previously stored handle exists;

initiating communication with the destination party, using a communication mode associated with the first previously stored handle.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein each speed-dial button comprises a visual indicator of a communication mode associated with the speed-dial button.

4. A user interface for a communication device having a display screen, the user interface comprising:

a plurality of on-screen buttons displayed on the display screen, each button assignable to one of a set of communication mode functions and associated with a contact, the plurality of on-screen buttons organized into a plurality of banks displayed on the display screen, each bank comprising at least one on-screen button, and the user interface further comprises controls for navigating between banks, and

at least one configuration screen for assigning a button to a function of the set of communication mode functions,

wherein each button is activatable to perform the function to which it is assigned in response to a single action, and

wherein the set of communication mode functions comprises a speed dial function and at least one non-speed dial function.

5. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the at least one non-speed dial function comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

launching an application;

initiating an email communication to a specified recipient;

initiating an SMS communication to a specified recipient; and

accessing a web page.

6. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the user interface is navigable via a switch comprising at least two direction controls and an activation switch.

7. The user interface of claim 4, wherein the user interface is navigable via a switch comprising at least four direction controls and an activation switch.

8. The user interface of claim 4, wherein each button comprises a visual indicator of the type of function associated with the button, wherein the visual indicator comprises at least one of a color, an icon, a text label, a pop-up label, a shape, or an outline.

9. The user interface of claim 4 wherein each button comprises a visual indicator of the type of function associated with the button.

10. A method for displaying presence information on a mobile communication device, comprising:

receiving an electronic communication associated with a communicating party;

determining, from the electronic communication, identification associated with the communicating party;

retrieving, in response to the identification, pre-stored contract information corresponding to the communicating party;

providing for display plurality of on-screen icons, at least two on-screen communication icon corresponding to a distinct communication mode to respond to the communicating party;

retrieving presence information for the communicating party responsive to the received electronic communication; and

concurrently with displaying the plurality of on-screen icons, displaying a presence information indicator for the communicating party for each communication mode corresponding to each on-screen icon, the presence information indicator indicating the communicating party'"'"'s ability to receive data via the communication mode associated with an on-screen icon.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying the indicator within each on-screen button.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying the indicator adjacent to each on-screen button.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each on-screen icon comprises an on-screen button and displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying each on-screen button using a color representing the presence information.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein displaying the presence information indicator comprises displaying at least of an icon, a text label, or a speed-dial button.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is available to receive a communication via the communication mode.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is online.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party is on the phone.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein retrieving the presence information comprises determining whether the communicating party has specified a presence state.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein each on-screen icon comprises a visual indicator of a communication mode.